UK Minister for Europe talks Karabakh, Armenia-Turkey tiesNovember 3, 2014 - 18:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Karabakh conflict is a source of great concern, in view of deaths at the line of contact in recent years, UK Minister of State for Europe David Lidington said at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Armenian media reports. According to Lidington, the UK highly appreciates the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in promoting the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. “The international community should double its assistance to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in achieving progress in the conflict settlement,” Lidington added. Foreign Minister Nalbandian, in turn, reiterated Armenia's position, noting that implementation of people's right to self determination cannot be grounds for conflict. “On the contrary, the denial of the right flares a conflict. We have always stressed that the realization of the right to self-determination can help prevent new conflicts and promote peace and stability in the region and the world, as a whole.” Dwelling on Armenian-Turkish Protocols, the British Minister noted that “the protocols should be implemented without delay.” “We want to see the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey. We think that both parties have a lot to gain from it,” he said. Commenting on human rights violations and persecution of civil rights activists in Azerbaijan, the British official noted, "we’ve been completely open in criticizing the situation in Azerbaijan. I’ve issued public statements about particular cases in Azerbaijan within last year. Members of Parliament in the House of Commons raise concerns about human rights in many countries, including Azerbaijan. The Foreign Office publishes an annual report on the state of human rights worldwide.” Related links: The Armenian-Turkish Protocols The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation. Top stories President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Partner news | 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. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. Armenia designates flood-hit communities as disaster areas The emergency situation was created by floods caused by heavy rains in Armenia’s north on May 25-26. |