RF State Duma: South Ossetian Referendum Met International NormsDecember 7, 2006 - 15:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian State Duma adopted a statement on the referendum and presidential election in South Ossetia. The document says that the referendum on independence and presidential election of the non-recognized republic were held in correspondence with the republic's electoral legislation and universally recognized democratic principles and norms.According to the republic Central Electoral Committee, over 95% of voters took part in the referendum and presidential election. 99.88% voted for South Ossetia's independence. Incumbent President Eduard Kokoyty was backed by 96.1% of voters. The RF State Duma considers that the outcomes of the referendum in South Ossetia 'reflect the genuine expectations of the population and should be taken into account by the international community for the sake of human rights protection, peace and security in the region as well as fair settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict via peaceful talks.' The State Duma supposes that Russia should build its policy taking into consideration the free will of the South Ossetian people as well as in accordance with the international and legal norms and the Russian legislation, reports RIA Novosti. 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 | Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. |