EU to open new negotiating chapter with Turkey June 30June 14, 2010 - 13:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Amidst concerns that Spain's six-month EU presidency could end without any new chapters being opened in Turkey's accession negotiations with the Union, Turkey's chief EU negotiator, State Minister Egemen Bagis has announced that a new chapter will be opened on June 30, the day Spain's six-month-long rotating presidency ends, Today’s Zaman reported. President Abdullah Gul has approved the Food Safety Law that was adopted last week after long debates in Parliament and sent it to the Official Gazette for publication and implementation, Bagis, said, speaking at an award ceremony of the Association of European Journalists held in Istanbul. “The EU has required the adoption of the Food Safety Law to open the negotiation chapter on food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy. The aforementioned chapter will be opened on June 30,” Bagis, said, adding that "we are catching up to meeting EU standards on agriculture and food safety." In January, at the beginning of its rotating presidency, Spain had said it hoped to open accession talks on four chapters during its six-month presidency. Turkey, which formally began accession negotiations with the EU in 2005, has so far opened talks on only 12 chapters. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. |