Pope Benedict XVI says refugees deserve dignified welcomeJune 19, 2011 - 17:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pope Benedict XVI says refugees deserve a dignified welcome from countries receiving them, until they can return home freely and safely. Benedict marked World Refugee Day, which is being observed Monday, June 20, with an appeal Sunday to political leaders to "guarantee a welcome and dignified living conditions" for refugees. He made the comments during a visit to San Marino, a tiny republic of some 30,000 people surrounded by Italy and located near the Adriatic city of Rimini, AP reported. More than 20,000 migrants from Tunisia and Libya have flocked to Italy in recent months fleeing unrest in North Africa. Italy's center-right government has struck new agreements with Tunisia and Libya to return those who don't qualify for refugee status. 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 | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. 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. |