European structures should undertake trust-building measures in South CaucasusOctober 2, 2007 - 18:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - October 2, the Armenian delegation to the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe met with PACE President Rene van der Linden, the RA NA press office reported. During the meeting the head of the Armenian delegation, Davit Harutyunyan drew Mr der Linden's attention to the fact that Azerbaijan poses obstacles to the visit of PACE Subcommittee rapporteur on Nagorno Karabakh, Mr Edward O'Hara. He proposed to submit the issue to the Bureau's consideration and also call on the EU Committee of Ministers and Secretary General to take action. Mr der Linder voiced concern about absence of progress in the Karabakh process. In this view, Davit Harutyunyan reminded of Azerbaijan's militant statements, which aggravate tension. For his part, the Armenian delegation member, Avet Adonts noted that the CoE and other European structures should undertake trust-building measures in the South Caucasus. When touching upon the conference on frozen conflicts due in Berlin November 5 by initiative of PACE Monitoring Committee, Mr Harutyunyan proposed to invite a Nagorno Karabakh representative in order to maintain essential balance. The PACE fall session opened in Strasbourg October 1. The Armenian delegation includes chairman of the parliamentary permanent committee on state and legal affairs Davit Harutyunyan, chairman of the permanent committee of European integration issue Avet Adonts, chairman of the permanent committee on foreign relations Armen Rustamian, Heritage faction leader Raffi Hovannisian, Orinats Yerkir faction member Mher Shahgeldyan, MPs Grigor Margaryan and Vahe Hovhannisyan. 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 | 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. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |