Author: Andranik Taslakhchian

Opinion: "Armenia can develop relations with NATO without exiting CSTO for now"

Andranik Taslakhchian
Feb 1 2024
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Russia believes that the West is encouraging Armenia’s approachment with NATO and warns Armenian authorities to consider “how safe this is and what it will lead to.”

This reaction follows a statement by NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Javier Colomina, regarding Armenia’s approach to the bloc. Specifically, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that approaching the North Atlantic Alliance has already resulted in “many countries losing sovereignty and independence.”

Senior research fellow at APRI Armenia, military expert Leonid Nersisyan views this as a direct threat to Armenia. He suggests that Yerevan should refrain from engaging in discussions on this matter as it may not alter the situation and could potentially exacerbate it. Instead, Nersisyan advocates for diversifying foreign policy and preparing for possible future scenarios.

  • “Baku and Moscow will not change their policy towards Yerevan” – Armenian ambassador to EU
  • “Moscow needs continuation of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict”. Opinion from Yerevan
  • “Armenia is separating from Russia” – opinion on reforms in the National Security Service

Javier Colomina announced a “significant shift” in relations with Armenia during an interview with Armenpress agency. According to him, NATO is prepared to progress at the pace determined by Yerevan in its approach to the bloc:

“We are content with the current bilateral relations with Armenia. We are also highly encouraged by Armenia’s decisions in foreign and defense policy, the transition they have opted for. I understand this is a challenging decision and may require considerable time, but we urge our partners to draw nearer to us, and that is precisely what Armenia is doing.”

Colomina also highlighted NATO’s support for Yerevan’s actions, such as the decision to increase troop numbers in the NATO peacekeeping force (KFOR) in Kosovo, which, in his view, signifies a clear “demonstration of political engagement and dedication.”

The Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General further mentioned that a new Individual Partnership Program (ITPP) “with ambitious objectives” is currently under development for Armenia.

Commenting on Colomina’s statements, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, advised to “open the map and see in which region, between which neighbors” Armenia is located. She declared Armenia’s approach to NATO to be contrary to the country’s national interests:

“We have already witnessed the consequences of proximity to NATO – involvement in conflicts, loss of sovereignty and independence, submission of will to external planning in all aspects, and, most importantly, the inability to pursue one’s own national interests. We must analyze this and understand Armenia’s own national interests, what is beneficial in the short, medium, and long term, and act accordingly, rather than relying on promises.”

She was followed by the special ambassador of the Russian Foreign Ministry for CSTO issues, Viktor Vasilyev, who also argued that Armenia was acting “under pressure from the West.” He stated that “Armenia’s security, including in the military-technical sphere, cannot be ensured without cooperation within the CSTO.”

Vasilyev believes that the crisis in Armenia’s relations with the Russian military bloc CSTO is also the result of “understandable emotions of the leadership and residents of Armenia.” However, he believes that “despite the difficulties, reason must prevail.”

Military expert Leonid Nersisyan also observes a significant substantive shift in NATO-Armenia relations. In this regard, he highlights joint exercises with the US military and visits to Yerevan by high-ranking military personnel.

He believes that Yerevan is genuinely taking steps towards closer ties with NATO. As evidence, he points to the agreement on military-technical cooperation signed with NATO member France:

“In this context, it’s possible to enhance cooperation with NATO to some extent, to progress, without yet making a final decision to leave the CSTO. That moment will come eventually. However, the West now recognizes that Armenia faces challenges related to the CSTO and the severance of ties with Russia.”

According to the expert, it is crucial whether NATO will be prepared to offer Armenia assurances “that mitigate the risks of leaving the CSTO.”

“Such assurances are needed regarding both security and the economy, in relation to both Azerbaijan and Russia. Russia’s response could either be through Azerbaijan, in the form of military escalation, or economic,” he explained.

Regarding the statements from the Russian side, Nersisyan interpreted them as direct threats against Armenia.

He believes the underlying message conveyed is: “If you move towards NATO, Armenia’s existence as a country will be at stake.” Furthermore, as the expert pointed out, Zakharova mentions possible issues but fails to acknowledge potential problems with Russia itself.

“For years, Yerevan solely relied on cooperation with Russia, yet received neither military nor diplomatic support in difficult times. It’s now absurd to suggest that Armenia lacks the right to seek other partners,” he emphasized.


EU Warns Azerbaijan over President Aliyev’s Claims and Statements on Armenian Territory

Andranik Taslakhchian
ATLAS NEWS
Jan 16 2024

By: OurWarsToday
EU Warns Azerbaijan Over Territory Claims:

The EU has issued several statements including warnings to Azerbaijan that diplomatic relations will be severely injured if President Aliyev carries out his proposed plan of taking control of eight Armenian villages, as well as plans to create an extraterritorial corridor to the Azerbaijani Nakhichevan exclave, an Azerbaijani claimed autonomous republic, to the west of Southern Armenia.

European Commission spokesperspn Peter Stano speaking to Armenpress said: “The European Union has spared no diplomatic efforts to help reach a mutually acceptable settlement of the conflict over the past few years… We have been in close contact with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaderships, tirelessly reiterating our support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity of both countries and the resolution of issues exclusively by peaceful means. Our communication channels remain open… The EU has been using every opportunity to pass clear messages to Azerbaijan that any violation of Armenia’s territorial integrity would be unacceptable and will have severe consequences for our relations… We remain firm and steadfast in this stance… The President of the European Council Charles Michel, the High Representative /Vice-President Josep Borrell and the EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar continue their engagement for a sustainable and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan,”

Azerbaijan’s Justification and Intentions:

Azerbaijani leader Illham Aliyev made these threats in recent territorial claims where-in he said Armenia must give control of the villages which he calls as Azerbaijani instead of Armenian, as well as designate land between the exclave and Azerbaijan so as to create a corridor for goods supply. Additionally he seeks to prevent Armenian goods inspection on Nakhichevan cargo back and forth.

Aliyev’s backing for these claims was that under Soviet Azerbaijan these areas were delineated to their nation, Soviet borders were redrawn between Armenia and Azerbaijan several times and neither side has accepted the various choices for decades. All eight villages claimed exist on or near the border, and one next to Nakhichevan. Aliyev said in a speech on January 10th: “As for the occupied Azerbaijani villages, there are enclave and non-enclave villages. The villages that are not enclave, the four villages should be returned to Azerbaijan without any preconditions. The villages that are enclave, a separate expert group should be established and this issue should be discussed. Azerbaijan believes that all enclaves should be returned. The roads leading to these enclaves should have the necessary conditions and the people living there should be accommodated in these enclaves… Azerbaijan is not going back anywhere. Neither from the positions of May 2021 nor from the positions of September 2022. Azerbaijan is not taking a step back because that border must be defined… Armenia continues to occupy Azerbaijan’s villages, and this is unacceptable. This issue will be clarified during the meeting of the commissions at the end of this month [January of 2023].”

Aliyev also announced new and planned Azerbaijani infrastructure and city building projects in the recently seized Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Background and Regional Conflict:

In recent years when Azerbaijan has made similar demands and claims for Armenian territory which is not met, it follows with an invasion that seizes the land by force utilizing its larger military force and population to brute strength attacks and hold frontlines that have steadily grown, such as the recent seizure of the enclave of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh. Supply by Turkey and Israel to Azerbaijan of advanced military technology and armaments such as drones has enabled them to swiftly strike Armenian defenses and vehicles before sending in ground troops to overwhelm thinned out positions and then occupy them.

Aram Khachaturian 120th anniversary celebrated in China with competition, concerts

Andranik Taslakhchian

 11:33,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. A number of events honoring the 120th anniversary of birth of prominent Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian were organized in China in 2023. 

For the first time, Beijing hosted the Khachaturian International Competition.

The 19th Khachaturian 120th Anniversary International Violin Competition was organized by the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation, China National Opera and China’s state organizations. The competition was supported by the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.

The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra was invited by the Chinese side to play with participants in the final round, and perform at a gala concert. The orchestra, conducted by Sergey Smbatyan, then delivered 3 concerts in late December 2023, one in Beijing’s national Opera House and two at the Xinjiang Culture Center.

Bilateral trade potential between Armenia and UAE not exhausted, says Speaker of Parliament

Andranik Taslakhchian

 19:05,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS.  Armenian speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan  on Tuesday received the delegation led by the chairman of the Defense, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee in the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates and vice-president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,  Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi.

Welcoming the guest, Alen Simonyan noted that the UAE is one of Armenia's reliable and important partners. The results of the high-level political dialogue, friendly relations, and dynamic interaction established between the two countries are evident, the National Assembly of Armenia said in a statement.

“According to the results of 2023, the UAE is the second largest trade partner of Armenia. In 2023, the trade volume exceeded 2 billion USD.

The Speaker of the Parliament expressed confidence that the bilateral trade potential is not yet exhausted and affirmed that the Armenian government is ready to assist in promoting the process,’’ reads the statement.

According to the source, an agreement has been reached to enhance the institutional foundations of bilateral inter-parliamentary relations through the signing of a cooperation agreement.

Referring to the current security situation in the South Caucasus and Armenia's efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, the Speaker of the Parliament emphasized that Armenia has adopted a peace agenda and presented its 'Crossroads of Peace' project.

During the meeting, the comprehensive economic cooperation between Armenia and the UAE was touched upon.

Prime Minister orders crackdown on dedovchina in military after latest deaths

Andranik Taslakhchian

 12:16,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has ordered the top brass to prevent dedovchina and other violations of the code of conduct among members of the Armed Forces.

Pashinyan issued concrete directives to military officials during a visit on Wednesday to the Defense Ministry headquarters.

The Prime Minister’s orders came a day after the deaths of two soldiers on January 9. One of them was allegedly shot dead by his comrade in the military base, while the other victim is said to have committed suicide from what appears to be bullying.

Armenian Public TV snubs Church leader’s New Year address amid political rift

Andranik Taslakhchian
eurasianet
Jan 3 2024
Lilit Shahverdyan Jan 3, 2024

The annual address by the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church was not broadcast this New Year's by Armenia's public broadcaster, a first in the history of the country's independence.

It's the latest episode in the deepening row between the clerical establishment and the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, which enjoys the support of Public TV. 

The Church's governing body, the Mother See of the Holy Etchmiadzin, reported late on New Year's Eve that "at the last minute, the Public Television Company informed us, without giving a reason, that His Holiness' New Year's message will not be broadcast before midnight." 

Traditionally, the Patriarch of All Armenians' recorded annual message has been aired on Public TV, and other channels,  immediately before the address of the country's top political leader. This year, the broadcaster instead offered to show the Patriarch's message during the evening news bulletin several hours earlier. The Mother See declined.

Patriarch Karekin II's message was therefore conspicuously absent from state-funded broadcaster's airwaves and YouTube page.

As the rumors about the exclusion of the Patriarch's address started to circulate on New Year's Eve, several news platforms affiliated with family members of senior officials, including the Armenian Times, owned by Pashinyan's wife Anna Hakobyan, accused the Church of stoking controversy. 

"Karekin II  gave an ultimatum to TV channels that his speech must be broadcast at 12 o'clock, otherwise it should not be aired. Naturally, this ultimatum sparked unwarranted controversies, and many TV channels have no choice but to exclude Karekin II's address," pro-government blogger Roman Baghdasaryan wrote in a remark widely reported by pro-Pashinyan online media. 

In fact, the address was shown at the usual time by the country's private TV channels.

The Church's relationship with the Pashinyan government has been uncomfortable from the start. It had enjoyed friendly ties with the previous regime that was swept out of power by the Pashinyan-led "velvet revolution" in 2018. Shortly afterward clerical elites faced an internal uprising of their own which was ultimately not successful.  

Church-state tensions were at a low boil until Armenia's defeat against Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh War in late 2020. The Church boldly struck out against Pashinyan's government, accusing it of compromising national interests by recognizing Azerbaijani rule over Karabakh and presented a series of political demands, including the PM's resignation.

The Church stepped up its criticism following Azerbaijan's lightning offensive to capture all of Nagorno Karabakh on September 19-20 that resulted in the forced displacement of the region's 100,000-some Armenian population. 

Late last year, the Church objected to what it called inaccuracies in narrating key events related to Christianity in a new 7th-grade history textbook for public schools and to a map in the book that places Nagorno-Karabakh inside Azerbaijan. 

On December 26, the Holy See disclosed a letter it had addressed to the Minister of Education, Sciences, Culture, and Sports in late November that asked for a review of the alleged "omissions and errors" in the textbooks.

During a professional conference on the revision of textbooks last week, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan told the Church to stay out of it. "The ministry respects the position of the church, but the state organizes education," she said.

This episode followed the government's decision last April to remove the History of the Armenian Church as a separate subject from the public school curriculum, a move criticized by Patriarch Karekin II as "short-sighted."

It's not clear what led the government-friendly broadcaster's decision not to air the top cleric's address at the usual time this year. It contained no direct criticism of the Pashinyan administration  – or indeed any political statement – over the painful issue of Karabakh. 

"Let us surround our sisters and brothers forcibly displaced from Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] with caring love; let us increase hope in them so that the vision of returning to native Artsakh never fades and faith in God remains strong. Let us support the needy and distressed and seek the help of the Most High for our missing and captured ones and their families," Karekin II said in the address, according to an English translation posted on the Church's website. 

Public TV's refusal to carry the address as normal was seized on by critics of the incumbent authorities.

Arman Tatoyan, who served as human rights ombudsman during the previous government, denounced the decision as "[An] encroachment against the values of the Armenian people and our national identity, undermining the moral foundations of Armenian statehood. It is an insult to our history."

Shortly after the Church's announcement, members of a student group affiliated with the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) hung banners outside the entrance of Public TV headquarters reading "SHAME" and "TRT1," the latter being the name of the first channel of the state broadcaster of Armenia's historical rival Turkey.

In a Facebook post featuring images of the banners, the union stated, "SHAME on the management of the Public Television Company for serving the regime that handed over Artsakh to Azerbaijan instead of upholding the public interest."

Lilit Shahverdyan is a journalist based in Stepanakert. 

 

Doctors without Borders: Three years, thrice displaced: A family flees Nagorno-Karabakh

Andranik Taslakhchian
Jan 2 2024

Adjusting to an uncertain future after displacement.

Mileta pauses often while speaking about her family's former home in Martakert/Aghdara, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the journey they endured fleeing to Armenia. Her family has lost their home due to war three times—first in 2020, then in 2022, and most recently, in 2023. 

Her 13-year-old daughter, Mane, was in school when explosions lit the sky of Karabakh on September 19. That day, all the students were quickly sent home. Mileta knew they would never come back.  

With no phone or internet connection, Mileta had no idea what to do or where to go to find safety, so she and her family locked themselves inside their home, terrified. A few hours later, a neighbor entered the home and urged them to leave, saying that soldiers were already advancing toward their village. Not knowing what to take with them and what to leave behind, Mileta instinctively went for the family albums.  

“I knew I had to take the photos of my family to cherish the memories, as we have nothing else left anymore,” Mileta says. "We have been stripped of our lives, left with nothing.” 

Mileta looks through the photos she packed in panic when she fled her home in Nagorno-Karabakh in September. Armenia 2023 © Arsen Aghasyan/MSF

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched an attack on various areas in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region that is a self-proclaimed republic internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but has traditionally been home to many ethnic Armenians. After a ceasefire agreement was reached 24 hours later, more than 100,000 people from the region fled to neighboring Armenia. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams in Armenia have been providing aid, including mental health care, to displaced people like Mileta and her family.

Before the war erupted, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh endured 10 months of blockade by Azerbaijan. During the last three months, it was becoming increasingly difficult to find food in totally isolated Karabakh, and Mileta's family ate only once each day. She says that pretty much every displaced person she met on the road had stomach problems from months of malnutrition.  

Mileta’s family managed to get to the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh from Martakert/Aghdara with the little gasoline they had. On the way, chaos erupted. There were rumors that civilians would be evacuated. Nobody knew whether the Lachin corridor connecting Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh would be open for them to flee.

The rumors turned out to be false. The vast majority of people ended up sleeping wherever they could while waiting for their next move. Mileta and her children slept in their car in Stepanakert/Khankendi, not knowing where to go or what to do. Finally, Azerbaijan opened Lachin corridor on September 24, and Mileta’s family passed through to Armenia. 

It took Mileta's family two days to cross the Lachin corridor, and they witnessed several deaths on the road. Armenia 2023 © Arsen Aghasyan/MSF

Mileta recalls how hard her family worked to renovate their home in Martakert/Aghdara over the past few years. They dreamed of turning the ground floor into a dental clinic, so that when her son graduated from university, he could come back to their town and work as a dentist. 

Her family does not know whether they will stay in Armenia, as they would have to start over from scratch. Stress, insomnia, and uncertainty have set in. Mileta still wonders whether they will ever be able to go back to their homeland.  

“Wherever I am, it is not home for me," says Mileta. "I left my father’s cemetery, the church where I used to pray, and my home, which our family built with our own hands."

Alongside mental health support, MSF teams have been providing vulnerable families with non-food item kits, walking sticks, and wheelchairs. Armenia 2023 © Arsen Aghasyan/MSF

MSF teams have seen a high number of psychosomatic issues among displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh in the villages of Ararat and Kotayk. Many people we see have been displaced three or four times during the past year, and many continuously experience grief, bereavement, and a feeling of disempowerment. Adults predominantly express fear while in children, the accumulated anxiety has resulted in sleeping disorders and enuresis.  

Anxiety about the future is the dominant theme for almost every person that MSF teams have met and spoken to. “I have to start from zero, and my biggest burden is to take care of my kids,” says Anyuta, another displaced person from Nagorno-Karabakh. “The trauma we went through is unfathomable, after months of blockade and food scarcity. But now we have lost our home on top of it." 

MSF teams are visiting vulnerable families in the Kotayk and Ararat regions of Armenia— including hotels and apartments where displaced people are temporarily living—to offer mental health support and assess the most critical social needs. Since October 2023, MSF has provided 1,655 mental health consultations and distributed more than 200 non-food item kits.

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/three-years-thrice-displaced-nagorno-karabakh

Armenia and Azerbaijan Advance Peace Talks, Release Joint Statement

Andranik Taslakhchian
Dec 29 2023

By: Momen Zellmi

In a major breakthrough in the volatile Caucasus region, Armenia and Azerbaijan have announced significant progress in peace talks as 2023 draws to a close. The culmination of these negotiations has been the release of a joint statement – a historic first since the republics gained independence – outlining the commitments of both nations to normalize relations and reach a peace agreement. This major diplomatic development has been welcomed by global powers such as Turkey, the US, the EU, and Russia.

The key turning point in these peace talks was Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to three out of five articles proposed by Azerbaijan for peace. This paved the way for the 6th round of negotiations, leading to a finalized written peace text. Further, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev confirmed the resolution of many issues within the peace agreement framework, and the Delimitation and Demarcation Commission reported considerable progress.

In a significant confidence-building move, Azerbaijan released 32 Armenian soldiers while Armenia reciprocated by releasing 2 Azerbaijani soldiers. Additionally, Armenia withdrew its candidacy to host COP29, yielding to Azerbaijan, which in turn backed Armenia’s candidacy for the COP Bureau of the Eastern European Group. These actions, coupled with bilateral statements released without third-party mediation and mutual support in international matters, underscore the major strides towards peace.

Several key factors contributed to this shift in diplomatic dynamics. The Azerbaijani army’s anti-terrorism actions against Armenian forces in Karabakh in September led to changes in military and diplomatic leverage. Moreover, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rejected 7 out of 10 Armenian demands, affirming Azerbaijan’s sovereignty in the others, which significantly influenced the negotiation climate. Armenia’s strategy to leverage EU and US support against Azerbaijan risked the West’s neutral mediator role and their strategic interests in the region, leading to a shift in Armenia’s diplomatic approach.

To conclude, this joint statement, released on December 7, 2023, marked an unprecedented milestone in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The absence of external pressure and the mutual support in international matters has been a significant step towards peace, signaling a new era of diplomatic relations in this historically tense region.

https://bnnbreaking.com/world/azerbaijan/armenia-and-azerbaijan-advance-peace-talks-release-joint-statement/

Greece and Cyprus Formalize Military Agreements with Armenia

Andranik Taslakhchian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Armenia, Cypriot and Greek defense ministry representatives in Yerevan on Dec. 18


Greek and Cypriot defense ministry representatives were in Yerevan on Monday to sign bilateral and trilateral military cooperation agreements with Armenia.

Last week, Armenia announced separate military cooperation agreements with Greece and Cyprus, which also have a three-way component given the Greek and Cypriot relations.

The Head of the International Organizations Section of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Brigadier General Vasileios Tsamis, led the Greek delegation while the Head of the International Cooperation Department of the Cyprus National Guard General Staff, Colonel Alkiviadis Alkiviadis, headed the Cypriot delegation.

The official ceremony took place at Armenia’s Defense Ministry, with the participation of minister Suren Papikyan.

The three officials reviewed the outcomes of Papikyan’s visit last week to Greece and Cyprus. The discussions, according to a defense ministry statement, focused on the cooperation projects dealing with regional and international security concerns.

Levon Ayvazyan, head of Armenia’s defense ministry’s international cooperation department presented a detailed overview of the ongoing reforms within the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia to his colleagues.

Concluding the consultations, the participating parties formalized agreements by signing the Armenia-Greece, Armenia-Cyprus, and Armenia-Greece-Cyprus Military Cooperation Programs for 2024.