Category: 2023

Another win for oil states? Azerbaijan gets boost in bid to host next climate talks.

Markos Nalchajian
POLITICO
Dec 8 2023

The petroleum-rich country received a surprise endorsement from its arch-rival Armenia.

Petrostates could be on a streak for hosting international climate talks.

Oil-rich Azerbaijan got a surprise boost Thursday in its bid to hold next year’s COP29 when Armenia, a country it has warred with on and off for decades, dropped its own aspirations to host the talks — and endorsed its adversary’s candidacy.

The extraordinary turn of events could add to a pattern of oil- and gas-producing nations running the annual talks on how to respond to the Earth’s warming, whose major cause is the burning of fossil fuels. The talks occurring this week are based in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s largest oil producers, a year after negotiations in Egypt led to a final text favorable to continued gas production.

Brazil, which has South America’s second-largest oil reserves, is favored to host COP30 in 2025.

Azerbaijan and Armenia — which have fought for control of contested territory since the dissolution of the Soviet Union — issued a joint statement Thursday saying Armenia would support Azerbaijan’s bid to host the climate talks.

The announcement also included promises to exchange service members who had been captured by each country in recent fighting.

The deal could break a diplomatic impasse that threatened to throw the international climate negotiations into chaos as nations deadlocked on where to host COP29.

The annual conference was set to return to Eastern Europe next year. But Russia opposed the bids of every European Union candidate because the bloc has backed Ukraine against Moscow’s invasion. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan and Armenia had vowed to block each other’s proposals due to their own protracted hostilities.

Without naming Russia, the joint statement said the countries “do hope” other Eastern European nations “will also support Azerbaijan’s bid to host.”

Armenia and Azerbaijan “will continue their discussions regarding the implementation of more confidence building measures, effective in the near future and call on the international community to support their efforts that will contribute to building mutual trust between two countries and will positively impact the entire South Caucasus region,” the statement said.

The agreement was first reported by Reuters, which separately reported that Moldova and Serbia are also eyeing the influential COP presidency next year. The State Department and the U.S. embassies of Russia, Moldova and Serbia didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

The belated jockeying for COP29 comes at the midway point of this year’s talks in the UAE, whose reluctance to embrace calls to phase out fossil fuels has been a major sticking point in the summit.

It could foreshadow future impasses over energy. The economy of Azerbaijan, which is positioned between Iran and Russia, relies on fossil fuels for about 90 percent of its exports. Moldova and Serbia mainly rely on Moscow for their oil and gas supplies.

Brazil, which is expected to host COP30 in two years, moved last week to join the oil cartel OPEC+. That summit will feature the second round of national climate pledges required under the Paris Agreement.

Armenia, Azerbaijan issue landmark joint statement

Janet Ekmekjian
eurasianet
Dec 8 2023
Heydar Isayev Dec 8, 2023

On December 7 evening, Armenia and Azerbaijan issued an unexpected joint statement, the first of its kind that did not bear the signature of any mediator working on the peace process between the two. 

According to the statement, Armenia and Azerbaijan "share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region." 

"The two countries reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity," it read. 

"Following the talks between the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, an agreement has been reached on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between the two countries."

The statement announced an agreement on the exchange of 32 detained Armenian military servicemen for 2 Azerbaijani servicemen, "driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill." 

All known prisoner exchanges in the past have taken place through the efforts of mediators.

The statement also announced Armenia's support for Azerbaijan's bid to host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by withdrawing its own candidacy. In return, Azerbaijan supports Armenia's candidacy for Eastern European Group COP Bureau membership. This also marks the first time the two countries have publicly backed each other's leadership in international bodies. 

Since the Second Karabakh War in 2020, Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks have proceeded on two separate tracks, one mediated by Russia and the other by the EU and U.S.

The peace process had been at a near-standstill, particularly since Baku's full takeover in September of Nagorno-Karabakh, the territory that had been at the heart of the dispute between the two countries for more than 30 years. 

After that, it looked like there were no more barriers to reaching a peace treaty between the two countries, with the de facto Armenian government in Nagorno-Karabakh initiating its own dissolution and Armenia accepting the territory as part of Azerbaijan. However, the sides still retained their disagreements, with Azerbaijan continuously snubbing peace talks over its newfound discontent with mediation by Western countries. 

In November, the Armenian foreign ministry reported that it had sent its latest proposal for a peace agreement to the Azerbaijani side. 

On December 6, speaking at a forum in Baku, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev confirmed its receipt and said his government would reply soon, but also complained of an alleged Armenian delay in communication. 

"[I]t's a document of maybe six-seven pages maximum with less than 20 articles. So for such a small document, Armenia needed 70 days to respond to us. And they responded only after the Azerbaijani foreign minister publicly disclosed that," he asserted. 

"Look, we're waiting for two months. Why don't you respond? So, this shows that the side which delays the process is not Azerbaijan, it is Armenia. Why did they delay? I don't know whether it was their own decision or they were advised by their new friends in some European capitals. I don't know, I can only suspect."

The deal was welcomed by the EU, the U.S. and Russia. 

It was regarded by observers as historic and promising. 

"Most importantly, it shows that Baku and Yerevan can deal, offering hope for further talks and, perhaps even eventually, a peace deal and normalization of relations between the two countries," Zaur Shiriyev, analyst with the International Crisis Group, wrote on X. 

Some analysts, both in Armenia and Azerbaijan, suspected that there was some behind-the-scenes mediation, particularly since the statement was released the day after U.S. Assistant State Secretary James O'Brien met Aliyev in Baku. 

Former Armenian diplomat Sossi Tatikyan speculated on X that there might have been "robust 3rd party mediation/shuttle diplomacy, but it preferred to stay backstage to save Aliyev's face." 

Baku-based political analyst Shahin Jafarli wrote on Facebook there is "no doubt that both this agreement and the decision to hold an early presidential election [in Azerbaijan] are related to the U.S. delegation's visit."

However, he still noted that the joint statement and agreed confidence-building measures are "historically significant and aimed at preparing real grounds for peace". 

Heydar Isayev is a journalist from Baku.

https://eurasianet.org/armenia-azerbaijan-issue-landmark-joint-statement

Armenpress: Congressman Pallone calls for U.S. security assistance to Armenia

Tatoyan Vazgen

 09:55, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone has welcomed the prisoner swap agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In a post on X, Pallone reiterated that the U.S. must provide Armenia with security assistance.

“Glad to see that Armenia and Azerbaijan were able to come to an agreement to release 32 Armenian prisoners. This is an important step forward, but the U.S. must provide Armenia with security assistance to ensure a lasting peace in the Caucasus,” the Congressman said.



UK National Security Advisor briefed on Armenia’s efforts aimed at normalization with Azerbaijan

Aram Torosian

 10:01, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, has met with the United Kingdom National Security Advisor Sir Tim Barrow in London.

“We attached importance to the steady dynamics of development of the Armenian-British relations that are based on democratic values, and the official launch of the Armenia-UK Strategic Dialogue, and we underscored that the abovementioned are a testament to the two countries’ willingness to maximally utilize the existing potential. We exchanged ideas around the security situation in our region and around Armenia. I presented Armenia’s efforts aimed at the normalization of the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and establishment of peace,” Grigoryan said on Facebook.

EU’s Michel welcomes ‘major breakthrough’ after Armenia, Azerbaijan announce prisoner swap

Jhanna Virabian

 09:57, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has welcomed the ‘major breakthrough’ in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations after the sides reached an agreement to release prisoners.

In a post on X, Michel called on the both countries to finalize the peace treaty.

“Delighted to welcome a major break through in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations as they issue a joint statement. Welcome in particular release of detainees and unprecedented opening in political dialogue. Establishing and deepening bilateral dialogue between sides has been a key objective of the EU-led Brussels process: today’s progress is a key step. I now encourage the leaders to finalise the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal ASAP,’ Michel said.

Türkiye welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan confidence-building steps

Garnik Zakarian

 10:32, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. Türkiye has welcomed the latest Armenia-Azerbaijan agreements.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Ankara wants Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a peace treaty as soon as possible.

“We welcome the decision to take some concrete confidence-building steps between the two countries, announced in a joint statement by the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia; We support the decision to continue discussions on adopting additional confidence-building steps. We wish that the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will be signed as soon as possible, which will constitute one of the most important developments for the establishment of permanent peace and stability in the South Caucasus,” the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

Following the talks between the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, an agreement has been reached on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between two countries.

Driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Azerbaijan releases 32 Armenian military servicemen.

In its turn, driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Armenia releases 2 Azerbaijani military servicemen.

As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Armenia supports the bid of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by withdrawing its own candidacy. The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan do hope that the other countries within the Eastern European Group will also support Azerbaijan’s bid to host. As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Azerbaijan supports the Armenian candidature for Eastern European Group COP Bureau membership.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue their discussions regarding the implementation of more confidence building measures, effective in the near future and call on the international community to support their efforts that will contribute to building mutual trust between two countries and will positively impact the entire South Caucasus region.




Snell, McDermott and Alexander Honoured as Armenian National Committee of Australia Raises over $180,000 in Sydney and Melbourne

Karapet Navasardian
Dec 9 2023
SYDNEY/Melbourne: The Armenian National Committee of Australia's (ANC-AU) Advocacy Week events in Sydney and Melbourne raised over $180,000, whilst international guest on honour Lindsey Snell, New South Wales Member for Prospect Hugh McDermott and Tasmanian Member for Bass, Lara Alexander received the organisation's illustrious annual awards.

ANC-AU’s glitzy event at the Sofitel in Sydney's Darling Harbour featured a stellar list of guests, led by honourees Snell, McDermott and Alexander. They were joined by Federal parliamentarians Jerome Laxale MP and Paul Fletcher MP; NSW State parliamentarians Mark Buttigieg MP, Mark Coure MP, Jordan Lane MP, Matt Cross MP, Jackie Munroe MLC, Susan Carter MLC, Chris Rath MLC and Scott Farlow MLC; former NSW parliamentarians Jonathan O’Dea and Amanda Fazio, and local government representatives including Willoughby City Mayor Tanya Taylor,  Ryde City Mayor Sarkis Yedelian, Willoughby Councillor Sarkis Mouradian and Northern Beaches Councillor Michael Gencher.

Among the guests were also ethnic and Armenian community leaders and clergy, as well as visiting Armenian Missionary Association Artsakh representative, Viktor Karapetyan.

The ANC-AU's Melbourne Cocktail Event was the organisation's first in Victoria in over ten years at the Rivers Edge Events function centre along the famous Yarra River.

Victoria’s Armenian community raised over $19,000 in the presence of six Victorian state parliamentarians, including Kat Theophanous MP, John Mullahy MP, Kim Wells MP, Michael Galea MPC, Ann-Marie Hermans MLC and Nick McGowan MLC. Both events were also attended by political party executive leaders and Armenian, Indigenous, Assyrian, Greek, Kurdish and Jewish organisations.

The organisation's highest honour, the ANC-AU Freedom Award, was presented to Dr Hugh McDermott at the Sydney ANC-AU Gala. The award is inscribed: "In recognition of your championing of the rights of Armenian citizens in the Republics of Artsakh and Armenia, visiting both nations, denouncing human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed by Azerbaijan and Turkey, both historic and current."

To watch Dr McDermott’s acceptance speech, click here or view below.

This year’s Armenian-Australian Community's Friend of the Year Award was presented to Lara Alexander MP, who travelled from Tasmania to New South Wales to participate in the ANC-AU’s night of nights in Sydney. The award is inscribed: "In appreciation of your commitment to truth and justice and extraordinary contributions in securing Tasmania’s state recognition of the 1915 Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides."

To watch Ms Alexander’s acceptance speech, click here or view below.

Travelling international journalist Lindsey Snell was honoured as the 2023 Ben Bagidikian Media recipient at both events in Sydney and Melbourne. The award is inscribed: "In recognition of your fearless reporting and dedication to truth and justice, shedding light on Azerbaijan’s human rights violations and aggression against citizens in the Republics of Artsakh and Armenia."

To watch Ms Snell’s acceptance speech, click here or view below.

Both events in Sydney and Melbourne featured stand-alone segments on the third Australian Delegation to the Republic of Armenia, which took place earlier this year in September 2023, as well as the ANC-AU Outreach initiatives, which include the Hagop Kortian Scholarship, Junior Advocates, Youth Advocates and Galstaun Government.

Throughout the night in Sydney, attendees were treated to entertainment from the Armenian Sydney Dance Ensemble, who also performed a traditional Armenian ‘shoorchbar’ with the parliamentarians in attendance and Winner of 2020/21 MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR and winner of the WORLDS BIGGEST MAGIC COMPETITION’s, Armenian-Australian illusionist Jack Daniels.

ANC-AU Executive Director Michael Kolokossian, who delivered the organisation’s Advocacy Address in the presence of over 350 attendees in both Sydney and Melbourne, thanked the broader Armenian-Australian community for their continued solidarity with the peak public affairs body of the Armenian-Australian community.

He said, “We are in charge of our response to this conflict. We are in charge of how we respond to the fate of the people of Artsakh. We are in charge of ensuring Australia stand on the right side of history.”

“With every mountain we climb, there is another one tomorrow. The Armenian National Committee of Australia is ready to charge. Thank you for your support.” Kolokossian added.

To watch Mr Kolokossian's speech, click here or view below.


Russian military police arrest Russian citizen in Armenia on desertion charges

Emil Lazarian
Meduza
Dec 10 2023
5:15 pm,
Source: Meduza

Russian military police have arrested Russian citizen Dmitry Setrakov in Armenia and taken him to a Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia. According to the human rights organization Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly—Vanadzor, a criminal case has been opened against Setrakov in Russia for desertion.

Artur Sakunts, the organization’s director, said that Setrakov had been a contract soldier in Russia but moved to Armenia following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sakunts learned of Setrakov’s arrest from Russian human rights activists who were contacted by Setrakov’s wife.

At the Russian military base, Sakunts was told that “it was an order from Russian President Vladimir Putin to arrest all such defectors” and that if found guilty, Setrakov would serve out his sentence in Russia.

Sakunts emphasized that Russian military police do not have the authority to arrest even Russian citizens in Armenia; only Armenian law enforcement agencies have that right. He called the arrest “an attack on the legal system of Armenia, on Armenia as a sovereign state.”

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly—Vanadzor demanded that Armenian authorities “take all the necessary efforts to return Dmitriy Leonidovich Setrakov under [Armenia’s] legal protection.”

As noted by the news outlet Vot Tak, Russians accused of desertion or evasion of military service have been arrested in Armenia before. However, these arrests were carried out by local police and the detainees were released after a few hours.

Russian military base police detain fugitive Russian contract soldier in Armenia

Arsine Chaltikian
yahoo! news
Dec 10 2023
Ukrainska Pravda
Sun, at 12:37 PM GMT+2

Reports have emerged in Armenia indicating that police officers at the Russian military base in the city of Gyumri have detained a Russian army contract soldier who fled Russia after it had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: human rights activist Artur Sakunts, as reported by European Pravda, citing Radio Liberty

Details: Dmitry Setrakov, 20, had been detained on 6 or 7 December by police officers of the 102nd Russian military base, based in Gyumri. He was placed under 27-day arrest there.

Russian military investigators initiated a criminal case against Setrakov on charges of leaving his place of service for longer than one month during mobilisation or hostilities. He faces 5-10 years in prison.

Armenian human rights activists learned about the situation from their Russian colleagues, whom Setrakov's wife contacted. She got a call from the 102nd military base and was informed that her husband had been detained.

Sakunts said Setrakov was a contract soldier, but in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he refused to serve in the Russian Armed Forces and moved to Armenia, like thousands of his compatriots.

The Russian 519th Military Investigation Department, located in Armenia, leads the investigation of his criminal case. Representatives of the Russian military base in Gyumri told Artur Sakunts that should Setrakov be found guilty, he would serve his sentence in Russia.

Artur Sakunts emphasises that the Russian military police have no right to detain a Russian citizen on the territory of Armenia as only local law enforcement agencies can do so.

Pursuant to the procedure, Russia must first contact Armenian representatives to search for the wanted citizen.

The human rights activist believes the actions of the Russian military base in this matter are illegal.

Armenian human rights activists are asking the authorities of their country not only to prevent the extradition of Dmitry Setrakov to Russia but also to initiate a criminal case "on charges of illegal actions committed by Russian military police officers on the territory of Armenia".

The 102nd Russian military base operates in the Armenian city of Gyumri.

Background: Recently, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that he sees no advantage in the protracted presence of Russian military bases in the country, as Russia has not fulfilled its alliance commitments.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has publicly criticised recent remarks by

Shanghai honors 50 expats with prestigious Magnolia Silver Award for 2023

Greg Madatian
Global Times, China
Dec 4 2023
By 

Huang Lanlan

 in Shanghai

Fifty foreign nationals in Shanghai were honored with this year's Magnolia Silver Award, an award specifically honoring expatriates in Shanghai for their contributions to the city. 

This year, the award winners are from 15 countries and are engaged in various fields including economy and trade, finance, science and technology, shipping, education, medical care, and culture, as introduced by Kong Fu'an, director-general of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, on Sunday. 

With their talent, passion, and dedication, they have contributed to the openness, vitality, prosperity, and progress of Shanghai, making the city a better place, Kong said in a speech he delivered at the award's presentation ceremony in downtown Shanghai on Sunday.

Each of the award winners has moving stories that contain expatriates' sense of belonging, integration, and love for the city of Shanghai, he added. 

In his speech, Kong cited four of the winners' connections with and contributions to Shanghai. They included Alexander Rhys Gregg-Smith, the Senior Vice President of Bureau Veritas (BV) Group and the Chief Executive of BV Marine & Offshore North Asia and China.

The Port of Shanghai, the world's busiest container port, has been at the forefront of the development of the whole of China and driving global trade, Gregg-Smith said in a speech he delivered at the ceremony on behalf of all the award recipients. "The rapid development of Shanghai provides us with a vast stage," he said. 

Speaking of himself, Gregg-Smith mentioned that he has lived and worked in many countries and cities around the world, but his love for Shanghai is deeply embedded in his heart. "It is not just a place for work; it is my spiritual home." 

For him, the award is more than a mere medal or title, "it is a symbol of the enthusiastic support and warm welcome consistently felt in this truly international megacity," Gregg-Smith added. 

Ahead of the ceremony on Sunday, Gregg-Smith shared with the Global Times his excitement about winning the award. "It's a great pride and honor to me. It's fantastic to be recognized," he said. 

Gregg-Smith mentioned that he and his colleagues now have many dealings with the Shanghai government, working on assisting the shipbuilding and international shipping in this city. 

Gregg-Smith was one of the many expats who witnessed the rapid development of Shanghai over the decades. "My first time in China was in 1998, and between 1998 and 2023, the GDP of Shanghai has increased some 10 times," he told the Global Times. "So at least for me, it is the number one city. I'm really happy to be here and [to witness] these years' exciting developments." 

Astrid Poghosyan, who works at the development department of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, is one of the youngest winners of the award this year. 

The award not only shows Shanghai's appreciation to those who make significant contributions to the city's development but also embodies its recognition and encouragement for the international young people who make efforts in pursuing their dreams in China, Poghosyan said to the Global Times on Sunday. 

Coming to Shanghai at the age of 16, Poghosyan, now 30, said that over the years she has well integrated herself into this city, from professional work to daily life, as well as community voluntary services. 

"I've been here for 14 years," she told the Global Times in fluent Putonghua. "I grew up here, and most of my friends are Chinese. I'm an expat from appearance, but I have a very 'Chinese heart.'" 

Shanghai began honoring expatriates in 1989 with the Magnolia Silver Award and added the gold award and honorary citizenship to the system in 1992 and 1997, respectively, according to the official website of the municipal government. These awards have honored more than 1,827 foreigners in the past 34 years.