OSCE loses contact with monitor team near Ukraine’s DonetskMay 27, 2014 - 17:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European security watchdog OSCE said on Tuesday it had lost contact with one of its teams of monitors near the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian militants are clashing with Kiev government forces, Reuters reported. The four-strong international team was on a routine patrol east of Donetsk when contact was lost around 6 pm (1500 GMT) on Monday, May 26 evening, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said in a statement. "We have been unable to re-establish communication until now," it said. "We are continuing with our efforts and utilizing our contacts on the ground. The Ukrainian government as well as regional authorities have been informed of the situation." In early May, pro-Russian activists in Ukraine's east freed seven European military observers from a separate OSCE-linked mission after holding them hostage for eight days. The 57-nation OSCE - which seeks to prevent conflict and promote democracy on the continent - decided unanimously in March to deploy civilian monitors across Ukraine to try to help defuse the crisis there, so far without much success. The mission consists of about 282 people, including 198 civilian international monitors from 41 OSCE countries, according to the Vienna-based organization’s website. 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 | 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. EU still discussing funding Armenia through European Peace Facility Discussions continue in the EU on providing Armenia with funds from the European Peace Facility, Vassilis Maragos says. |