June 13, 2012 - 15:02 AMT
Global Peace Index sees Azerbaijan as “mildly peaceful country”

Armenia was ranked 115th in the annual Global Peace Index (GPI) by Institute for Economics & Peace, which tries to measure peacefulness.

Azerbaijan was placed 132nd, Turkey- 130th; Iran was given the 128th place, Georgia -141st. Thus, Georgia was named the least peaceful country in the South Caucasus. Russia’s situation looks much worse, with the country positioned 153rd in the list.

Iceland is once again ranked the most peaceful country in the world, followed by Denmark and New Zealand; Somalia is the least peaceful country at 158th position.

The GPI is made up of 23 indicators and ranks 158 countries. It gages the level of safety and security in society and also looks at the extent of domestic or international conflict.

The indicators range from a nation's level of military expenditure to its relations with neighbouring countries and the level of respect for human rights. The index has been tested against a range of potential "drivers" or determinants of peace - including levels of democracy and transparency, education and national wellbeing.

Increased instances of Azeri ceasefire violation have been reported recently, with Azerbaijani side shelling border villages and attacking the borders with Armenia and Artsakh.

Sources say that 21-25 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in Azeri attacks in recent days in Tavush- Ghazakh zone of Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Azerbaijani authorities try hard to concoct reasons behind the deaths and injuries on its side, to conceal actual reasons behind its losses.