First Nagorno Karabakh Group announced in European ParliamentOctober 16, 2014 - 16:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On October 15, 2014, the European Parliament Nagorno Karabakh Group was presented with the assistance of European Friends of Armenia, aiming to support civil society and democratic governance, as well as European values within Nagorno Karabakh. Following the French and Lithuanian parliaments that have already established similar groups, members of the European Parliament are creating the first international group, spanning over national borders, EuFoA reported. Several Members of the European Parliament have committed to the group’s membership, with MEP Frank Engel from the EPP Group heading it. With nationally diverse members from various European political families, the Nagorno Karabakh Group will facilitate contacts between EU officials and CSOs with representatives of Nagorno Karabakh at all levels, including civil society and will also promote study visits to the region. The informal group is also concerned with Nagorno Karabakh’s representation and presence for NK in international forums and EU programs. The European Parliament has stated that the EU, through complementary confidence building measures, can support the Minsk Group’s efforts to solve the decades-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh and the group will contribute to these endeavors. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |