Author: Ani Tigranian

Tourism authorities eye potential markets as inbound figures show 50% lag against pre- pandemic year

Ani Tigranian

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 09:10, 29 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Tourism authorities in Armenia say the number of inbound tourists will pass 900,000 by yearend.

816,000 tourists visited Armenia in January-November 2021.

The First Vice Chairman of the Tourism Committee Artur Khachatryan told ARMENPRESS in an interview that while they are unhappy with the figures, the year 2021 was rather active for Armenia’s tourism sector.

“This year’s data isn’t finalized yet, but with November’s data we’ve had 816,000 inbound tourists. I think with December’s data we will pass the 900,000 threshold. If we compare it with the figures of the difficult period of 2020, we’ve had 50% growth. But comparing to the data of 2019 we are still 50% behind. We have things to do to reach the threshold of 2019 and move forward,” Khachatryan said.

Most tourists come from Russia, Iran, the United States, Germany, Georgia and France. Some other countries are considered as potential inbound tourism markets – the Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy. Khachatryan says a marketing campaign is underway to promote tourism to Armenia in these countries. The promotion activities will continue in 2022.

Most tourists from Russia and Iran are interested in visiting the historical-cultural sites in Armenia, as well as “gastro-tourism” and “adventure-tourism”, Khachatryan said.

Artur Khachatryan said that their committee is developing a new bill for parliament’s approval aimed at regulating the tourism sector. He said they developed the bill not only as a result of studying international experience, but also given Armenia’s obligations assumed before the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union.

The law will enable to ensure the quality of services and will introduce a registration system of tourism entities and operations, as well as a voluntary qualification procedure for enabling a more stable and competitive arena. Supervisory mechanisms are also envisaged.

 

Interview by Anna Gziryan

AW: ARF Bureau statement regarding Armenia-Turkey relations and settlement of the Artsakh issue

Ani Tigranian
December 28, 2021 Weekly Staff From the Party Comments Offon ARF Bureau statement regarding Armenia-Turkey relations and settlement of the Artsakh issue

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) repeatedly outlines the challenges tied to the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, especially with the participation of the current leadership in Armenia. 

We consider it critical to state that Ankara has not discarded its three evident preconditions for the normalization of relations with Armenia (Armenia’s renunciation of support for international recognition for the Armenian Genocide, subordination of Artsakh to Azerbaijan and legal demarcation of the current de facto Armenia-Turkey border), and it has also added a fourth: the provision of the so-called “Zangezur corridor.” Moreover, the announcements by the representatives of the highest authorities of Turkey regarding the coordination of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations with Azerbaijan confirm that the discussion is not about Armenia-Turkey interstate negotiations, but rather a new surrender forced on Armenia by enemies working in tandem. 

The process of normalizing Armenia-Turkey relations is unhealthy and extremely dangerous from the start. It is conducted within an international political and security reality in Armenia where the leadership that has driven the nation to defeat lacks the ability to effectively defend the vital interests of the Armenians, for objective and subjective reasons. 

It is evident that under the current conditions, the process of normalizing Armenia-Turkey relations is fraught with multiple political, geopolitical, security, economic and spiritual-cultural challenges and will inevitably lead to irreversible dangerous consequences and the loss of sovereignty. 

The existing concerns are deepened by the irresponsible political behavior of the Armenian authorities and their total lack of accountability. The appointment of a special envoy by Armenia suggests that the Armenian side is in fact participating in a predetermined process under which there is no need to select a professional diplomat to ensure a pro-Armenian outcome. 

Under these circumstances, the ARF Bureau demands from the Armenian authorities:

  1. To immediately reveal the guidelines of the normalization process of Armenia-Turkey relations
  2. To nominally and completely reject the Turkish preconditions
  3. To place a political emphasis on the fact that the normalization of Armenia-Turkey interstate relations cannot be connected with any third party

We consider it necessary to emphasize that the process of normalizing Armenia-Turkey relations must indisputably consider the January 12, 2010 decision by the RA Constitutional Court regarding the constitutionality of the Zurich Protocols. All steps by the Republic of Armenia must conform to legal positions presented in this ruling and the basic principles of the constitutional order enshrined in the RA Constitution.

No singular leadership holds a monopoly on the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations and the predetermination of the rights of our people. Armenian-Turkish relations can be normalized only with the consent of our people around the world, without Turkish preconditions and the violation of the rights of our generations. 

Therefore, we must be prepared for a pan-Armenian revolt, if the Armenian authorities try to develop the current Armenian-Turkish agenda enforced by the enemy that violates the rights of the Armenian people.

We cannot ignore the repeatedly voiced positions by the person holding the post of RA prime minister on the Artsakh issue that have increased recently, confessing extremely dangerous stances that distort reality and violate Armenian interests, which question the sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate right to international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh. 

We reaffirm that any written or verbal agreement made by the current authorities in Armenia that violates the basic legal norms of the Republic of Artsakh and questions the legitimacy of the compensation demands by the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia from Turkey is null and void from the start. 

ARF Bureau
December 27, 2021




How Karabakh was left out of peace talks?

Ani Tigranian
 NEWS.am 
Dec 27 2021
14:09, 27.12.2021

Weren’t the Madrid Principles better than the package version and than what we have today? Wasn’t the Kazan document better than the phased version in 1997 and than what we have today? I think the answer is obvious. The second president of Armenia, leader of the opposition “Armenia” Bloc Robert Kocharyan stated this during his year-end press conference Monday—and referring to the question of how it turned out that the positions and opportunities of the Armenian side did not increase as a result of prolonging the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict, and whether the package version was not better than what we have now.

Referring to the accusation that during his tenure Karabakh was left out of the peace negotiations as a full-fledged party, Kocharyan said as follows, in particular: “The last substantive discussion within the framework of the [OSCE] Minsk Group took place in October 1996, [when] I was the President of Karabakh. After that, there was one meeting that did not reach the content part. And that meeting took place on April 1, 1997, when I was the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia appointed 10 days ago.

In January 1997, the Co-Chairs changed, and the troika—Russia, the US, and France—was formed. Before that there was Russia, and the other countries were changing—Finland, Sweden. And the main discussions were within the framework of the Minsk Group. Ambassadors from nine countries were gathering, there was a discussion. They were more mental exercises. Turkey was there too.

The Co-Chairs decided in January 1997 to hold another meeting in the format of the Minsk Group—but the troika was already chairing that meeting. And on the last day of that meeting they announced that they were moving to shuttle diplomacy. They saw that the issue did not move forward in the format of the Minsk Group, and [therefore] changed the format of participation. The co-chairs have not assembled a Minsk Group since then. If the Armenian authorities do not know about it, it is the peak of cosmic ignorance. If they know, they do not say, they deceive, it is a knavery. I do not know which version it is.

They have not gathered the Minsk Group anymore. I had the next meeting with the president of Azerbaijan on April 1, 1999, in Russia, through the mediation of [then Russian President] Yeltsin. After that, a meeting took place during the NATO summit in late April.

(…) it was the decision of the troika not to assemble the Minsk Group anymore, they announced that they were pursuing shuttle diplomacy, and Karabakh has always been an active participant in it. During my 10 years [of tenure], there has not been a case when they [i.e., the mediators] came to Armenia and did not go to Karabakh,” Kocharyan stated.

“Yes, Karabakh participated, but then that format disappeared altogether. The Minsk Group remained, but the discussions began to take a different format. If the co-chairs had gathered the same format, Karabakh would have been sitting at that table in the same way. They considered it ineffective and, to be honest, they considered it right,” the second president of Armenia stated.

Armenia President rejects Karabakh conflict is religious war

Ani Tigranian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Dec 24 2021
December 24, 2021 – 15:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has strongly rejected suggestions that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was not just a land dispute, but also a religious war between Christian-majority Armenia and Muslim-majority Azerbaijan.

“It was never a religious war,” Sarkissian said in an interview with Arab News. “Armenia has wonderful relations with a lot of states where Islam is a major religion, states where Islam is the only religion, or states that have Islam as their state religion”.

“The other side (Azerbaijan and Turkey – Ed.) sometimes like to use that (the “religious war” description – Ed.) in order to accumulate support from Islamic world, but Armenia never tried to get support from Christian states.”

He also said Armenia is not a religious state and already enjoys “excellent relations” with Arab countries as well as Iran, which “didn’t take the path of destroying Armenian heritage or churches —in fact the government financed the restoration of Armenian churches in Iran.”

Russian Foreign Ministry wishes “peace and patience” to Armenia and Azerbaijan

Ani Tigranian

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 14:49, 24 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict is one of the most complex, prolonged and bloody conflicts, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing.

She wished peace and patience to Armenia and Azerbaijan in settling the conflict.

“I wish patience to Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as to all those experts who are working, including from the Russian side, to those who are directly controlling the situation”, Zakharova said.

The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman expressed hope that everything will be solved if all sides make maximum efforts.

She said that the Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan agreements of 2020 November 9 have been overall implemented in the passing year.

CivilNet: What comes after Nikol Pashinyan?

Ani Tigranian
CIVILNET.AM

23 Dec, 2021 06:12

In a new podcast, CivilNet host and analyst Eric Hacopian talks to Emilio Luciano Cricchio about the next chapter of Armenian political history and who are the likely successors to Nikol Pashinyan. Eric also discusses what the issues of tomorrow will be and how Armenian politics is changing.

Armenia selects special diplomat for discussion with Turkey

Ani Tigranian
Dec 19 2021

(MENAFN) In line with the Armenian Foreign Ministry representative, Armenia chose its special diplomat for discussion with Turkey.

The representative shared in a Twitter post “Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan will be the special representative of the Republic of #Armenia for the process of the dialogue between Armenia and #Turkey.”

Turkey selected Serdar Kilic, previous ambassador to the US, as special envoy to discuss steps for normalization of ties with Armenia.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated Kilic had been selected with the agreement of Leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

MENAFN19122021000045012476ID1103396749


Turkey, Armenia normalisation could occur ‘faster than expected’, says opposition deputy

Ani Tigranian
Dec 17 2021

  • Dec 17 2021 12:12 Gmt+3
  • Last Updated On: Dec 17 2021 12:14 Gmt+3

Garo Paylan, member of parliament from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), told reporters on Wednesday that good faith and political will could allow for rapid normalisation in relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Paylan, who was born to an Armenian family in Istanbul, called on politicians from Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan to take responsibility “to have this window of opportunity result in peace”.

“I declare that I will take any and all responsibility in this regard, as a deputy in Turkey,” he said.

Azerbaijan, a historic ally to Turkey, has started peace talks with Armenia recently, following last year’s “tragic war”, Paylan said. “Especially in recent months, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev have been sending positive messages.”

The deputy had called a press conference following Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu’s comments on Monday that Turkey was appointing special representatives to kick-start a normalisation process with Armenia.

“It was a very important statement. I commend Mr Çavuşoğlu on this,” Paylan continued.

“We must decide on a road map for the normalisation, and it must start with measures to increase trust,” he said.

Çavuşoğlu also announced the start of charter flights between Yerevan and Istanbul.

“Flights starting is an important step. I believe economic relations must follow this step. And for that, the border gates must open,” Paylan said, also calling for the appointment of ambassadors from both countries.

Former ambassador to the United States Serdar Kılıç was appointed as special envoy later on Wednesday. Kılıç is known for his staunch opposition to the term ‘genocide’ being used for the events of 1915, when some 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians lost their lives.

Turkey says Russia to host initial South Caucasus peace meeting Dec. 10

Ani Tigranian
Al-Arabiya, UAE
Dec 9 2021
REUTERS

Moscow will host an inaugural meeting of a six-way South Caucasus peace platform on Friday, an idea proposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan following last year’s Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

After six weeks of fighting last year, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Russia-brokered ceasefire to end conflict over the region that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but populated mainly by ethnic Armenians.

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The ceasefire locked in territorial gains by Baku, which was backed by Turkey.

The peace platform – including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Iran, and Turkey – was proposed by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the ceasefire. Ankara, which has no diplomatic ties with Armenia, has said the platform may help normalize ties with Yerevan.

“The first meeting of the regional cooperation platform in the 3+3 format proposed … for the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus will be held in Moscow on December 10,” the foreign ministry said.

It said Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Iran and Turkey will be represented at the deputy foreign ministers level, but did not elaborate on Georgia’s participation.

Armenia and Turkey signed a landmark peace accord in 2009 to restore ties and open their shared border after decades, but the deal was never ratified, and ties have remained tense. During the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ankara accused Yerevan of occupying Azeri territories and provided military support for Baku.

Turkey has said it will reciprocate positive steps taken by Armenia to mend ties and has invited Yerevan to join the peace platform since the end of the conflict.

Russia and Turkey jointly operate an observation center in Nagorno-Karabakh to ensure the ceasefire is maintained.

Huge educational-scientific potential with Qatar: Armenian President meets with Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Misnad

Ani Tigranian

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 18:22, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and Education Above All Foundation, Advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Misnad.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office, Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Misnad remembered with joy her visit to Armenia and the warm reception.

Welcoming the personal efforts of the Sheikha, especially in the sphere of education and science, the significant programs implemented by her, President Sarkissian said that there are great opportunities for cooperation, common and overlapping interests. The President noted that his wish is to see Armenia as a scientifically innovative country, to have a new type of education system based on innovation, since that is the future.

Speaking about the opportunities for cooperation in the fields of science, education and culture, the President said that the Matenadaran, a research institute for ancient manuscripts in Armenia, preserves tens of thousands of Islamic and Arabic manuscripts and books and highlighted the implementation of joint research, exchange of specialists and organization of exhibitions.

Noting that the agreements reached earlier had been somewhat suspended due to the pandemic, the interlocutors considered it necessary to resume the activities of the working group.

President Sarkissian also presented the ATOM (Advanced Tomorrow) presidential initiative aimed at the development of the latest technologies and science in Armenia, which specifically aims to become a platform where Armenian and international companies, research centers and universities will cooperate and implement joint research projects. The President said that the Qatar Foundation could be an interesting partner in this program.