Russia supports SCO observer status for AfghanistanMarch 30, 2012 - 16:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov backed plans for giving Afghanistan observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday March 30, following an SCO security meeting in Beijing, RIA Novosti reported. Russia “reaffirmed support for giving Afghanistan observer status in the SCO,” the ministry said on its website. Morgulov met with his Afghanistan counterpart Javed Ludin on the sidelines of the SCO meeting. The two sides “discussed Russian-Afghan cooperation, prospects for the development of the domestic situation in Afghanistan, including in the context of national reconciliation and the transfer of responsibility for national security from foreign armed forces to the Afghans,” the ministry said. The SCO member states agreed on Friday to continue assisting the Afghan people's efforts to revive the country and build an independent, peaceful and prosperous state. The SCO, set up in 2001, includes Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan, India, Iran and Mongolia have observer status while Turkmenistan and Afghanistan attend SCO gatherings as guest nations. 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 | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |