Category: 2021

 

 

MP Edmon Marukyan from the opposition Bright Armenia faction referred to the claims of the Armenian authorities that the statement signed during the trilateral meeting in Moscow on Monday is also beneficial for Armenia.

 

"The authorities continue to insist that the new document signed in Moscow yesterday is in Armenia's interests, as it will allow us to have a direct railway link with Russia through Azerbaijan, spreading false claims that it will be safe from now on,” he wrote on Facebook.

 

“I would like to underline that it will be going through the territory of Azerbaijan, a country that has not returned our prisoners of war and civilian captives so far, a country whose servicemen tortured and beheaded our soldiers and citizens with the Islamic State methods, not sparing even the elderly and the sick, as a result of the anti-Armenian policy of its authorities, as well as with their approval, a country that did not shy away from using terrorists against us, a country that shelled a maternity hospital, a church and, finally, a country whose soldier was glorified and rewarded at the highest level for axing to death our officer while he was asleep.

 

“Keep insisting that you have made significant achievements,” the opposition MP said.

 

 

 

Azerbaijan is evidently politicizing the issue of prisoners of war (POWs), which is inadmissible, Armenia’s Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan told a news conference on Tuesday.

 

He underlined that politicizing humanitarian issues in the post-war stage is unacceptable and a gross violation of international humanitarian law.

 

"According to the international standards, prisoners of war must be released and returned to their home countries immediately after the end of hostilities. It is prohibited to launch criminal proceedings against them, their detention or arrest, which is considered a punishment, is also banned. Moreover, artificially protracting these issues is also prohibited, in fact, it amounts to a war crime," the ombudsman said.

 

According to Tatoyan, Azerbaijan is pursuing a policy of applying the November 10 trilateral statement only to the previous situations.

 

"This is also inadmissible. It should be applicable to situations after November 10 as well, that is, so long as the parties have prisoners who are largely connected with the military operations," he said.

 

The ombudsman noted that Azerbaijan constantly delays the release of POWs to cause mental suffering to the Armenian people, especially to the families of the prisoners, and to play with the people’s feelings, at the same time causing tensions.

 

"Our study shows that this is obviously part of Azerbaijani policy. Besides, they do not unveil the real number of prisoners," Tatoyan said.

 

Asked whether he is ready to meet with the commissioner for human rights of Azerbaijan, Tatoyan said. "I am ready, there is no problem, but I have always had a precondition that if issues related to Artsakh are to be discussed, the Artsakh ombudsman must take part in the meeting as well, as it is a human rights-related issue, not a political one. In the case of Armenia, I am always open for cooperation as the human rights defender of Armenia,” he added.

 

https://en.armradio.am/2021/01/12/deputy-pm-mher-grigoryan-to-co-chairs-armenian-russian-azerbaijani-working-group/

 

 

"Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev can intimidate only his own people with threats and his 'iron fist,' as we, Armenians, are not afraid," President of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan said, commenting on Ilham Aliyev's recent anti-Armenia speeches.

 

"It is ridiculous that he can intimidate Armenians with his 'iron fist' and aggressive behavior. His dictatorial traits and rhetoric are not interesting for us. However, Aliyev remains a source of major challeneges for the Azerbaijani people in the future. I am sincerely sorry for them, as not the people but the ruler should to be blamed, as he speaks of peace and prospects for living together and at the same time deliberately creates grounds for enmity and leads his people to a new war," Abrahamyan said.

 

He added that neither Erdogan, nor the spirit of butcher Enver whom Aliyev was appealing in a Baku square, may help him any more. In Abrahamyan's words, Armenians are one of the most integrated people with a long history of coexistence with different people, including islamic. "Yet with his belligerent rhetoric and actions, Aliyev, regretfully, leaves no place for trust," stressed Abrahamyan.

 

 

 

The rescue units of the Artsakh State Service for Emergency Situations continue search operations for bodies of killed servicemen in the Nagorno-Karabakh war zone. According to the update, released by the Service, in the period from January 1 to 10, bodies of 74 killed servicemen were recovered and handed over to the relatives.

 

To date, bodies of 1,211 killed have been found in search operations launched since November 13. Bodies of civilians were among the victims, the source added.

 

 

 

The trilateral talks of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict ended in Moscow. The leaders of the three countries made press statements following the four-hour long negotiations in which they informed about signing a new statement on Nagorno-Karabakh.  

 

"The statement signed is very important, and I will not hide that it can change the form of economic cooperation in the region, turning economic innovations into a security guarantee," PM Pashinyan said in his remarks.

 

Pashinyan, however, admitted, that not all issues were solved during the talks.

 

"Regretfully, a single meeting couldn't bring a solution to all issues. I hope, we will proceed and want to stress that one of the most important issues pending implementations are those related to the humanitarian aspect, in particular, the exchange of war prisoners, as envisaged by Point 8 of the November 9 trilateral statement," added Pashinyan.

 

 

 

The issue concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh status remains unresolved, PM Nikol Pashinyan stated on Monday  in Moscow after trilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

 

"Unfortunately, this conflict remains unresolved. Of course, we were able to reach a ceasefire regime, yet there are many issues to be addressed. One of those issues is the status of Nagorno-Karabakh," said Pashinyan, adding Armenia is ready to continue the talks under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.

 

Pashinyan also noted that the parties to the talk were unable to find a solution on the exchange of war prisoners. "This is a sensitive topic, and we must address it urgently," said the PM.

 

Azerbaijani president Ilham ALiyev, meanwhile, assessed the meeting efficient and fruitful in the context of the future development of the region. He expressed hope that neighboring states will be actively engaged in developing transport infrastructure in the South Caucasus

 

21:06, 11.01.2021

Region:Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia

 

I am very glad that we achieved at least some result after these talks, and it’s very important. This is what Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said during the bilateral meeting with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, referring to the results of the trilateral meeting with the Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan.

 

“I am certain that the agreements formulated in our joint statement can seriously help change the economy in the region and seriously increase the potential for investments…However, in my opinion, the economic issues will become difficult to solve, if the humanitarian issues aren’t solved and, of course, as I already said, the humanitarian issue related to the exchange of prisoners of war, missing persons and bodies of deceased is the most sensitive and most painful issue for us Armenians.

 

I would like to thank you for supporting this position. Of course, your personal contribution to the peace process is very, very tangible, especially now after the well-known events. I am certain that the relations between Armenia and Russia will grow deeper. Russia has been and remains Armenia’s key strategic ally…also in the security sector. Of course, we need to discuss not only the future of the region, but also the agenda for bilateral relations, and I am glad for this meeting and this opportunity," Pashinyan said.