Category: 2024

Armenia Offers Alternative Sea Trade Route To India Amid Red Sea Tensions

Rose Khoyetsian
NDTV, India
Feb 24 2024
New Delhi: 

Armenia is ideally positioned to offer India an alternative sea trade route, especially with Europe, Narek Mkrtchyan, the country's minister for Labor and Social Affairs, said on the sidelines of the ninth edition of the Raisina Dialogue in the national capital on Wednesday.

"The Armenian government is committed to forming partnerships in major regional and global projects like the North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Gulf Black Sea transport, and the transit corridor and the Chabahar port development, which is a collaborative effort between India and Iran," the minister told ANI on the sidelines of the event.

The Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.

Further expanding on the country's offer of an alternative route for commerce, the Armenian minister said it was 'significant' at a time when many nations, including India, are looking for alternative sea routes to trade with Europe and the West, given the spate of attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea.

The Houthi attacks on commercial vessels on Red Sea trade routes started in mid-November, with the group linking the disruptions to its demand for an end to Israel's offensive in Gaza and the delivery of aid to Palestinians 'under siege'.

"Armenia holds a strategic position to propose to India an alternative sea trade route, particularly with Europe," Mkrtchyan said.

He also stressed Armenia's commitment to partnerships in significant regional and global projects, including the North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Gulf Black Sea transport, the transit corridor, and the collaborative development of the Chabahar port with India and Iran.

This proposal is significant amid the growing interest in alternative sea routes due to security concerns in traditional routes like those on the Red Sea.

The minister also pitched a collaboration with India on Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a global coalition where ministers of the two countries can consult and trigger investments for AI.

"There is a potential to collaborate on AI for social good to address sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental conservation planning. We could also potentially establish a global AI innovation platform to facilitate the sharing of Solutions and Research," he added.

Bilateral dialogue between India and Armenia is conducted through the mechanisms of Foreign Office Consultations and Inter-Governmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific and technological, Cultural and Educational Cooperation, and periodic high-level interactions, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in an official release earlier.

The ninth edition of Raisina Dialogue began on Wednesday and is scheduled to conclude on February 23. The event is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a think tank.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the chief guest and keynote speaker at the 9th Raisina Dialogue.

Ministers, National Security Advisors, senior officials and representatives of industry, technology, finance and other sectors from more than 100 nations are participating in the event this year.

Armenia To Withdraw From Russia-Led CSTO; Boosts Ties With India & France Amid Azerbaijan Tensions?

Arbi Tashjian
Feb 23 2024

Armenia has reportedly withdrawn from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told France 24 in an interview.

“In our opinion, the agreement on collective security in relation to Armenia was not implemented, especially in 2021-2022, and this can not go unnoticed. We are freezing our participation in this agreement. Let’s see what happens next,” he said.

Armenia has repeatedly accused the CSTO and Moscow of failing to fulfill their obligations. Thus, in January, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan said that the republic “has no expectations” from the Collective Security Treaty Organization since it did not receive adequate support in September 2022 at the time of “large-scale conflict.”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan refused to participate in the CSTO summit in Minsk on November 23.

The CSTO includes six states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, speaking about the prospects for Armenia’s participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, said that Moscow will continue dialogue with Armenian friends, including the CSTO.

Meanwhile, Armenia has almost doubled its defense acquisitions over the last year. In 2022, the spending was around $700 million to US$800 million, which has now risen to $1.5 billion.

Disappointed by Moscow, Armenia has sought to diversify its defense imports and find new partners after Russia failed to provide the country with ordered weapons worth around US$400 million. The failed arms deal was an additional catalyst in the deteriorating Russia-Armenia ties.

India and France have emerged as key partners of Armenia,

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, during her visit to Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, on October 3, said: “France has given its consent to sign a future contract with Armenia, which will enable the provision of military equipment to Armenia so that Armenia can ensure its defense, it is clear that I cannot elaborate on this issue for now.”

As part of bolstering military ties between the two countries, parliamentarians in France announced sending 50 Bastion armored personnel carriers to Armenia. Although no delivery has been confirmed, the Armenian news site Armenpress reported earlier this week that France had already delivered 24 Bastion armored vehicles.

In one of the deals signed between France and Armenia, the latter is expected to acquire three air defense radar systems from Thales, a French defense company. The two sides also signed a “letter of intent” on the future delivery of Mistral short-range surface-to-air missiles.

Enhanced PINAKA rocket, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, in Odisha on November 04, 2020.

A report published in local French media also indicated that France could supply 50 VAB MK3 armored vehicles manufactured by Renault Trucks Defense. It provides armed forces with high-level protection and multi-mission capabilities.

Meanwhile, in 2022, India inked the deal to supply PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRL), anti-tank munitions, and ammunition worth US $250 million to Armenia; it was seen as New Delhi taking a position in the conflict. It was India’s first export of Pinaka.

As previously reported by EurAsian Times, Armenia also contracted to buy India-developed Zen Anti-Drone System (ZADS), which is a Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS). Armenia is also acquiring Indian Akash surface-to-air missiles, which the Indian army has also inducted to defend its key installations.

Kremlin seeks clarity from Armenia after it freezes participation in Russian-led security bloc Reuters

Paul Hambardsumian
Reuters
Feb 23 2024
Reuters
MOSCOW, Feb 23 (Reuters) – The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia plans to contact Armenia after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan had frozen its participation in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) because the pact had failed the country.
Pashinyan made the comments in an interview broadcast on Thursday.
He has in recent months expressed discontent over Armenia's longstanding ties with Russia and said Armenia could no longer rely on Russia to ensure its defence needs. He has also suggested its membership of the CSTO is under review.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the defence ministry-owned Zvezda television channel on Friday that Moscow needed more details from Armenia.
"The Armenian side has not taken any official action in this regard," he said, referring to the purported freezing of its CSTO participation.
"We intend to get in touch with our colleagues and clarify the meaning of these statements."
Other ex-Soviet members of the CSTO include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
"The CSTO secretariat has not received any statements from Yerevan about the suspension of its membership," the Interfax news agency reported on Friday, citing the organisation's press service.
"As for the thesis about the freezing of participation (in the bloc), apparently, it refers to the Republic of Armenia's non-participation in a number of events held by the organisation recently."

Kremlin seeks clarity from Armenia after it freezes participation in Russian-led security bloc

Aram Torosian
First Post
Feb 23 2024

In recent months, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has voiced his displeasure with Armenia’s long-standing relations with Russia, stating that Armenia could no longer rely on Moscow to provide its defence needs

After Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed that Yerevan had halted its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) because the agreement had failed the nation, the Kremlin announced on Friday that Russia intended to get in touch with Armenia.

In an interview that was aired on Thursday, Pashinyan made the remarks.

In recent months, he has voiced his displeasure with Armenia’s long-standing relations with Russia, stating that Armenia could no longer rely on Moscow to provide its defence needs. Additionally, he has indicated that its CSTO membership is being reviewed.

Moscow needs additional information from Armenia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday on the Zvezda television station, which is controlled by the defence ministry.

Putin’s logistics hub in Armenia continues to function

Ani Kharatian
eureporter
Feb 23 2024

On February 18, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated during a meeting with the Armenian diaspora in Munich that Yerevan does not consider itself an ally of Moscow regarding Ukraine. He expressed regret about the inability to influence the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The head of the government of Armenia, a country that became the fourth-largest exporter of semiconductors and other dual-use goods for military purposes to Russia after 2022, referred to the Ukrainian people as "friendly" in his address.

Yerevan has strategically mapped a shift towards the West, while effectively becoming a crucial logistics centre for the Kremlin to circumvent sanctions during the two-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In 2022, the small nation of Armenia, boasting a population of 3 million, experienced an unparalleled economic growth of 14.2%. The British newspaper The Telegraph commented on this remarkable development as follows: “But the most absurd is Armenia, whose 13% economic expansion in only 12 months makes it a candidate for third-fastest growing economy in the world.”

As Deputy Minister of Finance of Armenia Vaan Sirunyan acknowledged on November 27, 2023, the export of goods from Armenia to the Russian Federation increased by 85% in the first 9 months of 2023, with 80% of this increase attributed to re-export. The Jamestown Foundation (USA) analytical centre noted that Armenia's foreign trade turnover grew by 69% after the start of the war in Ukraine, attributing this growth to re-exports from Armenia to Russia. According to a report from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, new supply chains were quickly established through Armenia in response to sanctions, with subsequent expansion taking several months. A collaborative statement by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Treasury categorizes Armenia as a hub for third-party intermediaries or transshipment points used to circumvent sanctions and export controls related to Russia and Belarus.

In 2024, despite the public disclosure of Armenia violating sanctions against Russia, the country continues to supply Russia with sanctioned goods without a hiccup. Furthermore, according to the data published on February 17 by Robin Brooks, the director of the Institute of International Finance and a former strategist at Goldman Sachs, "Armenia's exports to Russia have increased by 430% compared to the period before the invasion, indicating the re-export of goods from the EU and China to Russia."

In December 2023 Brooks, who follows this topic closely, was asking “What is Brussels doing?” about EU exports to Armenia increasing by 200% since the invasion. The issue of Armenian re-export has not only attracted the attention of politicians, think tanks and prominent economists but it has also been covered in the international media over the past two years. Here are some examples:-

On 31.03.22 Canadian Geopolitical Monitor noted: “Armenia is the best-placed member of the EAEU countries to help Russia break sanctions.”

On 25.03.23 a major Ukrainian news site Unian reported: "Armenia is becoming an economic rear for the Russians, solving Moscow's problems with the supply of sanctioned goods and weapons to the Russian market."

On 27.03.23 The Bulgarian publication Fakti stated: "Putin's authoritarian regime bypasses the embargoes and trade sanctions imposed by the EU, the USA, and Britain through neighbouring countries… especially Armenia."

On 14.05.23 The Washington Post noted: “The West could turn up the heat on Armenia, from which the re-export to Russia of a range of critical goods, including electronics, has spiked.”

On 12.12.23 Swiss French-language newspaper L'Agefi: "Armenia is directly involved in the re-export of sanctioned goods to Russia."

On 14.12.23 Israeli English-language channel I24: "Armenia is a major hub for supplying goods to the Russian Federation, bypassing Western sanctions, and serving as a base for the military-technical supply of Russian troops."

Armenia holds significant importance for Russia as a crucial transit hub due to the diminishing reliance on other countries for re-exporting sanctioned goods. In May 2023, the French edition of Forbes labelled Armenia as the "primary conduit for evading sanctions" due to the tightening restrictions on deliveries through Turkey and Central Asia. This development emerged after Ankara assured the United States in the summer of 2022 that it would not permit the circumvention of sanctions against Russia on Turkish soil. Consequently, Turkish financial institutions began terminating their collaborations with Russian entities on a large scale. By February 2024, the newspaper "Vedomosti" highlighted that the closure of accounts for Russian companies by Turkish banks, initiated in 2022, significantly escalated.

Central Asian nations faced mounting pressure from the US and the EU to enforce sanctions against Russia following the Ukrainian invasion. Companies in the region ignoring these restrictions found themselves blacklisted by the US. Determined to assess compliance, EU Special Envoy David O'Sullivan embarked on three Central Asian visits in 2023. During his final visit in November, he expressed gratitude for the region's efforts to curb re-exports to Russia. This followed a pledge made by the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan at a Luxembourg meeting with EU representatives on October 23. They committed to assist in thwarting Russia's attempts to bypass the sanctions.

Despite the coverage of the problem of the re-export of sanctioned goods from Armenia to Russia in the world media, the international community fails to act and Armenia gets away with it.

The Croatian publication Net noted back in May 2023 that the US and the EU, while supplying Ukraine with millions of dollars worth of weapons for the war with Russia, for unknown reasons turned a blind eye to the close partnership between Yerevan and the Kremlin. The French edition of  Forbes echoes this sentiment: "If the Western community really wants a quick victory for Ukraine, it must deprive Moscow of this logistical hub as soon as possible." In this regard, the American Jamestown Foundation reported that "no comprehensive investigation" has yet been launched into Putin's logistical hub in Armenia. In April 2023, the British newspaper The Telegraph already called on the West to "toughen relations" with the Kremlin's satellites: "Armenia has no special excuses when it allows itself to act as a transit point (for Russia)."

Rather than imposing limitations on the collaboration between Armenia and Russia, which goes against the interests of Washington and Brussels, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) declared on February 17 that it would provide $15 million to Yerevan. Interestingly, the USAID announcement highlights that these funds are intended to "diminish Armenia's economic reliance on Russia."

Armenia Signs Arms Contract with France for Precision Rifles and Military Training

Albert Nalbandian
Bollyinside 
feb 23 2024
ByGenevieve St. Clair

Armenia signs arms contract with France: defence ministers

  • France Commits To Sell Precision Rifles And Train Armenian Military Officers
  • Armenia Aims To Reduce Dependence On Moscow And Modernize Its Army
  • France To Deploy A Military Adviser Specializing In Ground-Based Air Defense Systems
  • Growing Rift Between Armenia And Moscow Over Perceived Inaction On Armenia’s Conflict With Azerbaijan

    • France has signed commitments to sell precision rifles to Armenia and train Armenian military officers, as Yerevan seeks to reduce its dependence on Moscow. The two countries also agreed on additional support for Armenia’s defense capabilities.

    France has pledged to sell precision rifles to Armenia and provide training for its military officers. This move comes as Armenia aims to modernize its army and reduce its reliance on Moscow.

    Armenia’s decision to seek support from France highlights a growing rift with its historic ally, Moscow. The perceived inaction of the Kremlin in Armenia’s conflict with Azerbaijan has strained relations between Yerevan and Moscow.

    https://www.bollyinside.com/news/world-news/armenia-signs-arms-contract-with-france-for-precision-rifles-and-military-training/

    UK criticised over apparent call to firms to rebuild disputed areas of Azerbaijan

    Emil Lazarian
    The Guardian, UK
    Feb 22 2024

    Officials held online meeting with business leaders despite flight of ethnic Armenians after military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh

    The UK government faces criticism after officials appeared to urge British businesses to help rebuild disputed areas of Azerbaijan just weeks after the state’s military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh led more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee the region.

    Officials from the UK Foreign Office and the business department held an online meeting with British business leaders in November to encourage companies to take advantage of the “great opportunity” to support Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev’s rebuilding agenda.

    The event, hosted by a business development network, was held six weeks after the Azerbaijan state seized the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, resulting in an estimated 120,000 ethnic Armenians fleeing the region and crossing into neighbouring Armenia.

    The latest territorial dispute, which follows decades of conflict in the region, led Armenians to accuse Azerbaijan of “ethnic cleansing”, a claim Azerbaijan has denied.

    In the days after Baku’s military operations the UK government publicly condemned the Aliyev regime’s “unacceptable use of force” in Nagorno-Karabakh and warned that it had “put at risk efforts to find a lasting peaceful settlement” in the region.

    But a recording of the online meeting, shared with the Guardian by campaigners at Global Witness, includes one senior UK government official encouraging business leaders to take advantage of the financial opportunities in the “huge western chunk of the country that needs to be rebuilt from the ground up”.

    “The Azerbaijan government is supporting what it calls ‘the great return’, which is essentially providing the opportunity for the 700,000 [internally displaced people], these refugees, to basically return to Karabakh. So you have this great opportunity here actually,” the official said.

    It is not clear whether the official was referring to Nagorno-Karabakh specifically, part of the far larger Karabakh region. Aliyev set out plans in 2020 to rebuild the “liberated districts” of the Karabakh region in western Azerbaijan, which includes Nagorno-Karabakh. The president said it was important that all displaced Azerbaijan citizens return to Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent districts where they used to live.

    A second government official told business leaders: “[There’s] a great opportunity here actually. [It was] just an empty land that was ready to be built over from scratch.”

    Jonathan Noronha-Gant, a senior campaigner at Global Witness, said: “Behind closed doors, the UK government is calling Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh a ‘great opportunity’. What century are these officials living in? It’s not a great opportunity for the UK, nor for the people who were displaced.”

    In the recording the first official said UK companies were “well-placed” to collaborate with the Azerbaijan government to provide infrastructure advice to “a government which has financial means given that it has very large energy resources”. Azerbaijan owns one of the world’s largest gasfields, Shah Deniz in the Caspian Sea, and is a growing exporter of gas to Europe.

    The official also said there was a “real opportunity here, both politically to make peace [and] to create a situation where those people who have left from both sides of the line can return, but also economic opportunities within the country itself”.

    A UK government spokesperson said: “These comments from UK officials have been misrepresented. Discussions of reconstruction referred to the UK government’s public work to assist with possible future development in the new towns being built for those displaced by decades of conflict.

    “The UK is not involved in commercial activity or reconstruction efforts in the area of Nagorno-Karabakh region recovered by Azerbaijan through its September 2023 military operation.

    “The UK continues to work to support stability and lasting peace after the long-running conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

    The Guardian revealed last year that Azerbaijan’s share of two large oil and gas projects operated by British oil company BP had earned its government almost $35bn (£28.6bn), or more than four times its military spending since 2020 when war broke out in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

    This type of arrangement is commonplace in the oil and gas industry as a way to share the risk and reward of developing fossil fuel projects between foreign companies and the host state.

    BP also plans to build a 240MW solar farm in Azerbaijan’s “liberated lands”, according to Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister. The Azerbaijani prime minister, Ali Asadov, met with the BP head of production, Gordon Birrell, recently to discuss the Sunrise solar project, which is planned for an area near the ghost city of Jabrayil, which was left in ruin after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

    “This is a great opportunity for BP to cosy up closer still to the Azeri ‘dictatorship’, nothing more,” Noronha-Gant said.

    Global Witness has warned BP that its investment has indirectly helped to fund Azerbaijan’s military aggression against ethnic Armenians in the contested region. BP has previously said that it supports “a peaceful settlement to the conflict and hope[s] that a final resolution will soon be found”. A spokesperson declined to comment on the UK officials’ video meeting, or on its plans to build the Sunrise solar project.

    Armenia, Saudi Arabia share common value of respect for diversity, says envoy

    Jane Topchian
    ARAB NEWS, Saudi Arabia
    Feb 22 2024


    SULAFA ALKHUNAIZI


    • Former presidential advisor Melikyan raises opportunities for both nations closer ties could bring
    • Highlights Armenian tech sector investment potential, praises Vision 2030

    RIYADH: Armenia and Saudi Arabia share the common value of respect for religious diversity and heritage, Gevorg Melikyan, founder and CEO of the Armenian Institute for Resilience and Statecraft, has said.

    Melikyan, ex-advisor to former Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, was in Saudi Arabia for the first time to attend the Saudi Media Forum at the invitation of Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas.

    “Armenia stands as one of the oldest cradles of Christianity, with a rich history deeply intertwined with the faith. The country’s cultural heritage is marked by ancient monasteries, churches, and traditions that reflect its enduring commitment to Christianity over centuries,” Melikyan said.

    “Saudi Arabia holds a central position in the Muslim world as the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah. The country’s religious significance is unparalleled, attracting millions of Muslims from around the world for pilgrimage and spiritual fulfillment,” he added.

    “I am currently exploring this remarkable country, which has been somewhat hidden from Armenia and its people due to certain diplomatic and other obstacles. Through initiatives like participating in events such as this media forum, we are collectively working to overcome these obstacles and forge stronger connections between our nations.”

    Melikyan also held a meeting with Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center in Riyadh.

    “The primary objective of this meeting was to bolster cooperation between our respective institutions, cultivate additional avenues for collaboration, and deepen mutual understanding between experts from Armenia and Saudi Arabia across various disciplines,” he said.

    The establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Armenia was catalyzed by a historic visit from President Sarkissian to Saudi Arabia in October 2021, said Melikyan.

    “This significant event marked a turning point in the relationship between the two nations, which had previously been unable to establish diplomatic ties since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Armenia’s re-emergence as an independent state in 1991.”

    Melikyan said the Sarkissian visit paved the way for discussions aimed at formalizing diplomatic relations, laying the groundwork for future cooperation between the two nations.  

    He added that Saudi Arabia and Armenia stand to benefit from such cooperation, fostering economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional stability.

    “Both countries possess unique strengths and resources that could complement each other in various fields. For instance, Armenia has a strong technology sector and a skilled workforce in areas such as IT and engineering, while Saudi Arabia boasts significant economic resources and investment potential,” he said.

    The establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Saudi Arabia could offer opportunities for interfaith dialogue, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding, he noted.

    “Both nations recognize the importance of religious tolerance and coexistence in fostering peace and harmony within their societies and beyond,” Melikyan said. 

    He pointed out that closer ties between Armenia and Saudi Arabia could contribute to greater stability in the South Caucasus and the Gulf region, and highlighted the significance of Saudi Vision 2030, saying the focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in human capital reflects a commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a dynamic and competitive player on the global stage.

    Russian border guards obstructed EU mission in Armenia

    Toneyan Mark
    Feb 22 2024
     

    ByArshaluys Barseghyan

    The head of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) announced on Wednesday that Russian border guards had blocked European observers from entering Nerkin Hand, in Armenia’s southern Syunik Province. 

    The mission’s head, Markus Ritter’s announcement came on the one-year anniversary of the mission’s deployment in Armenia. 

    Recent clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan took place around Nerkin Hand, where four Armenians were killed on 13 February. 

    Ritter added that the EU had anticipated that they would face issues accessing the village, and that it was the only location along the border blocked by Russian troops.

    The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, Armen Grigoryan, had earlier stated that the EUMA did not have access to the area. While avoiding responding to questions as to why this was the case, he added that Armenia would attempt to address issues regarding the EU mission’s access to the region. 

    Griogryan also confirmed that Russian forces were present in the area and had been ‘unable to prevent’ the February escalation. 

    Russian border guards man a number of road, air, and rail checkpoints on Armenia’s border with Turkey and Iran. 

    Grigoryan went on to praise the EU mission’s contributions to the stability of the region, as well as ensuring ‘transparency regarding current events’, while declaring criticism from ‘various countries’ to be ‘unjustified’ and ‘unacceptable’. 

    The mission was deployed in February 2023 at Armenia’s request, with a two-year mandate to ‘contribute to stability in border areas’. Both Russia and Azerbaijan have criticised the mission since its deployment. 

    While Baku agreed to cooperate with the mission, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the EU mission as ‘counterproductive’, arguing that it could create additional tension, as well as claiming that Armenia was showing preference to the EU mission over peacekeepers from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). 

    Armenia has expressed increasing dissatisfaction with Russia and the CSTO over their failure to honour security guarantees when Azerbaijani forces entered Armenian territory in September 2022. 

    In 2023, Armenia pulled out of hosting or taking part in CSTO drills and other events, stating that it was ‘diversifying’ its security alliances. 

    The EUMA operates exclusively on the Armenian side of the border, with its unarmed civilian observers conducting patrols along the entire border with Azerbaijan, including its exclave of Nakhchivan, and sending classified reports to the EU.

    While 138 observers were initially deployed, the mission announced in late 2023 that those numbers would increase to 209. 

    In August 2023, Armenia said the mission had come under fire from Azerbaijan. While the EUMA initially denied Armenia’s claim, they later confirmed that there had been a ‘shooting incident in our area of responsibility’ where their patrol was present, after a video of the incident was leaked. 

    The video showed monitors hiding in an Armenian bunker, and pointing out the Azerbaijani military position from where their car had been targeted. 

    https://oc-media.org/russian-border-guards-obstructed-eu-mission-in-armenia/

    France ups military ties with Armenia with first ever visit by a defence minister

    Vicken Chmshkian
    rfi
    France – Feb 22 2024

    France's Sebastien Lecornu travelled to Armenia Thursday on the first trip by a French defence minister to the South Caucasus nation. It comes as tensions rise with Yerevan's historic rival Azerbaijan, and as French President Emmanuel Macron met with Armenia's leader in Paris.

    Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu's visit to Armenia follows the induction into the Panthéon of Armenian-born Resistance fighter Missak Manouchian in Paris on Wednesday.

    Lecornu's becomes the first French defence minister to visit Armenia, and the European defense minister in about a decade.

    France and Armenia signed a letter of intent on air defence in October last year that included the acquisition of three Thales Ground Master (GM200) radars capable of detecting an enemy aircraft up to 250 kilometres away.

    France will also provide Armenia with night vision goggles, manufactured by Safran. In addition, the French military will hold three mountain combat training sessions with the Armenian forces later this year.

    • French FM visits Armenia to reaffirm support amid Nagorno-Karabakh crisis
    • Armenian Resistance hero Manouchian joins France's Panthéon luminaries

    France, with its 600,000-plus Armenian community, profiles itself as a mediator in the conflict over control of the Haut-Karabakh region. In September last year, Azeri forces entered the area, exiling some 100,000 Armenians.

    Today, skirmishes between Armenian and Azeri forces continue. France has committed to support Armenia in its defensive efforts.

    Armenia is increasingly worried that Azerbaijan, which is wealthier, better-armed and supported by Turkey, might attempt to forcibly link the Azerbaijani enclave of Nakhchivan to its territory by invading Armenia's south.

    Lecornu's trip comes after French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern about a "risk of escalation" between Armenia and Azerbaijan as he received Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday.

    Pashinyan last week warned that Azerbaijan was preparing for a "full-scale war" with Armenia after decades of tensions over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

    On 13 February, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of firing shots at the border, resulting in four Armenian soldier deaths and one injury, according to Yerevan.

    During an exchange of fire the day before, one Azeri was wounded.