US AIM AT INCREASING INFLUENCE OF NATO IN SOUTH CAUCASUSOctober 24, 2003 - 19:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The US considers necessary to increase the influence of the NATO in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, as reported by Mediamax agency US Ambassador to the NATO Nicholas Burns stated. "These countries played significant role in the course of the operations in Afghanistan. "Not sharing the diplomatic values we abide by in the North Atlantic Alliance, they however wish in the strategic perspective to take part in the peacemaking measures and conflict prevention. They are our partners and we should help them in this issue", - N. Burns said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Politico: Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan in 2018-2022 Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Armenia’s enemy even though both countries were supposedly allies in a defense pact. Armenia Security Council chief to attend Ukraine peace summit Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will take part in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. Armenian govt. approves ratification of EAEU-Iran free trade deal At a meeting on Friday, June 14, the Armenian government approved the ratification of an EAEU free trade agreement with Iran. Deputy U.S. Secretary of State to arrive in Yerevan Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19 to. |