EU official urges Ukrainian leaders, opposition to form coalition govt.February 13, 2014 - 17:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A top European Union official is urging Ukrainian leaders and opposition to form a coalition government as a way out a nearly three month-long political crisis, and is warning authorities against harassing protesters, the Associated Press reports. EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule told reporters Thursday, Feb 13, that he has called on the two sides to agree on a constitutional reform that would trim presidential powers and bolster the authority of parliament. Fule added that it is hard to win the trust of the demonstrators amid the continuing "arrest, the intimidation, the harassment of protesters and activists." The protests erupted in November after President Viktor Yanukovych spiked a treaty with the EU in favor of a loan from Moscow, and were fueled by police abuse. Yanukovych still enjoys strong support in eastern Ukraine. Related links: 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 | 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. |