Azerbaijan's attempts to transfer Karabakh problem to other instances do not promote resolutionJune 30, 2008 - 15:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On June 28, NKR President Bako Sahakian in Stepanakert met with OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, Ambassadors Matthew Bryza (the U.S.), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and Bernard Fassier (France) to discuss a wide range of issues concerning the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.President Sahakian emphasized that final solution of the problem is impossible without Nagorno Karabakh's participation in the talks. At that he remarked that Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian propaganda and bellicose rhetoric don't promote creation of an atmosphere of mutual confidence and affect the negotiation process as well as peace and stability in the entire region. "Hostilities provoked by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the Martakert region on March 4 illustrate it," Mr. Sahakian said, adding that official Stepanakert stands for peaceful resolution of the conflict and establishment of a direct dialogue with Baku. Noting that the Karabakh conflict should be settled in the framework of the OSCE Minsk group, President Sahakian said that Azerbaijan's attempts to transfer it to other instances do not further the process. The Co-chairs agreed fully with the viewpoint. They also expressed readiness to assist peaceful settlement of the conflict and noted that NKR's participation in the negotiation process is an issue of time. NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian and Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk also attended the meeting. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |