U.S. State Dept: Erika Olson to oversee South Caucasus policySeptember 9, 2021 - 10:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Erika Olson will oversee policy toward the South Caucasus at the United States Department of State, RFE/RL reports, citing a government spokesperson. Olson takes over South Caucasus duties from Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent, who served as chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv from 2015 to 2018 before returning to Washington to oversee policy toward Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. Kent will hand over policy for Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia to Olson, the former director for Northern European, Baltic, and Arctic security affairs at the State Department. Olson will also oversee South Europe, including Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, the State Department spokesperson said. 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 | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |