Moscow ready to reverse course if Washington reviews its shield plansFebruary 7, 2009 - 15:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia said on Friday that U.S. President Barack Obama's new administration offered a "window of opportunity" to resolve deep divisions over U.S. missile shield plans in central Europe.Speaking at the start of the Munich Security Conference, an annual meeting of leaders to discuss foreign policy, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said Medvedev is ready to reverse course if Washington reviews its shield plans. Ivanov said Russia will not install Iskander missile systems in the Kaliningrad region if the United States gives up its missile shield plans. "President Dmitry Medvedev from the very start said clearly that if there are no interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic ... there will be no Iskanders in Kaliningrad," he said. Moscow has strongly opposed U.S. plans to install 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic by 2013 as a threat to its security and nuclear deterrent. Washington says the defenses are needed to deter possible strikes from "rogue states" such as Iran. Medvedev threatened in November to retaliate over the U.S. missile shield plans in central Europe by deploying Iskander-M missiles in the country's westernmost exclave of Kaliningrad, which borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania. 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 | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |