Azeri journalists' visit to Artsakh "a pilot step promoting peace process"November 25, 2019 - 18:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Mutual visits of journalists from Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), Armenia and Azerbaijan should be considered as a pilot step aimed at creating favorable conditions for promoting the peace process. This initiative agreed by the parties under the mediation of the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for November 17-21. On November 20-21, within the framework of their visit to Artsakh, the Azerbaijani journalists visited the Gandzasar Monastery Complex, took a tour of Shushi, visited Yeznik Mozyan Vocational College, the State Museums of Geology and Fine Arts, as well as other places of interest in the city. In the capital city Stepanakert, the journalists visited the Karabakh Carpet Company, the Artsakh Information Technologies Center, the Artsakh Bio Canned Food Production Company, as well as met with representatives of the Artsakh civil society and the mass media. "This initiative, agreed by the parties, should be considered as a pilot step aimed at creating favorable conditions for promoting the peace process within the framework of the implementation of confidence-building measures. Over the past 20 years, the Artsakh side has repeatedly come forward with proposals on confidence-building, including on mutual visits of journalists," the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh said in a statement on Monday, November 25. 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 | Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills |