Category: 2020

Armenia, Cyprus keen to expand cooperation

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 28 2020

On December 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ara Aivazian had a phone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides.

The sides commanded the high dynamics of Armenia-Cyprus relations in bilateral and multilateral formats, stressed the mutual readiness to undertake practical steps aimed at expanding and enriching the bilateral agenda.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Cyprus exchanged views on issues of regional security and stability. Touching upon the Azerbaijani-Turkish military aggression against Artsakh, Minister Aivazian highly appreciated the principled position and the support of friendly Cyprus to the people of Artsakh. In this context, Minister Aivazian also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Cyprus for the humanitarian assistance provided to the Armenians of Artsakh affected by the Azerbaijani


Azerbaijan reports attack on its troops in Nagorno-Karabakh

Manouk Vasilian
CTV News, Canada
Dec 28 2020

The Associated Press Staff           

Published Monday, 7:28AM EST

MOSCOW — Azerbaijan's Defence Ministry said Monday its army units have been attacked by "an illegal Armenian armed group" in Nagorno-Karabakh, killing one Azerbaijani serviceman and wounding another.

The ministry said the attack took place in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday afternoon and was thwarted, leaving all six attackers dead.

The Nagorno-Karabakh military dismissed the statement as "misinformation" and a "propaganda provocation," saying that the territory's army was "strictly observing" the ceasefire. Earlier on Monday the Armenian Defence Ministry also denied media reports of fighting in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but was under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. That war left Nagorno-Karabakh itself and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands.

Heavy fighting erupted in late September in the biggest escalation of the decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, killing more than 5,600 people on both sides. A Russian-brokered peace deal that saw Azerbaijan reclaim much of the separatist region along with surrounding areas ended six weeks of fierce fighting on Nov. 10.

On Dec. 12, Armenia and Azerbaijan reported new clashes in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh, accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire. Russian peacekeepers deployed to monitor the peace deal also reported a violation at the time, but didn't assign blame.

Azerbaijan reports solider killed in ‘Armenian attack’

Emil Lazarian
Deutsche Welle, Germany
Dec 28 2020

Russian peacekeepers have been on the ground in Nagoro-Karabakh in a bid to get a Moscow-brokered ceasefire to hold. Armenia is yet to comment on the claims.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said on Monday that its army units had been attacked by "an illegal Armenian armed group"in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

"As a result of the attack, a soldier of the Azerbaijan army … was killed," the ministry said on Monday, noting that another serviceman was wounded but in stable condition.

Azerbaijan officials said they thwarted the attack, leaving all six attackers dead.

The Defense Ministry vowed to take "decisive measures" if repeat attacks were carried out by Armenian troops.

It comes after the Armenian Defense Ministry denied media reports of fighting in the neighbouring Hadrut region.

Neither Armenian nor Nagorno-Karabakh officials have so far commented on Azerbaijan’s statement.

Map of the region after the conflict in 2020

Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but was under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a war there led to a ceasefire in 1994.

That war left Nagorno-Karabakh itself and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands.

Heavy fighting erupted in late September in the biggest escalation of the decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, killing more than 5,600 people on both sides.

Dozens of civilians on both sides died, as well ashundreds of soldiers.

A Russian-brokered peace dealthat saw Azerbaijan reclaim much of the breakaway region along with surrounding areas ended six weeks of fierce fighting on November 10.

On December 12, Armenia and Azerbaijan reported new clashes in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh, accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire.

Russian peacekeepers deployed to monitor the peace deal also reported a violation but did not assign blame.

The Russian peacekeeping force of approximately 2,000 soldiers reported earlier this month that one Russian soldier died during a mine-clearing operation but says the peace deal is largely holding.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s declaration of autonomy has not been recognized by any country, including Armenia.

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets of Armenia earlier this month, calling on their prime minister to resign.

jf/rt (AP, AFP, Reuters)


Top Iranian, Armenian Diplomats Hold Talks

Emil Lazarian
Tasnim News, Iran
Dec 28 2020

  • December, 28, 2020 – 16:41
  • Politics news
– Politics news –

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Armenian counterpart Ara Aivazian held a telephone conversation today.

The two senior diplomats discussed issues relating to bilateral and regional cooperation.

They also talked about regional security and stability, calling for closer cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan for addressing new regional challenges.

In the conversation, Zarif offered condolences to Armenia and expressed solidarity with the people of Armenia for the casualties of the recent war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, according to the Republic of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Zarif and Aivazian also emphasized the importance of promoting the contacts and dialogue at various levels between the two neighbors based on their centuries-old friendly relations.

The two ministers also reiterated readiness to deepen the close cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats.



Iran, Armenia Weigh Plans for Gas-Electricity Barter Deal

Garnik Tadevosian
Tasnim News, Iran

Dec 28 2020

  • December, 28, 2020 – 14:56
  • Economy news
– Economy news –

After their meeting in Tehran, the heads of the Iranian and Armenian delegations described the discussions as constructive.

“In their meeting today, the two Iranian and Armenian delegations discussed the expansion of long-term relations in the domain of energy and reached agreement on key issues,” Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister Amir Hossein Zamaninia said on Sunday.

“The two sides decided to put off until a future time discussions on certain technical issues pertaining to the export of gas along with the gas-electricity barter deal,” he added.

“After those issues are finalized, a long-term agreement will be signed in that regard,” the Iranian official said after the meeting.

For his part, head of the Armenian delegation Hakob Vardanyan said his country had been discussing gas exports and the extension of a gas barter deal with Iran for one and a half years, describing his talks with the Iranian delegation as very constructive.

He said the two sides reached agreement on some of the fundamental issues, according to the Iranian government’s official website.

Back in 2004, Tehran and Yerevan signed a natural gas and electricity barter agreement under which Iran’s exported gas would be used as fuel for power stations in Armenia and, in return, Iran would import electricity from Armenia.

Armenia began importing natural gas form Iran in mid-2009.




Eight People Detained during Anti-Government Protest in Armenia

Toneyan Mark
Tasnim News, Iran

Dec 28 2020

  • December, 28, 2020 – 15:30
  • Other Media news

    • – Other Media news –

    Protesters gathered outside the parliament building on Monday morning – when the legislature was due to convene for an extraordinary session – to demand that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan step down.

    "Eight people have been taken under police custody so far," a spokesperson for the Armenian police said. 

    Police have cordoned off the building and deployed extra officers to the area. Protesters threw eggs at lawmakers' cars, which sparked a clash with a politician from Armenia's My Step ruling party.

    As reported by a Sputnik correspondent in Yerevan, the demonstrators then marched to Republic Square, where there are several government buildings, to join another anti-Pashinyan protest. So far, the situation remains calm amid a heavy police presence.

    The Armenian opposition has been demanding Pashinyan's resignation since he signed a trilateral declaration with the leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan on November 9 to cease armed hostilities in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The ceasefire entailed significant territorial concessions to Azerbaijan, which many Armenians are not happy about, especially as around 2,300 Armenian soldiers have reportedly died since the start of the conflict.

    Last Friday, Pashinyan proposed holding a snap election but this was rejected by the opposition, who demand he step down first as it's feared the PM has enough influence to call the vote.



    ​Vazgen Manukyan: No elections can be held in Armenia unless Pashinyan steps down

    Garo Vardanian
    Panorama, Armenia
    Dec 28 2020
     
     
    Vazgen Manukyan: No elections can be held in Armenia unless Pashinyan steps down
     
    Civil disobedience actions will continue in Yerevan on a daily basis until Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan steps down, Vazgen Manukyan, the joint candidate of the opposition forces for interim prime minister, told reporters in the Republic Square on Monday.
     
    After holding a rally outside the National Assembly earlier in the day, a group of opposition activists marched to the Republic Square in the city center, with Vazgen Manukyan joining them. The protest in the square did not last long.
     
    The opposition leader stated every day that Pashinyan stays in power is “destructive” for Armenia.
     
    Reacting to the premier’s call for snap elections, the opposition candidate expressed doubt that Pashinyan really wants to hold elections, adding he “deliberately wants to divide the arena into different groups: those who agree and those who don’t.”
     
    “It’s his regular trick to divide the society into the old and the new, the black and the white, the elite and the ordinary people. We have clearly stated that no elections can be held in Armenia under the leadership of Nikol Pashinyan. First of all, he must leave, a government of national accord must be formed to increase the combat readiness of our army and to hold talks for at least one year,” he said, expressing concerns over the handover of more borders to Azerbaijan as a “disgrace”.
     
    “Even during the communist era, our and their central committees fought for every inch of land. And now, without negotiations and international law borders are being drawn. Holding elections in a few months means splitting the country again," Manukyan said.
     
    The opposition politician noted during the elections all the parties will start fighting, adding “until we come to our senses, such a thing cannot be done.”
     
    "He must step down until the snap elections. I don't even want to discuss the option that he may stay and hold elections,” he said, adding otherwise the elections will turn into confrontations inside the country.
     
     
     

    Robert Kocharyan held a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin – 168.am

    Andranik Taslakhchian
    Panorama, Armenia
    Dec 28 2020

    Armenia's second president Robert Kocharyan held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, 168.am reports, citing own sources in Moscow. As the source reminds, Kocharyan paid a working visit to Moscow on December 18 to attend the session of the Sistema PJSFC Board of Directors to which he is a member. 

    As pat of the visit, Kocharyan held an hour-long conversation with Putin. The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues, concerning the security of Armenia and Artsakh in the post-war reality, possible regional developments as well as the political and economic situation established in Armenia. 

    168.am has reached the Spokesperson of the former president Victor Soghomonyan to comment on the veracity of the reports. Soghomonyan has neither denied nor confirmed the information, at the same time refusing to provide details on the phone conversion or comment it in any way. 

    The news outlet then raises questions why the presidents talked over the phone instead of having a face-to-face meeting as it has happened previously when Kocharyan was in Moscow. 

    "Dmitry Peskov's yesterday's comments that Vladimir Putin is likely to announce about taking the coronavirus vaccine in the near future spreads light on the issue as ahead of the vaccination Putin has reportedly minimized the frequency of face-to-face meetings. 


    MP from ruling party gets furious, uses foul language after being egged by protesters

    Parkev Tvankchian
    Panorama, Armenia

    Dec 28 2020

    Parliamentarian Sisak Gabrielyan from the ruling 'My Step' faction got furious after being egged by a group of protesters at the entrance to the National Assembly in Yerevan. 

    Gabrielyan was about to enter the building, when he had a raw egg cracked over his head. The parliamentarian attempted to scuffle with protestors, and was removed by security officers from the scene. Mediaport Telegram channels caught Gabrielyan using foul language and threatening the protesters. 

    To remind, a group of citizens have blocked the entrance to the National Assembly from Demirchyan Street since early morning in a protest, demanding PM Nikol Pashinyan's resignation. 

    They earlier threw eggs at the car of another parliamentarian Andranik Kocharyan. 

    Protesters are holding posters "Nikol, go!" and chanting "Nikol, you are a traitor."


    PARA TV news agency cameraman detained

    Garik Boshkezenian
    Panorama, Armenia

    Dec 28 2020

    During the protest actions outside the National Assembly, the police detained citizens by the order of the newly appointed commander of the State Protection Service of the National Security Service, Sargis Hovhannisyan, 'Media Advocate' initiative reported on Monday.  

    According to the source, PARA TV news agency cameraman Vazgen Hambardzumyan has been among the detainees. "Such behavior of the police is unacceptable. Recently, the police have shown several manifestations of intolerant attitude towards media representatives," the initiative said, adding the incident is a direct blow to the freedom of speech. TNoting that the police have no right to hinder the professional work of the cameraman, 'Media Advocate' initiative condemns the action of the police and demands the immediate release of Vazgen Hambardzumyan, who was doing nothing but carrying out his professional duties.