Public Radio of Armenia Armenia reports fresh provocation from Azerbaijani side in the directions of Vardenis and Sisian The Armenian Defense Ministry reports fresh provocation by the Azerbaijani side in the border areas of Vardenis and Sisian under the pretext of “border adjustments.” The Azerbaijani troops undertook an an encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, trying to improve their positions. In both cases, the advancement was stopped as a result of the actions taken by the Armenian Armed Forces, Azerbaijanis were required to leave the territory immediately and return to their initial positions. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia describes the actions Azerbaijan has been taking since May 12 as an open provocation. In order to avoid unpredictable developments, it demands from the armed forces of that country to return to their starting positions immediately, to refrain from encroachments on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.
Month: May 2021
Security of the country and inviolability of its borders not subject to negotiation, Armenian President says
Public Radio of Armenia Security of the country and inviolability of its borders not subject to negotiation, Armenian President says President Armen Sarkissian says the situation in Syunik is extremely worrying and attaches importance to finding a soonest solution. According to the President, it is urgent to take all necessary measures to unconditionally protect the interests of the Republic of Armenia, the security of the citizen of the Republic of Armenia. The President and the President’s Office is in constant contact with the relevant state bodies and receive information directly from Syunik region. The President’s position is that the security of the country and the inviolability of the borders are not negotiable, any encroachment is condemnable and must be met with a clear and sharp reaction, as well as an international response. “The Azerbaijani side bears all the responsibility for further aggravation of the situation, disruption of the already sensitive situation in the region,” the President says.
UN would like to have unhindered access to Nagorno‑Karabakh
Public Radio of Armenia The UN would like to have unhindered humanitarian access in Nagorno‑Karabakh, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, told a daily briefing. “To date, this has not been possible because we’ve not received the necessary authorization from the Azerbaijani authorities. However, we are hopeful that we’ll see progress on this soon,” Dujarric said.
Situation in Syunik explosive: Armenia to apply to CSTO
Public Radio of Armenia The situation in the area of Sev Lich (Black Lake) in Syunik has been explosive for two days, Armenia’s acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the meeting of the Security Council today. “The reason is that groups of Azerbaijani armed forces have crossed the border of the Republic of Armenia and have taken steps to surround the lake. The Armenian Armed Forces have taken strategic counteractions. Azerbaijanis deployed in nearby areas have retreated as a result of countersyeps,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister stressed that no firearms or other weapons have been used either by the Armenian, or the Azerbaijani side. Nevertheless, he added, about 250 representatives of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan still remain inside the state borders of Armenia in some sections of Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces. “The deep and comprehensive analysis of the situation makes it apparent that the actions of the Azerbaijani side are provocation that can pursue wider military-political goals. I mean the Azerbaijani forces have crossed the border to provoke military clashes rather than than solve local issues,” the acting PM said. Nikol Pashinyan stressed that the situation fully corresponds to the Article 2, paragraph 2 of the Collectives Security Treaty, which “In case of menace to safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty of one or several Member States or menace to international peace and safety of the Member States shall immediately launch the mechanism of joint consultations for the purpose of coordination of their positions, develop and take measures for assistance to such Member States for the purpose of elimination of the arisen menace.” Based on the above, Pashinyan instructed acting Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian and acting Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan and Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan to take measures to start consultations in line with Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Collectives Security Treaty. He stressed that while no exchange of fire has been reported so far, taking measures envisaged by the Collective Security Treaty will help avoid further escalation and protect the territorial integrity, stability and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia.
Armenia’s acting FM, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State discusses issues of regional security
Public Radio of Armenia Armenia’s acting FM, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State discusses issues of regional security Armenia’s acting Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian had a telephone conversation with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker. The conversation focused on regional security and stability. Acting Minister Aivazian briefed Mr. Rreeker on the provocative actions carried out by the Azerbaijani armed units in the sovereign territory of Armenia and the ensuing situation. Ara Aivazian stressed the inadmissibility of provocative actions of Azerbaijan against the territorial integrity of Armenia. The Armenian Foreign Minister noted that the tolerance of such encroachments on Armenia’s sovereignty by the international community is fraught with the threat of destabilization of the region.
Aivazian, Lavrov discuss situation on Armenia’s border, Azerbaijani provocations
Public Radio of Armenia Armenia’s acting Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The interlocutors continued the discussions on the steps to be taken to ease the situation on the Armenian state border due to the actions of the Azerbaijani side. Acting Minister Ara Aivazian stressed the inadmissibility of any provocation by the Azerbaijani side and consequently any encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia exchanged views on maintaining regional security and stability.
Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of new territorial ‘infiltration’
Al-Jazeera, Qatar
Azerbaijan dismisses the accusations, saying it was enforcing its own border and is committed to easing tensions.
Armenia’s leader has accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing the southern border and trying to stake claim to territory in a new escalation of tensions between the regional foes.
Nikol Pashinyan, the country’s acting prime minister, convened an emergency meeting of his security council on Thursday, saying Azerbaijan’s army had advanced more than three kilometres (two miles) into southern Armenia.
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He said their neighbour was trying to “lay siege” to Lake Sev Lich that is shared by the two countries.
“It is an encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinyan said. “This is an act of subversive infiltration.”
He said Armenian soldiers had responded with “appropriate tactical manoeuvres” but stressed that the latest tensions should be settled through negotiations.
Armenia’s defence ministry said the Armenian side stopped Azerbaijan’s advance and forced its troops to return to their positions.
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry dismissed the accusations late on Thursday, saying Azerbaijan was enforcing its own border and is committed to easing tensions in the region.
It called Armenia’s reaction to the developments “inadequate” and “provocative”, adding that Azerbaijan’s officials were was in talks with Armenian border guards.
Last year, Armenia and Azerbaijan went to war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The six-week conflict claimed about 6,000 lives and ended after Armenia ceded swaths of territory it had controlled for decades.
The United States – one of the three nations in the so-called “Minsk Group” that leads diplomacy on Nagorno-Karabakh – said on Thursday it was “closely following” the rising tensions.
“We understand communication between the parties is ongoing and urge restraint in de-escalating the situation peacefully,” State Department spokesman Ned Price wrote on Twitter.
Pashinyan has been under tremendous pressure for his handling of the conflict. He resigned in April while staying on in a caretaker capacity, setting the stage for a June 20 parliamentary election aimed at defusing the political crisis at home.
Moscow brokered a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan but tensions persist.
Last month, Yerevan and Baku traded accusations of opening fire in Karabakh and along their shared border.
Ethnic Armenian separatists declared independence for Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region and seized control of the mountainous enclave in a brutal war in the 1990s that left tens of thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.
Source: News Agencies
European Parliament to hold debate on Armenian POWs
Public Radio of Armenia
On May 20 the European Parliament will hold a debate on prisoners of war in the aftermath of the most recent conflict in Nagorno Karaabkh.
Issue will be considered as part of a debate on on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Following the discussions the MEPs will vote on a relevant resolution.
Earlier this month over 120 Members of European Parliament sent a letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel, asking the European institutions to bring all their weight to demand the release of prisoners out of pure respect for international law.
“The European Union can no longer leave Armenia in this unbearable situation; we must act so that violence does not once again take precedence over the law. We are proud of the principles that bind us together: they must urge us today to bring all our weight, and use all levers at our disposal, to demand that Azerbaijan purely and solely respect international law. If Europe wishes to fulfill its commitments, it must ensure that this violation of international law in its neighborhood does not become a tragic precedent. Otherwise, its silence and inaction will turn into historical responsibility,” the MEPs said.
Armenian army stopped two more provocations, says Defense Ministry
MediaMax, Armenia
Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Ministry of Defense today has reported that the Azerbaijani armed forces "carried out two more provocations against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, trying to make positional advances in the border areas of Vardenis and Sisian.”
“In both cases, the Armenian Armed Forces took corresponding action and stopped the advances, demanding that the Azerbaijani troops leave immediately and return to their starting positions.
The Defense Ministry of Armenia considers the actions undertaken by Azerbaijan since May 12 to be an open provocation. To avoid unpredictable developments, the Defense Ministry urges the Azerbaijani troops to return to their starting positions immediately and refrain from attempts to encroach on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.”
Adam Schiff calls Azerbaijani actions ‘dangerous and provocative’ that could lead to further loss of life
Panorama, Armenia
Congressman Adam Schiff has expressed deep concern about recent reports that Azerbaijani troops have reportedly crossed into Armenian territory, saying this is yet another dangerous and provocative action that could lead to further loss of life.
"It is past time for the United States to recognize that our policies have emboldened Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to escalate militarily, risking another war," Schiff wrote on is Facebook page, adding: " I have been in communication with the Biden administration and urged them to engage more deeply through the Minsk Group, now more important than ever.
Schiff reminded that Azerbaijan is taking these actions just days after the State Department issued an unjustified waiver of restrictions under Section 907 against direct aid to Azerbaijan. "We should not be providing military funding to a nation that habitually engages in human rights violations and violates the sovereignty of its neighbors," said the US congressman.