Month: December 2020

The blow dealt to the economy of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) during the recent war unleashed by Azerbaijan is comparable to the volume of its GDP for several years. Artsakh State Minister Grigory Martirosyan said in an interview to RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

“The damage inflicted by the enemy is simply enormous. Now work is underway to assess it in monetary terms, but we can already state that it is comparable to the volume of the republic’s GDP for several years. This primarily affects such sectors as agriculture and energy,” Martirosyan said.

According to the minister, after the recent military conflict in Karabakh, the population of the country has found itself "on the brink of a humanitarian crisis." The damage caused by the hostilities primarily affected infrastructure facilities and private property of citizens, Martirosyan said.

"Our economy has been deprived of agricultural lands and energy facilities due to the retreat of Armenian forces from most of the territories or the occupation of them by the enemy during the hostilities. Not to mention that most of the citizens' property – real estate, personal and agricultural equipment – has either been destroyed or left in areas outside our control,” the Artsakh official said. 

Around 40,000 people of Artsakh have been left homeless in the wake of the recent war, outgoing Artsakh Ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told a news conference on Wednesday, elaborating on the primary issues that require urgent solutions.

He first called attention to security issues. “First of all, the objective risks must be reduced. The Defense Army is working on it. Naturally, Russian peacekeepers also play a key role here. But the National Security Service and police must take all possible measures to reduce security risks and fill the gaps. Open communication with the public is also important here, as some problems are of a subjective nature, conditioned by psychological and information risks," he said.

According to Beglaryan, the second problem is that there are many people left homeless. Up to 40,000 people have been left homeless due to the Azerbaijani occupation of the Artsakh territories during the hostilities.

"Most of those people are already in Artsakh. They have very serious needs, first of all they need to be provided with housing and psychological support. The problem of temporary housing still needs to be resolved, and those people will be provided with apartments under the long-term program," he said.

Beglaryan, who tendered his resignation on Tuesday to assume a new position in the government system, said he can better contribute to overcoming the crisis in the country in the new role.

Separately, the ombudsman said that due to the efforts of the fact-finding mission of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office, two more reports on the crimes committed by Azerbaijan during the war will be released today.

"In general, I consider the fact-finding activity to be nearing its end, although fact-finding activity in other areas is still needed. There is a need to summarize the collected data and present it in reports. But I am convinced that the Ombudsman's Office and the next ombudsman will proceed with this work, and the staff will continue to work on human rights issues in the country," he said.

Artak Beglaryan assured that although he is leaving the post of ombudsman, he will continue to defend human rights. He noted that he will deal with various tasks in the executive branch.

Although Artak Beglaryan did not reveal the position he is going to assume in the government, he said that he will deal with short-term crisis management issues.

“A task has been set to take urgent steps to resolve at least those problems that can be resolved in a short period of time. As for medium and long term programs, reforms need to be planned and implemented. And I am ready to embark on this reform process,” he added.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan can rely on own patience only in the struggle against opposition, the head of "Kassad" information-analytical center,  publicist Boris Rozhin tells an interview to Riafan media outlet. 

The political analyst reflects on the ongoing protests in Armenia and the opposition's tactics of blocking major streets and highways to urge Pashinyan to step down for signing what they call 'a disgraceful statement' which ended the war in Karabakh war. The opposition has suggested Vazgen Manukyan's candidacy as an alternative for the post of Armenia's prime minister for an interim period. 

"The nationwide strikes of Armenian enterprises started on December 16, the operation of some of those enterprises have fully stopped, while their employees participate in the opposition rallies in downtown Yerevan. We are witnessing a situation similar to the one which brought Pashinyan to power in 2018, when his predecessor Serzh Sargsyan resigned," Rozhin notes. 

"Reports about Pashinyan's upcoming resignation are not verified at the official level. Pashinyan is not going to transfer his power to any conditional Vazgen Manukyan. In general, the country needs snap elections to overcome the ongoing political crisis, however, I am sure the Armenian prime minister is far from the idea of holding snap elections either," Rozhin stresses, adding Pashinyan's tactic is to wait until the protests are weakened and the tense situation calms down itself. 

"This path is clear to all. Alexandr Lukashenko acted in a similar way and as it appears he had some success in his tactics. Emanuel Macron was another leader who overcame the crisis with the Yellow Jacket movement. Thus, the Armenian prime minister has several successful examples of fighting the opposition. Moreover, his opponents struggle to make the vast majority of the population take to the streets. Furthermore, there are serious demands toward the leader of opposition," says the political analyst, pointing to the 'unpleasant dilemma' the Armenian people face to choose between Pashinyan from one hand and the opposition from the other. 

"Nevertheless, a decision should be made, as the longer the ongoing crisis continues, the more serious consequences will arise for the country. The political structure of Armenia may not simply hold up under the strain and pressure," Rozhin concludes.