OSCE PA official hopes for progress at Seoul nuke summitMarch 26, 2012 - 17:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - With a two-day summit on nuclear security beginning in Seoul, South Korea, on March 26, Karl-Georg Wellmann, chair of the OSCE PA’s General Committee on Political Affairs and Security said that he hopes for strong pledges from the participants on improving the protection of nuclear facilities and radioactive materials, as well as for reducing nuclear stockpiles and deployed strategic nuclear weapons. “I welcome the holding of the Seoul summit, an initiative of the U.S. government, and I hope that it results in concrete pledges to improve nuclear security,” Wellmann said. “While focusing on the practical aspects of securing nuclear facilities and ensuring that radioactive materials don’t fall into the wrong hands, it is important for participants to remember the ultimate goal: a world free of nuclear weapons. To achieve this, the world’s leading nuclear states, particularly the Russian Federation and the United States, should make concrete pledges to reduce their nuclear stockpiles.” In its 2010 Oslo Declaration, the OSCE PA endorsed the commitment of the participating States to support international and regional co-operative efforts to stop the illicit trade in nuclear material and the transfer of nuclear weapon technology to non-nuclear States and actors. The PA also welcomed the bilateral efforts between the United States of America and the Russian Federation to further reduce the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons, OSCE PA said in a press release. 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 | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |