Author: Alex Jidarian

Armenia claims Azerbaijani forces captured strategic point in Karabakh

Alex Jidarian



  • JAMnews
  • Baku-Yerevan

Escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh

The Armenian Foreign Ministry reports that the “Azerbaijani invasion, which began on March 24 in the zone of responsibility of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation, near the village of Parukh, Askeran region [according to the administrative division of Azerbaijan – the village of Farukh, Khojaly region — JAMnews] continues”. The statement says that units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were firing at Armenian positions at night. It is reported the unrecognized NKR reports that five servicemen were wounded as a result of the shelling.

Azerbaijan refutes the reports of the Armenian side about military clashes in the zone of deployment of peacekeepers, calling them “provocative”.

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By the time the article was published, NK reported that the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces “continue gross violations of the ceasefire, in addition to firearms, they also use attack drones, including the Bayraktar TB-2 type”. As a result, two Armenian servicemen were killed.

“As of 14:00, the operational-tactical situation on the eastern border of Artsakh continues to be extremely tense”, Nagorno-Karabakh reports.

On March 24, a message was received from the Information Headquarters of Nagorno-Karabakh that “at 16:00, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces violated the line of contact in the direction of the village of Parukh, Askeran region”.

It was reported that, with the mediation of the Russian peacekeeping forces, negotiations are underway “in order to stop the further advance of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and their return to their original positions”. For security reasons, women and children were evacuated from the village of Khramort (in Azerbaijan, this village is called Pirlyar).

Then the same Information Headquarters transmitted:

“The situation in the direction of the settlements of Parukh-Khramort of the Askeran region is under the control of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the Republic of Artsakh. As a result of negotiations and additional security measures, the movement of the Azerbaijani armed forces across our territory has now been suspended, but the enemy has not yet returned to their original positions”.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement in connection with the aggravation of the situation in NK:

“The aggressive actions of Azerbaijan once again prove that official Baku continues to flagrantly violate the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, as a result of which hostilities were ceased, the parties stopped at their positions and peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation were deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh – along the line of contact.

These actions were preceded by the complete blocking of the operation of the only gas pipeline supplying Artsakh by Azerbaijan, the shelling of civilian infrastructure with large-caliber weapons, threats to the Armenians of Artsakh and other steps aimed at ethnic cleansing. Moreover, along with a sharp aggravation of the security situation in Europe, such actions by Baku seriously threaten regional stability and peace”.

“By its actions and statements, Azerbaijan proves that it is reponsible for blowing up pipeline in Karabakh” – Pashinyan’s statement about the alleged gas pipeline explosion

Both March 24 and 25 messages of the Armenian Foreign Ministry contain an appeal to the Russian side, which is carrying out a peacekeeping mission in this zone:

“We expect the Russian peacekeeping forces to take measures to ensure the immediate withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, which will mean the return of the Azerbaijani troops to their original positions as of March 23”.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry also appeals to the international community to “give a clear assessment of Azerbaijan’s provocative actions aimed at disrupting the peace process, support efforts to establish peace in the South Caucasus and achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”.

On March 24, the Armenian Foreign Minister held telephone conversation with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried. Ararat Mirzoyan presented the situation. He stated that Azerbaijan grossly violates the obligations enshrined in the tripartite statements on the cessation of hostilities and endangers regional stability and peace.

He assessed Azerbaijan’s actions as deliberate pressure on the civilian population. In particular, they talked about the fact that Azerbaijan, among other things, stopped the transfer of gas from Armenia to NK, thus creating a humanitarian crisis. According to the minister, Azerbaijan’s actions “are a clear manifestation of the policy of ethnic cleansing and the anti-Armenian policy of Azerbaijan”. Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that he expects a targeted and clear response on these issues from the international community, including the United States.

In recent weeks, tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh have increased significantly. Armenian experts discuss what the ongoing escalation could mean for the country

Armenian Human Rights Defender Kristine Grigoryan described Azerbaijan’s actions as “violating all universally recognized norms of international law.” She recalled the “pressure, intimidation of the population of Artsakh, the creation of unbearable conditions for a normal life” that has been going on for months.

“This invasion is another proof that the shelling of the civilian population of Khramort and other villages for several weeks did not give the desired result, people did not leave their homeland, so Azerbaijan applied its usual line of behavior and resorted to another provocation.”

The Ombudsman considers Azerbaijan’s actions as a “policy of ethnic cleansing.” And Kristine Grigoryan referred to the position of the international community as “an awkward silence”, which is not accompanied by any actions. While “people in Artsakh have the same rights as in other parts of the world.”

NK Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan also expressed his surprise at the lack of reposes from the international community in his statement. At the same time, he stated that “Azerbaijan is teaching the world a public “master class” on the destruction, deportation and deprivation of the motherland of a specific ethnic group”:

“Dear representatives of the international community, there are more than enough facts and evidence to apply the norms of “protection and responsibility” to prevent and stop genocide, crimes against humanity, mass crimes, recognize the Republic of Artsakh and save the Armenians of Artsakh from ethnic cleansing and genocide. There is simply no other option. It is finally time to understand that a criminal should be punished, not negotiated with.

Political scientist Tigran Grigoryan believes that Azerbaijan is pursuing both tactical and strategic goals, trying to use the “convenient situation” to achieve these goals:

“Obviously, Azerbaijan is trying to establish control over at least the villages of Khramort and Parukh, as well as over the strategically important hill of Karaglukh. The longer-term strategic goal is the complete expulsion of Armenians from Artsakh”.

For this, according to the political scientist, people are intimidated, artificial inconvenience is created so that the Armenian population voluntarily leaves their homes.

Tigran Grigoryan also speaks about the inefficiency of the activities of Russian peacekeepers, and he regards this as a serious problem:

“If Russian peacekeepers take on the responsibility of securing a certain area, as a result of which it comes under the control of Azerbaijan, this is simply unacceptable”.

Armenia is balancing between Russia and the West and the Ukrainian crisis has further exacerbated this situation. Experts from Armenia discuss the country’s prospects and possible strategies for development

“The provocative statements spread by the Armenian side about alleged clashes with the use of UAVs in the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, and the deaths of our military personnel are false”, the press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

“We declare that the units of the Azerbaijani army continue the process of clarifying the locations of positions and deployment points without the use of force. Our units are in full control of the operational situation”, the Defense Ministry said.

Escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh, as the Armenian Foreign Ministry reports that “Azerbaijani invasion in the zone of reponsibility of Russian peacekeepers continues”. Baku refutes Armenia’s reports

In connection with the situation in the part of Karabakh where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, and commenting on the statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan issued a statement.

“The statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry on March 24, which contains accusations against Azerbaijan in connection with the alleged escalation of the situation in the region, is another attempt to mislead the international community”, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“According to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, the positions and locations in the region are being clarified, there is no reason for any hysteria. The Armenian side is engaged in disinformation by artificially exaggerating the issue.

As for the technical problems in the gas pipelines in the region due to severe weather conditions for several days, Armenia intends to use the situation as a tool for political manipulation.

We would like to remind you that Armenia, which for many years kept the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with a population of more than 400,000 people in a gas blockade, carried out water terror using the Sarsang reservoir for about 30 years, denied the existence of landmine maps that put an end to the life and health of hundreds of people for a long time, concealed information about the fate of about 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing in the early 1990s, and now makes baseless accusations against Azerbaijan – this is nothing but the political hypocrisy of this country.

At present, the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region is the full implementation of the provisions of the joint statements, including the complete withdrawal of the remnants of Armenian illegal formations from the region and the normalization of relations on the basis of the principles of international law.

 

Now is the time to do real work, not political manipulation”, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The issue of providing natural gas to the part of Karabakh, where Russian peacekeepers are stationed, has recently become more acute and must be neogitated between Baku and Yerevan, an expert believes

Azerbaijani military observer Adalat Verdiyev commented on what is happening in Karabakh.

“The Armenian side, demanding the status, gas and electricity in Karabakh in its additions to the 5-point proposals of Azerbaijan, received a response in the village of Farrukh and nearby heights. The village is under the control of the Azerbaijani army. From the height of Dashbashi (Karaglukh) a panorama of Khanabad, Askeran and Khojaly opens. There is no news on the Lachin corridor,” he wrote about the latest developments in this region.

Verdiev also commented on the reaction of some international organizations to the communal problems of the residents of the part of Karabakh, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed.

“Along with Armenia, reproaches against Azerbaijan are heard from some international organizations. The main idea of these reproaches is that the Armenians in Karabakh are freezing, the weather is bad there, Baku should restore the gas supply.

I have a few questions for the authors of these accusations:

  1. Where were you when for many years 1 million Azerbaijani refugees were freezing in bad weather in railway cars and tents?
  2. Where were you when Armenia was building this illegal pipe through the territories of the Lachin region and the city of Shusha occupied by it?
  3. Where were you when Armenia cut off the water from the Sarsang reservoir built by Azerbaijan every summer and opened it every winter, leaving the houses of local residents under water?
  4. Where were you when for 30 years Armenia did not allow Azerbaijan to supply gas to Nakhichevan?
  5. Why were you silent when Armenia has been refusing to fulfill its obligations as the losing side for 16 months?
  6. Where were you during the period from the Khojaly genocide to the Ganja genocide?
  7. Where were you when Armenia did not want to return the whole of Karabakh and several regions around it, occupied by it, one village of Nakhichevan, 7 villages of the Gazakh region?

The list can go on, but I think these questions will suffice. If someone does not see all the consequences of separatism for the world and is hypocritical about everything that happened in Zangezur, Karabakh and Ukraine, then they have nothing human in them”, the military observer noted.

Russia accuses Azerbaijan of violating cease-fire deal in Nagorno-Karabakh region

Alex Jidarian
ARAB NEWS


  • Moscow had called on Azerbaijan to pull out its troops, and was “applying efforts” to move forces to their initial positions
  • Reuters

MOSCOW: Moscow on Saturday accused Azerbaijan of violating a ceasefire agreement by entering the Russian peacekeeping mission’s zone in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, the first time Russia publicly assigned the blame for violating the 2020 deal.

The Russian defense ministry also accused Azerbaijani troops of using Turkish-made drones to strike Karabakh troops, while the foreign ministry in Moscow expressed “extreme concern” over the spiralling tensions in the region.  

Incidents between the armed forces of arch enemies Azerbaijan and Armenia have been frequent in recent months but Saturday’s announcement was the first time since the end of the hostilities over Karabakh in November, 2020 that Moscow has accused one of the parties of violating the uneasy cease-fire.

Moscow denounced the flare-up on the 31st day of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, with signs indicating that both sides were digging in for a protracted conflict in the pro-Western country.

The Kremlin said on Saturday that President Vladimir Putin had discussed the situation with Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan twice — on Friday and Thursday.

“Violating the provisions of a trilateral statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia from November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan’s armed forces between March 24 and March 25 entered the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh and set up an observation post,” the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that Turkish-made drones were used to strike Karabakh troops near the village of Farukh also known as Parukh.  

Russia urged Azerbaijan to pull back troops.

“An appeal has been sent to the Azerbaijani side to withdraw its troops,” the defense ministry said.

“The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is taking measures to resolve the situation.” 

The foreign ministry in Moscow urged all the parties “to exercise restraint and ensure strict compliance with the existing tripartite agreements.” 

There was no immediate reaction from Azerbaijan.

In 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war over the long-contested enclave which claimed more than 6,500 lives.

A ceasefire deal brokered by Putin saw Yerevan cede swathes of territory, with Russia deploying a peacekeeping contingent to the mountainous region.

On Saturday, the breakaway region’s defence ministry said in a statement that Azerbaijani drones had killed three people and wounded another 15.  

“Azerbaijan’s armed forces are continuing to remain in the village of Parukh,”  the statement added.

Armenia called on the international community to prevent attempts aimed at “destabilising the situation in the South Caucasus.”

“We also expect the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh to undertake concrete, visible steps to resolve the situation and prevent new casualties and hostilities,” the Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Yerevan said that the “invasion” of Parukh “was preceded by constant shelling of Armenian settlements and civilian infrastructure.”

Armenia’s foreign ministry said earlier this week that Azerbaijani troops on Thursday moved into the village of Parukh — under control of Russian peacekeepers — in what they said was “a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.”

Armenia has also warned of a possible “humanitarian catastrophe” in Karabakh after gas supplies to the disputed region were cut off following repair work.  

Yerevan has accused Azerbaijan of deliberately leaving Karabakh’s ethnic-Armenian population without natural gas, a charge which Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry rejected as “baseless.”

Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and the ensuing conflict claimed around 30,000 lives.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 03/22/2022

Alex Jidarian 
                                        Tuesday, 
Yerevan Slams Baku Over ‘Humanitarian Crisis’ in Nagorno-Karabakh
        • Naira Nalbandian
The Armenian Foreign Ministry building in Yerevan.
Official Yerevan has accused Baku of deliberately disrupting the normal 
operation of vital infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh, which it said is “clearly 
leading to a humanitarian crisis” in the region.
“We consider this outrageous policy of systematic violence against Armenians of 
Nagorno-Karabakh to be unacceptable,” Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said in a 
statement on Tuesday.
The statement followed reports by de-facto Armenian authorities in 
Nagorno-Karabakh that natural gas supplies to the region had been cut by Baku in 
an area where a pipeline from Armenia passes through Azerbaijani-controlled 
territory.
Nagorno-Karabakh’s authorities said Azerbaijan was thus creating humanitarian 
problems for the population of the region amid still freezing temperatures 
despite early spring.
“The current situation necessitates a clear response from the international 
community to prevent a humanitarian crisis, as well as immediate and unhindered 
involvement of international humanitarian organizations in Nagorno-Karabakh,” 
the Armenian Foreign Ministry added.
It said that disrupted gas supplies deprived about 120,000 people in 
Nagorno-Karabakh of vital fuel in adverse weather conditions.
Gas supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia were first disrupted on March 8 
due to damage to the pipeline in Baku-controlled territory.
Stepanakert then accused Baku of not letting its maintenance workers to repair 
the pipeline quickly and restore the supply of vital fuel used for heating homes 
in Nagorno-Karabakh’s towns and villages as well as by bakeries and other 
businesses around the region.
The issue was also reportedly discussed by Armenian officials at an 
international level.
After 11 days of no gas supplies, the damaged pipeline was finally repaired on 
March 18 and the flow of natural gas to Nagorno-Karabakh was restored the next 
day.
But Nagorno-Karabakh’s authorities said late on March 21 that the gas delivery 
was again discontinued “as a result of direct interference from the Azerbaijani 
side.”
“We have sufficient grounds to assume that during the repairs of the gas 
pipeline the Azerbaijani side installed a valve through which it stopped the gas 
supply a few hours ago. Adverse weather conditions serve the insidious purpose 
of Azerbaijan to create additional humanitarian problems for our population, 
which is a crime,” Nagorno-Karabakh’s Information Headquarters said in a 
statement last night.
It added that commanders of the Russian peacekeeping force deployed in 
Nagorno-Karabakh had immediately been informed about the situation and that 
efforts were underway to restore gas supply to the region.
Authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh urged local residents to use electricity 
sparingly to avoid power outages.
Azerbaijan did not immediately comment on the situation or respond to 
accusations from Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
Meanwhile, two opposition factions in the Armenian parliament, Hayastan and 
Pativ Unem, initiated closed-door discussions today regarding the humanitarian 
situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The ruling Civil Contract party agreed to hold the discussions, but did not take 
part in the subsequent vote on an opposition-drafted resolution condemning 
Baku’s “aggressive actions” against Nagorno-Karabakh that have resulted in “a 
humanitarian disaster” in the region.
Leader of the party’s parliamentary faction Hayk Konjorian said that while Civil 
Contract largely shares the positions expressed in the draft resolution, they 
considered that “all diplomatic channels and instruments are being used now to 
address these issues.”
“We think that there is a sufficient number of instruments at the moment to deal 
with this issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Armenia’s ombudsperson Kristine Grigorian and her Nagorno-Karabakh 
counterpart Gegham Stepanian issued a joint statement, condemning Baku for using 
gas supply as an instrument of pressure on Armenians in the region.
Nagorno-Karabakh, an autonomous region in Soviet Azerbaijan, has been claiming 
its independence from Baku since the collapse of the Soviet Union and a 
separatist war waged in the early 1990s that also led to ethnic Armenians’ 
making territorial gains inside Azerbaijan proper.
The standoff with Baku led to another war in 2020 as a result of which Baku 
gained control of parts of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as seven adjacent districts 
that had been under Armenian control since 1994. Some 2,000 Russian troops were 
deployed in the region to monitor the cease-fire following a Moscow-brokered 
truce.
Armenians Accuse Azerbaijan Of Cutting Gas Supply To Nagorno-Karabakh
The view of the town of Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh (file photo).
Ethnic Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh have accused Azerbaijan of 
cutting natural gas supplies to the region and creating humanitarian problems 
