Author: Elizabeth Jabejian

Armenian, Canadian FMs discuss development prospects of bilateral relations

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 12:52, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Foreign Minister of Canada Mélanie Joly in Geneva within the framework of the UN Human Rights Council High-Level session, the Armenian MFA said.

The Armenian and Canadian FMs discussed the prospects of further developing the bilateral relations. The importance of intensifying the contacts at a high level was emphasized.

The sides also attached importance to the current mission of the Special Envoy of Canada to the European Union and Europe, Stéphane Dion, in Armenia.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Mélanie Joly also exchanged ideas about the ongoing democratic reforms in Armenia.

RPA blames Armenian authorities’ weakness for new Moscow-Baku deal

Elizabeth Jabejian
Feb 23 2022
February 23, 2022 – 12:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has shared a statement on Russia and Azerbaijan's signing of a declaration of allied cooperation, maintaining that "when your only ally becomes the ally of your enemy, it is, first of all, the result of your own weakness and the mistakes you have made."

"The global geopolitical shifts, as a result of which the catastrophic seizure of power took place in Armenia in April-May 2018, continue," the RPA said in a statement on Wednesday, February 23.

"As a result of that seizure of power, the Armenian-Russian strategic allied relations, which are one of the most important components of the security systems of Armenia and Artsakh, were subsequently disrupted."

The RPA, which was at the helm of the country between 2008 and 2018, said that Armenia lost its initiative and the opportunities to expand and strengthen its sovereignty due to the negligent foreign policy pursued since May 2018.

"With the recent Artsakh war, Armenia lost its position as an influential player in the South Caucasus," the statement said.

"Unfortunately, the foreign policy pursued by the Armenian authorities has not been perceptible, comparable, harmonized with the regional interests of the strategic ally, as a result of which new manifestations of concern to the Armenian people have been registered."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev are expected to sign a declaration on allied cooperation in Moscow February 22. Putin described the document as a new stage in the development of relations between the two countries, which he said became possible, "including after the progress in the resolution of the Karabakh issue, which has not yet been fully resolved in general."

Kiev enters defensive phase, says mayor

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 16:41, 25 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Kiev is now in a “defensive” stage and the situation is difficult, according to the Ukrainian capital’s Mayor Vitaly Klitschko.

“The city entered a stage of defensive operations. Sounds of gunfire and explosions are heard in some districts. Ukrainian armed forces are neutralizing the Russian sabotage groups. Unfortunately, some of these sabotage groups already entered Kiev. The enemy wants to bring us down to our knees and destroy us,” Klitschko said.

He added that the Ukrainian military are defending Kiev on a perimeter.

“The situation is difficult, but we believe in our military. We support and help them,” he said.

Armenian community of Ukraine maintains contact with Embassy

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 11:22,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian community of Ukraine has been prepared for evacuating Armenians from the heated border sections in case of necessity, Kiev-based Ukrainian-Armenian political analyst Marat Hakobyan said in an interview to ARMENPRESS.

“The talk is about the Armenians living in Donetsk and Lugansk. The Armenian community has developed a plan for evacuating our compatriots from the military zone. There is no such need yet. We have specified the routes, transport in advance to evacuate Armenians in case of necessity, but I repeat that as of this moment there is no such request yet”, he said.

He said there are more Armenians in Donetsk, up to 50,000. Mr. Hakobyan also informed that they are in touch with the Armenian Embassy for various issues.

“You know that martial law has been declared in the country. As this is not the first year, the Armenian community knows what to do. All infrastructures in the country are operating, the public transport is working. There is just a lot of traffic in Kiev. Those who are able to reach their destinations do their work. People try not to panic”, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on Thursday morning that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law in the country.

Reporting by Anna Gziryan




Ombudsman: Azerbaijani authorities are obligated to release all Armenian captives

Elizabeth Jabejian
 NEWS.am 
Armenia – Feb 23 2022


14:25, 23.02.2022

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijan keeps the Armenian captives for political bargaining. The Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, told this to a press conference Wednesday.

When asked about the statements of the Azerbaijani MP in Yerevan that "all the captives have been released," Tatoyan noted that he is familiar with the cynical speech that "the [Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh)] conflict is over, and all the captives—returned."

The ombudsman reminded that these two issues are interrelated, and the Azerbaijani side makes an artificial division between these captives—until the signing of the trilateral declaration on November 9, 2020 and after that—, extorts testimony from Armenian captives through torture, then calls them "terrorists."

"All these [court] trials [in Azerbaijan against the Armenian captives] are a crime in itself, an attempt—in the eyes of the world community—to ensure a legitimate justification for not returning the captives. This is done for political and military bargaining purposes. (…). The conflict is not over. This is important in order to record that they are captives," Tatoyan stressed.

"Azerbaijani delegates need to remember this when they are attempting to mislead the world community. We will not allow it. They can fool their own society. They commit crimes, then talk about peace," added the ombudsman of Armenia.

Three factions of Artsakh NA made statement in connection with visit of Azerbaijani MPs to Armenia

Elizabeth Jabejian
ARM INFO
Feb 23 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo.Three factions of the National Assembly of Artsakh issued a statement in connection with the visit of Azerbaijani deputies to Armenia. 

"Against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between the  parliaments of Armenia and Artsakh, the Prime Minister of the  Republic of Armenia is organizing a warm welcome for the Azerbaijani  MPs. Yesterday Nikol Pashinyan met with the Azerbaijani MPs who  arrived in Armenia within the framework of the Euronest Parliamentary  Assembly, and today these MPs thanked the Prime Minister RA Minister  for the warm welcome.

It is alarming that there is no information that real issues of  concern to the general public of the Republic of Artsakh were  discussed at this meeting: security, the return of Armenian prisoners  of war, the destruction of cultural property in the occupied  territories, the deterioration of human rights. In the current  situation, we consider it especially important to resume cooperation  between the legislative bodies of the two Armenian states through an  inter-parliamentary commission, where topical issues will be  discussed. Taking into account the events in our region, we call on  the Speakers of the National Assemblies of Artsakh and the Republic  of Armenia to urgently organize a meeting of the inter-parliamentary  commission," the statement of the three factions of the National  Assembly of the NKR – "Justice", "ARF-D" and "Democratic Party of  Artsakh" reads. 

A draft resolution on the termination of diplomatic relations with Russia has been submitted to the Rada

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 18:57,

YEREVAN, 21 FEBRUARY, ARMENPERESS. Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko has submitted to the parliament a draft decision to suspend diplomatic relations with Russia, ARMENPRESS reports, Ria Novosti informs.

The relevant draft resolution was registered on the website of the Verkhovna Rada on February 22.

"Ukraine must end its diplomatic relations with Russia. Today I submitted an urgent resolution to the Verkhovna Rada. Year after year, the Russian Federation only intensifies its aggression against Ukraine. Putin first occupied Crimea, then started a war in the Donbass. And now he continues to apply pressure. He recognized his puppets, the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk, as independent. By yesterday’s statement Putin himself cut off diplomatic relations with us," Honcharenko wrote in the Telegram. He offered to urgently discuss this decision.

Russia recognized the independence of two self-proclaimed republics – Donetsk and Lugansk on February 21.




Blinken and Le Drian discuss Karabakh conflict

Elizabeth Jabejian
  News.am  
Armenia – Feb 10 2022
21:26, 10.02.2022

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian have discussed the Karabakh conflict.

According to the State Department, the sides discussed the ongoing efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve all outstanding issues related to or arising from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The interlocutors also discussed joint efforts by NATO allies, EU partners, G7 members and other partners to counter Russia's continued military build-up near Ukraine's borders.

They emphasized the importance of continuing to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and of ensuring that Russia understands the high costs it will pay if it continues to invade Ukraine.

Turkish Press: Amid normalization talks, businesspeople in eastern Turkey await opening of Armenian border

Elizabeth Jabejian
Yeni Safak, Turkey
Feb 12 2022

Amid the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia, businesspeople in the Turkish eastern province of Kars, located near the Armenian border, are waiting for the opening of the border between the two countries.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, the businesspeople said that the opening of the Dogukapi border gate, which is a freight station near the Turkey-Armenia border and has been closed for 29 years, could boost the trade in the region.

Turkey closed the border gate in 1993 after Armenia occupied the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The railway line was renewed in 2009 when the two neighboring countries signed “Zurich protocols” in an attempt to normalize relations, but the border was never opened as the protocols failed to be ratified at national parliaments.

Turkey and Armenia held the first round of talks to normalize relations on Jan. 14, and the second meeting of special representatives set for Feb. 24 in Vienna.

Ertugrul Alibeyoglu, head of the Kars Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Anadolu Agency that they expect a “massive influx of tourists” from Armenia to historical and religious sites in Kars, in case the ongoing diplomatic contacts with Armenia are concluded positively and as a result, a connection between Kars and Armenia by road and railway is established.”

“Tourism will develop mutually and this tourism boom will benefit both countries,” he said.

Adem Ertas, head of the Chamber of Agriculture in Kars, said Dogukapi "was one of the most important gates that connected our country with Russia in the past. Livestock and agricultural materials were traded from here, grain and wheat were imported and exported.”

"The normalization process with Armenia is good news for us. I hope Dogukapi will open as soon as possible,” he added.

Adem Burulday, head of the Union of Craftsmen and Artisans Chambers, said opening the door to Armenia will also benefit shopkeepers in Kars and Akyaka.

Restaurant owner Alpay Kurt said: "We would be very happy to see Dogukapi is open. It will both contribute to tourism and be good for shopkeepers here.”

Murat Kocak, another shopkeeper, said: “The door of a new country means new people… With the opening of the door, there will be trade between the two countries.”


* Writing by Iclal Turan.

Armenian PM sends congratulatory letters to Iran’s Supreme Leader and President

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 11:05,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent congratulatory messages to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and President Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Armenian PM’s Office said.

The message addressed to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei reads as follows,

“I warmly congratulate you on the 43rd anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

The smooth development of relations based on mutual trust and warmth with the neighboring and friendly Islamic Republic of Iran is of particular importance for the Republic of Armenia.

We can state with satisfaction that this year we mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, the course of which has registered a steady path of development.

I am confident that the warm and neighborly Armenian-Iranian relations, firmly based on mutual respect and trust, will reach new horizons for the benefit of the development of our countries and the welfare of the peoples.

Taking this opportunity, I wish you good health and lasting peace to the friendly people of Iran”.

The message addressed to President of Iran Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi reads as follows,

“I cordially congratulate you and the people of Iran on the 43rd anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

In the Republic of Armenia, we highly appreciate the normal development of warm and neighborly Armenian-Iranian relations, which are based on centuries-old history and mutual respect.

We should record with satisfaction that this year we mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, the course of which has been marked by achievements in various fields and the expansion of cooperation prospects.

Highlighting the determination of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Iran to strengthen peace and stability in the region, I reaffirm the official invitation to you to visit Armenia to discuss the issues on the bilateral agenda.

I am convinced that due to joint efforts we will be committed to the deepening of high-level Armenian-Iranian interstate relations, and the multifaceted agenda of our cooperation will be further expanded for the benefit of our peoples and countries.

Taking the opportunity, I wish you prosperity and good health, and well-being and lasting peace to the friendly people of Iran”.