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Category: 2023

Jerusalem police meet with members of Armenian church and community

Liana Toganian

Feb 24 2023


By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Police officers from Jerusalem's David precinct met with members of the Armenian church and community this week.

The meeting, led by Superintendent Aleh Harev, the Christian community policing liaison officer in the Christian Quarter, was held at the Armenian Patriarchate as part of preparations for a 2023 Easter event.

At the meeting, issues were discussed such as the need to address "friction" in the Armenian Quarter, as well as preparations for Easter and the Holy Fire.


The discussions emphasized maintaining public order amid incidents targeting Armenians and locating and prosecuting perpetrators of anti-Armenian crimes.

The Jerusalem Post reported last week that incidents of harassment of Armenians - such as spitting at, cursing at and pushing Armenian priests – have become commonplace.


“Any damage to religious institutions and sites is serious and harms the unique and delicate fabric of life that exists in the city of all religions.”

Israel Police

The report noted that concern is growing among members of the community because of the failure of authorities to address the problem.

“We no longer want to file complaints with the police every time there is an attack because it’s clear to us that they won’t do anything about it anyway,” Armenian restaurant owner Miran Krikorian told the Post.

“As the police of all residents and visitors to Jerusalem, whether they are Jews, Muslims or Christians, we work against violence and acts of all vandalism, especially those that hurt religious sentiments,” representatives of the Israel Police said. “Any damage to religious institutions and sites is serious and harms the unique and delicate fabric of life that exists in the city of all religions.”

Several members of the community who attended the event expressed their gratitude toward the police.

The police vowed to continue to maintain security and order.

Peggy Cidor contributed to this report.

The peace process in the South Caucasus stands at a crossroads SHARE:

Emil Lazarian
 eureporter 
Feb 24 2023

The peace process in the South Caucasus is at a crossroads. Russia is seeking to place obstacles in the way of peace with the goal of continuing with the freezing of conflicts that have existed for over three decades. The EU – supported by the US – is seeking to end the frozen conflicts and bring peace to the three nations in the South Caucasus, writes Dr. Taras Kuziuo.

Nikol Pashinyan is central to the question of peace in the region. Pashinyan came to power in a colour revolution uprising in 2018 that ousted corrupt post-Soviet Armenian leaders. Pashinyan’s instincts are those of a political leader seeking to build a democratic society in Armenia and re-orientate the country from its over-reliance on Russia to Europe.

Pashinyan is the first Armenian leader who is not from the Karabakh region and has no links to the large diaspora.  He is therefore distrusted by the pro-Russian lobby in the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs and by the Kremlin which has always distrusted leaders who have come to power in colour revolutions. The Kremlin has always viewed colour revolutions as CIA-backed conspiracies seeking to undermine Russia’s sphere of influence in Eurasia.

Pashinyan is the first Armenian leader who recognises that Armenia can only develop economically if it is at peace with its neighbours. Peace treaty has been negotiated – but not yet signed – with Azerbaijan accompanied on a parallel track of the normalisation process with Turkey. The signing of the peace treaty would reduce Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus and facilitate greater integration with Europe.

Pashinyan faces domestic pressure to not agree on Karabakh becoming part of Azerbaijan. There is though no alternative to them as international borders for former Soviet republics must be based on internal boundaries that had existed between them. Of the fifteen former Soviet republics, only Russia and Armenia have baulked at transforming internal republican boundaries into international borders.

In the Soviet Union, Karabakh was part of the Azerbaijani Soviet republic and the UN adopted several resolutions declaring the region to be part of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory. Emotions and nationalism about where Karabakh should belong need to be replaced by pragmatic steps towards peace that include safeguards and guarantees for the Armenian minority that has declined over the years of occupation and especially after the 2020 Karabakh war to approximately 50,000.

Armenia could resume its negotiations, which it ended under Russian pressure in 2013, with the EU for an Association Agreement. Armenia would be able to also join Georgia and Turkey in benefitting economically from the energy corridors in the South Caucasus emanating in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan would be able to expand its energy supplies to Europe, which partially offset those which used to be imported from Russia. With peace on its western border secured, Azerbaijan would be able to focus on countering the major threat to its national security from Iran.

Russia’s war in Ukraine provides opportunities for the EU to expand its influence into a region that is strategically important to its energy security. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has severely undermined its image as a military power and reduced its ability to project power into its self-declared Eurasian sphere of influence. With Pashinyan seeking to sign peace treaties with Armenia’s neighbours, Armenia is a weak link in Russia’s sphere of influence. Peace treaties would end the need for Russia’s ineffective so-called “peacekeepers.”

Russia’s last card is to parachute into Karabakh oligarch Ruben K. Vardanyan to oppose Karabakh being included inside Azerbaijan and eventually to replace pro-Western Pashinyan with a pro-Russian puppet. Vardanyan made billions in Russia in the 1990s at a time when this was impossible to do without breaking laws that allowed Russian intelligence services to collect damning kompromat on you. The Kremlin has a long record of using kompromat to blackmail oligarchs and state officials to implement its goals.

The South Caucasus stands at a crossroads. Although pre-occupied by the war in Ukraine and China, the US needs to back up the EU’s brokering of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This would in turn facilitate the normalisation process between Armenia and Turkey. The resultant decline in Russian influence would improve the West’s energy security that has now become independent of Russia.

The US, Israel and Turkey have strategic interests in curbing Iranian Islamic extremism and military aggression. Azerbaijan has long been a target for Iranian extremism – as seen in the recent terrorist attack on its Embassy in Tehran. Iran’s military alliance with Russia is a threat to Western backing for Ukraine in its war with Russia from which it is receiving sophisticated weaponry and possibly nuclear weapons technology.  Israel and Ukraine are the only two countries in the world threatened by Iran and Russia respectively with being wiped off the face of the earth.

Dr. Taras Kuziuo is a professor of political science at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy and author of the just published Genocide and Fascism. Russia’s War Against Ukrainians.

https://www.eureporter.co/world/armenia/2023/02/24/the-peace-process-in-the-south-caucasus-stands-at-a-crossroads/



Pashinyan, Guterres Agree To Continue Talks On UN Mission To Nagorno-Karabakh – Yerevan

Ophelia Vardapetian
Feb 24 2023

 Umer Jamshaid

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres agreed to continue discussions on sending a UN fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh during a phone conversation on Thursday, the Armenian cabinet's press office said

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 24th February, 2023) Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres agreed to continue discussions on sending a UN fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh during a phone conversation on Thursday, the Armenian cabinet's press office said.

"The interlocutors touched upon the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulted by Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and issues of how to overcome it. In particular, issues related to sending a UN fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh and Lachin Corridor were discussed. The sides emphasized the need to unblock the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan and the importance of its uninterrupted operation. An agreement was reached to continue discussions on the issue of sending a UN mission. António Guterres noted that he will keep the issue in the center of attention," the office said in a statement on the website.

The office added that Pashinyan and Guterres also exchanged views on the normalization of ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the protection of rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Guterres' office has yet to confirm this information.

The United Nations' main judicial body ruled Wednesday that Azerbaijan must ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin Corridor, which has been blocked since December by people whom Azerbaijan describes as environmental activists protesting illegal mining operations in the area. Armenia argued in the court filing that they were acting on Baku's command and demanded that it "cease its orchestration and support" of the protests. The ICJ ruled that no action on that was warranted.

Pashinyan has repeatedly said that the corridor's blockade violates the ceasefire declaration brokered by Russia between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020. The document delegated control of the Lachin corridor to Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh. In late December 2022, Pashinyan alleged that the peacekeepers did not fulfill their obligations, a claim that was dismissed by Moscow.

Photo essay: Life in Karabakh under blockade

Parkev Tvankchian
Feb 24 2023
Lilit Shahverdyan, photos by Ani Balayan Feb 24, 2023

Will a shakeup in the leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh affect Baku’s blockade of the territory, which is now in its 74th day? 

The de facto president, Arayik Harutyunyan, sacked Ruben Vardanyan as state minister on February 23. Vardanyan is a Russian-Armenian billionaire and philanthropist who renounced his Russian citizenship and moved to Karabakh last September. 

At the time, many locals hoped he could leverage his wealth and international connections to the benefit of the embattled region, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. 

But life only got worse. 

The blockade began on December 12, when a group of Azerbaijanis calling themselves “independent environmental activists” but supported by the government set up camp on the road near Shusha (Shushi). It has effectively closed the Lachin corridor, Karabakh’s lifeline to Armenia and the outside world, causing severe shortages and difficulties in obtaining basic necessities. Now only limited supplies get through, with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeepers. 

Locals also endure frequent gas and electricity cuts and struggle to keep warm in the winter.

The UN’s International Court of Justice on February 22 ordered Azerbaijan to “ensure unimpeded movement” through the corridor. But the ruling will likely have no effect as there is no enforcement mechanism and Azerbaijan denies altogether that it is blocking the road.

It’s widely suspected that Vardanyan’s dismissal was a concession to Baku, which had long demanded the removal of “Moscow’s man” from the scene, alleging he was disrupting the peace talks that have followed Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 Second Karabakh War. 

The president tapped Gurgen Nersisyan, Karabakh’s de facto prosecutor-general, to fill the post, which had originally been tailored to give Vardanyan significant authority, including in negotiations.

Lilit Shahverdyan is a journalist based in Stepanakert. 

https://eurasianet.org/photo-essay-life-in-karabakh-under-blockade


"Armenia failed to prove Baku’s involvement in the protest on the Lachin road."

Tambiyan Samvel

Feb 24 2023

  • JAMnews
  • Baku

Armenia-Azerbaijan in the Hague

The International Court of Justice weighed the respective claims of Azerbaijan and Armenia against each other. The heavy language of jurisprudence and the lack of intelligible comments in the first hours after the announcement of the court’s verdict led to disagreements both in Baku and Yerevan. According to Armenian sources, the court ordered Azerbaijan to stop the protest on the Lachin road. In Baku, they think quite the opposite.

  • One year since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.Chronology ofmain events
  • Ruben Vardanyan out: Comments from Baku
  • “Vardanyan was not fired at Aliyev’s request”: opinion from Yerevan

For comments on the decisions of the International Court of Justice, JAMnews turned to an Azerbaijani lawyer living in France, Sayad Yusifli.

“Proceeding of counterclaims of Azerbaijan and Armenia against each other in the International Court of Justice continues. The day before yesterday, the court announced verdicts demanding the implementation of interim measures against both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan, in its lawsuit, stated that there is new evidence that in 2021 and after, Armenia, violating its submissions to the International Court of Justice in 2021, deliberately mined the territories to which Azeris were expected to return.

The applicant’s side noted that until August 2022 more than 2,700 mines produced in Armenia in 2021 were found, and more than half of these mines were found in the territories to which the refugees were supposed to return.

At the same time, Azerbaijan added in its statement information about the detection of booby traps that were discovered in October 2022 and deployed by the Armenian armed forces, or these forces actively participated in their deployment. Azerbaijan noted that so far Armenia refuses to communicate information it has on the territories where mines and booby traps are located. Azerbaijan asked the court to make a decision on the provision by Armenia of information on the territories where mines and other explosive installations are located, the number, type and characteristics, as well as to oblige Armenia to stop the installation of new mines and explosive installations in these territories, including the Lachin corridor, and refrain from supporting such actions.

Azerbaijan has appealed to the International Court of Justice against Armenia with regard to environmental damage

Armenia, in response, stated that it was carrying out mining operations on the sovereign territory of Armenia in order to protect itself. Armenia added that according to the trilateral agreement, in November-December 2020, the Kalbajar, Aghdam and Lachin regions were returned to Azerbaijan and since then these territories have been under the control of Azerbaijan. According to Armenia, even if mines were found in those territories, this can be explained by the fact that at the end of the conflict there was still a line of contact inside Nagorno-Karabakh, and in the tripartite statement there are no demands that the strengthening of their positions by the armed forces is unacceptable.

Regarding explosive installations, Armenia stated that these installations were found in settlements located on the “old Lachin corridor” and these territories are under the control of Russian peacekeepers. The Armenian side added that the Armenian armed forces could not enter these territories without being detected by Russian peacekeepers and there is not a single fact pointing to the opposite. Armenia also added that the mines may have been placed by those who were forced to leave their homes.

The court repeated its position, voiced in the decision of December 7, 2021 (Azerbaijan made similar demands at that time) and did not satisfy Azerbaijan’s demands due to lack of evidence.

Quarantine extended in Azerbaijan until May 1; land borders still closed except for Nakhichevan, which requires a permit

Armenia’s appeal to the court states that on December 12, Azerbaijan organized a blockade of the only road connecting 120,000 ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh with the outside world. Armenia asked the court to decide on the unhindered movement of people, vehicles and goods along the Lachin road, as well as an end to the protests blocking movement in both directions.

Armenia claims that the blockade continued by Azerbaijan is part of the policy of ethnic cleansing, and the purpose of this blockade is to bring the living conditions of ethnic Armenians to the impossible, thereby ensuring that they leave these territories.

Armenia added that the blockade was organized by a group of people who call themselves eco-activists, many of whom are known for “hate speech against Armenia on social networks” and “have direct ties to the government of Azerbaijan,” and are even supported by the government.

The tense situation continues for the second day in Karabakh due to the blocking of the road connecting Khankendi (Stepanakert) with Armenia.

In response, Azerbaijan stated that the Lachin corridor is under the control of Russian peacekeeping forces. It added that since the beginning of the protests, over 1,000 vehicles have passed through the Lachin corridor and no cases of use of force between Azerbaijani protesters, corridor users and Russian peacekeepers have been recorded. Azerbaijan claims that there is no evidence in favor of protesters blocking the access of medical care from Armenia, as well as the transportation of food, medicines and other necessary goods to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The court demanded that Azerbaijan ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Lachin corridor until a final decision is made. At the same time, the court rejected Armenia’s demand to stop the protest.

Thus, the court demanded Azerbaijan ensure traffic along the Lachin corridor, but did not put forward any demands to stop the protest.”

https://jam-news.net/armenia-azerbaijan-in-the-hague/



LCF Armenian Classes Take Root

Albert Nalbandian
Feb 24 2023

By Mia Alva
Outlook Valley Sun

Three La Cañada Flintridge mothers from Paradise Canyon Elementary have worked for months to add Armenian classes for students in kindergarten through 6th-grade.
“We are excited to create this important educational opportunity for our students and city,” said Kanakara Markar. “This new program supports diversity and inclusion, and further connects community members with one another.”
Markar and her family moved to LCF a couple years ago for the school district. As a native Armenian speaker, something her son and other children in the community could benefit from was an Armenian class that teaches language and culture. She met mothers from a similar background and together, went around to see if other parents would possibly be interested in the program. Markar did some research and found a foundation that was at other schools, and each family interested agreed that the foundation would be beneficial.
The Davidian and Mariamian Educational Foundation was founded in 1987 and has since conducted classes in 25 schools in Southern California.
After the family and the foundation agreed to bring the program to LCF, finding a space was another thing on the to-do list.
“We went to the [LCUSD] district and we are really grateful for the district for allowing us to rent one of its classrooms … and now we have a full program,” said Markar, adding that the program started in February.
The foundation rents the classroom and takes care of everything related to the program. Any child from kindergarten through 6th grade in the district can enroll in the program. A child can start from any level given any previous knowledge. Currently, there are two teachers for 12 students who are enrolled. The students are separated by beginner or intermediate and classes are after school. The program lasts six years and at the end, the children are given a graduation.
“We really do have a strong district with dedicated principals, teachers and staff, and we have so many great programs, this is just adding to the mix,” said Markar.
As far as the children, they are enjoying the program and being able to make friends that are not from their elementary school.
“I like seeing my friends at Armenian class and the teachers are nice,” said PCY first-grader Vahan Gozumian.
Vahan’s mom, Sonya Gozumian, found out about the program through word of mouth and thought “why not?”
“I think he likes when he is in class with the different ages and [it feels] like a club [to him},” said Sonya Gozumian.
Other LCF families are enjoying the program too. Laura Abramian recently enrolled her son into the program after seeing an advertisement on a PTA newsletter. Abramian teaches at Mountain Avenue Elementary School in La Crescenta, which has an Armenian program.
“My children used to go to an Armenian private school. They left to go to La Cañada schools, and they were missing that Armenian language and classroom environment,” said Abramian.
She currently has her 5th-grade son enrolled in the program and he is drawn to the teachers.
Abramian said it would be great and more convenient if the program could eventually be in all elementary schools in LCF, similar to what one of the original mothers wants for the future.
“We hope that with continued interest and support from our administration, this program can grow and more families can take advantage of it. We’d love to have the class offered on-site at each of the three elementary school locations in the future,” said Meleeneh DerHartunian.
The foundation is also excited to grow its program in LCF.
“Davidian & Mariamian Educational Foundation is excited to be in the city of La Cañada. Our program is designed to encourage learning in an engaging and fun way — not only the Armenian language, but also about its rich culture,” said Director Ophelia Satoorian. “We look forward to the program growing and reaching more kids here.”
Currently classes are offered on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm in a classroom located in the La Cañada Unified School District office. For more information, visit DMEF.org.

https://outlookvalleysun.outlooknewspapers.com/2023/02/24/lcf-armenian-classes-take-root/

Armenia Wins Diplomatic Victory at ICJ

Aram Torosian
Feb 24 2023


The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Azerbaijan to end the blockade of the Lachin corridor, a vital highway linking the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave with Armenia in the South Caucasus. The blockade, which has been in place since mid-December, has caused a humanitarian crisis for the 120,000 mostly Armenian inhabitants of the enclave, who are deprived of food and medical supplies. The ICJ ruling is a small diplomatic victory for Armenia, as it recognizes the blockade, warns of its consequences, and highlights Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian racial politics.

The two former Soviet republics, Armenia and Azerbaijan, have been in conflict since the early 1990s, when they clashed over control of Nagorno Karabakh, a mountainous territory populated mainly by Armenians. This first conflict caused 30,000 deaths and resulted in an Armenian victory, but Azerbaijan took revenge by launching a second war in the fall of 2020. This offensive allowed Baku to take control of numerous territories, including Shusha, a strategic city located 15 kilometers from the separatist capital. In November, a ceasefire was signed under the aegis of Russia, ending six weeks of fighting that had left nearly 6,500 dead.

The fragile peace negotiations between the two countries have since been fruitless, and the effects of the blockade are being felt harshly due to the growing number of deficiencies. There is a lack of medicines, food, fruits, vegetables and powdered milk for children, as well as hygiene products. Russian peacekeeping troops have started to provide some humanitarian aid, but it is not enough to cover the needs of all the inhabitants or to ward off the specter of a humanitarian crisis.

The ICJ ruling is an important step, but it is too early to tell whether it will directly support a swift lifting of the blockade. Turkey, an ally of Azerbaijan, could potentially play a role in the conflict, but it is still too early to tell. Russia, the traditional mediator in the conflict, is also at risk of losing its footing in the South Caucasus if it cannot play the role of policeman. The risk for the Armenians is to be caught between the geopolitical conflicts of the West and Russia. Ultimately, the ICJ ruling is a small victory, but it is a step in the right direction in the hopes of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

https://www.alaskacommons.com/armenia-wins-diplomatic-victory-at-icj/





FireWing releases “Last Gasp” in tribute to the Armenian people with Cinematic Lyric Video

Emil Lazarian
Feb 24 2023
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, /EINPresswire.com/ — After the great repercussion of the announcement of the new vocalist and the new version for "Time Machine", FireWing released a new song with the new lineup and made it available on all digital platforms with distribution by the German label, Massacre Records. The news came followed by the tour announcement that FireWing will perform in Brazil with the Finnish band Sonata Arctica.

"Last Gasp", the band's new song, received a cinematic lyric video that you can check on the official channel of the label Massacre Records.

This song is a complete immersion into the first great war between Eons and Vishap. With a sound unlike anything FireWing has ever set out to do.

The FireWing concept is based on the History and Mythology of Armenian and Greek cultures, within a universe in which all other mythologies and distinct cultures are also included. In 1915, the Armenian people experienced a great genocide known as the “Armenian Massacre”, which left more than 1.5 million deaths.

The character who personifies the determination of the Armenian people after this Massacre is Vahagn – King of the great Armenia of the Orontid dynasty (5th century AD). Vahagn is one of the sons of Tigranes Orontid and succeeded his father in the fight against dragons, being known as Vishapakagn – "the Dragon Slayer". Vahagn rid Armenia of monsters and was deified because of his value, and FireWing extols these values throughout their storytelling development.

Last Gasp deals with the spiritual and mental journey of its protagonists “Vahagn” and his father Tigranes, the Elder.

Listen to the single here:
https://lnk.to/lastgaspsingle

Caio Kehyayan commented on the launch: "My intention with this song is to send a strong message to the entire Armenian Diaspora. Since the genocide, thousands of Armenians have fled to different corners of the world, and currently there are more Armenians outside of Armenia than in the country itself, which is located in the Caucasus region".

The new vocalist of the band, Jota Fortinho, added: "When Caio sent me the song, the first thing that came to mind was a ride on one of those giant roller coasters. I could say many things about this topic, because in addition to being very technical, it is also very deep. But I can sum it up this way, "Last Gasp" is an extreme rollercoaster ride. I'm really proud of what we did on this song".

"Last Gasp" has production, lyrics and orchestrations by Caio Kehyayan, co-production by Fabiano Rodrigues, with mixing and mastering by Jack Kosto, arts by Junki Sakuraba and video production by Gabby Vessoni. The concept of world creation is by Caio Kehyayan.

Learn more about FireWing at www.firewingofficial.com or on social media @firewingofficial.

Gemma Lovatel
Rock News
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RFE/RL Armenian Report – 02/24/2023

Sonya Jalatian 
                                        Thursday, 


Baku Still Reluctant To Lift Karabakh Blockade Despite Court Order


Nagorno-Karabakh - Azerbaijani servicemen stand guard at a checkpoint at the 
Lachin corridor blocked by Azerbaijani protesters, December 26, 2022.


Azerbaijan remained in no rush to restore traffic through the sole road 
connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia on Friday two days after a relevant order 
issued by the United Nations’ top court.

In a “provisional measure” requested by Yerevan, the International Court of 
Justice (ICJ) acknowledged that the land link was “disrupted” by Azerbaijani 
protesters more than two months ago. It said Baku should “take all measures at 
its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along 
the Lachin Corridor in both directions.”

The court based in The Hague pointed out that a Russian-brokered agreement that 
stopped the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh commits Azerbaijan to guaranteeing safe 
passage through the corridor.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Thursday described the injunction as 
“extremely important.” He said that the ICJ “obligated Azerbaijan to open the 
corridor” and that Baku must at least tell the Azerbaijani government-backed 
protesters to stop blocking the road. Failure to do so “could and should lead to 
concrete international consequences,” added Pashinian.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry responded by accusing Pashinian of 
misrepresenting the ICJ decision. It said the court did not conclude that the 
blockade was organized by Azerbaijan’s government.

A ministry statement said that Baku is interested in a “transparent” functioning 
of the Lachin corridor and wants to set up a permanent Azerbaijani checkpoint 
there for this reason.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan rejected on Wednesday the idea of such 
a checkpoint which Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev discussed with Pashinian 
at their February 18 meeting in Munich. He said it runs counter to the terms of 
the 2020 truce accord.

The ICJ issued the order during its ongoing hearings on lawsuits filed by 
Armenia and Azerbaijan against each other. Analysts believe that the court lacks 
real means of enforcing its decisions.



Turkish-Armenian Air Cargo Traffic Yet To Start

        • Nane Sahakian

TURKEY -- A general view over of Istanbul airrport, April 5, 2019


Commercial cargo shipments by air between Armenia and Turkey appear to have not 
begun yet nearly two months after the lifting of a long-standing Turkish ban.

The two neighboring states agreed to allow mutual air freight traffic last July 
after a series of normalization talks held by their senior representatives. 
Ankara notified Yerevan in early January that it has formally allowed such 
shipments.

Garik Minasian, the head of a customs terminal at Yerevan’s Zvartnots 
international airport, said on Friday that no cargo planes from Turkey have 
landed there since then. He insisted that no Turkish imports to Armenia are 
banned at the moment.

So far there have also been no indications of Armenian exporters airlifting 
cargo to Turkey. According to Gagik Musheghian, an Armenian businessman based in 
Istanbul, Ankara has still not lifted a ban on imports of Armenian goods which 
has been in place since the early 1990s.

“You can’t [legally] bring anything from Armenia to Turkey,” Musheghian told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

The ban had been imposed in conjunction with the closure of Turkey’s border with 
Armenia. Ankara has since made its opening as well as the establishment of 
diplomatic relations with Armenia conditional on an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace 
deal acceptable to Azerbaijan. Turkish leaders have repeatedly reaffirmed this 
precondition since the start of the normalization talks with Yerevan in January 
2022.

After visiting Ankara last week, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that he 
and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu agreed to speed up the 
normalization process. Speaking at a joint news conference with Mirzoyan, 
Cavusoglu appeared to link that process to the outcome of Armenian-Azerbaijani 
peace talks.

Armenia banned most Turkish imports during the 2020 war with Azerbaijan, citing 
Ankara’s “inflammatory calls,” arms supplies to Azerbaijan and “deployment of 
terrorist mercenaries to the conflict zone.” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s 
government lifted the ban a year later.



Armenia Again Abstains From UN Vote On Ukraine


USA – The results of the UN General Assembly's vote on a resolution demanding 
that Russia "immediately" and "unconditionally" withdraw its troops from 
Ukraine. New York, 


Armenia abstained late on Thursday from voting on a UN General Assembly 
resolution demanding that Russia immediately and unconditionally withdraw its 
troops from Ukraine.

The resolution adopted on the eve of the one-year anniversary of Russia's 
invasion reaffirmed support for Ukraine's "sovereignty" and "territorial 
integrity" and called "for a cessation of hostilities." It was backed by 141 of 
the 193 UN member states.

"Russia is just as isolated with its war as it was a year ago," German Foreign 
Minister Annalena Baerbock said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also expressed satisfaction, saying 
Russia has failed to "undermine the international order" and that the coalition 
in support of Ukraine remains broad and strong.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzia called Ukraine "neo-Nazi" during 
the debate preceding the vote. He accused the Western powers of sacrificing the 
country and the developing world in their desire to beat Russia.

Russia and six other countries -- Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, 
Nicaragua, and Syria -- voted against the resolution.

Armenia was among 32 nations that abstained. They included China, India, Iran, 
and South Africa.

UKRAINE - A Ukrainian serviceman walks an empty street in the front line city of 
Bakhmut, February 21, 2023.

Armenia also abstained when the UN General Assembly condemned the Russian 
invasion in March and October 2022. Its government has not publicly condemned 
the Russian military campaign, let alone joined the Western sanctions against 
Moscow.

Prior to the invasion, Armenia had voted against General Assembly resolutions 
condemning Russia’s annexation of Crimea and upholding Ukrainian sovereignty 
over the Black Sea peninsula. For their part, Ukraine’s current and former 
governments have repeatedly voiced support for Azerbaijan in the 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Russia has long been Armenia’s main military and political ally. Relations 
between Yerevan and Moscow have soured in recent months because of what Armenian 
leaders see as a lack of Russian support in the conflict with Azerbaijan.


Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.