Author: Alex Nanijanian

Armenia opposition bloc issues statement on latest development

Alex Nanijanian
ARMINFO
Aug 10 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. The Armenia opposition bloc has issued a statement on the latest developments round Artsakh. 

The residents of new Armenian settlements are facing evacuation as a  result of Azerbaijan's military aggression and the Armenian  authorities' defeatist policy. 

"In fact, a specific date has been fixed, August 25, an the  authorities responsible for that have not even stated their position.  Azerbaijan is once again violating the trilateral statement by  threatening the closing of the corridor and demanding the surrender  of the adjacent settlements before the dates fixed by the document of  November 9, 2022. 

"None of the points of the statement stipulates surrender of  settlements for road construction nor does the statement contain a  point under which the new the new highway is to bypass Berdzor,  Aghavno and Sus. 

"This situation is, in fact, a manifestation of genocidal behavior in  the light of international norms.  Therefore, we are witnessing  further gross violations of international law and obviously illegal  demands.  And the Armenian and Artsakh authorities' readiness to meet  those demands at least serves as a basis for claims that we are once  again dealing with agreements behind the people – 'verbal mutual  understanding.' The announced deadline, August 25, is one more  proof," the statement reads. 

The Armenian authorities' inconsistent and vague policy results in  lack of cooperation in any field – with the peacekeeping forces, OSCE  Minsk Group Co-Chairs or international agencies. 

"Armenian and Artsakh are suffering daily defeat because of the  authorities symbolizing defeat, facing a threat of new irreparable  losses. The Armenian people must unite despite all the dividing lines  the authorities are drawing. The incumbent authorities, which are  serving the Turkish-Azerbaijani interests, are actually implementing  a programme of Armenians' evacuation from Artsakh," the statement  reads. 

Azerbaijan has presented an ultimatum demanding resettlement of the   Berdzor, Sus and Aghavno residents until August 25, planning to close   the highway running along the Lachin corridor, while an alternative  highway has not yet been constructed. So Artsakh is facing complete   isolation. Azerbaijan's ultimatum is in conflict with Point 6 of the   trilateral statement Azerbaijan itself is referring to. The   international community is silent about that.  Earlier, Artsakh   Minister of Territorial Administration Hayk Khanumyan discussed   evacuation of the Aghavno, Sus and Berdzor residents with the   Kashatagh residents and local authorities. However, the local   residents will not leave. 

Berdzor Mayor Narek Aslanyan reported that the Aghavno, Sus and   Berdzor residents will receive housing certificates – AMD 8mln in   case of moving to Yerevan and AMD 10mln in case of moving to other  Armenian regions. Those wishing to purchase housing in Artsakh will   receive AMD 12mln. 

Under the circumstances, 56 residents of Aghavno applied to the OSCE   Minsk Group co-chairs for immediate and active interference and   mediation by France and the United States for the village to be  relocated in the new corridor zone (just 1,200 meters of the area) to   avert a humanitarian disaster, which could deprive them of their way   of life, homeland and even lives.

United States urges immediate steps to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation in Nagorno Karabakh

Alex Nanijanian

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 07:07, 4 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. The , State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

“The United States is deeply concerned by and closely following reports of intensive fighting around Nagorno-Karabakh, including casualties and the loss of life.  We urge immediate steps to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation.

The recent increase in tensions underscores the need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Price said.

On August 3, two Artsakh soldiers were killed and around 20 others were wounded when Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire and launched an attack on Artsakh military positions. The Azerbaijani military used mortars, grenade-launchers, combat UAVs in attacking a permanent deployment location of an Artsakh military base.

Lavrov says not seen yet Pashinyan’s proposals on Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh

Alex Nanijanian
Panorama
Armenia – Aug 5 2022

Moscow has not yet seen Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's proposals for specifying details of the Russian peacekeeping mission's work in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Friday, TASS reported.

"I find it difficult to answer this question because we have not seen the specific proposals that the Armenian prime minister wants to discuss in the context of the Russian peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, so I cannot guess now," Lavrov said in response to a request to comment on Pashinyan's statements on the urgent need to specify the Russian peacekeeping mission in Karabakh.

"Any of the sides have the right to propose additional initiatives, it has been agreed by the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan and the Armenian Prime Minister. So far we have not seen any,” the Russian diplomat said.

Earlier, Pashinyan said that the developments in Artsakh raise questions about the activities of Russian peacekeepers. The prime minister said that he considered the presence and activities of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh a key factor for ensuring security of Armenians, and highly rated the Russian efforts to ensure security and stability in the region.

“We expect that any attempt to cross the line of contact will be stopped by the Russian peacekeeping troops,” he said.

Deadly clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh

Alex Nanijanian
Aug 3 2022
 3 August 2022

ByAni AvetisyanandIsmi Aghayev
The Lachin corridor. Photo: Ani Avetsiyan/OC Media.

One Azerbaijani and two Armenian soldiers are confirmed dead and at least 14 Armenians wounded after clashes broke out on Wednesday morning in Nagorno-Karabakh.

According to an official statement from the Nagorno-Karabakh Army, Azerbaijani troops employed mortars and unmanned aerial vehicles in an unprovoked attack. Azerbaijani media also released footage of a drone strike on an Armenian position.

In a statement late on Wednesday afternoon, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said they had conducted a retaliatory ‘revenge’ operation, accusing ‘illegal Armenian armed groups’ of violating the ceasefire. The ministry said they had taken control of several new positions in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result.

The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh has so far remained silent, although the Nagorno-Karabakh Army said that ‘measures are being taken to stabilise the situation’ with the peacekeepers.

On Wednesday afternoon, Nagorno-Karabakh announced a partial mobilisation as unconfirmed reports of clashes continue.

In the morning, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence said that an 18-year-old soldier had been killed in the early hours of the morning near Lachin.

On Tuesday, the authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said that Azerbaijan had demanded that the Lachin corridor, which connects Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh, be handed over to them in the ‘near future’.

The ceasefire agreement that brought an end to the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War stipulates that the Lachin corridor fall under the control of Russian peacekeepers until a replacement road could be built, after which it would be handed over to Azerbaijan. 

However, construction of the new road, which Russian peacekeepers would take control of, has not yet begun.

Stepanakert reported that tensions remained high in several areas along the line of contact on Wednesday.

Tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh have been running high for several weeks, despite a renewed diplomatic push by the US and EU in ongoing peace talks.

On Monday evening, the Nagorno-Karabakh army reported that Azerbaijani forces attempted to cross the line of contact in the north and northwest of Nagorno-Karabakh and that one soldier had been wounded, a claim echoed by the Russian peacekeeping mission.

[Read more: Tensions flare in Nagorno-Karabakh]

The European Union expressed concern about the situation after the reported clashes on Monday, while US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried held phone conversations with the foreign ministers of both Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

Armenian Foreign Ministry also announced on Wednesday that in a meeting with the special representative of the acting head of the OSCE Andrzej Kasprzyk,, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan spoke about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.


Russia confirms Azerbaijan violated Karabakh ceasefire

Alex Nanijanian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia –
– 12:19 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russia Defense Ministry on Friday, July 29 confirmed that Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh earlier in the week.

"one violation of the ceasefire was recorded in the Taghavard area. The armed forces of Azerbaijan opened fire from small arms on the post of the armed formations of Nagorno-Karabakh," the Russian side said.

"There were no casualties. The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, in cooperation with representatives of the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides, resolved the incident."

A resident of the community of Karmir Shuka in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) on Thursday submitted a police report, revealing that the kitchen window and entrance door of the second floor of his house were damaged in Azerbaijan’s ceasefire violations from across the contact line.

Iran-Armenia high voltage electric line discussed in Yerevan

Alex Nanijanian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia –
– 16:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan on Saturday, July 22 revealed details about the progress of construction of the Iran-Armenia high voltage electric line at a meeting with President Vahagn Khachaturyan.

Khachaturyan's office said in a statement that the current status of the construction of the North-South highway, especially works currently being carried out on the road section of the Syunik province were also on the table.

The two also exchanged ideas on the opportunities and problems surrounding the construction of a new nuclear power plant.

Current authorities must be removed immediately, opposition leader reiterates

Alex Nanijanian
Panorama
Armenia –

ARF Armenia Chairman Ishkhan Saghatelyan, an MP from the opposition Hayastan alliance, met with a group of ARF intellectuals, scientists and famous public figures on Wednesday.

“The meeting focused on challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh. The attendees expressed their concerns and made suggestions,” Saghatelyan wrote on Facebook.

“Also, we talked about the further steps and plans of the resistance movement. All opinions and observations of the attendees were marked by the common line, “We must oust the current authorities immediately and embark on rebuilding the homeland,” the opposition leader said.

Judge who ordered Armen Grigoryan’s arrest quits Union of Judges

Alex Nanijanian
Panorama
Armenia –

LAW 15:58 21/07/2022 ARMENIA

Judge Arusyak Aleksanyan of a fist instance court in Yerevan, who ordered the arrest of film producer Armen Grigoryan, has decided to quit the Union of Judges, its spokeswoman Elen Arakelyan confirmed to Panorama.am on Thursday.

"Arusyak Aleksanyan submitted an application to terminate her membership this afternoon. The application gives no reasons," she noted.

Armen Grigoryan collapsed and died during his trial in Yerevan on July 15 nearly two months after being arrested on charges of “inciting ethnic, racial or religious hatred” under Article 226 of the Criminal Code.

Grigoryan, who was critical of Armenia's government, rejected the accusations as politically motivated.

Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations not stalemated – Armen Grigoryan

Alex Nanijanian
ARMINFO
Armenia – July 12 2022
Alexandr Avanesov

ArmInfo.Official Yerevan hopes for substantial meetings in the near future to discuss a peace agreement with Baku, Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of Armenia's Security  Council, stated in an interview with the Public TV of Armenia. 

He disagrees with the opinion that the Baku-Yerevan peace talks are  stalemated. In this context, Mr Grigoryan recalled the vice-premiers'  meeting on the border, where they discussed border delimitation, as  well as their meeting in Saint Petersburg, where they discussed the  unblocking of transport links.  According to him, the sides attempted  to draw their positions closer. 

The next meetings are to take place in Moscow and Brussels. Mr  Grigoryan also hopes for a meeting with one of the aides to the  president of Azerbaijan. The meeting agenda is under consideration,  he said. 

"Let us hop for substantial meetings for discussing a peace agreement  in thee near future, and we can progress. The Ministry of Foreign  Affairs is working. So let us hope for progress in the near future,"  Mr Grigoryan said. 

In this context, he highlights the importance of the latest telephone  talk between the Armenian and Turkish leaders, which is one more step  toward rapprochement between the two nations. During their talk,  Nikol Pashinyan and Recep Erdogan discussed issues of cargo  transportation and opening of the border for residents of third  countries, which was earlier agreed on by the Armenian and Turkish  special envoys. Mr Grigoryan believes that the border will be opened  in the future for Armenian and Turkish citizens as well. 

"We hope and go on discussing the issue with out partners," he said. 

The normalization process is going on without any preconditions, and  the public statements on the negotiations fully reflect the context  of the negotiations. Armenia is regarding normalization with Turkey  as a bilateral process, Mr Grigoryan said. 

As regards the implementation of the agreements reached at the  special envoys' latest meeting in Vienna, Mr Grigoryan said that  great preparatory work has been carried out, and Armenia's ruling  political team hopes that the agreements will be implemented in the  in the shortest possible time. Mr Grigoryan also voiced the opinion  that improved economic relations with Turkey will have a positive  impact on Armenia's economy. He hopes that the Pashinyan-Erdogan  telephone talk will open up opportunities for meetings between  Armenian and Turkish representatives in Armenia and Turkey. Armenia  is informing Russia and all its partners of the negotiations.  "Since  Russian has been involved from the outset, it is being informed of  and participating in the whole normalization process," M Grigoryan  said.