Category: 2023

Consequences of the ongoing blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh

Eduard Nalbandian
May 4 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Ongoing blockade in NK

The humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh has worsened after the installation of an Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Hakari bridge, with movement along the Lachin corridor becoming more difficult even for Russian peacekeepers.

On the 138th day of the blockade, Azerbaijanis who declare themselves environmental activists stopped their protest in the Lachin corridor. According to reports from the unrecognized republic, they were replaced by “Azerbaijani police forces”. Baku continues to insist that the road is not closed, although free movement has been stopped since December 12, 2022. It is reported that 190 times fewer people moved along the highway connecting the Armenian city of Goris with NK. All trips along the road took place with the mediation of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers.

The Armenian authorities have repeatedly announced that they do not intend to conduct “negotiations” with Azerbaijan on new regulations for the regime of the Lachin corridor, saying this was already done, and the result of those negotiations are enshrined in a tripartite statement signed by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in 2020.

  • Armenian-Azerbaijani talks in Washington, but what comes next?
  • Azerbaijan installs checkpoint at entrance to Lachin road. Information and comments from Baku and Yerevan
  • “We will live in our Motherland”: reaction to Aliyev’s speech

On April 23, Azerbaijan established a checkpoint near the Khakari bridge. The former commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent Andrei Volkov personally participated in the negotiations to unblock the bridge. However, they did not give results. The negotiations, which Alexander Lentsov, who replaced him, have been conducting since his appointment to the post, have also proved fruitless. On May 2 Azerbaijani media reported that an American-made Smiths Detection X-ray scanner was installed at the checkpoint.

On May 3 group of NK residents set up tents on the road and announced an indefinite protest — “No to the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh”. They demand the removal of the checkpoint. Prior to this, local young people were collecting signatures for the petition “No to the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.”

Opposition member of the Armenian parliament Taguhi Tovmasyan supported this initiative and started collecting signatures in Armenia. She has been holding a rally with the same slogan in the center of Yerevan since May 3.

From the unrecognized republic it is reported that as a result of the blockade, 3,900 people, including 570 children, have not yet been able to return home.

The message once again emphasizes that, according to the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, the unhindered movement of people, goods and vehicles along the Lachin corridor is stipulated. Meanwhile, only cars of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers are moving along the road:

“In general, the movement of cars on the motorway has decreased by 53 times than it could have been if there had been no blockade.”

Change of route in NK. For a week now, Armenia has been actively discussing the situation that has developed on the Armenian border due to a change in the route of the road

Planned operations have not been carried out here since December 12 last year. According to the latest information from the information headquarters of the NK, during this period, about 1,175 citizens lost the opportunity to be operated on.

For surgical intervention, patients are forced to move to Armenia with the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross. To date, about 400 people have received this opportunity.

“In addition, the transportation of patients lying down is impossible, since the Azerbaijani side prevents the movement of resuscitation vehicles of the local emergency service along the road, and the Red Cross does not have such vehicles. In this regard, the transportation of all patients is carried out by ordinary vehicles in a sitting position, ”the information headquarters reports.

To make medical services more accessible, the We Are Our Mountains agency decided to create mobile teams. Residents of rural areas will have the opportunity to be examined thanks to the mobile ambulance service.

“We are talking about therapeutic examination, general screening studies, detection and control of infectious and non-communicable diseases, as well as laboratory studies,” the agency said.

From December to the present, about 13 times less essential goods have been imported into NK, during the blockade it was not possible to smuggle 57 thousand tons.

The situation has become more complicated since the end of April, with the establishment of the checkpoint. On April 28, Azerbaijani border guards held the cars of the Russian peacekeeping contingent with humanitarian cargo from Armenia for almost 14 hours. The trucks were carrying food and basic necessities. They were let through only after negotiations with the military command of the RCC.

A new procedure for leaving NK for Armenia stipulates “only in case of an emergency” after dozens of Armenians were denied entry on April 4

The damage to the economy is about $270 million. About 30 percent of the projected annual GDP ($903 million) will not be generated.

Due to the inability to work under the blockade, 860 businesses (20.1% of the total) have suspended their activities. The rest work partially or with state support.

“According to preliminary estimates, about 10,300 people have lost their jobs and sources of income since the beginning of the blockade.”

Azerbaijan is periodically completely or partially stopping gas supply to NK. Electricity has not been supplied from Armenia for 115 days. According to Artsakhenergo, Azerbaijan is not allowing repairs on a high-voltage line by which electricity is supplied from Armenia. The accident occurred on the territory under the control of Azerbaijan. Local resources are not enough to supply electricity to the population around the clock:

“This has resulted in daily rolling blackouts and additional emergency shutdowns, as well as the closure or reduction of activities of many institutions.”

https://jam-news.net/ongoing-blockade-in-nk/

U.S. tries to stop war between Armenia, Azerbaijan in already volatile Eastern Europe

Talar Tumanian
May 4 2023
Tracy Wilkinson

The Biden administration is hosting risky peace talks this week between bitter South Caucasus rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan, hoping to avert a second major war in Eastern Europe with the two sides far apart.

The talks — the first to bring together the foreign ministers of the two countries in a room for multiple days — started Sunday night and are scheduled to end Thursday.

U.S. officials have been tight-lipped about whether any progress has been made.

“We remain committed to promoting a peaceful future for the South Caucasus region,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said on Wednesday. “We believe that peace between these two countries is possible. We believe that there is not a military solution to this.”

But military actions have overshadowed diplomatic gestures in recent months. The two former Soviet republics have disputed territory for years. Fighting in 2020 killed nearly 7,000 soldiers, and deadly skirmishes broke out again just last month.

The crux of the dispute is a breakaway enclave of territory within Azerbaijan that is populated by ethnic Armenians and controlled by pro-Armenian separatists. The contested region is known to Azerbaijan as Nagorno-Karabakh, and to Armenians as Artsakh, a mountainous area slightly larger than Rhode Island.

Russia, the European Union, Turkey and even Iran have had their fingers in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict at one time or another. The United States stepped into the fray late last year when Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York, pulled together his counterparts, Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, for an initial contact.

Blinken is overseeing this week’s talks with Mirzoyan and Bayramov, who have consistently appeared somber in photographs released from the meeting site just outside Washington.

Ahead of the meetings, Blinken spoke with the top leaders of both countries, urging diplomacy but also scolding Azerbaijan for blocking access to Nagorno-Karabakh by setting up a checkpoint along the Lachin corridor, the lone land route between Armenia and the disputed enclave.

Armenia claims the restricted access has denied the population food, medicine and other humanitarian needs.

"We have not parsed our words about the need for the free flow of traffic and people and commerce through the Lachin corridor," Patel said. "That continues to be the case."

The U.S. is often seen as favoring Armenia, primarily because of support in Congress for large Armenian American constituencies in Southern California and elsewhere.

But some U.S.-based pro-Armenia activists criticize the Biden administration for continued military aid to Azerbaijan and what they consider to be insufficient humanitarian aid for the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“For our government to truly act as an honest broker, they must stop military aid to the aggressor,” Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, said. He was not optimistic about the outcome of this week’s meetings.

The Azerbaijan Embassy in Washington did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Alliances in the conflict have shifted over the years. Initially, Russia backed majority-Christian Armenia over majority-Muslim Azerbaijan, which had the support of Turkey.

But Russia is now bogged down in its disastrous war on Ukraine and less able to supply Armenia with weapons and other material support, analysts say. Armenia also came away from the fighting in 2020 with heavy losses and was forced to cede some territory to Azerbaijan under the terms of a Russia-brokered cease-fire agreement.

A report by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence late last year predicted Azerbaijan would be the “country most likely to renew large-scale conflict” in an effort to “consolidate and expand the gains” from 2020.

“Armenia is less likely to initiate fighting because of the deteriorated state of its military in the aftermath of the 2020 conflict,” the report said. “The Armenian Armed Forces suffered heavy equipment and personnel losses during the conflict in 2020 and have been unable to reconstitute because of funding and procurement issues.”

That may make Armenia more willing to compromise, analysts say, despite what some perceive as having the U.S. in its corner.

While U.S. officials have not discussed details of the meetings, reports in Armenian and Azerbaijan media suggest the two countries will sign a “normalization” pact, which would open the way to renewed ties and broader agreements.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

https://news.yahoo.com/u-tries-stop-war-between-155155655.html

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Sports: IWF bans flags from weightlifting podium after incidents in Armenia and Albania

Ani Tigranian
May 4 2023
  • By Brian Oliver at the Jinju Arena in Korea

Weightlifters will no longer be able to take their nation’s flag on to the podium, the head of the sport’s governing body said here today on the eve of the Asian Championships.

The embarrassing flag-burning incident at the Opening Ceremony before the European Championships in Yerevan, Armenia last month – and a controversial podium incident last year – prompted the decision, said International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Mohamed Jalood.

"We are a sport, we represent peace, not fighting and arguments about who is best," said Jalood at the Asian Weightlifting Federation Congress at Hotel Dong Bang in Jinju, Korea.

Jalood said he discussed the situation last week with IWF general secretary Antonio Urso and Technical Committee chair Sam Coffa before the committee agreed on a ban.

"What happened in Yerevan was taken into consideration when we talked about this," said Jalood.

Referring to an incident last year he added: "We don’t want athletes on a small podium trying to push their flags in front of each other – this is not sport."

From now on flags will still feature in medal ceremonies but as images on a screen, and no longer in the hands of athletes.

At last year’s European Junior Championships in Albania a Turkish athlete disrespected an Armenian gold medallist.

After Garik Karapetyan, one of Armenia’s best weightlifters, had been presented with his medal Emre Ozturk tried to cover up the winner’s flag with his own, left the podium during the Armenian anthem and refused to shake hands.

The European Weightlifting Federation banned flags from any podium ceremony involving Turkish and Armenian athletes for the rest of that competition, and in Yerevan three weeks ago it banned athletes’ flags outright because of the incident that made headlines worldwide.

A fashion designer ran from the crowd during the parade of nations at the Opening Ceremony of the European Championships in Yerevan, Armenia and set light to the Azerbaijan flag.

Days of political interference followed, in which various officials who have nothing to do with sport claimed that Armenia should be dropped by the IWF as a potential host for next year’s World Championships.

Armenia has no diplomatic relations with either Azerbaijan or Turkey, host nation for next year's European Championships.

While Azerbaijan's team flew home on Government orders, Turkey stayed and their federation President, Talat Unlu, praised the hosts for organising a successful Championships.

The new policy will be formally adopted by the IWF at its next Executive Board meeting.

Armenpress: The EU continues to stand by Armenia and Azerbaijan in their pursuit of sustainable peace

Janet Ekmekjian

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 11:43, 6 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS. The European Union welcomes the sustained engagement of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the four-day talks in Washington, ARMENPRESS reports, the EU special representative in the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, wrote on his "Twitter" page. He emphasized that progress can be achieved only through dialogue.

"Encouraging news from Washington. The EU welcomes the sustained engagement of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the four-day talks. Progress can only be made through dialogue. We continue to stand by Armenia and Azerbaijan and work with our partners to strive for lasting peace," Klaar said.

Armenian MPs raise the issue of the threat of genocide by Azerbaijan in Artsakh in Turkey

Rose Khoyetsian

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 12:30, 6 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS. At the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the members of the Armenian delegation raised the issue of the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, emphasized the danger of the genocide of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the parliament of Armenia.

The MPs presented what work they carried out within the framework of the session of the PA.

The focus of the agenda was the role of parliamentary diplomacy in the dynamics of global change. Reports on different topics were made by different countries.

The focus of the agenda was the role of parliamentary diplomacy in the dynamics of global transformations. Reports on different topics were made by different countries.

"First, I reflected on the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the recent events, the installation of a checkpoint and I called on Azerbaijan to respect the statement signed by them on November 9, to which, of course, they reacted furiously," said Babken Tunyan, the head of the Armenian delegation.

During the session, Gevorg Papoyan stressed that Azerbaijan has illegally blockaded Artsakh and Artsakh Armenians.

"I emphasized that these people are now facing many social problems, there is a shortage of medicine and food. And there, in fact, there is a danger of genocide. And, of course, Azerbaijan is the first to blame and responsible for this," said Papoyan.

"I emphasized that these people are now facing many social problems, there is a shortage of medicine and food. And there, in fact, there is a danger of genocide. And, of course, Azerbaijan is the first to blame and responsible for this," said Papoyan.

The members of the parliamentary delegation of Armenia also sent an admonition to the Secretary General, Azerbaijani citizen Asaf Hajiyev, who, being an international civil servant, violated the principle of political neutrality.

Babken Tunyan informed that recently, using the organization's social network platforms, he made one-sided statements. Speaking as an official in an interview with the Turkish media, he made inadmissible remarks against Armenia and several other countries, threatening to use force.

"We gave the last warning. We called on him not only to remove these publications, but also to never try to make such expressions in the future," Tunyan said.

Armenpress: The draft strategy for the development of the mining sector discussed at the Prime Minister

Ani Basmajian

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 16:23, 6 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a consultation was held in the Government, during which the draft strategy for the development of the mining industry was discussed, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

In particular, reference was made to the current situation in the field, production and export volumes, the realization of existing potential, opportunities and prospects for the development of the field, introduction of modern technologies. It was noted that the goals of the strategy are the creation and management of unified geological digital information databases, effective decision-making in the field of subsoil use and protection, application of international standards and approaches in the field of mining. The consistent fight against the illegal exploitation of mines and the introduction and application of clear mechanisms for this purpose, the effective management of tailings were highlighted.

The Prime Minister instructed to amend the draft strategy and submit it for the approval of the government, taking into account the recommendations presented during the discussion.

NATO supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Javier Colomina

Emil Lazarian

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 14:10, 6 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS. NATO referred to the negotiations held in Washington between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS reports, Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's special representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, wrote on his Twitter page.

"It is nice to hear that after 4 days of constructive engagement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington, tangible progress has been made towards a lasting peace agreement," Kolomina noted.

He emphasized that negotiations and dialogue are the only way.

"NATO supports the normalization of relations between our partners Armenia and Azerbaijan," Javier Colomina concluded.

Explore the beauty of Armenia with new flynas summer destination flights

Lara Antonian
ZAWYA
May 4 2023
AIRLINES

  Travelers can now plan their next adventure to Armenia with Flynas. Image Courtesy: Armenia Travel

Flynas will connect Riyadh, KSA to this fascinating city with convenient and affordable non-stop flights

Press Release

May 4, 2023

Riyadh, KSA; Looking for a new adventure this summer? Look no further than Yerevan, the picturesque capital of Armenia! Starting from June, Saudi Arabia's leading low-cost airline, Flynas, will connect Riyadh, KSA to this fascinating city with convenient and affordable non-stop flights.

Travelers can now plan their next adventure to Armenia with Flynas, where they can immerse themselves in the country's breathtaking landscapes, delicious cuisine, and hospitality. Experience the rich history, culture and stunning architecture of Yerevan and its surrounding areas. From the country’s beautiful mountains to the bustling streets of the city center, there is something for everyone in Armenia.

Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast or simply looking for a new travel destination, Yerevan has something for you. Book your flight now and experience the beauty of Yerevan with Flynas.

Flynas' state-of-the-art fleet and exceptional services will make your journey to Yerevan comfortable and enjoyable. With this new route, Flynas is offering travelers more choices and opportunities to explore the world.

This new flight route highlights Flynas' commitment to expanding its network and meeting the needs of its passengers. The airline is constantly looking for new ways to offer travelers safe, comfortable, and affordable travel options, and this new route is a testament to that.

For more information and to book your flight, visit www.flynas.com. Start planning your unforgettable journey to Armenia with Flynas today.

-Ends-

Website: https://armenia.travel/en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armenia.travel/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmeniaTravelOfficial/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNFaMANXTIAs5ms88CZeNwQ

About Armenia Travel:

Armenia.Travel is the official tourism website of Armenia that is managed by the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia. Their mission is to help guests explore its hidden corners, discover what is yet undiscovered, and create great memories. Visitors can find all the essential travel information, from obtaining Armenian visa to other useful information about Armenia.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Paul Estorffe 
Black Watch Communications
[email protected]

https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/explore-the-beauty-of-armenia-with-new-flynas-summer-destination-flights-u1aly58c

Czech PM calls for stronger ties with Armenia, reveals new cooperation project involving light aircraft production

Emil Lazarian

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 15:58, 4 May 2023

PRAGUE, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala has called for enhancing the friendly and successful relations with Armenia.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is visiting the Czech Republic on an official trip May 4-5.

“I am very happy to once again welcome Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan here in Prague,” PM Fiala said at a joint press conference with PM Pashinyan on May 4 in Prague.

PM Fiala mentioned that during his previous meeting with PM Pashinyan they concurred that the two countries bear the same democratic values.

“We must appreciate the role Armenia has in the region. We must also appreciate the fact that in March of this year the European Parliament released a report saying that Armenia is leading in the region,” the Czech PM said, calling for support to Armenia.

Armenia and Czech Republic seek to expand cooperation under a joint statement on diplomatic relations, he added.

PM Fiala said that Prague became one of the venues where a step forward in the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations was attempted by hosting the quadrilateral meeting between Pashinyan, Azeri leader Aliyev, French President Macron and the EU’s Charles Michel.

Fiala further noted that Armenia is among the primary countries in the Czech Republic’s Transformation Cooperation Program aimed at supporting the civil society, human rights and independent media.

“Armenia and Czechia have friendly and successful relations, which we want to further enhance. We see additional possibilities for deepening cooperation in the economy, science, education, energy. For example, energy is highly important both for the Czech Republic and Armenia. Czech scientists are involved in the safety improvement works in Metsamor nuclear power plant. Our experts participate in the ongoing repair and this is an example of successful cooperation. The Czech Republic can also offer high quality technologies, such as in the area of smart cities,” he said.

The Czech PM also mentioned cooperation in aviation.

“I am happy that our cooperation in aviation continues to enhance. There is a project whereby light aircraft could be manufactured in Stepanavan, Armenia, where an airport was built after the earthquake. The 6th session of the Czech-Armenian inter-governmental commission will take place in Prague, dealing with economic and industrial cooperation affairs. New areas of cooperation will be opened during that meeting, naturally,” the Czech PM said.

[see video]