U.S. Congressmen: Armenia for holding free and fair parliamentary electionsMay 23, 2007 - 18:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, commended Armenia for holding free and fair parliamentary elections on May 12."This is the first positive assessment of an election in the former Soviet Republic since it gained independence in 1991," Pallone said. "This encouraging outcome will most certainly enhance and deepen U.S.-Armenia relations, while also elevating Armenia's reputation regionally and internationally." Pallone noted that Armenia's achievements address concerns raised by the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and urged the MCC to fully fund its five-year $235 million Compact with Armenia. He also renewed his call for $75 million in economic assistance to Armenia in Fiscal Year 2008. "This assistance demonstrates our commitment to Armenia, which is a friend and a supporter of U.S. policies for peace and security in that part of the world," he said. Frank Pallone also entered into the congressional record a letter he sent with Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) to President Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, marking Armenia's achievement, the Armenian Assembly of America reports. 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 | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |