OSCE hopes for progress in Karabakh process in 2009December 24, 2008 - 18:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) hopes for progress in settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict next year. "We hope we will see progress in 2009," new OSCE chairman, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said. The OSCE chairman-in-office and Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb officially handed over office of the chairman to his Greek counterpart Dora Bakoyannis at the meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Helsinki on Dec. 4. Greece's chairmanship in the Organization will start on January 1, 2009. Bakoyannis said Greece believes that frequent meetings between representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia will lead to the establishment of mutual confidence which is essential to resolve the conflict. "Greece fully supports these efforts and encourages constructive engagement from both parties, in line with the Statement delivered at the Helsinki Summit earlier this month by the French Foreign Minister on behalf of the European Union," Bakoyannis said, Trend Azeri news agency 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |