Armenian FM calls OSCE Ministerial Council’s attention to Azeri violationsDecember 6, 2011 - 17:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At Vilnius-hosted OSCE Ministerial Council sitting, Armenian Foreign Minister expressed regret over current violations of arms control agreements in the region. In this context, Edward Nalbandian called attention to Baku’s destabilizing increase of military budget which suggests violating international obligations and security principles, parallel to continuing military rhetoric, xenophobia and anti-Armenian propaganda. Further, Nalbandian gave high assessment to OSCE chair Lithuania’s efforts as well as those of OSCE Minsk Group in Karabakh settlement. However, the Minister said, unfortunately, the summit between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Kazan on June 24 completed without an agreement on basic principles of conflict settlement with Azerbaijan unready to accept the documents. “Neither was it ready to accept them in Sochi in March 2011, in Astrakhan in October 2010 or St. Petersburg in June 2010,” Nalbandian said. Azerbaijan continues to hamper implementation of the agreement on development of mechanisms to investigate incidents at contact line, thus bearing the responsibility for lives lost over violation of ceasefire, the Minister said. “Baku has repeatedly ignored the urges of UN Secretary General, OSCE chairperson-in-office, and OSCE MG co-chairs to withdraw snipers from contact line and refrain from ceasefire violation. Armenia, however, adheres to the principles of peaceful settlement conflict and will continue its efforts towards its achievement despite Baku’s destructive position,” Nalbandian concluded. 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 | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |