May 2021 – Page 74 – Armenian Directory & News

Prime Minister Garibashvili Visits Yerevan

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Eduard Nalbandian

Civil, Georgia

12/05/2021 – 20:34

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, accompanied by Foreign Minister, Deputy PM David Zalkaliani, arrived in Yerevan today, where he met with acting Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan, after which the two leaders delivered statements at a joint press conference.

At the joint press conference, PM Garibashvili hailed “centuries-old historical friendly relations” between Georgia and Armenia and expressed his confidence that relations between the two countries will “continue in this spirit.”

Prime Minister Garibashvili said the two leaders talked about prospects for developing existing economic and trade relations, and cooperation in the fields of transportation, energy, tourism, culture, education, and innovation. “We underlined our aspiration to have intense political dialogue,” he noted.

The Georgian PM underscored that peace and regional stability are necessary to advance existing relations, adding that Georgia “has always been a supporter of peaceful cooperation and coexistence in the South Caucasus.” Stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent Nagorno-Karabakh war “posed significant difficulties for the entire region,” he remarked that “there is no alternative to peace, negotiations, and dialogue.”

PM Garibashvili further stressed that “the Georgian people have chosen the European and Euro-Atlantic path to strengthen stability, peace, and democratic values,” and that “Armenia’s stability and democratic development is extremely important” for Georgia and the whole region.

On his part, the acting Armenian Prime Minister said, “the development of special neighborly relations with Georgia takes a key place in Armenia’s foreign policy.”

“Our age-old friendship, as well as the common values of democracy and the rule of law, form the solid foundation on which the partnership of our two states is based,” underscored Mr. Pashinyan.

According to the acting Armenian PM, the two leaders agreed to further focus on boosting trade and economic ties between Tbilisi and Yerevan, adding that they emphasized “the need to develop transit potential and the more efficient use of regional transport routes.”

Noting that “each conflict has its own peculiarity,” Mr. Pashinyan said he maintained “a balanced and constructive position on issues that are sensitive to each other,” alluding to Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions.

“Armenian-Georgian partnership is one of the strongest guarantees for ensuring stability in our region,” highlighted the Armenian leader.

This is the second neighboring capital Irakli Garibashvili visited since his reelection as the Georgian Prime Minister in February. A week ago, on May 5, PM Garibashvili visited Baku, where he met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, PM Ali Asadov, and Milli Majlis Speaker Sahiba Gafarova.

Georgian, Armenian PMs talk close partnership, joint prospects in Yerevan

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Maral Takmazian

Agenda, Georgia

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili is on official visit to Yerevan, with the head of the government and his Armenian counterpart Nikol Pashinyan discussing ties in fields including energy and economy as well as prospects for further cooperation between the countries.

Also involving Georgia's foreign minister David Zalkaliani as part of the government delegation, the visit on Wednesday included a press briefing where both PMs made statements on plans to deepen collaboration in trade, logistics and cultural relations.

In his statement Garibashvili said the meetings between the high-ranking officials discussed "how to develop additionally our trade and economic relations, our cultural relations [and] cooperation in fields such as transportation and logistics."

Great discussion @NikolPashinyan on ????????-???????? friendship which goes back many centuries. ???????? is interested in the sustainable peace, stability & democratic devt of ????????, as well as the entire region. We agreed to develop our econ, trade & cultural relations & step up regional co-op. pic.twitter.com/zg7MaMft8E

— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe)

Deepening mutual ties in the subjects would "bring us even closer in the regional prism", the Georgian PM added, while Pashinyan spoke of a "vital role" of "special" relations with Georgia in Armenia's foreign relations.

The head of the host government said the meeting with his counterpart from Tbilisi had talked "more efficient use of regional transport and communications [infrastructure]", adding the two sides had stressed the importance of "development of transit potential."

Participating in a visit to our friendly neighbor ???????? W PM @GharibashviliGe, where we are to hold high-level meetings & discuss ????????-???????? fruitful cooperation in various contexts.

— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani)

Experiences in the two countries' struggle against the Covid pandemic were also shared between the Georgian government delegation and Pashinyan's team in Yerevan, in addition to questions of regional stability and the need of resolving the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone through OSCE channels.

As part of the formal government visit, Georgia's foreign minister Zalkaliani also met his Armenian colleague Ara Aivazian to share ideas on deepening "dynamic" economic cooperation. The Georgian FM also reiterated Georgia's readiness to serve as a platform for dialogue between parties in conflict across the region during the meeting.

Reported Azerbaijani troop movements, clashes raise security concern in Armenia

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Emil Lazarian

JAM News

JAMnews, Yerevan

On May 12, several Armenian media outlets and telegram channels reported clashes n the Syunik region, on the southern border of Armenia, following the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan moving their positions forward towards the Ishkhanasar community.

Deputy Mayor of Goris Irina Yolyan posted on her Facebook page that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have advanced their positions by 3 kilometers.

The Armenian Defense Ministry denied that clashes had taken place. However, the statement of the military department noted that in the morning of May 12, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, under the pretext of ‘clarifying the borders’, tried to carry out certain works at one of the border areas but were stopped after measures taken by the Armenian units. The department did not specify what kind of “works” they are talking about.

Two reinforced Russian military points created in southern Armenia
What’s on the agenda of the Russian FM’s visit to Caucasus? Commentary from Baku, Yerevan

The Ministry of Defense urged media outlets not to disseminate unverified information which can incite panic. The department emphasized that the information about military clashes does not reflect the reality, and assured that if such an incident had occurred they would report it themselves.

“Negotiations are underway to resolve the situation”, the Defense Ministry said in its statement.

The National Security Service also issued an official statement claiming that the information about the hostilities in the Syunik region is not accurate.

Syunik Governor Melikset Poghosyan stated that “there was no shootout,” and he called for information about a possible incident in Ishkhanasar to be clarified with the Armed Forces.

Deputy Mayor of Goris Irina Yolyan also reported on the negotiations and explained that they are connected with Lake Sev Lich (Black Lake) located in the region, which is being used by several villages in the region and “30% of which is located on the enemy’s territory”.

The leader of the Ishkhanasar community also told reporters that there were no clashes adding that “the cattle are now grazing in these fields.”

MP Armen Khachatryan from the ruling My Step bloc told reporters that the situation is calm, and negotiations are underway with the participation of the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian sides to resolve the differences, and the governor of the region is on the spot:

“As far as I am concerned, the Azerbaijanis, taking advantage of the melted snow, tried to carry out work to establish positions in the direction of Ishkhanasar. But since, as a result of all this, they violated the administrative border, our forces intervened and did not allow it. There were no incidents [that is, military clashes], the information in the media is wrong, does not correspond to reality and causes unnecessary alarm among people”.

A Song For Artsakh: Thessaloniki artists perform Armenian song Bingeol

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Varazdat Torgomian

Greek City Times

by Paul Antonopoulos

Watch video at the link

Armenia does not have secure territory anymore – deputy

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Emil Karabekian

Aysor, Armenia

It is not secure in Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Vardenis, Tavush, overall Armenia does not have any secure territory anymore, independent MP Sofya Hovsepyan told the reporters today.

“And if we lie for instance to resident of Shirak [province] who is quite far from Syunik province, you cannot lie to resident of Syunik and tell that “you are secure”. It will be right for at least to keep silence and work and not disseminate false information. Yes, I confirm that the security of Syunik resident is not ensured and nothing has been done in this regard, and I don’t even know if it is being planned or not,” the deputy said.

https://www.aysor.am/en/news/2021/05/12/sofya-poghosyan/1832292

Armenia’s MOD confirms Azerbaijan tried to carry out work in Syunik, negotiations underway

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Jhanna Virabian

Aysor, Armenia

Armenia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that early in the morning of May 12 the Azerbaijani armed forces tried to carry out certain works in one of the border sectors of Armenia’s Syunik reasoning with “border clarifications.”

After the measures undertaken by Armenian [army[ sub-divisions, the Azerbaijani armed forces stopped the works.

Currently negotiations are underway to settle the created situation, MOD reported.

Situation in Ishkhanasar community of Armenia’s Syunik calm – head of community

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Anna Tamamian

Aysor, Armenia

The situation in Ishkhanasar is calm, head of the community Marat Petrosyan told Aysor.am.

“Nothing happened in Ishkhanasar, we have a test site, the shooting may be heard from there. In general the situation is peaceful,” she said.

The head of the community said neither fight nor shooting has been recorded.

“The peacekeeping troops are sitting there,” Petrosyan said, describing the media reports shameful.

He said probably something happened in Goris direction.

“But everything is normal, nothing happens in Syunik,” he said.

Deputy mayor of Goris IrinaYolyan reported that the adversary passed the border in Ishkhanasar sector and advanced 3 kilometers.

Another deputy mayor of Goris Menua Hovsepyan said the enemy advanced in the territory of Black Lake and tries to deploy there.

Armenian community unhurt in Jerusalem clashes

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Tambiyan Samvel

Public Radio of Armenia

The Armenian community has suffered no losses as a result of recent clashes in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, Chancellor at Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Fr. Hovnan Baghdasaryan informs.

“There are no casualties among the Armenian community, no one has been displaced. There is no atmosphere of panic or fear in the Armenian Quarter, only concern, which is conditioned by the ongoing tension,” Fr. Hovnan Baghdasaryan said.

He added that all church ceremonies are held regularly, and classes are held in educational institutions, as usual. All Patriarchate offices continue their work.

“We expect that the parties will reach a speedy settlement through negotiations. We express our condolences to the relatives of all the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the Chancellor said.

Armenia’s Security Service refutes reports on clashes in Syunik

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Elizabeth Jabejian

Public Radio of Armenia

The information spread through the mass media and social networks about the battles in the territory of Syunik region does not correspond to reality, the Armenian National Security Service informs.

Taking into account the public concern over this information, the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia strongly warns against spreading misinformation causing panic among the population and provoking unnecessary tensions. It informs that informs that such actions will have appropriate legal consequences.

The National Security Service urges to refrain from spreading unofficial and inaccurate information and to rely exclusively on official news.

Some media outlets reported earlier that battles were taking place in the direction of the village of Ishkhanasar in Syunik Province.

The Ministry of Defense also refuted the reports, but confirmed that the Azerbaijani forces had tried to carry out certain actions at the border.

ECtHR Grand Chamber to examine two inter-state cases lodged by Armenia and Azerbaijan

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Paul Hambardsumian

Public Radio of Armenia

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) Grand Chamber will examine two inter-state cases lodged by Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Principal facts and complaints

The applications concern mainly the recent hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan and contain allegations of widespread violations of the Convention by the respondent States during the hostilities, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians as well as civilian and public property and infrastructure; executions, ill-treatment and mutilations of combatants and civilians; the capture and continued detention of prisoners of war; and the forced displacement of the civilian population in areas affected by the military actions.

Azerbaijan additionally submits that Armenia has been responsible for a number of Convention violations since 1992, including the continued displacement of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from their homes and property; the ill-treatment and disappearance of Azerbaijani nationals without proper investigations; and the destruction of cultural and religious property.

Procedure

The applications were lodged with the European Court of Human Rights on 27 September 2020 (Armenia v. Azerbaijan) and on 27 October 2020 (Azerbaijan v. Armenia).

In the context of the mentioned inter-State cases, the Court received requests for interim measures. Taking the view that the situation had given rise to a risk of serious violations of the Convention, the Court granted an interim measure under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court and called upon both Azerbaijan and Armenia to refrain from taking any measures, in particular military action, which might entail breaches of the Convention rights of the civilian population, including putting their lives and health at risk, and to comply with their obligations under the Convention, notably in respect of
Article 2 (right to life) and Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment).

Details of the above interim measure as well as many other requests for interim measures received and examined by the Court in regard to the recent hostilities can be seen in the press releases referred to below.

On 9 March 2021 the Chamber to which the two inter-State applications had been allocated decided unanimously to inform the parties about its intention to relinquish jurisdiction in favor of the Grand Chamber. Neither of the parties objected to a relinquishment.

The Chamber relinquished jurisdiction in favor of the Grand Chamber on .