Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

Armenian President concerned over the continuing Azerbaijani militant rhetoric

Yeghisabet Arthur

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 18:07,

YEREVAN, 13 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian had a meeting with the President of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan on January 13.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the President, a reference was made to the external and domestic challenges faced by the country. President Sarkissian expressed concern with regards to the recent days’ provocations of the Azerbaijani armed forces and the continuing Azerbaijani militant rhetoric.

President Sarkissian and the President of the National Assembly referred also to the role of the parliamentary diplomacy and highlighted more active and efficient activities in that area.

Armenian, Russian defense ministers discuss activity of CSTO peacekeeping forces in Kazakhstan

Yeghisabet Arthur

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 17:25,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister of Armenia Suren Papikyan, the current secretary of the CSTO Council of Defense Ministers, held a telephone conversation today with Russian Defense Minister, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, the Armenian defense ministry said.

During the phone talk the current situation in Kazakhstan, the implementation process of the decisions of the CSTO Collective Security Council and Council of Defense Ministers, as well as the activity of the CSTO joint peacekeeping forces were discussed.

The ministers also exchanged views about the measures being taken.

Armenian FM discusses the situation in Kazakhstan with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Polish FM Zbigniew Rau

Yeghisabet Arthur

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 20:05,

YEREVAN, 10 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on January 10 had a phone call with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau. Ararat Mirzoyan congratulated his counterpart on the occasion of assuming the OSCE Chairmanship, assuring that Armenia will support as much as possible to the preservation of peace and stability in the OSCE responsibility zone.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan and Zbigniew Rau discussed the situation in Kazakhstan. Minister Mirzoyan presented the position of the Armenian side on this issue reflected in the announcement of January 6 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

The Armenian FM mentioned that according to the official application of Kazakhstan based on the treaty of Collective Security, Charter of the Organization, as well as on the Agreement of Peacekeeping activity the CSTO Collective Security Council made a decision to send peacekeepers with a limited period to Kazakhstan for the protection of strategic objects.

Referring to the regional security issues the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group. In this context Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the support of Poland as the chair of the OSCE to the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-chairs aimed at the comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict on the basis of prominent principles and elements.

The interlocutors made a reference also to the solution of urgent humanitarian issues, in particular the work done aimed at the return of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees.

Sports: Armenian-Russian boxer, Arrest Sahakyan, dies after knockout defeat sent him into a coma

Yeghisabet Arthur
MARCA
Jan 9 2022

He spent 10 days in a coma before passing away

Arrest Sahakyan has tragically lost his life after suffering a knockout defeat in a fight on December 26, then falling into a 10-day coma.

Sahakyan, just 26 years old, suffered a swell on his brain in the bout and had to undergo surgery. After 10 days in a coma, he passed away on Friday, January 7.

The super middleweight fighter had nine professional fights, winning six. He won each of his first four fights.

His funeral will be held in Tolyatti, Samarra in Russia on January 11, though relative Svetlana Petrosyan confirmed that he would be buried in Yerevan, Armenia.

"My heart is torn to pieces," Petrosyan wrote on Instagram. "I don't believe it… it's like a bad dream."

Armenia sends about 70 servicemen to Kazakhstan

Yeghisabet Arthur
 NEWS.am 
Armenia – Jan 5 2022
14:02, 06.01.2022

Armenia has sent its servicemen to Kazakhstan as part of the peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

According to Sputnik Armenia, about 70 Armenian servicemen—as part of the CSTO peacekeeping contingent—shall protect strategic facilities in Kazakhstan amid mass protests in the country.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had announced on Wednesday that he had petitioned for assistance from the leaders of the CSTO member countries—including Armenia.


Pres. Raeisi: Supporting countries’ integrity, sovereignty Iran’s fundamental policy

Yeghisabet Arthur
Iran – Jan 3 2022
Monday, 2:54 PM

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi says the country’s foreign policy is based on the basic principle of supporting territorial integrity and sovereignty of other countries.

Raeisi made the remarks in a Monday phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during which the two sides discussed development of economic exchanges and cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan.

“The principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries,” Raeisi said. “In doing so, Tehran supports the sovereignty of Armenia over all its territories and means of transportation passing through the country.”

Expressing felicitations on the birthday anniversary of Jesus Christ (PBUH) and the beginning of the Christian New Year, the Iranian president highlighted the necessity of constant interaction and dialogue between the two countries at different levels and among neighbors.

“The sensitivity of the situation in the Caucasus region requires the countries of the region to discuss regional and bilateral issues on a regular basis,” Raeisi added.

Stressing that Tehran welcomes progress in the process of talks between the Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Iranian president said, “We hope that other issues between the two countries will be resolved peacefully within the framework of international principles and law, and that we will see more peace, stability and security in the region.”


Pashinyan, for his part, reaffirmed his country’s resolve to expand multilateral relations with Iran and said, “We are determined to increase economic relations and interactions with Iran in all fields and to make the Iran-Armenia joint economic cooperation commission more active than before.”

The Armenian premier described regional cooperation between the two countries as important and said, “We are confident that by boosting the level of cooperation and bilateral coordination, we can take important steps towards establishment of peace and security in the region.”

Iran has on several occasions voiced concern over tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, urging the two neighbors to exercise restraint and resort to dialogue to resolve differences.

Tensions between Yerevan and Baku remain high a year after the arch-foes fought a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The six-week conflict, which claimed more than 6,500 lives on both sides, ended in November 2020 with a Russian-brokered deal that left Azerbaijan largely in control of the territory.

Since the truce, the two sides have accused each other of breaching the peace deal.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been populated by ethnic Armenians. 


https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/01/03/673983/Iran-President-Ebrahim-Raeisi-Armenian-Prime-Minister-Nikol-Pashinyan-territorial-integrity-sovereignty-

Karabakh parliament adopts declaration on Artsakh’s Armenian future

Yeghisabet Arthur
PanArmenian, Armenia
Dec 27 2021
December 27, 2021 – 16:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) on Monday, December 27 adopted a declaration, slamming statements that "diminish the subjectivity of Artsakh and its Armenian future".

The declaration was adopted amid a spat between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan. Pashinyan said in a virtual press conference that the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Republic has never been viewed as an Armenian entity, but as an Armenian and Azerbaijani entity, at least in terms of population. Harutyunyan said in response that only the authorities of Artsakh are authorized to speak on behalf of the population of Artsakh.

The Karabakh lawmakers said throughout the chronicle of the Karabakh conflict, statements distorting and falsifying the essence of the problem have regularly been circulated, which complicate and entangle the process of comprehensive and final settlement of the conflict.

"It is confusing that the last such statement was made by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. The fate of Artsakh has never been and it will not be the monopoly of any political force. We express our disagreement and frustration on a number of harmful, distorted formulations and ideas voiced during the interview," the declaration said.

"The fact that against the background of Karabakh movement, the results of the 1988 national liberation struggle, formulations are heard, which question the existence of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic, proclaimed on September 2, 1991, which is fully acting in line with the norms of international law and its ongoing struggle for international recognition, is a matter of concern.

"The negotiation process of previous years, the legal and political framework of the Armenian parties, in the context of protecting our national interests, did not contradict the positions presented by international structures and mediators.

"The fact that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh has never been ignored in the proposals previously submitted by the mediators, is confirmed in the clarifications given by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

"The working options discussed in the negotiation process of different years, speculations about a possible change in the negotiating framework are imaginary and false tricks to obscure the public consciousness, to distort the realities.

"We consider inadmissible the statements questioning the Armenian origin of Artsakh and emphasizing the importance of the presence of possible foreign elements. Such statements are reprehensible and worthy condemnation in the memory of the thousands of Armenians who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of Artsakh.

"Bowing down to the memory of all those perished in the Artsakh struggle for survival, at the same time, we express our gratitude to all Armenians, particularly to our compatriots in Armenia, for standing by Artsakh, sharing its sufferings and deprivations.

"For many years, the fraternal relations between the two Armenian republics have been based on the decision adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia on July 8, 1992, which clearly defined the attitude of the Republic of Armenia, a full member of the international community, towards the Artsakh Republic, which is striving for international recognition. With this decision, the Republic of Armenia undertakes to "consistently support the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and the protection of the rights of its population". It is also defined to «consider any international or domestic document, where the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is mentioned as part of Azerbaijan, unacceptable for the Republic of Armenia». This resolution is still relevant today.

"The Republic of Artsakh National Assembly, reaffirming the determination of the people and authorities of Artsakh on the sovereignty and independence of the Artsakh Republic, declares unacceptable expressing a position without taking into account the point of view of the Artsakh authorities, as only the legitimate authorities formed by the citizens of the Artsakh Republic through elections have the right to make decisions on the future of Artsakh.

Turkish press: Turkey slams Greece’s illegal pushback policy, EU’s negligence

Yeghisabet Arthur
Ahmet Gencturk   |29.12.2021

Justice and Development (AK) Party's Spokesman Omer Celik makes a speech as he holds a press conference following AK Party Central Decision and Executive Board (MYK) meeting, in Ankara, Turkey on November 30, 2021. ( Ercin Erturk – Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA

Turkey on Wednesday denounced Greece’s illegal pushback policy and the EU’s negligence regarding the situation.

Omer Celik, the spokesperson for the Justice and Development (AK) Party, said Greece’s illegal pushback of migrants is the main reason behind the recent rise in migrant deaths in the Aegean Sea. He accused the European countries of ignoring it.

“Greece’s persistent pushback policy, which is facilitated by the EU’s Frontex (border and coast guard agency) led to migrants to change their route to more dangerous and longer Italian route,” he told reporters following the party’s executive board meeting in the capital Ankara.

Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

Russia-Ukraine tension

Regarding the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine, Celik said Turkey attaches great importance to peace and stability in the Black Sea.

“We hope that a ground, which would preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine and clear concerns of both NATO and Russia, will be established,” he said.

Russia has recently amassed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine’s border. The move has prompted concerns among NATO allies that Russia could be planning another military offensive against its ex-Soviet neighbor.

The US and its European allies are accusing Russia of trying to destabilize the country by providing military support to the separatist forces in Ukraine’s eastern regions.

Turkey-Armenia normalization

Also addressing the normalization of ties between Turkey and Armenia, Celik said Turkey’s special envoy Serdar Kilic will soon meet with his Armenian counterpart to discuss the process.

If things went well with the normalization of the relations, which Azerbaijan has consented to and supported, Turkey and Armenia would resume charter flights as one of the steps of the process, he said.

“We hope that Armenia would give up with expansionist policies and act as a part of the mechanism that would contribute to stability in the southern Caucasus,” Celik remarked.

On Dec. 15, Turkey appointed Kilic, a former ambassador to the US, as its special envoy to discuss steps for normalization with Armenia. Three days later, Armenia also appointed its special representative for dialogue with Turkey, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan.

Delayed Libyan presidential election

On the latest developments in Libya, including the postponement of the presidential polls previously scheduled to be held on Dec. 24, Celik reiterated that Turkey supports just, free and legitimate elections which would take the country out of instability.

“Turkey expects whoever emerges victorious from the elections to represent the whole country,” he added.

On Monday, the Libyan parliament proposed postponing the country’s presidential elections by six months.

Libyan rival parties have been in disagreement over the voting timetable for the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held simultaneously or one after the other.

Libyans hope that the upcoming elections will contribute to ending an armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years.

Armenia and Karabakh Ombudspersons issue statement on Nikol Pashinyan’s statements

Yeghisabet Arthur
News.am, Armenia
Dec 26 2021
Armenia and Karabakh Ombudspersons issue statement on Nikol Pashinyan's statements
21:11, 26.12.2021

The assessments that the Prime Minister of Armenia made during his recent press conference are extremely dangerous for the vital rights of the Armenians of Artsakh and obstruct protection from the policy of genocide of Azerbaijan. This is stated in the statement that Human Rights Defenders of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Arman Tatoyan and Gegham Stepanyan put into circulation.

“The approaches voiced at the press conference of the Prime Minister of Armenia on Dec. 24 completely contradict the natural rights of the Armenians of Artsakh to security and create fertile ground for Azerbaijan’s violations. These approaches fundamentally jeopardize the natural right to national self-determination.

According to the Prime Minister of Armenia, the consistent discriminatory policy of persecution against the Armenian people, the atrocities, the deprivation of property by Azerbaijan in 1923 and other illegal acts for the eviction of Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) are overlooked.

The Azerbaijani state policy of hatred and enmity towards Armenia is that, in 2020, during the war, this led to massive ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, destruction of cities and villages (Stepanakert, Martuni, Shushi, Hadrut, etc.), depriving people of their homes, torture and atrocities, murder, desecration and destruction of churches.

After the war, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, under the auspices of the Azerbaijani authorities, continue to violate the vital rights of the people of Artsakh and kill civilians.

We consider the assessments of the Prime Minister of Armenia extremely dangerous. They substantiate the supremacy of political issues over human rights, reinforce Azerbaijan's false theses that ignore human rights. We urge everyone to stop ignoring human rights, creating fertile ground for false Azerbaijani theses, to exclude the subordination of human rights to political issues, as well as to refrain from creating artificial obstacles to protect the rights of our compatriots, especially in international instances,” the statement reads.

Armenian President holds meeting with Chinese Ambassador

Yeghisabet Arthur

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 12:04,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian held a meeting today with Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Armenia Fan Yong, the Presidential Office reports.

The Armenian President and the Chinese Ambassador exchanged ideas about the agenda of the bilateral relations, the prospective cooperation directions and the opportunities of deepening the partnership in different fields.

Regional security and stability-related issues were also touched upon.