EU moves to agree sanctions over Ukraine violenceFebruary 19, 2014 - 16:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union moved quickly on Wednesday, Feb 19, towards agreeing sanctions on officials who used excessive force during Ukraine protests that killed at least 25 people, Reuters reported. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he expected EU governments to urgently agree on targeted sanctions "against those responsible for violence and use of excessive force" in Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton called an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers to discuss the situation in Ukraine in Brussels on Thursday, where sanctions are expected to be discussed. Under sanctions, the EU typically freezes the assets of officials and bars them from travelling to the 28-nation bloc. EU ambassadors were holding a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss "all possible options" to respond to the crisis, including sanctions on people responsible for repression and human rights violations, Ashton said in a statement. "We have ... made it clear that the EU will respond to any deterioration on the ground," Barroso said in a statement. "We call on all sides to immediately put an end to the violence and engage into a meaningful dialogue, responding to the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people." he said. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich's decision to spurn a trade agreement with the EU last November sparked months of protests in Kiev which culminated in the overnight violence. Related links: Related issues: Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |