Alexander Stubb assumes OSCE chairmanshipApril 4, 2008 - 19:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Alexander Stubb was appointed Foreign Minister of Finland today. The new Minister, serving also as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, pledged to push ahead with Finland's Chairmanship priorities, the OSCE press office said."The work of any Chairmanship is the product of a large team effort involving the OSCE Task Force and Vienna delegation, Special Representatives and the OSCE's Vienna Secretariat as well as OSCE field operations and Institutions," said Stubb. "My team will continue the work started by my predecessor Ilkka Kanerva. I warmly thank Mr. Kanerva for a strong and active contribution." The Finnish Chairmanship will pursue the detailed schedule of work that builds on the OSCE's strengths as a forum for dialogue and a platform for action across Europe," the new Chairman-in-Office said. Priorities of the 2008 Finnish OSCE Chairmanship include progress towards resolving the region's protracted conflicts, enhancing engagement with Afghanistan as well as co-operation on maritime and inland waterways, combating trafficking in human beings, promoting tolerance and non-discrimination and gender equality. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |