Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Baku, January 12, AZERTAC

“The status quo based on occupation is unacceptable. Armenia is trying to use the "fait accompli" attitude and strengthen the occupation,” said head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev as he was interviewed by TRT World.

Hajiyev said that the fundamental basis of the conflict is the aggression policy pursued by Armenia against Azerbaijan by using force. He noted that Armenia carried out a bloody ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis in the occupied territories and more than a million Azerbaijanis are still forced to live as refugees and IDPs. Hajiyev underlined that in order to achieve progress in the settlement of the conflict, first of all, the occupation must be ended and Armenian troops must be withdrawn from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Noting that the basis for the settlement of the conflict was enshrined in the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, the Helsinki Final Act and other documents, Hajiyev stressed that after the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories, opportunities for a political solution to the conflict can appear.

Touching upon the Dushanbe Summit, he recalled the conversation between President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and said that the Republic of Azerbaijan once again demonstrated its constructive position. Hajiyev pointed out that Azerbaijan is the most interested party in the soonest settlement of the conflict because Azerbaijan has been suffering from occupation for more than 26 years. Hajiyev pointed out that there are favorable opportunities for settling the conflict and noted that Armenia should take steps to resolve the conflict after the formation of government.

Answering a question about the possibility of ethnic reconciliation, the Presidential Administration official said that Azerbaijan is proud of its multicultural values and culture of tolerance, and despite the fact that the national peace process is a complicated and time-consuming issue as part of the conflict resolution process, it is possible. "For this, first of all, Armenian troops must be withdrawn from the occupied territories and the return of Azerbaijani IDPs to their native lands must be ensured. In this aspect, confidence-building measures can be taken, comprehensive regional cooperation can be restored and ethnic reconciliation can be ensured," he said.

Hajiyev reminded that at present Armenia is isolated, does not have access to regional transport projects, adding that however the settlement of the conflict can create regional cooperation opportunities for the country. He called on Armenia to end its occupation policy and pursue international law-based policy toward neighboring states, adding that the Armenian authorities should prepare their people for peace with neighboring countries.

ArmInfo. President of the  European Council Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission  Jean-Claude Juncker have addressed jointly congratulated Acting Prime  Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the victory of the "My Step"  bloc headed by him in the parliamentary elections.

The message, in particular, reads: "The elections were held in  compliance with the fundamental rights and freedoms and enjoyed the  confidence of the public. You have received a strong mandate from the  people to implement large-scale reforms. And the EU is ready to  render all possible assistance to Armenia on this road.

The Agreement on Enlarged and Comprehensive Cooperation between  Armenia and the EU ensures strong ties of cooperation, the  implementation of ambitious programs aimed at establishing a  sustainable socio- economic system. In this regard, we look forward  to close cooperation in the implementation of the Agreement. We also  hope that Armenia will continue to work within the framework of the  EU Eastern Partnership program. We also hope that with the new  enthusiasm, work will be continued to establish peace and stability  in the region".

Menk (We) bloc, Sasna Tsrer prioritize gender equality in politics

15:58, 29 November, 2018

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Candidate for parliament from the “Menk” (We) bloc Lusine Zakalashvili argues that women’s involvement in politics should be non-artificial.

Speaking at a press conference today, she said that the Vice President of their bloc is a woman, and that they view women’s participation in the political life to be positive. Highlighting the fact that they have three women as candidates, she said that this shows that the bloc attaches importance to gender equality.

In turn, candidate for parliament from the Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils of Sassoun) Pan-Armenian Party Alek Yenikgomshyan said that women’s issues shouldn’t be isolated from the society and viewed separately.

“Women’s representation in political processes is important. In our brief campaigning program, we didn’t specially address women’s rights, but this doesn’t mean that we don’t attach importance to it,” he said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan