Russia supports SCO observer status for AfghanistanMarch 30, 2012 - 16:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov backed plans for giving Afghanistan observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday March 30, following an SCO security meeting in Beijing, RIA Novosti reported. Russia “reaffirmed support for giving Afghanistan observer status in the SCO,” the ministry said on its website. Morgulov met with his Afghanistan counterpart Javed Ludin on the sidelines of the SCO meeting. The two sides “discussed Russian-Afghan cooperation, prospects for the development of the domestic situation in Afghanistan, including in the context of national reconciliation and the transfer of responsibility for national security from foreign armed forces to the Afghans,” the ministry said. The SCO member states agreed on Friday to continue assisting the Afghan people's efforts to revive the country and build an independent, peaceful and prosperous state. The SCO, set up in 2001, includes Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan, India, Iran and Mongolia have observer status while Turkmenistan and Afghanistan attend SCO gatherings as guest nations. 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 | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |