Despite militaristic statements, Azerbaijan hopes for approximation of positions with Armenia?November 10, 2010 - 15:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - We would like to share in CIS Executive Secretary’s optimistic views on Karabakh, chief of socio-political department of the Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov said. “We believe that the recent meetings in various formats, including Astrakhan meeting also attended by Russian President are giving hopes for further progress. Azerbaijani President said that he will suspend the meetings, should he perceive them unable to produce effective results,” Hasanov said, commenting on the statement of CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev. ”We hope the approximation of positions will continue and Karabakh issue will be solved based on the norms of the international law and mutual concessions,” APA cited Hasanov as saying. Earlier, Sergey Lebedev said that agreement on exchange of prisoners of war and bodies of soldiers, reached at Armenia-Russia presidential meeting in Astrakhan, mediated by Russian President, is the first step towards the approximation of the positions. “These are small steps, but we are doing our best to take other measures,” he 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 | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |