Month: December 2020

Armenia's MFA Spokesperson has commented on the question regarding the statement of the UNESCO Secretariat. As the press department at the ministry reports, the UNESCO Secretariat publicly announced that only Azerbaijan has not responded on sending an expert mission of UNESCO to the Nagorno-Karabakh and the adjacent areas, in fact, clearly highlighting Azerbaijan’s destructive approach. This was followed by the statement of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan accusing UNESCO of being biased; of course, Armenia was not forgotten as well. 

Asked for comment on that, MFA Spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan has noted: "I would not like to comment on relations between UNESCO and Azerbaijan, however, the content of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s statement on the issue was nothing more than a clear demonstration of “whataboutism” propaganda attempt. It indeed is concerning and emphasizes the need to reflect on the roots of the problem and reaffirm the truths. All previous attempts of involving the UNESCO in preservation of cultural heritage within the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been thwarted by Azerbaijan. Let me remind that upon the request of the Armenian side regarding the barbaric destruction of the cross-stones (khachkars) in Old Jugha, UNESCO expressed readiness to visit the region, but it was rejected by Azerbaijan."  

In Naghdalyan's words, Armenia and Artsakh have always emphasized the importance of preservation of cultural heritage and have always demonstrated a respective and careful approach towards the cultural values of other peoples and religions. "The restoration of the Gohar Agha Upper Mosque in Shushi, Artsakh, in 2019 is the latest case in point. Unfortunately, we have not witnessed a reciprocal approach from Azerbaijan, which for decades fought against the Armenian cultural presence in Artsakh and Azerbaijan, including through the mass destruction of monuments," stressed Naghdalyan, adding: "The issue of preservation of cultural heritage has played a key role in the current context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – a fact that has been reflected in recent statements by both the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the Co-Chair countries as well as the international community in general. Armenia welcomes and is ready to support the implementation of the UNESCO fact-finding mission in Artsakh and the adjacent areas as soon as possible, which will contribute to the efforts to preserve cultural heritage in the territories which fell under the Azerbaijani control and to prevent possible negative 

Armenia's Investigative Committee launched a criminal case on public calls for apparent violence made by the Chairman of “National Security” party Garnik Isagulyan. As the Committee said in a statement, the criminal case was instituted according to the Part 1 of the Article 226.2 of RA Criminal Code based on a video entitled “Nikol's shooter should be given the title of National Hero or a reward of a million dollar” uploaded on “Youtube”. Isagulyan who has been actively participating in the opposition rallies demanding Nikol Pashinyan's resignation, was arrested on Wednesday. 

Investigation is underway, the Committee said, reminding everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, in the Russian resort city of Sochi on December 29 to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and bilateral relations, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said.

"On December 29, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will pay a working visit to our country, the city of Sochi, more precisely, at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He will take part in the eighth meeting of the joint [Russian-Turkish] group for strategic planning … The meeting will focus on a broad range of regional and international problems, according to Sputnik news agency. 

The ministers will compare stands on the situation in the middle East, North Africa, Transcaucasus, Central Asia, Ukraine and the Black Sea region. They will discuss ways to boost efficiency of cooperation within international organizations," Zakharova said at a briefing.

Lavrov and Cavusoglu will discuss implementation of the Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement on peace in Nagorno-Karabakh, the spokeswoman added.

"They will focus on minimizing risks of possible armed clashes, on providing humanitarian assistance to the sides, and on setting straight operation of the joint Russian-Turkish center for controlling the ceasefire," Zakharova concluded.

Head of the Henaket Analytical Center Tigran Abrahamyan says police have “illegally” detained him during today’s opposition rally demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation outside the government building.

“The fools serving and justifying those who ceded Artsakh and Armenia [to the enemy] have illegally detained me,” he wrote on Facebook.

“You are selling the future of your and our descendants. I had no other expectations from you,” he added. 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed issues concerning the borders in Syunik Province at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“At this stage, work is underway to locate the border checkpoints, which involve certain subtleties and difficulties. But we are convinced that this work should be carried out, since it is necessary from the point of view of ensuring the security of Syunik and Armenia in general,” he said.

“In fact, our position and the position of the Defense Ministry is that these measures reinforce the security guarantees of Syunik and form a new system of security guarantees for Armenia and Syunik,” Pashinyan added.

The premier said specific problems may arise concerning two settlements in Syunik – Vorotan and Shurnukh.

“We have two settlements, with which specific problems may arise. It refers to the villages of Vorotan and Shurnukh of Syunik Province, where there are certain border-related issues, with everyday work being carried out for their solution. These issues may cause certain painful situations, but I want to assure that in all cases in which problems arise from the point of view of the interests of our citizens, the government will provide full and adequate compensation to our citizens and their interests will be fully protected,” Pashinyan stated.

The premier highlighted the importance of providing reliable information on the matter, since, according to him, there can be hundreds of media reports on an incident creating a widespread impression.

He said that these processes should not be treated as demarcation or delimitation of borders, but location of border points with the purpose of ensuring security. Pashinyan also said that in the morning he held a discussion with the commander of the Armenian border troops and gave specific instructions on procedures.

Armenia has become a dangerous place for every man to live in, Artsvik Minasyan, a member of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF, Dashnaktsutyun) party, said at a protest in front of the government building demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation on Thursday.

He underlined that the “traitor must stand trial” through a fair judiciary, which the opposition guarantees, urging each of the 14 government members to vote for ousting Pashinyan at today’s cabinet meeting.

"It is necessary to fulfill the people's demand, that is, to remove Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who failed to protect Armenia’s sovereignty and interests, from office,” the politician said.

“Every member of the government must accept this as a constitutional requirement. Afterwards, if each of you does not fulfill this demand, you will be considered the enemy of the nation, as the security of Armenia may collapse at any moment," he said.

Another ARF member Gegham Manukyan called on members of the government and police officers cordoning off the government building to join protesters, stating Nikol Pashinyan “poses a major threat to the security of Armenia and Artsakh.”

"Yesterday [Ilham] Aliyev was in Ishkhanadzor, standing near the borders of Armenia. Nikol brought the borders close to the villages of Syunik.

“The enemy [Azerbaijanis] barred the Armenian soldiers returning from a vacation from entering Artsakh to stand in their positions. They had to return to the Sisian military unit. Our positions are being emptied because the irresponsible man sitting in the government building cannot deal with any political issue," Manukyan said.

A court in Armenia on Thursday ruled against the arrest of Arush Arushanyan, the mayor of the town of Goris in Syunik Province.

The court denied the motion to arrest the mayor due to the lack of grounds.

Arush Arushanyan left the courthouse to a smattering of applause by his supporters gathered in the courtyard.

Video by PARA TV

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has declared 2021 the Year of Artsakh, according to a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

Since 2003, Catholicos Aram I has dedicated each year to an important event or a concern related to the church, culture and homeland through declarations. Due to the deep concerns of Armenians about Artsakh caused by the war, His Holiness has declared 2021 the Year of Artsakh.

The proclamation of Aram I will be read at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of Antelias, as well as in Western Prelacy churches on January 10, 2021.

In the statement, His Holiness also urges Armenians to stay away from the New Year celebrations and instead to give the funds and gifts to the needy children of Artsakh.

Police have cordoned off the Armenian government building amid a protest organized by the opposition parties making up the Homeland Salvation Movement to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Opposition activists have gathered in front of the government since 10am Thursday, attempting to bar ministers from entering the building for a regular cabinet meeting. They are chanting “Nikol, the traitor!”.

Clad in helmets and shields, police officers have blocked all entrances to the building.

"Police have cordoned off the government building to prevent ministers from entering the building. Citizens help police to block the government building to keep ministers from going there. If they enter it secretly, they will no longer be able to leave the building,” opposition ARF member Gegham Manukyan told reporters.

"If they have sneaked in, it means that a government that cannot openly enter the government building with its prime minister ceases to be a people's government,” he said.

"Even Syunik is not as protected as this vile traitor. Think about it, police officers!" protesters said, addressing police.

Numerous protesters spent the night in the Republic Square in Yerevan, demanding the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who signed a deal to cede Artsakh territories to Azerbaijan last month.

Opposition Dashnaktsutyun party member Ishkhan Saghatelyan, the coordinator of the Homeland Salvation Movement, posted photos from the square on his Facebook page at night, noting that they were taken by Hrant Sarafyan.