U.S.: Azerbaijan and Armenia should have more contactsJune 29, 2007 - 18:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "The United States appraises the exchange of visit by Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals. We regard that there should be more contact between these two countries," the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Jonathan Henick said."We regard that such visits, relations between the journalists would reduce the tension over the conflict. That is a good step, such visits would help to reach a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," the Embassy officer said. The diplomat saying that mutual visits of Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals were not held on the initiative of OSCE Minsk Group stated that such steps should be approved in any case. "Since the Presidents and Foreign Ministers negotiate why not representatives of other strata of the society maintain contact?" he concluded, APA reports. Yesterday the Azeri delegation led by Polad Bul-Bul-ogly, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia, crossed the mine-free sector of the contact line between the Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forced, on Mardakert-Terter (Mir Bashir) road. The delegation was accompanied to Stepanakert by representatives of the Karabakhi side. A delegation of Armenian intelligentsia led by Armen Smbatian, RA Ambassador to Russia also arrived in the NKR capital. Afterwards, the delegations made for Yerevan to meet Armenian President Robert Kocharian. The visit was organized by initiative of both Ambassadors. 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 | 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. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |