Wald: US Activates Efforts to Solve Karabakh IssueJanuary 19, 2006 - 18:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia "does not refuse from aggressive claims, pursuing destructive policy," Azeri Defense MInister Safar Abiyev stated at a meeting with US European Command Deputy Commander General Charles F. Wald. The Azeri Minister remarked that military cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US continues both within a bilateral format and within the NATO Partnership for Peace Program. The parties exchanged views on the military and political situation in the region of South Caucasus, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and other issues. Abiyev underscored that "the unsettled state of the conflict is a major cause of incomplete restoration of peace and stability in the region." "Azerbaijan is for diplomatic settlement of the conflict. Armenia does not refuse from aggressive claims, pursuing destructive policy. It places illegal arms and ammunition on occupied Azeri territories. Armenia should observe international law norms and withdraw from occupied lands without preconditions. The international community should impel Armenia make that move. Otherwise, it can result in resumption of hostilities,» the Azeri Defense Minister assured. In his turn Wald remarked that diplomatic way to solve the Karabakh conflict will do good to Yerevan and Baku. The US will activate efforts to settle the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stated US European Command Deputy Commander, reported Trend agency. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |