From the highlights of Serzh Sargsyan’s messages since 2009 on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.

 “Crimes against humanity have no statute of limitations either in people’s memory or before the court of history. International recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is a matter of restoration of historical justice for the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia.”

 “Some people suggest us not to dig up the old wounds of 100 years ago, but to look ahead.” Our response to such admonitions is as follows: Orhan Pamuk and Hrand Dink were not tried 100 years ago. They were judged before our eyes. This issue is topical and urgent for both Turkish and Armenian societies.”

 “At the same time, I publicly reaffirm. we do not consider Turkish society as an enemy. Bowing our heads in front of the memory of the innocent victims, we remember all those Turkish individuals, Turkish families, who reached out to their Armenian neighbors and friends who were being destroyed by the barbarians in those difficult days, and freed many Armenian children from the clutches of the khujan.”

 “Genocide is a consequence not only of the developments within the given state or society, but also of the failure of the entire international system. It has been proven more than once that impunity is a prerequisite for the repetition of genocide.”

 “The recognition of the genocide is not the world’s tribute to the Armenian people and its victims. Genocide recognition is the victory of human conscience and justice over intolerance and hatred.”

 “Before being separatists, let’s be patriots as a nation.”

 “On important occasions, I always wear the forget-me-not, which has become a symbol of the fight against genocide. It has a very clear advice and message. The crime committed against our people more than a century ago can never be forgotten.”

 “The rulers of Armenia should not forget that more than a million lives that were cut off these days 110 years ago can never become a subject of negotiation, and the undeniable reality of the genocide cannot be presented as an “obstacle to peace”. The opposite approach cannot be qualified otherwise than political demoralization and denationalization.

 “The authorities denying national interests and endangering the existence of the state must be removed, because the shortest way to lose statehood is through giving up one’s rights and dignity, the struggle for justice, and erasing the historical memory. Therefore:

IT IS OUR DUTY TO REMEMBER
DEMANDING THE RIGHT
FIGHTING IS A NECESSITY.”

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RA Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan started the working day on his Facebook page publication doing so, where he referred to the 2026 “Index of Economic Freedom” report of “The Heritage Foundation” last month.

First of all, it is surprising that the Minister of Economy at 10:00 in the morning, for example, has nothing else to do than to ensure the activity of his social page, especially when the published content has been discussed and analyzed for weeks. Secondly, it is impossible to ignore the fact that in the logic of the pre-election campaign, the minister chose to highlight only the paragraphs containing positive wording from the voluminous report.

Naturally, Minister Papoyan ignored the fact that, according to that report, Armenia has been ranked among “moderately free” countries for 5 years, which means that the government has not been able to ensure any qualitative progress, no matter how loudly they try to “shout” about it. Moreover, in 2026 the recorded increase of 1.7 points is not a new achievement, but a return to the figure recorded more than a decade ago in 2015.

In other words, the policy implemented for years has exhausted the previously accumulated potential: In 2017, Armenia even managed to make the transition to a higher group of “mostly free” countries. In short, the “reforms” trumpeted by the authorities over the last 8 years have not pushed the country forward, but pushed the country back, nullifying the previously recorded progress.

The current authorities will presumably try to rely on the growth of some sub-indices: “trade”, “monetary” or “financial freedom”. But even here the picture is very worrying.

For example, the current rate of “freedom of trade” is only surpassed by the rates of the previous five years, and before that such a low result was last recorded in 1999. It is simply frivolous to talk about any structural progress here.

Papoyan is not talking about the fact that, according to that report: The level of “freedom of labor” is significantly inferior to the indicators of 2007-2017., and a result lower than the current value of “investment freedom” was last recorded in 2007. This is a clear signal that the economic environment has lost its attractiveness for both internal and external actors.

And, most importantly, Papoyan is silent and does not find it appropriate to raise the fact that the most problematic image was formed in the “rule of law” group. Armenia ranks among the “economically oppressed” countries in two fundamental areas: “protection of property rights” and “effectiveness of justice”.significantly inferior to the world averages. This means that the fundamental conditions necessary for the normal development of the economy are not provided in the country: protection of property, applicability of contracts, independent and efficient judicial system.

In other words, the investor in Armenia does not have sufficient guarantees, the business does not trust the courts, and the citizen does not see the impartial application of the law. And this assessment is made not in the framework of internal political criticism, but in the analysis of an international authoritative structure.

In this context, it is not possible not to mention the state’s seizure of the HEC, the inglorious activities of the “ANIF” fund, as a result of which millions of dollars were lost. these are prime examples of possible developments for investors, which definitely did not escape the attention of the authors of the report. Forceful and non-transparent interventions by the state towards large economic objects create an atmosphere of uncertainty, where ownership becomes subject to political whims.

A reminder to the minister: no matter how much your political force is preparing for the next parliamentary elections, at the same time, you continue to hold the position of minister and are paid quite a lot for it.

Advice, exhortation: when you get to the office in the morning, deal with resolving the many economic gaps and challenges within the state as a result of your own team’s apocalyptic policies, in short, work, and finally sign out from the work computer and social media. from your personal accounts on the platforms because Since 2018, your entire political team has run the country with Facebook posts and for Facebook posts, be it foreign policy, war, economy or justice.

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Another case of vandalism took place in Artsakh occupied by Azerbaijan. This time, as a result of Azerbaijani vandalism, the Cathedral of St. Mary of Stepanakert was destroyed. Until now, Azerbaijan has thoroughly destroyed various churches both in Stepanakert and in the regions.

Artsakh cultural heritage ombudsman Hovik Avanesov recently presented statistics on the cases of vandalism in Artsakh, informing that about 1000 cases of similar vandalism have already been registered by Azerbaijan.

To what extent do the international structures that deal with the preservation of cultural heritage keep these cases in the center of their attention, how is the problem presented in different structures from the Armenian side?

Raffi Kortoshyan, deputy director of the Foundation for the Study of Armenian Architecture according to them, they have not heard any statement from any international organization regarding the vandalized monuments in Artsakh recently.

“Actually, these problems are not even raised. Satellite photos are still not available, there are only old satellite photos that show that the church is still there, but it has been almost proven by various Facebook users that the Stepanakert church has been destroyed. We are waiting for new satellite photos, after which we will definitely talk about everything.

Reactions to all cases of vandalism are limited only on the Internet by different users or professionals, there is no reaction from any international organization.” 168.amRaffi Kortoshyan said in a conversation with

According to our interlocutor, various experts and individuals promptly spread all the data regarding vandalism, present facts, but the response is delayed.

“The International Court of Justice in 2022 has a decision adopted on September 7 that Azerbaijan is obliged to protect Armenian monuments from destruction, they will not be vandalized. However, we are witnessing that Azerbaijan does not fulfill this decision and destroys the monuments every day.

In reality, the laws and commitments, decisions of international courts should become a deterrent mechanism for Azerbaijan, if Azerbaijan does not do all that, then other steps should be taken.

I think the international community, civilization is in a deep sleep. “The international community, which is divided, does not talk about the forced displacement of people, ethnic cleansing and genocides. It is hard for me to imagine that it should talk about, for example, the destroyed churches,” added Raffi Kortoshyan.

According to him, by eliminating the Armenian monuments and the Armenian traces in Artsakh, Azerbaijan has one goal and has always fulfilled its goals, both in Nakhichevan, in Northern Artsakh and in Artsakh itself, and in all those areas, Azerbaijan has destroyed and is destroying all Armenian monuments.

“Azerbaijan even destroyed cemeteries, today is no exception, it is doing the same thing. After subjecting Armenians to ethnic cleansing and displacement, he continues to destroy Armenian monuments. After ethnic cleansing, this is a new ethnic cleansing, already in terms of monuments,” Raffi Kortoshyan emphasized.

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In recent days, 2020 was put on the agenda for discussion. During the days of the 44-day war, the share of responsibility of the Defense Army of Artsakh and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia regarding the breach of the defense line in important areas, Azerbaijani penetrations in tactical depth and the loss of Shushi.

In particular, the basis for this was the adoption of the 2025 plan of the RA government in the National Assembly on April 17. During the performance discussion, the application statement of the former Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, the head of the Hayastan faction Seyran Ohanyan, that during the 44-day war, the Artsakh Defense Army had a defense zone of 283 km, of which they kept 265 km for one month, until October 27, 2020.

“With your zone of responsibility, Azerbaijan has bypassed and reached the borders of Shushi, Berdzor, Berdadzor and the Republic of Armenia – the borders of Goris, Kapan, Meghri. Now you say that the generals escaped, they escaped under your leadership, go and make a decision,” said Ohanyan, addressing Nikol Pashinyan.

Later 24TV–in a conversation with , he noted that the first line of responsibility for the penetration into the Artsakh defense zone is the Artsakh Defense Army, but if the enemy concentrates its main efforts in the direction of the breakthrough zone and penetrates into the defense zone at tactical depth, then the RA armed forces join the problem with the appropriate military unit and other forces. In other words, according to Seyran Ohanyan, in this case the decisions are taken by the RA authorities, and Pashinyan is the main person responsible.

«On the right side of the Artsakh defense zone, there is a large area, about 100 km along the Araxi river, to the borders of the Republic of Armenia. It is in that direction that Azerbaijan was able to develop its attack and reach the borders of the Republic of Armenia. And it was very difficult for PB to turn its right wing in that area, so to speak, so that it could fully implement its defense. If the enemy had been stopped there in time with tactical depth, then the capture of Hadrut and Shushi would not have happened.” he continued.

It should be noted that this idea is the most comprehensive in S. Ohanyan said still in 2023 168.amwith in the interview. 

“The Defense Forces had a 283 km defensive zone, the enemy attacked in 2 places in the southern direction: Hadrut, Jabrail, and in the northern direction: Martakert. In the southern direction, the enemy managed to break through the defensive line. With that breakthrough, the enemy was able to reach 52 km to Shushi, and 70-100 km to reach parts of Meghri, Kapan, Goris, Sev Lake. …The opponent was able to break through and move forward in the place in which it was the duty of the RA leader to confirm the decision. We must see the Shushi operation in the context of the entire defensive operation and the consistent or gradual advance of the enemy throughout that breakthrough zone. Shushi’s operation should not be seen separately, they should have faced at least the forest areas of Hadrut in the collision zone, where there were quite good conditions to stop the enemy,” explained the former Minister of Defense.

It is another matter that S. In recent days, Ohanyan has avoided answering our questions about military or war operations, including the defense of Shushi.

Hadrut, going to Shush was not in the area of ​​responsibility of the First Army Corps of the RA Armed Forces

We tried to listen Former First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tiran Khachatryan professional opinion, who was in charge of the southern route, and in the context of the conversation these days, misconceptions could arise.

“Hadrut, Shushi, who has a little understanding, should understand that this has nothing to do with my area of ​​responsibility, it has nothing to do with it at all, it is outside that area. The direction they went from Hadrut to Shushi has nothing to do with the southern group at all. Are you saying that Seyran Ohanyan gives the name of the Araks bank, that “along the Araks river about 100 km to the borders of Armenia, Azerbaijan was able to develop its attack and reach the borders of Armenia in that direction”, S. Ohanyan says something else, he says that the responsibility for organizing defense in strategic depth lies with N. It is on Pashinyan.

And the Araks coast, which he says, was the defense zone of the 9th defense region of Artsakh, which operated as part of the Artsakh Armed Forces until the end. As for the 1st Army Corps of the RA Armed Forces, what task did it receive, as far as the forces were satisfied, it fulfilled them. And the breakthrough, then the promotion, has nothing to do with the 1st MC of the RA Armed Forces. Hadrut, going to Shush was neither under the responsibility of the First Army Corps nor anyone else. It was the area of ​​responsibility of the Artsakh Defense Forces, there are problems related to the Defense Forces command. Something else that has not been done to counter their forces, to protect them… or to challenge them properly organizationally.

If we go into more detail. there was a defense base, a position, a stronghold, a district, then a zone of responsibility of the Defense Ministry, and after all that, there is Shushi deeper,” explained the general, repeating that S. Ohanyan said that the main responsible is the head of the country, the supreme commander, he must understand what decision he is under, so to speak, “signing”.

On the contrary, N. Pashinyan has stated on various occasions that he is not a specialist in military affairs and is not obliged to understand narrow issues, on the other hand, 168.amthe wrote that during the 44-day war, martial law was declared in RA, during which the prime minister cannot be the supreme commander, that is, the head of the General Staff is subordinate to the Minister of Defense, Tiran Khachatryan responded.

“If he is not a specialist, why is he in charge? As for the second part of the question, then ask why they were reporting everything to him and he was making the decision himself.”

Armenia may have demanded something, but Azerbaijan said far play

Taking into account that at some point the second stage of demarcation and demarcation will take place in the Tavush region, and according to politicians and experts, the handing over of the enclave villages will destroy not only the internal communications of the Tavush region, but will also put the highway through Tavush to Bagratashen, the Armenian-Georgian border, and the gas pipeline entering the RA from Georgia under attack, we, the first deputy chief of the RA Armed Forces in the conversation with, we could not ignore the developments in the Tavush area.

After all, the fact that in 2020 The clause about Tavush was removed from the tripartite statement of November 9-10 contributed also Tiran Khachatryan.

In this context, we have not bypassed 2019 in the Tavush sector. Thanks to the 3rd Army Corps of the RA Armed Forces, the positional improvements we recorded when the authorities were recording որ՝ “Under the full control of the Armenian forces are strategically important for our country: the gas pipeline from Georgia to Armenia and the Armenia-Georgia highway, as well as the roads leading to several rural settlements of Azerbaijan.”

After this in 2020 In July, military operations took place, during which Armenia also secured positional improvements. 2024 168.amin a conversation with former RA Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan said. “Tavush 2020 the July battles and the preceding 2019 The February operations were carried out based on the strategic logic of strengthening RA’s positions.”

But years after the July battles, N. Pashinyan destroyed the successes of the July battles through the pilot demarcation and demarcation process.

Tiran Khachatryan confirms: “at that time, we performed tasks of positional improvement”.

“As for the demarcation and demarcation process, today we have not solved any issue in our favor, we have fulfilled the demands put forward by the enemy. We haven’t solved any issues for ourselves. Can you mention somewhere that something has been done for historical justice, restoration of reality, or, why not, to fix the situation in our favor in the order fixed for the present? Nothing like this has happened. And to think that some issue will be resolved for us in the future will not be such a thing. There is no such thing.

What Azerbaijan said and wanted, it got. Even if something was presented by us, so to speak, they gave it to the mouth and threw it in the trash, if it was. In any case, any questions for us (and they are not few, still in terms of the restoration of the borders of the Soviet period) have not been asked. There are useful things in the existing maps that were Armenian and are not ours now. I don’t know if they may have requested them, but they said play away. The situation shows that,” said the general.

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The US State Department called on Americans to leave Iran immediately.

It is noted that the Americans who want to leave Iran can also travel by land to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.

US citizens are not advised to visit Afghanistan, Iraq, and the border regions of Pakistan and Iran. The US State Department declares that it should be taken into account that the Iranian government can prevent US citizens from leaving the country or set an “exit fee” for leaving Iran. Persons with dual US and Iranian citizenship must leave Iran with Iranian passports.

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