U.S. sheds light on refusal to visit ShushiAugust 29, 2022 - 13:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. embassy in Azerbaijan has responded to the remarks of presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev, who claimed on August 27 that U.S. and French ambassadors to Baku have been ignoring Azerbaijan's invitation to visit Shushi, the Azerbaijani service of the Voice of America reports. Shushi is an ancient Armenian city in Nagorno-Karabakh which fell under Azerbaijan's control during the Second Karabakh War. A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Baku said in a statement on Sunday, August 28 that Washington believes it can help achieve lasting and comprehensive peace through continued dialogue and engagement, including at the highest levels. The statement added that embassy employees have visited "all the regions of Azerbaijan, including Aghdam, Zangilan and Fizuli." Said three regions too were captured during the 44-day war in the fall of 2022. Hajiyev said during the visit of diplomats to Shushi that the ambassadors of France and the United States in Azerbaijan "ignored" the invitation, describing the move as "disrespect" for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. 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 | Director General of Ucom takes part in recruiting conference Ralph Yirikian participated in the Recruit Days business and networking conference organized by Move2Career. Ameriabank named Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance Ameriabank has been named the Best Bank in Armenia by Global Finance magazine in its 31st annual awards. Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. Lavrov rejects Armenia’s “defamation” of Russia, CSTO Lavrov decried the Armenian leaders’ “defamation” of Russian soldiers and border guards deployed in Armenia. |