for its population in conditions of still freezing temperatures despite early 
spring.
Gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia was first disrupted on March 8 due 
to damage to a pipeline passing through Azerbaijan-controlled territory.
Stepanakert then accused Baku of not letting its maintenance workers to repair 
the pipeline quickly and restore the supply of vital fuel used for heating homes 
in Nagorno-Karabakh’s towns and villages as well as by bakeries and other 
businesses around the region.
The issue was also reportedly discussed by Armenian officials at an 
international level.
After 11 days of no gas supplies the damaged pipeline was finally repaired on 
March 18 and the flow of natural gas to Nagorno-Karabakh was restored the next 
day.
But Nagorno-Karabakh’s authorities said late on Monday that the gas delivery was 
again discontinued “as a result of direct interference from the Azerbaijani 
side.”
“We have sufficient grounds to assume that during the repairs of the gas 
pipeline the Azerbaijani side installed a valve through which it stopped the gas 
supply a few hours ago. Adverse weather conditions serve the insidious purpose 
of Azerbaijan to create additional humanitarian problems for our population, 
which is a crime,” Nagorno-Karabakh’s Information Headquarters said in a 
statement.
It added that commanders of the Russian peacekeeping force deployed in 
Nagorno-Karabakh had immediately been informed about the situation and that 
efforts were underway to restore gas supply to the region.
Authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh urged local residents to use electricity 
sparingly to avoid power outages.
Azerbaijan did not immediately comment on the situation or respond to 
accusations from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Nagorno-Karabakh, an autonomous region in Soviet Azerbaijan, has been claiming 
its independence from Baku since the collapse of the Soviet Union and a 
separatist war waged in the early 1990s that also led to ethnic Armenians’ 
making territorial gains inside Azerbaijan proper.
The standoff with Baku led to another war in 2020 as a result of which Baku 
gained control of parts of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as seven adjacent districts 
that had been under Armenian control since 1994. Some 2,000 Russian troops were 
deployed in the region to monitor the cease-fire following a Moscow-brokered 
truce.
Armenian Minister ‘Concerned’ Over Inflation Trends
        • Narine Ghalechian
Armenia - A supermarket in Yerevan.
Armenia’s economy minister has expressed his concern over current inflation 
trends, at the same time calling them a “global phenomenon.”
Talking to RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on Monday, Vahan Kerobian said that the 
government is working on the creation of better conditions for the import of 
certain types of goods, such as meat, sugar and rice, that he said would lead to 
a certain decrease in the level of prices.
At the same time, the minister warned that a new global inflation wave is 
expected this year that will also affect agricultural products.
Economy Minister Vahan Kerobian
Kerobian said that during the latest meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of 
the Eurasian Economic Union, a Russia-led economic group of five post-Soviet 
nations, including Armenia, a number of decisions were made and one of them 
provides for the abolition of customs duties on a wide range of goods.
“This will significantly influence the cost of goods in terms of customs duties 
and prices for some of them, including foodstuffs, will go down a little,” 
Kerobian said.
In order to curb inflation, which stood at 6.5 percent in February, the Central 
Bank of Armenia decided earlier this month to raise its benchmark interest rate 
by 1.25 percentage points – to 9.25 percent.
Price increases appeared to accelerate in Armenia in March against the backdrop 
of the ongoing war in Ukraine and Western sanctions imposed on Russia for 
invading the country.
Citing regional and global spillovers from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 
International Monetary Fund last week revised downwards its forecast for 
Armenia’s economic growth from 4.5 percent to 1.5 percent this year.
Armenia’s Central Bank also sharply cut its initial annual GDP growth forecast 
from 5.3 percent to 1.6 percent.
Still, the Armenian government expects annual inflation in Armenia to be within 
the target range of 5.5 percent.
“We are very concerned about inflation trends, but one should take into account 
that this is a global phenomenon,” Kerobian said.
At the same time, he said that at the moment there is a sufficient supply of 
food in Armenia and that the government is doing everything possible to avoid 
any disruptions of food supplies caused by the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war.
Earlier in March there was some apparent panic buying in Armenia of foodstuffs 
like flour, sugar and cooking oil. But the government urged the population not 
to stock up on food staples, saying that they will not be in short supply 
despite the fallout from Western sanctions against Russia.
Kerobian also said that in conditions of many Western goods no longer being 
supplied to Russia, Armenian manufacturers may see a chance to expand to the 
Russian market. But he warned: “Exports [to Russia] may increase, but 
profitability will fall.”
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2022 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Armenian-Iranian culinary festival to be held in Armenia

