OSCE MG Co-Chairs urge Yerevan and Baku to show restraint in public statementsFebruary 11, 2011 - 21:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassadors Bernard Fassier of France, Robert Bradtke of the United States, and Igor Popov of the Russian Federation) visited Yerevan and Baku February 8-11. They were accompanied on the visits by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Amb. Andrzej Kasprzyk. In Yerevan, they met with President Serzh Sargsian, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, and Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan. In Baku, they met with President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, and Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev. In their meetings in both Yerevan and Baku, the Co-Chairs stressed that the time has arrived for decisive action on behalf of peace to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Co-Chairs believe there has been positive movement as a result of the work that has been done since the October 2010 Astrakhan Summit. In that context, they urged the sides to make further progress to allow the peace process to proceed to its next phase. The Co-Chairs pledged their support for the sides as they make the necessary decisions to reach a peaceful settlement. To promote a climate conducive to peace, the Co-Chairs again urged the sides to show restraint both on the ground and in their public statements, OSCE official website reported. 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 | Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. |