Turkish Daily News: Armenian, Turkish diplomats meet in Bern againSeptember 17, 2008 - 21:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The behind the scenes diplomacy between Ankara and Yerevan, which set the ground for President Abdullah Gul's landmark visit to Armenia, continues this week in Switzerland with its third round between the two countries' top diplomats, the Turkish Daily News (TDN) reported.Diplomats will try to finalize a draft for the common declaration of good will in the wake of a tripartite summit between Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan to take place in New York at the end of September, the report said. Undersecretary of the foreign ministry, Ertugrul Apakan, and his deputy, Unal Cevikoz, headed for Switzerland on Sunday to meet their counterparts in Bern, which already hosted two rounds of talks in May and July, it added. The declaration is to be announced at the meeting of Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, which is expected to the take place during the U.N General Assembly in New York being held Sept.23 to Oct.1. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |