The US Condemns Houthis for Abducting Bulgarian Sailors
Barbara Leaf, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs, criticized the Yemeni Houthis for their inhumane actions in capturing merchant ships, including the "Galaxy Leader"
Two Mistral assault ships are to be sold to Russia, France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced.
The decision comes amid tensions between Moscow and the West over the Ukraine crisis.
Fabius wrote on Twitter that the contracts were agreed in 2011 and were to be executed as they would create many jobs in his country, as the BBC reported.
On his visit to France where he is attending D-Day commemorations, US President Barack Obama voiced his concerns over the sale and, though recognizing the deal was important for the French economy, said "it would have been preferable to press the pause button".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has however backed plans of Paris to go ahead with the contract, stressing on Wednesday that only the adoption of "stage three" (or economic) sanctions against Russia could interrupt the delivery.
She was quoted by the EUObserver as saying the EU was not launching such measures because Russia did not stop the May 25 presidential election in Ukraine.
The deals signed between France and Russia on the two vessels are valued at EUR 1.2 B.
Under the existing agreements the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, the Vladivostok and the Sevastopol, are to become part of the Russian Navy by end-2014 and 2015, respectively.
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The Bulgarian National Assembly has unanimously voted in favor of a 30% salary increase for military personnel
Tensions in the Black Sea region have escalated, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as NATO announces plans to bolster its military presence, with a new base set to be established in Bulgaria
In a significant move towards bolstering security in the Black Sea region, the Turkish Parliament has ratified a memorandum paving the way for the establishment of a Mine Countermeasures Naval Group
Amidst escalating tensions in the Black Sea region, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a message of solidarity to allies, emphasizing the unwavering support of the United States
Following Iran's drone attack on Israel, Bulgaria's government has reassured its citizens that there is currently no immediate threat to national security
Amidst discussions in the Bulgarian parliament, Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov has announced plans for a significant boost in military spending, aiming for it to reach 2.5% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP)
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