  Switzerland, Serbia to hold OSCE Chairmanships in 2014-2015 February 10, 2012 - 17:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Switzerland and Serbia will hold the OSCE Chairmanships in 2014 and 2015 respectively, the 56 OSCE participating States decided, according to OSCE. In welcoming this decision, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore said: “I am particularly pleased that the OSCE participating States agreed to the joint proposal of Switzerland and Serbia for a two-year Chairmanship package. This innovative approach will allow for longer term planning and consistency for the benefit of our Organization. It will facilitate the development of a perspective for the future of the OSCE as we approach the fortieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.” The Irish Chairmanship together with previous and incoming Chairs Lithuania and Ukraine as the OSCE Troika will now work together with Switzerland and Serbia to develop future OSCE priorities. The decision was taken in a so-called ‘silence procedure’, which ended today, Feb 10 with no country voicing objection. The annual Chairmanship of the OSCE is decided by consensus of the 56 OSCE participating States, The Financial 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 |  Latest news Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia  Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia.Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports.Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |
