14:17,
YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS. The Governor of Voronezh, Alexander Gusev, confirmed that a fire broke out in the oil depot as a result of the helicopter strike.
"Works are underway to put out the fire that broke out at the oil depot on Dimitrov street in Voronezh. More than 100 firefighters and 30 pieces of equipment are working at the scene. According to the preliminary data, there are no victims," ARMENPRESS reports, Alexander Gusev wrote on his Telegram channel.
The impact of electric vehicles (EVs) on the global energy market has been a hot topic in recent years, with countries around the world embracing the transition to cleaner and more sustainable transportation. As a landlocked country in the South Caucasus region, Armenia is no exception to this trend. The government’s commitment to promoting the use of electric vehicles and the potential benefits they bring to the country’s energy market cannot be overstated.
Armenia’s energy market has long been characterized by its dependence on imported fossil fuels, primarily natural gas and petroleum products. This reliance on imports not only exposes the country to fluctuations in global energy prices but also poses significant challenges to its energy security. In this context, the adoption of electric vehicles offers a promising opportunity for Armenia to diversify its energy sources, reduce its dependence on imports, and improve its overall energy security.
One of the key factors driving the growth of electric vehicles in Armenia is the government’s commitment to promoting their use. In recent years, the Armenian government has implemented a range of policies and incentives aimed at encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles. These include tax exemptions for electric vehicle owners, reduced import duties on electric cars, and the establishment of a network of charging stations across the country. These measures have contributed to a steady increase in the number of electric vehicles on Armenian roads, with the number of registered electric cars in the country growing from just a handful in 2014 to over 500 in 2020.
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles in Armenia has significant implications for the country’s energy market. As more and more electric vehicles hit the roads, the demand for electricity is expected to rise, creating new opportunities for the development of renewable energy sources. Armenia has abundant renewable energy potential, particularly in the areas of solar and wind power. The government has set ambitious targets for increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, aiming to generate 26% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
The growth of electric vehicles in Armenia also presents an opportunity for the country to develop its domestic energy storage capacity. As electric vehicles become more widespread, the need for efficient and reliable energy storage solutions will become increasingly important. This presents an opportunity for Armenia to invest in the development of advanced battery technologies and energy storage systems, which could not only support the growth of electric vehicles but also help to stabilize the country’s power grid and reduce its reliance on imported energy.
Moreover, the transition to electric vehicles has the potential to bring significant environmental benefits to Armenia. The transportation sector is a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the country, contributing to a range of health and environmental problems. By replacing conventional vehicles with electric alternatives, Armenia can significantly reduce its emissions and improve air quality, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for its citizens.
In conclusion, the impact of electric vehicles on Armenia’s energy market is multifaceted and far-reaching. The adoption of electric vehicles offers a promising opportunity for the country to diversify its energy sources, reduce its dependence on imports, and improve its overall energy security. At the same time, the growth of electric vehicles presents new opportunities for the development of renewable energy sources and energy storage technologies, as well as significant environmental benefits. As the Armenian government continues to promote the use of electric vehicles and invest in the necessary infrastructure, the country is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and reap the rewards of a cleaner, more sustainable, and more secure energy future.
https://www.energyportal.eu/news/the-impact-of-electric-vehicles-on-armenias-energy-market/38341/
Azerbaijani troops opened fire on the Armenian army positions near the border villages of Sotk and Tretuk on Tuesday, the Armenia Defense Ministry reported.
“On June 13, from 11:30-11:45 a.m., the units of the Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire from different caliber small arms, also using mortars against the Armenian combat positions in the vicinity of Tretuk and Sotk. The Azerbaijani military also used mortars in the direction of Sotk,” the ministry said in a statement.
No casualties were reported among the Armenian military personnel.
The anticipated U.S.-hosted talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been postponed at Azerbaijan’s request. The negotiations, which were scheduled to take place this week, aimed to address the ongoing conflict between the two nations about the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The region, which is populated mainly by ethnic Armenians despite being located within the Azerbaijani state, has been the site of multiple human rights violations and the locus of a decades-long conflict.
State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel confirmed in a press conference that the U.S. is still anticipating hosting the peace talks, emphasizing that “direct dialogue is key towards reaching a durable and dignified peace.” But the cancellation is a disappointing start to the negotiations, which were already projected to be contentious thanks to the longstanding tension.
“Even though the [Nagorno-Karabakh] region is recognized as a part of Azerbaijan, Armenia … will likely not sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan unless [Azerbaijan] provides assurances about the security and safety of the Karabakh Armenians,” Heather Ashby, acting director for the U.S. Institute of Peace’s Center for Russia and Europe program, told VOA News. “Azerbaijan’s plan for incorporating Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijan will play an important role in the peace talks.”
Making matters worse, Azerbaijan has blockaded the only path from the Nagorno-Karabakh region to Armenia, the Lachin corridor, creating a humanitarian crisis as residents are cut off from essential supplies.
Although the dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region was already brewing under Soviet rule, the conflict erupted after the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Since then, there have been frequent outbreaks of violence between Azerbaijan and Armenia, interrupted by ceasefires and peace talks with various degrees of success. Violence broke out again over the territorial dispute in late 2022, and Azerbaijan blockaded the Lachin corridor in April.
Because this intractable conflict has been entrenched through decades of violence, direct negotiations will be necessary to address the issue. There must be a sustained dialogue between both parties that unpacks each side’s grievances and perceptions of events. This dialogue must include community members and leaders, rather than just officials, in order to meaningfully impact the conflict. Additionally, there must be an unbiased third-party mediator to these dialogues and negotiations. Historically, the U.S. and Russia have been key peacekeepers in the region, but both countries have now chosen a side and the war in Ukraine impacts their abilities to be honest brokers. Thus, another mediator should take over the mediation process. As the only other member of the Minsk group, which was established to resolve the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, France seems to be the obvious choice.
This conflict serves as an excellent reminder of the importance of unbiased mediation. If the parties of a negotiation feel that the mediator has already chosen a side, they are much less likely to meaningfully participate in the conversation. In the short term, the Lachin corridor must be re-opened for humanitarian purposes, but a long-term plan for peace must include a sustained dialogue between both parties to unpack decades of harm and violence.
The schedule for the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan appears to have again slipped, as Azerbaijan – not long ago regularly complaining about Armenian “delays” in the process – is now expressing a newfound patience for the process to take all the time it needs.
At a May 28 speech in Lachin, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said that Baku was not in a hurry to sign an agreement. “We are the stronger side, we are the ones who have a strong position at the negotiating table, we are the ones who have a strong position on the border,” he said. “Even if the peace treaty is not signed, we will live comfortably and safely.”
This was a notable change of tone from Aliyev’s usual rhetoric, which regularly featured accusations that Armenia was dragging its feet and veiled threats in case the Armenians did not step it up. Just over three weeks earlier, Aliyev had repeated that warning, arguing that delaying a final resolution of the conflict has been Armenians’ longtime practice.
“They can delay; they can use a negotiation format, which already has been established not to come to an agreement, but to make the process endless, waiting for something, waiting for a miracle, waiting for changes. And they will miss the opportunity because almost thirty years of occupation did not give them any advantage,” Aliyev said on May 3.
Two key, interrelated changes took place in between those two speeches that changed the Azerbaijani government’s approach, said Zaur Shiriyev, a Baku-based analyst for the think tank Crisis Group.
One, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection, ensuring that Azerbaijan’s key international patron would remain in office for another five-year term. Second, Azerbaijan managed to erect a border post on the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Karabakh to Armenia. The post is Azerbaijan’s most concrete step yet towards reasserting its control over the territory, which it lost to Armenians in the first war between the two sides in the 1990s.
“Simply put, Baku controls the Lachin road, meaning everything is in their hands, and while it remains a priority, it seems that there is no immediate urgency to reaching a peace agreement,” Shiriyev told Eurasianet. Azerbaijan hastened the establishment of the border checkpoint in part because of uncertainty over the election’s outcome, he said.
“Had Erdogan not been elected and, hypothetically, if [main opposition candidate Kemal] Kilicdaroglu were in his place, Baku would likely have pressed for a more forceful signing of the peace agreement, considering it a non-negotiable priority,” Shiriyev said.
The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan had been scheduled to meet in Washington starting on June 12, but Azerbaijan postponed the meeting because Erdogan scheduled a trip to Baku for the same time. (Turkish diplomatic tradition has it that a newly elected leader’s first foreign trip is to Northern Cyprus and the second is to Azerbaijan.)
That meeting has not been rescheduled, but a State Department spokesperson said on June 13 that “we look forward to rescheduling it as soon as we can.”
The postponement of the Washington talks notwithstanding, the pace of diplomacy between the two sides has been brisk. The two foreign ministers met for several days in Washington at the beginning of May; U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said at their conclusion that “an agreement is within reach.”
Aliyev met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow on May 25 and in Chisinau on June 1, and ahead of the Moldova meeting there were some expectations that an agreement could be signed there. Asked in parliament a month ahead of the Moldova event about media reports that an agreement could be signed, Pashinyan said he would be happy for it to happen. Less than a week before that meeting, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to France said she hoped an agreement would be signed there.
In the end that meeting was short and produced no breakthrough. But the fact that negotiations are being conducted steadily and that progress is being made on an agreement has reinforced Azerbaijan’s patience, Shiriyev said.
Baku remains interested in signing a peace agreement as soon as possible, a senior Azerbaijani diplomat told Eurasianet on condition of anonymity. “Azerbaijan is interested in speedy progress” in the various tracks of negotiations including the delimitation of the mutual border, establishment of new transport routes, and the relationship between Baku and Karabakh’s Armenian population.
But, the diplomat added, Baku feels that time is on its side: “At the end of the day, in the worst-case scenario Azerbaijan could afford the luxury of keeping everything untouched as it is: lack of land connectivity from the outside to Armenia, impediments for dialogue with the Armenian community in Azerbaijan, undelimited borders, and finally a missed opportunity to sign an overwhelming peace treaty with Azerbaijan.”
The history of Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations is littered with expectations for breakthroughs that always broke down before an agreement could be signed.
Low-level fighting has ticked up in recent weeks, and Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned in a June 13 statement that Azerbaijan might be preparing the ground for “another aggressive actions and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.”
But even as the fighting continues, and the diplomatic process has downshifted, both sides are continuing to express optimism that a deal could be signed within months.
In Baku, the expectation is now that an agreement could be signed by August or September, Shiriyev said.
In Armenia, the expected date is somewhat later. Armen Grigoryan, the chair of Armenia’s National Security Council, said on June 4 that “the negotiations are being conducted very intensively. If we are able to maintain this intensity, and there is also strong assistance from the international community, then there is a possibility to reach a peace agreement at the end of the year.”
By the end of the year is a “likely” target, said Richard Giragosian, head of the Yerevan think tank Regional Studies Center.
“The outlook for the two sides to conclude a comprehensive peace treaty seems increasingly positive,” Giragosian said. “Such optimism does not include any realistic expectation for a sudden mature breakthrough and is based on a more gradual timetable, with a peace treaty likely by the end of 2023, but not sooner, despite the rhetoric.”
14:04,
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS. The United States seeks to achieve the signing of any document between Armenia and Azerbaijan, political analyst Tigran Grigoryan told ARMENPRESS when asked about expectations from the upcoming foreign ministerial in Washington D.C.
The Armenia-Azerbaijan foreign ministerial in the U.S. capital was supposed to take place earlier but was postponed by Baku.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on June 16 that the meeting would take place “soon”.
According to Grigoryan, now Armenia and Azerbaijan are returning to the negotiations agenda at the active mediation of the United States to negotiate around the text of the possible peace treaty.
The political analyst described Washington as a platform where rather intensive talks are proceeding with the purpose of bringing the stances of the parties closer to each other, especially around key issues.
“In case of Azerbaijan, their conduct on participating in the talks on one hand and exerting pressure, breaching the ceasefire and putting forward some ultimatums to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh on the other hand has become usual," the expert said, referring to the regular cross-border shootings by the Azerbaijani forces.
Azerbaijan is attempting to use dividends gained through military pressure in the negotiations process. Naturally, in such conditions it is difficult to talk about comprehensive solutions or constructive processes, and as a result of this all there could be a situation when some solutions would simply be forced upon Armenia,” Grigoryan warned.
Mediators have an important role, although Brussels and Washington avoid assuming greater responsibility, he added.
Expecting comprehensive solutions that could be the basis for long-term peace in the region would be senseless without pressure by mediators on Azerbaijan, Grigoryan said.
Asked to comment on debates whether the possible peace treaty should be signed before or after the delimitation and demarcation process, Grigoryan said the current phase of talks is focused on the signing of a framework agreement. “A document with a general text will be signed, which will be followed by more concrete processes. It’s clear that delimitation and demarcation will be carried out later because these processes usually last very long. Even the signing of a framework agreement contains certain risks, because there is no guarantee that Azerbaijan won’t continue applying force against Armenia in an attempt to regularly coerce some concessions. If Azerbaijan isn’t pulling back its forces from the territory of Armenia now, then it will highly likely not do so after the signing of the treaty as well,” Grigoryan said.
Asked whether the U.S. could apply more efficient levers against Azerbaijan’s sponsor Turkey, in order to bring it back to the constructive arena, Grigoryan said that sometimes Azerbaijan has greater influence on Turkey than vice versa.
“The same goes for the U.S.-Turkey strategic partnership. Erdogan is engaged in a rather independent policy, he has left the NATO influence circle, is pragmatically cooperating with Russia, thus the U.S. influence factor shouldn’t be overestimated. The problem is more Baku than Ankara, and if pressure is to be applied than it should undoubtedly be done so upon Baku in order for it to abandon its maximalist positions and agree to compromised solutions,” Grigoryan concluded.
13:23,
YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. Manama, the capital of Bahrain, will host the IWF World Championships 2024 edition.
Bahrain’s bid received more support from the IWF Executive Board in Havana than the two other candidates for next year’s IWF top-event, Armenia and Albania.
Armenia hosted the 2023 EWF Weightlifting European Championships.
15:44, 8 June 2023
YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the regular session of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS in Sochi.
Prime Minister Pashinyan made a speech in the narrow-format session.
Below is the transcript of the Armenian PM's speech.
"Dear heads of delegations,
Dear Sergey Nikolayevich,
I am glad to welcome my colleagues at the session of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS. First of all, I would like to thank our Russian friends and Mikhail Vladimirovich personally for the traditionally warm welcome and for organizing today's meeting at a high level.
Our meeting today is taking place in the year of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Charter of the Commonwealth of Independent States and in this context, I want to emphasize that the Republic of Armenia, since the establishment of the CIS, has consistently advocated the systematic development of mutually beneficial and equal cooperation within our organization in accordance with the goals and principles laid down in the Charter of the CIS, as well as for increasing the efficiency and practical impact of its functioning.
In general, I positively assess the work done within the framework of the Commonwealth this year from the point of view of consolidating efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation. I am also pleased to note that the list of documents included in the agenda of today's meeting covers a wide range of areas of life of our countries, the effective implementation of which is ultimately aimed at the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of the welfare and improvement of the quality of life of the citizens of the CIS member states.
The Republic of Armenia considers the Agreement "On Free Trade in Services, Establishment, Operation and Implementation of Investments" a great opportunity to give new momentum to the development of investment activities in the CIS member states and expresses its readiness for the practical application of the provisions of this Agreement.
One of the important issues facing us is the creation of favorable conditions for the activation of industrial cooperative ties and interaction between the economic entities of our countries, with the aim of forming innovative industrial clusters and scientific production zones.
The creation of new knowledge-intensive branches and the modernization of high-tech industrial potential is the main factor for achieving sustainable and innovative economic development, as well as a necessary condition for increasing the competitiveness of our economies. In this context, I would like to mention the importance of adopting the concept of development of industrial cooperation and the complex of measures.
The creation of new knowledge-intensive industries and the modernization of high-tech industrial potential is a key factor in achieving sustainable and innovative economic development, as well as a necessary condition for increasing the competitiveness of our economies. In this context, I would like to note the importance of adopting the Concept and the Set of Measures for the Development of Industrial Cooperation.
Against the background of rapid scientific and technological progress, environmental problems are gradually becoming more acute, and the demand for creating effective mechanisms to reduce risks to the environment is increasing. Therefore, the development of environmentally friendly nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is essential to ensure sustainable development and reduce the negative impact on the environment.
In this context, the Armenian side supports the signing of an agreement on cooperation in the field of data exchange for monitoring the radiation situation, aimed at developing optimal approaches to the mechanisms for using nuclear technologies for non-energy purposes, in particular in the fields of science, medicine and agriculture.
Dear colleagues,
In today's reality, the fight against fraud in telecommunications networks is also relevant, and we must take joint measures to protect the privacy and security of data, including the use of modern encryption methods, multi-factor authentication and monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity.
Countering fraud on telecommunication networks requires an integrated approach that brings together telecom operators, law enforcement agencies, the state and users. And the signing of the relevant memorandum will create conditions for the effective functioning and development of the market for international telecommunications services and the prevention of the spread of fraud on telecommunication networks.
Attaching importance to the humanitarian component of cooperation within the CIS, I would like to note that the Government of Armenia always supports projects integrating people with disabilities into various areas of social life, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle among the younger generation and young people.
The Armenian side welcomes the implementation of the program of CIS Spartakiad among children with disabilities, the purpose of which is to involve them in an active lifestyle.
I will particularly mention the implementation of the interstate program "CIS Youth Capital" as an effective tool for the development of young people, supporting their creative potential and providing conditions for active participation in public life. Such initiatives contribute to the formation of a new generation of leaders who are able to face the challenges of our time and contribute to the development of our countries. From this point of view, I would like to confirm the readiness for the city of Kapan to receive this honorary status in 2026.
Summarizing, it is obvious that the opportunities of our Commonwealth as a multi-faceted platform for partnership have not yet been fully realized. I am sure that our joint constructive efforts should be aimed at achieving significant progress in tapping the full potential of cooperation.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to confirm the unchanging constructive attitude of the Armenian side to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas of mutual interest in the framework of achieving the priorities of the Kyrgyz chairmanship in the Commonwealth this year.
Thanks for attention".
Prime Minister Pashinyan, together with CIS partners, also toured the exhibition entitled "Eurasia: Our home" and got acquainted with the production of companies of the CIS countries in various fields.
A general view of a parking lot that is part of a contentious deal in the Armenian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The 99-year lease of some 25% of Jerusalem's Armenian Quarter has touched sensitive nerves in the Holy Land and sparked a controversy extending far beyond the Old City ramparts.
A real estate deal in Jerusalem's Old City, at the epicenter of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has sent the historic Armenian community there into a panic. Residents search for answers about the apparent loss of their homes to a mysterious investor. The fallout from the 99-year lease of 25% of Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter has forced the highest authority of the Armenian church to cloister himself in a convent and prompted a disgraced priest to flee to Southern California. In a dramatic move, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority have suspended recognition of the Armenian patriarch. The saga reflects real estate and political struggles that have long been a stand-in for the entire decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
15:06, 7 June 2023
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) plans to open three additional operational hubs in Kapan, Ijevan and Yeghegnadzor in the upcoming months, EUMA Head of Mission Markus Ritter has said.
Last week EUMA Head of Mission Markus Ritter together with the Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of EU Delegation in Armenia, welcomed an EU delegation from COEST Working group in Martuni. Mr Ritter introduced them to the mission’s mandate and its activities. He also updated the participants on security developments on the ground, based on observations gathered from the mission’s patrols, the press service of EUMA said in a press release.
In the first three months of EUMA’s existence, the mission conducted more than 300 patrols in total from its operational hubs in Goris, Jermuk and Martuni. Every week, the patrols cover more than 3800 km of distance. “The mission was launched in an unprecedented speed, starting its operations this February,” Mr Ritter said. The mission plans to open the three additional operational hubs in Kapan, Ijevan and Yeghegnadzor in the upcoming months, gradually reaching full operational capability in near future.
“Our goal is – among others – to contribute to stabilising the security in border areas. And according to numerous Armenian officials, EUMA has contributed to a certain stabilisation of the situation. However, the situation remains volatile,” Mr Ritter added.
EUMA is a non-armed, civilian and non-executive mission with the aim to observe and report to the EU on the security situation on the ground. The mission is deployed on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, with Headquarters in Yeghegnadzor, six operational hubs (also called Forward Operating Bases) and a small Support and Liaison office in Yerevan.