Official: Azerbaijan’s oil cannot be more valuable than Armenians’ bloodMarch 12, 2012 - 11:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Delegation of the Armenian parliament headed by vice-speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov met Evaldas Ignatavičius, Lithuania's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Vilnius on March 8. The parties emphasized the importance of further consolidation of bilateral ties at the meeting. Issues related to cooperation between the countries were also on the agenda, the NA press service reports. Touching upon the parliamentary elections in Armenia scheduled for May 6, Armenian representatives marked the will of the authorities to organize the elections in compliance with democratic standards. Sharmazanov underlined the role and experience of Lithuania in establishing democratic system of values, saying it can support Armenia on its path to integration into Europe. For his part, Ignatavičius informed that EU Eastern Partnership summit is due to be held in Vilnius in 2013, and Lithuania will take over the chairmanship in the European Union in 2013. He reaffirmed his country's readiness to assist in the process of reform implementation in Armenia. With regard to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, the Lithuanian deputy minister again confirmed Lithuania’s official stance based on the three principles, peoples’ right to self-determination, territorial integrity and non-use of force. The Armenian side emphasized that international recognition of Artsakh has no alternative. “Europe has come to realize that Azerbaijan's oil cannot be more valuable than the blood Armenians have shed for independence,” Sharmazanov said. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |