  PACE summer session opens in Strasbourg June 21, 2010 - 11:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) opens in Strasbourg today, June 21, 2010. A debate on the flare-up of tension in the Middle East, as well as reports on the handling of the H1N1 pandemic, on Islamophobia and on legal remedies for human rights violations in the North Caucasus are among the highlights. There will be addresses by the President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Gjorgje Ivanov, the President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, and the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Dukanovic. The head of the UN’s Alliance of Civilizations Jorge Sampaio will speak during the debate on Islam, Islamism and Islamophobia, and French actress Fanny Ardant, patron of the Council of Europe’s Dosta! campaign, will take part in a debate on the situation of Roma in Europe. Antonio Milososki, Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, will present the traditional communication from the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe’s executive body, to the Assembly and answer questions from the parliamentarians. Other highlights include a debate on the situation in Kosovo and a series of debates on the state of democracy in Europe, as well as reports on combating sexist stereotypes in the media, on the functioning of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan, and on prohibiting the marketing and use of the Mosquito youth dispersal device.   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 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.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
