Azerbaijan's leader names his wife as country's First Vice PresidentFebruary 21, 2017 - 13:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has appointed his wife, Mehriban, as the country's First Vice-President, RIA Novosti reports. Aliyev on Tuesday, February 21 named his wife to the position created after a constitutional referendum in September. She has served as a lawmaker and headed a charity in the past. Under the new constitution, the First Vice-President assumes the head of state's duties in case the president is unable to perform his commitments. The political position of a Secretary of State existed in Azerbaijan from 1991 to 1994. The last holder of the position, Professor Lala Shevket said in an interview in the 90s that "our Secretary of State is actually more like a Vice-President." "However, according to the Constitution if something should happen to the President, God forbid, the Head of the Parliament would take the President's place - not the State Secretary," she said then. 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 | 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. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |