PACE President: I did not speak of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity in BakuJuly 23, 2008 - 19:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - It's not the first time when Azeri media represented statements by CoE and PACE members torn out of the context, Mr Lluis Maria de Puig, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, said in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. "I did sound the position of the Council of Europe which rates territorial integrity of all its member states as one of basic principles. At the same time, the CoE supports the right of nations to self-determination. Each conflict has its peculiar ways of settlement. For instance, Montenegro gained independence through the right to self-determination," he said. "As to Nagorno Karabakh, we think that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs do their utmost for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and we welcome their endeavors. PACE stands for dialog between Armenia and Azerbaijan and is ready to join the settlement talks if the sides issue a request. I do repeat that we support a peaceful way of settlement," the PACE President said. Earlier this months, some Azeri media quoted Mr de Puig as saying that the "Council of Europe supports the territorial integrity and inviolability of Azerbaijan's borders" and that "PACE calls on Armenia to quit the occupied territories of Azerbaijan immediately and without any preconditions." 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 | 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. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. |