European Parliament records big progress in conducting elections in ArmeniaMay 13, 2007 - 17:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "The European Parliament has always been interested in fair and transparent elections in Armenia, and we record the reached progress with pleasure," representative of the European Parliament Mission Marie-Anne Isler Béguin stated to journalists in Yerevan. She said, presence of local observers during the parliamentarian elections made easier the work of international missions. "We welcome efforts of the Armenian nation to reach fair and transparent elections and hope the progress will strengthen during presidential elections of 2008," she underscored. Marie-Anne Isler Béguin also noted progress in democratization of the Armenian society is connected with the fact that Armenia has really fulfilled commitments on front of the Council of Europe, as well as with country's participation in the European Neighborhood policy. As to the refusal to accept OSCE observers from Turkey, the representative of the European Parliament underlined their absence did not influence on the work of the mission. At the same time she wished that observers from all OSCE member-stated were represented at the presidential elections. "Armenia is a part of Europe just as Turkey, and we expect normalization of relations between the two countries in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy," Béguin stressed. 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 | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |