OSCE CiO urged Azeri President to stop persecution of mediaJune 6, 2007 - 15:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - During a visit to Baku OSCE Chairman-in-Office Miguel Angel Moratinos urged the Azerbaijani President to put an end to persecution of media.The OSCE is ready to put efforts for normalization of situation in Azerbaijan. The OSCE Baku office plans to implement a number of projects targeted at improvement of freedom of speech and creation of a new generation of journalists. Earlier Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE representative for the freedom of the media voiced concern over the arrest of 7 reporters in Azerbaijan and called to the authorities to release them. When speaking of the forthcoming presidential election Mr Moratinos said the OSCE will do its utmost to assist in holding free and democratic election, Zerkalo (mirror) newspaper reports. 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 recalls Belarus envoy for consultations Armenian Ambassador to Belarus has been called to Yerevan for consultations, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry reveals. Armenia will leave Russian-led military bloc, says Pashinyan Armenia will leave the Russian-led Collective Security Organization, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, without giving any dates. EU encourages Armenia to prioritize strategic projects The EU has encouraged Armenia to prioritize strategic projects, according to a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry. Some 100 detained as protesters, police clash in Yerevan Riot police fired stun grenades outside the Armenian parliament as they clashed with protesters. |