As U.S. troops have exited Afghanistan (“Local veterans say it was time for troops to come home from Afghanistan,” Aug. 17), Americans are rightly concerned that that country may again become a base for terrorist attacks against the homeland, especially by Al-Qaeda and ISIS-K.
Yet Turkey’s longstanding backing of terrorist organizations poses a similar threat even closer to the American homeland.
In January and July, for example, the United States Treasury Department cited Turkey as a financial base for ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
However, the U.S. has applied penalties only to Turkish individuals and companies, not Turkey itself. Hence, the effect has been minimal.
That the State Department and Congress have done so little over the years to stop Turkey’s backing of anti-American terrorist organizations raises serious questions about the sincerity of America’s Global War on Terrorism
David Boyajian
Belmont
National Democratic Axis Party to hold rally in Yerevan on Oct. 1
The National Democratic Axis Pan-Armenian Party will hold an anti-government rally and a march in Yerevan on 1 October, resuming its “active struggle”.
In a statement on Thursday, the party said the move is conditioned by the imperative to prevent in every way possible the signing and implementation of “destructive documents by the treacherous regime” in the coming months.
It said the ultimate goal of its struggle is to “oust the regime” and form a national transitional government.
The first rally and march will be held on October 1, at 6pm, at the Liberty Square, it said.
“We urge our compatriots joining the struggle to take into account the fact that the process will be difficult and long, so it is necessary to be resilient and patient,” the statement reads.
Armenian Deputy PM, EDB Management Board Chairman discuss new ways of Armenian Government-EBD cooperation
18:03, 6 September, 2021
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Suren Papikyan received the Chairman of the Management Board of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Nikolay Podguzov and the delegation lead by him on September 6. Greeting the guests, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the productive cooperation with the EDB. He noted that the cooperation between the Armenian Government and the EDB is a good basis for the successful implementation of future joint programs, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of Suren Papikyan.
Chairman of the Management Board of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Nikolay Podguzov congratulated Suren Papikyan on assuming the post of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, emphasizing that the joint work and efforts of the Armenian Government and the EDB open prospects for successful economic development. He added that the EDB is interested in considerably increasing Armenia’s portfolio in the next 5 years, seriously considering the opportunities for economic investments.
The parties discussed the directions of economic development in Armenia, referring to specific sectoral programs. The prospects of the digital sphere, financial market, infrastructure, including road construction and railway capacity renewal and development were touched upon. The creation, launch and expansion of the “Journey without Covid-19” application was pointed out as the first successful example of the Armenian-Russian platform partnership.
During the meeting, the new ways of cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the EDB were discussed, as well as the possibility of using the state-private format in that.
Artsakh ANC Launches its Activities
ANC International
An Armenian National Committee office in Artsakh launched its operations as part of the larger ANC International network, citing the humanitarian, security and other challenges stemming from the 44-Day War in Artsakh.
The ANC Artsakh office, will send a succinct message that protecting the rights of Artsakh’s citizens, the international recognition of the Artsakh Republic and restoring of Artsakh’s integrity continue to remain key issues and priorities of the ANC International.
On September 2, the anniversary of Artsakh’s Independence, the ANC of Artsakh will host an official inauguration reception, where the ANC International’s priorities, as well as the scope of the activities of the ANC Artsakh will be presented.
High-ranking foreign officials, members of the ANC International and other friends of Artsakh are scheduled to make presentations at the reception.
Armenian Ombudsperson warns of fires threatening villages of Gegarkunik Region
The fires that onset on August 29 near the villages of the Gegarkunik Region on the border with Azerbaijan are spreading and threatening dwelling settlements; it is difficult to extinguish them due to the terrain relief and weather conditions; and residents of Armenian villages are afraid of getting under shelling, Arman Tatoyan, the Armenian Ombudsperson, has stated.
The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on August 30, the Ombudsperson Tatoyan said that Azerbaijani militaries had deliberately set fire to pastures near the villages of Sotk and Kut on the border with the Kelbadjar District. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence (MoD) has refuted the information about deliberate arsons.
