Author: Aram Torosian

Russia highlights the practice of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs paying full-format visits to the region – Zakharova

Aram Torosian

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 18:48,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Russia highlights continuation of efforts aimed at solving the problems facing the region in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, ARMENPRESS reports official representative of the Foreign Ministry of Russia Maria Zakharova said in a weekly briefing.

“The format of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs has broad international support, as stated in a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on November 9 this year. We consider it necessary to continue the efforts of the troika in the context of solving the socio-economic and humanitarian problems facing the region”, Zakharova said.

She recalled the September 24 meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia within the framework of the UN General Assembly in New York under the auspices of the Minsk Group on September 24. “Currently, the trio is contacts in a number of European capitals. We consider it important to resume the practice of the troika visiting the region in full format as soon as possible,” Zakharova said.

Karabakh Victory exhibition opens in Erzurum

Aram Torosian
Vestnik Kavkaza
Nov 5 2021
 5 Nov in 18:35

In honour of the upcoming first anniversary of the Azerbaijani Liberation Army’s victory over the Armenian occupation troops, the Karabakh Victory exhibition was opened today in the eastern Turkish province of Erzurum.

The local administration, the Ataturk Technical University and the Erzurum Technical University organized the exhibition of photographic documents telling about the course of the Azerbaijani Patriotic War, Anadolu Agency reports.

Azerbaijan presidential assistant compares Armenia with Germany, demands signing peace agreement

Aram Torosian
News.am, Armenia
Nov 5 2021
14:41, 05.11.2021

Continuing its policy of turning everything upside down, Azerbaijan promotes the idea of its being the “victim” by presenting Armenia as the “aggressor.”

“Azerbaijan’s proposals are known to Armenia. The Armenian society must also change politically, psychologically, and accept peaceful coexistence with its neighbors.” Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to Azerbaijani president, stated this at a press conference, APA reports.

“If such a peace treaty was signed between France and Germany after the Second World War, why shouldn’t it be signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia? We call on the international community to mobilize efforts in this regard,” Hajiyev added, obviously comparing Armenia with Germany.

According to him, before the 44-day Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) war last fall, it was “very difficult” for him to “speak at foreign events as a representative of a losing country.”

The assistant to the president of Azerbaijan noted that there is a problem in the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and these relations must be changed.

“It is necessary to sign a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the [two] countries must recognize each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty,” Hajiyev stressed.

According to him, Armenia’s lawsuits against Azerbaijan show that Armenia does not recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

“This must end. Armenia must renounce its territorial ambitions towards Azerbaijan,” he added.

At the same time, Hajiyev stressed that Armenia’s intention to create another Armenian state in the South Caucasus has failed.

Thus, distorting history and reality, Azerbaijan is attempting—through blackmail and threats—to force the Armenian side to recognize its territorial integrity, but forgetting that Nagorno-Karabakh was not part of Azerbaijan at the time of the collapse of the ex-USSR and the declaration of independence of Azerbaijan in the early 1990s.

Also, Hikmet Hajiyev did not mention the Armenian captives whom Azerbaijan has refused to release for more than a year now, its war crimes, the captured Armenians—including the elderly and women—, the destruction of Armenian cultural monuments, the actual causes of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the military aggression Azerbaijan had unleashed against Artsakh.


Armenia says no talks with Turkey about normalising relations

Aram Torosian
Nov 4 2021

  • Nov 04 2021 11:02 Gmt+3
  • Last Updated On: Nov 04 2021 11:08 Gmt+3

Armenia and Turkey are not holding talks to normalise relations, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.

“In case of Turkey’s readiness to normalise relations and appropriate actions, Armenia is ready to discuss the possibilities of building bilateral relations,” Mirzoyan said, the Public Radio of Armenia reported on Wednesday.

Armenian government’s program stipulates that it is ready to normalise ties with Turkey without preconditions, Mirzoyan said in an interview with Nouvelles d’Armenie, the radio station said.

Over the past few months, Turkey and Armenia have made positive statements about restoring their bilateral relations, which have been frozen for nearly three decades.

At the end of August, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan would evaluate Turkey’s diplomatic gestures for the establishment of peace in the region and respond to positive signals. Turkey can work toward gradually normalising ties because Armenia has stated its readiness to do so, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in response.

Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia have been suspended for 28 years due to Armenia’s extended military standoff with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh in which Ankara sided with Baku. Two bilateral protocols were signed between Turkey and Armenia in Zurich in 2009 aimed at normalising ties. They were never ratified by either of the country’s parliaments.

Armenia has handed back territories in Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan as part of a Russia-brokered ceasefire signed by the two sides in November following six weeks of clashes. Turkey provided military hardware and know-how to Azerbaijan in the conflict.

“The lack of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, the closed borders, as well as Turkey’s open involvement in the 44-day war, the recent statements from Turkey about the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” have a negative impact on stability in the region,” Mirzoyan said.

The November ceasefire agreement foresees the re-opening of key historical transportation lines between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. Following the deal, Aliyev called on Armenia to open the Zangezur Corridor, which would link Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, an autonomous western Azeri region separated from the country by Armenian territory.

At the end of last month, Aliyev reiterated his call over the opening of the corridor, during Erdoğan’s latest visit to Nagorno-Karabakh since last year’s war. Azerbaijan and Turkey plan to unite the Turkic world by re-opening the trade corridor, he said, adding that both countries will take necessary steps to that end.

Azerbaijan has blocked shipments of materials to both Armenia and Karabakh since 1989, while Armenia has imposed a blockade on Nakhchivan.

Society for Armenian Studies and Artsakh State University sign agreement on cooperation

Aram Torosian
Public Radio of Armenia
Nov 4 2021
November 4, 2021, 12:55

 2 minutes read

As part of its new policy to strengthen ties with academic institutions in Armenia and Artsakh, the Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) signed an Agreement on Cooperation on October 25, 2021, with Artsakh State University (ArSU). The Agreement aims at cooperating on different academic projects that would be beneficial to both parties and to advance the field of Armenian Studies.

The scope of the cooperation includes, but is not limited to, exchange of mutual information on academic activities carried out by both parties; exchange and loans of books relevant to both parties; exchange of knowledge and expertise with respect to Armenian Studies; sharing of advice, educational consultation, and research Armenian Study; and cooperation through local and international conferences, symposia, and lectures to advance the field of Armenian Studies.

Commenting on the Agreement, SAS President Bedross Der Matossian said, “We are looking forward to cooperating with Artsakh State University (ArSU) on academic issues pertaining to Armenians Studies in general and Artsakh history in particular. This cooperation will be mutually beneficial to all of us. SAS has members whose research deals with the political as well as cultural history of Artsakh. Through harnessing the existing potential of scholars from both institutions, the study of Artsakh’s history and cultural heritage will advance.”

Artsakh State University President Prof. Dr. Armen Sarkisyan commented saying: “I consider this Cooperation Agreement as an extremely important development for Artsakh State University. The role of the Society for Armenian Studies in developing Armenian Studies in the Diaspora has been crucial. The mission of the Society in strengthening the academic ties between the Diaspora and the homeland is a noble one. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation.”

As part of this mutual cooperation, Prof. Dr. Armen Sarksyan will deliver a talk via Zoom on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 12:00pm ET (9:00am PT) titled “Artsakh State University: Past, Present, and Future.” The zoom registration link is: https://bit.ly/2ZPSujH.

Artsakh State University is the oldest and largest university in Artsakh. Over the course of its nearly fifty-year history, Artsakh State University has produced over 20,000 graduates in sixty fields of study. Currently, the university prepares specialists in thirty-one areas.

The SAS, founded in 1974, is the international professional association representing scholars and teachers in the field of Armenian Studies. The aim of the SAS is to promote the study of Armenian culture and society, including history, language, literature, and social, political, and economic questions.

Azerbaijan boasts of using laser-guided bombs during war with Armenia

Aram Torosian
Pravda, Russia
Nov 3 2021



 03.11.2021 17:46
World

Azerbaijan used laser bombs during the 44-day war with Armenia over the territory of Nagorno Karabakh last autumn, Deputy Defense Minister and chief of Azerbaijan’s Air Force, Lieutenant General Ramiz Takhirov said in a documentary by ITV channel.

The Air Force of Azerbaijan used laser-guided bombs to accurately and repeatedly destroy enemy positions and achieve air superiority on the territory of the conflict. The weapon was used by  Su-25 attack aircraft during air raids.

The laser-guided bomb is a special type of high-precision weapon that is aimed at a target using a laser beam. The beam is reflected from the target and transmitted to the targeting device in the head part of the bomb to continuously correct the trajectory of the fall using the fins or the rocket engine.

The armed conflict between the armies of Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted in September-November 2020. The conflict became another exacerbation of the dispute over the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh, which both republics claim their rights to. Armenia established control over Karabakh during the 1990, but Azerbaijan came as a victor in the last war for the territory. Azerbaijan currently controls Nagorno Karabakh districts in the west and in the south of the region.

Analysts note subsiding tension in relations between Baku and Tehran

Aram Torosian
Caucasian Knot , EU
Oct 21 2021

THIS MESSAGE (MATERIAL) HAS BEEN CREATED AND (OR) DISTRIBUTED BY A FOREIGN MASS MEDIUM PERFORMING FUNCTIONS OF A FOREIGN AGENT, AND (OR) BY A RUSSIAN LEGAL ENTITY PERFORMING FUNCTIONS OF A FOREIGN AGENT.

Tension in relations between Baku and Tehran is subsiding, and the release of Iranian truck drivers and an order for Iranian carriers to stop travelling to the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh will contribute to the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, Azerbaijani analysts suggest.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on September 11, an Azerbaijani police checkpoint was opened in the border area between the Armenian cities of Goris and Kapan. On September 15, it was reported about the detention of two Iranian truck drivers. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Azerbaijan claimed that they illegally crossed the border. Today, Baku has announced their release.

The Iranian authorities have banned the transport companies of the country from entering Karabakh and the Lachin District.

“The source of tension between Baku and Tehran can be considered exhausted. It all started with Iran ignoring the Baku’s requests to stop transportation to Karabakh through the Lachin corridor, bypassing the Azerbaijani laws … But yesterday, Iran announced the termination of transportation of cargos through Karabakh,” said Togrul Djuvarly, a member of the Azerbaijani National Public Committee for European Integration.

Tofig Turkel, an observer of the “Turan” agency, believes that the tension between the two countries will decrease. According to him, it is important for Azerbaijan that Iran respects the sovereign rights of Baku.

According to an author of the “Wind from Absheron” blog on the “Caucasian Knot”, at the same time, “there remain deep Azerbaijan-Iranian problems caused by the national interests of about 20 million Azerbaijanis living in Iran.”

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 21, 2021 at 01:33 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

Azerbaijan hands two detained drivers over to Iran, Azerbaijani law enforcers detain drivers from Iran on road from Goris to Kapan, Setting up post by Azerbaijani law enforcers sparks protests in Armenia.

Author: Faik Medjid; Source: CK correspondent

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

No meeting between Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders planned for now – MFA

Aram Torosian
Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 23 2021
, 15:40

 2 minutes read

At the moment, no meeting between the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan is planned , Spokesperson for the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Minister Vahan Hunanyan said in response to media reports.

He said there are proposals for different meetings in different formats, which are under discussion.

The comments come in the wake of reports claiming that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev could take place in early November. It was reported that the parties were expected to sign trilateral statement.

The Spokesperson emphasized that the rumors spread by some circles on the topic are “obviously provocative and do not correspond to reality.”

He reminded that the January 11th meeting of the leaders of the three countries was also preceded by similar claims, and advised to study the “assertions and revelations” and analyze to what extent those reflected the truth.

The Spokesperson reminded that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly stated that the Republic of Armenia is ready to resume high-level talks on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing mandate.

“At the same time, based on the statement of January 11, 2021, Armenia is involved in trilateral (Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan) working discussions on unblocking the region’s transport communications. Since May 2021, the withdrawal of units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from the territory of the Republic of Armenia and the idea of a possible start of the process of delimitation and demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which is yet to be implemented, have also been discussed in a trilateral format,” Hunanyan noted.

“The other two co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group – the United States and France, as well as the European Union, have expressed readiness to provide advisory assistance on the delimitation and demarcation of borders, as well as the opening of regional communications,” he continued.

“The Government of the Republic of Armenia announced the above-mentioned agenda months ago and will be consistent in promoting it, defending the interests of the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh, and establishing lasting peace and stability,” the Spokesman stated.

Russian President’s Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that if an agreement on holding a Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan summit is reached, the Kremlin will inform in due time.

COVID-19: Armenia reports 2146 new cases, 42 deaths in one day

Aram Torosian

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 11:09,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. 2146 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 291,052, the ministry of healthcare reports.

18,598 COVID-19 tests were conducted on October 21.

1134 patients have recovered in one day. The total number of recoveries has reached 258,486.

The death toll has risen to 5944 (42 death cases have been registered in the past one day).

The number of active cases is 25,374.

The number of people who have been infected with COVID-19 but died from other disease has reached 1248 (5 new such cases).

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian FM, US Assistant Secretary of State discuss steps to be taken within Strategic Dialogue

Aram Torosian

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 19:37,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried on October 21.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the dynamics of the development of the Armenian-American dialogue, especially emphasizing cooperation in the areas of democracy, rule of law, protection of human rights, and the fight against corruption. Ararat Mirzoyan and Karen Donfried discussed the steps to be taken within the framework of various platforms, including the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue (USASD).

The parties also touched upon regional security issues. The sides highlighted the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict within OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ mandate.

Touching upon the humanitarian issues created by the 44-day war, Minister Mirzoyan first of all emphasized the issue of repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages illegally detained in Azerbaijan.