Public Radio of Armenia Armenia’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ara Aivazian had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov. Acting Minister Aivazian informed his counterpart about the recent incident on the state border of Armenia, noting the inadmissibility of such provocations by Azerbaijan. Both sides agreed on the full implementation of the agreements reached on regional security and stability to prevent the escalation of the situation. Early on May 12 the Azerbaijani forces tried to redeploy their positions near Syunik province.
Month: May 2021
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issues proclamation on Armenian Genocide
Public Radio of Armenia
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has issued proclamation on Armenian Genocide, reports the Armenian National committee of Pennsylvania.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania thus joins human rights advocates and historians from around the world to recognize and mourn the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the Armenian genocide as ordered by the government of the Ottoman Empire.
“Failing to learn from the past allows history to repeat itself as the world saw during the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war. The military forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey attacked the Armenian civilian population of Nagorno karabakh resulting in casualties and loss of land and property, motivated by the same genocidal campaign suffered 106 years ago,” the proclamation reads.
Governor Tom Wolf proclaims April 24, 2021 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide and in honor of survivors and their descendants.
Our two nations should support each other for the sake of development: Armenia’s acting PM receives Georgian counterpart
Public Radio of Armenia
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has arrived in Armenia on an official visit. After the official welcome ceremony Armenia’s acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Garibashvili had a face-to-face meeting.
Addressing the guest, Nikol Pashinyan noted.
“Dear Prime Minister of the Republic of Georgia,
Dear Irakli,
Dear Irakli,
I welcome you to Armenia. Our high-level meetings were deferred for a while due to the global pandemic. I am glad that we are resuming the top-level contacts. The agenda of our bilateral relations is very wide, ranging from transport communications to energy and road infrastructures. Indeed, the fight against COVID-19 is among the most pressing issues on our agenda.
Armenia and Georgia are traditionally bound by close political intercourse, based on deep-rooted friendship and brotherhood between the two nations. I believe that the regional developments and prospects stand high on our agenda and we should discuss them in order harmonize our positions and strengthen the humanitarian, educational and cultural components.
Our two nations should support each other for the sake of development. Welcoming you once again, I remain confident that we will have fruitful talks today.”
Thankful for the warm welcome, Irakli Garibashvili said:
“Mr. Prime Minister, thank you ever so much for the warm welcome. It is a great honor for me to meet you. You mentioned the global pandemic, which affects every nation and every country. Notwithstanding, I feel greatly honored to visit Yerevan. Our peoples are bound by close ties of friendship in addition to good-neighborly relations. Our interaction and friendship go far back to centuries. Therefore, we are keen to see peace, stability and development in Armenia and in the region, as a whole.
You next referred to our hectic bilateral agenda. We should discuss ways of boosting trade and economic exchanges, promoting our cultural relations and strengthening cooperation in key areas, such as transport and logistics. This will bring us closer to each other from a regional perspective as well. I am greatly honored to be your guest. I am confident that we will have a fruitful meeting. Thank you.”
Nikol Pashinyan’s face-to-face meeting with Irakli Garibashvili was followed by an extended meeting of the two government delegations. Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that regional security-related issues had been discussed with the Georgian Premier during their private talks, and in that context, views were exchanged on the situation in Armenia’s Syunik province.
Both sides stressed that Armenia and Georgia are interested in maintaining peace and stability in the region, which is important for the development of cooperation. In this regard, Nikol Pashinyan condemned Azerbaijani’s attempts to circumvent the trilateral statements of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021.
The interlocutors were pleased to state that the centuries-old Armenian-Georgian friendly relations provide a solid groundwork for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
The development of transport communications, including railway infrastructure, was emphasized in the context of promoting trade and economic exchanges. The parties expressed reciprocated interest in initiating new joint programs and pledged to work more closely in this direction.
Both sides stressed the importance of cooperation between Armenia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Greece and Iran on the draft agreement for establishing an international Persian Gulf-Black Sea transport corridor.
Taking the opportunity, Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Garibashvili referred to their respective efforts aimed at lifting the restrictions caused by the global pandemic.
Georgian PM visits Armenian Genocide Memorial
Public Radio of Armenia
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili visited the Tsitsernakaberd memorial today.
Gharibashvili laid flowers at the memorial to the Armenian genocide victims and paid tribute to their memory with a moment of silence.
The Georgian PM has arrived in Armenia for a two-day official visit.
Within the framework of the visit he has had meetings with Armenian acting prime Minister nikol pashinyan and acting Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian.
Restoring lasting peace implies liberation of Artsakh’s occupied territories, release of Armenian POWs
Aysor, Armenia
Twenty-seven years ago, on May 12, 1992, a trilateral, termless agreement on a complete ceasefire and cessation of hostilities signed between the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Republic of Artsakh), Azerbaijan and Armenia entered into force.The signing of the document became possible due to the mediation efforts of the Russian Federation, Artsakh MFA said in a statement.
“This agreement was preceded by a statement of the Council of CIS Heads of State dated April 15, 1994, calling for an immediate ceasefire, as well as the Bishkek Protocol of May 4-5, 1994, signed by the heads of the parliaments of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), Kyrgyzstan, the Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia, as well as the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Russian President on Nagorno-Karabakh and the head of Secretariat of the Council of CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.
Subsequently, the commitments to observe the ceasefire were repeatedly reaffirmed by the parties, in particular on July 26-27, August 29 and November 12, 1994, and were finally consolidated by the agreement on strengthening the ceasefire regime reached under the auspices of the OSCE on February 6, 1995. In April 2016, after a sharp increase in escalation caused by another armed attack of Azerbaijan on Artsakh, known as the Four-Day War, an agreement on cessation of hostilities and strict adherence to the ceasefire was again reached with the mediation of Russia.
The indefinite agreement, which put an end to the first armed aggression of Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh and its people, was considered by the international community as a document binding on the signatory parties, as well as an important instrument to prevent the resumption of bloodshed in Nagorno Karabakh and create conditions for a peaceful settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict. The UN Secretary General, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the Council of Europe Secretary General, as well as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries have repeatedly stated the need to strictly observe this agreement, including through joint statements at the level of heads of state.
On September 27, 2020, in flagrant violation of the trilateral ceasefire agreement of May 12, 1994, and subsequent agreements, Azerbaijan unleashed a new full-scale military aggression against Artsakh with the direct involvement of Turkey and international terrorists.
By its actions, Azerbaijan violated the provisions of the UN Charter, as well as OSCE, Council of Europe and international commitments as a whole. In particular, Baku violated such fundamental principles as the non-use or threat of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, equal rights, including the right of peoples to decide their own destiny and the faithful implementation of obligations under international law.
The totality of the wrongful acts of Azerbaijan, including non-observance of the principle of pacta sunt servanda (agreements must be kept), unleashing a war of aggression, cooperation with international terrorists and their use to suppress by force the inalienable right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination, deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects with the use of prohibited types of indiscriminate weapons, torture and murder of Armenian prisoners of war, illegal detention of prisoners of war and civilian captives, destruction of cultural heritage and illegal occupation, constitute crimes, which entail international legal responsibility. The ceasefire achieved through the mediation of the Russian Federation on November 10, 2020, does not remove Azerbaijan’s responsibility for violation of their previous obligations, committed war crimes, mass atrocities and the ongoing systematic violations of the norms and principles of international law.
The outcomes of Azerbaijan's latest armed aggression against Artsakh are illegal, since they were the consequence of illegitimate use of force, as well as gross violations of human rights committed by the Azerbaijani side. Baku’s attempts to consolidate the imposed in such a way and, therefore, unlawful current state of affairs cannot be accepted, have no prospects and must be condemned and rejected by the relevant international organizations, by all responsible members of the international community, since illegal acts do not create law.
Restoring lasting peace, in our view, implies redressing the consequences of the recent armed aggression, which includes the liberation of the occupied territories of the Republic of Artsakh, release and repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages, as well as conducting negotiations in good faith under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict.”
Azerbaijan needs reproduction of Armenia’s incumbent authorities – analyst
Aysor, Armenia
Azerbaijan is recently trying to increase pressure on Armenia, head of Henaket think-tank Tigran Abrahamyan wrote, adding that his aspirations on “Zangezur corridor” receive different manifestations which is not accidental.
“Azerbaijan hurries as snap parliamentary elections are expected in Armenia and the possibility of defeat of the candidate they prefer grows. The issue is not with what Azerbaijan helps these authorities, the issue is that Azerbaijan needs the reproduction of incumbent authorities of Armenia more than anything as it will ensure the satisfaction of all their own regional aspirations,” he noted.
The expert stressed that Azerbaijan knows well the key role-makers positioned in Armenia’s opposition field and clearly their coming to power does not fit in the Turkish-Azerbaijani calculations.
Abrahamyan noted that in the created situation Azerbaijan has put two minimal issues in front of it.
“Extract from the process with Armenia or create situation by June 20 voting day for all the next authorities to be very difficult to return to favorable negotiation positions. Secondly, in the boundaries of its opportunities in direct or indirect way reach the reinforcement of positions of the incumbent authorities of Armenia,” Abrahamyan wrote.
He also stressed that Azerbaijan continues to be the main initiator and dictates rules of games which will create new issues for Armenia.
No battles in Syunik, advancement of Azerbaijani forces prevented – Armenia MoD
Public Radio of Armenia
In the early morning of May 12, the Azerbaijani armed forces tried to carry out activity in one of the border areas of Syunik province under the pretext of “border adjustments,” the Ministry of Defense reports.
The Azerbaijani military stopped the activity after measures were taken by the Armenian side. Negotiations are underway to resolve the situation, the Ministry said.
The Defense Ministry refuted media reports on battles in the direction of the village of Ishkhanasar.
“In case of such developments, the Ministry of Defense would be the first to make a statement. We urge to refrain from publishing unverified, especially panic-spreading information,” the press service said.
The Deputy Mayor of Goris said earlier that the Azerbaijani forces had advanced in the direction of Sev Lich (Black Lake). Negotiations are under way to ensure that they return to the positions envisaged by the map, Menua Hovsepyan told Public Radio of Armenia.
Chess: Armenian Grandmaster to reinforce Iloilo in PCAP
Panay News, Philippines
Armenian Grandmaster to reinforce Iloilo in PCAP
Armenian Grandmaster to reinforce Iloilo in PCAP
By Adrian Stewart Co
Armenian Grandmaster Hovhannes Gabuzyan is set to reinforce Iloilo Kisela Knights in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup. BY FIDE WEBSITE
MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights is determined to bounce back in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup as it tapped the services of Armenian Grandmaster import.
Kisela Knights team owner Leo Sotaridona told Panay News they secured the services of Hovhannes Gabuzyan in the second conference of online chess tournament beginning May 15.
“Hovhannes’ being a national champion speaks highly of himself,” Sotaridona said. “He is rated close to 2600, so he is expected to provide tremendous help to Iloilo Kisela Knights’ top two boards.”
The 25-year-old Gabuzyan has a decorated record as a player, having earned the GM title after topping various tournaments in Armenia and other in countries at the age of 17.
Gabuzyan was hailed Olympic Champion at the U16 in 2010. He also topped the 75th Armenian Chess Club 1st League, before winning the Bulgarian Chess Summer 2015, Golden Sands A Tournament. It was in 2016 that Gabuyzan won the World University Chess Championship.
Gabuzyan became a member of the Armenian National Chess Team in 2017-2018, where he won first place in the UTRGV Chess team at President Cup, Final Four tournament in New York, USA.
