More new appointments in the Armenian military

Emil Lazarian

 15:37, 14 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. President Vahagn Khachaturyan has signed a decree appointing Vigen Mkrtchyan as the Chief of the Signal Corps (Communication Troops of the General Staff of the Armed Forces) and Chief of the Department of Automated Management Systems.

The appointment was made at the advice of Prime Minister Pashinyan.

With a separate decree, Head of the Combat Readiness Department of the Main Directorate of Readiness of the Defense Ministry, Vachagan Nersesyan, was dismissed from office.

Hamlet Levonyan was appointed Commander of the Peacekeeping Brigade, replacing Arsen Mangasaryan.

Mangasaryan, in turn, was appointed as the new Head of the Vazgen Sargsyan Military University. 

Karen Grigoryan was relieved of duties as Head of the Engineering Forces and was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff.

Temur Shahnazaryan was appointed Head of the Main Tactical Department of the Armed Forces/Deputy Chief of the General Staff. He was earlier the Head of the Signal Corps.

Armenian FM, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative discuss regional developments

Emil Lazarian

 15:56, 14 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has held a meeting in Brussels with NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Javier Colomina.

In a readout, the foreign ministry said Mirzoyan and Colomina discussed ‘the recent regional developments and attempts to destabilize the situation.’

‘Ararat Mirzoyan reiterated Armenia's vision for overcoming existing challenges, based on well-known principles. The efforts aimed at further enhancing the Armenia-NATO partnership were touched upon,’ the foreign ministry added.

France, Germany and Poland call for fair and sustainable peace in South Caucasus

Lilit Nahapetian

 16:01, 14 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. France, Germany and Poland have called for a fair and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus and expressed support to the mediation efforts of the EU and U.S. to facilitate dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The foreign ministers of the three countries made the call in a statement issued after the meeting of the ‘Weimar Triangle’ on February 12th, 2024.

“We call for a fair and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus and support the mediation efforts of the European Union and of the United States of America to facilitate dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We reiterate our support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the states of the South Caucasus,” reads a part of the statement.

Armenia to Acquire Historical Building in Paris for 23 Million Euros to House Embassy

Bedik Zaminian
Feb 15 2024
In a significant move, the Armenian government has announced its intention to acquire a historical building in Paris, valued at 23 million euros, to house its embassy in France. The decision, made during a cabinet meeting on February 15, 2024, marks an important milestone in Armenia's diplomatic history.

The building, nestled in the prestigious 16th arrondissement of Paris, carries significant historical weight. Once owned by the late third president of France, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, it stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of French history. The Armenian government's decision to purchase this property underscores its commitment to preserving and celebrating such historical significance.

The seller has agreed to part with the property for 23 million euros, a figure that, while substantial, is believed to be lower than the building's actual market value. The process of acquiring the building is expected to take between three to four months, during which the Armenian government will make state payments amounting to 7.5% of the building's value to facilitate the transaction.

The funds for this significant purchase will be allocated from the Armenian government's 2024 state budget, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receiving the necessary resources to complete the transaction. This allocation reflects the government's prioritization of diplomatic relations and its commitment to strengthening Armenia's presence on the global stage.

The Armenian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan, met with his French counterpart, M. Stéphane Séjourné, to discuss this important development. The meeting served to underscore the strong bilateral relations between Armenia and France and the shared commitment to bolstering these ties further.

As Armenia embarks on this new chapter in its diplomatic history, the acquisition of this historical building in Paris serves as a symbol of the country's enduring commitment to preserving history, fostering strong diplomatic relations, and investing in its future.

Armenia raises alarm, accuses Azerbaijan of planning full-scale war as tensions simmer

Emma Nadirian
Newsable
Feb 15 2024

As tensions escalate in the region, Armenia has sounded the alarm, alleging that Azerbaijan is plotting a full-scale war. The accusations add a layer of complexity to the diplomatic landscape, raising concerns about the potential ramifications for both nations.

The tensions in the Middle East have disrupted the global economy causing the oil prices to shoot up. A similar situation could be simmering in the oil-rich Azerbaijan region. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday warned that the neighboring nation is planning a full-scale war to win more territories.

Nikol Pashinyan has accused Azerbaijan of plotting a full-scale war after skirmishes took place on the border that left 4 Armenian soldiers dead. The skirmishes have enforced war alarms over Armenia as the nightmares of last September seem to resurface.

Azerbaijan launched a swift military action to invade Armenia and take the highly populated Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian side suffered more casualties and also lost vital territories due to a weak military. The Asian nation has now stepped up its defense spending and has exported multiple defense equipment from India.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, “Our analysis shows that Azerbaijan wants to launch military action in some parts of the border with the prospect of turning military escalation into a full-scale war against Armenia.”

Azerbaijan has also beefed up its defense purchases from Turkey to prepare for another assault on Armenia. Pakistan and Turkey have come out as major allies of the oil and gas-rich nation. Baku as of now has a multifold stronger military presence and any move on the borders will prove difficult to tackle for Yerevan.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev recently won re-election to the office in Baku fighting on national security rhetoric that involved the win in Armenia. He said, “We have no territorial claims to Armenia. And they should give up their claims. Talking to us in the language of blackmail will cost them dearly.”

Armenia warns that Azerbaijan is planning a ‘full-scale war’

Emil Lazarian
Feb 15 2024

Azerbaijan is planning a “full-scale war” against Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Thursday, two days after a skirmish on their border left four Armenian troops dead.

“Our analysis shows that Azerbaijan wants to launch military action in some parts of the border with the prospect of turning military escalation into a full-scale war against Armenia,” Pashinyan said at a government meeting.

Baku, Yerevan Pledge To Resolve Differences Without Force: Scholz

Mary Lazarian
UrduPoint
Feb 17 2024

 Muhammad Irfan

Armenia and Azerbaijan's presidents pledged Saturday to resolve differences through peaceful means, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said after holding three-way talks between the leaders

Munich, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 17th Feb, 2024) Armenia and Azerbaijan's presidents pledged Saturday to resolve differences through peaceful means, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said after holding three-way talks between the leaders.

At the meeting in Munich with Armenia's President Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan counterpart Ilham Aliyev, Scholz urged a rapid conclusion of peace talks, according to a statement issued by the chancellery.

"The chancellor praised pledges from both sides today, to resolve differences in opinion and open questions exclusively through peaceful means and without the use of force," added the statement.

No official statements have been issued from either side regarding the talks.

But the promises to avoid conflict would be a marked change in tone from Pashinyan's warning on Thursday that Azerbaijan was planning a "full-scale war".

On Tuesday, both sides also accused each other of opening fire on their volatile border, in a skirmish Armenia said left four of its soldiers dead.

Tensions between the two Caucasus neighbours have remained high since Baku re-captured the Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh last September in a lightning military offensive.

Yerevan is concerned that Azerbaijan, emboldened by its success in Karabakh, could invade Armenian territory in order to create a land bridge to its exclave of Nakhchivan.

Aliyev, who won re-election this month, said in an inauguration speech Wednesday it was Armenia, not Azerbaijan, that had outstanding territorial claims.

Pashinyan and Aliyev previously said a peace agreement could have been signed by the end of last year, but internationally mediated peace talks have failed to yield a breakthrough.

In a bilateral meeting also in Munich, Pashinyan told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday morning that that had been a "new escalation" with Azerbaijan, in reference to the latest skirmish.

Aliyev is due to hold separate talks with Blinken later Saturday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Sports: New Zealand winger Logan Rogerson joins Armenian Premier League club

Adrine Hakobian
feb 17 2024
 posted in: All Whites, Kiwis abroad, News |

New Zealand international winger Logan Rogerson has signed with Armenian Premier League club FC Noah after leaving Finnish club FC Haka.

Hamilton-born Rogerson (25) joins a squad drawn from many countries, including Portugal, Brazil, Netherlands, Uruguay, Slovakia, Nigeria, DR Congo, Serbia, Mozambique, France, Italy, Senegal and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Main photo: Logan Rogerson … has joined FC Noah to play in the Armenian Premier League. Photo credit: FC Noah.

Rogerson, who has represented New Zealand at U-17, U-20, U-23 and full international level, started his career as a youth player with Hamilton’s Wanderers SC.

After making his All Whites debut in 2015, he has made nine appearances for New Zealand, scoring once.

He spent three seasons with Wellington Phoenix before moving to German third-tier club Carl Jeiss Jena.

He returned to New Zealand for two seasons with Auckland City and then left for Finland where he played for Klubi O4, HJK Helsinki and FC Haka who he joined in 2022.

Iran, Armenia expanding economic ties

Kanayan Tamar
Iran – Feb 17 2024

Gisoo Misha Ahmadi
Press TV, Tehran

The 18th meeting of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Committee has wrapped up with the two sides signing 19 MOUs to expand economic cooperation. The agreements pave the way for the trade volume between the two countries to increase threefold and reach three billion USD.

Watch the video at 

Iran’s Envoy In Yerevan Defends Armenia’s Territorial Integrity

Tania Jagharian
Iran International
Feb 17 2024

After warnings by Armenia of a fresh Azerbaijani military threat, Iran's Ambassador in Yerevan, Mehdi Sobhani, has reiterated Tehran's stance against any territorial alterations in the region.

In an interview with Armenpress, Sobhani emphasized, “The final position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is that we cannot accept a territorial change in any way. Any territorial changes should take place on the basis of mutual recognition of the territorial integrity of both countries, and this remains our final position…the territorial integrity of the countries of the region should be respected."

Expressing concern over regional stability, the Iranian diplomat stated that Tehran finds it “unacceptable” to witness a volatile situation around Armenia.

His comments come as tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to escalate. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Thursday rejected Azerbaijan's persistent demands for legislative changes in Armenia, warning of potential "large-scale" military aggression from Baku.

Pashinian accused Azerbaijani leadership of pursuing a "policy of military coercion" to seize Armenian territory and extract concessions. He highlighted Azerbaijan's reluctance to demarcate the border, following a ceasefire violation that resulted in the death of four Armenian soldiers on Tuesday.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday maintained his stance, stating that he won't sign a peace treaty unless Armenia revises its legislation, which he claims contains territorial claims on Azerbaijan.

Amidst the tension, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reaffirmed Tehran's opposition to the presence of external powers in the South Caucasus during discussions with a senior visiting Armenian official.

Iran supports Armenia's stance against Azerbaijani requests for an extraterritorial corridor linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave via Syunik, the sole Armenian region sharing a border with the Islamic Republic.