Author: Diana Dabaghian

Residents in Stepanakert ask international community to prevent Azerbaijani aggression

Diana Dabaghian

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 14:34,

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 26, ARMENPRESS. Residents of Stepanakert City gathered in the central plaza – the Revival Square – of the capital of Artsakh in a peaceful rally to address the international community to help ensure their safety.

The people of Artsakh called on the international community and international organizations to prevent a new genocide by Azerbaijan and the exodus of Armenians from Artsakh, ARMENPRESS correspondent reported from Stepanakert.

The residents of Artsakh also called on the international community to recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh for their salvation and safety.

The rally was organized by the Women of Artsakh for the Future of Artsakh initiative.

PM says current rate of COVID-19 vaccinations is not satisfying

Diana Dabaghian

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 13:00, 17 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 17, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan says the current level of the COVID-19 vaccination rate is not satisfactory.

During the Cabinet meeting today, the PM said it is necessary to fully get vaccinated for the sake of public health.

The PM reminded that today is already the third session of the Cabinet they are not wearing face masks.

“It depends on the fact that the coronavirus situation in Armenia is quite good today, three weeks ago we noticed a declining trend in new cases and predicted that we were going to have a declining numbers”, he said.

However, Pashinyan noted that if the vaccination process is not properly organized, at some point they will have to return to the face mask mandate.

“If, God forbid, there is a worse course, we will move to stricter regimes, therefore, my call, request is that the vaccinations continue in a proper way, as the current level is not satisfactory”, he said.

Any attempts to destroy or desecrate, alter identity of heritage sites will be met with strong condemnation by EU, vice-president states

Diana Dabaghian
ARM INFO


Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo.  Below is a statement by Vice-President of the European Union Josep Borrell on the cultural and religious heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Madam President, Honourable Members, 

"The European Union has a very clear position regarding the key role  of cultural heritage in promoting peace, democracy and sustainable  development. It was only in June last year [21 June 2021] that the  Council approved conclusions welcoming the EU Concept on cultural  heritage in conflicts and crises calling for the protection and  safeguarding of cultural heritage during periods of conflict and  crises. 

"This has also been the position of the European Union with regard to  all cultural and religious heritage in the territories affected by  the conflict in and around Nagorno Karabakh. As you know, the issue  of cultural and religious heritage in the region has been contested  and sensitive since at least the beginning of the Nagorno Karabakh  conflict. The war in 2020 has further aggravated this situation.  Through public statements and direct discussions with the sides we  have repeatedly called for the protection of all religious and  cultural heritage in the region, particularly heritage sites affected  by conflict, without any differentiation based on ethnic or religious  grounds. Any attempts to destroy or desecrate heritage sites before,  during and after the hostilities, or attempts to alter their  identity, will be met with the strong condemnation of the European  Union. We have also been joined by the international community in  these calls. 

"It is important to have an objective and inclusive international  assessment of all religious and cultural heritage affected, or  potentially affected, by the conflict. For this reason, the EU  supports the initiative of a UNESCO technical assessment mission to  visit the area and has asked the sides to allow for such a visit to  take place and to fully cooperate with it. Steps taken towards such a  mission would also contribute to building confidence between the  sides, something the EU has been working towards, particularly with  the engagement of the President of the European Council, Charles  Michel, who visited both Armenia and Azerbaijan last year, held  frequent phone calls with the leaders, and brought them together for  two trilateral meetings.

"We will continue to insist with both parties on the need to fully  protect all religious and cultural heritage.  Key to this will be to  allow for an international assessment mission to take place, to  continue engaging on concrete steps to overcome conflict, to  cooperate on core issues and build an atmosphere of trust. 

Thank you."  

The situation near Khramort is fully controlled by the authorities and Russian peacekeepers – Artsakh Security Council

Diana Dabaghian

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 18:13,

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. The authorities of the Artsakh Republic together with the Russian peacekeeping troops are taking all necessary measures to stop the provocative actions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and to stabilize the situation in the whole territory of the Artsakh Republic, ARMENPRESS was informed from the office of the Security Council of the Artsakh Republic.

"In particular, in the area near the village of Khramort in the Askeran region, a joint reinforced service of the relevant law enforcement agencies of Artsakh and peacekeeping troops is being carried out.

The situation is fully under the control of the authorities of the Artsakh Republic and the Russian peacekeeping troops," the statement reads.

COAF and Embassy of Japan to transform public transportation in Armenia’s Lori region

Diana Dabaghian
Public Radio of Armenia
March 1 2022
March 1, 2022, 17:41

Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) and the Embassy of Japan in Armenia signed the Grant Agreement for the “Project for Provision of Public Bus in Lori Province” on March 01, providing grant aid of $90,000+ to promote more sustainable transportation in Armenia’s Lori region through a new, disabled-friendly bus, an expanded network of transport routes, and the renovation of poor transportation infrastructure.

Hosted by the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the signing ceremony was launched with a series of welcome remarks by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, the Ambassador of Japan to Armenia H.E. Mr. Masanori Fukushima, and COAF Managing Director Korioun
Khatchadourian.

The public transportation system in Armenia’s northern Lori region is rudimentary and insecure, offering residents access to one dilapidated bus that connects Dsegh and the region’s capital, Vanadzor, only once a day without passing through the villages along the route. The self-initiative of the local bus driver, who has replaced the old bus with a new one, coupled with the new, state-of-the-art bus provided in the scope of this initiative, allows for the establishment of an efficient transport route that runs at hourly intervals, connecting seven communities along the Dsegh-Vanadzor path, with integrated stops at the COAF SMART Center in Debet village and the forthcoming SMART Health Center in Dsegh.

The advantages of upgrading the transportation system in Lori reach far beyond ensuring mobility: the provision of a new bus extends the accessibility of public transportation to people with disabilities; improves rural residents’ access to new markets, stimulating competition across the region; and facilitates the shift from private vehicle to public transport, ensuring eco-friendly, safe, and economical travels.

Moreover, to ensure that local interests and concerns are adequately taken into account, COAF, the consolidated community of Pambak, and the community-based non-profit organization (CNO) have concentrated their efforts on furthering the community’s interests through the interactive exchange of expertise.

The offer of a developed transport system goes hand in hand with the offer of sound, modern transportation infrastructure, including all related equipment such as at-stop signages displaying real-time information. In 2021, COAF took the first successful step in this direction by building a new, well-equipped bus stop in the organization’s flagship SMART Village, Debet. Going forward, the bus stations of four additional communities will be renovated with potential for further geographic expansion.

Vardan Voskanyan: Why didn’t we destroy Bayraktar bases on enemy’s territory?

Diana Dabaghian
panorama.am
Armenia – Feb 25 2022


Armenian expert on Iran Vardan Voskanyan, who heads the Chair of Iranian Studies of the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the Yerevan State University (YSU), commented on the destruction of Turkish Bayraktar drones in Ukraine.

The Russian troops on Thursday hit Ukraine's Kulbakino military airfield, which housed Bayraktar UAVs.

"Here is how Bayraktar UAVs, which the Erdogan regime ‘lauded’, ended up in Ukraine,” Voskanyan wrote on Telegram.

“I still do not understand why during the 44-day war we did not destroy their bases and control points on the enemy’s territory,” he said.


President of Artsakh hands over “Mesrop Mashtots” Order to Pastor of Martakert region Father Hovhannes Hovhannisyan

Diana Dabaghian

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 12:52, 25 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. On February 25, President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan received Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan and Pastor of the Martakert region Father Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, the Presidential Office reported.

A wide range of issues related to the state-church relations, the external and internal challenges facing Artsakh, and the intra-Armenian unity were discussed during the meeting.

Both sides underscored the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in state-building process and preservation of the Armenian national identity, the need to combine the efforts of the state and the church to counter the existing challenges and solve national problems.

During the meeting, President Harutyunyan handed over the "Mesrop Mashtots" Order to Father Hovhannes Hovhannisyan for substantial contribution to the preservation of spiritual values and 30-year-long dedicated service.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister calls for the inclusion of Ukraine in the EU

Diana Dabaghian

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 20:02,

YEREVAN, 21 FEBRUARY, ARMENPERESS. It is time to grant Ukraine EU membership, ARMENPRESS reports "RIA Novosti" informs, referring to the statement of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

"I urge the EU to immediately put aside all the hesitations, all the restraints, all the skepticism that exist in some European capitals, and give Ukraine the promise of future EU membership. That time has come. It is quite clear that the best strategic decision that Europe can take now is to literally take Ukraine under its auspices," Kuleba said at a briefing.

Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh hail Donbas recognition

Diana Dabaghian
Feb 22 2022
 

ByOC Media
South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov (left), who was in Moscow on Monday, personally congratulated the leader of the separatist government in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin (right).

The authorities in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh have celebrated Russia’s decision to recognise separatist-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised the separatist authorities in the two Ukrainian regions on Monday evening, ordering Russian troops to enter the regions.

Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhaniya, South Ossetian President Anatoli Bibilov, and Nagorno-Karabakh President, Arayik Harutyunyan, all hailed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision on Monday evening. 

In a statement, Bzhaniya said that Moscow's decision was ‘fair, based on an adequate assessment of the geopolitical reality, and in line with contemporary challenges and threats’, adding that it ‘contributes to a more just and balanced world order’.

Bzhaniya also separately congratulated the leaders of the separatist governments in  Donetsk and Luhansk.

The authorities in Abkhazia also vowed to take in refugees from  Donetsk and Luhansk, allocating a hotel in Sukhumi (Sukhum) to house them. According to state-run news agency Apsny Press, a delegation from the Ministry of Emergency Situations headed by Minister Lev Kvitsinia that contained two buses, an ambulance, and an ‘escort vehicle’, had already departed for Donetsk and Luhansk to evacuate people to Abkhazia.

South Ossetian leader Anatoly Bibilov said the safety of  Donetsk and Luhansk was ‘guaranteed by Russia’ following their recognition. He said the decision was ‘designed to end the bloodshed, save the lives of people in the Donbas and Ukraine, and indicated open and firm support for the just struggle of the Donbas for the right to freedom, national and human dignity and peaceful labour in their native land.’

South Ossetian state-run news agency RES reported that ‘hundreds of people’ celebrated Putin’s decision in the streets of Tskhinvali. Photo: RES.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s Arayik Harutyunyan posted a congratulatory post on Facebook stating that the ‘right of nations to self-determination and to build their own state is inalienable for every people and is a fundamental principle of international law’. 

Harutyunyan compared the situation in the Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists and regular Russian forces have been battling the Ukrainian Government since 2014, to the conflict between Nagorno-Karabakh and the Azerbaijani Government.

‘The Republic of Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] has been fighting for its freedom, security, and state-building for decades, and has been exposed to many trials and genocidal actions. Thus, we hope that the Republic of Artsakh, which has a relevant and indisputable historical, political, legal, and moral basis, has earned international recognition as a sovereign state’. 

Such recognition from Russia appears unlikely, especially considering that the day after Putin recognised the separatist governments in Ukraine, he met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the two signed a ‘Declaration on Allied Interaction’. The details of that document have not yet been made public.

[Read also on OC Media: Georgia raises the spectre of 2008 following Donetsk and Luhansk recognition and Armenian and Azerbaijani officials silent on Donbas recognition]

Despite the enthusiastic embrace of Putin’s decision among officials in Sukhumi, Tskhinvali (Tskhinval), and Stepanakert (Khankandi), not everyone celebrated.

In Abkhazia, public figures and media commentators were largely silent after news broke of Russia’s recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Abkhazian writer Elya Jikirba, criticised Russia’s actions in Ukraine while making clear that the Ukrainian government was also at fault. 

‘We will also be affected here by increased pressure on [human rights]’, she wrote.

In a response to a post on Telegram channel ‘Eleanor Writes’, run by journalist Eleanorа Giloyan, one commentator suggested that the government risked creating parallels between Abkhazia and Donetsk and Luhansk.

‘Our authorities, with their welcoming statements, essentially delegitimise themselves’, he said.

Others, such as Aleksey Lomiya, a former Prosecutor General and now a popular blogger, congratulated Luhansk and Donetsk but avoided giving any assessment of the situation. 

An offer by President Bzhaniya on Sunday to send military assistance to Donetsk and Luhansk was also met with scepticism. 

Tigran Grigoryan, a Yerevan-based political analyst from Stepanakert, criticised Nagorno-Karabakh’s Arayik Harutyunyan’s response to events in Ukraine in a post on Facebook.

‘There must be a limit in everything. I think Arayik Harutyunyan's congratulatory message of the recognition of the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk by Russia is wrong.’

Grigoryan argued that Armenian diplomacy should ensure that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh was not seen as being equivalent to ‘other de facto states in the territory of the former Soviet Union’.

‘At the same time, I understand that Harutyunyan is forced to make such statements regularly, because he is probably getting some hints from officials in Moscow’, he added.

‘However, this does not mean that all Artsakh officials should take a stand on this issue. It is a very sensitive and dangerous topic that needs to be avoided as much as possible. It is not worth being more Catholic than the Pope’.


Azerbaijan to erect – again – the world’s tallest flagpole

Diana Dabaghian 
Eurasianet



[Baku already held the record in 2010, before losing it to Tajikistan
less than a year later. Now it is aiming to again one-up the current
record holder in Saudi Arabia.]

By Heydar Isayev
Feb 14, 2022

Azerbaijan is planning to erect the tallest flagpole in the world, a
record it already held and lost more than a decade ago.

On February 9, ENKA, Turkey’s largest construction company, posted a
photo of the under-construction pole on Facebook. “Çimtaş, a
subsidiary of ENKA, will build the world's tallest flagpole for Baku,
the capital of Azerbaijan, also known as the ‘Windy City!’” the post
read. It reported that Çimtaş started building the 191-meter pole in
September 2021 and that it is scheduled to be delivered to Baku, via
the Black Sea, the Volga-Don Canal, and the Caspian Sea, in April
2022.

While Azerbaijan’s government has not yet commented on the report,
ENKA’s post has been widely shared in Azerbaijani media and social
media.
This is not Azerbaijan’s first attempt at a world flagpole record.

In 2010, Azerbaijan’s government erected what was at the time the
world’s tallest flagpole in Baku – a mere 162 meters – on a newly
constructed State Flag Square on the Caspian shoreline, at a cost of
$30 million. The land where the square was built had been the site of
hundreds of homes; residents had been given paltry compensation to
move and then forcibly evicted if they rejected the deal.

President Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the pole and
raised the flag himself.

“We are marking a historic and unforgettable event today,” he said at
the time. “I am not talking about this flagpole being the highest in
the world. An even higher flagpole may be installed somewhere else
after some time. This is not the point. The point is that the
establishment of the Flag Square demonstrates Azerbaijan’s strength,
the love of the Azerbaijani people for their state and our respect for
state symbols.”

The next morning, the flag was torn by Baku’s famously strong winds
and taken down for repairs.

Aliyev was soon proven correct. Less than a year later, in May 2011,
Tajikistan bettered Azerbaijan with a pole just three meters higher
than Baku’s. (Both Azerbaijan’s and Tajikistan’s poles were
constructed by the same U.S. firm, Trident Support.)

In 2014, Tajikistan’s record was in turn broken by Saudi Arabia, which
erected a 170-meter pole in Jeddah, a structure that still holds the
world record.

After repeated incidents of flags being ripped by the wind, the
Azerbaijani authorities finally stopped raising the flag there in
2017. Shortly after, the pole itself was dismantled and removed. The
construction of the square, meanwhile, had become embroiled in a
corruption scandal, with the head of the State Flag Square Complex
fired and arrested on fraud charges in 2016.

It’s not clear how the new pole will manage the wind, but ENKA said it
is working on the issue. “The flagpole will draw attention with its
design and engineering works due to the strong winds of the city,” it
said in the Facebook post.

Azerbaijani public reaction was largely dismissive of the news, either
criticizing the new pole as a waste of money or mocking it.

“They should keep a 20-30-meters-long extension under the ground, so
that if somewhere else builds a taller pole, we can raise it and
become the first again,” one Facebook page suggested.