Author: Antranik Varosian

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, met the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France), and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on the conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, in New York today.

Ambassadors informed Dačić about the latest surge in violence and the talks they have held with Armenian and Azerbaijani officials since. He strongly condemned the recent escalation, offering his condolences to the families of the victims, appealing to all to show maximum restraint and work towards de-escalation.

CiO Dačić expressed his full support to the work of the OSCE Minsk Group and Ambassador Kasprzyk, and reiterated their call for advancing negotiations on a lasting settlement for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as for implementing confidence-building measures.

Holding the next presidential summit, as has been discussed, would be a good step in that direction, Dačić said.

President Serzh Sargsyan visited today the Branch of Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) in Yerevan which has been established as part of an interstate agreement. Accompanied by Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, RA Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan, the Minister of RA Territorial Administration and Emergency Situations, Armen Yeritsyan, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the MSU Branch in Yerevan, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, RA NAS President Radik Martirosyan, MSU Rector Victor Sadovnichy, Ivan Volynkin, RF ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the RA, and by the branch leadership, the President toured the newly-opened educational institution, familiarized himself with its activities, teaching conditions and educational programs.

The Yerevan branch has mainly employed qualified professionals from Moscow. In the 2015-16 academic year, the university is attended by 65 students; 15 are state-financed and 50 study on a contractual bases. Courses are conducted in five professions – Applied Mathematics and Informatics, Law, Journalism, Linguistics and International Relations.

Joined by the faculty, students, their parents and other guests, Armenia’s president listened to the speeches on the branch’s kickoff activities made by RA Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan and MSU Rector Victor Sadovnichy at the university hall. In their welcoming remarks, they congratulated the university students on the start of the academic year, wished them success and attached importance to the entry of a new educational institution, Moscow State University, into Armenia’s education system.

At the end of the visit, Serzh Sargsyan had a private conversation with MSU Rector Victor Sadovnichy.

Congressman Adam Schiff has called to speak out in the face of outrageous Azeri aggression.

“On September 2 the Nagorno Karbakh Republic celebrated their 24th Independence Day. We must continue to stand with the people of Artsakh in their fight for freedom, self-determination, and prosperity by supporting this young democracy and speaking out in the face of outrageous Azeri aggression,” Rep. Schiff said in a statement.

Fabio Capello left his post as Russia coach Tuesday after a poor run of form put the 2018 World Cup hosts in danger of failing to qualify for next year’s European Championship,

The Russian Football Union said it had reached an agreement with Capello “to end the labor contract by mutual agreement.” The organization did not disclose the financial terms of the settlement but expressed gratitude to Capello for his work.

Capello leaves after three years in charge of Russia’s national team. He had planned to coach Russia at the World Cup in 2018, but came under pressure when his team failed to get out of the group stage at last year’s tournament in Brazil. He also faced criticism from Russian politicians over the size of his salary, a reported 7 million euros ($7.7 million) a year.

He has won only two of his last 10 competitive matches, including a 1-0 loss to Austria last month that left the team in danger of failing to reach Euro 2016. Russia is third in its qualifying group, outside the automatic qualification places.

The 69-year-old Italian, who has also coached England, AC Milan and Real Madrid, has previously said he expected Russia to be his final job in soccer.

Russian billionaire German Sterligov will return from Nagorno Karabakh to Moscow Thursday. As a proof he showed the air tickets to journalists at a press confidence in Shushi Monday, the Russian News Service reports.

The businessman revealed the cause of his departure from Russia. Sterligov said he had long been receiving threats. In June, when media reports suggested he could be interrogated on the case of the Combat Organization of Russian Nationalists (BORN). He once again denied any part in the activity of the organization.

Sterligov explained that the only man he knows from BORN is Ilya Goryachev. The leader of the organizations asked money to open a pro-Patriarch magazine, but the businessman refused.

Sterligov also told that he initially wanted to leave for Belarus, but decided to stay in Karabakh. He voiced his admiration for the hospitality and kindness of the people there.

Sterligov hopes to return to Karabakh after answering the questions of the law-enforcement bodies in order to establish a farm and a fashion house, according to Life News.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has commented on the statements of some foreign Embassies accredited to Armenia and international organizations regarding Tuesday events in Yerevan.

“We view these reactions as a proof of the interest of our partners to see democracy reinforcing in Armenia,” Minister Nalbandian said in comments to Public TV.

“We once again reiterate Armenia’s committment to democracy and protection of basic freedoms and human rights,” Edward Nalbandian added.

“Competent bodies are carrying out investigation and taking necessary steps to correct the mistakes pointed out by the Police, and our partners will be informed about the results,” the Minister concluded.

Armenia’s Olympic Committee President will not attend Friday’s opening ceremony at the inaugural European Games, nor will he travel to Azerbaijan for the 16-day event as relations between the neighbours remain tense, according to

The two countries are at odds over Nagorno-Karabakh and as recently as April several soldiers from both sides were killed and more injured.

“The President of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia was never attending,” European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey told reporters. “He told us that from day one.”

Hickey tried to play down Gagik Tsarukyan’s absence, saying the businessman was otherwise occupied.

“He seldom attends many events. He prefers to operate within his own country. He has a lot to do as he is a successful businessman.”

The Armenian team, which will march into the stadium at the opening ceremony later on Friday to what is widely expected to be a frosty reception, has sent 25 athletes to the June 12-28 event, competing mainly in wrestling and boxing.

“We know there is a conflict,” Hickey said. “But we are so happy this is happening here with Armenia participating.”

“I want to praise authorities of Armenia for coming and Azerbaijan for making them feel welcome,” Hickey said.

The national team of Portugal has arrived in Yerevan for the Euro 2016 qualifier. The match will take place on June 13 at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan.

The government of Azerbaijan has banned , along with a number of media outlets and human rights activists, from entering the country to cover the inaugural European Games which begin on Friday.

The Guardian originally applied for accreditation for its chief sports correspondent, Owen Gibson, in January, when the process opened. Flights were booked and accommodation in the media village confirmed by the organisers.

Following repeated inquiries as to the status of the accreditation, which also acts as a visa for entry to Azerbaijan, it was confirmed on 5 June by the head of press operations that approval for Gibson was still pending subject to government background checks.

Confirmation that the application had been turned down and the Guardian would not be able to enter the country to cover the event and associated issues was not received until Thursday morning – the day before the opening ceremony and three hours before the flight that had been booked.

The decision appears to be linked to the Guardian’s trip to Azerbaijan in December to report on preparations for the European Games and the country’s ambitious attempts to expand its portfolio of international sporting events, against a backdrop of rising concern about the government’s clampdown on freedom of speech and any political opposition. Gibson met government critics including the investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova, who investigates corruption in Azerbaijan’s first family. Ismayilova was jailed shortly after and remains behind bars.

 

 

 

Political crisis awaits Turkey as the ruling Justice and Development Party has failed to win the majority, while the rest of the parties will not form coalition either with Erdogan or with each other, expert of Turkish studies Hakob Chakryan told reporters today.

Hakob Chakryan said it was important for the People’s Democratic Party to cross the threshold of 10 percent. Had it received less than 10 percent of the ballot, the votes would add up to those of Erdogan’s party. The latter would thus be able to change the Constitution and make Turkey a presidential republic.

The dreams vanished as the ruling party even failed to make a simple majority, the expert said. According to him, the perspectives are dim, as the four parties to be represented in the 500-seat parliament are unlikely to form a coalition.

“None of the opposition parties is willing to form a coalition with the Justice and Development party. Neither do they want to form a coalition with each other. Therefore, political crisis is awaiting Turkey. Even yesterday, there were already talks about snap elections. That means the situation is not that good,” Chakryan said.

As for the three Armenians to be represented in the Turkish Parliament, the expert said “they cannot play any positive role for the Armenian Cause.”

“If they at least manage to defend the interests of the Turkish Armenian communty, that will be positive,” he said.