Armenia blocks Pakistan's observer bid in CSTO Parliamentary AssemblyNovember 24, 2016 - 18:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The issue of granting observer status to Pakistan in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization will be removed from the agenda of the CSTO Counsil's meeting thanks to the efforts of the Armenian delegation, deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov said on Thursday, November 24. The Armenian side has sent a letter to the chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, outlining its position, the speaker said. Sharmazanov explained Yerevan's stance citing Islamabad's failure to recognize Armenia's independence. In addition, he said, Pakistan unreservedly supports the Azerbaijani side in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process. "And such a position contradicts the approach of both the OSCE Minsk Group and the CSTO," said Sharmazanov, according to Sputnik. The CSTO Council session is underway in Saint Petersburg. Earlier, Pakistan expressed a hope to sign an agreement on a free trade area with the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Armenia is a member. But Armenia’s Foreign Ministry told PanARMENIAN.Net back in June that the deal between the EEU and any other country is possible only if all the member states give consent. Armenia has no relations with Pakistan as such, for the latter is the only country to not recognize Armenia as a state. 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 | Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. 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. 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. |