OSCE MG Co-Chairs to meet Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers in Europe in coming daysMay 6, 2010 - 15:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia, Bernard Fassier of France, and Robert Bradtke of the United States, released the following statement: “The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov, the Russian Federation; Ambassador Bernard Fassier, France; Ambassador Robert Bradtke, United States; incoming Russian Co-Chair Ambassador Igor Popov) briefed the OSCE Minsk Group in Vienna May 5 on the current status of negotiations, and thanked them for their continued support for the Co-Chairs' efforts. They underscored the commitment of the parties to make progress on the elaboration of a settlement based on the Madrid Principles as well as the elements contained in the joint statement issued by Presidents of the Co-Chair countries at the L'Aquila Summit of the Eight July 10, 2009. In his last trip to Vienna as the Russian Co-Chair, Ambassador Merzlyakov formally introduced Ambassador Popov to the Minsk Group as the new Russian Co-Chair. The Co-Chairs expect to meet the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Europe in the coming days to discuss how to move negotiations forward.” The OSCE Minsk Group The OSCE Minsk Group was created in 1992 to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The Minsk Group is headed by a Co-Chairmanship consisting of France, Russia and the United States. The main objectives of the Minsk Process are as follows: Providing an appropriate framework for conflict resolution in the way of assuring the negotiation process supported by the Minsk Group; Obtaining conclusion by the Parties of an agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict in order to permit the convening of the Minsk Conference; Promoting the peace process by deploying OSCE multinational peacekeeping forces. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. 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. |