Germany to boost OSCE capabilities to tackle Karabakh conflict: FMJanuary 14, 2016 - 12:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Germany assumes OSCE chairmanship in tough times, the country’s Foreign Minister said, according to TASS. "I'm confident that right now we need the OSCE as a platform for dialogue and confidence building,” Frank-Walter Steinmeier stressed. “If we want to achieve peace in the OSCE area, we should join efforts.” According to the Minister, Germany aims to enhance the OSCE’s capabilities in terms of conflict settlement. “Also, we are going to take part in the process of settlement of conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh, Transnistria and the South Caucasus, at the same time triggering the OSCE missions in those locations,” Steinmeier went on to say. The German foreign policy chief will leave for Vienna Thursday, January 14, to unveil Germany’s chairmanship program. 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. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. U.S. warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west Georgia has been warned by the U.S. not to become an adversary of the west by falling back in line with Moscow. |