Pope Francis says following situation in South Caucasus![]() February 9, 2021 - 15:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pope Francis said Monday, February 8 that he follows "with particular attention" the situation in the South Caucasus. Addressing the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See for the annual exchange of New Year greetings, the pontiff said several conflicts continue to smoulder in the South Caucasus region. According to him, the fresh flared-up of conflicts in the past year are undermining the stability and security of the entire region. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev on November 9 signed a statement to end the war in Karabakh after almost 45 days. Under the deal, the Armenian side has returned all the seven regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, having lost a part of Karabakh itself in hostilities. The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov, have arrived in Washington. The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Partner news |