Newly appointed EU Envoy for South Caucasus to extend mandateAugust 31, 2011 - 13:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European Union’s newly appointed Special Representative to the South Caucasus, Philippe Lefort will extend the mandate to include contributing to peaceful settlement of conflicts in line with international law norms and implementation of agreements in coordination with the UN, OSCE and Minsk Group, according to Vzglyad daily. The mandate also envisages fostering contacts with authorities, parliaments and other key political entities, juridical authorities and civil communities, encouraging the countries of the region to collaborate on issues of mutual concern, combating terrorism, illegal trafficking and organized crime, the report says. Philippe Lefort was French ambassador to Georgia (2004-2007) and deputy head of mission at the French embassy in Russia (2007-2010). Since 2010, he has been head of the Continental Europe Department at the French Foreign Ministry. 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 | CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. |