Author: Manouk Vasilian

“The signing of the agreement on cessation of hostilities and military actions on May 12, 1994 between Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has no time limitations, became possible as the leadership of Azerbaijan initiated direct negotiations with the leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said, commenting on the 22nd anniversary of ceasefire agreement.

“This comes to prove that progress in the conflict resolution is possible only in case of Nagorno-Karabakh’s full participation in the negotiation process,” he said in comments to Armenpress.

“We should also outline that the maintenance of 1994 ceasefire is an international commitment of the sides, and resumption of military actions against Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan on April 2-5 is a gross violation of that commitment, as well, and an explicit demonstration of aggression,” the Deputy Foreign Minister added.

“Azerbaijan’s April aggression proved to everyone that over the past 22 years Baku has used the negotiation process as a cover to arm and resolve the issue through military means, which has been the main reason behind the maintenance of the status-quo in the conflict zone,” Shavarsh Kocharyan noted.

“The calls of the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries to strictly preserve and consolidate the ceasefire established by the 1994 trilateral agreement as a basis for peaceful negotiations are quite understandable,” he concluded.

The Blues offered £46m (€60m) for Mkhitaryan last summer but were knocked back by the German giants, according to the

They are set to go back in for the Armenia international and claim a ‘majestic cash offer’ is ready to be launched.

Mkhitaryan has enjoyed a phenomenal season for Dortmund, scoring 23 goals and creating a further 32 in 51 appearances.

However, Chelsea face competition from Arsenal for the 27-year-old.

Arsene Wenger reportedly views Mkhitaryan as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez with doubts surfacing over the Chilean’s future.

Arsenal are willing to meet his £8m-per-season contract demands after tracking his progress.

Italian champions Juventus are also keen on Mkhitaryan, who is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.

In this stage the meetings and discussions can focus only on the prevention of new Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh, which will pave the way for resumption of negotiations, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told reports today.

As for the perspectives of recognition of Artsakh by Armenia, Minister Nalbandian said: “It’s clearly mentioned in the government opinion on the bill submitted by two MPs that the recognition will depend on discussions between Armenia and Artsakh and other developments, including the ones on international arena.

“It’s a delicate issue, and there’s no need for sudden and emotional approaches,” the Minister said.

“The international community shares our approaches and stance. This is proven by the five statements of the heads of the three-co-chairing countries. You know that until now Azerbaijan has been avoiding to make any reference to the statements, while those represent the position of the international community on the Nagorno Karabakh issue,” Minister Nalbandian said.

“The messages coming from the United States, France and Russia on these days also make it clear that the self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh is a key issue. It has always been a key topic in the talks, and it’s necessary to ensure that the right is realized and recognized,” the Foreign Minister added.

The Azerbaijani side used artillery weapons, 82 mm mortars and hand-held antitank grenade launchers as it kept violating the agreement on ceasefire at the line of contact with Karabakh forces last night.

Front divisions of the NKR Defense Army keep control of the situation at the frontline and resort to actions consistent with the development of the situation in case of necessity.

The government opinion on the draft law on recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic does not mean approval of the bill, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“Armenia has clearly declared on many occasions in what case it will recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,” the Ministry said.

“As a predictable and reliable partner, when making such decision Armenia will inform its partners, and first of all the heads of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries,” the statement reads.

“We hope that Azerbaijan will be reasonable enough to refrain from the repetition of its adventure, unleashed in early April. Only through the acknowledgment of the lack of alternative to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue it is possible to return the process onto the negotiation track and find a just and effective way for the full implementation of the right to self-determination by the people of Nagorno-Karabakh,” the Ministry said.

Roughly 30 individuals joined hands on the steps of Sproul Hall on Friday afternoon to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the reports.

The annual event, called United Hands Across Cal, was hosted by the Armenian Students’ Association, or ASA, to bring attention to the history of the killing of about 1.5 million Armenians in 1915, an event that is widely viewed by historians as a genocide.

Despite the heavy rain, students came together for an hour of speeches, poetry and special singing performances conducted in both English and Armenian. Members clasped one another’s hands, with some attendees crying, throughout the event.

“Holding hands was important because instead of being a bunch of people by ourselves, we were united as one,” said ASA president and campus senior Maria Elvajyan.

The Armenian Genocide typically refers to the deaths that began with the killing of a large population of Armenian intellectuals living within what was the Ottoman Empire, which is now modern-day Turkey. The official date associated with the beginning of the Armenian killings is April 24, 1915.

Turkey and other countries, including the United States, do not use the word genocide to describe the killings. To date, more than 20 countries worldwide have officially recognized the massacre as a genocide.

“The purpose of the event today was to denounce denial,” said Levon Korganyan, cultural chair of ASA and a campus senior. “Mostly it is a celebration of our resounding presence here and the fact that we are still thriving and so alive and so passionate about both the past and also the perpetuation of our culture into the future.”

Many wore matching T-shirts for the event and hung an Armenian flag to honor their ancestors. Behind the circle of people stood 10 painted wooden boards that formed a world map depicting other genocides and crimes against humanity.

“There is a sense of injustice that Armenians feel,” said Hasmig Seropian, campus Armenian language lecturer. “And this will not go away no matter what generation it is.”

The Friday event occurred toward the end of Armenian Genocide Awareness Week, a weeklong event hosted by ASA each year. Members of ASA camped out on Memorial Glade at night all week and hosted a number of events, including a cultural show and movie screenings.

The theme of this year’s event is Mnayun, which translates to “eternal”  in Armenian. It also means “We are. We will always be,” Elvajyan said.

ASA ended the event on an upbeat note, with a group dance to an Armenian song.

“We are celebrating the fact that we are here after 101 years … dancing to our music and appreciating our culture,” Elvajyan said. “Our culture is alive and we are very proud of it.”

“Self-determination is the only solution for Nagorno- Karabakh. The European Union should impose sanctions against Baku with regards to the new outbreak of Azeri aggression against the people of Nagorno Karabakh,” MEP Eleni Theocharous said at a plenary session of the European Parliament.

“The Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh have resisted against the Soviet totalitarianism for 60 years now and have managed not to be absorbed by the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan, to which they were unwillingly given by the South Soviets. After many bloody fights, the Armenians have gained their freedom and their right to self-determination. This would be the only fair solution for Nagorno Karabakh,” she said.

“Since 1994, the Armenians are defending themselves against the constant attacks by Azerbaijan, which uses its economic power towards purchasing heavy weapons whereas at the same time its own people live in absolute poverty. Its utter purpose is the destruction of the Karabakh people since the continuous attacks and killings of civilians are Azeri practices,” the MEP added.

“It is therefore the EU’s responsibility to support the people of Nagorno Karabakh, who fight for their freedom, and thus not to support the continuation of an unjust status quo. Peace equals recognition of the right to self-determination for the people of Nagorno Karabakh,” Eleni Theocharous concluded.

It’s impossible to demand solutions from the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia’s Permanent Represnetative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich has said, RIA Novosti reports.

According to him, it’s up to Yerevan and Baku to make decisions on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

“It’s necessary to understand that the Minsk Group was created as a mechanism to help the parties reach agreements. It’s impossible to demand solutions from the Minsk Group without the conflicting parties reaching agreements,” Lukashevich said.

“Ultimately, everything should be decided by Yerevan and Baku, and everyone, including the OSCE, is trying to help the parties,” he said.

EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini has issued the following statement on the escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict:

Reports of heavy fighting along the line of contact are deeply worrying.

I call on the parties to stop the fighting immediately and observe the cease-fire. The sides must show restraint and avoid any further actions or statements that could result in escalation.

The European Union deplores the loss of life, in particular the reports of civilian casualties and deaths.

The European Union fully supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and the three Co-Chairs. We expect both sides to respect strictly the ceasefire, refrain from the use of force and resume efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.