Author: Emma Nadirian

Consultation chaired by Nikol Pashinyan and Arayik Harutyunyan held in Yerevan

Emma Nadirian
Panorama
Armenia –

A consultation took place at the government of Armenia chaired by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Artsakh's President Arayik Harutyunyan on the programs being implemented in Artsakh and the ways to solve the existing problems. Officials representing the financial and economic bloc of the governments of Armenia and Artsakh took part in the discussion, the prime minister's office reported on Friday.

Before starting the discussion, Nikol Pashinyan and Arayik Harutyunyan made opening remarks, which are provided below.

Nikol Pashinyan:

Honorable President of the Republic of Artsakh,

Dear colleagues,

I am glad to see you, welcome. Of course, we are in constant, daily contact, but such meetings give an opportunity to summarize the joint work, to plan further activities.

I want to emphasize the following circumstance. In fact, both before and after the 44-day war in 2020, and also during the war, we always coordinated our work and assessed it important that the authorities of Artsakh be fully informed about our plans, including the content and process, challenges and opportunities of the negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh conflict.This principle has always been observed, will remain the same.

You know, sometimes I think that there is no need to emphasize that, because it's so logical that sometimes it can even be superfluous. But once again I want to state that the number one beneficiary of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is Artsakh, the people of Artsakh. And, consequently, thinking about negotiating, implementing something secretly is simply illogical, it is simply impossible to imagine such a thing.

That's why we are always in touch with you, Mr. President. Our other partners also work in parallel with Artsakh’s partners.

I consider it important, I appreciate your recent statement that the Artsakh authorities are also, in fact, adopting the peace agenda. And I want to say that the agenda of peace is in no way an agenda of defeat. The agenda of peace is the agenda of overcoming the horror of war, the difficulties that followed the war, it’s an agenda to guarantee the security, the rights, the future of the people. And I must say that as a result of very hard work, I have to state today that I see the way, moreover, I see the sequence of steps that should lead us to the destination that we are constantly talking about, discussing. That is, the guarantee of the security and rights of the people of the Republic of Armenia, of the Artsakh Republic and, as I have said before, there is a very important principle, that is the people of Artsakh should live in Artsakh, consider themselves Armenians of Artsakh, Armenian of Karabakh, Armenian in one word. And this is the agenda that we must move forward together.

But I also want to say that a huge part of our joint work is related to the socio-economic sphere. And this is a key issue, because it is essential that we do everything to make conditions for the people to live in Artsakh, to feel safe, to see their future living in Artsakh. Of course, this also goes for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, about the Republic of Armenia, I am convinced that we are moving in the right direction. This is very important. I am convinced that we are moving in the right direction, I am happy, when the Artsakh authorities share that conviction.

I once again welcome you, Mr. President, dear colleagues, wishing a fruitful discussion today.

Arayik Harutyunyan

Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,

Dear colleagues,

Fortunately, today there is a general political atmosphere in Artsakh, the Armenians of Artsakh first of all, of course, welcome and accept the agenda of peace, because there might be no one who knows the price of peace better than the people of Artsakh. But, on the other hand, I want to note that we do not see any direction to deviate from our right to self-determination, which we started from the first day of the movement. Therefore, I want to thank you for the opinion that any topic, any document will be discussed with the Artsakh government, and naturally, will stem from the mood of the people. Of course, it should be noted that no other way is possible, that is, it is not possible to have a document that will be rejected by the people of Artsakh. We all understand that, and in that sense we have a long political struggle.

The second is the security component, which is the most important today. Fortunately, recently it seems to have stabilized with the direct mediation of Russian peacekeepers, and today provides an opportunity to discuss socio-economic programs.

And the most important is the socio-economic at this stage. If there is no population in Artsakh, then it becomes meaningless to talk about the political struggle and security. That is why the demographics, the socio-economic programs are becoming important again today, the programs that started after the war are continuing. And we think that they should not only continue, but awe should also complete the ambitious programs we have started. And our main goal, the main issues at this stage are the political, security, demographic and socio-economic issues. We never faced any problems over those. But there are some questions on which we expect to receive answers during today's discussion, which will determine our further steps in terms of continuing those programs. Thank you.

Nikol Pashinyan:

Mr. President, you have rightly noted that security is the number one issue today, and I have to note that the invasion of the Azerbaijani units into the responsibility zone of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh continues to be a concern for us. And we, as we have said several times, continue to hold that position, expressing hope that the representatives of the Russian peacekeeping contingent will consistently ensure the withdrawal of Azerbaijani units from the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh. This is an important issue, I think it is an important issue also for the people of Artsakh for assessing the system of security guarantees that is currently introduced in Artsakh. Thank you.

The process of implementation of the CEPA discussed at the meeting of Armenia-EU Partnership Committee

Emma Nadirian

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 20:08,

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. The third sitting of the Armenia-EU Partnership Committee established under the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enahnced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) took place on April 28 in Yerevan. It was the first meeting after the CEPA came into force on March 1. The implementation process of the Agreement was discussed during the meeting of the Partnership Committee, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the EU Delegation to Armenia.

The EU emphasized its strong engagement in the region, and expressed appreciation for Armenia’s continued commitment to reform and for the very good cooperation in various sectors. The EU encouraged the country to carry on with the implementation of concrete reforms in line with the CEPA. The EU welcomed recent efforts to engage into peace talks and highlighted the humanitarian and recovery support it continues to provide.

As a key reform partner for Armenia and the largest donor, the EU stands ready to provide further expertise and financial assistance to strengthen the government's capacity to design and deliver key governance reforms and approximate to the EU standards in line with its CEPA commitments. The ultimate aim of our partnership is to provide concrete benefits to the citizens of both the EU and Armenia.

To strengthen the country’s long-term resilience and leverage public and private investments to support the green and digital transition, the EU will continue to work closely with Armenia and partner with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to progress with the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan and its priority flagship projects.

Regarding the implementation of the CEPA, the discussion focused on the rule of law, including the role of an independent and efficient justice system, fight against corruption and the respect of human rights. The EU and Armenia will continue their policy dialogue and their cooperation on the implementation of the Justice sector reform, while expanding such policy discussions to the education sector to advance the finalisation and implementation of the education reform strategy. EU encouraged Armenia to make further progress towards greater freedom of the media, while appreciating the work done.

The Partnership Committee also looked at CEPA implementation in the fields of transport, energy, environment and climate action. On air transport, the EU and Armenia agreed to enhance collaboration on air safety, building on the Common Aviation Area Agreement signed in November 2021. On Energy, the EU and Armenia agreed to follow the implementation of the Armenian National Action Plan on nuclear safety, adopted as a part of the EU supported Stress test process. The discussions also took stock of economic development, employment and education reforms. The EU congratulated Armenia for joining Horizon Europe. The meeting also reviewed progress on migration and mobility and acknowledged the willingness of Armenia to start a visa liberalisation dialogue.

Finally, the Partnership Committee discussed issues related to the Eastern Partnership and regional affairs.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Mr Luc Devigne, Deputy Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service.

Pregnant woman killed in car accident: driver detained

Emma Nadirian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. Law-enforcers have detained the officer platoon commander who was driving the off-roader that run over a pregnant young woman at the intersection of Paronyan street and Leo street. 

"According to the preliminary data, on April 26, at 18:06pm, the  commander of an officer platoon of the Traffic Police, driving a  Toyota Prado, run over a 28-year-old resident of the Ararat region.  The woman was admitted to the Nairi medical center with bodily  injuries and died without regaining consciousness. 

"The driver left the scene, but later returned and participated in  the investigative action. He has been detained. The preliminary  investigation is in progress," the official report reads.

The off-roader was among the escort vehicles of Armenia's Premier  Nikol Pashinyan. The killed woman was expecting her firstborn this  June. Last evening people were bringing toys and lit candles to the  scene of accident.

https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=69119&lang=3

Armenpress: Series of events planned in Istanbul for Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

Emma Nadirian

Series of events planned in Istanbul for Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

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 09:51,

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS. A number of commemorative events will be held this year on April 24 – the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day – in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Istanbul-based Agos newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief Bagrat Estukyan told ARMENPRESS that in the past two years events weren’t organized in public spaces due to COVID-19 restrictions.

This year the COVID-19 situation has improved and the Armenian community of Istanbul will organize several events.

A rally will take place at 19:00, April 24 in the Besikstas district of Istanbul. The Human Rights Union will deliver a statement for the press on the same day.

“On midday April 24 a visit to the grave of Sevak Balıkçı is planned. He is the young Private who was murdered on April 24 in 2011 in a hate-fuelled killing while serving in the military,” Estukyan added. He noted that last week the Saturday Mothers organization issued a statement commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

In addition, various discussions and press conferences on the Armenian Genocide are planned in different locations on April 24 in Istanbul, as well as television programs.

Asked what discussions are taking place around the latest Armenia-Turkey dialogue process and does it impact the Armenian Genocide issue, Estukyan said there are no significant discussions at all in Turkey.

“By in large there is no dialogue. The envoys meet, but we don’t know what they talk. We find out from the press that they met in Vienna, in Moscow, but this doesn’t mean dialogue because there is no result, no development and no progress. There is no reaction over this issue in Turkey. It seems that this matter is more urgent for Armenia and there is greater interest for the developments in Armenia, but in Turkey this isn’t an item on the agenda, there is no tangible result,” Estukyan said.

Anna Gziryan




Armenpress: Part of Turkish civil society ready to recognize Armenian Genocide but is silenced, says journalist Simone Zoppellaro

Emma Nadirian

Part of Turkish civil society ready to recognize Armenian Genocide but is silenced, says journalist Simone Zoppellaro

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 08:30,

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, ARMENPRESS. For a century, little or no pressure was put on Turkey by Europe and the US to recognise the genocide and achieve reconciliation, and this was a tragic mistake, just as the current approach to Turkey, which privileges business at the expense of human rights, is wrong and counterproductive, Italian journalist, writer Simone Zoppellaro told ARMENPRESS when asked whether actions other than calls and resolutions are needed given that Turkey continues its policy of denial 107 years since the Armenian Genocide.

“Since I studied at the University of Bologna, twenty years ago, I have seen the attention paid to this subject grow year by year. A topic that, also due to the Cold War, was still little known and studied outside the Armenian communities in the last century. Today much has changed. The denialist theses are now very little accepted in the academic and political world, and even ordinary people, thanks also to successful films and books, have at least a general idea of the issue. A not insignificant fact, moreover, is that the awareness of the Metz Yeghern has contributed to the popularization of the concept of genocide, as elaborated by Raphael Lemkin.

For a century, little or no pressure was put on Turkey by Europe and the US to recognise the genocide and achieve reconciliation. This was a tragic mistake, just as the current approach to Turkey, which privileges business at the expense of human rights, is wrong and counterproductive. Now, it is crucial to work on different levels. Culture undoubtedly plays an important role in this. Turkish writers and directors, together with many activists, took important steps in this direction years ago. All this ended up being stifled by Erdogan's new dictatorial drift. Many Armenians have also made important contributions. I am thinking of Pietro Kuciukian, who collected dozens and dozens of stories of the Turkish Righteous who opposed the genocide. But, once again, how can these figures be promoted in an authoritarian context such as the current one? Europe must get rid of all its autocrats, including Erdogan. A part of Turkish civil society, I say this also from personal experience, is ready to recognize the genocide. But this will never happen as long as their voice is silenced by the state,” Zoppellaro said.

Asked on his opinion on when and under what circumstances Turkey would recognize the Armenian Genocide, as well as the current process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey, the Italian journalist said: “The recognition and acknowledgement of genocide by a state that is heir to its perpetrators is always a long process. The philosopher Günther Anders told us how, even at the end of the 1970s, the majority of Germans did not want to face the Shoah. Now, Erdogan's Turkey is not the Federal Republic of Germany, and it would be crucial for the state to commit to a path not yet taken. The circumstances you ask about, I am afraid, are not the present ones, but a possibility may soon open up, although I doubt very much that there is the will to go all the way through what the Germans call Schuldfrage, the question of guilt.

Now, a new Turkey that acknowledges the Armenian genocide and the crimes of the Ottomans would undoubtedly be able to dialogue with its minorities, starting with the Kurds, and have a more constructive approach to its neighbours. And it would be able to live in peace and prosperity, as has rarely happened in Turkey in the last century.

A rapprochement would be essential, but I well understand the fears of many Armenians. Today's Turkey is authoritarian and violent, Erdogan unreliable, and his role in the aggression in Karabakh is unquestionable. If such a rapprochement were to become a reality, it would be an important step towards a possible common memory and peace. But beware, let us take the case of Italy and Slovenia, two democracies that are part of the European Union, and the crimes committed during the Second World War: a common memory is still lacking in many respects, and tensions have not been absent, even recently. So we should not spread false optimism in this regard. Whatever happens, it will be a long road and not without obstacles.

As Gabriele Nissim writes, it is necessary to translate the 'never again' into a here and now, recalling the example of Raphel Lemkin. What is the point of commemorating if, even today, we remain indifferent to crimes against humanity and genocide? The new millennium has already seen at least one genocide, the one against the Yazidis, and it will certainly not be the last if we do not activate prevention mechanisms in our parliaments and international institutions. The Milan-based foundation I work with, Gariwo, made some important proposals to our parliament last year: Appoint an Italian genocide advisor in Parliament to work in collaboration with the UN Special Advisor on Genocide Prevention and EU institutions; to commit the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament to draw up an annual report presenting to public opinion the dangers of new genocides in the world and the possible measures to be taken to prevent them; the creation in Italy of an autonomous and independent human rights agency, as proposed by the European Union, which, in collaboration with the International Criminal Court, would permanently investigate the state of rights in the world and crimes against humanity. We need a commitment that links past and present, and that goes from education to culture and politics. We cannot know our future, but we must go deep into our past, especially the most terrible pages, to ensure that they do not recur. Unfortunately, the events of recent months suggest the worst for our future. That is why it is more important than ever to remember and act.”

 

Interview by Anna Gziryan

Part of Turkish civil society ready to recognize Armenian Genocide but is silenced, says journalist Simone Zoppellaro

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 08:30,

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, ARMENPRESS. For a century, little or no pressure was put on Turkey by Europe and the US to recognise the genocide and achieve reconciliation, and this was a tragic mistake, just as the current approach to Turkey, which privileges business at the expense of human rights, is wrong and counterproductive, Italian journalist, writer Simone Zoppellaro told ARMENPRESS when asked whether actions other than calls and resolutions are needed given that Turkey continues its policy of denial 107 years since the Armenian Genocide.

“Since I studied at the University of Bologna, twenty years ago, I have seen the attention paid to this subject grow year by year. A topic that, also due to the Cold War, was still little known and studied outside the Armenian communities in the last century. Today much has changed. The denialist theses are now very little accepted in the academic and political world, and even ordinary people, thanks also to successful films and books, have at least a general idea of the issue. A not insignificant fact, moreover, is that the awareness of the Metz Yeghern has contributed to the popularization of the concept of genocide, as elaborated by Raphael Lemkin.

For a century, little or no pressure was put on Turkey by Europe and the US to recognise the genocide and achieve reconciliation. This was a tragic mistake, just as the current approach to Turkey, which privileges business at the expense of human rights, is wrong and counterproductive. Now, it is crucial to work on different levels. Culture undoubtedly plays an important role in this. Turkish writers and directors, together with many activists, took important steps in this direction years ago. All this ended up being stifled by Erdogan's new dictatorial drift. Many Armenians have also made important contributions. I am thinking of Pietro Kuciukian, who collected dozens and dozens of stories of the Turkish Righteous who opposed the genocide. But, once again, how can these figures be promoted in an authoritarian context such as the current one? Europe must get rid of all its autocrats, including Erdogan. A part of Turkish civil society, I say this also from personal experience, is ready to recognize the genocide. But this will never happen as long as their voice is silenced by the state,” Zoppellaro said.

Asked on his opinion on when and under what circumstances Turkey would recognize the Armenian Genocide, as well as the current process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey, the Italian journalist said: “The recognition and acknowledgement of genocide by a state that is heir to its perpetrators is always a long process. The philosopher Günther Anders told us how, even at the end of the 1970s, the majority of Germans did not want to face the Shoah. Now, Erdogan's Turkey is not the Federal Republic of Germany, and it would be crucial for the state to commit to a path not yet taken. The circumstances you ask about, I am afraid, are not the present ones, but a possibility may soon open up, although I doubt very much that there is the will to go all the way through what the Germans call Schuldfrage, the question of guilt.

Now, a new Turkey that acknowledges the Armenian genocide and the crimes of the Ottomans would undoubtedly be able to dialogue with its minorities, starting with the Kurds, and have a more constructive approach to its neighbours. And it would be able to live in peace and prosperity, as has rarely happened in Turkey in the last century.

A rapprochement would be essential, but I well understand the fears of many Armenians. Today's Turkey is authoritarian and violent, Erdogan unreliable, and his role in the aggression in Karabakh is unquestionable. If such a rapprochement were to become a reality, it would be an important step towards a possible common memory and peace. But beware, let us take the case of Italy and Slovenia, two democracies that are part of the European Union, and the crimes committed during the Second World War: a common memory is still lacking in many respects, and tensions have not been absent, even recently. So we should not spread false optimism in this regard. Whatever happens, it will be a long road and not without obstacles.

As Gabriele Nissim writes, it is necessary to translate the 'never again' into a here and now, recalling the example of Raphel Lemkin. What is the point of commemorating if, even today, we remain indifferent to crimes against humanity and genocide? The new millennium has already seen at least one genocide, the one against the Yazidis, and it will certainly not be the last if we do not activate prevention mechanisms in our parliaments and international institutions. The Milan-based foundation I work with, Gariwo, made some important proposals to our parliament last year: Appoint an Italian genocide advisor in Parliament to work in collaboration with the UN Special Advisor on Genocide Prevention and EU institutions; to commit the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament to draw up an annual report presenting to public opinion the dangers of new genocides in the world and the possible measures to be taken to prevent them; the creation in Italy of an autonomous and independent human rights agency, as proposed by the European Union, which, in collaboration with the International Criminal Court, would permanently investigate the state of rights in the world and crimes against humanity. We need a commitment that links past and present, and that goes from education to culture and politics. We cannot know our future, but we must go deep into our past, especially the most terrible pages, to ensure that they do not recur. Unfortunately, the events of recent months suggest the worst for our future. That is why it is more important than ever to remember and act.”

 

Interview by Anna Gziryan

Armenia and Russia working to dedollarize bilateral trade

Emma Nadirian
eurasianet
Arshaluis Mgdesyan Apr 21, 2022

Armenia and Russia are working on plans to conduct trade in their own currencies, rather than dollars, to mitigate the effects of international sanctions against Russia for its attack on Ukraine.

Armenia already has begun paying for its Russian natural gas imports in rubles.

“The issue of a ruble-dram swap is under discussion, as a result of which we will have rubles to pay for imports from Russia, and Russian banks will be able to provide their clients with drams at the market rate,” Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan told Eurasianet. He did not offer a specific date when that might happen.

Russia is the top consumer of Armenian exports, buying $850 million worth in 2021 – or about 27 percent of the total. That includes 98 percent of Armenian agricultural exports, largely fruits and vegetables, according to the Economy Ministry, and 78 percent of hard liquor exports, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

But despite that, Armenia still runs roughly a billion-dollar trade deficit with Russia, where Armenia sources almost all the gas it uses for heating and electricity generation, and 99 percent of wheat imports. Because these commodities are generally priced on international markets in dollars, switching to rubles could protect Armenia from exchange-rate volatility, such as when the ruble lost roughly half its value for a period after the Ukraine invasion. 

The ruble bounced back after Moscow imposed capital controls and intervened heavily, rendering the Russian currency non-convertible and the Kremlin eager for anyone to accept it abroad. While Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was visiting Moscow this week, both President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin pushed for trade to be conducted in the ruble and dram: "In the context of the illegal sanctions imposed on Russia by unfriendly countries, it is important to increase the use of national currencies in bilateral trade and boost industrial cooperation," Mishustin told Pashinyan on April 20. 

The Ukraine war will hurt economies throughout the former Soviet Union and Armenia’s is no exception. The World Bank cut its 2022 growth forecast for Armenia on April 11 from 5.3 percent before the war to 1.2 percent, arguing that a protracted conflict in Ukraine could push the figure lower still. 

Even so, independent experts in Armenia see a logic behind the use of rubles, since the economies are already so closely tied through exchange and the remittances of the large Armenian population working in Russia. These factors define the Armenian economy and even with expectations that the Russian market will shrink and migrant laborers will lose jobs, the arrangement will not change overnight. 

“It is beneficial for Armenia to pay for Russian goods in rubles, since our country receives a lot of money in rubles from Russia through tourism channels and private money transfers from Armenian migrants working in Russia,” Haykaz Fanyan, an economist in Yerevan, told Eurasianet. “In addition, settlements in national currencies will help avoid transaction costs when exchanging currency. And these are big numbers when it comes to multi-million-dollar deals.”

Because the ruble trade is two-way, there is little worry about a major impact on the dram, said Karen Zakarian, director of Finarm Association of Financial Market Participants, an industry group. “If Armenia receives a mass of rubles, but pays for Russian goods with them, then there is nothing to worry about. Here the state or the Central Bank will not interfere. They would intervene only if the flow of the ruble to Armenia was one-way,” Zakarian told Eurasianet.

Using rubles does not help Armenia avoid fallout from Russia’s economic slump, however. Sanctions on Russia were quickly felt in Armenia, which was forced to raise its baseline interest rate by 125 points to 9.25 percent last month. 

“As the ruble fell, we started facing big problems. We signed contracts with Russian colleagues in Russian rubles and now we find ourselves in a difficult situation, we are going to receive depreciated money,” said Yeghishe Karapetyan, a businessman in Yerevan who exports dried fruits to Russia. 

A move toward using the ruble will also make Armenia even more dependent on Russia as an import partner, said Atom Margaryan, head of the Laboratory for Innovative and Institutional Studies at the Armenian State University of Economics.  

“Exports from Armenia are not threatened. Raw materials mined in Armenia are exported largely to China and European countries, and agricultural products to Russia,” Margaryan told Eurasianet. “As for the import of goods to Armenia, there may be redistributions in favor of Russia. Armenian importers may prefer similar Russian goods, since trading in rubles or in the national currency reduces transaction costs.”

 

Arshaluis Mgdesyan is a journalist based in Yerevan.

 

Russia Accuses U.S. and EU of Undermining Karabakh Settlement

Emma Nadirian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Artsakh

Russia on Thursday accused the United States and its European allies of effectively undermining efforts to find a settlement to the Karabakh conflict and usurping Moscow’s initiatives to advance relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The United States and France have not signaled their readiness to resume the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday in a statement.

“We have not received such signals, and do not even expect it,” said her statement posted on the ministry’s website.

Zakharova accused Washington and Paris of “actually paralyzed the work of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs by refusing the cooperation with Russia’s involvement.”

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week said that the U.S. and France, driven by their “Russophobia” have excluded Moscow from the co-charing process, citing the West’s rebuke of Russia over the Ukraine conflict. All three co-chairing countries—Russia, France and the U.S.—have confirmed this through their diplomatic channels but have maintained that the group has a role to play in advancing a settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

In separate visits to Moscow, both Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Yerevan wants the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to mediate a settlement to the Karabakh conflict and assist in advancing so-called “peace talks” with Azerbaijan.

The Co-chairs of France and U.S., Brice Roquefeuil and Andrew Shofer, visited Yerevan in recent weeks and emphasized the key role their countries are willing to continue to play in the Karabakh settlement process. Meanwhile the Russian co-chair, Igor Khovaev was named the special envoy for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Zakharova went on to accuse Brussels of overtly usurping Russian efforts to advance relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“Such coincidences are not accidental,” said Zakharova. “Like the overt attempt by Brussels to make the well-known Russian-Azerbaijani-Armenian high-level agreements (demarcation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, restoration of transport communication) and the agenda proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs last year (urgent humanitarian issues, reparation of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan) their own.”

“In this context, we reaffirm our unconditional commitment to consistently implement the statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of November 9, 2020, January 11, November 26, 2021,” Zakharova emphasized.

“At the same time, we are determined to contribute in every way to the conclusion of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with which we have historically been linked by friendship, allied and partnering relations,” Zakharova said.

Expert: Armenians who believe in enemy propaganda will be ‘butchered’ first

Emma Nadirian
Panorama
Armenia –

Armenian expert on Iran Vardan Voskanyan reacted to the Azerbaijani claims that Artsakh allegedly impedes the Armenian-Azerbaijani “reconciliation”.

“The propaganda machine of the Baku regime and various other slyboots, targeting Armenian society, are trying to promote the enemy propaganda that Artsakh allegedly impedes the "reconciliation" and "friendship" between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he wrote on Telegram on Saturday. 

“As someone who knows the artificial entity known as Azerbaijan like the back of his hand, I want to assure you that all Armenians who believe in the enemy propaganda and are willing to act within its framework will be the first to be butchered by the bashi-bazouks of the Baku dictator, God forbid, if they succeed.

“Do you know why? Because these people, renouncing Artsakh – a part of our homeland and an extremely important security component – and falling for the enemy's empty propaganda, will welcome it with open arms rather than show resistance,” the expert said.

Russia assured entry of Armenian MPs to Artsakh was not allowed for avoiding provocations – FM Mirzoyan

Emma Nadirian

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 17:00,

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. After the incident when a group of members of the Armenian Parliament were not allowed to enter Artsakh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia contacted the authorities of Artsakh and the Russian Federation, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during the Q&A session in the Parliament, asked what measures have been taken to avoid such incidents in the future.

“Since it became known that the members of the National Assembly were unable to enter Nagorno Karabakh through the Lachin corridor, of course, we have taken actions. We have been in contact with both the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh and the Russian Federation at a high level. We were assured that the entry of the MPs to Artsakh was not allowed to avoid provocations. As for our position, it is clearly reflected in the statement of the Foreign Ministry, that is that the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement doesn’t envisage any restriction in the movement through the Lachin corridor, and the citizens of Armenia, including (or moreover, if you want) the members of the National Assembly must have an unimpeded access to Nagorno Karabakh”, the FM said.

Vice Speaker of Parliament Ishkhan Saghatelyan announced that the opposition lawmakers of the Armenian parliament were not allowed to enter Artsakh.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement over the incident, expressing its concern. “This action contradicts the Trilateral Statement of November 9, which envisages the unimpeded connection of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia through the Lachin corridor. All parties to the Statement must strictly adhere to the latter’s letter and spirit, as well as fulfill its obligations”, the ministry said in a statement.




Armenian Defense Minister, Ambassador of India discuss issues of bilateral cooperation in the defense field

Emma Nadirian

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 20:28,

YEREVAN, 13 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan on April 13 received Ambassador of India to Armenia Kishan Dan Dewal.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed at the meeting. In particular, the sides attached importance to the deepening of cooperation in military-technical, military-educational, combat readiness and peacekeeping fields.

The sides emphasized the importance of military-political consultations, high level mutual visits, as well as of signature of agreement of military cooperation between the Defense Ministries of Armenia and India.