Alex Jidarian

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 13:48,

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. An Armenian-Iranian culinary festival will be held in Armenia this year in summer, President of the Armenian Tourism Federation Mekhak Apresyan said, adding that it’s very important to present a new, competitive tourism result in the post-Covid global market. Therefore, it was proposed to present the cuisines of the two neighboring countries during one event.

“I think that this is very important both for Armenia and Iran. The two countries will be presented by a joint tourism result. The Iranian side responded to our proposal with pleasure and invited us to Iran. I and President of the Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions Sedrak Mamulyan visited Iran and discussed these issues”, he said.

According to the preliminary agreements, the festival is expected to be held on August 11. It requires a lot of preparation works. Apresyan said this event could have an important economic, cultural, tourism and political importance in terms of strengthening the friendship between the peoples, boosting the inter-cultural dialogue.

Cultural events are also planned during the festival.

Armenia applies to OSCE MG Co-Chairmanship to organize talks for signing of peace agreement with Azerbaijan

Alex Jidarian

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 14:13,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenia applied to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship to organize negotiations for the signing of peace agreement with Azerbaijan, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The Republic of Armenia responded to the proposals of the Republic of Azerbaijan and applied to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship to organize negotiations for the signing of peace agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the basis of the UN Charter, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Helsinki Final Act.”

[Press] From U.S. Embassy – Pfizer donation press release

Alex Jidarian 
NEWS RELEASE:
March 14, 2022 306 thousand doses of "Pfizer" vaccine were provided to Armenia
The US Embassy in Armenia reports that on March 14, Armenia was infected with COVID-19 
306 thousand doses of "Pfizer" vaccine. This is a donation from the US government 
to Armenia by the Biden-Harris administration, "Vaccines Globally Available 
within the framework of the "making initiative". In addition to the Pfizer vaccine, the US government for the COVID-19 pandemic 
provided more than 15 million to the RA government in order to mitigate the impact 
USD support, namely:
• 12 thousand PCR tests, testing equipment, related to testing 
disposable items of RA Ministry of Health "Disease Control and 
for the National Center for Prevention,
• oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters, X-ray and ultrasound 
equipment, ventilators, diagnostic and other essential for treatment 
equipment for medical institutions,
• personal protective equipment: KN95 type masks, surgical masks, 
outerwear, protective glasses for frontline healthcare workers,
• alcohol and chlorine based disinfectants and dispensers 
for medical facilities,
• training and technical support for work related to COVID-19 
in procedure design, management, laboratory and clinical issues 
for staff involved, support for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic 
request to support the organization of the visit of a group of 7 doctors from France 
in order to
• support to the RA government in the organization of crisis communication, 
namely, the development, dissemination and communication of relevant materials 
regarding the provision of equipment,
• psychological, food and non-food support for vulnerable people,
• Evidence-based, including information related to COVID-19 
dissemination of information aimed at promoting vaccination. "We are happy to provide a vaccine for COVID-19 within the scope of our cooperation 
donation of this batch to Armenia. A safe and effective vaccine 
It is very important to end the epidemic. Being vaccinated, we reduce 
the risk of contracting and spreading the infection with COVID-19. Being vaccinated also 
helps to avoid acute course and death in case of infection", he said 
Ambassador Tracy. The United States of America continues to fight COVID-19 domestically 
and around the world, and President Biden is committed to supporting vaccination internationally 
to coordinated efforts. "To overcome the epidemic here, we must be able to overcome it everywhere." 
- President Biden said. United States of America to meet global needs 
will provide 1.2 billion doses of safe and effective vaccine. March: 
As of 3, the United States of America has more than 110 through various mechanisms 
countries provided more than 480 million doses of the vaccine. Follow us for more detailed information about the donation 
on the following platforms: 
Facebook:<

, 

Instagram<

, 

Twitter<

։
###
          
The United States Donates 306,000 Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine to Armenia
YEREVAN – The United States Embassy in Armenia is pleased to announce the 
arrival of 306,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Armenia on March 14, 
2022. This is a gift from the United States Government to the people of Armenia 
and is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s global vaccine sharing 
framework.
The 306,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine are in addition to the more than $15 million 
in total assistance that the U.S. government has provided to Armenia to mitigate 
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
● 12,000 PCR tests, PCR equipment, and test-related consumable goods for the 
National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) of the Ministry of Health of Armenia.
● Oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters, x-ray and ultrasound machines; 
ventilators, and other essential diagnostics and patient care medical equipment 
for medical facilities.
● Personal protective equipment for frontline medical workers, such as KN95 
masks, surgical masks, gowns and caps, and protective goggles.
● Alcohol-based and chlorine-based decontaminants and dispensers for medical 
facilities.
● Training and technical assistance on COVID-19 management for policy, 
managerial, clinical and laboratory personnel, including the deployment of seven 
medical professionals from France to support the COVID-19 pandemic response.
● Crisis communications support throughout the Armenian government with surge 
staffing, content and materials for public distribution, and communications 
equipment.
● Psychosocial, food, and non-food support to vulnerable people.
● Nationwide COVID-19 related information communication, including 
evidence-based information to address barriers to vaccine uptake.
“We are pleased to present COVID-19 vaccines as a gift to the people of Armenia 
as part of our partnership,” said Ambassador Tracy. “A safe and effective 
vaccine is key to ending the pandemic. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can 
lower the risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccines 
can also help prevent serious illness and death.”
As the United States continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at home and works 
to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden is committed to leading an 
international and coordinated vaccination effort. “To beat the pandemic here, we 
need to beat it everywhere,” Biden said. The United States will provide 1.2 
billion doses of safe, effective vaccines to meet global needs. As of March 3, 
the United States, through various mechanisms, has delivered more than 480 
million vaccine doses to over 110 countries.
To learn more about the donation follow us on: 
Facebook<

, 

Instagram<

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Artsakh’s National Assembly urges international organizations to adequately assess Azerbaijan’s actions


								

					   Alex Jidarian
				
				

							


						


				




Artsakh’s National Assembly urges international organizations to adequately assess Azerbaijan’s actions














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  20:07, 


YEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. The National Assembly of the Artsakh Republic unanimously adopted a draft statement on applying to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the UN and relevant bodies, calling on the international community to adequately assess Azerbaijan’s recent actions and make efforts to curb such criminal encroachments, ARMENPRESS reports MP Gegham Stepanyan presented the draft statement at the National Assembly.


“In recent days, tensions in the border areas of Artsakh have gained new momentum, in particular, Azerbaijan fired intensively, using also mortars in the villages of Khramort, Nakhichanik in the Askeran region, Khnushinak and Karmir Shuka in the Martuni region. Such provocative actions of the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan are aimed at intimidating the people of Artsakh, keeping them in constant alarm, as well as undermining the reputation of the Russian peacekeeping mission,” he said.


In the statement, the National Assembly of the Artsakh Republic strongly condemns the aggressive and terroristic acts of Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the targeting of the settlements of the Artsakh Republic, the psychological and information pressure on the civilian population, the obstruction of the repair works of the only gas pipeline supplying Artsakh with natural gas. Thus, official Baku continues its anti-Armenian policy, undermining the fragile peace and stability in the region, which once again proves that Azerbaijan is not ready to establish lasting peace in the region.


The parliament of Artsakh urges the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the UN and its respective structures to make an adequate assessment of Azerbaijan’s behavior, to make efforts to curb such criminal encroachments. “The current situation once again shows that the recognition of the right of the people of Artsakh to live safely and to have an independent statehood is the only right, civilized decision with no alternative,” Stepanyan said.


The draft statement was adopted unanimously by 32 votes in favor.










							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan receives Special Envoy of Canada to EU and Europe Stéphane Dion


								

					   Alex Jidarian
				
				

							


						


				
















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  15:40, 1 March, 2022


YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Special Envoy of Canada to the European Union and Europe, Canada’s Ambassador to Germany Stéphane Dion.


During the meeting the Armenian PM said that Dion’s visit is a good occasion to discuss the Armenian-Canadian partnership agenda and attached importance to the fact that Canada shares the vision of Armenia’s reforms, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release.


“Armenia is committed to its democratic agenda and is grateful to Canada, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for supporting our democracy,” PM Pashinyan said.


PM Pashinyan underscored that despite the difficulties after the 2020 war, the Armenian government is consistently advancing on the path of strengthening democratic institutions, and the assessments of reputed international organizations are a testament to this.


Stéphane Dion conveyed PM Trudeau’s warm greetings and underscored that he is visiting Armenia to discuss the prospects of the Armenia-Canada Strategic Dialogue.


“Canada is a resolute supporter of Armenia’s democratic agenda and is interested in implementing joint programs in Armenia,” Stéphane Dion said.


Issues relating to the strengthening of democracy in Armenia and in this context the expansion of the Armenian-Canadian partnership were discussed.


The Armenian Prime Minister offered the Canadian side to consider the opportunities of joint projects in Armenia in the areas of road construction, reservoir construction, renewable energy, green economy and educational infrastructures. Stéphane Dion found the proposals interesting and noted that he will present them to the Canadian Prime Minister and the government.


Views were exchanged around international and regional security issues. PM Pashinyan presented Armenia’s stance over the delimitation and demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, opening of the regional connection routes, and addressed the agreements reached as a result of the meetings mediated by international partners. PM Pashinyan noted that Armenia attaches importance to peace and stability in the region and expects the support of international partners in this process.


The PM and Stéphane Dion stressed the importance of democratic institutions in the context of handling security challenges. Pashinyan noted that Armenia is ready to actively work with Canada around the joint political, economic, cultural and humanitarian agenda and programs.


PM Pashinyan asked Stéphane Dion to relay his greetings and best wishes to his Canadian counterpart, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.










							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
We are not going to implement Russia’s ultimatums. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine


								

					   Alex Jidarian
				
				

							


						


				
















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  19:03, 1 March, 2022


YEREVAN, 1 March, ARMENPRESS. Ukraine analyses the results of negotiations with Russia and forms its position for the next round, but is not ready to implement the Kremlin’s ultimatums, ARMENPRESS reports, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba announced during the online briefing.


“The President fully, until the last detail, is informed about the negotiations that took place yesterday. We will clarify our position and at that time in case of necessity will prepare for a new meeting”, “Ukrinform” reports, said Kuleba.


According to him, the Ukrainian side thinks that such a meeting should take place, because Ukraine is committed to diplomacy and is ready for resolution of the military conflict.


“But we will not go to negotiate in any case, if the Russian Federation plans to announce its ultimatums during that. The negotiations are negotiations and we will talk and search for solutions. But we are not going to implement Russian ultimatums”, emphasized the Ukrainian FM.










							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
Armenia supports solution of issues through peaceful, negotiated means – ruling faction MP on Ukraine situation


								

					   Alex Jidarian
				
				

							


						


				
















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  14:36, 1 March, 2022


YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is concerned by the developments taking place in the territory of Ukraine, Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs Eduard Aghajanyan said at a press conference, asked what is Armenia’s position on the situation in Ukraine.


“Armenia, of course, is deeply concerned about the current situation. Having felt the consequences of the horrors of war on ourselves, of course, we are able to empathize and assess the situation. Any war has very painful consequences, and the Republic of Armenia, is, of course, acting as a supporter of the solution of issues through peace and negotiated means. Of course, this situation is concerning, and Armenia, being a member of the international community and having a certain position, is concerned also by the consequences of this process in our region. Of course, we very closely follow the developments, and Armenia must also be ready to all the consequences that could result from any development”, he said.


According to him, the cessation of military operations and shift to the solution of the issue through diplomatic means would be the most desirable development for Armenia.


“But these are issues that are out of Armenia’s control, and the only thing we are left with at this moment is to assess at best the risks in our region and thus move forward”, Eduard Aghajanyan said.