ODIHR Director dissatisfied with refuse to representatives of Turkey for observing elections in ArmeniaMay 8, 2007 - 15:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "An invitation to observe elections is an invitation to all OSCE participating States, and is issued in order to ensure equal treatment and strengthen the diversity of observation," Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Christian Strohal stated in connection with Armenia's refusal to issue visas for eight OSCE observers from Turkey. "Preventing some observers from participating contradicts the principles of transparency and objectivity which are an indispensable aspect of democratic elections," he said. The ODIHR Director also stressed that this refusal came unexpectedly and no official reason was given as to why the observers could not enter the country. "The Armenian Government, just like the governments of all other OSCE States, is bound by its acceptance of OSCE commitments on democratic elections, which include an invitation to all OSCE States to observe elections," Strohal stated, the OSCE Press Office reports. There will be no Turkish observers at the Armenian May 12 parliamentary election, RA MFA Acting Spokesman Vladimir Karapetian told the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist yesterday. He said, Armenia and Turkey do not have diplomatic relations and that is why Turkish observers won't be present at the election. 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 | 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. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. 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. |