European Union seeks India help on IranFebruary 10, 2012 - 15:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union has asked India to use its leverage to bring Iran to the negotiating table over its nuclear program, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said on Friday, February 10, as Asia's third-largest economy prepares to increase trade with Tehran, Reuters reported. "We will share at lunchtime, I think, our deep concern on the Iranian nuclear program, and will ask Prime Minister Singh to use India's leverage towards Iran to help bring Tehran back to the negotiating table," Van Rompuy said at an EU-India summit in New Delhi on Friday. During the same news conference, India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Iran's nuclear issue needs to be resolved through diplomacy. "There are problems with Iran nuclear program. We sincerely believe that this issue can be and should be resolved by giving maximum scope to diplomacy," Singh said. India has struck a defiant tone over new financial sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union to punish Iran for its nuclear program, seeking to increase trade and barter arrangements to pay for oil supplies. On the eve of the summit, Trade Secretary Rahul Khullar said there was no reason why India should not take advantage of business opportunities arising as European companies reduce sales to Iran. Van Rompuy also said India and the EU have made "substantial progress" towards concluding a free trade deal. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |