EU: Attempts to Settle Karabakh Problem by Force to Have Grave ConsequencesMarch 27, 2006 - 14:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union will directly participate in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby stated. "Resolution of conflicts in the South Caucasus will be one of the EU's priorities. This is a signal for a deeper engagement of the organization in the settlement of problematic situations," he said in an interview with RFE/RL. In his words, he has "a slightly stronger mandate on involvement in frozen conflicts." The EU representative acknowledged that both Armenia and Azerbaijan are facing serious difficulties in terms of their domestic opinion. "What may be necessary is to try to work with public opinion in the two countries to convey the message that neither side has anything to gain from playing on time," he said. "Armenia will continue to be isolated if a solution is not found. And in the case with Azerbaijan where there are forces that argue that the country will gain economic strength and thereby also military it is necessary to send a clear message that an attempt on the Azeri side to resolve the conflict by military means will have very serious consequences. It may not be successful in the first place, and it will also seriously damage Azerbaijan in terms of its investment climate and reliability as a partner." 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 | Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. 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. |