Armenian, Serbian leaders talk Kosovo, Karabakh, EEUOctober 13, 2014 - 13:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President Serzh Sargsyan and his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolic issued statements, summarizing the latter’s visit to Armenia. In a statement, President Sargsyan stressed the importance of a new impetus to bilateral ties. In this context, he welcomed the opening of embassies in Serbian and Armenian capitals, also dwelling on visa provision issues and lifting visa requirements. As Sargsyan stressed, Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union does not run counter to a dialogue with the EU. “The dialogue will be continued, with our common values serving as a strong basis for further democratic changes in the country,” the Armenian leader said. Sargsyan briefed Nikolic on recent developments in Karabakh settlement, with Nikolich, in turn, focusing on Belgrade’s stance on Kosovo conflict. As the Armenian leader noted, though not recognizing Kosovo’s status, Serbia holds direct talks. He also stated that refusing to accept the legitimacy of the authorities elected during the conflict is a losing battle. He further hailed Serbia’s well-balanced position on the Karabakh issue and support for the OSCE Minsk Group mediation efforts. “With Serbia to assume the EU chairmanship next year, Armenia supports its important mission and will back the country’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the organization,” the President said. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. The Armenian Genocide The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. 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. 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. U.S. believes peace is “possible” in South Caucasus The United States continues to believe that peace is possible in the South Caucasus, Vedant Patel said. |