Medvedev ignores EP resolution on Russian pollsDecember 15, 2011 - 19:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - He did not quite say “it is none of your business”, but President Dmitry Medvedev’smessage was clear as EU leaders raised the thorny topic of Russia’s recent parliamentary elections which opponents claim were rigged. Medvedev has been visiting Brussels for a summit between Russia and the European Union. “We are concerned by irregularities and lack of fairness as reported by observers as well as parts of the Russian public. And we are concerned about the detention of protesters,” European Council President Herman Van Rompuy told a news conference, standing alongside Medvedev and European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso. The European Parliament has passed a resolution urging a re-run of the poll. But President Medvedev was clearly unimpressed. “I have nothing to say because it was our election. The European Parliament has nothing to do with it. They can say whatever they want….. Those comments mean nothing to me,” he told reporters. “As far as I know – I looked at the internet – different parties in Russia’s parliament, both main and opposition groups, yesterday expressed their rather strong disagreement with the European Parliament’s position. The European Parliament should concern itself with European matters. Look around at how many problems you have! My position is still the same,” he added, Euronews 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, 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. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Turkey wants deal after “positive developments” Turkey hopes “positive developments” in negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan will lead to an agreement. Police try to impede Armenian Church head’s access to war memorial Police tried to stop the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, from visiting a war memorial. Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. |