Sofia 2024 Day 2: Two golds for the hosts, one for Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Inside the Games
Feb 14 2024
  • By Rafael Khalatyan

    •  

  •  Wednesday,

Bulgarian athletes Angel Rusev and Gabriel Marinov won the first gold medals for the host country on the second day of the 2024 European Weightlifting Championships. 

Aleksandra Gregoryan won the first gold for Armenia. Rusev finished third and Marinov and Grigoryan were out of the medals after the snatch, but the strong performances in the clean and jerk earned them gold medals in the total.

Rusev finished behind Turkey's Muammer Sahin and Georgia's Ramini Shamilishvili in the men's 55 kg snatch, but won the clean and jerk with 135 kg and the total with 244 kg. Shamilashvili remained in second place after the second event. Dzhan Zharkov from Bulgaria was second in the clean and jerk and third in the total with 102-133-235.

Spain's Josue Brachi failed all three attempts in the snatch, but finished third in the clean and jerk. Hampton Morris from the USA was by far the best lifter in the men's 61 kg category. The 19-year-old lifted 126 kg in the snatch and 171 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 297 kg. 

His top lifts were both new American junior and senior records, as were his two totals. Morris' result was out of competition but allowed him to move up to 7th in the Olympic rankings.

Marinov won the gold medal with 281 kg (121+160), but was only 5th after the snatch. Another Bulgarian, Ivan Dimov, best after the snatch, took bronze in the clean and jerk and silver in the total with 130-150-280. Georgia's Shota Mishvelidze was third in the snatch and the total. Pavlo Zalipski of Poland and Valentin Iancu of Romania took silver in the snatch and clean and jerk respectively. 

Grigoryan was only sixth after the snatch in the women's 55 kg category, 5 kg behind leader Sol Waaler (Norway) and 4 kg behind Yulia Hulina (AIN) and Burcu Alici (Turkey), but the battle for gold in the clean and jerk and total was between Grigoryan and Italy's Celine Delia (fourth after the snatch). 

The Armenian won the competition with 115 kg in the clean and jerk and 196 kg in the total. Delia was second in both parts with 111 kg and 195 kg. Burcu was also third in the clean and jerk, but missed the podium in the total as the bronze medal went to Waaler.

Iran, Russia urge calm following new Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes

Andranik Taslakhchian
Feb 14 2024
Iran has significant interests at stake in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, having a somewhat tense relationship with the latter.
Adam Lucente

Iran and Russia called for calm on Tuesday after a border skirmish between Armenia and Azerbaijan that left four Armenian soldiers dead, and one Armenian soldier and one Azeri soldier injured. 

Armenian authorities said that Azerbaijani troops fired on Armenian forces across the border in the Syunik region of southeast Armenia on Tuesday. But Azerbaijan said it fired on Armenian forces in retaliation for shelling of Azerbaijani forces on Monday, the Associated Press reported. 

Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs “called on both sides to exercise restraint and maintain peace."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “We urge both sides to exercise restraint, to avoid in every possible way any actions that the other side might consider provocative,” Russia’s official news agency, TASS, reported.

At the press briefing Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US was concerned by the renewed violence and offered condolences to the families. Miller said that the US is committed to Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations, warned that the use of force undermines those efforts. He added that "any ceasefire violations should be investigated and properly addressed."

Armenia and Azerbaijan have had territorial disputes since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in early 1990s. In 2020, the two countries fought a war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region — an area that was inhabited by ethnic Armenians but internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Baku launched a new offensive in September of last year, leading to the mass exodus of Armenians from the area and the dissolution of the local government in January of this year.

Syunik is located just south of Nagorno-Karabakh, and some residents are concerned Azerbaijan may move on the area, Radio Free Europe reported in November.

Why it matters: Iran has concerns about conflict in Syunik. The Islamic Republic fears the possibility of an Azerbaijani incursion in the area, as such an action could threaten Iran’s land border with Armenia, according to a January report from the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Iran has a complex relationship with the conflict. In October, Iran hosted Armenian and Azerbaijani diplomats for a dialogue conference aimed at resolving tensions.

Iran has historically enjoyed warm relations with Armenia, but its relationship with Azerbaijan has been tense at times. The following is a breakdown of some notable recent developments in Iran-Azerbaijan relations:

  • A gunman shot and killed a security official at the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran in January of last year.
  • Iran slammed the opening of an Israeli embassy in Baku in March.
  • Azerbaijan expelled four Iranian diplomats in April, prompting Iran to make a reciprocal move in May.
  • Iran arrested five ethnic Azeris last week, accusing them of planning sabotage acts on orders from an unspecified entity in Azerbaijan.

Iran and Russia have expressed agreement on the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan recently. At the October conference, both countries denounced Western inference in the conflict, Agence France-Presse reported at the time.

Know more: Iran and Azerbaijan have been working to establish the Aras corridor recently. The corridor would link the Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan to the Azerbaijani mainland via Iran. The Islamic Republic has been pushing for the Aras corridor as an alternative to the proposed Zangezur corridor, which would connect Nakhchivan to the rest of Azerbaijan via Armenia. Iran opposes Zangezur, believing it would cut its trade and transit links to Armenia, Rahim Rahimov wrote for Al-Monitor in December.

Kristen Talman in Washington contributed to this report. 

 

Russia calls for Armenia-Azerbaijan de-escalation

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

 17:01,

MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed ‘deep concern’ Wednesday over what it described as military ‘incidents’ on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on February 12-13, when 4 Armenian soldiers were killed and another wounded when their position in Syunik came under cross-border Azeri gunfire.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing that Armenia and Azerbaijan should refrain from any actions that would escalate the situation.

‘We are calling on Baku and Yerevan to display restraint and make steps for de-escalation,’ she said, calling on the sides to resolve disputes peacefully. She added that the countries should adhere to the 2020-2022 Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan trilateral statements. ‘We are convinced that territorial disputes should be resolved as part of the work of the bilateral commission on delimitation,’ Zakharova added.

Prospects of return of the Armenian population to Karabakh under discussion-Zakharova

Ani Kharatian

 18:26,

MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Preparations for the next Russian-Azerbaijani contacts continue regarding the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing Wednesday.

"Among the issues discussed are the prospects of the return of the Armenian population to Karabakh, with proper provision of their rights and security, the organization of joint patrols, the protection of monuments of cultural, historical and religious heritage," said the official representative of the Russian MFA, adding that the contacts are formed on a constructive basis and have a periodic nature.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 14-02-24

Lara Chatinian

 17:05,

YEREVAN, 14 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 14 February, USD exchange rate down by 0.66 drams to 403.57 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 3.50 drams to 431.98 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 4.41 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 5.68 drams to 506.36 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 290.58 drams to 25899.55 drams. Silver price down by 1.07 drams to 296.74 drams.

U.S. additional funding bill includes Nagorno-Karabakh aid

Tania Jagharian

 11:06,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. The U.S. additional aid legislation includes humanitarian assistance for vulnerable people who have been impacted by conflicts around the world, including in Nagorno-Karabakh, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a press briefing.

On February 13, the United States Senate passed a $95bn bill with aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The legislation will now head to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

“Yesterday, the Senate took important action to advance America’s core national security interests by overwhelmingly passing the national security supplemental agreement," Sullivan said. “This bipartisan legislation will allow the United States to continue to support the people of Ukraine, alongside our allies and partners, as they fight every single day to defend their freedom and independence. 

“It will provide Israel what it needs to defend itself against Hamas terrorists and other terror threats, and help replenish Israel’s air defenses so they’re prepared against threats they face from Iran and Iranian-backed militia groups like Hezbollah.  

“It will provide resources for our troops in the Middle East who have faced attacks from Iran-backed militias as they continue the important mission of defeating ISIS, as well as our forces who are protecting international commerce in the Red Sea from persistent attacks by the Houthis. 

“The bill will provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance for vulnerable people who have been impacted by conflicts around the world.  That includes millions of Ukrainians who have been displaced by Russia’s brutal invasion.  It includes conflicts in Sudan and Nagorno-Karabakh.  And this support also includes dealing with the urgent needs of the more than 2 million innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the vast majority of whom have nothing to do with Hamas."

Azerbaijani Press: Media: Weapons and ammunition purchased by Armenia do not meet quality standards

Ani Kharatian
Report, Azerbaijan
Feb 15 2024

The weapons, ammunition and equipment purchased by Armenia from India, France and other countries do not meet quality standards, Report informs referring to the Armenian publication “Past.”

“The radar devices purchased from France do not meet the requirements, and the French side does not sell missiles to Armenia designed to destroy targets detected by these devices. As for military vehicles purchased in France, their low quality has been mentioned more than once, which is also evidenced by refusal of the Ukrainian side to supply them,” reads the article.

As for the purchase of weapons and ammunition from India, according to military experts, the Armenian army lacks the experience and necessary skills to operate them.

The leader of the All-Armenian Front movement, former Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan, recently spoke about the low quality of weapons supplied from these countries. He said that a number of contracts he signed for the purchase of weapons have already been canceled by the current authorities. This includes a contract with Serbia for the purchase of weapons and ammunition worth several hundred million dollars.

Thus, the publication notes that the recent statement by the current Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan that the army is provided with the necessary weapons through purchases from India, France and other countries is an attempt to mislead the Armenian society.

“He is trying to impress the Armenian society with such statements that the army is allegedly arming itself with modern weapons and ammunition by refusing Russian supplies,” the article says.

Armenian government plans to buy former French president’s Paris mansion for embassy

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

 11:16,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government plans to buy a €23,000,000 building in Paris which was once the private mansion of the late ex-President of France Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. The building will house the Armenian embassy in France.

The mansion is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

The decision on approving the purchase is included in the February 15 Cabinet meeting agenda.

In accordance with an agreement between the government and the seller, the government must pay 10% of the total amount as a prepayment. The Cabinet meeting’s item is on approving the provision of 2,3 million euros for the prepayment.

Armenia, Pashinyan pushes for new constitution, opposition screams foul

Lena Karagyozian

Feb 15 2024


15/02/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

In recent weeks, Yerevan has been awash with claims that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is seeking to make monumental changes to the country’s constitution ahead of a potential agreement to normalise relations with Azerbaijan. Though constitutional reform has been policy for all successive administrations, on January 19, while visiting the Ministry of Justice, Pashinyan made it clear that he would like changes to extend well beyond that.

“[…] the Republic of Armenia needs a new Constitution”, Pashinyan said. “Not constitutional amendments but a new constitution”.

On January 23, the Ministry of Justice submitted a reform plan recommending that the current system of rule by a “stable" or “majority” system of governance should be transformed into a minority model to make it less likely for one party to monopolise power. In particular, however, the constitution “should make the country more competitive in the new geopolitical environment”.

The Armenian opposition reacted harshly, interpreting his words as confirmation of Yerevan being ready to make more concessions to Baku in order to sign a long-delayed peace deal. In particular, those critics believe that the government intends to remove a controversial preamble to the existing constitution that refers to the 1990 Declaration of Independence.

The declaration mentions a 1989 joint decision on the “Reunification of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Mountainous Region of Karabakh”. In August last year, Pashinyan had already fuelled such speculation by noting that the declaration contained a “confrontational narrative with[in] the regional environment that [has] kept us in constant conflicts with our neighbours”.

Speaking on 24 January, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan confirmed Baku had raised concerns with the preamble and other legislation. Discussion would likely be part of talks, he confessed, but on February 1 Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev warned that failure to change the constitution could prevent any agreement.

Yerevan is quick to point out that constitutional reform has long been planned. Pashinyan gained power in 2018 when Serzh Sargsyan attempted to retain power past his two-term limit presidency by becoming prime minister under a constitution reformed three years earlier. Pashinyan attempted to reform the constitution in April 2020, but was prevented from doing so by the pandemic, the 44-day war and snap elections held post-conflict.

Since last year, however, the opposition has also accused Pashinyan of seeking to usher in a ‘fourth republic’ to distance himself from the third, the post-Soviet Republic of Armenia formed in 1991. On February 1, in an interview with Armenian Public Radio, he did not deny such claims. Critics have claimed that could extend to changing state symbols.

Last year, for example, Pashinyan took exception with the some of the current symbols on the country’s coat of arms, and especially the depiction of Mount Ararat in neighbouring Turkey. This year, National Assembly President Alen Simonyan also suggested changing the anthem, something that he has advocated for since 2019, almost a year after Pashinyan’s 2018 Velvet Revolution.

In 2004, Georgia had also changed its state symbols following the Rose Revolution in 2003. This included the flag, coat of arms and national anthem.

The opposition claims that the electorate would reject such changes, especially if the it believed that pressure from Baku was behind them, and possibly even from Ankara. But there are other potential obstacles too. For a referendum to pass, not only should over 50% of voters agree, but turnout should exceed 25% of the country’s electorate.

Even if Armenians were to accept the changes, given the low voter turnout in last year’s Yerevan’s municipal elections, that could prove a tall order. According to others, including Pashinyan ally Aram Sargsyan – brother of the late Defence and Prime Minister assassinated in the parliamentary shootings of 27 October 1999, holding a referendum alongside snap-elections could be a possible solution.

This matches other rumours suggesting that early parliamentary elections could be held given Pashinyan’s falling ratings. Though the opposition is hardly popular, government support could drop even lower by 2026 when the next elections are scheduled.

"As far as I understand […], they will hold the referendum this fall at the latest, and I have no doubts that it will be held on the same day as fresh parliamentary elections", Sargsyan told RFE/RL’s Armenia Service last week. "I think they wouldn't mind […] this spring [but] organising a constitutional referendum takes a lot of time".