OSCE Chairperson lauds Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting as "constructive"April 1, 2019 - 16:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčákhas hailed as "constructive" the Vienna meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, which sought to discuss the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh. Lajčák on Sunday, March 31 met in Bratislava with Minsk Group co-chair Andrew Schofer, of the United States of America, acting also on behalf of Minsk Group co-chairs Igor Popov of Russia and Stéphane Visconti of France, and Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk. The Chairperson-in-Office was briefed on the results of the meeting between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on 29 March in Vienna, the first meeting of the two leaders under the auspices of the Minsk Group co-chairs. According to a statement posted on the OSCE's website, the Chairperson-in-Office welcomed the constructive atmosphere of the talks, and the leaders’ commitment to taking further, tangible steps to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. “We remain positive about, and fully supportive of, this process and the leaders’ commitment to strengthening the ceasefire and to undertaking measures in the humanitarian field,” Lajčák said. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |