U.S. State Dept: Erika Olson to oversee South Caucasus policySeptember 9, 2021 - 10:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Erika Olson will oversee policy toward the South Caucasus at the United States Department of State, RFE/RL reports, citing a government spokesperson. Olson takes over South Caucasus duties from Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent, who served as chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv from 2015 to 2018 before returning to Washington to oversee policy toward Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. Kent will hand over policy for Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia to Olson, the former director for Northern European, Baltic, and Arctic security affairs at the State Department. Olson will also oversee South Europe, including Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, the State Department spokesperson said. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. |