Fresh efforts needed for Karabakh settlement, OSCE chief saysDecember 8, 2016 - 17:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter-Steinmeier said Thursday, December 8 that new efforts are needed to resolve the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, RIA Novosti reports. A session of the OSCE Foreign Minister's Council kicked off Thursday in Hamburg. OSCE Minsk Group's U.S. Co-chair James Warlick said earlier that a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign policy chiefs may be organized. Steinmeier said that the Minsk Group has been created and tasked to help settle the conflict, adding that the "process needs a breath of fresh air." According to him, the OSCE is concerned about the latest events in Karabakh, and the situation "still remains dangerous." "The escalation in April shows the risk of fresh outbreak of violence," the German minister said. Azerbaijan on April 2 launched an overt military offensive against Karabakh, with both sides suffering hundreds of casualties. The parties reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities on April 5. The EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini also said that the 28-nation bloc is anticipating some progress in the process of the Karabakh conflict settlement. 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 | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |