Karabakh Status Not Discussed at Current Round of Talks, Baku SaysJanuary 12, 2006 - 15:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "The status of Nagorno Karabakh is not discussed in the current round of Azerbaijan-Armenia talks on the regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict." Tahir Taghizadeh, head of Press and Information Policy Office of the Azeri Foreign Ministry stated it, when expressing opinion on the information of British Jane's Information Group company that Azerbaijan fully supports the idea of conducting a referendum in Nagorno Karabakh. In his words, the NK status will be discussed at the second phase of the talks. «Liberation of our lands, withdrawal of troops, mine clearing of territories, return of the population to their native lands, restoration of comminations and other matters are discussed at the current round of talks. The NK status can be considered after restoration of the ethnic composition of the region at the pre-conflict period. The matter of holding a referendum is not discussed now. The Azeri Constitution provides for holding a referendum that should become a nation-wide one and the whole population of the country should take part in it,» he said, reported APA agency. 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 | Atom Egoyan film coming to Golden Apricot Yerevan Festival Canadian-Armenian filmmaker Atom Egoyan’s latest film, Seven Veils, is the opening film at GAIFF 2024. Armenia denies more of Azerbaijan’s ceasefire violations Yerevan has denied statements from Baku accusing the Armenian army of violating the ceasefire on the border with Azerbaijan. Israel warns of “serious consequences” after Armenia recognizes Palestine Dmitry Gendelman said the move will have “serious long-term consequences” for Israel-Armenia relations. French envoy travels to Armenia’s Syunik French ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies visited the town of Goris in the country’s southern Syunik province. |