Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Former state and military officials of Artsakh detained by Azerbaijan

Emil Lazarian
October 4, 2023 Hoory Minoyan News 0

YEREVAN—Azerbaijan has illegally detained eight state and military figures of Artsakh, including four former presidents and the current chairman of the National Assembly. As of the morning of September 4, the following state and military representatives have been arrested and sent to Baku: 

Speaker of the National Assembly of Artsakh Davit Ishkhanyan

Davit Babayan – former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh
Arkady Ghukasyan – former president of Artsakh Republic
Arayik Harutyunyan – former president of Artsakh Republic
Davit Ishkhanyan – chairman of the National Assembly of Artsakh Republic
Davit Manukyan – former deputy commander of the Artsakh Armed Forces, general
Levon Mnatsakanyan – former commander of the Defense Forces, general
Bako Sahakyan – former president of Artsakh Republic
Ruben Vardanyan – former State Minister of Artsakh Republic

Arkady Ghukasyan, 2nd President of Artsakh

Following the Azerbaijani offensive on Artsakh on September 19, which led to dozens of military and civilian deaths, including children, a Russian-brokered agreement was reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the Armed Forces of Armenia from Artsakh, the disbanding and complete disarmament of the Artsakh Defense Army, and the removal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Artsakh. The offensive came almost ten months after the start of Azerbaijan’s devastating blockade, which precipitated a humanitarian crisis in Artsakh. 

On September 28, nine days after the 24-hour blitz by Azerbaijan, President of the Republic of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree to dissolve all state institutions by January 1, 2024. The decree states that the republic will cease to exist on that day, and the local population must familiarize itself with the conditions of reintegration presented by the Republic of Azerbaijan and make an “independent decision” on whether to stay or leave the region.

Bako Sahakyan, 3rd President of Artsakh

Despite the agreement, and as a result of continuing hostilities against the civilian population of Artsakh in line with Azerbaijan’s national policy of ethnic cleansing, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians have been forced to flee from Artsakh, seeking refuge in different regions of the Republic of Armenia. 

During the forced migration of tens of thousands of Armenians, state representatives also made their way towards Armenia. While several state officials, like former Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Artsakh Samvel Babayan, made it through the illegal checkpoint at the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor, others met with a different outcome.

Vardanyan was detained by Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces at the illegal Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Hakari Bridge at the entrance to the Berdzor Corridor. Vardanyan relocated to Artsakh from Russia in 2022, where he served as State Minister and was actively involved in multiple humanitarian aid projects in the blockaded republic. Vardanyan has been an outspoken advocate for Artsakh’s right to independence and self-determination. He is currently serving a four-month detention and faces a potential 14-year sentence by Azerbaijan on charges of financial terrorism, participation in the formation of armed groups and residing in the Republic of Azerbaijan without proper authorization.

Former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan (Photo Vahagn Khachatrian)

Vardanyan’s children have appealed to human rights advocates to help achieve their father’s release from detention in Azerbaijan. In their statement, Vardanyan’s four children state their concern about their father’s wellbeing and safety in arbitrary detention. They also state that they do not want their father to become yet another victim of the political tension in the region, “especially as his mission has always been to reduce this exact same tension and find a peaceful solution to a long-term conflict.”

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh Davit Babayan

In a Facebook post, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh and current advisor to the president of Artsakh Davit Babayan announced that he would be going to Shushi to turn himself in per the request of the Azerbaijani government, where he would then be sent to Baku for an investigation. Babayan stated that although the decision to turn himself in would cause great pain for his family and friends, “not turning myself in, or moreover fleeing, would seriously harm our people, many, many people, and I, as an honest man, a working, patriotic Christian, cannot allow it.”

Vardanyan’s arrest was followed by the detention of former Artsakh Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Davit Manukyan, and former Artsakh Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Levon Mnatsakanyan. According to a statement released by the Azerbaijani State Security Service, Manukyan is charged with terrorism, illegal possession and transportation of weapons and ammunition, forming armed groups and illegal border crossing. Manukyan is the brother of Gegham Manukyan, opposition “Armenia Alliance” MP and member of the Supreme Council of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) in Armenia. Both Davit Manukyan and Mnatsakanyan have been transferred to Baku and are awaiting trial. 

Former President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan

On October 3, Azerbaijan arrested former presidents of the Artsakh Republic, Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and Arayik Harutyunyan and incumbent Speaker of Artsakh’s Parliament Davit Ishkhanyan. These arrests bring the total of confirmed Artsakh officials being illegally tried in Baku to eight. Ghukasyan served as the second president of the Republic of Artsakh from 1997 to 2007, followed by Sahakyan, who held the presidency from 2007 to 2020. Ishkhanyan was elected speaker of the parliament in August 2023. He has served as the representative of the ARF Central Committee in Artsakh and is currently a member of the ARF Bureau. Harutyunyan served as the fourth president of the Artsakh Republic from 2020-2023, submitting his resignation prior to Azerbaijan’s most recent attack.

On September 28, the Republic of Armenia submitted an application to the International Court of Justice of the United Nations to apply a temporary measure in the case of Armenia vs. Azerbaijan under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, “demanding Azerbaijan to refrain from punitive actions against the current or former leadership or the military of Nagorno Karabakh,” stated Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry also released a statement on September 4 condemning the illegal arrests of the representatives of the Artsakh Republic. “Despite the dialogue with the representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh, the statements of high-ranking officials of Azerbaijan regarding the willingness to respect and protect the rights of Armenians, not to hinder their return to Nagorno-Karabakh, and on establishment of peace in the region, the law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan continue arbitrary arrests,” the statement reads.

The Ministry has affirmed that the Republic of Armenia is actively taking measures to safeguard the rights of unlawfully detained Artsakh representatives, both domestically and in international courts. Furthermore, they have urged international partners to maintain consistency in their messages and appeals to Azerbaijan regarding the protection of the rights and security of the Artsakh people, addressing the matter through bilateral channels and various international platforms.

  •  Bio
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Hoory Minoyan was an active member of the Armenian community in Los Angeles until she moved to Armenia prior to the 44-day war. She graduated with a master's in International Affairs from Boston University, where she was also the recipient of the William R. Keylor Travel Grant. The research and interviews she conducted while in Armenia later became the foundation of her Master’s thesis, “Shaping Identity Through Conflict: The Armenian Experience.” Hoory continues to follow her passion for research and writing by contributing to the Armenian Weekly.


French foreign minister pledges arms for Armenia in visit to Yerevan

Emil Lazarian
euronews
Oct 4 2023

Catherine Colonna said Armenia needed to be able to defend itself two weeks after Azerbaijani forces invaded Nagorno-Karabakh despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers.

On a visit to Armenia, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna says Paris has agreed to deliver military equipment to the small South Caucasus nation.

After visiting ethnic Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, including burns patients injured in a petrol station explosion, the minister pledged military support.

She said: “I would like to publicly state that France has agreed on future contracts with Armenia which will allow the delivery of military equipment to Armenia so that it can ensure its defence. You'll understand that I can't go into more detail at the moment."

In a two-week period, 100,000 Armenians fled the enclave in an exodus prompted by Azerbaijan’s invasion of the contested region. The enclave’s seizure happened despite the presence of Russian peacekeeping forces.

The French minister’s visit came on the same day that Azerbaijan announced it had arrested a number of ethnic Armenian political leaders from Nagorno-Karabakh. 

An Azerbaijani news agency reported Arayik Haratyunyan, who led the region until September, had been brought to the Azerbaijan capital. 

Three other key leaders were also detained including former separatist presidents Arkadi Gukasian and Bako Sahakyan, as well as Davit Ishkhanyan, the speaker of the separatist legislature.

France to provide military equipment to Armenia. Unexpected statement in Yerevan

Emil Lazarian
JAM News
Oct 4 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

France to provide Armenia with military equipment

“France has agreed to sign a treaty with Armenia. It will provide Armenia with military equipment so that the country can ensure its defense. But I cannot give other details yet,” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said in Yerevan.

She arrived in Armenia the yesterday and immediately met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

The Foreign Ministers spoke at a joint press conference, during which the statement on the provision of arms to Armenia was made. The journalists asked whether the termination of Armenia’s cooperation with Russia’s CSTO military bloc was an important precondition for France to receive the arms. To which Ararat Mirzoyan replied, “Our partners have never made such a demand, they have never even raised such a question.”

Armenian analysts believe that France will not refuse to supply some weapons, but will be cautious, as it knows that “this is a complicated game in which Turkey is also involved.” They also do not rule out that Paris’ statements could have “the effect of accelerating the explosives – regardless of the will and desire of the French authorities.”

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Catherine Colonna announced that France is very attentive to threats to Armenia’s territorial integrity. And Paris believes that the EU and its members also need to send the same clear signals as France does:

“Any action that threatens the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia will receive a very clear and tough response. I hope we will be able to count on other partners on this issue as well, particularly the United States.”

Colonna recalled the meeting held in Prague a year ago. According to her, the recognition by Armenia and Azerbaijan of each other’s territorial integrity in accordance with the Alma-Ata Declaration was “an important progress that needs to be maintained and moved forward”.

The French Foreign Minister said that work continues for the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Our position is unchanged and we can unite around it and other members of the UN Security Council. We are trying to create conditions for the adoption of a draft resolution according to which those Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh who want could return to their homes.”

Le Figaro reports about France’s intention to submit to the Security Council a resolution on assistance to 120 thousand Armenians on the verge of starvation due to the blockade by Azerbaijan

“I feel the need to state this again because we hear statements that people have voluntarily left their homes. This is not true,” Colonna said on the resettlement of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

In her opinion, it is important to make a clear assessment of the fait accompli:

“I don’t want to give legal qualification to the crimes, but I say that they are crimes.”

However, Armenian journalists noticed that the Minister avoided using the terms “ethnic cleansing” and “forced displacement”, which are used by the Armenian authorities.

At the same time, she emphasized that France has always supported Armenians and in connection with “this terrible humanitarian catastrophe” also sent 12.5 million euros to Armenia to provide decent conditions for the Karabakh residents. Assured that this assistance will not stop.

“We have been by the side of Armenians at the UN and everywhere, as well as in all contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the highest level. We were next to Armenia also during the establishment of the observation mission within the European Union.”

The French Foreign Minister said that she addressed the EU Head of Diplomacy Josep Borrell with a proposal to expand the EU observer mission on Armenia’s border and strengthen its mandate.

On the Paris meetings of the Minister of Defense of Armenia, as well as an expert’s commentary on cooperation with France in the field of defense

Tigran Yekavyan, an analyst and lecturer at the Schiller International University in Paris, believes that there is a “security vacuum” in the South Caucasus, which is obvious to French diplomacy. He says that because of the Ukrainian war, Russia is not only vulnerable but also “more dangerous” to Armenia’s security and sovereignty.

“It has been obvious for three years now that Russia’s CSTO military bloc has abandoned Armenia, and the Armenian authorities are desperately trying to get some kind of help from Europe, particularly France,” he said.

He believes that Armenia’s defense capability will be ensured not so much by arms supplies as by building a “new security architecture.”

“Yes, France will not refuse to supply some weapons – of course, as a last resort. But it will be very cautious, because Paris understands very well that this is a complicated game, in which Turkey is involved.”

According to him, France has two concerns. The first is that Russia could overthrow the current Armenian government and install new pro-Russian authorities, which poses “a threat to Armenia’s internal stability.” The second fear is the external threat from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

In addition, according to Yekavyan, France should find common ground with Iran, which is interested in Armenia’s security based on its own strategic interests.

“I see Armenia also as a bridge between France and India. France is interested in the Indian market. We also know that the strategic interests of Armenia and India coincide.”

Yael Braun-Pivé and a French delegation arrive in Yerevan to demonstrate solidarity

Political observer Hakob Badalyan welcomes France’s readiness to provide military equipment and Paris’ vigilance towards Armenia’s territorial integrity. But expects practical steps as well.

“Risks and challenges that are accumulating in the region, including due to global realities, make the unit of measurement of threats to destabilize the situation, if not hours and days, at least weeks,” he believes.

In this regard, he is not sure that it will be possible to solve the issues facing Armenia now, taking into account the possible terms of French arms deliveries:

“Armenia and France have neither a direct land border nor a sea border. And deliveries through the territory of Georgia and Iran are subject to rather multilayered geopolitics with all the ensuing consequences.”

According to Badalyan, Paris’ statements may have another effect, namely “accelerating the work of explosives.”

“Moreover, during the Prague meeting, held at the initiative of France, Azerbaijan achieved one of its main goals: agreement on Armenia’s recognition of Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, without making a full-fledged reciprocal statement.”

