Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Moscow, Russia May 25, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS
Author: Lara Antonian
Azerbaijan accuses Russia of failing to fulfil Karabakh deal
Statement comes as the EU hosts talks between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Brussels.
Azerbaijan has accused Russia and Armenia of failing to fulfil a ceasefire deal in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave as Moscow offered to host new peace talks while the European Union urged Baku and Yerevan to refrain from “violence and harsh rhetoric”.
The Azeri government’s criticism of Russia on Saturday came as Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels for talks aimed at resolving their decades-long conflict for the control of Nagorno Karabakh.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the neighbours have fought two wars over the small mountainous enclave that is part of Azerbaijan but populated by about 120,000 ethnic Armenians.
After heavy fighting and a Russian-brokered ceasefire, Azerbaijan in 2020 took over areas that had been controlled by ethnic Armenians in and around the mountain enclave.
Baku and Yerevan have since been discussing a peace deal in which Russia is also pushing to retain a leading role and in which the two countries would agree on borders, settle differences over the enclave and unfreeze relations.
Tensions, however, have flared again with Azerbaijan blockading and closing the sole land link between Karabakh and Armenia earlier this week.
It blamed the shutting of the Lachin corridor – which is policed by Russian peacekeepers – on “smuggling” by aid agencies.
Russia said on Saturday that it was ready to organise a three-way meeting with Armenia and Azerbaijan at the level of foreign ministers and said this could be followed up with a Moscow summit to sign a peace treaty.
It said an integral part of this pact should be “reliable and clear guarantees of the rights and security of the Armenians of Karabakh” and the implementation of earlier agreements between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Baku – which insists that any security guarantees for Karabakh’s Armenian population should be provided at the national level and not via an international mechanism – responded angrily.
It said Russia’s statement “causes disappointment and misunderstanding” and contradicts Moscow’s declarations of supporting Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
“The Russian side did not ensure full implementation of the agreement within the framework of its obligations,” it said, adding that Moscow “did nothing to prevent” Yerevan’s military supplies from reaching separatist forces in Karabakh.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, European Council President Charles Michel, who mediated talks between the Azeri and Armenian leaders, said their exchanges had been “frank, honest and substantive”.
“Real progress depends on the next steps that will need to be taken in the near future. As a matter of priority, violence and harsh rhetoric should stop in order to provide the proper environment for peace and normalisation talks,” Michel said.
“The population on the ground needs reassurances, first and foremost regarding their rights and security,” he added.
Michel said he also expressed the EU’s encouragement for Azerbaijan to talk directly to the Karabakh Armenians to develop confidence between the parties.
It was not clear how Aliyev reacted as he and Pashinyan left without briefing reporters.
The European Council president said he intended to organise a new meeting between Aliyev and Pashinyan in Brussels and another in Spain in October involving German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Besides the EU, the United States has also been pushing the sides to reach a peace deal.
Russia, the traditional power broker in the region, has been distracted by the war in Ukraine and risks seeing its influence diminished.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/16/azerbaijan-accuses-russia-of-failing-to-fulfil-karabakh-deal
Azerbaijan violates ceasefire in Shushi by using 60 mm mortar
16:17,
YEREVAN, 14 JULY, ARMENPRESS: On July 14 at 2:00 p.m. Azerbaijan violated ceasefire in Shushi by using a 60 mm mortar.
As ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Defense Ministry of Artsakh, the Armenian side has suffered no casualties.
The ceasefire violation was reported to the command of the Russian peacekeeping troops.
Earlier today, at around 11:00 a.m. the Ministry of Defense of Artsakh reported that Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire in Shushi, in addition to firearms, using 82 mm mortar and RPG-7.
Tehran Armenian Community holds Parliamentary Assembly Elections
17th Parliamentary Assembly of the Armenian Diocese elections, Tehran, June 16, 2023 (Photo: Adis Shant, Alik photographer)
TEHRAN, Iran—The Armenian community of Tehran held its 17th Parliamentary Assembly of the Armenian Diocese elections on June 16, where 42 deputies were elected from the city’s five centers, as declared by the official results—5,654 citizens participated in the elections, with 5,619 verified votes (39 unverified ballots). Two main blocks participated in the election with their slate of candidates: the “Stable Community” block from the established community and church leadership, and the “Unity Alliance” block, featuring candidates close in ideology to those in power in Armenia and other fringe elements in the community, including the remnants of Soviet ideologies and other anti-establishment elements. The Armenian government has announced plans to participate in Diasporan community affairs and to establish information-gathering networks within different Diasporan communities.
The following list includes the candidates and their votes with the winners highlighted in bold (*denotes Stable Community block candidate, ** denotes Unity Alliance block candidate, and *** denotes an independent candidate).
Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church (Central district)
- Sourik Abnousian – 1,035 *
- Garin Ayvazian – 861 *
- Maro Ayvazian – 369 **
- Loretta Avedissian – 495 **
- Ani Asadour Markosian – 364 **
- Artin Babaiants – 406 **
- Edmond Bejanian – 423 **
- Vahe Gerasimian – 883 *
- Greta Dilanian – 325 **
- Meghedi Yeghnazar – 1,011 *
- Arthur Tarverdian – 906 *
- Razmik Khodabakhshian – 983 *
- Dr. Sevak Hatamian – 975 *
- Ronald Hakhverdian – 415 **
- Marina Ghahraman Gardabad – 908 *
- Edwin Mirzaian – 976 *
- Vahe Minas Mirzabegian – 1,045 *
- Ani Melkon – 896 *
- Sophie Ghazarbegian – 997 *
- Roubik Sarkissian – 885 *
- Hamlet Sahakian – 391 **
- Karmen Sarkissian – 352 **
- Claris Sarkissian – 383 **
- Henrik Der Ghougasian – 563 **
- Sevan Der Ghougasian – 484 **
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church (Zeytoun district)
- Nareg Abrahamian – 277 **
- Sako Azizian – 541 *
- Alice Asadourian – 290 **
- Arbi Bonyadian – 647 *
- Silva Gergorian – 825 ***
- Artuyt Zohrabian – 759 *
- Nadia Eyvazi – 643 *
- Arlet Tatevos Iskandarian – 648 ***
- Armond Isaghoulian – 612 ***
- Vahe Khachatourian – 691 ***
- Arsine Khachatourian – 694 ***
- Gevik Khodaverdian – 568 ***
- Valod Hakhinian – 802 ***
- Serjhik Mahmoudi – 278 **
- Edward Minas Masihi – 724 *
- Hagop Mgrdichian – 359 **
- Sipan Mgrdoumian – 335 **
- Catherine Nazarian – 661 ***
- Artin Shahbazian – 682 ***
- Camen Chaharmahali – 671 *
- Adrine Ratevos Davoud – 599 *
- Patrice Simonian – 296 **
- Pyunik Simonian – 271 **
- Andranik Simonian – 473 **
- Serjhik Simonian –360 **
- Ashot Sinani – 822 ***
- Joseph Sukiassian – 698 *
- Alfred Keshishian – 742 *
- Serojh Ohanian – 860 *
Holy Translators Armenian Apostolic Church (Sassoun district)
- Norayr Aboulian – 810 *
- Carmen Azarian Namagerdi – 586 **
- Arpi Allahverdi – 868 *
- Janess Avedian – 595 **
- Alice Dilanchian – 526 **
- Verjhig Tahmassian – 740 **
- Masis Khachatourian – 631 **
- Manavaz Khachatourian – 760 *
- Abnous (Hovannes) Garabidi – 725 *
- Vachik Ghazarian – 671 *
- Norik Gharabegi – 832 *
- Roubina Margosian – 720 *
- Arin Mirzaian – 733 *
- Ara Mgrdichian – 816 *
- Haik Melkonian – 811 *
- Valentine Harouti – 543 **
- Mayreni Hovasapian – 547 **
- Alenoush Hovsepian – 786 *
- Aram Nahabedian – 792 *
- Catherine Nayeb Najjar – 551 **
- Roubik Sadar Masihi – 877 **
- Lilit Sardar Masihi – 703 **
- Yura Sinani – 593 **
- Ararat Sinani – 670 **
- Masis Fallah – 745 *
Saint Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church (Sardarabad district)
- Edward Aprahamian – 146 *
- Aram Novshadian – 160 *
- Mardiros Ohanjanian – 50 **
Holy Mother of God Armenian Apostolic Church
- Aragats Simonian – 54 *
- Mkhitar Vardin – 26 **
The “Unity Alliance” block suffered a substantial defeat in the elections, capturing just two of the available 42 seats, following years of efforts in the community, with a similar message to that used in Armenia in recent years. These efforts have reportedly included proposals to change Armenian textbooks in Iran and marginalization of the role of the church in the community.
Conversely, the “Stable Community” block, supported by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), received 82-percent of the votes, placing 35 deputies in the Assembly of Deputies. The Assembly will also include five independent deputies.
The Armenian community thus rejected the divisive and defeatist agenda of Armenia’s ruling party and fringe elements in the Iranian Armenian community.
The death of children in Nagorno-Karabakh is a consequence of the Azerbaijani blockade. FM Mirzoyan
17:18,
YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS. The 7-month blockade of Lachin Corridor total siege of Nagorno Karabakh people is having irreversible and devastating impact on the lives of the people, ARMENPRESS reports Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan wrote on Twitter.
“NK resident children 3-year-old Leo and 6-year-old Gita died as consequence of the serious humanitarian situation. In 21st century. This should not be tolerated”, Mirzoyan wrote.
Ararat Mirzoyan, Josep Borrell discuss Armenia-EU cooperation
15:39, 8 July 2023
YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with the Vice President of the European Commission, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell within the framework of the Dubrovnik Conference, ARMENPRESS reports, Mirzoyan wrote on Twitter.
"Within the framework of the Dubrovnik conference, we exchanged ideas with Josep Borrell on Armenia-EU partnership," Mirzoyan wrote.
France expresses support to Armenia’s ‘sincere efforts’ in trying to achieve peace with Azerbaijan through negotiations
16:01, 7 July 2023
YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. France supports Armenia’s sincere efforts to achieve peace with Azerbaijan through negotiations, and preserving the rights of Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has said.
“France is mobilizing its strengths for the preservation of justice and international law,” Colonna added in a Twitter post.
Stepanakert considers it unacceptable that Baku’s threats against Artsakh are left unanswered by Russian peacekeepers
20:48, 6 July 2023
YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh issued a statement about the activation of belligerent and aggressive rhetoric by Azerbaijan, considering it unacceptable that the international community and, in particular, the Russian Federation, whose peacekeeping troops are stationed in Artsakh and under whose security guarantees tens of thousands of Artsakh citizens returned to their homeland after the 2020 war, leave the threats of Azerbaijan without proper attention and response.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from MFA Artsakh, the statement reads as follows,
“Recently, Azerbaijani state institutions and government-controlled media have launched a massive disinformation campaign aimed at misleading the international community and creating a pretext for new aggression against the Republic of Artsakh and its people. In particular, by creating and promoting false narratives against the Artsakh Defence Army, the Azerbaijani authorities, in fact, deny the inalienable right of the people of Artsakh to self-defence and seek to deprive them of any means and opportunities to ensure their own safety and security in the face of the constant threats and military provocations of Baku against the civilian population of Artsakh.
Despite the fact that the Russian peacekeeping forces have never reported a cease-fire violation from the side of Artsakh, official Baku continues to falsely accuse the Artsakh Defence Army of shelling their military positions and, at the same time, intensifies aggressive and warmongering rhetoric, thereby creating information and propaganda grounds for new aggression against the Republic of Artsakh. This is also evidenced by the fact that the Azerbaijani authorities continue to consistently reject proposals to send an international fact-finding mission to Artsakh, including the Lachin Corridor, which would be able to assess the situation and present to the international community an objective picture of the developments on the ground.
Such undisguised military-political blackmail against Artsakh, including continued violations of the cease-fire, the incitement and promotion of racial hatred and discrimination, destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage, the total transport and energy blockade and the illegal establishment of an Azerbaijani checkpoint in the Lachin Corridor are unacceptable and constitute flagrant violations of Azerbaijan's obligations under the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, as well as the ICJ order of 22 February 2023.
It is obvious that such aggressive and destabilising actions of Azerbaijan are aimed, inter alia, at preventing the creation of conditions conducive to constructive dialogue between the parties based on the principles of equality and good faith and the resumption of the peace process to resolve the conflict.
Being encouraged by the complete impunity and permissiveness, the Azerbaijani authorities do not take into account any appeals or statements from the international community on the inadmissibility of such destructive actions and the need to resolve disputes through constructive dialogue. In this regard, we consider it unacceptable that the international community and, in particular, the Russian Federation, whose peacekeeping forces are stationed in Artsakh and under whose security guarantees tens of thousands of Artsakh citizens returned to their homeland after the 2020 war, leave Azerbaijan’s threats without due attention and response.
In this context, we reiterate that all responsible members of the international community and, in particular, the actors involved in the peace process, should not ignore or even encourage with certain statements Azerbaijan's violation of its international obligations, including the policy of ethnic cleansing against the people of Artsakh, which may escalate into an even larger crime against humanity. We believe that only a proper and unequivocal political assessment of Azerbaijan's actions, as well as specific and effective measures by the international community aimed at putting an end to these internationally wrongful acts, can create conditions for ensuring the rights and security of the people of Artsakh and establishing lasting peace and stability in the region”.
Senior Armenian diplomat calls on international community to prevent new Azerbaijani provocation in Nagorno Karabakh
16:42, 1 July 2023
YEREVAN, JULY 1, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan has called on the international community to prevent another provocation by Azerbaijan and its policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh.
“Azerbaijani media reports about a new special operation being prepared by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. Reasoning that the 4 servicemen who were killed in Nagorno-Karabakh on June 28 as a result of the Azerbaijani provocation were servicemen of the Armenian Defense Ministry,” Marukyan tweeted on July 1. “The allegations of the Azerbaijani side are completely false, there are no Armenian servicemen in NK, the killed servicemen were from NK. Armenia has repeatedly offered an international fact-finding mission to be sent to Nagorno-Karabakh to prove the presence or absence of the units of Armenian Armed Forces. Azerbaijan rejected that offer. Azerbaijan's initiation of a new provocation will once again violate the trilateral statement of November 9, according to which Russian peacekeepers must ensure the safety of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. The international community should follow the actions of the Azerbaijani side in order to prevent another provocation and Azerbaijan's policy of ethnic cleansing against the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians,” he added.
Armenia does not maintain any military presence in Nagorno Karabakh but Azerbaijan is falsely accusing it of having troops there.
The most recent false accusation happened after the June 28 Azeri attack in Nagorno Karabakh, which left four Nagorno Karabakh troops dead. Azerbaijan falsely claimed that two of the four fallen troops were servicemen of the Armed Forces of Armenia. The bodies of the two soldiers were transported by the ICRC to Armenia to be buried in the Yerablur pantheon based on the desire of the families. The Nagorno Karabakh Human Rights Defender released documents proving that the fallen troops were servicemen of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army.
US Deplores Killing Of Armenian Troops Amid Peace Talks
BARRON'S
The United States on Wednesday deplored the killing of four Armenian separatist fighters by Azerbaijani fire just as the two countries' foreign ministers met near Washington, but said talks would keep going.
Rebels said the four were killed in the breakaway Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh region, where tensions have been flaring over a blockade of the only land corridor connecting to Armenia.
"We are deeply disturbed by the loss of life in Nagorno-Karabakh and we offer our condolences to the families of all of those who were killed," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.
He said that the killings "underscore the need to refrain from hostilities and for a durable and dignified peace."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken opened three days of talks with the ministers on Tuesday.
Patel said the negotiations "were constructive, and we continue to build on those discussions today and tomorrow, so there's no change in the schedule."
The talks mark the second such session in as many months led by Blinken, with Russia, long the primary power-broker between the two former Soviet republics, bogged down in its invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.barrons.com/news/us-deplores-killing-of-armenian-troops-amid-peace-talks-46be1267?refsec=topics_afp-news