UN Security Council to meet behind closed doors on KosovoFebruary 14, 2008 - 13:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN Security Council will meet Thursday behind closed doors at the request of Serbia and Russia, the council's president Panama's UN Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias said."The council agreed that the meeting shall be held as a private debate and the Serbian foreign minister will be invited to participate. Representatives of Kosovo were not invited," he said. In a letter sent to the council president on Tuesday, Serbia urged to consider the grave situation in Kosovo where a unilateral declaration of independence is expected soon. Russia supported the Serbian request, the UN news center said. In Belgrade, media have speculated Serbia would recall ambassadors and cut off diplomatic relations with various countries that recognize Kosovo's independence. The Serbian government has only said it will "annul" the proclamation, and has threatened to take legal action against countries that recognize Kosovo. But its traditional ally Moscow was not planning any punitive measures in response to the move, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. "Russia does not have among its political instruments any measures for punishing anyone" but was convinced unilateral independence "would be a mistake," Lavrov said in Slovenia after meeting with senior EU officials. 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 | 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. 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 |