The analyst wonders why, before the meeting in Granada between Pashinyan, Scholz, Macron, Michel and Aliyev, scheduled for October 5, Paris felt it necessary to make statements “caressing the ear” and encouraging Armenian society?

“It is hard to believe or imagine that this is being done on the eve of “twisting Baku’s ear” [calling for accountability] in Granada. Especially since a month ago French economic giant Total energies has already ‘ennobled Aliyev’s ears’ by discussing new investment programs”.

Prior to the publication of this piece, there was information that the Azerbaijani President will not go to the five-sided meeting in Granada. According to Azerbaijani media, the reason is the pro-Armenian position of Paris.

Russia says it held talks with US, EU on Nagorno-Karabakh before crisis

Emil Lazarian
Reuters
Oct 4 2023
Reuters

MOSCOW, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Russia exchanged views with the United States and the European Union on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh ahead of the lightning military operation by Azerbaijan last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

Politico reported earlier that top officials from the United States and the EU met their Russian counterparts in Turkey for emergency talks about Karabakh just days before Azerbaijan launched its operation in the breakaway region.

"The U.S. and EU approached us and asked us to hold a meeting," Zakharova told reporters. She said the sides exchanged views on the situation in Karabakh.

"There was nothing secret about this meeting; it was an ordinary exchange of views. We shall see how the West will present all this now."

U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters the meeting was not a secret and "came together to address specifically urgent humanitarian issues and the provision of potential humanitarian aid in Nagorno-Karabakh."

"The U.S. remains deeply engaged on the situation and we continue to be committed to helping the parties achieve a lasting peace in the South Caucasus," he said.

Reporting by Filipp Lebedev; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Additional reporting by Simon Lewis Editing by Andrew Osborn and Paul Simao

France agrees to deliver military equipment to Armenia

Emil Lazarian
France 24
Oct 3 2023

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on a visit to Armenia on Tuesday that Paris agreed to deliver military equipment to the small South Caucasus nation.


Colonna travelled to Armenia after Azerbaijani forces last month swept through the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh and secured the surrender of Armenian separatist forces that had controlled the mountainous region for decades. 

"France has given its agreement to the conclusion of future contracts with Armenia which will allow the delivery of military equipment to Armenia so that it can ensure its defence," she told reporters after talks that she said touched upon security and defence.

France's top diplomat declined to provide any details. 

"I can't give many details. If I have to go a little further, know that there are things that were already agreed between Armenia and France and that are in progress," Colonna said. 

"There is a second category of things that we can do with Armenia," she added, noting that both countries did not seek an escalation in the region.

France, which has a large Armenian diaspora, has traditionally helped mediate the decades-old territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh.

Colonna also met with burn victims, many of them injured by a fuel depot explosion last month in the breakaway enclave of Nagorno Karabakh, in a hospital in Yerevan.

"You can count on our continued support," Colonna said after the visit, promising that France would treat four victims who would be flown out this weekend.

"I'm honoured that our country is your closest, and perhaps most loyal, friend," she told reporters.

Armenian Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan said: "This humanitarian support, this human support, is very important."

More than 100,000 refugees have fled Karabakh to Armenia since an Azerbaijani military offensive there last month.

During the exodus, a massive explosion on the outskirts of the rebel stronghold of Stepanakert killed 170 people and injured hundreds more.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AFP)


France agrees on future contracts with Armenia to deliver military aid

Emil Lazarian
y! news
Oct 3 2023
John Irish and Charlotte Van Campenhout

By John Irish and Charlotte Van Campenhout

PARIS (Reuters) -France has agreed on future contracts with Armenia to supply it with military equipment to help ensure its defences, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Tuesday during a visit to Yerevan.

It was the first trip to Armenia by a Western government minister since Azerbaijani forces captured Nagorno-Karabakh, a separatist ethnic Armenian region within Azerbaijan, in a lightning military operation on Sept. 20.

Colonna travelled to Armenia to assess its immediate needs amid an influx of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and fears of Azerbaijani military action against Armenia following Karabakh's fall, diplomats said.

During a live-streamed joint press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Colonna said she had also asked European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to include Armenia in the scope of the European Peace Facility (EPF), an EU military aid fund.

"France will be vigilant regarding the territorial integrity of Armenia," Colonna said. "I hope that (EU) member states will send a clear signal to all those who would be tempted to call into question the sovereignty of Armenia."

She declined to elaborate on what sort of military aid was envisaged for Armenia under future supply contracts.

France and its Western allies fear that Armenia and its government could be destabilised after its historical military ally, Russia, appeared to abandon it over the last few weeks.

The Nagorno-Karabakh issue is a delicate subject in Paris. A week after Baku took control of the enclave, prompting more than 100,000 people to flee to Armenia, French lawmakers from across the political spectrum criticised President Emmanuel Macron's government for not doing enough to help Karabakh's Armenians.

France's population includes between 400,000 to 600,000 people of Armenian origin, a powerful lobby group during election periods.

Paris has already provided 12.5 million euros ($13.08 million) in humanitarian aid to Armenia and French officials have backed the idea of imposing EU sanctions on Baku.

But they concede that there is a reluctance within the EU to do so just a year after the bloc agreed a major energy deal to replace Russian supplies following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Karabakh is viewed internationally as part of Azerbaijan but had been run as a breakaway ethnic Armenian statelet since the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

($1 = 0.9554 euros)

(Reporting by John Irish Charlotte Van Campenhout; editing by Christina Fincher and Mark Heinrich)

Russia has ‘betrayed’ Armenian people by standing aside in Nagorno-Karabakh – Charles Michel

Emil Lazarian
euronews
Oct 3 2023
By Gregoire Lory & Mared Gwyn Jones

Russia's failure to ensure peace and security in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh is a 'betrayal' of the Armenian people, Charles Michel told Euronews on Monday.

The European Council President condemned Russia's peacekeeping forces, present in Nagorno-Karabakh since a peace deal was brokered by Moscow in 2020, for standing aside as Baku launched its military action.

"It is clear for everyone to see that Russia has betrayed the Armenian people," Michel told Euronews' Global Conversation.

"Russia wanted to have soldiers on the ground to guarantee this peace and security agreement. But we see that the military operation was launched without the slightest reaction from the Russian peacekeeping forces in the territory. The European Union, on the other hand, had no force or military presence on the ground," he added.

Baku recently regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenian separatists after launching a military offensive. An estimated 100,000 ethnic Armenians have since fled in fear of persecution as Azerbaijani forces tighten their grip on the region. 

Experts say Baku's actions amount to a war crime, and Armenia has accused its neighbour of pursuing ethnic cleansing. 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has also condemned Russia for ignoring signs of Baku’s escalation and failing to protect Armenians residing in the isolated, mountainous region. The Kremlin responded by accusing Pashinyan of “succumbing to Western influence.”

Michel has played a leading role in recent EU attempts to de-escalate the decades-old conflict, convening both sides for talks in Brussels as Pashinyan looked to the West for support. 

But the bloc has come under fire for its unfruitful mediation efforts and for refraining from sanctioning Azerbaijan. Members of the European Parliament hailed Michel's mediation attempts a "total failure", accusing EU leaders of failing to name the aggressor and ignoring Armenia’s pleas.

Michel rejected this criticism, telling Euronews that "European mediation, which was conducted in parallel with others such as that of the US, enabled us to advance, for example with prisoner exchanges, and to better understand how to improve the connectivity of this region to ensure better future stability." 

"We also made progress on texts that aim to ensure a future peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan."

"But having said that, I am extremely disappointed by the decision that was taken by Azerbaijan and I have expressed that very firmly to President Aliyev," he added.

Michel said EU intervention was critical in ensuring the re-opening of the Lachin corridor – which had been blockaded by Azerbaijani forces for months, preventing essential supplies from reaching the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh – and assured the bloc would continue to provide humanitarian support.

"We are very committed to supporting Armenia, which is receiving a high number of refugees who have left their home region in Nagorno-Karabakh," Michel explained. "We also need to remain engaged at a political and diplomatic level to make sure that there’s a very clear reaffirmation of the respect for the territorial integrity of Armenia."

"We will not give up," he affirmed.

Michel is expected to sit down with the two countries' leaders as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of a summit of the European Political Community on Thursday in Granada, Spain. Similar talks were held at the previous two EPC summits in October 2022 and June 2023. 

Peace, he said, will require "a negotiation that can pin down commitments from both sides" although "there is a great responsibility on the side of Azerbaijan, which launched this military operation."

"It’s now up to Azerbaijan to show goodwill by engaging while respecting international law to protect the rights and security of the entire population that lives in Azerbaijan, including the Armenian population," he added.

He refrained from labelling the forced exodus of the Nagorno-Karabakh population as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.

"It’s true that the immense majority of the Armenian population has left the region and probably in fear of how they will be considered by the Azerbaijani authorities. A large part is now in Armenia, and that’s why the EU must deliver humanitarian aid," he said.

He also said that Baku remains an EU partner despite its brazen attack.

"Azerbaijan is a partner today, yes, it’s a partner. That doesn’t mean the relationship is simple. No, it’s not simple. Are there difficulties? Yes, and these difficulties are real and should be understood," he explained.

He denied that the EU had turned a blind eye to signs of hostilities when EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed Baku a “trustworthy” partner in 2022, striking a deal to double EU imports of Azerbaijani gas by 2027 in a bid to wean off Russian fossil fuel imports.

"I understand the argument, but it’s not correct," Michel said. "We showed Europe's ability to very quickly diversify energy supplies following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and therefore we now have many options in terms of energy supplies."

When asked if the EU should reconsider its gas deal with Baku, Michel said: "Of course. What we now need to look at is how to normalise the relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan so that we can firmly and incontestably ensure the mutual recognition of the territorial integrity of both countries."

"We will encourage a normalisation process that can lead to commitments on both sides to respect the promises they have made. And the absolute priority is to ensure that there are negotiations on territorial borders," he explained.

"It is the European mediation process that secured progress in this regard, on a peace treaty to normalise the relationship and also on what we call connectivity, that is, the possibility both for the populations of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to be able to move in the region."

Michel also told Euronews he is confident EU and Western support to Ukraine remains unwavering, despite the Polish government and Slovak election winner Robert Fico vowing to veto the bloc's future supply of weapons. Cracks have also recently appeared in Washington's support to Kyiv, with senior officials questioning the Ukrainian armed forces' counter-offensive strategy.

"There are risks of fissures and breakdowns, but that does not mean we are not vigilant," he explained.

"We are vigilant, because EU unity requires effort, political work, collaboration and diplomacy," he added.

Four Karabakh leaders held in Azerbaijan, three more reach Armenia – agencies

Emil Lazarian
Jerusalem Post
Oct 3 2023
By REUTERS

Four ex-leaders of Azerbaijan's formerly ethnic Armenian-controlled region of Nagorno-Karabakh have been detained by Azerbaijan's State Security Service and taken to the capital Baku, the state-run Azerbaijani Press Agency (APA) reported on Tuesday.

However, three other former leaders of Karabakh have arrived safely in Armenia, the Armenian state news agency Armenpress quoted one of the three as saying.

Azerbaijan took control of Nagorno-Karabakh after three decades in a lightning military operation on Sept. 20, and vowed to prosecute the "criminal" separatist leadership, who it said had poisoned the minds of the population.


Almost all the 120,000 or so inhabitants of Karabakh have since fled to Armenia, fearing for their safety. But Azerbaijan has arrested Ruben Vardanyan, a former head of Karabakh's government, and Levon Mnatsakanyan, former commander of Nagorno-Karabakh's separatist army, at border checkpoints.

On Tuesday, APA said three former self-styled presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arkady Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and Araik Arutyunyan, as well as ex-parliamentary speaker David Ishkhanyan, had been arrested.


However, former state minister Artur Arutyunyan, ex-interior minister Karen Sarkisyan and the former head of Karabakh's security service, Ararat Melkunyan, all entered Armenia on Tuesday, Artur Arutyunyan said, according to Armenpress.

Karabakh is viewed internationally as part of Azerbaijan but had been run as a breakaway ethnic Armenian statelet since the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union.


Officials Describe ‘Surreal’ Scenes as Nagorno-Karabakh’s Aid, Health Crisis Grows

Emil Lazarian
Voice of America
Oct 3 2023
Lisa Schlein
GENEVA — 

The unprecedented influx of more than 100,000 refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh into Armenia in less than a week has triggered a humanitarian and health crisis that will require a large-scale, long-time international effort and support to resolve, aid officials warned Tuesday.

“The new arrivals need urgent emergency assistance,” said Marthe Everard, special representative of the World Health Organization regional director to Armenia.

“The Armenian government is doing everything it can—providing free transport to refugees to anywhere in the country and booking rooms in hotels and guest houses,” said the WHO official. “But the scale of the crisis is too large,” she said.

Based on an assessment mission over the weekend to Goris, a key point of entry for arriving refugees, Everard said, “It is clear that there are both short- and long-term health needs that demand our attention.”

Speaking in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, Everard said urgent treatment in the short term was needed for vulnerable people suffering from chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

She also noted that infectious diseases including respiratory infections like COVID-19 and flu need to be monitored and treated. “Last but not least, mental health and psychosocial support is critical in these circumstances,” she added.

Everard said the WHO has increased its emergency aid to Armenia, deploying medical and trauma supplies and surge teams to support the Ministry of Health in helping people, including victims of a September 25 fuel depot explosion inside the enclave, located in Azerbaijan.

“Last week, the WHO dispatched burns kits to support the advanced care needed for hundreds of burns patients, some of whom we met at the National Burns Unit in Yerevan over the weekend,” she said. “It was heartbreaking to see human suffering of this scale.”

At least 170 people were killed in the explosion.

While the WHO and other U.N. and international aid agencies are providing relief to the many refugees who have arrived in Armenia, the International Committee of the Red Cross has been on the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh helping those who stayed behind.

Marco Succi, ICRC leader of the rapid deployment team, said that very few people are still in the enclave’s main city after the massive exodus, so “our teams have used megaphones to alert the remaining residents that we are there to help them.”

He said, “A couple of days ago, on the fourth floor of an apartment building, we found Susanna, an elderly cancer patient who was alone and unable to get out of her bed.
She had finished all her medication and could not take care of herself.”

After ensuring that she was stable, Succi said she was brought down a narrow staircase and evacuated by ambulance.

“On a personal note, I must say it is quite difficult to find the most vulnerable in need in circumstances like this and finding Susanna all on her own was an emotional moment,” he said, adding that moments such as this reveal the trials and tribulations of people left behind in the rush.

'Surreal' scene

Speaking in Stepanakert-Khankendi, he said the city was completely deserted. He also said the hospitals are not functioning and that medical and administrative personnel and other officials have left.

“The scene is quite surreal,” he said. “What was once a bustling city is now completely deserted, though essential water and electricity are still there. We see a few police on the streets to ensure security.”

He said it was not clear if looting is taking place. “Our teams have seen that some shops left their doors open and that residents who were not able to leave immediately entered and took some essential goods. We can presume the people who took these items were running low on food.”

Succi said the ICRC had as many as 25 people working in the city. Since the exodus took place, he said the ICRC has been able to help evacuate more than 200 wounded and sick patients, including people injured in the fuel depot explosion.

He said the ICRC team also has been able to transport the remains of 229 people who died during the conflict and the depot explosion. “The dignified treatment of the dead remains a key priority as is helping families find and identify their loved ones.”

He said the priority now was to find those in extreme need of medical treatment, the elderly and the mentally disabled people, adding, “Bringing essential food and supplies to the area also was of paramount importance.”

https://www.voanews.com/a/officials-describe-surreal-scenes-as-nagorno-karabakh-aid-health-crisis-grows/7295222.html

4 patients injured in the explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh to be transferred to France: Foreign Affairs Minister of France

Emil Lazarian

 19:32, 3 October 2023

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Affairs Ministerof France Catherine Colonna, accompanied by Armenian Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan, visited the citizens injured in the fuel explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Public TV reports.

The Foreign AffairsMinister transferred the French humanitarian aid to the National Burn Center.Mrs. Colonna stated that they intend to transfer 4 patients to France to continue the treatment there.

"My visit expresses France's friendship, and not only thefriendship, but also the support and the solidarity, as well as the diplomatic solidarity. France reacted to the tragedyquickly. We will continue to be by your side," said the French Foreign Affairs Minister.

Catherine Colonna noted that seeing the deterioration of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the complete blockade, which is a violation of the international law, they have already decided to increase the support intended for Armenia. According to her, it has already been increased to 12.5 million euros for purpose of assisting the forcibly displaced.