Recently, the Armenian Grandmaster was hailed as champion in the 2021 Armenian Chess Championship, the same title he captured back in 2017.
“He will be of big help for our team, could be a great coach, mentor and inspiration for our team to strive hard to become champion for the second conference of PCAP,” said Kisela Knights assistant manager Hubert Canto.
In the PCAP GM Wesley So Cup, the champion team will receive P150,000 while the runner-up will get P75,000. The third placer will have P40,000, while the fourth placer will take home P20,000.
Top individual performers in the conference, such as Best Import, Player of the Conference, and Finals Most Valuable Player, will received P10,000 cash prize each./PN
Recognition of Armenian Genocide holds significant meaning for local community
The Narragansett Times, RI
State Dept. fails to address bipartisan demands for Azerbaijan’s release of Armenian POWs
Public Radio of Armenia
The State Department’s response to a detailed Armenian Caucus letter was unresponsive to six specific policy priorities raised by over 100 Congressional signatories – failing to address or even mention the plight of over 200 Armenian prisoners of war still being held, abused, and killed by the government of Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
The May 6 State Department letter, signed by Naz Durakoglu, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, came in response to a February 19 Armenian Caucus letter outlining a broad range of bipartisan policy concerns. In the months since the Caucus sent this letter in February, it has forwarded two additional Congressional letters to the Biden Administration, the first calling for Armenian Genocide recognition and the second seeking a robust aid package of at least $100,000,000 for Artsakh and Armenia.
Armenian American community members and coalition partners can call for sanctions on Azerbaijan by visiting www.anca.org/907 and support robust U.S. aid to Artsakh and Armenia by visiting www.anca.org/aid.
The six policy priorities left unaddressed by the Administration’s letter are listed below.
1. Prisoners of War: The bipartisan Armenian Caucus letter stressed that Azerbaijan has refused to free Armenian prisoners of war and apprehended civilians.
The State Department entirely ignores Congressional concern for the release of Armenian prisoners of war, failing, in this letter, to even cite their existence, despite sustained Congressional pressure.
2. Azerbaijani and Turkish Aggression: The bipartisan Armenian Caucus letter identified Azerbaijani and Turkish forces as having initiated the September 27, 2020 attack that killed an estimated 5,000 people and forced more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee from Artsakh.
The State Department fails to identify Baku and Ankara as aggressors, choosing instead to speak generically of “last year’s fighting.”
3. U.S. Humanitarian Aid: The bipartisan Armenian Caucus letter called for “significant U.S. commitments” of urgently needed humanitarian aid for the people of Artsakh, to help them reconstruct their communities and rebuild their lives. (A subsequent Armenian Caucus letter called for at least $100 million in U.S. aid.)
The State Department dismisses Congressional calls for a significant U.S. commitment, citing just $5 million in humanitarian aid it has sent to support affected populations of both Armenians and Azerbaijanis.
4. Section 907: The bipartisan Armenian Caucus letter supported ending the waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, sanctioning Turkish and Azerbaijani leaders, and ceasing military aid to Azerbaijan through the Section 333 Building Partner Capacity program.
The State Department neglects to mention that the White House officially waived Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, and fails to respond to Congressional concerns about withholding U.S. aid to Baku.
5. Turkish Drones and Prohibited Munitions: The bipartisan Armenian Caucus letter cited Azerbaijan’s use of Turkish Bayraktar drones utilizing American components and technology, and also Baku’s illegal use of cluster and white phosphorus munitions.
The State Department disregards Congressional concern over Azerbaijan’s illegal use of cluster and white phosphorus munitions, and fails to address Baku’s deployment of Turkish Bayraktar drones utilizing American components and technology.
6. Foreign Mercenaries: The bipartisan Armenian Caucus letter cited Azerbaijan’s deployment of Turkish-backed foreign mercenaries, many with ties to internationally recognized terrorist groups.
The State Department refuses to address Congressional concerns about the foreign mercenaries recruited by Turkey to fight alongside Azerbaijani forces.