Author: Jirair Kafian

Rasmussen: Lachin corridor blockade is illegal, inhumane

Jirair Kafian
NEWS.am
Armenia – March 14 2023
17:18, 14.03.2023

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former Secretary General of NATO, today visited the southern regions of Armenia to see with his own eyes the consequences of Azerbaijan's aggression towards Armenia. Rasmussen, who is now the founding chairman of Rasmussen Global international political consultancy organization, announced about this to reporters in Armenia on Tuesday.

He was in the wonderful city of Jermuk where the mayor showed the negative consequences left in the city after the attack of the Azerbaijani army and how it affected tourism Rasmussen said.

He added that earlier, he visited the Lachin corridor, which is the only connecting link between Karabakh and Armenia, noting that last December, the only road connecting Karabakh Armenians with Armenia was closed, and this blockade of the Lachin corridor is illegal and inhumane.

According to Rasmussen, he met with a group of people in Armenia who lived in Karabakh, and they told him about the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The blockade means that food and medicine are received in very small quantities, and this means that there is a lack of enough food and medicine in Nagorno-Karabakh he said.

Rasmussen said we are facing a humanitarian crisis that could turn into a humanitarian disaster, this blockade is not legal, weeks ago the International Court of Justice of the United Nations obligated Azerbaijan to ensure the unimpeded traffic of transport to Nagorno-Karabakh through the Lachin corridor, that decision is binding, and Azerbaijan is obligated to reopen the Lachin corridor, and Rasmussen called on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to immediately stop the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Zakharova answers the journalist’s question about the possible withdrawal of Armenia from the CSTO

Jirair Kafian

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 19:03,

YERERVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. On March 16, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, addressed the journalist's question about the possibility of Armenia leaving the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

ARMENPRESS reports, Zakharova noted that on September 13 and October 28, 2022, extraordinary sessions of the CSTO Collective Security Council were held, the then Secretary General of the organization Stanislav Zas and the mission led by Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov visited Armenia.

The Russian diplomat reminded that a plan to deploy a CSTO observation mission in Armenia was prepared, and the development of the relevant decision was practically completed at the meeting of the organization's statutory bodies held in Yerevan.

"At the same time, due to certain demands of Armenian partners, which were problematic for other CSTO members, it was not possible to take this decision," said Zakharova.

At the beginning of January, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia refused to host the "Indestructible Brotherhood-2023" military exercises of the collective rapid reaction forces of the CSTO in its territory. And on March 10, it became known that Armenia, according to the relevant procedure, applied to the CSTO to give up its quota of the CSTO Deputy Secretary General.




Armenian Minister of Defense meets with former Secretary-General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Yerevan

Jirair Kafian

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 11:49,

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan on March 13 met with the former Secretary-General of NATO, founder of Rasmussen Global international political consultancy firm Anders Fogh Rasmussen and other representatives of the firm.

At Rasmussen’s request, Minister Papikyan presented the latest regional developments and the resulting situation, the defense ministry said in a read-out.

A number of issues related to regional security were discussed.

Iran warns Turkey that it is uncomfortable with Israel’s presence in the Caucasus

Jirair Kafian

by Levent Kenez

Levent Kenez/Stockholm

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian stated at a press conference on Wednesday that Israel’s presence in the Caucasus is a threat to peace in the region, following a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, to whom he paid a visit to show solidarity with Turkey due to devastating earthquakes that struck the country on February 6.

Beginning his speech by applauding March 8, International Women’s Day, Abdollahian said women are the main element of society in Iran.

Stating that both countries should be sensitive to and careful about security in the region, the Iranian minister claimed that the most important reason for the crisis in the Caucasus was the presence of Israel in the region.

“We see the presence of the Zionist regime in the region as a major threat to peace and stability. Wherever this regime is involved, there has been insecurity and crisis. The Islamic Republic of Iran warns the parties to pay close attention to the behavior of the Zionist regime. They should not allow its presence in the region,” said the Iranian minister.

The basis of what Abdollahian implicitly expressed is no doubt the growing cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan, a close ally of Turkey. Iran sees Israel’s presence in Azerbaijan as part of its encirclement by the West. Tehran has long claimed that Israel is conducting intelligence operations by using Azeri elements in Iran and that it has succeeded in carrying out some sabotage and assassinations.

Israel had maintained a balance in relations with Armenia during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020; however, it at the same time provided tacit support to Azerbaijan. A significant number of the military vehicles and drones that led Azerbaijan to victory were purchased from Israel. Armenia protested this support by withdrawing its ambassador, whom it had appointed only two weeks earlier, in October 2020. In addition, during celebrations held after Azerbaijan’s victory, some Azerbaijanis waved the Israeli flag along with the flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Turkish media reported that according the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 26.6 percent of arms sales to Azerbaijan between 2011-2020 were from Israel. It is estimated that 17 percent of Israel’s total arms sales are directed to Azerbaijan. Israel is Azerbaijan’s third largest trading partner with exports of $1.33 billion, meeting 40 percent of Israel’s oil needs. Israel was the source of 69 percent of Azerbaijan’s arms purchases between 2016 and 2020.

Another issue that came to the agenda during the Iranian minister’s visit is Tehran’s insistence on playing an active role in the normalization of relations between Turkey and Syria.

The first high-level bilateral contact between Ankara and Damascus since the civil war that started in Syria in 2011 took place on December 28, 2022. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan met with Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas and head of intelligence Ali Mamlouk, hosted by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Çavuşoğlu said he told his Iranian colleague that there was no problem with Iran’s participation in the next  meeting that will be held between foreign ministers, adding that the only mechanism for Syria that exists at the moment is the Astana Process, the quartet platform comprising Turkey, Syria, Iran and Russia.

Noting that work for a Turkish-Syrian-Russian foreign ministers meeting is under way, Çavuşoğlu said, “We’re planning to have all four parties involved. The Russians offered to hold a meeting at the technical level for the preparation of a possible foreign ministers meeting for next week. We’ll send our deputy minister to Moscow. The Iranian side will also participate,” he said.

https://nordicmonitor.com/2023/03/26020/ 

AGBU & Creative Armenia hold LA screening of award-winning documentary in Pasadena

Jirair Kafian
March 8 2023
PUBLISHED ON MAR 8, 2023

Afeature documentary will hold its Los Angeles screening at AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center in Pasadena on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, inspired by the explosive wartime diary of Lika Zakaryan. In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Artsakh – with Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor creating a food, health, and humanitarian crisis for the 120,000 Armenians now isolated from the outside world, Invisible Republic follows the story of a young journalist’s frontline view of the 44-day war for Artsakh. Emmy nominee Eric Esrailian joins Grammy award recipient Serj Tankian, and award-winning producer Alec Mouhibian to bring the diary of Lika Zakaryan to life in this powerful documentary. All proceeds from the screening will go to AGBU Global Relief Fund.

Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and Creative Armenia have combined the film’s release with a global awareness and educational campaign. Physical screenings for governmental groups, human rights organizations, and educational institutions have been held around the world (Watch the trailer here). 

The film has been released digitally in every territory of the world, with the goal of raising awareness about the situation in Artsakh, where 120,000 Armenians are isolated from the outside world due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor. “This isn’t just a film about me,” said Lika Zakaryan. “It is the story and tragedy of my family, my friends, and my people. And sadly, it isn’t over.”

“We initially made this film to educate the non-Armenian world about Artsakh and to raise awareness about the 2020 Artsakh War,” said the film’s producer Dr. Eric Esrailian, who is also an AGBU Central Board Member and a Founding Member of Creative Armenia. “But the darkest chapter of war may be yet to come. We have decided to move up distribution plans and share Lika’s story with the world, in hopes that it will move hearts and minds to stand with the people of Artsakh at this moment of crisis.”

“This first-hand account of the realities during and after the 44 days of Azeri aggression in 2020 is a critical documentation of the true human experience. Today, Artsakh is threatened by a territorial blockade putting the lives of its citizens at risk.” urged AGBU Central Board member, Ani Manoukian.

Tickets for the LA screening of Invisible Republic on Wednesday, April 5th at 7:30 pm can be purchased online. The AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center is located at 2495 E. Mountain St. in Pasadena, CA. For media inquiries: [email protected]

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs. Creative Armenia is a global arts foundation for the Armenian people and runs the Artists for Artsakh program. Together, the organizations run the Creative Armenia-AGBU Fellowships and the Katapult Creative Accelerator Program. They have also collaborated on many other initiatives to raise awareness and funds for Artsakh. Visit agbu.org and creativearmenia.org to learn more.

https://www.pasadenanow.com/weekendr/agbu-and-creative-armenia-hold-la-screening-of-award-winning-documentary-in-pasadena/

Azerbaijani press: Russia-Azerbaijan Expert Council holds conference (PHOTO)

Jirair Kafian
Politics Materials 28 February 2023 17:52 (UTC +04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The conference on the "Russian-Azerbaijani relations in the 21st century: strategic partnership in the context of regional security" topic as part of the 3rd meeting of the Russia-Azerbaijan Expert Council with the participation of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Russian colleague Sergey Lavrov has been held in Baku, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The meeting was organized by the Azerbaijani Center for Analysis of International Relations and the Russian International Affairs Council.

Speaking at the event, Bayramov stressed that the Russia-Azerbaijan Expert Council in a short time has become a platform for ongoing cooperation between the experts of the two countries.

He noted that having a constant exchange of views and dialogue between experts would be useful for those who specialize in the field of diplomacy.

Speaking about the current dynamics of Azerbaijani-Russian relations, and high-level dialogue, including joint cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries, Bayramov noted that the expert council serves as a practical platform for further development of cooperation between the countries' experts.

At the event, it was noted with satisfaction that over the past year, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was widely celebrated both within the framework of the foreign ministries of the two countries and the Russia-Azerbaijan Expert Council.

In particular, it was emphasized that over the past period, relations between the two states have turned into a strategic partnership, which is a logical result of many years of bilateral cooperation, as well as a solid foundation for a high level of trust between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Bayramov stressed at the event that Azerbaijan is pursuing a sovereign foreign policy strategy based on national interests, and that such a stable, predictable and, most importantly, sovereign policy makes the country a valuable partner for the international community, including Russia.

He also noted similar positions of Azerbaijan and Russia regarding the consistent promotion of peace agenda in the South Caucasus, neutralization of revanchism attempts and unhealthy competition in some cases.

Besides, the minister noted that the victory of Azerbaijan in the 2020 second Karabakh war, the actual implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions [which demanded Armenia to withdraw its armed forces from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories] by the country, as well as proposals discussed over the years, including Russia’s negotiating platform, opened up new opportunities for the above purposes.

At the event, confidence was expressed that the signing of the Declaration on Allied Cooperation by the heads of state of the two countries last year will give a new impetus to joint efforts.

Besides, there was expressed commitment to the trilateral statements [of Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the second Karabakh war] signed in 2020 and 2021, which were assessed as an important basis for the post-conflict development of Azerbaijan and the entire South Caucasus region.

During his speech, Lavrov noted the importance of strategic ties between Azerbaijan and Russia.

At the conference, reports were presented by the Chairman of the Board of the Center for the Analysis of International Relations Farid Shafiyev and the Director General of the Russian Council for International Affairs Andrey Kortunov on the activities of the Russia-Azerbaijan Expert Council.

The discussions held within the closed sessions of the conference in the conditions of an interactive dialogue covered the political, economic, humanitarian and other spheres of Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation.

The council members also adopted a communiqué reflecting the council's practical recommendations on various aspects of deepening relations between the two countries.

It was considered expedient to present Russian International Affairs Council’s recommendations on the relevant platforms of bilateral cooperation, publish joint thematic collections, and hold regular meetings of the council.

During the conference, the foreign ministers were presented with commemorative copies of the first edition of the Russian International Affairs Council’s collection of articles entitled "30 years of diplomatic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan: traveled path and look into the future", the authors of which are Russian and Azerbaijani experts.

The 1st and the 2nd meetings of the Russia-Azerbaijan Expert Council were held in November 2021 and November 2022, respectively.

The deployment of the EU mission in Armenia will play a crucial role in ensuring security. Prime Minister Pashinyan

Jirair Kafian

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 22:44, 2 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, ARMENPRESS. The deployment of the monitoring mission of the European Union in Armenia will play a crucial role in ensuring security and stability in the region, as well as will deliver timely and reliable reports on the current situation to partners in the EU and its member states, the correspondent of ARMENPRESS informs, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced in his opening speech of the discussion at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

“I am pleased to have this opportunity to be here today and address this distinguished audience. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Ralf Nickel, vice President of the Council, and Director Mr. Guntram Wolff and his team for organizing this event. 

Today we are living at a time when not only natural but also geopolitical tectonic shifts are taking place all around the world. Deepening geopolitical instability, growing tensions and unpredictability are weakening the world order and international security system, creating even bigger challenges, especially for a country like Armenia, with democracy, making us more vulnerable in our complicated region. 

Dear attendees, 

We witnessed the first sprouts of today’s challenges and the collapse of the European security architecture in our region back in 2020 when Azerbaijan unleashed a war against Nagorno-Karabakh. 

After the signing of the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement, Azerbaijan not only didn’t abandon its bellicose policies and threats, but also carried out new aggression, this time against the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia in May 2021, November 2021 and September 2022.  

During the last aggression – on September 13-14, 2022, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military attack targeting the military and civilian infrastructure of Armenia using heavy artillery, missile systems, and drones. As a result, the Armenian side had 225 victims, including 3 civilians. More than 150 square kilometers of the sovereign territories of Armenia were occupied. 

Today, I wouldn’t like to go deep into the details of the aggressions of 2020, 2021, 2022, but it is impossible to ignore the evidences of multiple cases of torture, mutilation of captured or already dead Armenian servicemen (including servicewomen) and other atrocities by Azerbaijani military forces. The horrible videos of the Azeri militaries committing “ISIS-style” war crimes by executing Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) should be acknowledged and addressed by the international community. Another issue is the engagement of the mercenaries from Syria by Azerbaijan.  

During the aggression of September 2022, when the external security system of Armenia didn’t work, we requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that was held on September 15, 2022. During the meeting, the UN Security Council member states noted* that the use of force is totally unacceptable, explicitly named the aggressor – Azerbaijan, highlighted the importance of adherence to the norms of international humanitarian law, emphasizing also the fact that civilian infrastructure on the territory of Armenia was targeted.

An important step towards de-escalation of the situation was a quadrilateral meeting of President Macron, President Michel, President Aliyev and me, in Prague on October 6, 2022, where an agreement was reached on deploying short-term EU monitoring capacity along the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

When this mission’s mandate ended on December 19, 2022, at Armenia's request the EU Council made a decision to deploy a new, fully-fledged civilian mission (EUMA) on the territory of the Republic of Armenia for a two-year period. 

On behalf of the Government of Armenia, I would like to express our gratitude to the EU and its member states, particularly to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for its support to our request. The Mission was launched on 20th February, and I have already met the Head of the Mission, your compatriot with extensive experience in international deployments – Mr. Markus Ritter in Yerevan.  

The Mission shall play a crucial role in ensuring security on the ground and stability in the region, as well as timely and reliable reporting on the current situation to our partners in the EU and its member states”, Pashinyan said.

Armenian FM, ICRC President discuss humanitarian crisis in blockaded Nagorno Karabakh

Jirair Kafian

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 17:33,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. On February 27, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The Foreign Minister of Armenia highly appreciated the years-long activity of the ICRC in Armenia aimed at solving humanitarian issues, the foreign ministry said in a read-out.

 In this context, the efforts of the ICRC towards returning Armenian prisoners of war and other civilians held in Azerbaijan, the cases of enforced disappearance and the clarification of the fate of missing persons were appreciated.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the details of the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan. Minister Mirzoyan highlighted that Azerbaijan grossly violates its commitments, as well as norms of international humanitarian law and protection of human rights. The importance of implementing the decision made by the International Court of Justice on February 22 regarding the request of the provisional measures against Azerbaijan was also underlined.

Ararat Mirzoyan touched upon the need for ICRC's active involvement in addressing the humanitarian challenges in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan also stressed the need for sending a fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin corridor as well as for unimpeded humanitarian access of relevant international organizations.

Armenia: EU launches a civilian mission to contribute to stability in border areas

Jirair Kafian
European Council
Feb 20 2023


Today, the European Union is launching the EU civilian mission in Armenia (EU Mission in Armenia/EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The EUMA was formally established by a Council Decision on 23 January 2023. Through its deployment on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, it aims to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence and human security in conflict affected areas, and ensure an environment conducive to the normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.

The exclusively civilian staff of the EUMA will number approximately 100 in total, including around 50 unarmed observers.

The mission’s operational headquarters will be in Yeghegnadzor, in the Vayots Dzor province of Armenia. EEAS Managing Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), Stefano Tomat, will serve as the Civilian Operation Commander, while Markus Ritter will serve as the Head of Mission.

In a letter to the High Representative received on 27 December 2022, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia invited the EU to deploy a civilian CSDP mission to Armenia.

On 23 January 2023, the Council adopted a decision establishing the EUMA. The EUMA is a neutral and non-executive mission which will have a 2-year mandate.

The EUMA was preceded by an EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia (EUMCAP). The latter had deployed EU observers from the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia from 20 October until 19 December 2022.

  • Armenia: EU establishes a civilian mission to contribute to stability in border areas (press release, 23 January 2023)
  • Armenia: EU Monitoring Capacity completes its mandate, new planning team launched (press release, 19 December 2022)
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders (press release, 17 October 2022)
  • Statement following quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Macron and President Michel (6 October 2022)

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https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/20/armenia-eu-launches-a-civilian-mission-to-contribute-to-stability-in-border-areas/

At meeting with MEPs, Artsakh Foreign Minister emphasizes need for sanctions against Azerbaijan

Jirair Kafian

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 17:05, 22 February 2023

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. On 21 February, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Sergey Ghazaryan met with a delegation headed by French MEPs, Co-Chairs of the Friendship Group with Artsakh Sylvie Guillaume and Francois Alfonsi, as well as President of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) Kaspar Karampetian, EAFJD Executive Director Heghine Evinyan and Special Programmes Manager of ARF Hay Dat Central Office Gevorg Ghukasyan, the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh said in a press release.
 
During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs presented the challenges facing the Republic of Artsakh as a result of the blockade by Azerbaijan, and highly appreciated the principled position of the parliamentarians on the adoption of the relevant resolution of the European Parliament regarding the blockade of Artsakh.
 
The interlocutors exchanged views on the possibilities of ensuring more active engagement by the international community under the existing circumstances.
 
In the context of lifting the blockade of Artsakh, Foreign Minister Sergey Ghazaryan emphasized the need for more active and efficient measures, including sanctions against Azerbaijan.