Tuesday,
Pashinian Satisfied With ‘Productive’ Talks With Putin
• Hovannes Movsisian
• Artak Hambardzumian
RUSSIA -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (L), Belarus' President
Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Russian President Vladimir Putin, walk during a
Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Sochi,
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Tuesday described as “very
productive” his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin which was
held in Sochi on Monday.
“We discussed a very broad range of issues and it was a very productive
meeting,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). He declined to
elaborate.
Pashinian confirmed that the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh was also on the agenda
of the talks with Putin. “It was a general discussion. We didn’t really go into
details,” he said.
In his opening remarks at the talks, the Armenian premier, who took office on
May 8, reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining “strategic allied relations”
with Russia. “I can assure you that there is basically a consensus on this
issue in Armenia, and nobody has cast doubt and, I think, will cast doubt on
the strategic importance of Russian-Armenian relations,” he said.
For his part, Putin told Pashinian that he regards Armenia as “our closest
partner and ally in the region” and hopes Russian-Armenia ties will “develop as
steadily as has been the case until now.”
Neither the Kremlin nor the Armenian government issued any statements on the
results of the Putin-Pashinian encounter which took place in the presence of
other senior Armenian and Russian officials.
The two leaders met in the Russian Black Sea city just hours before a summit of
the five former Soviet republics making up the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
Like other leaders of the Yelk alliance, Pashinian criticized last year
Armenia’s membership in this and another Russian-led bloc, the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). However, he made clear that he will not
withdraw from the EEU and the CSTO after massive street protests organized by
him led to the resignation of the country’s longtime leader, Serzh Sarkisian,
on April 23.
“It’s an interesting format,” Pashinian said when asked about his impressions
of the EEU summit in Sochi. “It was very interesting.”
RUSSIA -- Participants walk along an embankment after a Supreme Eurasian
Economic Council meeting in Sochi,
While in Sochi, Pashinian also held separate meetings with the presidents of
Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
An aide to the Armenian premier, Ruben Rubinian, insisted that he managed to
“dispel possible concerns” of Russia and other EEU member states regarding the
new Armenian government. None of them actually voiced such concerns, he said.
“Both in separate meetings and at the general [EEU] session, we reaffirmed our
positions voiced before and after Mr. Pashinian was elected prime minister,”
Rubinian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).
“That doesn’t mean there are no problems [within the EEU] or that those
problems must not be solved,” he said. “The key thing is that we gave our
partners and allies no reason to doubt or to be concerned about Armenia’s
continued adherence to agreements signed in the past.”
Chief Armenian Prosecutor Says He Won’t Resign
• Sisak Gabrielian
Armenia - Artur Davtian attends a parliament debate in Yerevan on his
appointment as prosecutor-general, 14Sep2016.
Armenia’s Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian said on Tuesday that he will not
step down following the April 23 resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian
whose Republican Party (HHK) nominated him for the post in 2016.
Davtian said that the law-enforcement agency headed by him is independent and
must not be affected by the change of the country’s government.
The 39-year-old was appointed as prosecutor-general by the National Assembly in
September 2016. The HHK held and still holds the majority of seats in the
parliament. He was Yerevan’s chief prosecutor until then.
Opposition lawmakers, including Nikol Pashinian, voted against Davtian at the
time. They accused prosecutors of routinely opening politically motivated
criminal cases, ensuring the impunity of violent government loyalists and
executing other government orders.
Speaking in the parliament on Tuesday, Davtian also defended the April 22
detentions of Pashinian and two other opposition lawmakers who organized
nationwide protests against Sarkisian’s attempt to cling to power. He said they
were taken into custody for holding “illegal” demonstrations.
“I can assure you that there were no political motives,” he told lawmakers.
“Nobody instructed me to do anything. I performed by professional duties.”
Pashinian was detained just hours after a 3-minute tense meeting with Sarkisian
held in the presence of journalists. His arrest only stoked the anti-government
protests. Pashinian was set free the next day shortly before Sarkisian
announced his resignation.
Davtian admitted that then Deputy Prime Minister Karen Karapetian strongly
influenced his decision not to ask the parliament to lift Pashinian’s immunity
from prosecution and to order his immediate release. He said Karapetian spoke
on behalf of the parliament majority.
Davtian told reporters that the criminal cases opened in connection with the
Pashinian-led protests have not been closed despite the regime change. Asked
whether prosecutors may still press criminal charges against Pashinian, who was
elected prime minister on May 8, he said: “We all are equal before the law.”
Davtian also disagreed with Pashinian’s assertions that there are political
prisoners in the country. “I regard these differences as normal for a
rule-of-law state,” he said.
Pashinian has yet to indicate whether he will press for Davtian’s resignation.
He replaced the heads of Armenia’s police and National Security Service one day
after taking office.
Armenian PM Expects Fresh Elections In 2018
• Hovannes Movsisian
ARMENIA - Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan addresses lawmakers during
a parliament session to elect a new prime minister in Yerevan on May 8, 2018.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian suggested on Tuesday that fresh parliamentary
elections sought by his political team will be held in Armenia later this year.
Pashinian demanded the conduct of such elections immediately after tens of
thousands of his supporters demonstrating in the streets of Yerevan forced his
predecessor Serzh Sarkisian to resign on April 23. Observers believe that he
and his political allies would win them by landslide.
Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) holds the majority of seats in
the current parliament. It is therefore in a position to block key bills
drafted by Pashinian’s government.
The premier was asked by reporters about fresh elections as he walked from one
ministry building to another to present newly appointed members of his cabinet
to their staffs. “We will discuss that,” he said.
“I think this year,” he replied when asked about possible election dates.
The idea of snap polls is supported in principle not only by Pashinian’s Yelk
alliance but also the two other parliamentary minority factions: the Tsarukian
Bloc and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Both groups have received
ministerial posts in the new government.
The HHK’s position on the issue remains unclear. Senior representatives of the
formerly ruling party have only signaled that it will likely approve the
Pashinian government’s policy program which will be submitted to the National
Assembly by the end of this month.
Pashinian seemed confident about the program’s approval by lawmakers. But he at
the same time warned: “I also think that nobody should succumb to a temptation
to wrongly interpret the political situation.”
Under the Armenian constitution, pre-term general elections will have to be
called if the prime minister resigns and the parliament twice fails to elect a
new premier.
Press Review
“Haykakan Zhamanak” says Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinian mainly “ascertained their positions” on bilateral
relations at their first meeting held in Sochi on Monday. “The Russian side
needed to make sure that Armenia is not going to make drastic changes of its
foreign policy orientation,” writes the paper. “The Armenian side had to make
sure that Russia considers events taking place in Armenia to be Armenia’s
internal affair. Each side had to become convinced that the other is inclined
to cooperate, develop ties and so on. All the signs are that both sides got to
see what they wanted to clarify.”
“Aravot” says that Pashinian and his political team now enjoy the
“unconditional support” of most people in Armenia and its worldwide Diaspora.
The paper says that the latest and previous regime changes in the country were
“good at least in the sense that change is better than stagnation.” “New
momentums, new approaches allow us to review the not-so-distant past, learn
lessons and try to move forward,” it says. “This is especially true for the
first (1990) and third (2018) regime changes which directly involved the
society.”
“Zhoghovurd” says that a new and controversial pension system introduced by
former President Serzh Sarkisian’s administration is supposed to become
mandatory on July 1 for all Armenians born after 1976. The paper says that
Armenia’s new Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Mane Tandilian actively
campaigned against the pension reform before being elected to the Armenian
parliament last year. It wonders whether Tandilian will now try to implement
“what she campaigned for” or leave the new system intact.
(Lilit Harutiunian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2018 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org
Author: Adrine Hakobian
CSTO About situation in Yerevan: This is internal affair of Armenia
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
May 4, 2018 Friday
CSTO ABOUT SITUATION IN YEREVAN: “THIS IS INTERNAL AFFAIR OF ARMENIA”
by Alena Pavlova
Armenia, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Russia and Tajikistan have considerably improved their cooperation within the scope of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) recently. How collective threat countermeasures are organized? What are prospects for cooperation in this sphere? And how does CSTO consider developments in Yerevan? Anatoly Sidorov, CSTO joint staff chief colonel-general, answered these and some other questions.
Moskovskiy komsomolets: Anatoly Alekseevich, Armenia, where one can see political passions, is a part of CSTO. How does political-military alliance consider all those developments?
Anatoly Sidorov: Position of CSTO is clear. All member-states of the organization agree with it. The Collective Security Treaty Organization thinks that situation in Yerevan is a domestic affair of Armenia. Let me say once again, this is a domestic affair of a sovereign state, we do not interfere in domestic affairs.
CSTO did the same several years ago, when we saw similar developments in another CSTO member-state – Kirgizia. I would like to remind that after the shift of power, the country did not disaffiliate from the CSTO, and even intensified cooperation with partners.
Moskovskiy komsomolets: What can you say about situation in the CSTO area of responsibility?
Anatoly Sidorov: Political and military environment is rather difficult. Security level, both regional and global ones, is rather low. Ongoing attempts to divide up spheres of influence, creates favorable environment for military conflicts. Antiterrorism protection and information confrontation have been becoming more and more important nowadays.
Moskovskiy komsomolets: the Eastern European, Caucasian and Central Asian regions of collective security are in CSTO area of responsibility. What region requires a heightened level of awareness?
Anatoly Sidorov: One can see unfavorable tendencies in every of those regions. However, we think that Central Asian region requires special attention. International terrorism threat and expansion of the religious extremism in the post-Soviet countries is clearly seen there. Afghanistan is a source of that threat, about 70000 insurgents and more than 4000 detachments and combat teams are functioning there. “Islamic Taliban movement” is a base for armed opposition groups comprising more than 60000 insurgents. In some provinces and in the south and the east, they control up to 70% of the territory.
Moreover, ISIS (banned in Russia) terrorists has enhanced its activity in Afghanistan as well. According to various estimates, there are more than 4000 insurgents.
Moskovskiy komsomolets: Can big formations of terrorists intrude into the territory of Central Asian countries through Afghanistan?
Anatoly Sidorov: Yes, they can. ISIS is undertaking attempts to expand its sphere of influence first of all, on the northern provinces of the country and they do not hide their plans to penetrate in the Central Asian countries and some regions of the Russian Federation.
Recruitment of new armed insurgents and obtaining of additional sources of funding by taking control over drug trafficking and other criminal activities are the main objectives of terrorists. To achieve their objectives, ISIS leaders are gradually increasing strength of their groups in Afghanistan, they also create a network of training camps and shelters for terrorists.
Moskovskiy komsomolets: Is there anything to be put up against that threat?
Anatoly Sidorov: Collective Rapid Deployment Forces were formed the Central Asian region. They include formations from the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Russia and Tajikistan – about 5000 soldiers. They are well-trained soldiers, most of them represent air assault and mountain rifle formations.
CSTO also has the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces. 6 member-stated allocated the most powerful and mobile detachments, units and formations of their special-purpose forces. Total strength – about 18000 soldiers.
Moskovskiy komsomolets: Do you practice potential scenarios?
Anatoly Sidorov: Yes, we do. It goes without saying. For example, in the fall of 2017 we organized unscheduled large-scale military exercises of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces on the territory of Tajikistan. Necessity of that exercise was dictated by the threat from ISIS that is being pressed out from Syria and Iraq on the territory of Afghanistan. More than 5000 soldiers, 1500 weapon units and vehicles, 77 aerial devices, including drones, on 6 training ranges were involved in those exercises. In other words, CSTO has more than enough forces to ensure safety in the Central Asian region.
In 2018 we are going to hold a collective strategic exercise “Combat brotherhood-2018” (“Boevoe bratstvo-2018”). According to the exercise plan, we will be practicing a set of tasks to prevent a military conflict, its settlement and peace restoration on the territory of 4 states.
Source: Moskovskiy komsomolets, April 27, 2018, p.6
[Translated from Russian]
Armenian Canadians join Velvet Revolution in their homeland
Radio Canada International
May 1 2018
Many Canadian Armenians are watching with baited breath as a non-violent
grassroots protest movement in Armenia is about to complete the transfer of
power from the governing party to the leader of the opposition whose
unprecedented campaign of civil disobedience forced the resignation of the
country’s prime minister and former president.
Armenia’s parliament is scheduled to vote for a new prime minister on
Tuesday, eight days after former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, who ruled
Armenia for 10 years, stepped down following 11 days of mass and largely
peaceful protests against his continued rule in the former Soviet republic.
Sargsyan, who had already served two terms as the country’s president,
changed the constitution in 2015 to turn Armenia from a presidential republic
where the executive power was held by the president, into a parliamentary
republic where the executive power is held by the prime minister and the
president plays a largely ceremonial role.
Sargsyan was forced to resign after tens of thousands of people flooded the
streets in the capital of Yerevan and other cities and towns to protest his
political maneuvering to cling to power despite repeated promises not to run for
the position of the prime minister.
Nikol Pashinyan, the leader of the opposition Yelq (Exit) movement who has
accused Sargsyan and his ruling Republican Party of mass election fraud and vote
buying, is demanding that the Republican-controlled parliament elect him as
interim prime minister so he can organize free and fair elections in
Armenia.
Protests in support of Pashinyan have been held all across Armenia and
Armenian Diaspora communities scattered around the world, including a protest on
Sunday in front of the Armenian embassy in Canada.
Vadz Ghazaryan, an IT professional who immigrated to Canada from Armenia in
2014, said the protests have transformed the political landscape in his
homeland, giving people hope that the corrupt political system led by the
Republican Party can finally be reformed.
(click to listen to the interview with Vadz Ghazaryan)
Protest Significantly Grows as its Leaders are Arrested
Tens of thousands gather at Republic Square on the 9th day of protests against Serzh Sarkisian’s rule (Yerkir Media photo)
Three members of parliament detained by police
YEREVAN—Dramatic events on Sunday, punctuated by Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian walking out of a meeting with protest organizer Nikol Pashinyan and his subsequent arrest along with two other parliament members, prompted the undeterred population to turn out in droves at a rally Sunday night at Republic Square where calls for Sarkisian’s resignation continued as the popular protests entered their 10th day.
Soon after the failed meeting between Sarkisian and Pashinyan collapsed Sunday morning at the Marriot Hotel, the opposition leader began a march in the streets of Yerevan toward the Erebuni neighborhood, where masked policemen grabbed Pashinyan and took him to detention. Later in the day, Pashinyan’s Yelk bloc colleagues Ararat Mirzoyan and Sassoun Mikaelyan were also detained. The fate of the three parliament members will be decided by their legislative colleagues, who may vote to file official charged and strip them of their parliamentary immunity.
The arrest of the protest organizers, coupled with what can be characterized as Sarkisian’s disregard toward the concerns of the protesters, gave way to a surge in the protest attendance, with some media outlets placing the number at 70,000.
View photo gallery
Meanwhile, throughout the day, police clashed with protesters and in some instances deployed stun grenades, arresting several people. According to organizers some 300 people were behind bars as of Sunday night.
President Armen Sarkissian, who on Saturday went to Republic Square and by walking through the crowds met with Pashinyan, released a statement Sunday after the failed Sarkisian-Pashinyan meeting, lamenting the collapse of the meeting and urging a return to stability.
President Armen Sarkissian, on Saturday, went to Republic Square and met with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan. Following the meeting it was announced that Pashinyan and Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian would meet Sunday morning
“The ongoing developments in our country have reached a dangerous point, which can lead to irreversible consequences,” said President Sarkissian in his statement. “Unfortunately, despite an earlier agreement, the negotiations were interrupted, when they might have led to de-escalating the situation.”
The president warned that the continuing protests “may undermine the country’s stability,” expressing hope for further dialogue.
“Thus, I call on all our citizens and our compatriots in the Diaspora to refrain from attempts of escalating the situation and to display restraint. The security of Armenia and Artsakh must not be jeopardized,” added Sarkissian.
The president also called on the Armenian people to stand united on the eve of April 24, the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. He urged all Armenians to, on April 24,
“display nationwide, in both Armenia and Diaspora, maximum restraint for the world to see, and commemorate the memory of our holy martyrs united and collectively.”
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia in a statement renewed its calls for political dialogue saying there can be “no winners or losers” since the interests of the people far outweigh any side claiming victory.
The ARF Youth Organization of Armenia and the ARF Nikol Aghbalian Student Association announced that they will hold the annual procession of torches to Dzidzernagapert, which traditionally takes place on the evening of April 23, will take place as planned at 7 p.m.
‘Fresno stands with Armenia:’ Remembering the Genocide victims and survivors
Fresno Bee, CA
‘Fresno stands with Armenia:’ Remembering the Genocide victims and survivors
Fresno Bee Staff
02:34 PM
The victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide were remembered Saturday as flags of Armenia and the U.S. were raised over Fresno’s City Hall.
The keynote speaker at the event, which was first organized in 20014 by the Armenian National Committee of American – Central California and held annually since, was Harut Sassounian, publisher of the California Courier.
The acknowledgment of what transpired and apology “would not heal the wounds and undo the consequences of the genocide,” Sassounian said. “Armenians are still waiting for justice to be served, restoring their historic rights and returning their confiscated lands and properties.”
Harut Sassounian, publisher of the California Courier, gives his keynote address during the annual Armenian flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, outside Fresno City Hall on Saturday, .
Other speakers were U.S. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand and Fresno County Supervisor Andreas Borgeas.
Students of the Armenian Saturday School of the St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church performed musical selections, and members of the Sassoon Chapter of the Homenetmen Scouts and the Fresno Army Recruitment Center served as the color guard.
Read more here:
The California, American and Armenian flags wave on flagpoles above the crowd during the annual Armenian flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, outside Fresno City Hall on Saturday, . CRAIG KOHLRUSS [email protected]
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article209247609.html
Read more here:
Entertainment: YouTube sensation from Armenia, rapper Super Sako is on his India tour
The Sunday Guardian, India
Bulbul Sharma
- Updated
- :
- ,
- 3:48 PM
Armenian rapper Super Sako.
Armenian rapper Super Sako, who shot to fame for his 2016 hit song “Mi Gna”, enthralled the audiences with his power-packed performance on 31 March at Samrat Hotel, Delhi. The show that marked the rapper’s first ever performance in India was presented in association with Drama, an exclusive nightclub pop-up company in partnership with FFF and Stanley Communications.
As we caught up with him before the show, he told Guardian 20 how he would love to experience the culture and try different cuisines of India. He said, “India has always been on my list for places to visit. I love the culture, the music, and the dances. I am really thrilled to visit the country of love and a country full of people—all belonging to different cultures and backgrounds and yet are so loving and considerate for each other. I am really looking forward to experiencing all the well-known things here, especially the Indian cuisine.”
Luxury nightclub pop-ups are a fairly new concept in the country that are all about revolutionising the nightclub experience for the party lovers. On the novel concept, Super Sako said, “I like pop-ups. I think with today’s culture, pop-ups are something new and exciting. From pop-up shops by renowned designers to pop-up food places by food vendors, the pop-up culture is catching up everywhere. India is also growing at a really fast pace these days. Pop-ups are always interesting and fascinating in comparison to other clichéd concepts. The pop-up concept makes for a captivating experience.”
Having grown up with a passion for music and with a “musical family background”, the rapper had an early start to his music career. He told us, “As far as I can remember, I always had a love for music which helped me start my career on similar lines. When I decided to turn my passion into my career, great things started happening and I started doing my own songs. People even started liking those. I even come from a musical background, so that helped me in developing my career, too.”
Super Sako, whose early music influences have been 2pac, Spice1, DJ Quik, and Biggie, described his style of music as, “I am a rapper. That’s what my identity is and that’s what I want the world to recognise me as.”
The song “Mi Gna” that made waves internationally and got him global recognition in 2016 has been viewed more than 155 million times on YouTube. When we asked him if he expected that kind of reaction, he told us, “It has been an overwhelming response. This has been a milestone in my career. I am extremely grateful for the love I have received all over the world. The past month I have been on a world tour, exploring different cultures and it is amazing to see how the music that I made is on chartbusters everywhere.”
After the huge success of the track, Super Sako released the remix of his famous single “Mi Gna” in collaboration with Maître GIMS under the production of Sony Universal in January 2018. It clocked an incredible 38.8 million views in less than two months. The song became an unstoppable sensation in Europe, entering the French Singles Chart at #7, Belgian Ultratop Wallonia Chart at #38 and peaked at #8 on the Belgian Wallonia Urban Top 50 Chart. The song has won two platinums and is one of the most played soundtracks across the world.
The singer also talked about his love for all kinds of music. About his favourite genre of music, he said, “Being a musician, I love all kinds of music. It just basically depends on my mood, whichever music tune I would want to listen to at a particular time. I am even a really huge fan of Indian music and I am really impressed by how Indian musicians have also taken a step forward and are doing
really well.”
During the interaction, the rapper also opened up about his wish to collaborate with some Indian musicians in the future. His personal favourites are Hard Kaur, Arko Mukherjee, and Neha Bhasin. He said, “Indian musicians are getting famous and renowned all over the world these days and I am really happy to see them growing and getting recognition internationally.”
The rapper also shared with us that he is looking forward to “exploring the music industry in India” and is hopeful to “make this tour count”.
Super Sako is overwhelmed by the growth of R&B and hip-hop genres. On the current trends among music lovers, he said, “People are moving away from pre-recorded music to live music, concerts etc., which gives R&B and hip-hop a strong push. People are now ready to explore new artistes and new genres
of music.”
Excited about his future projects, Super Sako told us, “I am working on a lot of new music, with different bands. And I am looking forward to working with an Indian artiste because Indian artistes are full of hidden talents and I would love to explore a different genre of music with an amazing Indian artiste.”
Debate: Close doors infront of media. Limitation of Freedom of Information, Motives and Implications (video)
On March 26, at 17:30, the Media Center will host a TV show on “A1+” pavilion for online broadcasting on “Close doors infront of media. Limitation of Freedom of Information, Motives and Implications.”
The speakers are:
Ashot Melikyan, Chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of _expression_
Armine Ohanyan, Editor-in-Chief of “Hraparak” Daily
Davit Khajakyan, Head of Yerevan City Council Elections’ Council
David Alaverdyan, Editor-in-Chief of Mediamax
The list of speakers will be updated.
ATTENTION: No media is allowed for participation in the debate. The discussion will be available online at www.a1plus.am. The media may put the live broadcast code or video on their websites.
Azerbaijani Press: Military aspects of cooperation between Baku and Tbilisi
Turan news agency, Azerbaijan
March 13 2018
Military aspects of cooperation between Baku and Tbilisi
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of Turan]
On 9 March 2018, the Azerbaijani and Georgian defence ministers [Zakir Hasanov and Levan Izoria respectively] signed in Baku a plan of military cooperation for 2018. During the meeting, the ministers, Zakir Hasanov and Levan Izoria, discussed cooperation in arms control, prospects for military cooperation and joint drills, and [cooperation] in efficient organisation of defence of major transport and energy projects implemented with the participation of the two countries.
Military cooperation between the two South Caucasus countries, which began in 2007, has been successfully developing on a bilateral basis, within the Nato framework and in the format of tripartite military cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
In 2012, the sides signed in Trabzon (Turkey) a declaration on cooperation in foreign policy, settlement of [Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-]Karabakh, [and Georgia’s breakaway] Abkhazia and South Ossetia problems, and economic and transport spheres. In May 2015, the defence ministers of the three countries discussed in Ankara security of the railway lines and the energy supply infrastructure. In December 2015, yet another similar meeting was held in Istanbul, which was dedicated to defence security and modernisation of the armed forces. In February 2017, the Georgian and Turkish defence ministers discussed in Brussels the signing of an agreement on tripartite military cooperation.
Diplomatic activities regarding military cooperation between the three countries immediately started being used in the practical field. In 2012, the Georgian Armed Forces participated in the Azerbaijani-Turkish drills for the first time, and in August 2014, the three countries reached an agreement on setting up a new diplomatic format: Tripartite meetings between defence ministers to be held twice a year. Apart from this, the sides decided to hold drills on a regular basis, agreeing to hold them in early summer every year.
Military cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan stem from historic, cultural, and ethnic closeness of the two countries, raising no questions. However, Georgia’s enthusiastic joining of bilateral cooperation is indicative of the fact that the chief conductor of the process is Nato, which is apparently trying to counter the Kremlin’s expansionism by uniting and strengthening a kind of security belt, which comprises former Soviet countries. In other words, in the South Caucasus, we are witnessing the revival of GUAM [regional organisation for Democracy and Economic Development of four post-Soviet states – Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova] possibly in a somewhat different shape.
A similar process is also noticeable on the western borders of the former Soviet Union. At the parliamentary forum held in Chisinau in early March 2018, parliament speakers of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia signed a resolution on joint counteraction to Russian aggression and coordination of activities on a number of related problems, including reintegration of occupied territories, issues of security and economic cooperation, and those of integration in the EU. Representatives of the European Parliament, the US Congress, and MPs form a number of EU countries were invited to participate in the forum. Among those invited were Nato Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, Eurasian Centre Director John Herbst, Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson, and other experts in security issues. The Azerbaijani delegation did not participate in the forum. However, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ukraine Azer Xudiyev made a statement on a project of regional agreement of Azerbaijan with Turkey and Ukraine.
Russia and Armenia are concerned
Attempts by Nato and Turkey (that apparently has its own interests in the region, which differ from those of Nato) to gain a foothold in the former Soviet countries cannot fail to arouse Moscow’s and Yerevan’s concern. So far, no objections have been voiced from these capitals. However, Russian and Armenian experts actively comment on the aforementioned agreement and the process of developing military cooperation between Baku, Tbilisi, and Ankara, which shows that the process should not remain unaddressed.
Discussing the given agreement, Russian experts emphasise that “there are minimal chances that it will turn into a full-fledged regional military and political organisation or at least into a monolithic strategic alliance sharing long-term objectives and goals.” The thing is that the sides’ long-term interests differ. Thus, Georgia is heading to Europe, while Turkey is trying to pursue in the region the policy of “neo-Ottomanism”, and Azerbaijan, which has become hostage of the Karabakh problem, is trying to pursue a neutral or even friendly policy regarding Russia.
Apart from this, Russian expert Nikolai Silayev believe that “if the Karabakh conflict unfreezes, Turkey will not go to the length of showing military support for Azerbaijan, [as] this is sure to be followed by Russia’s response and no chances of support from Nato. (http://bit.ly/2pgWnJs)
It is being noted that Turkey significantly outstrips its partners in all spheres and that imbalance of the kind is sure to become a destabilising factor in the future. However, Russian experts agree that it would be wrong to underestimate the tripartite regional alliance supported by Nato, as this cannot fail to undermine Russia’s interests. (In this case, they probably imply military domination over the whole post-Soviet area). “Thus, despite all weaknesses and drawbacks,” pundit Ivan Sidorov said, “military and political alliance between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey is a significant factor in the system of international relations in the South Caucasus, posing quite a few dangers to the stability in the region, which claims rapt attention on the part of regional players, particularly Russia.” http://bit.ly/2FOK8KF
Even more decomposed are comments on the aforementioned bilateral and tripartite military cooperation by experts from Armenia – the country which is the main source of tensions in the South Caucasus. For example, the well-known Internet website Rosbalt published an article headlined “Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are setting up a military triumvirate. Losing allies, [Turkish Presdient Recep Tayyip] Erdogan wants to bring at least the South Caucasus under its umbrella!” http://bit.ly/2pgWnJs
“Military cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey undermines Armenia’s security,” [the expert said]. According to him, “being aimed to isolate Armenia, this format represents a suitable platform for Ankara’s expansionist aspirations, pushing forwards its interests in the South Caucasus,” orientalist Ruben Safrastyan emphasised. http://bit.ly/2pgWnJs
“The fact of conducting military exercises of the kind should put us on the guard,” the expert said. “Look at the map and it will become clear that the exercises are directed against Armenia,” [he said].
“With time, tripartite cooperation between Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan will show more clearly that it is directed against Armenia,” expert Roman Karapetyan believes, pointing to the way out of the situation dangerous for Armenia. “On the path of reducing the impact of this cooperation and alternatives, it is necessary to counteract to this cooperation at the regional level in the Russia-Armenia-Iran format,” [he said]. http://bit.ly/2FFzGcb
On the whole, Russian and Armenian experts’ opinion on prospects for the aforementioned military cooperation is as follows: Ankara will choose not to have a quarrel with Moscow over the South Caucasus; but it would be a big mistake to lose sight of the developments to unfold in this direction… [Ellipsis as published].
At the given stage, it is difficult not to agree with the opinion. However, continued importance of the South Caucasus, the West’s and Turkey’s persistent strive to gain a foothold in the region, and all sorts of growing crises in Russia suggest that in a decade, the situation in the region might change dramatically and at that point of time, the aforementioned military cooperation might play a positive role in establishing peace and ensuring development in the region.
Sports: Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s verve gives Arsène Wenger positive buzz
The Guardian(London) February 4, 2018 Sunday 10:30 PM GMT Henrikh Mkhitaryan's verve gives Arsène Wenger positive buzz In his first Arsenal home game, the new signing's partnership with Mesut Özil created a feelgood factor that lifted the team by Amy Lawrence at the Emirates Stadium When Mino Raiola mischievously suggested "Sánchez is part of the Mikhi deal, not the other way round", the general consensus was to raise eyebrows at the brash machinations of the agents' world. It is fair to say most people felt the Alexis Sánchez-Henrikh Mkhitaryan swap was weighted more favourably for Manchester United. The way Mkhitaryan introduced himself to thousands of new admirers with eye-catching elan in the north London downpour did make you wonder, though. The equality of the swap suddenly felt like a much more interesting and nuanced question. Arsenal's new No 7 added such value to the team, not only in the hat-trick of assists and generally impressive mixture of deft touches with determined attitude, but also in the way he opens up the path to play differently, based around a double creative pivot with Mesut Özil. Related: Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey goes on hat-trick rampage against Everton A blur of one-touch passing and free-form movement, with the front players switching positions fairly effortlessly, bludgeoned Everton's gameplan. For all the excitement to see the record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang show flashes of speed and dink a debut goal, Mkhitaryan left a deep impression on the game, which suggests Arsenal have recruited the Dortmund version, full of verve and instinct, rather than the Manchester United version, who by the end looked like a man in need of a pick-me-up. What Arsène Wenger describes as the "positive swing" of a big transfer looks like it is working both ways. Arsenal responded to the feelgood factor of two exciting new faces. The winter signings look energised by their new challenge and environment. Aubameyang had only two 45-minute sessions, so will hope to become more dominant. Mkhitaryan clicked so readily into it he looks instantly like an important team component. He had the freedom to pop up in all sorts of positions and there was something about his presence that reminded Wenger of the much-missed Santi Cazorla. "There are similarities there. I wish. Santi was an exceptional football player. But he for sure has the technical level to play in our team." If there was a lack of trust shown to him by José Mourinho, Wenger is only too delighted to give Mkhitaryan plenty of it: express yourself, enjoy yourself, be yourself, show how much you love football. By way of explanation, Wenger tried to put across the essence of Mkhitaryan's footballing charisma: "I met Mkhitaryan before he came here because I liked always his game. He's a player completely focused on football, dedicated totally to the game, and comes from a country, Armenia, where you need special character to become a great football player. That's why he looks happy to play football because he just loves it." Wenger seemed a little rueful that he did not sign Mkhitaryan when they were close to a deal 18 months ago, to team up with the man he would replace at Arsenal. "We could have had both, maybe," he said. Arsenal's new attacking foursome quickly turned into a five as Aaron Ramsey sprinted forward in search of goals - but it is a risky policy. Against more dangerous opponents than a vapid Everton team who were so easily bamboozled, spaces in midfield and defensive shakes are still there to be exposed. Everton were not really in a fit state to test Arsenal too much, although they did improve when the younger substitutes came on. While the 5-1 win ensured it was a day for Arsenal to celebrate new signings, Everton were not able to emulate that positive swing at all. Sam Allardyce does not feel Cenk Tosun is ready to start difficult games and felt it best to put his arm around Theo Walcott. "I protected him in the end," he said. "We weren't going to come back and get a result and the last thing I want him to do is fatigue and pull a muscle. I put the younger lads on, who actually did better than the older lads. I thought Tom Davies and Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] did a lot better than the 11 lads who were on the pitch before them." A day to forget for Everton. The start of a new cycle for Arsenal? "Let's not predict too far ahead," Wenger said, mindful of the north London derby on Saturday. "Let's see how we go into the next game. It's a better test. If I tell you the same, I have a positive mood after the next game, we'll say yes, and be positive until the end of the season."