EUROPEAN OBSERVER CRITICISM OVER ARMENIAN ELECTION NOT TO HAMPER DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIA-CE RELATIONS, ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CONSIDERSJune 12, 2003 - 20:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Criticism of OSCE and PACE observers over the presidential and parliamentary election in Armenia will not hamper the development of relations between Armenia and the Council of Europe (CE). Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian expressed such an opinion today, "Arka" agency reports. In his words, the tense passions on the presidential election have settled down and today everything returned to the normal course. The minister reminded that the CE representatives had proposed introducing serious changes into the Electoral Code of Armenia for further perfection of the election process. "I do not see any problems in Armenia-CE relations. If there were shortcomings and omissions within the period of election, our goal is to correct them for the next election to be held in 4-5 years to meet international standards," - V. Oskanian said. It should be reminded that according to the preliminary report of the joint OSCE and PACE observation mission on the parliamentary election held May 25 "the election in Armenia became another step forward in comparison with the presidential one, however, on the basic parameters it does not fit international standards yet." 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 considers Cyprus as one of its main partners in EU - envoy Armenia considers Cyprus one of its main partners in the European Union, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan has said. Armenian, Albanian Foreign Ministers discuss ties, regional issues Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani. POLITICO: Baku lobbying agains detained Karabakh ex-leader abroad Azerbaijan is lobbying agains former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan, according to POLITICO. Armenia confirms will attend NATO summit in Washington Armenia has confirmed its participation in the NATO summit in Washington, a spokesperson has confirmed. |