RA MFA: Armenia ready to start serous dialog with Turkey over past and futureMarch 29, 2007 - 15:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "Armenia and Armenians wish for substantive progress with Turkey regarding our painful past and a potential of a shared future as neighbors," RA MFA Acting Press Officer Vladimir Karapetyansays in his statement. In particular, the statement notes, "We do not want to be played in a never-ending process of "gestures" that do not intend to make real inroads in reconciliation and pursues propaganda purposes drawing away the attention of the international community from real problems. Armenia calls on the international community to encourage Turkey to engage in a substantive process toward open borders and normal relations. Actually the Armenian side would like to estimate Turkey's initiative on renovation and opening of the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar island as a real step forward aimed at reconciliation and approach of Armenian and Turkish people. However it is difficult to do that since the Turkish government does not recognize the true value of the civilization and nation, which created this monument. The Armenian side thinks that first of all opening of Armenian-Turkish border, which was closed in 1993, will become a real progress in improvement of bilateral relations." 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 | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |