Author: Rose Khoyetsian

Armenian National Committee of America Pasadena Chapter Endorses Rick Cole for Pasadena City Council District 2

Rose Khoyetsian
PASADENA NOW
Feb 25 2024

On Monday, February 19, the Armenian National Committee of America Pasadena Chapter officially announced its endorsement of Rick Cole for the Pasadena City Council District 2 seat in the upcoming March 2024 Primary Election.

“Rick has had a longstanding appreciation, friendship, and understanding of what it is to be an Armenian in Pasadena, the issues that concern the Armenian American community in his district and the City, and with a keen approach on how to improve on those issues,” said ANCA Pasadena Chapter Board Member, Marisa Sarian.

Cole thanked the Committee for the endorsement.

“My life has long been enriched by my Armenian-American friends, neighbors, and colleagues, starting with my first job as the dishwasher for Kabakian’s restaurant when I was a student at Blair High,” said Cole.

“Armenian Americans have long made an incalculable cultural, economic, and civic contribution to our community, built on the values I share: faith, family, country, opportunity, and hard work. I also draw inspiration from the resilience of a 3,000-year-old history of thriving in the face of challenge and adversity. It is a privilege to have the support of the Armenian National Committee of America’s Pasadena Chapter—an honor I hope to vindicate over the next four years of working together.”

Deeply rooted in Pasadena as a native and lifelong resident, Cole brings a wealth of experience and a track record from his extensive career in public service, ANCA Pasadena said.

He has occupied key roles across several California cities, serving as a Councilmember and Mayor of Pasadena, Deputy Mayor for the City of Los Angeles, and as City Manager for Azusa, Ventura, and Santa Monica.

He is currently Chief Deputy Controller for the City of Los Angeles.

“Considering his diverse and distinguished professional background, ANCA-Pasadena proudly endorses Rick Cole for Pasadena City Council District 2 in the upcoming Primary Election on March 5th, 2024,” the ANCA press release said.

The statement also described the Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter as the oldest, largest, and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots organization of its kind within the City of Pasadena.

Turkey Pursues and Seizes Critics Abroad: Human Rights Watch

Rose Khoyetsian
Feb 23 2024
Hamdi Firat Buyuk
Sarajevo
BIRN

February 23, 2024

International watchdog Human Rights Watch said in a report that Turkey is one of the leading countries involved in “transnational repression” – targeting government critics abroad.

Human Rights Watch, HRW said in its latest report, ‘‘We Will Find You’: A Global Look at How Governments Repress Nationals Abroad’, that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government is one of the leading states involved in targeting and pursuing critics outside the country.

“Governments across the globe are reaching beyond their borders and committing human rights abuses against their own nationals or former nationals to silence or deter dissent,” the HRW report said.

The report said that the Turkish government has openly stated that it is pursuing government critics abroad, particularly those who are allegedly linked to US-based Muslin preacher Fethullah Gulen, accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016 against Erdogan’s government.

Since then, the Ankara government has been calling Gulen’s network the “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation” or “FETO”. Gulen denies any involvement in the failed coup attempt.

HRW gave the example of Turkish national Selahaddin Gulen, nephew of Fethullah Gulen, saying that he “went missing in May 2021 while travelling to Kenya to marry his fiancé, a Kenyan national”.

“Despite being a registered asylum-seeker in Kenya, he was under a deportation order from the Kenyan authorities, based on an Interpol Red Notice from Türkiye, which required him to report weekly to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters in Nairobi. On one of these visits, he vanished. Photographs were released several weeks later of him in handcuffs in Ankara,” HRW explained.

In November 2022, Turkey’s then vice-president Fuat Oktay said that more than 100 alleged Gulenists have brought to Turkey.

“The [Turkish Intelligence Agency] … ensured the extradition of more than 100 FETO terrorists from various countries to our country,” Oktay told parliament.

Erdogan’s government has strongly urged Balkan states to hand over alleged Gulenists and to close down any institution related to the Muslim cleric’s movement.

Most have resisted the Erdogan government’s call for extraditions, but the Turkish intelligence agency has been involved in several controversial operations to send back Gulenist suspects from Kosovo, Albania and Moldova, which sparked political rows in countries.

According to HRW, methods used by various countries to target their citizens abroad include killings, abductions, unlawful removals, abuse of consular services, the targeting and collective punishment of relatives, and digital attacks.

HRW called on countries that host government critics from other states to protect them.

“Governments should identify transnational repression as a specific threat to human rights, offer protection for victims, and take steps to ensure they are not complicit,” HRW said.

The report includes over 75 cases previously documented by Human Rights Watch, involving over two dozen governments including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

https://balkaninsight.com/2024/02/23/turkey-pursues-and-seizes-critics-abroad-human-rights-watch/

Armenia Offers Alternative Sea Trade Route To India Amid Red Sea Tensions

Rose Khoyetsian
NDTV, India
Feb 24 2024
New Delhi: 

Armenia is ideally positioned to offer India an alternative sea trade route, especially with Europe, Narek Mkrtchyan, the country's minister for Labor and Social Affairs, said on the sidelines of the ninth edition of the Raisina Dialogue in the national capital on Wednesday.

"The Armenian government is committed to forming partnerships in major regional and global projects like the North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Gulf Black Sea transport, and the transit corridor and the Chabahar port development, which is a collaborative effort between India and Iran," the minister told ANI on the sidelines of the event.

The Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.

Further expanding on the country's offer of an alternative route for commerce, the Armenian minister said it was 'significant' at a time when many nations, including India, are looking for alternative sea routes to trade with Europe and the West, given the spate of attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea.

The Houthi attacks on commercial vessels on Red Sea trade routes started in mid-November, with the group linking the disruptions to its demand for an end to Israel's offensive in Gaza and the delivery of aid to Palestinians 'under siege'.

"Armenia holds a strategic position to propose to India an alternative sea trade route, particularly with Europe," Mkrtchyan said.

He also stressed Armenia's commitment to partnerships in significant regional and global projects, including the North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Gulf Black Sea transport, the transit corridor, and the collaborative development of the Chabahar port with India and Iran.

This proposal is significant amid the growing interest in alternative sea routes due to security concerns in traditional routes like those on the Red Sea.

The minister also pitched a collaboration with India on Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a global coalition where ministers of the two countries can consult and trigger investments for AI.

"There is a potential to collaborate on AI for social good to address sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental conservation planning. We could also potentially establish a global AI innovation platform to facilitate the sharing of Solutions and Research," he added.

Bilateral dialogue between India and Armenia is conducted through the mechanisms of Foreign Office Consultations and Inter-Governmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific and technological, Cultural and Educational Cooperation, and periodic high-level interactions, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in an official release earlier.

The ninth edition of Raisina Dialogue began on Wednesday and is scheduled to conclude on February 23. The event is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a think tank.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the chief guest and keynote speaker at the 9th Raisina Dialogue.

Ministers, National Security Advisors, senior officials and representatives of industry, technology, finance and other sectors from more than 100 nations are participating in the event this year.

AW: Kariné Poghosyan wows a sold-out crowd on Valentine’s Day

Rose Khoyetsian
 Guest Contributor Music, Diaspora 0

By Sophie Khachatryan
Photos by Christian Giamarella

Kariné Poghosyan during her Valentine’s Day concert at Carnegie Hall

On the night of Valentine’s Day, I took my seat in the beautiful Carnegie Hall to enjoy the unique “All that Jazz” program by pianist Kariné Poghosyan. The heart of the program was the centennial celebration of the world premiere of George Gershwin’s iconic “Rhapsody in Blue,” which debuted on February 12, 1924. The incredible concert was presented by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations.

Poghosyan was magnificent – from her killer dress to her impeccable phrasing, breathtaking vulnerability and power. I have followed Poghosyan’s musical journey and attended her concerts for many years, including her online Facebook performances during the pandemic, and later became her Patreon supporter.

I was not alone in appreciating this unique experience, as the packed house, sold out for over a week prior, gave the artist a jubilant standing ovation. In attendance were some remarkable figures, including United Nations dignitaries. 

“We were happy to have partnered, once again this year, with our distinguished artist, the New York-based Armenian-American pianist Kariné Poghosyan, to bring together dear friends and colleagues to a musical evening at the iconic Carnegie Hall,” said His Excellency Ambassador Mher Margaryan during his remarks before the group of Permanent Representatives of the U.N. member states at the pre-concert reception. 

“The times which we are going through are extremely challenging for many nations, including for Armenia, but also for the collective humanity, which continues to be put to the test. It is, perhaps, in times like this that the significance of art, music and other forms of creative human _expression_ become even more pronounced, offering a sense of purpose and unity and a source of hope and inspiration,” Margaryan continued.

His Excellency Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations, during his remarks at the pre-concert reception for the United Nations dignitaries

Anita Anserian, managing director of AGBU, remarked, “Kariné wowed the audience with each of the pieces she had meticulously chosen and masterfully played. We experienced so many emotions as she gave her unique interpretation to each and for an hour transported us to a colorful, musical world.”

Principal violinist of the Harlem Chamber Players Ashley Horne was also very impressed. “A magnificent recital! Ginastera’s first piano sonata was a tour de force. Coleridge-Taylor’s ‘Three Fours’ had a real singing and lyrical quality, perfectly placed after the Ginastera. From there we heard wonderfully played pieces by Babajanian and recent Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Tania Leon. She ended her concert with a very jazzy arrangement of Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’” Horne said.

Director of the music program at Saint Louis University, Dr. Aaron Johnson, traveled to New York especially to attend the recital. “I love watching Kariné perform. She is, without question, one of the most compelling and exciting pianists I have ever experienced live. Her love of music is always on full display when she performs, and it is infectious. She makes her audience feel the same happiness and love she feels for the music she performs. I felt that happiness and love, and it made the 2000-mile round trip journey to be there more than worth it. We at Saint Louis University are so looking forward to Ms. Poghosyan repeating this same program at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Saint Louis,” he said.

The cultural advisor of the Embassy of Armenia to the U.S., Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian, said it best. “Kariné Poghosyan is one of those virtuoso spectacular pianists with extraordinary stamina and musical skills as well as jaw-dropping performances. It’s a musical reverie to attend Ms. Poghosyan’s performances. A foremost interpreter of Aram Khachaturian, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and other composers, she inhabits the music in all its stormy, turbulent depths, shattering staccato and ravishing sensuality, bringing her own unselfconscious sense of fun.”

The concert was an unforgettable experience that will stay with viewers for years. Poghosyan is a trailblazer in the music world.




Armenian Foreign Minister, EU’s Borrell discuss latest Azeri provocation

Rose Khoyetsian

 16:06, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Vice President of the European Commission, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell held a meeting on February 13 in Brussels ahead of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council meeting.

Views were exchanged around Armenia-EU Partnership agenda issues, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

The course of implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), democratic developments in Armenia, as well as the joint steps implemented for developing partnership in new directions and the existing prospects were also discussed.

The security issues in the South Caucasus were discussed.

The February 13 Azerbaijani military provocation in Syunik Province, Armenia was also discussed. FM Mirzoyan emphasized that the provocation once again showcases that Azerbaijan is seeking pretexts to escalate the situation on the border and is continuously attempting to derail the efforts of the actors interested in stability and security in the South Caucasus aimed at resuming the talks. The suppression of further actions aimed at destabilization in the South Caucasus was highlighted.

4 Armenian soldiers were killed and 1 was wounded when Azerbaijani forces opened gunfire at an Armenian military post in Syunik province on February 13.

Turkish Press: Azerbaijan slams allegations by EU foreign policy chief during news conference in Brussels

Rose Khoyetsian
Yeni Safak 
Turkey – Feb 14 2024

Azerbaijan slams allegations by EU foreign policy chief during news conference in Brussels

Josep Borrell ‘turns a blind eye' to Armenia's military provocation, dismisses ‘unprovoked sniper attack' that injured an Azerbaijani serviceman, says Foreign Ministry

Azerbaijan on Wednesday slammed allegations made by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during a joint news conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan a day earlier.

In a statement by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Baku accused Borrell of “whitewashing” and “turning a blind eye” to Armenia's military provocation, saying the EU side is dismissive of the Azerbaijani serviceman injured due to an “unprovoked sniper attack.”

The cross-border fire came following five months of stability in the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, the statement stressed, and said Baku's response to the provocation was “totally adequate and of a local character.”

“These response measures have also prevented Armenia from further expanding its military escalation,” it added.

The statement also defined Borrell's proposal to distance forces as “regretful,” and said “mercenaries” deployed by Armenia in border regions under the EU's mission in the country “jeopardize the lives of Azerbaijani servicemen and civilians.”

“Furthermore, it is unacceptable to refer to residents of Armenian origin who voluntarily departed Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region as displaced people and to utilize non-existent names such as ‘Nagorno-Karabakh' referring to this region,” it noted.

Azerbaijan regrets Borrell's “unilateral pro-Armenian stance” which it said creates an impasse between Azerbaijan and EU institutions, while further isolating himself from the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, the statement also said.

During a news conference with Mirzoyan, Borrell said Azerbaijan's measures to the cross-border fire “seems to be disproportionate,” expressing that the recent incident illustrates the need for the “distancing of forces” advocated by the EU for a long time.

Azerbaijan's State Border Service said on Monday that one of its soldiers was injured due to shots fired by Armenian forces toward the country's southwestern Zangilan district.

Baku on Tuesday said it carried out a "revenge operation" in response, destroying the combat post from where its servicemen were fired upon.

According to Armenia's Defense Ministry, four of its servicemen were killed and one injured.

After Pakistan, Turkey Arms Azerbaijan With ‘New-Gen’ Akinci Drones Amid Tensions With Armenia

Rose Khoyetsian
Feb 14 2024
By

 Sakshi Tiwari

Amid sporadic incidents of cross-border firing with Armenia, Azerbaijan has showcased the Bayraktar Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the recently-opened UAV academy of its Air Force (HHQ).

Azerbaijan has opened a training facility and hangar for its new Akinci drone. According to Azeri authorities, the hangar at the facility will be the maintenance headquarters, and the training facility is for UAV operators learning to fly the drone.

The Bayraktar Akinci drone took to the skies to mark the unveiling ceremony and for a first glance at the drone. The President oversaw the takeoff and landing of the Akinci. A set of images published by the President’s office showed an Akıncı with manufacturer serial S46 and Azerbaijani markings. The chief technology officer of Akinci manufacturer Baykar, Selcuk Bayraktar, posted images of the ceremony on Platform X.

In addition to the drone, Aliyev examined a variety of air-launched weaponry, such as a general-purpose bomb with a glide kit, a MAM-T laser-guided bomb, and a Roketsan SOM cruise missile. At least ten other weapons were on exhibit, as seen in the Azerbaijani TV footage of the visit. 

The unveiling of the vaunted Turkish-origin UAV comes at an opportune moment for Azerbaijan, as it remains embroiled in a conflict with Armenia.

On February 13, the Caucasian rivals accused each other of opening fire on one another and claiming lives. This is the first documented instance of violence on the dangerous border since peace negotiations to put an end to the protracted conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory began last year.

Cross-border firing was reported after the unveiling ceremony, with Azeri media claiming that Armenia was begrudged at Azerbaijan’s acquisition of the advanced Turkish drone. Armenian military analysts argued that Azerbaijan bought the Akinci to tip the scales in a region that included Iran and Russia, given Akinci’s range.

Azerbaijan bought the Akinci drone very discreetly. Haluk Bayraktar, the CEO of Baykar, stated at a press conference in March 2022 that three countries were considering purchasing the Akinci drones without naming them.

At the time, Azerbaijan was speculated to be among the first few customers, given that it was already operating the Bayraktar TB2 drone and had employed it with incredible combat success during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict of 2022.

By August 2022, the Azerbaijan government announced that a group of Azerbaijani UAV pilots had completed training on the Akinci UCAV, again triggering speculations that the country had either already signed an agreement for the purchase or was about to sign it. However, no formal announcement was made by the government or the Turkish UAV manufacturer.

Baykar and Azerbaijan reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding for the production of Baykar drones in the country in April 2023.

However, the first customer of the UAV was Pakistan, Turkey’s South Asian ally, which received the first batch of Akinci UAVs in the summer of 2023. A deal for purchase was likely signed by Islamabad in 2022.

The Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF’s) Public Relations Department released a video featuring the Akinci combat drone in October 2022. The video also showed a PAF Squadron Leader wearing an Akinci patch.

Military expert Ramil Mammadli told Azer News that Armenia made some moves following the 44-day conflict between the two states and tried to buy military drones and strike UAVs. According to the expert, this forced Azerbaijan to modernize and expand the number and variety of UAVs in its inventory.

“The close cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the military-technical field allows us to acquire and use modern technologies of these vehicles produced in Turkey. I consider that Azerbaijan has to increase both its production and the army’s arsenal in the field of UAVs. The acquisition of Akinci will also strengthen the UAV techniques and arsenal,” he said emphatically.

Although the Azeri military specialists have attributed their purchase of the Akinci to the military purchases carried out by Armenia, the agreement for the Baykar drone likely precedes any major military acquisition by Yerevan.

Armenia is reportedly importing an anti-drone system from India, as reported by EurAsian Times in November last year. People who did not wish to be identified said Armenia has contracted to buy India-developed Zen Anti-Drone System (ZADS). The purchase is believed to be aimed at countering the threat posed by Baku’s advanced combat drones.

Bayraktar Akinci is a high-altitude, long-endurance drone that can be armed with weapons. Akinci is the Turkish word for ‘raider.’ The drone can fire various missiles, both air-to-air and air-to-ground.

The combat drone’s dimensions are 20 meters wide, 4.1 meters high, and 12.2 meters long. Its maximum cargo capacity is 1,350 kg, its takeoff weight is 5,500 kilograms, and its flight ceiling is 40,000 feet (12,192 meters).

“Bayraktar Akinci is equipped with dual artificial intelligence avionics, which supports real-time signal processing, sensor fusion, and situational awareness. It carries electronic support systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar, and synthetic aperture radar,” reads the specifications of Akinci drones by the Turkish company.

It has various weapons, including missiles like the Smart Micro Munitions (MAM-L) created by well-known Turkish contractor Roketsan. It is capable of being fitted with air-to-air missiles Gökdoğan (Merlin) and Bozdoğan (Peregrine) as well as the locally manufactured active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

It can also fire several additional indigenously produced weapons, including the Stand-Off Missile (SOM), a long-range air-to-surface cruise missile with a range of up to 150 miles (240 kilometers), which is manufactured in Roketsan.

According to Baykar, the Akıncı can strike targets on land and in the air. In addition, it can fly higher and stay in the air longer than Turkey’s current drone fleet while operating alongside fighter jets.

The Turkish manufacturer of the Akıncı, Baykar, says it intends to equip the UAV with a 250-kilometer-range armament by integrating the SOM-A cruise missile, but it has not provided any updates.

Baykar announced that an Akıncı had tested the Çakır cruise missile, which has a lower range, in September last year. Additionally, it was revealed that Akıncı had conducted tests with the 95-kilogram laser-guided glide bomb MAM-T and a 500 lb Mk 82 bomb equipped with the KGK-SİHA-82 guided glide bomb kit, which was created by Tübitak SAGE in Turkey in 2021.

The drone has been sold to other customers, including Ethiopia, Libya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, and Saudi Arabia..

Borrell regards Armenia’s decision to join the Rome Statute as courageous

Rose Khoyetsian

 20:42,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has welcomed the initiatives of the Armenian government in the direction of reforms in the field of justice and the fight against corruption.

 As reported by the Armenpress Brussels correspondent, Borrell made the remarks during a joint press conference with Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan.

 Borrell announced that he welcomed the steps taken in the justice reform, the fight against corruption and encouraged Armenia to further address challenges in the fight against discrimination, hate speech and disinformation.

Borrell also referred to Armenia's decision to join the Rome Statute, assessing it as an important and courageous  decision.

Armenian tourism experts to participate in trainings at Les Roches Global Hospitality

Rose Khoyetsian

 10:09,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenian tourism experts have been enabled to participate in special training courses at the renowned Les Roches Global Hospitality educational institution in Switzerland. 

First Vice President of the Tourism Committee Susanna Hakobyan told Armenpress that the trainings are part of an MoU signed with Les Roches Global Hospitality.

Similar other programs will be launched in the future.

Hakobyan described Les Roches Global Hospitality as "one of the top 5 tourism and hospitality schools" in the world. She said that the committee will cover all expenses of the training for the selected applicants.

Two candidates have already been chosen after passing several selection procedures and the trainings will start in March 2024.

The committee had been looking for candidates who are 23-37 years old, have at least a BA in tourism or a related field, and at least 2 years of working experience.

“We want to further elevate experienced specialists,” Hakobyan said, adding that the program is not for beginners.

She attached importance to education and training programs.

"Russians ‘saved’ Artsakh, now they want to pass to Armenia". Opinion from Yerevan

Rose Khoyetsian
Jan 19 2024
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

On severing ties with Russia

“Russia wants to project in Syunik [Armenia’s southern region bordering Azerbaijan] the logic of a corridor. They say if you don’t want to be taken away by force [the road meant to connect Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhichevan], give it away voluntarily,” Armenian political scientist Gurgen Simonyan said, commenting on the Russian Foreign Minister’s statements.

Although Sergey Lavrov said yesterday that there is no clause about the so-called “Zangezur corridor” in the November 9 trilateral statement, Simonyan claims that Moscow is determined to take possession of this road. What the Russian side calls control of the road, in his opinion, is actually a demand for an extraterritorial corridor. At the same time, the analyst emphasizes that there cannot be any “X-space where the laws of the country do not apply” on Armenia’s sovereign territory.

The political analyst commented both on Lavrov’s recent statements concerning Armenia and expressed his opinion on Armenian-Russian relations and cooperation with the West.

  • “Armenia is separating from Russia” – opinion on reforms in the National Security Service
  • Armenia-Russia Trade: Benefits and Risks of Sanctions
  • How the influx of Russian citizens has affected the Armenian real estate market

Sergey Lavrov said during a press conference on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s activities in 2023 that the “Zangezur corridor” was never discussed within the framework of the agreements reached on November 9, 2020.

According to him, all economic and transportation ties will be unblocked according to this document, which ended the 2020 Karabakh war. Armenia will guarantee the security of transport in both directions between the western regions of Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan, and the border service of the Federal Security Service of Russia will exercise control on that road. He emphasized that Armenia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction on these routes will be fully preserved.

Lavrov also said that the West does not want to allow the implementation of the agreements reached between Yerevan and Baku through Moscow’s mediation. According to him, the lack of progress in the conclusion of the peace treaty is due to the position of Yerevan, while Baku is ready to sign the agreement on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The analyst argues that only Armenia has “naively and shortsightedly” fulfilled all points of the obligations stipulated under the November 2020 trilateral statement, while Moscow and Baku have not fulfilled a single one:

“If they raise the issue of unblocking the roads in Syunik, then let them ensure the security of the Lachin corridor [was stipulated under the trilateral statement], provide an appropriate atmosphere and conditions for the return of Artsakh Armenians to the homeland of their ancestors.”

The political analyst regards any demands from the Russian side, which has not fulfilled its obligations, as “rhetoric with hostile overtones”. He believes that Armenia should take Russia’s statements as a threat and pursue a policy of reducing the risks arising from them.

In the political analyst’s opinion, Yerevan should be very clear about the situation on the ground.

“It should be said that it was you who annulled the November 9 document, no process envisaged under it has been implemented in the region. And there are no Armenians left in Nagorno Karabakh. But the situation is changed not by statements, but by appropriate policy”.

He also suggested what motives Russia has to control the road connecting Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan through the territory of Armenia. He recalled that Russian peacekeepers stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh demanded large sums from local residents for transportation of goods and people through the Lachin corridor:

“If they control this section of the road, the money that was supposed to go to the Armenian budget will flow into their pockets.”

Political scientist Richard Kirakosian – on Armenian-Russian relations, Armenia-EU cooperation

“If some force threatens your existence, there is a way to confront it, regardless of its scale. Obviously we cannot confront this powerful country with brute military force. So we have to look for allies,” the political scientist believes.

At the same time, Simonyan says that Armenia can only expect new allies to provide it with the latest technologies, economic and military training, but it should fight on its own.

According to him, the West has failed to prevent the Russians from “saving Artsakh”, but so far it has managed to oppose Russia’s plan to “save” Armenia. If suddenly Russia succeeds, then after such “rescue” the Republic of Armenia will cease to exist and there will be no Armenians left in it, just as there were no Armenians left in Karabakh.

The political scientist made such an appeal to the Armenian authorities. He believes that if Yerevan is able to harmonize its interests with those of friendly countries, it will find allies in their face. However, for that it is necessary to pursue an active policy.

Meanwhile the current government, in his opinion, pursues an “unprincipled and short-sighted” policy, regularly “heading North,” to Russia.

“In addition, Armenia continues to be part of military-political and economic integration projects (the CSTO military bloc and the Eurasian Economic Union), which obviously pursue a hostile policy towards it. The authorities go to the EAEU event and play up the chairmanship of this organization [the Prime Minister recently accepted Armenia’s chairmanship of the EAEU], but do not participate in the economic forum in Davos, where the future of the world is being discussed. These people do not react to the realities facing Armenia due to external and internal challenges, they are in some illusory world.’

The political analyst believes that Yerevan should start strategic relations with the European Union, as well as with the North Atlantic security system, as Armenia’s ally in the region is the West. And Russia, according to him, has staked on the Turkic world.

He does not rule out that in the near future Azerbaijan will join the structures operating under the aegis of Russia, e.g. EAEU and CSTO. He says it is still unclear what Baku will get in return for this integration.

“If this scenario is played out, we must fight and defend our territories [in Syunik] so as not to lose our strategic importance, our connection with Iran. If we lose our territory but keep our independence, we will lose our independence after some time because we will not be interesting to the world.”