More than 20 cases of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side were reported at the line of contact with the Karabakh forces overnight.
The rival used firearms of different calibers as it fired about 500 shots in the direction of the Armenian positions, the NKR Defense Ministry reports.
The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army remain committed to the ceasefire regime and confidently continue with their military duty, the Ministry said.
On September 28, political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Georgia were held at the MFA of Georgia. The Armenian and Georgian delegations were headed by Shavarsh Kocharyan, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, and Gigi Gigiadze, Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, respectively.
In the course of political consultations the sides discussed a wide spector of issues related to the current situation of bilateral political, trade and economic relations and perspectives of their development. The agenda of the consultations focused on the deepening of cooperation in the areas of transport, energy, culture and education. Moreover, the necessity of inventory of the existing legal field was emphasized.
The interlocutors also touched upon the intensification of cooperation within the framework of international organizations, as well as exchanged views on a wide range of international and regional issues.
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) should broaden cooperation in defense and security, Russia’s Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov said on Thursday, TASS reports.
“Taking into consideration that the situation on the external borders of the Commonwealth is far from being stable, we have a common task not to allow the spread of terrorism to the CIS space,” Gerasimov told a meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff of CIS member states.
“In this uneasy situation it is necessary to broaden cooperation in the sphere of defense and security,” the general said, adding that the military cooperation in the CIS format “allows successful cooperation in a broad range of areas.”
The International Army Games, the International military-technical forum “ARMY-2016” and other joint events held earlier this year show great possibilities and prospects of the military cooperation of the CIS countries, he said.
The legal basis for this is a concept of military cooperation of the CIS member-states up to 2020 approved by the CIS Council of Heads of State, he reminded. “The concept envisages strengthening our armed forces, maintaining national security and developing good neighborly relations.”
The CIS, a regional organization formed during the collapse of the Soviet Union, now consists of nine countries – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan and Ukraine are associate members.
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Karen Nazaryan received the delegation headed by French MP Francois Rochebloine.
During the meeting reference was made to the dynamically developing relations between Armenia and France, the high-level political dialogue and the effective cooperation in most different spheres.
Deputy FM Nazaryan attached importance to the visit of the French lawmakers to Armenia and Artsakh. He expressed gratitude to Mr. Rochebloine for his pro-Armenian activity and especially for is consistent attitude towards Artsakh-related issues.
The parties emphasized the mutually beneficial cooperation of the Armenian and French delegations within international organizations. Special reference was made to the exceptionally peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict and the continuous efforts towards the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
An ethnic Armenian identified as George Mutafyan has been wounded in a shelling on the Armenian General Athletic Union field located in the Armenian-populated Azizieh neighborhood of Aleppo, Kantsasar newspaper reports.
According to the source, the French rocket attack has left two killed and 10 wounded.
Due to shortcomings in situation of democracy and political freedoms prior to and during the Referendum, including the voting day, the Referendum failed to meet requirements of election legislation and international commitments of the country with regards to democratic elections.
As a result of amendments to the NGO legislation, independent civil society is not able to operate freely in the country. Criminal investigation and large tax fines lingering over some foreign and domestic NGOs, along with restrictions of accessing the foreign funding prevented civil society organizations from meaningfully participating in the referendum and engaging in voter education and election monitoring.
Political repressions intensified during the Referendum resulting in increased number of political prisoners.
The Referendum day was marred with violations including ballot-box stuffing, multiple voting, group voting (carousel) and voting of persons without registration, similar irregularities from the previous elections. EMDS observed that voter turnout was artificially raised in majority of polling stations through multiple voting and ballot-box stuffing. The official turnout do not correspond to real figures.
Following the opinion of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan on the Constitutional Act on amendments to the main law of the country, EMDS published its opinion about the proposed changes and preparations to the Referendum, and called for consulting with the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (the Venice Commission).
EMDS believes that comprehensive assessment of 26 September 2016 Referendum requires consideration of all stages of the referendum including evaluation of awareness raising among public on proposed changes, political situation and conditions prior to the referendum, the election legislation, conduct of the referendum day and vote tabulation against the international commitments of the country.
EMDS notes with regret that there was no open public debate or adequate awareness raising campaign among public on proposed changes to the Constitution which are essential for expression of people’s true will. Increased restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly and association in the last few years, along with very short official campaigning period (22 days) and refusal to register opposition campaign groups contributed to the lack of vibrant debate during the referendum.
EMDS believes that the government should demonstrate political will to restore mutual confidence in relations between the state and public, should create competitive environment for all political opponents and should release all political prisoners.
Moreover, as the Referendum fails to deliver adequate Constitutional reforms on separation of power and protection of human rights, the government should work together with the Venice Commission and civil society to address the issues in this field.
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan introduced newly-appointed Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan to the staff of the Ministry.
The Prime Minister thanked ex-Minister Hasmik Poghosyan for the work done during her tenure in office.
Karen Karapetyan noted that “culture and history are the pride of our nation” and added that he expects the specialists to maximally value the legacy.
“Culture plays an important role in the formation of the taste and education of the citizen of the Republic of Armenia. We must think of ways to have the world familiarize with our culture and to create an environment that will allow the citizens of Armenia to get to know more about the world cultural legacy. For that very reason we expect a maximally effective work from the new Minister and your team,” PM Karapetyan said.
According to the Prime Minister, the Armenian culture can play a great role in attracting tourists. He wished an effective and creative work to Minister Armen Amiryan and his staff.
The Prime Minister also introduced the Ministers of Sports and Youth Affairs, Environmental Protection, Healthcare and Economy to the staffs of the respective Ministries.
Photo: Reuters
International prosecutors investigating the downing of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 say the missile that hit the plane was fired from territory controlled by Russian-backed rebels, the BBC reports.
They said the missile launcher was brought into Ukraine from Russia.
All 298 people on board the Boeing 777 died when it broke apart in midair flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
The Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team (JIT) consists of prosecutors from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine.
An inquiry by the Dutch Safety Board last year found that a Russian-made Buk missile hit the plane but did not say where it was fired from.
Pope Francis has once again appealed for peace in Syria. At his General Audience on Wednesday, the Pope said, “dramatic news concerning the fate of the people of Aleppo, with whom, through prayer and spiritual closeness, I feel united in suffering,” Radio Vatican reports.
The Holy Father continued, “In expressing my deep sorrow and lively concern for what is happening in that already battered city – where children, the elderly, the sick, young and old, all are dying – I renew my appeal to everyone to commit themselves with all their strength to the protection of civilians as an imperative and urgent obligation.”
Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis appealed directly to those responsible for the bombing, warning them that they will be “accountable to God” for their actions.
Since a ceasefire collapsed last week, rebel-held areas of Aleppo have been heavily bombarded, raising international concern over the plight of their 250,000 residents. On Wednesday morning, the Syrian military announced it was launching “concentrated air strikes” in Aleppo and nearby areas, targeting insurgent-held areas in the surrounding countryside.
Photo: Getty Images
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Wayne Rooney are reportedly facing a straight fight at Manchester United for their Premier League place, reports.
The attacking pair are currently struggling to nail down a regular place in Jose Mourinho’s first XI.
But both are set to start in tomorrow’s Europa League clash at Old Trafford against Zorya Luhansk.
It will be a chance to show their worthiness to the manager, especially after Mourinho dropped his captain from the side which beat Leicester 4-1 on Saturday.
According to the though, Mkhitaryan and Rooney are going head-to-head ahead of Sunday’s clash with Stoke.
United host the Potters in the Premier League with a spot potentially up for grabs, and Mourinho is said to be undecided yet between the duo.
The boss must be convinced he should change the team who comfortably saw off the reigning champions.
And the No.10 role could be the one altered against Stoke with it being both players’ main position.