Russia, Azerbaijan preparing to talk peacekeepers' deploymentFebruary 12, 2024 - 11:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Evdokimov has said that Moscow and Baku are working to agree on the dates of the next round of negotiations on matters regarding the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. After a statement was signed by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in November 2020 to end the war in Karabakh, Russian peacekeepers were deployed for a period of five years to protect the local Armenian population. Azerbaijan, however, launched a large-scale offensive in September 2023 and forcibly deported the entire indigenous population of Karabakh, without interference from the Russian peacekeeping contingent. In an interview with Izvestia published on Sunday, February 11, Evdokimov claimed that the peacekeepers “effectively performed their functions, on the one hand, protecting the territory of Azerbaijan, on the other, of course, for the Armenian population it was important that Russian peacekeepers were present there to ensure their safety.” Now, the ambassador maintained, the Russian peacekeepers patrol the territory, protect buildings and cultural structures in Karabakh. “The dates of the next round of negotiations between Moscow and Baku on our peacekeeping contingent are currently being agreed upon with the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry; the terms of [the peacekeepers'] stay expires in 2025,” he added. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |