bnn
Dec 23 2023
Category: 2023
Armenia and France Convene Military-Political Consultations, Bolstering Bilateral Relations
bnn
Dec 23 2023
Armenia and France, in a significant move, have held high-level military-political consultations in Paris. The Armenian delegation was spearheaded by Levon Ayvazyan, a prominent figure in the Armenian Ministry of Defense, while Alice Rufo, a known stalwart in French defense circles, led the French delegation. In the meeting, the two countries discussed various issues of international and regional security, opening up new avenues for political dialogue and mutual cooperation.
These consultations, held on December 21, marked a new chapter in Armenian-French bilateral relations. The discussions were comprehensive, encapsulating not only the current security scenario but also the broader cooperation agenda between the two nations. In a world fraught with security threats and political tensions, such a meeting indicates a shared commitment to peace and stability.
As a result of the consultations, a series of agreements were reached, further strengthening the bond between Armenia and France. These agreements, though not specified in detail, may pave the way for more significant bilateral cooperation, especially in defense matters. The discussions also hinted at potential future agreements, which could further deepen the ties between the two countries.
It is worth noting that, according to AZfront, a source close to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, reported earlier in May that France had begun delivering military equipment to Armenia. This included about 50 armored personnel carriers. Later, Dupuy, a former advisor to the French Ministry of Defense, confirmed this information in an interview with Caucase de France. There are also reports suggesting that France might supply Armenia with offensive weapons and that Armenia has received military equipment previously refused by Ukraine. Such developments, if confirmed, would represent a significant shift in France’s support for Armenia.
Geopolitical Tensions Rise as Russia-Armenia Alliance Faces Western Interference
bnn
Dec 23 2023
In a landscape fraught with geopolitical tension, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has affirmed that the alliance between Russia and Armenia faces a stern test, as Western powers attempt to destabilize their relationship. This public declaration underscores the significance of the bond between the two nations, and the perceived attempts by the West to fracture this alliance, potentially destabilizing regional stability and upsetting the balance of power.
In an open critique of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian expressed his dissatisfaction over the lack of support from the CSTO during Armenia’s confrontation with Azerbaijan. Despite pleas for military assistance following deadly skirmishes, the CSTO only dispatched its secretary general to the disputed area and proposed a working group to evaluate the situation. Pashinian also raised the issue of honoring agreements reached through Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mediation during a meeting with the Russian leader.
At the same time, the Armenian Television and Radio Commission suspended the license of Tospa, the company broadcasting Russian radio station Sputnik Armenia’s propaganda programs, for 30 days. A fine of 500 thousand drams was levied against the company. The Russian Embassy in Armenia expressed its dismay over the decision, stating it infringed upon the Armenian listener’s right to access information from their chosen source. This action further highlights the escalating tension between Russia and Western powers within Armenia.
Amidst this geopolitical tug of war, Russian peacekeepers are being dispatched to Nagorno Karabakh in accordance with an agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia to halt the six-week military conflict. The announcement has been met with jubilation in Azerbaijan and political upheaval in Armenia, where furious protesters have targeted government buildings and parliament. The agreement stipulates the deployment of Russian troops, the handover of territories to Azerbaijan, and Russian border services monitoring transport corridors. These developments illustrate the intricate dynamics at play in this deeply complex region.
https://bnnbreaking.com/world/russia/geopolitical-tensions-rise-as-russia-armenia-alliance-faces-western-interference/
Armenian PM’s Ambiguous Response Sparks Speculation Amid Ongoing Conflict
bnn
Dec 23 2023
In a recent development, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ambiguous response to a question has prompted speculation. When asked to confirm a decision, Pashinyan responded with a broad smile, suggesting an affirmative answer. However, when pressed to confirm the decision without smiling, the Prime Minister negated, hinting at a lack of decision-making. The context or subject of this decision remains undisclosed.
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan expressed disappointment at the Russian peacekeepers’ actions in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan. While criticizing Prime Minister Pashinyan for consistently acknowledging Armenia’s recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Simonyan emphasized Russia’s allyship with Armenia and its commitment to fulfilling its obligations.
On the international front, PM Pashinyan congratulated the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi on his re-election and also extended his felicitations to Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal al Ahmad al Sabah on his ascendance to office. Furthermore, Pashinyan chaired a meeting of the ruling Civil Contract party’s initiative group in Armenia.
In a flip-flop of decisions, Samvel Shahramanyan, leader of Armenian separatists, announced the invalidity of his previous decree ordering the dissolution of separatist institutions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, thereby reversing a historic move by the separatists. This development follows the deployment of Azerbaijani troops to Karabakh after separatist forces surrendered and agreed to reintegrate with Baku. The breakaway republic is now shrouded in uncertainty as the EU-mediated peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan are in limbo, with Azerbaijan refusing to engage in planned discussions with Armenia in the United States.
Armenian Separatist Leader Retracts Decree Amidst Azerbaijani Control
bnn
Dec 23 2023
Amidst an unfolding geopolitical drama, Armenian separatist leader Samvel Shahramanyan has made a striking reversal by retracting his earlier decree that ordered the dissolution of separatist institutions in the contentious Nagorno-Karabakh region. This backpedalling occurs against a backdrop of recent Azerbaijani military advancements and a simmering peace process that might reshape the region’s future. Shahramanyan’s initial decree, issued on September 26, had set the stage for the dismantling of such institutions by January 1, 2024, hinting at the twilight of the self-proclaimed republic.
In a defiant statement from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, Shahramanyan declared the decree null and void, referring to it as ’empty paper.’ He emphasized that no document had the power to erase the republic born from the people’s determination. This assertion by the separatist leader comes in the wake of Azerbaijani forces taking control of Karabakh on September 19, following a conflict that ended three decades of separatist governance. This hostile takeover resulted in the capitulation of the separatists and their subsequent agreement to reintegration with Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
The ongoing conflict has seen over 100,000 ethnic Armenians uprooted from Karabakh to Armenia, highlighting the human cost of the territorial dispute. This development coincides with a potential peace agreement on the horizon between Armenia and Azerbaijan, centered on the mutual acknowledgment of each other’s territorial boundaries. The peace talks, however, face an impasse, with Azerbaijan withdrawing from scheduled discussions in the United States. This political maneuvering by Shahramanyan could be seen as an attempt to fortify the separatists’ bargaining position or to navigate through a tumultuous period of transition and uncertainty.
As the peace process hangs in the balance, the fate of the Nagorno-Karabakh region remains a contentious issue with immense implications for regional stability. The dissolution of separatist institutions was perceived as a step towards reintegration; however, Shahramanyan’s recent move signals a potential wrench in the works of conflict resolution. With the EU mediation efforts at a stalemate, the international community watches closely as the narrative of Nagorno-Karabakh continues to unfold, fraught with historical grievances and the quest for peace.
Kairidis: Refugee management is drastically changing – Agreements with Armenia and India, not Pakistan
Dec 23 2023
The Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Dimitris Kairidis, analysed on ERT what the new agreement in the EU on immigration means for Greece, and at the same time, denied the deal for the arrival of 500,000 workers from Pakistan. On the contrary, as he said, Greece is studying the possibility of bringing “a low-skilled workforce, with conditions and rules, because our economy needs it” from Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and possibly India.
There are special clauses to decongest the islands
“We have achieved a lot. We should rightly feel pleased about Europe as a whole. It was a very difficult negotiation that started in 2016, it actually accelerated after ’20, and the goal is to close it at the European Parliament, which will have to ratify the new agreement before the European elections finally”, the minister told “Sindeses”.
And as he added, “The most important thing is the introduction for the first time of a mandatory solidarity mechanism next to the responsibility of the first receiving states. For the first time, the solidarity of all the others enters.” In particular, as he said, asylum seekers will be proportionally distributed throughout Europe and not stay only in the country of first reception.
Speaking about the economic alternative requested by some countries, he explained to the journalists Kostas Papachliminzo and Christina Vidou that “in a period of crisis, that is, in a period of sharp increase in flows, there is no economic alternative. Hungary, Poland and the rest of the Visegrad countries (including the Czech Republic and Slovakia) are obliged to help by recruiting people.” He even characterised the new EU agreement as “something very big that drastically changes the landscape of refugee management”.
Mr. Kairidis referred to the reception time of immigrants in the host countries, which is reduced from 10 years to 18 months, and the time to decongest the islands. “We were interested in not being trapped on the islands, in the Eastern Aegean or in the Evros, to create a superstructure of 30,000 and for the rest of the Europeans to wash their hands.” As he said, there are special decongestion clauses to avoid this problem.
“We also have a clause against instrumentalisation, which was an issue we put in after the experience of the 20s, which is very high on the agenda now in Finland, which has the problem with Russia. The country will be able to take extraordinary measures, close borders to speed up the asylum process and face the crisis of instrumentalisation by a bad neighbour”, he added.
Responding to the opposition’s criticisms, Mr Kairidis said that he does not know the terms of the agreement well, giving credit to Mr Kasselakis, saying that “it is a big step that SYRIZA is now talking about deportations”.
Regarding this, he stated that “it is important to get away from the naivety or stupidity of entitlement and to make the distinction that those who are not entitled to asylum, to save the international protection system, the returnees must be returned. And it is a taboo for the Left. The fact that SYRIZA takes this step in common sense and comes to our own positions is important. This is credited to Kasselakis, along with the defence expenditures,” argued Mr Kairidis.
In discussions with Georgia, Moldova and Armenia
Making a mocking comment that “there is the body of SYRIZA, but there is also Kasselakis”, the Minister of Immigration and Asylum also commented on the posts of the president of SYRIZA regarding the discussions between Mr Georgiadis and His Pakistani counterpart on the deal to bring in 500,000 migrants.
“There is a competition from the right between St. Kasselakis and Adonis Georgiadis. I think that Adonis will win this competition because it is in his field,” he commented.
As far as this issue is concerned, Mr. Kairidis replied that there is no agreement with Pakistan. “Pakistan’s minister can say whatever he wants. After all, one of the problems we have with Pakistan is that they don’t accept the refundable ones because when you are 200 million, and you have these financial problems, you want to share them if you can,” he said, mentioning that there was also a relative denial from Islamabad.
We make the decision for immigrants, not the traffickers.
“There is no agreement. There is an agreement in the works with Georgia, Moldova, possibly Armenia, and India, where the prime minister will say after Christmas about labour mobility to deal with the increased needs of the economy now that we are running at 3%. The economy is growing so fast, and we have these pressing needs, especially in the low-skilled, not only to bring in a workforce with terms and rules but specific numbers, as our economy needs. We make the decision, not the traffickers,” emphasised Mr. Kairidis.
Asked about the intra-party reaction by Mr Samaras to the immigration amendment, he replied, “We have a government that succeeds and legislates on the complicated immigration issue with five-sixths of the Parliament. This is something unprecedented both for Greek data and even more for European data.”
“We managed to bring all the opposition, except for the extreme right, to this line and sent a message that the middle road, the road of logic that says strict border protection on the one hand, but at the same time legal migration routes, as the economy needs them with our terms and rules, this is a middle ground. It is a reasonable policy that brings results,” noted Mr. Kairidis.
We received chaos from SYRIZA on immigration
Speaking about immigration, he stated that the climate six months ago (under the weight of the Pylos tragedy) has nothing to do with today, characterising Greece as an example to be emulated in Europe. He did not fail to mention the possible assumption by Theodoros Roussopoulos of the presidency of the Organization for the Protection of Human Rights, saying that “it is a success that reflects on the government as a whole and the effort that our country is making”.
Regarding the attitude of ND officials who reacted to the immigration amendment, he stated that “the objections are absolutely legitimate and absolutely justified in a society traumatised by the experience of 2015-’19, the trauma and tragedy of the mismanagement of immigration during SYRIZA”.
He added that they received chaos in the government, and on the islands, there is anxiety about not returning in ’15 with 800,000 illegal arrivals, speaking of a “very restrictive regulation”.
The Coast Guard saved half a million people.
Responding to the complaints about the role of the Coast Guard and the pushbacks, the Minister of Immigration and Asylum stated emphatically that “the Greek Coast Guard saves lives. This is the practicality, which is not written in the newspapers, that the Coast Guard saved half a million people.”
He added that “the centre-left European voter does not want this chaos at the border. They do not want the illegals. They want order and a situation that we bring to Greece. That is why today, little Greece, in the most difficult corner of Europe, has the longest sea border with a difficult neighbour that is more than a thousand miles.”
Russia, Armenia set up operational communications channels on media issues — Russian envoy
TASS, Russia
Dec 22 2023
According to Sergey Kopyrkin, during the negotiations, the Russian delegation listened to the arguments of its Armenian counterparts and took note of their concerns
YEREVAN, December 22. /TASS/. Russia and Armenia have established operational communications channels to address issues pertaining to the work of media organizations from each country in the other’s jurisdiction, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with TASS.
"An agreement on cooperation in the sphere of mass communications dated December 30, 2020 is in force between our countries, and within its framework the Russian Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Ministry and the Armenian High-Tech Industry Ministry held bilateral consultations on December 14. During the negotiations, the Russian delegation listened to the arguments of its Armenian counterparts and took note of their concerns. It is important that during the consultations the parties agreed on the establishment of operational communications channels to resolve any potential disagreements in the spirit of friendly relations between our countries," he pointed out.
Earlier, Yerevan said that the Armenian government is not discussing the possibility of a broadcasting ban on Russian TV channels, as Yerevan and Moscow have settled their issues in this sphere.
After a meeting on the sidelines of the Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission, Deputy Russian Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Minister Bella Cherkesova and her Armenian counterpart from the High-Tech Industry Ministry, Avet Poghosyan, signed a joint statement in which they agreed to "ensure full implementation of the agreement, promptly resolve emerging issues and maintain close cooperation between the relevant agencies."
In late October, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that a program on Russia's Channel One television "made insulting and unacceptable statements against high-ranking Armenian officials." The Russian ambassador was summoned to the country’s Foreign Ministry. On October 25, Armenian High-Tech Industry Minister Robert Khachatryan made a statement that Russian TV channels broadcasting in Armenia had allegedly committed certain violations. Later, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made a similar statement.
Nearly all Russia-Armenia defense agreements fulfilled on time — Russian envoy
TASS, Russia
Dec 22 2023
"New agreements in the sphere of defense cooperation are being discussed between our countries," Sergey Kopyrkin added
YEREVAN, December 22. /TASS/. Almost all defense cooperation agreements between Russia and Armenia have been fulfilled efficiently and on time, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with TASS.
"Bilateral defense cooperation based on the agreement signed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia on June 25, 2013, has a long tradition. Almost all such agreements signed earlier have either been fulfilled, efficiently and on time, or are in the final stages of implementation," the Russian diplomat said.
Also, Moscow and Yerevan are discussing the signing of additional agreements, Kopyrkin emphasized. "New agreements in the sphere of defense cooperation are being discussed between our countries," he said, adding that the relevant government agencies of Russia and Armenia were currently resolving all relevant working nuances.
Earlier, Yerevan said that, although it still has not received Russian weapons that it had already paid for, it was ready to address the issue in an atmosphere of partnership. The Armenian authorities also announced plans to diversify the South Caucasus country’s weapons purchases. In particular, the former Soviet republic recently initiated active defense cooperation programs with India and France.
https://tass.com/politics/1725281
Yerevan admits possibility of new military, technical cooperation agreements with Russia
TASS, Russia
Dec 22 2023
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said that Moscow and Yerevan were discussing the establishment of new agreements within military and technical cooperation
YEREVAN, December 22. /TASS/. Armenia and Russia may negotiate new agreements on military and technical cooperation, Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said at a briefing.
"I don't rule it out, but I can't tell you the details, you are asking about armament," he said.
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with TASS that Moscow and Yerevan were discussing the establishment of new agreements within military and technical cooperation.
Prime Minister Pashinyan congratulates Egypt’s President on re-election
16:08,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on his re-election.
“I cordially congratulate you on your re-election as President of the Arab Republic of Egypt as a result of a decisive victory in the Egyptian presidential elections,” PM Pashinyan said in a letter to the Egyptian president.
“I am sure that you will continue to serve your vast experience and wisdom both to the further development and progress of your country, as well as the establishment of peace and stability in the Middle East and Africa. I am convinced that your re-election, which is a testament to the friendly Egyptian people’s trust for you, will boost the Armenian-Egyptian friendship and will allow to continue our jointly agreed projects, including the efforts aimed at intensifying partnership in the economy and security sectors. Taking this opportunity, I wish robust health and productive activities to you, and peace and continual prosperity to the friendly people of Egypt,” the Armenian PM said.