OSCE Chairman calls on Georgia and South Ossetia to halt military actionAugust 8, 2008 - 19:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, today urged an end to all military action in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict."The intense fighting in the South Ossetian conflict zone risks escalation into a full-fledged war. War would have a devastating impact for the entire region. I urge the Georgians, South Ossetians and Russians to cease fire, end military action and stop further escalation," he said. "We need to pull back from the brink of a full-fledged war. " Stubb said he was in contact with Tbilisi and Tskhinvali as well as all international actors involved in resolving the conflict. "The international community needs to act together to prevent a full-fledged war. I am in constant contact with my colleagues in the European Union and the United States. I have also called for restraint in the Russian reaction," he said. "I condemn the shelling of the OSCE Mission premises in Tskhinvali. The OSCE Mission to Georgia is intensively working with all parties to defuse tensions. The Mission's work and mandate must be respected by all parties in the conflict. I am ready to increase the number of OSCE observers as soon as the situation allows." The Minister said the Special Envoy of the Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, would travel to Georgia immediately. Other immediate steps include an extraordinary Permanent Council meeting in Vienna today. The Chairman-in-Office is planning to visit Georgia in the very near future, the OSCE communication unit reports. 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 | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |