OSCE to observe Russian presidential elections February 28, 2012 - 13:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Petros Efthymiou has announced that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly will observe the Russian presidential elections on March 4. Efthymiou, who led the observation mission to Russian Duma elections in December, made the decision after a discussion with heads of national delegations at the Assembly’s Winter Meeting. He nominated Vice-President Tonino Picula (Croatia) to lead the observation mission, which will be comprised primarily of the Assembly’s Bureau. OSCE Chair-in-Office and Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore has appointed Mr. Picula Special Coordinator to head the short-term OSCE observer mission in a letter to OSCE PA President. Picula recently led the OSCE short-term observer mission to Kazakhstan, and previously led an observation mission to Moldova. He served as the Foreign Minister of Croatia from 2004 2008 and currently serves on the Foreign Policy Committee of the Croatian Parliament. In accordance with the 1997 Co-operation Agreement between the OSCE PA and the OSCE/ODIHR, Picula will deliver the post-election statement on behalf of the OSCE in Moscow. The observation mission will assess the elections for their conformity with the OSCE commitments as stated in the 1990 Copenhagen Document, to which the Russian Federation has subscribed.   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 |  Latest news Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants  Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province.Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes.Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036.Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |
