  Ahmadinejad will join UN summit; Sarkozy, Sargsyan's attendance unconfirmed May 3, 2011 - 16:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian President Ahmadinejad will join the United Nation-sponsored Least Developed Countries Summit. Turkey will host the fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries on May 9-13 in Istanbul, one of the gatherings to contribute poorer nations improve prosperity and infrastructure. The Iranian leader's trip to Turkey coincides with growing pressure from the United States to halt the activities of the Iranian banks in Turkey. Meanwhile, Israeli President Shimon Peres will not participate in the gathering as the summit coincides with an Israeli national holiday. Relations between Turkey and Israel began to strain after an Israeli attack to Gaza killing about 1,400 Palestinians in 2009. Relations between the two countries tensed seriously over an Israeli raid on Gaza bound Turkish aid ship killing eight Turks and one Turkish-American in 2010. Following Israel’s attack, Ankara demanded an apology and compensation before relations could be normalized. "As we organize this meeting together with the U.N., I sent letters to all heads of state and government of U.N. member countries and invited them to the meeting. I have invited the Israeli president within this scope,” President Abdullah Gul said in April underlining that the invitation had been extended by the U.N., not the Turkish government. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is also invited along with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, whose attendance was unconfirmed, Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review reported.   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 |  Latest news Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities  Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes.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 20-22Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. |
