Ukraine's parliament speaker resigns over Russian language billJuly 4, 2012 - 12:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine's parliament speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn tendered his resignation on Wednesday, July 4 after deputies of the majority Regions Party rushed a contentious language bill through a second and final reading the day before, Reuters said. "Colleagues, I ask you to consider my resignation and take a decision on it," Lytvyn told an opening session of parliament. The bill, which cannot become law until first Lytvyn and then President Viktor Yanukovich have signed it, would upgrade the status of the Russian language in the former Soviet republic where the official state language is Ukrainian. Lytvyn's move followed a night of protest in Kiev with the opposition - which sees the bill as a potential threat to Ukrainian sovereignty - organizing demonstrations outside a building where Yanukovich was due to speak on Wednesday. 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 | Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. For the first time, Armenia votes in favor of Georgia resolution in UN Armenia on Tuesday, June 4 voted for the first time in favor a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Moscow warns Armenia against leaving Russian-led defense bloc Armenia could ruin its military ties with Russia if it continues drifting towards the West, according to a senior official in Moscow. Moscow says ready to support Yerevan-Baku reconciliation Moscow has confirmed its readiness to support the reconciliation of Yerevan and Baku. |