Azerbaijan seeks to suspend ties with U.S.December 24, 2015 - 12:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A bill on suspending all relations with the U.S. and banning American officials from entering Azerbaijan has been submitted to Azerbaijani parliament on Wednesday, December 23, Daily Sabah reports. The bill submitted by MP Rovshan Rzayev envisages a visa sanction to "individuals representing the U.S. government along with their family members, congressmen and senators, leaders of media outlets, experts conducting a smear campaign against Azerbaijan and officials cooperating with Armenian diaspora lobby groups." Envisaging the termination of cooperation with the U.S. in trade, energy, military and security, the bill recommends that all contacts between Azerbaijani state officials and U.S. companies should be suspended, with all contracts with U.S. private sector representatives to be canceled. The bill claims that the U.S. has been using “double-standards” against Azerbaijan, especially on “human rights.” The document openly calls for "an end to the flagrant violation of human rights" in the U.S. while asking Azerbaijan "to review the cooperation and bilateral relations formed over the years" with the country. The bill also blames U.S. intervention in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen as the cause of civil wars and disruption of the territorial integrity of these countries. In the bill, the U.S. is also criticized for corruption, fraud in elections, interference in other countries' internal affairs and conducting campaigns to discredit Azerbaijan. The document ends with a call to the U.S. to take an unambiguous stance on the Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute of Nagorno-Karabakh in line with international law. 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 | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |