Author: Nyrie Kalashian

"Integration with Azerbaijan is out of the question." Opinion on contacts between Baku and NK Armenians

Nyrie Kalashian
March 2 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Opinion on Baku-Stepanakert contacts

Representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan met again at the headquarters of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. It is reported from NK that on March 1, issues relating to “not the political status of Artsakh, but exclusively of a humanitarian nature” were discussed. This was the second meeting of representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh recently, the previous having taken place on February 24.

It is reported from Baku that during the last meeting the parties also held “preliminary discussions on the reintegration of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region into the Republic of Azerbaijan.” In response, the president of the unrecognized NKR, Arayik Harutyunyan, stated that “any integration process with Azerbaijan is excluded.”

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The press secretary of the President of the unrecognized republic, Lusine Avanesyan, said that during the meeting they discussed the restoration of

  • unhindered passage of vehicles along the Lachin corridor, blocked by Azerbaijanis since December 12,
  • high-voltage power line, through which electricity is supplied to NK from Armenia,
  • supply of natural gas.

The participants of the meeting also discussed the operation of the Kashenskoye mine, which Azerbaijan demands be monitored by their state representatives, and is the casus belli of the protest on the Lachin road.

“Discussions of this kind in order to resolve urgent issues, especially the unblocking of the Lachin corridor, cannot replace full peace negotiations necessary to achieve a comprehensive resolution of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict,” the Foreign Ministry of the unrecognized NKR said in a statement.

NK denies information published by Azeri media after the meeting, including:

  • on the discussion of the “reintegration of the Armenians of the Karabakh region into Azerbaijan”,
  • on holding subsequent meetings of representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh “in Ganja and Aghdam without the participation of Russian peacekeeping forces.”

Judging by a photograph published by the Azerbaijani side, Secretary of the Security Council Samvel Shahramanyan participated in the negotiations on March 1 on behalf of NK. It was reported from Baku that Azerbaijan was represented at the meeting in Khojalu by the deputy of parliament responsible for contacts with Armenian residents living in Karabakh, Ramin Mammadov.

“Contacts between representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh are determined not only by the situation in the Lachin corridor, but also by activity by international parties.

We see that although such meetings were discussed as taking place under Western auspices, now they are taking place with the mediation of Russia, with the Russian peacekeepers.

One gets the impression that Russia is trying to intercept this idea, thus influence the situation, strengthen its positions, and deprive the West of the opportunity to take the initiative.

Obviously it is a proxy struggle between powers. All issues are links in the same chain, and the Caucasus as such is not and cannot be considered on a separate plane.

The Hague International Court of Justice decision has decided to oblige Azerbaijan to enact interim measures to unblock the Lachin corridor

“By announcing that the next meetings will be held without the participation of Russian peacekeepers, Baku, in fact, is trying to show the West that it does not agree to a separate agreement with Russia and is not ditching the West. Azerbaijan is trying to say that this is not the case when it preferred Russian mediation.

In reality, contacts without any mediation are excluded. The mediators themselves consider this a critical area of of competition or struggle among themselves.

Even with a strong desire, Baku is unlikely to be able to push anyone or everyone out of the negotiation process and communicate directly with Stepanakert.

However, it is possible that the West will consider such a possibility and will not mind if Baku tries to exclude Russia with its position. It’s no secret that Western players have such a desire. Weakening Russia’s position is one of their key geopolitical goals.”

“Stepanakert-Baku contacts are important from the point of view of solving current problems. But it is very important that they do not become a political trap for Stepanakert. A situation may arise when major players think: “The environment for contacts has already been established, so any issues can be resolved.” This will distort the situation and remove the problem of self-determination from the agenda. It is clear that the main problem for Artsakh is to strengthen the recognition of the right to self-determination at the international level. Stepanakert should keep this issue on the agenda, including in the center of international attention.

If you succumb to manipulation, then it will end up in the area that Baku is trying to promote, namely: “They are our citizens in NK, this is our problem, I communicate with them, none may interfere.” This could become a trap. And Stepanakert must skillfully maneuver along this thin line.”

Armenian eyewitnesses of the beginning of the movment discuss how it started and what they remember

“I am inclined to consider Yerevan’s statements about the need for a Baku-Stepanakert dialogue within the framework of current tactical needs, based on the realities that have arisen. Not only after the 44-day war of 2020, but also based on the reality dictated by the Ukrainian war at that moment.

In my opinion, from the point of view of practical politics, Yerevan continues to work on the Artsakh issue. Yerevan regularly emphasizes the need for an international mechanism in these contacts. That is, it is very important that these contacts take place under the auspices of international structures, so that they do not turn into an internal problem and do not change the essence of the Artsakh issue.

Of course, it is still very difficult to imagine what these mechanisms could be, especially today, when we see that the existing international structures do not work, be it the co-chairmanship of the Minsk Group or others.

So at the level of rhetoric, the task is to keep the issue on the agenda and provide a certain mood and atmosphere around the issue, which is what they are trying to do.

And from the point of view of long-term development, it is still very difficult to imagine any stable prospect. It all depends on what perspective the broader geopolitical confrontation will shape. We see that at this level there is only an increase in tension so far. Naturally this, in turn, exacerbates the uncertainty of the international situation. It remains only to set certain standards and try to keep them in the spotlight of international partners.”

Trilateral negotiations took place in Munich with no clear result or change in position.

“The manageability of the situation could be an important factor for the EU in terms of European security. But when we say the European Union, do we mean one body that has a single policy?

I am not inclined to consider individual statements by officials as some kind of landmark political impulse.

From this point of view, it was much more important for me how the US reacts. The first reaction of the representative of the State Department was that they would not comment on these contacts for the time being. It was a much more “significant reaction” than [EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus] Toivo Klaar’s statements about the situation.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price declined to comment on the March 1 meeting between representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, saying: “If we have something to say about this, we will let you know.” EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar welcomed the talks, calling the news about the contacts “encouraging”.

“It’s good that the discussions concern both urgent problems and a wider range of issues,” he on Twitter.

https://jam-news.net/opinion-on-baku-stepanakert-contacts/

The final goal of United States is peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Louis Bono

Nyrie Kalashian

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 16:04, 6 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. The United States Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Louis Bono has said that the United States stands ready to provide further assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan in signing a peace treaty.

The peace treaty must be enduring and come from the two parties, rather than the United States or other countries, Bono said after his meeting with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Monday, according to Interfax.

According to him, it is important to Washington that Armenia and Azerbaijan interact irrespective of the mediation format. The final goal of the United States is peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Bono said. He noted that both sides would profit from peace, as they reaffirmed the aspiration for peace at a meeting in Munich on February 18, 2023.

Bono said he would go to Armenia on March 7 to encourage the sides to maintain dialogue and to meet again.

Armenia – Azerbaijan: EU deplores fatal incident on Karabakh line of contact

Nyrie Kalashian
March 7 2023

The EU deplores the outbreak of violence on the Karabakh Line of Contact, which led to at least five deaths on 5 March.

The circumstances of the fatal incident should be fully investigated, said Peter Stano, the EU’s lead spokesman for foreign affairs and security policy, in a statement.

“We urge all stakeholders to show restraint in order to prevent any further actions which could further undermine regional stability and threaten the peace process,” says Peter Stano.

Find out more

Press release

Moscow ready for meeting of Russian, Azerbaijani, Armenian top diplomats — Lavrov

Nyrie Kalashian
 TASS 
Russia – Feb 28 2023
The Russian foreign minister specified that the Azerbaijani side expressed its readiness to hold a new meeting in such a format

BAKU, February 28. /TASS/. Russia has confirmed its readiness to host trilateral talks between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia at the level of foreign ministers, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov.

"We confirmed our readiness to provide an opportunity to continue such meetings," he said at a news conference on Tuesday.

The Russian top diplomat specified that the Azerbaijani side expressed its readiness to hold a new meeting in such a format. "The Armenian side said it had no objection either, but has not yet given its final consent," Lavrov added.

He recalled that Moscow had provided a venue for a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers several times, including in December 2022, but then "Armenian colleagues said they would not be able to participate in this event.".

Armenian community in Carrollton raises awareness of the humanitarian crisis back home through St. Sarkis Church

Nyrie Kalashian
 Carrollton Leader 
Texas – Feb 16 2023

  • By Arianna Morrison | Star Local Media

The Armenian community in Carrollton has grown substantially over the past decade, thanks to the people who have volunteered their time to make the St. Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church what it is today.

The church recently won U.S. Building of the Year 2022, which members hope will help bring awareness to the history of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and the current Azerbaijani blockade where 120,000 Armenian people have lived in Nagoro Karabakh with no access to food, medicine, or supplies for over two months.

“I have a family,” said Lusine Meeks, a member of the St. Sarkis Church. “I talked to my family in Armenia this morning and it's amazing how they keep up with the spirit and they smile and chit chat and they plan for the future when they haven't seen a single medical or food truck come their way in 60 plus days.”

The Armenian community in Carrollton has been working to raise awareness on the issue locally and Meeks has even been in contact with the ambassador of Armenia in Washington D.C. to see what they can do to help.

Several members of the Armenian community were staying up late waiting for the news to drop that the St. Sarkis Church had won U.S. Building of the Year 2022 in the hopes to bring awareness to the humanitarian crisis in Armenia.

“We had an inkling that this would happen, but we couldn't post it on our social media or discuss it in group chats because you know, it's still in the works and then finally they published and then the 20 of us who actually stayed up, started posting like crazy,” Meeks said. “It's a big deal. It's a big deal simply because it's in Dallas and having a building of that magnitude that was recognized all over the U.S. is a big deal and it’s Armenian.”

The St. Sarkis Orthodox Armenian Church was consecrated on April 23, 2022 and held its first Sunday service one day later, on April 24, which is the traditional day to commemorate the 1.5 million victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

The U.S. Building of the Year 2022 poll was open during the month of January and St. Sarkis Armenian Church won by a 64% margin of the roughly 8,500 votes cast.

For more information on the St. Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church, visit https://www.stsarkis.org/.

https://starlocalmedia.com/carrolltonleader/armenian-community-in-carrollton-raises-awareness-of-the-humanitarian-crisis-back-home-through-st-sarkis/article_c1769abe-ac8c-11ed-a6d2-2baa6fdd0ed2.html

Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: what does it mean for us?

Nyrie Kalashian
CALIFORNIA 18
Sept 30 2022
  • What is this conflict about?
  • What would a war there mean for us?
  • What role does Russia play in this?
  • How can you prevent it?

For decades are Azerbaijan and Armenia enemies. Again and again there were conflicts, sometimes even fights. Now the situation seems to be escalating again, a war cannot be ruled out. But what is this enmity about? How did it come about and what role does Russia play in it?

Of the conflictbetween Armenia and Azerbaijan rotates in the main thing around the area Nagorno-Karabakh. It is an ethno-territorial conflict origins go back to the 18th century. During the collapse of the Soviet Union, it escalated into a war that cost tens of thousands of lives and led to mass flight and displacement. In May 1994 a Armistice Agreement closed, but to date there has been no peace agreement.

In 1991, the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is predominantly populated by Armenians, unilaterally declared independence from Azerbaijan. This was never recognized internationally, but is militarily secured by Armenia, including through the occupation of seven other Azerbaijani provinces, which is considered illegal under international law. In September 2020 a military offensive ordered by Baku to recapture these provinces. In November of the same year, through the mediation of the Russian Federation Armistice Agreement be closed, borders were redefined and thus new facts were created in the South Caucasus. But there were repeated fights, and the region is a long way from lasting peace.

In September of this year, there were serious injuries again incidents. According to Armenian data, Azerbaijani troops would have Armenia attacked. Azerbaijan replied that they had in Armenian attempts at sabotage reacted because Armenia had tried to mine paths used by the Azerbaijani soldiers. A renewed ceasefire was agreed on September 15, but the Armenian ambassador to Germany, Viktor Yengibaryan, warned of a renewed escalation. It is also worth noting that these incidents are not in Nagorno-Karabakh occurred, but on the territory of Armenia in the cities of Goris, Sotk and Jermuk.

Russia made a significant contribution in 2020 to the fact that a truce was agreed. In the current case, too, Russia mediated again. Besides, Russia is the protective power Armenia’s while Turkey’s one ally Azerbaijan is. This is explosive insofar as Turkey is a member of NATO. Armenia is dependent on Russia economically, in terms of energy policy and security policy. It is weakened and distracted by the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine. That could Azerbaijan to test the extent to which Russia is still willing and able to assist Armenia. Armenia already has the OKVS, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which is dominated by Russia Help asked. In the OKVS there is a clause stating that the organization will help when a member’s sovereignty is attacked by a non-member country, such as Azerbaijan. However, it is problematic border violations to be occupied, since the border is not marked.

For the EU, and thus also for Germany, the outbreak of open war could have significant consequences. The authoritarian rule of Azerbaijan under head of state Ilham Aliyev can operate from a comfortable position. At the beginning of August, during a visit to Baku, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reached an agreement with Aliyev that provided for the EU to gas from Azerbaijan receives to the delivery losses, which arose from the war between Russia and Ukraine. That also brings back problems with itself, because the gas makes Azerbaijan an attractive partner for the EU. However, this agreement would also strengthen the dictatorship in Azerbaijan, which is contrary to value politics runs within the EU. Due to the current sanctions against Russia, which were imposed as a result of the country’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Azerbaijan can more than deliver to the EU double, which means a massive inflow of foreign exchange. Instead of the current 8.1 billion cubic meters, this would be around 20 billion cubic meters per year.

An open war in the region would ultimately result in Azerbaijan no longer deliverable could be and gas will become even more expensive. Whether and to what extent Russia is involved is a question that cannot be answered. Another danger would be a possible interruption of the gas pipeline in the South Caucasus if it were damaged or destroyed by acts of war. But there is also a danger from the political side that gas deliveries from Azerbaijan could be stopped. In the event of an open conflict, the US could sanctions impose, which would then also affect gas deliveries to the EU. As a NATO partner, the EU might be forced to support these sanctions. That would be it supply contract lapsed, no more gas would flow into the EU.

Besides the war in Ukraine, the trouble spots in the Balkans and in the China Sea, as well as in Korea, the conflict in the South Caucasus is another threat whose effects on us can hardly be estimated. First and foremost, the inflow of gas, which is urgently needed and whose price is exploding, would be at risk. In the region, Russia and Turkey are also facing each other as respective allies of the countries. The Foreign Office has reacted and already has one Partial trip warning for Armenia and Azerbaijan enacted

President Arayik Harutyunyan’s address on 31st anniversary of proclaiming Republic of Artsakh

Nyrie Kalashian

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 09:50, 2 September 2022

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan released an address on the occasion of the Artsakh Republic Day.

“Dear compatriots,

September 2nd of 1991 went down in history of the Armenian people as a crucial and pivotal day. The joint session of the NKAO provincial and Shahumyan regional people’s deputies adopted the declaration of independence of the Republic of Artsakh, signaling to the world the formation of the second Armenian republic. The moment was historic, the people’s decision to live free and independent was unshakable, their will was unbreakable and their spirit was undefeatable.

However, our road to building a democratic state in line with norms and principles of international law was full of unspeakable challenges and hardships.

The 44-Day War of 2020 became a new disaster for the Armenian people, claiming the lives of thousands of our brave sons, destroying many destinies. We are grateful to all martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the Fatherland and the dignified existence of the Armenian people, we bow before their bright memory and before their proud relatives,” the Artsakh president said in the address. President Harutyunyan also thanked Armenians in Armenia and Diaspora for their support, as well as the Russian Federation for their mission in Artsakh, and all countries, politicians who’ve supported Artsakh by remaining committed to justice and universal values of democracy and humanitarianism.

“After 31 years, the people of Artsakh are again decisively and resolutely announcing that despite all trials of time, they are committed to their adopted decision, to their path, which is irreversible and unshakable. Artsakh must always stand, must always be Armenian, and must always continue its course on the path to independence,” the Artsakh president said.

Lavrov says Yerevan, Baku and Moscow have made progress in reaching agreements

Nyrie Kalashian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – Aug 31 2022
, 18:40

 1 minute read

The trilateral working group consisting of representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia has made significant progress in reaching agreements on the unblocking transport links in the South Caucasus, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference following talks with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian, TASS reports.

“The issues of unblocking trade, economic, transport ties in the South Caucasus are being handled by a trilateral group chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is working rhythmically, contacts on delimitation of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia were held recently. This trilateral working group, established by the decision of the three presidents of November 9, 2020, has made significant progress in reaching agreements. I hope they will be formalized in the very near future. What is especially important s that this work is not carried out in a vacuum, not in isolation, but in close coordination with broader transport projects, including the North-South corridor project, which our Iranian partners are also interested in,” he said.

Abdollahian noted, in turn, that Iran has a very privileged geopolitical position. ” We see the strengthening of transit routes, including the diversified North-South routes, s an important factor for development, as well as for food security in this region,” he added. The Iranian Foreign Minister also expressed the country’s readiness to complete the construction of the unfinished section of Rasht – Astara.

Shushi-Berdzor-Goris road section open for two-way traffic – Artsakh interior ministry

Nyrie Kalashian

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 11:38, 25 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. The Shushi-Berdzor-Goris road rection of the interstate highway connecting Artsakh with Armenia is open for two-way traffic, the Ministry of Interior of Artsakh said.

In a statement, the ministry added that the free and safe passage of citizens entering Artsakh or traveling to Armenia is ensured by the Russian peacekeepers.

In early August, it was announced that the residents of the town of Berdzor and the village of Aghavno in Artsakh must evacuate by August 25 because Azerbaijan completed the construction of the new corridor from its side that would connect Artsakh with Armenia and demanded the corridor be relocated to a new route.

On August 17, the counselor-envoy at the Russian embassy in Armenia Maxim Seleznyov told RFE/RL’s Armenian service in an interview that the Russian peacekeepers will not move from their current deployment positions in Lachin corridor until the new road is commissioned.

On August 23 Artsakh lawmakers had a meeting with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. Citing the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement, the Russian peacekeepers said that the new route will have the same legal status of a corridor and all security components will be maintained, starting from the 5km security zone and the deployment of Russian peacekeeping checkpoints.




Armenpress: Deputy PM Hambardzum Matevosyan visits Kotayk province

Nyrie Kalashian

Deputy PM Hambardzum Matevosyan visits Kotayk province 

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 09:54,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan visited Kotayk province on August 26 where he met with the residents of Voghjaberd community who live in houses which are located in a landslide zone, the government’s press service said. 

According to the 2022 July 7th decision of the government, 241,897 drams financial support has been provided to 15 families of Voghjaberd living in a landslide zone in order to purchase an apartment via a respective certificate.

During the visit the Deputy PM was accompanied by Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, Kotayk Governor Aharon Sahakyan, Chairman of the Urban Development Committee Armen Ghularyan, Garni Mayor Tigran Poghosyan, Executive Director of the Territorial Development Fund of Armenia Artur Soghomonyan and other officials.

At the meeting with the Voghjaberd residents, Deputy PM Matevosyan assured that the government is committed to solving the problem stage by stage. The locals thanked the government for responding to the issue and for the decision to provide apartment purchase certificates.

During the visit the Deputy PM also got acquainted with the ongoing construction works of the sub-project on renovating the area nearby Garni Temple. The construction is expected to end in December 2022. As a result, there will be a parking for vehicles transporting tourists, the road leading to the Temple will also be renovated.