UN says Europe could take more refugees from SyriaJanuary 25, 2016 - 11:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - EU states could take more genuine refugees from Syria if they worked together better, BBC cited the new head of the UN refugee agency as saying. Italian diplomat Filippo Grandi, who took over the post from Portugal's Antonio Guterres this year, was speaking on a visit to Lebanon. Grandi also urged the EU to do more for Syrian refugees outside Europe. The new UN High Commissioner for Refugees has been meeting refugees in camps in Lebanon and Jordan. Speaking to BBC, Grandi said: "Europe can absorb more genuine refugees if it would be better organized among the different member-states. "However, we understand the predicament. It is a social and political predicament which is very serious." The EU is drawing up plans to share the "burden" of refugees more evenly among member states, scrapping a controversial rule that means they must claim asylum in the first country they arrive in. Grandi also urged the EU to "do more for the countries of first asylum" so there would be "less motivation for people to flee further away". 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. 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. |