NATO PA: Number of religious-radical groups increases in AzerbaijanMay 31, 2007 - 17:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO PA (Parliamentary Assembly) Committee for Civil Security Measures held hearings on the subject entitled "State and Religion in Black Sea Region". In his report on Azerbaijan Dutch deputy Bert Middel criticized Caucasian Muslims Office, underlining corruptibility of that structure. The report also informed that there exists a conflict between the State Committee on Works with Religious Structures and the above-mentioned organization. It underlines that the number of religious-radical groups increases in Azerbaijan. The NATO PA Committee also discussed issues concerning the protection of "critical infrastructures". According to rapporteur from Great Britain lord Joplikin, existence of "frozen conflicts" continues to create threats for oil pipelines. "Some countries do not want existence of alternative oil and gas pipelines at all. Any time they can activate existing conflicts, which will result in destruction of infrastructure," he underlined," Baku based Zerkalo newspaper reports. The spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly was held in Madeira Island (Portugal) May 25-29. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |