OSCE chief hails progress in Transdniestrian settlement talksFebruary 29, 2012 - 18:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore, welcomed the progress achieved in official 5+2 talks towards a Transdniestrian settlement that ended in Dublin February 29. “I am encouraged by the constructive approach shown here in Dublin, and I urge the participants to build on this to finalize agreement on the principles and procedures for the conduct of negotiations as soon as possible,” said the OSCE Chairperson, who opened the meeting. This would enable the 5+2 to move forward on more substantial issues with a view towards a comprehensive resolution of the Transdniestrian conflict. The people living on both sides of the river deserve no less.” The participants agreed to establish a regular rhythm for holding 5+2 meetings throughout the year, with the next one scheduled to take place in Vienna in the second half of April. Ambassador Erwan Fouéré, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian settlement process, chaired the two-day meeting. Participants included the Moldovan and Transdniestrian Chief Negotiators Eugen Carpov and Nina Shtanski, as well as representatives of the mediators and observers. The 5+2 format includes representatives of the sides, mediators and observers in the negotiation process – Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the US and the EU. Official negotiations were resumed in November 2011 following a hiatus of almost six years, OSCE official website reported. 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 | Politico: Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan in 2018-2022 Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Armenia’s enemy even though both countries were supposedly allies in a defense pact. Armenia Security Council chief to attend Ukraine peace summit Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will take part in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. Armenian govt. approves ratification of EAEU-Iran free trade deal At a meeting on Friday, June 14, the Armenian government approved the ratification of an EAEU free trade agreement with Iran. Deputy U.S. Secretary of State to arrive in Yerevan Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19 to. |