Fresh efforts needed for Karabakh settlement, OSCE chief saysDecember 8, 2016 - 17:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter-Steinmeier said Thursday, December 8 that new efforts are needed to resolve the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, RIA Novosti reports. A session of the OSCE Foreign Minister's Council kicked off Thursday in Hamburg. OSCE Minsk Group's U.S. Co-chair James Warlick said earlier that a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign policy chiefs may be organized. Steinmeier said that the Minsk Group has been created and tasked to help settle the conflict, adding that the "process needs a breath of fresh air." According to him, the OSCE is concerned about the latest events in Karabakh, and the situation "still remains dangerous." "The escalation in April shows the risk of fresh outbreak of violence," the German minister said. Azerbaijan on April 2 launched an overt military offensive against Karabakh, with both sides suffering hundreds of casualties. The parties reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities on April 5. The EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini also said that the 28-nation bloc is anticipating some progress in the process of the Karabakh conflict settlement. 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 | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |