Author: Ara Felekian

 14:16, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs still has no decision whether or not Armenia will participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, the Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan said when asked by a reporter at a joint press conference with visiting Austrian FM Alexander Schallenberg.

However, Mirzoyan underscored that the Antalya Diplomacy Forum is not a bilateral format event and it shouldn’t be viewed in the context of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

“Indeed, me and Ruben Rubinyan received an invitation to participate at the Antalya event. By the way, we discussed the event with Mr. Schallenberg today. The Armenian foreign ministry doesn’t have a decision in this regard so far, the issue is under discussion. But it is important to underscore that it’s not a bilateral visit and it shouldn’t be viewed in the context of bilateral relations. This is an international diplomatic event which Armenia could decide to take part in. I won’t see any problem, moreover I think that even if we were to connect it with the Armenia-Turkey dialogue the event would convey nothing but positive tones,” FM Mirzoyan said.

The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on January 20 that Armenia is invited to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum which is scheduled to take place March 11-13, 2022 in Antalya.

 19:47, 1 February, 2022

MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has not confirmed information from the US Department of State that Moscow had submitted its reaction to American proposals on security to Washington, TASS reports.

According to him, Russia shared with the US some ideas on a different subject.

"No, there was a mix-up. Those were different ideas on a slightly different issue. For the time being, the Russian Federation’s fundamental response on, perhaps, the main issue nowadays has not been submitted. Currently, this response is being prepared and there was simply a mix-up," the Kremlin official told journalists on Tuesday in response to a question by TASS.

Earlier on Monday, the official representative of the US Department of State told TASS that the United States had received the response from Russia on the security guarantees and on the de-escalation issue around Ukraine that Washington had sent to Moscow earlier.

On December 17, 2021, the Russian Foreign Ministry published draft agreements between Moscow and Washington on security guarantees and measures for ensuring the security of Russia and NATO member states. The proposed measures include guarantees that NATO will not advance eastward, and not grant membership to Ukraine and other countries into the US-led bloc, along with the non-deployment of serious offensive weapons, including nuclear ones. Several rounds of consultations in various formats have already taken place but no agreements have been announced. The West claims that the discussion is intended in order to prevent Russia’s alleged invasion of Ukraine.

On January 26, the US and NATO handed over written responses to Russia on Moscow’s security guarantees that it was demanding from Washington and Brussels. The American side requested that the documents not be made public, yet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg enumerated their basic provisions. According to these statements, the West did not make concessions to Russia considered to be critical, but did indicate directions for further negotiations.

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 20:16, 26 January, 2022

YEREVAN, 26 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. On January 26, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on an official visit, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries praised the cooperation in the fields of democracy, rule of law, protection of human rights, as well as the fight against corruption. Ararat Mirzoyan and Jean Asselborn expressed readiness to intensify the political dialogue between the two countries.

It was emphasized that on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Luxembourg, the first official visit of the Armenian Foreign Minister in the history of bilateral cooperation will serve as a new impetus for the realization of the still untapped potential for cooperation.

The sides exchanged views on deepening the Armenia-EU partnership, emphasizing in this context the effective implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

The interlocutors highlighted the cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, in particular, through the Armenia – Luxembourg friendship groups.

The Ministers noted with satisfaction the experience of effective cooperation within the framework of international organizations, including the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the United Nations, expressing mutual readiness to make efforts to strengthen close cooperation at the multilateral level.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Luxembourg discussed regional and international security issues. The sides exchanged views on the solution of humanitarian problems created by the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh. Minister Mirzoyan thanked for Luxembourg's clear position from the very first days of the 44-day war, including the adoption of the resolution condemning the hostilities unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh by the parliament of Luxembourg. The sides emphasized the need for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of NK conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format.

During the meeting, reference was made to the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey without preconditions. The importance of establishing cooperation between the countries of the region and creating preconditions for sustainable development was emphasized.

 17:48,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Investigative Committee continues the investigation into the case of unleashing an aggressive war by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, the use of military mercenaries, the use of prohibited methods of war, targeting the civilian population, violation of international humanitarian law.

ARMENPRESS reports the Investigative Committee informs that within the framework of the criminal case, it was determined that as a result of the aggressive war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia, 3809 people died. As of , the whereabouts of 199 servicemen and 21 civilians are unknown.

To date, 141 captured servicemen and civilians have been transferred by Azerbaijan to the Republic of Armenia.