Armenian defense minister skips CSTO meeting for technical, not political reasons — MP

 TASS 
Russia – May 25 2023
Earlier, Armenian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Aram Torosyan told TASS that the minister did not go to Minsk and did not participate in the meeting of the CSTO defense ministers

YEREVAN, May 25. /TASS/. Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan’s absence from Thursday's meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) defense ministers in Minsk had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with technical issues, secretary of the parliamentary faction of Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party, Artur Hovhannisyan, told a briefing Thursday.

"Firstly, we spoke at length about relations between the CSTO and Armenia, there is no plan to withdraw from the organization. Suren Papikyan's non-participation in this event is in no way related to Armenia-CSTO relations. I don't know the details, but I am sure there is no political context here, these are some technical issues. It has nothing to do with the CSTO," he said.

Earlier, Armenian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Aram Torosyan told TASS that the minister did not go to Minsk and did not participate in the meeting of the CSTO defense ministers.

https://tass.com/world/1622937

ANCA-Western Region Endorses Adrin Nazarian for L.A. City Council District 2

ANCA-Western Region board and staff with Adrin Nazarian


LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region announced its endorsement of former Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian for Los Angeles City Council District 2, the seat currently held by Council President, Paul Krekorian, who will be termed out in 2024. Nazarian is a son and champion of the Armenian American community and has demonstrated his commitment to advancing the Armenian Cause and the concerns of his constituents.

Nazarian served in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2022, representing the 46th district, which includes parts of the San Fernando Valley and a large Armenian American population. Nazarian worked as Paul Krekorian’s chief of staff before the latter was elected to the position of Los Angeles Councilmember and Assistant Majority Leader in the California State Legislature. In addition, Adrin served as aide to Congressman Brad Sherman, took part in the prestigious CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs program, and was chosen by Governor Gray Davis to serve as Special Assistant to the California Trade and Commerce Agency.

“Few have done as much for the Armenian community as Adrin Nazarian, who has led delegation visits to Artsakh and Armenia, championed pro-Armenian policies, ensured necessary funding for Armenian community service organizations, while working tirelessly to promote justice for Artsakh and Armenia,” said Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “The ANCA-WR is proud to endorse not only an Armenian-American for the office of Council District 2, but a stalwart champion of the Armenian Cause.”

During his tenure as Assemblymember, Nazarian authored and co-authored several bills and resolutions related to Armenian issues. Assemblymember Nazarian played a vital role in 2014 when the California State Legislature recognized the Republic of Artsakh. Nazarian also successfully led the charge to have California divest its public funds from Turkish government-backed securities and financial vehicles in 2019. The Assemblymember was also instrumental in establishing April 24 as a state holiday in 2022, with the closure of all public schools and community colleges. He also secured millions of dollars in state funding for various Armenian American organizations and projects, such as the Armenian American Museum, the creation of TUMO Los Angeles in North Hollywood, Homenetmen Hrashq, the Ararat Home of Los Angeles, the Armenian Bar Association, Camp Arev, and the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School. In 2016, the ANCA-WR honored Assemblymember Nazarian with the “Legislator of the Year ” award at its annual Gala.

Nazarian is running for Los Angeles City Council District 2, which covers parts of the eastern San Fernando Valley, including the communities of North Hollywood, Studio City, Sun Valley, Valley Glen, Valley Village, Van Nuys, and Toluca Lake. The district is home to a large portion of San Fernando Valley’s Armenian American population. Primary elections will take place on March 5, 2024.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issue.

Asbarez: Mirzoyan-Bayramov Meeting in Moscow Deemed ‘Constructive’

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov hosts his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts in Moscow on May 19


A meeting on Friday between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov, hosted by their Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, was deemed “constructive.”

In a brief statement after the meeting, Armenia’s foreign ministry said “a constructive exchange of views took place on topics where the sides still have disagreements.” The statement added that the sides continued to work on an agreement to establish “interstate relations.”

Lavrov hosted Mirzoyan and Bayramov for a three-way talks, after which the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers held talks together.

Lavrov told reporters that Yerevan and Baku had narrowed their differences on a proposed peace agreement, but warned that such an agreement cannot be signed without the opening of transport routes between the two countries and the delimitation and demarcation of the borders.

“Work on the peace treaty is undoubtedly fundamental, however our partners confirmed today that without solving the issues of delimitation, unblocking transport and economic links and an overall improvement of the security situation in both Karabakh and on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border it’s very hard to make progress on concrete aspects of the peace treaty. We discussed all this together,” Lavrov told reporters.

The Russian foreign minister said that the commission tasked with unblocking transport routes is close to a proposing a final agreement and another commission set up to address the border delimitation issues will meet soon to coordinate that important facet.

“With the peace treaty and a number of issues that were discussed today, it was possible to bring the mutual understanding of both sides closer to a common vision,” said Lavrov

He said Russia’s role was to provide a platform for a bilateral meeting.

“We presented our approaches. We hope that this event will enable the ongoing talks between the [foreign] ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to achieve practical results. We will continue to contribute to the progress in order to fully implement all the provisions of all tripartite statements, which are the basis for fully implementing the efforts aimed at the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations,” Lavrov added.

Lavrov also held separate meetings with the foreign ministers before the three convened together.

Mirzoyan expressed concern to Lavrov that the Lachin Corridor, which has been blockaded by Azerbaijan, is not under the complete control of the Russian peacekeeping forces, as envisioned in the November 9, 2020 agreement.

Mirzoyan and Bayramov met earlier this month in Washington for four days of talks hosted by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in Brussels on Sunday, which was hosted by European Council President Charles Michel.

The Kremlin confirmed Friday that Pashinyan and Aliyev will meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on May 25, a week before the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders are slated to meet with Michel, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Sholz in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau (pronounced Kishniyev) on June 1.

The President of Armenia: A leader well-versed in diplomatic tightroping

UK –

His Excellency Vahagn Khachaturyan says his country does ‘not have any right to take any part’ in Ukraine


His Excellency Vahagn Khachaturyan has not been the President of the Republic of Armenia for a single day without war raging in neighbouring Ukrainian territory. In fact, more than one conflict has permeated Khachaturyan’s time in office, including Armenia’s ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan, over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The Tab sat down with the President after he addressed members of the Cambridge Union Society on domestic and foreign Armenian politics. Khachaturyan has been in office since March 2022, after a controversial election where main opposition parties boycotted the parliamentary vote.

The President addresses Cambridge Union Members (Image Credits: Jakob Schoser)

In March 2022, Armenia was one of 35 countries that abstained from the UN General Assembly resolution which condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and demanded a full withdrawal of Russian troops. On this abstention list, Armenia was in the company of China, India, South Africa, and Vietnam.

I first asked the President to explain Armenia’s rationale for abstaining in this particular vote. Interestingly, one of the first phrases his translator relayed to me described Armenia’s situation as ‘unique’. Considering there were 34 other UN member states who chose to abstain from this particular resolution, what exactly about Armenia’s situation is ‘unique’?

Khachaturyan proceeded to put forward a number of justifications for their neutrality on the war in Ukraine. One of the most convincing regarded Armenian expatriates in both Russia and Ukraine. The President described that “two million Armenians live in Russia [and] half a million live in Ukraine, therefore, we do not have a right to take any part.” This is surely a consideration most can sympathise with, especially when one considers the domestic population of Armenia is only roughly three million. The President argued that the Armenian government is “also responsible for our compatriots who live outside.”

The President had a seemingly genuine concern for Armenian citizens living in both nations involved in the war, and the possible repercussions of Armenia declaring support for either Russia or Ukraine. This, however, is not the only factor influencing the President’s ongoing diplomatic tight-roping.

Khachaturyan acknowledged Armenia’s “strategic relations” in Russia, adding that “Russia is the guarantor of our security.” Here he is referring to Armenia’s membership of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), which has a similar mutual protection clause in its treaty to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty (the founding treaty of NATO). If Armenia was ever to be attacked by another state, Russia would be obliged under the treaty to provide military support. Thus, on security matters at least, Armenia is cautious to not bite the hand that feeds her. 

The President touring Trinity College after his talk (Image Credits: Jakob Schoser)

According to the President, Armenia also has “friendly relations” with both Russia and Ukraine, which influences their position that they are “for anybody, but we are ready to help any party for the peaceful settlement and resolution of this issue.”

The President finished his answer to my question with what seemed an honest and genuine reflection of the situation Armenia finds itself in with regard to Ukraine: “Please believe me that it is not easy for us. In words, I might be presenting it smoothly, but in reality it brings a lot of problems and complications for us.”

As a historical ally of Russia, Armenia’s neutrality on the war has seemed to frustrate Moscow. Russia has recently enacted a ban on a number of Armenian dairy products, citing food safety concerns. However, these regulations have been widely interpreted as a subtle condemnation of Armenia’s neutral position. The President acknowledged that “[Russia] may be using these tools for political purposes as well.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Armenia has recently edged closer to ratifying the Rome Statute, which would result in it being a fully-fledged member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This ratification would mean Armenia could prosecute its neighbour Azerbaijan over alleged crimes committed in the ongoing conflict on the border.

However, ratifying the Rome Statute could result in an awkward situation if Putin wanted to visit Armenia in the near future. Armenian authorities would technically have an obligation to arrest Putin, after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for the Russian President. In response, the Kremlin warned of “serious consequences” if Armenia were to fully confirm their ICC membership.

There is no doubt Armenia’s relationship with Moscow has soured since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite trade with Russia becoming “a lot more active”, according to the President. Trade with Russia is yet another factor influencing Khachaturyan’s diplomatic tightroping.

The Tab spoke to the President just days before he attended King Charles III’s coronation in London, an event he saw as an opportunity to develop Armenia’s relationship with the United Kingdom.

The President acknowledged that “the UK is a high-tech developed country” and that Armenia “need[s] to make use of these opportunities.” Beyond the focus of technological development, he would like to “use more opportunities in other sectors to improve our relations”.

Khachaturyan specifically mentioned the culture sector, referencing an exhibition at the British Museum which opened the day he visited Cambridge. The exhibition focuses on Greek and Persian history, but has “exhibits from the Armenian History Museum presented there.” The President thinks it is “very important” to share Armenian culture, and that “Armenia has a great potential to the world with its culture that we are not using enough.”

Ultimately, Armenia’s position on the war collapses the false dichotomy so often presented to us; that states are either wholeheartedly for or against Russia’s actions. There is no doubt we should continue to condemn Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale, illegal invasion of Ukraine, and support Ukraine to defend its sovereign territory. However, there is no harm in acknowledging the reality of the “complex situation” countries like Armenia find themselves in – a situation Khachaturyan clearly articulated to me.

In addition, we should not underestimate the symbolic power of Moscow’s traditional allies taking a neutral stance on the war. Their neutrality can play a valuable role in undermining the Kremlin’s war efforts.


Podcast | A view of the Turkish elections from Azerbaijan and Armenia




 

As Turkey holds a runoff presidential election after Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed to gather 50% of the vote, many inside and outside of Turkey are left wondering what the future might hold for them. This week on the Caucasus Digest, we spoke to Ahmad Alili, director of the Caucasus Policy Analysis Center, and Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center to shed light on how the outcome of the elections might affect Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Listen to the podcast at https://oc-media.org/podcasts/podcast-a-view-of-the-turkish-elections-from-azerbaijan-and-armenia/

Armenpress: Broad range of issues discussed at Brussels-hosted Armenia-Azerbaijan talks

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 21:17,

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev discussed on May 14 during a trilateral meeting issues related to the unblocking of regional transport and economic infrastructures, border delimitation and border security between the two countries, the treaty on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the need to address the rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as other issues related to the POWs, missing persons and other humanitarian issues.

An agreement was reached to continue the discussions on June 1 in Chisinau within the framework of the summit of the European Political Community, where a five-sided meeting with the participation of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the President of Azerbaijan, the President of France, the Chancellor of Germany, and the President of the European Council is scheduled, and in July, within the framework the tripartite meeting in Brussels between the Prime Minister of Armenia, the President of Azerbaijan, and the President of the European Council, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a .

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1110911.html?fbclid=IwAR3WrzCORILJ0LlGV0AsIu5FAdKRpheT6Btd_uEeLvmyiyBRzKNuXRRC-Qk

Defense Minister visits wounded troops of latest Azeri aggression

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 12:00,

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan on Friday visited the wounded Armenian troops of the latest Azeri attack who are being treated at the Central Military Hospital, the defense ministry said in a press release.

Papikyan was briefed on the condition and course of treatment of the troops.

The defense minister wished speedy recovery to the servicemen.




Armenian lawmakers discuss democratic reforms, peace talks with U.S. congressmen

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 10:45,

YEREVAN, MAY 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenian lawmakers have met with United States Congressman Frank Pallone, Nancy Pelosi and other members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus to discuss the democratic reforms in Armenia and the ongoing peace talks.

“Met with Members of the Armenia-USA Friendship Group, the parliamentary equivalent of the Congressional Armenian Caucus,” Pallone tweeted. “We had a great discussion about the democratic reforms taking place in Armenia, the ongoing peace talks, & ways to strengthen the US-Armenia relationship,” he added.

Armenian Security Council Secretary Discusses Bilateral Ties With Senior US Diplomat

 (@FahadShabbir) 

Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan met with US Deputy Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Erica Olson on Monday to discuss their countries' bilateral partnership

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 17th April, 2023) Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan met with US Deputy Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Erica Olson on Monday to discuss their countries' bilateral partnership.

"The parties emphasized the further strengthening of US-Armenian cooperation, including with regard to efforts to ensure stability and peace in the region," the state security agency said in a statement.

The US and Armenian officials welcomed the stable development of bilateral relations, and discussed joint programs and potential areas for further cooperation.

The US Embassy in Yerevan said Erica Olson will meet with Armenian government officials during her two-day visit, including with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. She will raise US support for diplomatic talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a comprehensive peace deal.

Armenpress: Azerbaijani athletes will not participate in the European Weightlifting Championship in Yerevan

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YEREVAN, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan and the National Olympic Committee of that country made a decision to return the Azerbaijani athletes to their homeland after the incident of burning the Azerbaijani flag at the opening ceremony of the European Weightlifting Championship on the evening of April 14 at the Karen Demirchyan Sport and Concert Complex in Yerevan, citing that the Azerbaijani athletes were subjected to under psychological pressure, reports ARMENPRESS.

The European Weightlifting Championship will take place in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on April 15-23. 389 athletes from 40 countries are participating in the championship.

The Azerbaijani delegation arrived in Yerevan on April 13 with 12 members, 4 of whom are athletes.