Israel freezes UESCO funding over PalestineNovember 3, 2011 - 20:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his country Thursday, Nov 3 to freeze payments to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization after that agency admitted the Palestinians as full members. The move follows a U.S. decision to do the same. Israel is withholding its contributions to UNESCO because it says accepting the Palestinians is detrimental to potential peace talks. "Such steps will not advance peace; they will only push it further away," Netanyahu said. "The only way to reach peace is through direct negotiations without preconditions." The prime minister ordered that the $2 million it gives UNESCO yearly be used to fund similar initiatives in the region. The United States already had announced that it will withhold the $80 million it contributes annually. The U.S. government opposes what it calls unilateral moves to establish a Palestinian state, saying such steps go against efforts to restart direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians on a two-state solution to their long-running conflict. The vote by UNESCO was separate from a Palestinian bid for U.N. membership that remains under consideration by members of the Security Council, CNN 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 | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |