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Author: Garik Boshkezenian

Armenia wants substantive discussions on opening Turkey border

Garik Boshkezenian
Feb 10 2022
February 10, 2022 – 10:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan hopes that substantive discussions will begin on the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border.

"The first meeting of the special representatives of Armenia and Turkey was of informative nature. I hope that this time substantive discussions will start between the two special representatives, discussions aimed at opening the Armenia-Turkey border and establishing diplomatic relations," Mirzoyan told lawmakers on Wednesday, February 9.

"I'd like to repeat once again that the signals, messages and hints coming from Ankara are mostly positive, and our expectations are the same," he said.

The envoys held their first meeting on January 14 Moscow, Russia, in what the Armenian Foreign Ministry described "a positive and constructive atmosphere". The next meeting of the special representatives in the normalization process will take place on February 24 in Vienna.

Over 60% of Yerevan Residents Oppose Opening of Armenian-Turkish Border, Poll Shows

Garik Boshkezenian
SPUTNIK
Feb 11 2022
YEREVAN (Sputnik) – Over 60% of Yerevan residents oppose the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border despite the recently initiated negotiations on normalisation of relations between the two countries, Aram Navasardyan, director of MPG LLC, the representative office of the Gallup International Association in Armenia, said, quoting a poll.
According to Navasardyan, 800 residents of the Armenian capital took part in the telephone poll conducted from 24 January to 2 February.
"When asked whether they approve of the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, 6.9% of the interviewed Yerevan residents said that they definitely approve, 15.6% mostly approve, 7.6% mostly disapprove, 54.6% definitely disapprove. 15.3% of the respondents were undecided," Navasardyan told reporters.
He noted that the poll's statistical margin of error was 3.5%.
Turkey and Armenia lack formal diplomatic relations, and the border has been closed at the initiative of Ankara since 1993. The tensions were sparked by a range of causes, including Turkey's support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Turkey's opposition to the process of international recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide by the Ottoman Empire.
On 14 January, Moscow hosted the first meeting of the Armenian and Turkish delegations on the normalization of bilateral relations. Armenia was represented by Parliament Vice President Ruben Rubinyan and Turkey by former ambassador to the United States Serdar Kilic. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, during the talks, the parties showed their willingness to conduct a dialogue in a constructive, non-politicized manner.
The next meeting is scheduled to take place in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on 24 February.
 

Azerbaijan releases eight Armenian prisoners after French-EU mediation – Reuters

Garik Boshkezenian
France 24
Feb 7 2022

Azerbaijan has released eight Armenian prisoners in an effort to facilitate new talks with France and the European Union on the border conflict between the two countries, said French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel.

"The release by Azerbaijan and reparation to Armenia of 8 Armenian detainees is another sign of positive developments following the meeting with @EmmanuelMacron, @azpresident and @NikolPashinyan," wrote Charles Michel on Twitter.

"The EU supports stability and prosperity in the region," added Michel.

Macron added that France had sent over a plane to pick up the released Armenian prisoners.

"Thanks to our diplomats as well as our soldiers who were mobilised for this operation," wrote Macron on Twitter.

Last October, Azeri troops drove ethnic Armenian forces out of territory they had controlled since the 1990s in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region, before Russia brokered a ceasefire.

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia had subsequently said last November that they had signed a deal to end the military conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region after more than a month of bloodshed

(REUTERS)

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220207-azerbaijan-releases-eight-armenian-prisoners-after-french-eu-mediation

Also read

https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-695742

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/azerbaijan-releases-eight-armenian-prisoners-in-mediation-effort-with-france-and-eu-2

https://www.thebharatexpressnews.com/azerbaijan-releases-eight-armenian-prisoners-after-franco-european-mediation/

United States urges Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine border

Garik Boshkezenian

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 20:37, 1 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held their latest call on Tuesday where the US urged Russia to immediately withdraw troops from Ukraine’s border, the US State Department said.

“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to follow up on the U.S written response to Russia’s security proposals.  The Secretary emphasized the U.S. willingness, bilaterally and together with Allies and partners, to continue a substantive exchange with Russia on mutual security concerns, which we intend to do in full coordination with our partners and Allies.  He further reiterated the U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of all countries to determine their own foreign policy and alliances.  The Secretary urged immediate Russian de-escalation and the withdrawal of troops and equipment from Ukraine’s borders.  He emphasized that further invasion of Ukraine would be met with swift and severe consequences and urged Russia to pursue a diplomatic path,” the US State Department said in a readout.

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijani defence chief received by Iranian president [PHOTO]

Garik Boshkezenian
27 January 2022 10:00 (UTC+04:00)
673

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani Defence Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov was received by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on January 26 as part of his official visit to Tehran.

“The sides expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral friendly relations between the two countries in various spheres, including military cooperation, and exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest,” the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said.

Hasanov briefed Raisi on the ongoing reconstruction in Azerbaijan's liberated lands following the 44-day war victory over Armenia in 2020.

The minister expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and conveyed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's greetings to Iranian President Raisi.

Raisi stated that Azerbaijan and Iran have traditionally coexisted peacefully for generations and that bilateral relations between the two countries are flourishing in all fields.

He emphasized the importance of reciprocal visits in developing relations and stated that friendly and brotherly ties between the two countries would continue to develop effectively in the coming years.

Hasanov also paid a visit to the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran.

Earlier, Hasanov and Iran's high-ranking military officials discussed prospects of Azerbaijan-Iran cooperation in the fields of military, military-technical, and military medicine, the organization of mutual visits of expert groups, and other issues of interest.

The parties emphasized that the experience of fruitful collaboration at the bilateral, regional, and international levels provides a solid foundation for the continued development of Azerbaijan-Iran relations.

Furthermore, in a video-format meeting with the delegation led by Iran's Road and Urban Development Minister, co-chair of Azerbaijan-Iran Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Rostam Ghasemi on January 25, President Ilham Aliyev said that after the 44-day war with Armenia "great opportunities have emerged for regional cooperation. After the war, Iranian-Azerbaijani relations have expanded in this direction. A very promising 3+3 cooperation platform has been put in place to establish regional cooperation. The first meeting has already taken place. I am confident that these meetings will be held on a regular basis in the interests of countries of the region”.

Aliyev expressed confidence that Iranian companies will begin to work actively in the liberated lands in the near future. He stressed that the relevant instructions had been given to Azerbaijan's Economy Ministry in this regard.

The president added that other issues, such as the creation of the North-South transport corridor, the construction of the Khudafarin Hydroelectric Power Stations, the construction of a bridge over Astarachay, will certainly be among the priorities of the intergovernmental commission.

“I must also say that my meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran in late November was very successful and important, as it opens new opportunities for Iranian-Azerbaijani relations. This means the opening of a new page in our relations, a page of friendship and brotherhood,” he said.

To recap, Baku and Tehran have already signed a protocol on the construction of a new bridge over the Astarachay River on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border.

It should be noted that after a period of aggravated tensions and a series of regrettable episodes that should have been avoided, Azerbaijani-Iranian relations entered a new age of rapprochement in late 2021.

Iran was one of the 10 signatories of the final declaration of the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) which, amongst many other clauses, incorporated a congratulatory part dedicated to Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 war and the restoration of its territorial integrity. On top of that, a new gas swap deal was signed by Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Iran, which is perceived as another indication that the recent political rupture has been left behind.

On November 28, 2021, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan signed a trilateral agreement on swapping gas supplies in Ashgabat. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi.

The agreement envisages deliveries of 1.5 to 2 billion cubic meters of gas each year, with Turkmenistan supplying gas to Iran and Iran delivering an equal quantity of gas to Azerbaijan. Thus, under the trilateral deal, Turkmenistan will sell 5-6 million cubic meters of gas per day to Azerbaijan. These volumes are expected to increase in the future.

After liberating its lands from Armenian occupation in the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan regained control over a 132-km section of the Azerbaijan-Iran border. The re-establishment of control over the state border opened up new prospects for deeper cooperation between the two countries.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan and Iran's trade turnover in 2020 was $339.1 million. In the first 11 months of 2021, this figure was $390.4 million.

Asbarez: Soccer Star Ronaldo Wears Armenian-Made ‘Azat Mard’ Hoodie in Dubai

Garik Boshkezenian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Latest, News, Top Stories

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) wearing an AZAT MARD hoodie during a meeting with VP and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo wore a hoodie made by the brand Azat Mard, a name that translates to “Free Man” in Armenian, during the meeting with the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.

Ronaldo has been in Dubai for a few days and has been making the most of the warm weather with time spent on the beach and training at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.

Ronaldo in a turquoise Azat Mard hoodie The popular Azat Mard hoodie, as seen on the brand’s website

The Manchester United star was pictured in Sheikh Hamdan’s Instagram stories, along with his son Cristiano Junior.

Azat Mard positions itself as “a contemporary menswear brand specializing in luxury closing and outwear for the fashion-forward, powerful men.”

It was co-founded by Garen Tchobabanian and Neil Malhotra in 2018. Tchobanian previously played for the Armenian National Soccer team.

Ronaldo (second from left) wore the Azat Mard hoodie while attending a meeting in Dubai with his son, Cristiano Junior (far left)

The name, Azat Mard, is from Armenia and translates to “Free Man.”

“Freedom and self-_expression_ are the driving forces behind the ethos of the brand, the Azat Mard man is a leader, he is forward-thinking and not afraid to stand up and stand out,” reads a post on the brand’s website.

Azerbaijanis prevent Armenian pilgrims from visiting Dadivank

Garik Boshkezenian
Jan 21 2022
– 12:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The medieval monastery of Dadivank still is not able to receive Armenian pilgrims and it is not known when pilgrims will be able to participate in the liturgy in the ancient monastery. The Primate of the Artsakh Diocese, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan has revealed that five Armenian clergymen continue to remain, isolated, in Dadivank: “Our five clergymen are always there. Only the pilgrims have not been able to enter since May. The clergy are there. They serve in a worthy way, in accordance with what is proper.”

The Primate is in touch with the five men, in spirit and by phone. There are also several dozen Russian peacekeepers with them in the area of Dadivank. Bishop Abrahamyan exclaimed: “They are our servants. The monks are in their monastic life. When it is necessary to visit Yerevan or Stepanakert, we permit it. They come, do their work and return, but they are always at their place of service. They do not have any contact with the Azerbaijanis. The clergy carry out all their activities with the peacekeepers.”

He stated that the purpose of the clergy is to pray, conduct services and celebrate liturgies. He remembers that at one time pilgrims used to visit the monastery, and baptisms and blessings were conducted, The Armenian Mirror Spectator reports.

Father Vrtanes does not know the reasons for banning the entry of pilgrims. Armenian pilgrims, for example, are able to visit Amaras Monastery accompanied by peacekeepers. Father Vrtanes noted that Amaras is not a forbidden zone. It is possible to enter with the peacekeepers and there is a liturgy every Sunday, unlike Dadivank, which is not considered part of the territory of Artsakh at the moment.

He said, “They do not permit it and that is it, without a reason. They do not say anything. The peacekeepers are in the territory of the monastery. They live together. Of course the rooms are different. They are separated: they are military, while the clergymen perform spiritual service. What the Azerbaijani side thinks is a secondary question. We are doing what we have to do.”

Tension is periodically observed at the borders of Armenia and Artsakh, and unfortunately, peaceful inhabitants are also killed. The Azerbaijanis have not changed their aggressive behavior. The Armenian clergymen, however, do not lose their optimism.

Turkey parliament ex-deputy speaker: Armenia must fulfill 4 preconditions

Garik Boshkezenian
  NEWS.am  
Armenia – Jan 12 2022
11:51, 12.01.2022

The former deputy speaker of the Turkish Parliament has stated in which case Turkey should normalize relations with Armenia.

Hasan Korkmazcan, who is currently Chairman of the Talaat Pasha Committee, stressed that Turkey should normalize relations with Armenia only if the latter fulfills four preconditions, Aydinlik reported.

According to Korkmazcan, Armenia should immediately implement the trilateral agreements reached on November 9, 2020; respect the territorial integrity of Turkey and inform about it; renounce "genocide allegations" because it was stressed during the Perincek v. Switzerland case at the ECHR that that it was a lie; and put an end to its enmity against Turkey, and dismantle the statue—in Shirak Province of Armenia—that debases the Turkish nation (i.e., the statue of Armenian revolutionary and soldier Soghomon Tehlirian, who had assassinated Talaat Pasha).

Turkey defense minister expresses support for Azerbaijan in another military aggression against Armenia

Garik Boshkezenian
  NEWS.am  
Armenia – Jan 12 2022
13:57, 12.01.2022

 

A telephonic conversation took place between Azerbaijani defense minister Zakir Hasanov and Turkish national defense minister Hulusi Akar.

The Azerbaijani media, referencing their defense ministry, report that, “Akar expressed his condolences regarding a serviceman, who became Shehid (Martyr) as a result of a provocation committed by the Armenian armed forces on January 11 in the direction of the Kalbajar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border.”

Also, “Akar noted that the Turkish Armed Forces, today and always, are beside Azerbaijan in the fight for justice.”

As it was reported earlier, Azerbaijan on Tuesday launched another military aggression on the border with Armenia. Three Armenian soldiers were killed during the exchange of fire. The Azerbaijani side used artillery and drones, too.

Satanovsky on sending Armenian servicemen to Kazakhstan

Garik Boshkezenian
 NEWS.am 
Armenia – Jan 11 2022
21:52, 11.01.2022

Armenia has so far proven that it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization for a reason, Yevgeny Satanovsky, president of the Russian Institute of the Middle East, said NEWS.am on January 11.

He said that it means that despite all the difficulties in relations between the current official authorities of Russia and Armenia, Russia should continue to pay attention to the security of Armenia as well.

The CSTO peacekeeping mission in Kazakhstan, in his assessment, has fulfilled its function by turning the tide.

This situation, according to Satanovsky, was absolutely critical, and the sending of CSTO troops was the strategic decision that did not allow Kazakhstan to explode, which would have affected the entire post-Soviet space.

 He said that the hysteria in the Turkish media focusing on the fact that Russian-Armenian occupiers came to Kazakhstan looks ridiculous because the Turks have not noticed anyone else. They have not identified anyone for themselves except for the Russian and Armenian soldiers. All this shows that the CSTO mission failed a lot of things. The key facilities in Kazakhstan have been taken under control, and as a consequence, he is convinced, the Kazakh security forces have ceased to hesitate.

 As for possible anti-Russian sentiments in Kazakhstan, the information field, according to him, is already blown up by pan-Turkic, pan-Islamist, pro-Western foundations and influence groups.

Satanovsky sees no connection between the latest shelling of Azerbaijani soldiers in the direction of the part of Karabakh that is not under their control, as well as the anti-Armenian and anti-Russian propaganda in the Azerbaijani media in connection with the start of the CSTO peacekeeping mission in Kazakhstan.