Heritage joins European People’s Party as observer memberDecember 8, 2011 - 17:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European People’s Party (EPP) chairman, former Belgian prime minister Wilfried Martens handed Heritage opposition party leader Raffi Hovannisian the official EPP pin symbolizing Heritage’s entry into the EPP family as an observer member. A formal decision will be made in February 2012. Heritage’s EPP membership was announced during the EPP chairman’s keynote address at the party’s 20th annual congress in Marseille. Further, Hovannisian has separate meetings with Martens, president of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek, Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin of Marseille, and several European presidents, prime ministers, members of parliament, and EPP leaders. The Republican Party of Armenia, the Prosperous Armenia Party, Orinats Yerkir have also applied for an observer status in the EPP, Heritage press service reported. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |