UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ over Crimea referendumMarch 17, 2014 - 22:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is "deeply disappointed and concerned" that the referendum in Crimea will exacerbate the crisis in Ukraine. Ukraine's government and Western nations say the overwhelming vote in favor of Crimea joining Russia is illegal. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday, March 17, that Ban is urging all parties to refrain from violence "and those with influence to avoid any steps that could further increase tensions." He said the secretary-general is also urging the parties to pursue a political and diplomatic solution based on the principles of the UN Charter, "including respecting Ukraine's unity and sovereignty," that keeps in mind the aspirations of all people in the country. "A deterioration of the situation will have serious repercussions for the people of Ukraine, the region and beyond," Dujarric said. Related links: 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 | Police try to impede Armenian Church head’s access to war memorial Police tried to stop the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, from visiting a war memorial. Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. “He will leave”: Protest leader no longer demands meeting with Pashinyan Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan no longer demands a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. 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. |