Eastern Partnership aims to develop relations between EU and South CaucasusDecember 24, 2008 - 14:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Mr. Peter Semneby named Eastern Partnership one of the main goals of his current visit to Azerbaijan."The initiative aims to develop relations between the European Union and the South Caucasus, as well as Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. The proposals put forward cover particularly the sectors of trade, energy and regional stability and will be discussed within three months. They also take into consideration specific features and tendencies of each country," Mr. Semneby said. He said the European Union welcomes the Moscow Declaration signed by Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia and hopes for a soonest presidential meeting to develop the dialogue. "The European Union will provide all kind of assistance for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict but will not compete with the OSCE Minsk Group," the EU official said. 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. |