Author: Garik Boshkezenian

How to prevent the hunger in Artsakh

Garik Boshkezenian
 Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan Commentary, Opinion 0

Since December 2022, Artsakh, or the self-proclaimed Nagorno Karabakh Republic, has faced a blockade imposed by Azerbaijan. It started with protests by so-called “eco-activists.” Then, on April 23, 2023, Azerbaijan established a checkpoint at the entrance of the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor. Since mid-June 2023, it has effectively prevented supplies of any goods from reaching Artsakh via the corridor. These actions have brought the region to the brink of actual starvation, as local resources have been almost completely depleted by the absence of deliveries of food and other necessities.

Given the deteriorating humanitarian situation, the Armenian government has launched a campaign calling on the international community to intervene and accusing the Azerbaijani government of committing genocide against the Armenians of Artsakh. Simultaneously, Armenia continues negotiations with Azerbaijan to sign a peace treaty, with multiple talks taking place in Washington, Brussels and Moscow. The Armenian government has reiterated its willingness to recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity under the 1991 Alma-Ata declaration, including Artsakh, and has dropped any demands for the autonomy of Artsakh within Azerbaijan. Instead, it has called for Stepanakert-Baku negotiations under an international mechanism to address the issue of the rights and security of the Armenian population living in Artsakh. Azerbaijan rejects any international mediation between its government and Artsakh, claiming that the rights and security of the Armenian population are the internal affairs of Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, Baku calls for the usage of the Aghdam-Stepanakert road to supply goods to Artsakh, arguing that as every state, including Armenia, recognizes Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, no one should reject the idea of supplying goods from Azerbaijan, as is the case with other regions of the country. Artsakh authorities reject this possibility, arguing that it will validate the use of blockade as a negotiation tactic. They also raise concerns that once the road via Aghdam is functional, Azerbaijan will have another argument not to open the Berdzor Corridor, thus entirely cutting off the connection between Armenia and Artsakh.

Amidst these ongoing debates and mutual accusations, the humanitarian situation in Artsakh worsens daily. As a part of its diplomatic pressure on Azerbaijan, Armenia called on the U.N. Security Council to convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation around the Berdzor Corridor. During the meeting, almost all members of the Security Council raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Artsakh. They demanded the opening of the corridor, while some also accepted the possibility of using other routes to deliver supplies to Artsakh. However, the discussion at the Security Council ended without any statement or resolution adopted. Statements and concerns from states and international organizations are insufficient to force Azerbaijan to restore the supplies of goods to Artsakh via the Berdzor Corridor. 

Currently, there are only a few options to prevent the looming hunger crisis in Artsakh, and only Armenia can take steps to end the stalemate. All calls to the international community, U.N. Security Council members, and international and regional organizations will only bring results if Armenia takes tangible actions to solve the conundrum. 

There are several scenarios through which Armenia can restore supplies via the Berdzor Corridor. First, Armenia should clearly state that as Azerbaijan pursues a policy of genocide against Artsakh’s Armenians, Armenia cannot recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. Armenia may say it was willing to recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan to contribute to long-term regional peace and stability, while knowing that Armenians will face multiple hardships living in Azerbaijan as Azerbaijan citizens. Armenia was ready to make this sacrifice, but it cannot do so while the Azerbaijani government commits genocide against Armenians. Armenia may return to its policy of recognizing Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan only after Azerbaijan ends its genocidal policy. By withdrawing its former declaration, Armenia can provide legitimacy to its demands that no supplies should be provided from Azerbaijan via Aghdam, and the supplies of goods via the Berdzor Corridor should be restored. However, this will not bring any change on the ground. Azerbaijan will continue to prevent the supply of any goods via the Berdzor Corridor.

A Flirtey drone delivering an AED (Wikimedia Commons)

If it withdraws its recognition of Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, Armenia has two options. One is to threaten the use of force to open the corridor. This is quite challenging, as it may open the way for another large-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with unclear implications. Given the dynamic changes in regional and global geopolitics, it is almost impossible to assess the reaction and steps of external actors – Russia, Iran, Turkey, the EU and the U.S. – if Armenia launches a military operation to end the blockade. Given the gap between Armenian and Azerbaijani military power, this option is risky, even if international reactions are neutral or favorable toward Armenia. The second option is the launch of an airlift to Stepanakert using drones. Azerbaijan may use its air defense systems to shoot down the drones bringing food to Stepanakert. However, it will be challenging to shoot all drones, and it will significantly harm Azerbaijan’s global image, simultaneously bringing additional international attention to the situation around Artsakh.

Suppose Armenia does not withdraw its recognition of Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. In that case, it will be highly challenging to demand the reopening of the Berdzor Corridor and reject the option to use the Aghdam-Stepanakert route. In this scenario, to prevent hunger in Artsakh, Armenia should start negotiations with Azerbaijan and international actors, including Russia, the EU and the U.S., on the modalities of the use of the Aghdam-Stepanakert road and the possibilities of simultaneous supplies to Artsakh from Armenia via the Berdzor Corridor and from Azerbaijan via Aghdam. 

Not taking steps toward any of these scenarios will only exacerbate the situation and increase the suffering of the Armenians living in Artsakh, making the deadlock even more dangerous.

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan is the founder and chairman of the Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies and a senior research fellow at APRI – Armenia. He was the former vice president for research – head of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense Research University in Armenia. In March 2009, he joined the Institute for National Strategic Studies as a research Fellow and was appointed as INSS Deputy Director for research in November 2010. Dr. Poghosyan has prepared and managed the elaboration of more than 100 policy papers which were presented to the political-military leadership of Armenia, including the president, the prime minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Poghosyan has participated in more than 50 international conferences and workshops on regional and international security dynamics. His research focuses on the geopolitics of the South Caucasus and the Middle East, US – Russian relations and their implications for the region, as well as the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. He is the author of more than 200 academic papers and articles in different leading Armenian and international journals. In 2013, Dr. Poghosyan was a Distinguished Research Fellow at the US National Defense University College of International Security Affairs. He is a graduate from the US State Department Study of the US Institutes for Scholars 2012 Program on US National Security Policy Making. He holds a PhD in history and is a graduate from the 2006 Tavitian Program on International Relations at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.


Armenian Foreign Minister responds to media reports claiming US obstructed UNSC resolution on NK

Garik Boshkezenian

 16:45,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has responded to the media reports which claimed that the United States obstructed the adoption of a resolution during the UN Security Council emergency meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“I have to note that the UN Security Council emergency meeting, which was convened at the request of Armenia, was open, and not only the Armenian people but the whole world had the opportunity to hear the positions of participating countries, including the United States. In conditions when the world sees the Azerbaijani policy of ethnic cleansing against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, I don’t think the United States would anyhow want to or plans to be part or contribute to a policy of ethnic cleansing. It would be difficult to imagine. I think and I hope that the US very well realizes the extent and alarming pace of the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, and also realizes that a possible resolution in the UNSC would come to resolve this situation and return the parties to the negotiations agenda,” Mirzoyan said when asked to comment on the unconfirmed media reports claiming that the US has obstructed the passage of a resolution.

Shots fired from Azeri territory at Syunik airport hours after PM Pashinyan’s arrival

Garik Boshkezenian

 10:14,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. Shots were fired on August 18 from the territory of Azerbaijan in the direction of the "Syunik" airport in Kapan, the National Security Service of Armenia (NSS) said in a statement Friday.

“At 04:24 a.m., August 18, three shots were fired by an unknown person, who came to the adjacent territory of the Syunik airport of Kapan in Syunik Province on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border line, on an unknown vehicle, in the direction of Kapan’s Syunik airport who then left the area. Two bullets damaged the airport’s window and roof. We call upon the Azerbaijani authorities to conduct a proper investigation into the incident and take measures to rule out the repetition of such incidents. The NSS Border Guard of Armenia is ready for a joint investigation and can relay the respective footage to the Azerbaijani side,” the NSS said in a statement.

The shooting happened hours after a plane carrying Prime Minister Pashinyan in Kapan on August 17. 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1117610.html?fbclid=IwAR0DZWWW0zzJzi7T5hBwR1ZiP8GUlHQphCNCvs-v92R89b3ZrLCbfmwKlIM

Azerbaijani Press: The UN Security Council meeting fails miserably for Armenia

Garik Boshkezenian
Trend, Azerbaijan
Aug 17 2023
Tahmaz Asadov

Read more

BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. It was obvious that the plan to "attack" Azerbaijan from different directions with the support of Armenia's patrons would be unsuccessful, Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to the UN Yashar Aliyev said, Trend reports.

Despite the fact that trucks belonging to Armenia were waiting in positions at the beginning of the Lachin road, separatists in Karabakh transported military equipment from one point to another, dug trenches, held "protest actions" initiated by the Armenian diaspora in different countries, and distributed provocative statements and appeals from pro-Armenian congressmen. These provocations led to the fact that the discussions organized in the UN Security Council were aimed at forcing Baku to retreat.

The goal of Armenia and its patrons, who developed an action plan on the topic "how can we force Azerbaijan to take a step back", was to incite the Armenians to another confrontation with Azerbaijan and suffer losses. But Azerbaijan once again, both on the battlefield and in the diplomatic sphere, managed to surpass the Armenians and Armenian protectors.

In addition, Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Yashar Aliyev, speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council, managed to put all of Armenia and pro-Armenian Western diplomacy before the facts.

He responded with facts to the provocative speech and the unfounded claims of the Armenian foreign minister and showed the world community who was right. At the meeting, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated without any reason that "hunger is an invisible weapon of genocide, and if measures are not taken, the Armenians in Karabakh will be destroyed." However, the facts announced by Yashar Aliyev put him in a helpless position.

In particular, Azerbaijan's permanent representative to the UN proved to Mirzoyan with facts collected from the social network that Armenians in Karabakh do not suffer from hunger. Therefore, the political power of Armenia returned from a foreign trip having suffered another fiasco.

This event has gone down in history as the "night of proof of dishonesty" not only of Yerevan but also of France, Iran, and other anti-Turkic states. In fact, Armenia and France are used to failure these days. This is the second collapse in France and Armenia. There was an attempt to raise this issue in the UN Security Council in December last year. As a result, in both cases, these attempts were unsuccessful.

The "Lachin Evening" at the UN Security Council was not actually organized to show concern for the fate of the Armenian residents of Karabakh. Foreign forces, including countries that want to enter the region through Armenia, are trying to change the geopolitical order, using this issue to achieve their intentions faster. However, as Azerbaijan has stated from the first day, it will take the necessary steps against any step by any foreign force that will threaten the territorial integrity, security, and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan did so.

According to Yashar Aliyev, if Armenia really thought about the ordinary residents of the region, then it would never object to the delivery of goods to the Karabakh region along the Aghdam-Khankendi road. This road is connected to one of Azerbaijan's main transport routes, the highway known as the Silk Road or M2, which provides reliable links to international markets. Compared to the 59-kilometer Lachin-Khankendi road, which runs through mountain serpentines, the length of this road between Aghdam and Khankendi is only 18 km. Today, as part of a trip to Aghdam, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, including the office of the UN Resident Coordinator and other UN structures, witnessed the functioning of the road and its readiness for the transport of goods.

Yashar Aliyev responded to the accusations against Azerbaijan regarding the "famine" of the Armenian residents of Karabakh with photos and facts. At a meeting of the UN Security Council, Azerbaijan showed the opponents its fair position.

Yashar Aliyev presented photo facts to those who protected Armenians. Baku managed to win against the opponent at the table with patience and restraint at the UN Security Council meeting. Photos of weddings, birthdays, and concerts held in Khankendi by Armenian residents allegedly living under the conditions of the "blockade" presented as evidence in the meeting room revealed the lies of the opponents.

As a result, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council convened by Armenia on the situation in Karabakh with the issue of "famine" ended without a result.

Moreover, Baku used all its opportunities to present Armenia to the world community as a hypocritical, manipulative, and aggressive country. If the heavy defeat they faced in the Second Karabakh War did not make the Armenian army smarter, then the results of the meeting organized by Armenia's own initiative in the UN Security Council should make them think. The Armenian authorities, lobbying organizations, and protectors, who are unwilling to accept today's reality and think that they will achieve something by putting pressure on Azerbaijan, should realize that Yerevan may face an even greater fiasco.

"In addition, they should be responsible for the provocations committed, including attempts by separatist troops to dig new trenches and build positions on the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Another heavy defeat for Armenia and its so-called regime may happen on the battlefield. Therefore, the surest way for Armenians is to agree to use the Aghdam-Khankendi road, as Azerbaijan suggests. The peace and reintegration of Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijan depend on this," said Yashar Aliyev.

Armenpress: Azerbaijani armed forces open gunfire at farmers, communication infrastructures in Nagorno-Karabakh

Garik Boshkezenian

 22:42,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani forces have opened gunfire at farmers and communication infrastructures in Nagorno-Karabakh and are generating fake news in an attempt to justify their actions, the Ministry of Defense of Nagorno-Karabakh said in a press release on August 12.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Azerbaijani military units opened fire at communication infrastructure equipment in Nagorno-Karabakh, and around 14:15 shot at farmers working in the fields of Sarushen community. No one was hurt in the shooting, the ministry said.

The Defense Ministry added that Azerbaijan’s latest disinformation campaign, when it twice falsely accused Nagorno-Karabakh of opening fire on Saturday, is an attempt by Azerbaijan to try and justify its own ceasefire violations of August 12 and to divert international attention from the humanitarian disaster in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the blockade of Lachin Corridor.

Armenpress: Foreign Minister of United Arab Emirates briefed on humanitarian crisis in Nagorno- Karabakh

Garik Boshkezenian

 21:36,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. On August 10, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Minister Mirzoyan briefed his counterpart on the deepening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor which has been going on for about 8 months, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that since June 15, Nagorno-Karabakh has been under total blockade as a result of which 120,000 people of Nagorno-Karabakh are facing an acute shortage of food and medicine, and people with serious health problems as well as 9,000 pregnant women are deprived of urgent medical assistance.

Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized that Azerbaijan does not comply with two Orders of the International Court of Justice regarding the restoration of movement along the Lachin corridor and ignores the targeted calls of international partners and various bodies. Therefore, in current conditions, clear steps are needed that will result in the immediate lifting of the blockade of the Lachin corridor.

During the phone call, the sides also touched upon the bilateral agenda and expressed readiness to take steps towards the development of collaboration between Armenia and the UAE, noting the importance of high-level mutual visits.

“A blow to microbusiness in Armenia”: experts on the abolition of tax incentives

Garik Boshkezenian
Aug 9 2023
  • Gayane Sargsyan
  • Yerevan

Microbusinesses lose tax benefits

Micro-enterprises in Armenia have lost their important tax benefits. From now on they will have to pay monthly income tax at the rate of 20 percent for each worker instead of the previous 5000 drams [about $13] per month. This is a consequence of changes in the tax code that came into force on July 1, 2023.

According to experts, canceling the privileges used by micro-businesses can lead to negative consequences. In particular, to the reduction of workplaces at micro-enterprises, the reduction of employees’ wages, the growth of shadow activities, and even the closing of businesses.

  • People, money and the economy: an analysis of the situation in Armenia
  • “Armenia’s economic growth potential is not infinite.” Opinion
  • Modernization of old buildings in Armenia: energy savings and modern design

The previous regime of taxation of micro-entrepreneurship entered into force on January 1, 2020. It was introduced to replace the family business with the concept of “micro-entrepreneurial activity”. At the same time, the government offered the following benefits:

  • enterprises with an annual turnover of up to 24 million drams [about $62,500] were exempted from turnover tax,
  • The income tax for employees of micro-enterprises became fixed – only 5000 drams per month.

The government hopes this decision will help stimulate the development of the economy and the emergence of new jobs.

“These steps were taken in order for micro-enterprises to declare the real wages of their employees, as a result of which a decrease in shadow activity was expected. At the same time, microbusiness workers received their income legally, since the change did not involve large costs for the owner,” economist and director of the consulting company TEAM2b (TimTuBi) Vladimir Shatverov explains.

According to him, the privileges offered by the government “inclined many businessmen to respond to the government with a handshake”. As a result, the number of micro-enterprises in Armenia increased significantly over the last three years to more than 35,000.

Against the background of this boom, in 2022 the government said they did not foresee such a rapid growth in the number of micro-enterprises. And in August 2022, they introduced a draft law on tax changes. It was approved, which led to the cancellation, among other things, of the benefits of monthly payment of a small fixed income tax for each employee.

Considering this point as the most significant of the legislative changes, Vladimir Shatverov explains its meaning with a concrete example.

“For example, a micro-enterprise has three employees, each of whom receives a salary of 200 thousand drams [about $520]. The owner still paid three taxes in the amount of 15 thousand drams [about $39] per month. And since July of this year, he needs to pay 20 percent of their salary, which will amount to 120 thousand drams [about $312]. In annual calculation, this will amount to an even more significant sum.”

“Sunny Food” produces canned goods in the border village of Garibdzhanyan in Shirak region.

“Any additional tax liability is an additional burden for the organization. And the smaller the business, the more difficult it will be for it to cope with this tax burden”, director Anait Harutyunyan says.

She believes that the consequences of the change in the tax code will be manifested in different ways – from the increase in the prices of goods and services, the reduction of the number of employees, to the liquidation of businesses.

According to the young entrepreneur, these changes in the tax policy of the state can lead to greater caution among businessmen.

“When tax liabilities increase, businessmen are more cautious. They think longer whether it is worth making investments, starting a business, expanding the existing one, or it is very risky.”

Experts share the concerns of microbusiness owners.

“It is clear that as a result of the recent regulations, some new employees will be hired without registering. Or they will register, but with a lower salary than they will actually receive. This is the first obvious risk of this change.

Another risk is that micro-enterprises, which have already honestly declared the real salaries of their employees, try to gradually reduce the amount of paid salaries in order to save on taxes,” Vladimir Shatverov says.

However, he considers the loss of the government’s trust in private business the worst consequence:

“When a businessman sees that the state is constantly changing the rules of the game, he is much more cautious about all reforms. And in the future, when the government offers even something good, many will think longer and act more cautiously. As a result, it will be more difficult to implement possible subsequent reforms. One of the principles of the tax code is the construction of long-term and stable relations, which is actually violated by such actions.”

Experts find it difficult to predict the consequences of these tax changes. The government did not include in the bill any quantitative data or official statistics that could be the basis for calculations about possible developments.

“There should be numbers at the base of the draft law, so that the changes were convincing, so that the citizen understood why the state introduced them. But the government did not calculate or publish the number of microbusiness workers. The government did not publish its calculations and forecasts, which would allow us to understand the logic of the implemented changes,” the head of the Union of Employers of Armenia, Gagik Makaryan, says.

“Review of the tax burden on the part of employees of micro-enterprises aimed at establishing equal conditions of taxation”, the Ministry of Finance told JAMNews.

The mechanism of ensuring equal conditions for business, which the ministry refers to, experts consider “implausible”.

“To ensure equal conditions, it was necessary to change the size of the income tax, because everyone has to pay it to the state. At the same time, the state offers benefits in the field of information technologies. We are talking about the bill to reduce the income tax of IT companies to five percent. It turns out that the state, reducing the income tax of the IT sector, is trying to compensate for part of its losses due to taxes from micro-entrepreneurs who have employees,” Gagik Makaryan says.

Shatverov shares his opinion. He says that tax changes would be more acceptable for business if they were introduced gradually.

“For example, the monthly income tax of micro-enterprise workers could be set at the rate of five percent of wages in the first year, 10 percent in the second year, 15 or 20 percent in the third. A gradual increase in the tax burden would give business time and the opportunity to adapt to changes. And it would be useful to provide some alternative benefits for those enterprises for which the tax burden increases sharply.”

Makaryan says:

“The role of microbusiness for the country may be small from the point of view of the amount of taxes paid to the treasury, but large – in social terms. These enterprises provide employment not only for themselves, but also for a certain number of employees. Thus, they contribute to the reduction of unemployment. Their employees do not become a burden for the state as unemployed.”

This tax change just creates unequal conditions for microbusiness and IT workers, he adds.

“We create unequal conditions between economic sectors. If it’s about creating a level playing field for entrepreneurs, why do they make an exception for the field of information technology? In this sense, I don’t see logic in the actions of the government.”

https://jam-news.net/microbusinesses-lose-tax-benefits/

Alarmed by rising tensions, Iran pursues diplomacy in South Caucasus

Garik Boshkezenian
Amwaj Media
july 26 2023

The story: In its latest diplomatic foray into South Caucasus politics, Iran has hosted Armenia’s foreign minister while endorsing peace talks between Baku and Yerevan. Coming after recent Iranian efforts to ease heightened tensions with Azerbaijan, Tehran's maneuvering underscores its desire to avoid pushing its estranged northwestern neighbor further toward Israel—and to protect its interests in the South Caucasus.

The coverage: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on July 24 met his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Tehran.

  • Amir-Abdollahian asserted that Iran supports peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, welcoming the "recent progress in the negotiation process."
  • At a joint press conference after the meeting, the top Iranian diplomat said "the time for war is over, and the time for a peace built on dialogue has arrived."
  • Amir-Abdollahian also warned against the South Caucasus becoming an arena for a "power struggle" between states.

President Ebrahim Raisi expressed similar sentiments in a meeting with the visiting Armenian top diplomat.

  • Raisi declared Iran's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region.
  • Raisi also emphasized that Tehran does not accept any changes to borders or the geopolitics of the region. He further added that outside interference would only "exacerbate" existing issues.

In parallel, Iran has over the past week stepped up its efforts to pursue de-escalation with Azerbaijan.

  • Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, said on July 19 that relations between Iran and Azerbaijan "are developing."
  • Baqeri added that Iran has "no problems on border and security issues" with Azerbaijan. He made the remarks to reporters near Iran's border with the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan.

Meanwhile, Iran’s government-run IRNA news agency on July 21 inaugurated an office and launched an Azerbaijani website during a visit to Baku by the outlet’s director.

  • Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev notably praised the move by IRNA, saying that it would "definitely contribute to the strengthening of relations between our countries."
  • In a seemingly reciprocal measure, Azerbaijan’s state-run Azertac news agency will launch an office in Tehran, Iran’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Abbas Mousavi told IRNA on July 21.

The context/analysis: Azerbaijan's deepening ties with Israel in past years have been a key source of contention between Baku and Tehran. Tensions have also flared more recently due to Azerbaijan's alleged efforts to sever Iran's land connection to Armenia.

  • During the 2020 war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan reportedly received help from Israel and Turkey. Iran, a longstanding ally of Armenia, cautiously refrained from taking sides during the war.
  • Azerbaijan seized large territories during the 44-day conflict. The war ended with a ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia. As part of this accord, Armenia agreed to establish a corridor in its southern Syunik region, which borders Iran. The Zangazur Corridor would create a link between the Azerbaijani mainland and the Nakhchivan exclave.
  • Iranian media view the overland transport corridor as a Turkey-backed move to disconnect Iran from Armenia as Ankara seeks to expand its influence in the South Caucasus. In this context, Iranian officials have on repeated occasions sternly warned against "border changes" in the region.

Azerbaijan and Iran have engaged in a war of words that has escalated into military drills along their border.


The already tense relations between Baku and Tehran took a turn for the worse following a series of developments earlier this year.

  • On Jan. 27, a fatal attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran resulted in the death of the diplomatic facility’s head of security. Iran blamed the incident on a personal dispute. Rejecting the Iranian explanation, Azerbaijan ordered the evacuation of its embassy.
  • Further fueling tensions, Azerbaijan in late March opened an embassy in Israel, an arch-rival of Iran. The move followed a reported surge in military ties between Baku and Tel Aviv.
  • In early April, Azerbaijan expelled four Iranian diplomats. This resulted in Tehran taking reciprocal action a month later.

The border between Armenia and Iran is of high importance to both countries.

  • The merely 48 km (29.8 miles) frontier has been described as a “lifeline” for Armenia, which finds itself sandwiched between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
  • The Armenian border provides Iran with a dependable overland transit route to Georgia and beyond. This is particularly of high value for Tehran at times when relations with Baku and Ankara experience turbulence. Moreover, Iran considers the South Caucasus as a historical zone of influence and sees any loss of a land border with the countries there as a threat to this broader stature.
  • Iran is additionally wary of the ongoing dissemination of separatist pro-Turkic discourse in its northwest, where ethnic Azeri communities reside.

The future: An armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Iran, however unlikely, could quickly come to involve multiple external actors. It could also mean a second major confrontation in the South Caucasus, which is still reeling from the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

  • Despite high tensions, the recent conciliatory maneuvering indicates that both Baku and Tehran wish to avoid an all-out confrontation.
  • The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a project geared to connect Russia and India via Iran and the Gulf, passes through Azerbaijan. The latter is a strong incentive for Tehran to pursue improved relations with Baku, especially as transit revenues are key to the Raisi administration’s economic ambitions.
  • Iran is likely to continue to seek to strike a balance between maintaining its close relations with Armenia without worsening relations with Azerbaijan.

Armenian Dolma Recipe, Grape Leaves Stuffed with Culture and Tradition

Garik Boshkezenian
By Slurrp Desk
Updated:Jul 22, 2023

Discover the cherished Armenian delicacy, Dolma, a delectable combination of grape leaves filled with aromatic rice, minced meat, herbs, and spices. Rooted in ancient traditions across the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Caucasus regions, Dolma holds profound cultural significance, embodying communal gatherings and joyous celebrations. Try our recipe to create your own flavourful version!

Dolma, a cherished dish in Armenian cuisine, refers to grape leaves stuffed with a delectable mixture of rice, minced meat, herbs, and spices. Its origin can be traced back to ancient times, with variations found across the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Caucasus regions. Within Armenian culture, Dolma holds profound importance, symbolising communal gatherings and joyous celebrations. The dish is a true reflection of the nation's history and traditions, passed down through generations, and remains an integral part of festive occasions and family meals. Beyond being a culinary delight, Dolma embodies the essence of Armenian heritage, enriching the country's cultural tapestry with each flavourful bite.

The Art of Dolma Making

The art of Dolma making in Armenia involves meticulous preparation techniques that have been honed over centuries. Traditionally, tender grape leaves are carefully blanched to enhance their flavour and texture. The filling is a delightful blend of long-grain rice, minced meat (often lamb or beef), onions, fresh herbs like parsley and mint, as well as aromatic spices such as cinnamon and allspice, creating a harmonious balance of flavours. These ingredients are skilfully combined to achieve the perfect stuffing consistency. Each rolled Dolma is placed snugly in a pot, layered with additional grape leaves and sometimes, lemon slices, before being gently simmered in a rich broth until tender. While the core ingredients remain consistent across Armenia, regional variations add unique twists, such as the use of sour cherries or dried fruits in some areas, showcasing the diverse creativity of Armenian cuisine.

Grape Leaves in Armenian Cuisine

Grape leaves hold great significance in Armenian cuisine, acting as versatile vessels for various culinary delights. Beyond their practicality, grape leaves are deeply rooted in the region's agricultural heritage, as Armenia boasts a long history of vine cultivation. In addition to being an abundant resource, grape leaves impart a unique tangy flavour and tender texture to dishes, making them an essential ingredient in traditional cooking.

Apart from Dolma, Armenian cuisine incorporates grape leaves into several other delectable dishes. One popular preparation is "Yalanchi," where the leaves are stuffed with a vegetarian mixture of rice, onions, herbs, and spices, offering a delightful option for those abstaining from meat. Additionally, "Sarma" utilises grape leaves to wrap a medley of minced meat and rice, and in some cases, vegetables. These dishes showcase the culinary versatility of grape leaves, ensuring their prominence in Armenian cooking and preserving the country's rich gastronomic heritage.

Dolma stands as a cultural icon in Armenian cuisine, reflecting its deep historical roots and profound significance in the country's heritage. With its origins tracing back to ancient times, this flavourful delicacy has become synonymous with communal gatherings and joyful celebrations. Dolma's enduring legacy as a symbol of Armenian identity remains steadfast, representing the preservation of tradition, family ties, and the rich tapestry of the nation's culinary and cultural heritage, cherished and celebrated by Armenians worldwide.

Recipe For Dolma

Ingredients:

1 jar of grape leaves (approximately 30-40 leaves) or fresh grape leaves, blanched

500g ground lamb or beef (can also use a mix of both)

1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed

1 large onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped

3-4 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 cup tomato sauce or tomato paste

1 lemon, thinly sliced

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

3 cups chicken or vegetable broth (approximately)

Instructions:

If using jarred grape leaves, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove excess brine. If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes, then transfer to an ice water bath to cool. Pat them dry with a paper towel.

In a mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb or beef, rinsed rice, chopped onion, parsley, mint, minced garlic, allspice, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Lay a grape leaf flat on a clean surface, vein-side up, and trim the stem if necessary. Place a small spoonful of the meat and rice mixture (about 1-2 tablespoons) at the centre of the leaf, near the base.

Fold the bottom edge of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll it up tightly into a neat cylinder, resembling a small cigar. Repeat this process for all the grape leaves and filling.

In a large pot, place a few damaged grape leaves or lemon slices at the bottom to prevent sticking. Arrange the rolled Dolma snugly in the pot, layering them closely to avoid unravelling during cooking.

Once the first layer is complete, place lemon slices on top of the Dolma and repeat the layering process until all the Dolma are placed in the pot.

In a bowl, mix the tomato sauce or tomato paste with the remaining olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the Dolma.

Carefully place additional lemon slices on top, and then pour enough chicken or vegetable broth into the pot to cover the Dolma.

Place a heat-proof plate or a few grape leaves on top of the Dolma to keep them secure during cooking.

Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the Dolma simmer gently for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the rice is fully cooked and the grape leaves are tender.

Once the Dolma is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly before serving.

Serve the Dolma warm as a delightful main course, accompanied by yoghurt or a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad. Enjoy the rich flavours and cultural heritage of this cherished Armenian dish!

https://www.slurrp.com/article/armenian-dolma-recipe-grape-leaves-stuffed-with-culture-and-tradition-1690034951227

Armenpress: I consider the existing format of fighting against drug trafficking insufficient – Prosecutor General

Garik Boshkezenian

 09:25,

YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Prosecutor General of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan does not consider the existing format of combating drug trafficking to be sufficient, at the same time she assures that efforts are being made in this direction, in particular, an attempt is made to change the tactics and quality of the investigation, but it is too early to talk about the results.

On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office, ARMENPRESS spoke with the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan. During the interview, Vardapetyan spoke about her achievements in the position of the Prosecutor General for almost a year, her upcoming plans, "delayed" justice, rise in crimes, and also referred to the results of meetings with the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kyamran Aliyev and the conference dedicated to the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office.

To the question of the correspondent of ARMENPRESS about the achievements recorded during the year in office, Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan noted that one year is not enough to talk about tangible results. “Besides, the results should not be talked about, they should be seen by the public, therefore here I would like to talk about some important changes. The first is the legislative reform adopted by the National Assembly in March 2023, by which the Prosecutor's Office was given the authority to initiate a lawsuit for the protection of community interests in court. This means that the Prosecutor's Office has the right to question in court the orders and decisions of the heads of local self-government bodies, based on which public parks, kindergartens and other similar immovable properties were illegally alienated”, Vardapetyan said, adding that this has one goal – to return to the public the illegally alienated property. Since the Prosecutor’s Office has been granted by the mentioned power, 235 criminal cases have been initiated.

“The next area of reforms is about cadres. I have spoken about this on different occasions. In terms of cadres, my approach is unchanged. As the Prosecutor General, I want to share my responsibility and success with those prosecutors who are well-mannered, have a high standard of professional knowledge, are hardworking, honest, improve their qualities and most importantly, are dedicated to their profession and their country.

In terms of cadre policy, I attach great importance to the work with young people, students and pupils. In terms of professional orientation, we give students the opportunity to do an internship with us, to have regular meetings with prosecutors, before being included in the list of prosecutors, to work in the Prosecutor's Office.

I am often asked about the involvement of women. Anticipating this question, I should note that smart and dedicated women certainly have their place in the Prosecutor's Office, including in high positions. Women know about the rule in the Prosecutor's Office: we work hard and treat our work with extreme responsibility”, Prosecutor General of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan said.

Speaking about challenges and problems, Vardapetyan noted that they are quite many, starting from criminal proceedings, delay of trials to efficiency of fight against corruption.

Answering the question about delay of trials and “delayed” justice, which cause decline of public trust in legal system, Anna Vardapetyan noted that “delayed” justice still continues to exist, adding that she first raised that issue last year, when being nominated as candidate for the position of Prosecutor General. In the 2022 activity report of the Prosecutor's Office, we devoted a separate chapter to the issue of the delay in the examination of criminal cases, where the concerns raised by me about "delayed" justice are presented with examples. The reasons for the delay in examination of criminal cases are multifaceted: they have objective and subjective aspects. The objective side is the increase in the number of criminal proceedings, the subjective side is the unscrupulous attitude of the bodies conducting the proceedings towards their responsibilities, the frequent change of judges in the same case, the incomplete application of prosecutor's supervision and control mechanisms, etc.

From the day I assumed the position of the Prosecutor General, I gave instructions to all departments to exclude the phenomenon when prosecutors do not attend trials for no serious reason”, she said, emphasizing that the period of examination of criminal cases is in the center of her everyday attention.

Referring to the question about her two meetings with the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kyamran Aliyev through the mediation of the Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov, how she evaluates those meetings, what significant results can be highlighted, and whether there will be similar meetings in the near future, Mrs. Vardapetyan answered, “At the end of 2022, I received an offer from the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation to meet with the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan in a tripartite format, which I accepted, because each discussion in such a format is an opportunity to talk substantively about the fulfillment of the obligations stipulated by the tripartite statement of the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020. Point 8 of the tripartite declaration on humanitarian obligations is a priority for the prosecution. At the core of the tripartite meeting held at the end of 2022 was the issue of Armenian prisoners of war still held by Azerbaijan.

Another tripartite meeting was held in June of this year, again at the initiative of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation. In this context, I cannot help but emphasize the efforts of my Russian partner to resolve this sensitive issue as soon as possible, but it is a fact that there are still no tangible results from those meetings.

I will not stop raising this issue among the prosecution community. You ask if there will be such meetings in the near future, yes, there will be, because if my participation in the meetings in such a format will create an opportunity to return our soldiers to the homeland, then yes, I will participate, I will speak, I will raise the need for Azerbaijan to fulfill international humanitarian demands and I will not allow the Azerbaijani side to ignore the issue”.

Answering the question whether there is any analysis of what’s the reason behind the rise in crimes, Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan noted that in 2022 nearly 22 thousand cases of crimes were registered in Armenia, which is 24% higher than the figure in 2021. “The analyzes show that one of the reasons is the change in criminal procedure legislation. You might be aware that the new code eliminates the stage of preparation of materials, and criminal proceedings are initiated for each report that can reasonably be given a preliminary legal assessment of compliance with any act under the Criminal Code”, Vardapetyan said, adding that it should not be forgotten that crimes are systemic and re-productive phenomenon.

The correspondent of ARMENPRESS asked if sufficient efforts are made to fight against the rise in drug trafficking in Armenia, to which Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan answered, “You raise a very important question. I regret to say that no, I do not consider the current format of combating illegal drug trafficking to be sufficient. Efforts are being made, particularly an attempt is being made to change the tactics and quality of the investigation, but it is too early to talk about the results.

The need to ensure the confidentiality of the preliminary investigation does not allow me to reveal details about the investigation process in specific cases, however, I should note that active work is being done within the framework of international legal assistance regarding the importation of large batches of drugs, including the extradition of suspected criminals to Armenia”.

As for prevention of drug use among minors, Anna Vardapetyan emphasized that the systematic criminal-legal fight against illegal drug trafficking is of primary importance, along with it, however, the family can also play a serious role in prevention. “For a minor, the drug is a deception of "happiness", "interesting experience", she said.

Referring to the question about the conference dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Anna Vardapetyan answered, “A few days ago, on July 1-2, the Prosecutor's Office celebrated its 105th anniversary. With the support of our international partners, the Council of Europe and the European Union, a conference was organized on the topic "Prosecution’s independence as a guarantor of the rule of law". The heads of the executive and judicial authorities of Armenia, ambassadors accredited to Armenia, heads of law enforcement structures, prosecutor generals of five member states of the Council of Europe, high-ranking representatives from the Council of Europe, the International Association of Prosecutors and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice participated in the conference. At the end of the conference, a document summarizing the results of the panel discussions and reports was adopted.

It was a great honor for me to organize such a high-level conference in Armenia and to host my European colleagues in Armenia. I am sure that the participants of the conference left our country having discovered Armenia and with the desire to return. I am glad that in addition to professional discussions, we managed to tell our European partners about the cultural and national wealth of Armenia.

Thanks to the positive feedback on the effectiveness of this conference, we already have a preliminary agreement with our colleagues from the Council of Europe to hold another conference in the near future, which will have a more inclusive geography and will be dedicated to the institute of confiscation of property of illegal origin”.

Interview by Karen Khachatryan

Photos by Hayk Manukyan