On August 31, Arman Tatoyan posted, in his Facebook page, a video from the Gegarkunik Region of Armenia, where the outbreak of fires is visible. The fires, according to Tatoyan, engulfed not only pastures and hayfields, but also the hay gathered by local residents. He has again accused Azerbaijani militaries of arsons and noted that it is difficult for local residents to get close to some hotbeds of fire because of fear of being shelled.
The Ombudsperson has noted that fires are becoming more dangerous for civilians and are causing a lot of damage.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 1, 2021 at 03:39 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Armine Martirosyan; Source: CK correspondent
Source:
© Caucasian Knot
23% growth in export registered in Armenia in first half of 2021 – research
16:51,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has registered a 23% growth in export in the first half of 2021 according to the 7th ongoing economic research of the Eurasian Expert Club.
Member of the Club, Doctor in Economics, Professor Ashot Tavadyan told a press conference in Armenpress that economic growth of a country with small economy is ensured by export.
“23% growth in export has been registered in 2021 compared to 2020, but this has been ensured mainly thanks to external factors. Internal factors remain expensive and not effective. The export to Russia grew by 35%, and to Kazakhstan by 2 times”, he said.
The economist noted that there are positive trends in terms of import as mainly the import of various types of fuels has increased.
“We have a very low figure in tourism sector. We have a serious problem with transformation of economic governance”, Tavadyan said.
As for the possible foreign investments, he said all enterprises in Armenia are Closed Joint Stock Companies and it’s not known what an investor must do in that case, whether he must start from zero on his own.
He noted that investors must be attracted by reforms.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
DISQO: US-based Armenian company raises $85 million to expand consumer insights platform
Turkey Ready to Normalise Relations With Armenia, Erdogan Says
ANKARA (Sputnik) – Turkey is ready to gradually develop relations with Armenia after hearing Yerevan’s conciliatory statements, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.
“I wish success to the new government of Armenia. Our region needs a constructive approach. Even if there are disagreements, neighborly relations should be developed on the basis of respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Therefore, we can gradually normalize the relations with Armenia, whose new government has stated its readiness to move in this direction,” Erdogan told reporters, as quoted by Turkish broadcaster NTV.
Lasting peace is a prerequisite of regional economic development and cooperation, the Turkish president said, adding that allied Azerbaijan agrees and, therefore, has proposed to start comprehensive peace negotiations with Armenia.
“We are ready to work with all sides who want to use this historical opportunity. The agenda has our proposal to create a ‘Platform of Five’ or a ‘Platform of Six’ involving Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, and Armenia. We proposed to include Georgia, too. If such a platform is set up, the region will become more peaceful,” Erdogan said.
An ultimate benefit of the regional rapprochement will be the overhaul of transport networks, including railroads, he said. Erdogan said he has already “discussed and reached an agreement” on these issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and plans to discuss them with Iran’s new president, Ebrahim Raisi.
On Friday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he saw “positive signals” from Turkey in the context of regional peace.
Relations between Turkey and Armenia have been strained over the 1915 killing of more than 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman authorities. The events are recognized as a genocide by the governments and parliaments of over 30 countries, most recently the United States. Turkey has recognized that the massacre took place but refused to call it a genocide.
The strife escalated last fall after Turkey extended its support to Azerbaijan during the armed hostilities in the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh. A ceasefire declaration was brokered by Russia in November 2020 and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region to monitor the truce.
Tombs of Hellenistic period discovered in Artsakh
A group of tombs dated between I-II B.C. has been found during the agricultural works carried out in “Khachin Tap” area of Artsakh’s Askeran region.
As the Artsakh Republic “Protection Service for Historical Environment” NCSO reports, during the excavation works held on August 24-25, led by archeologist Vardges Safaryan, it was established that the tombs belong to the Hellenistic period as evidenced by the discovered decorated earthenware pottery which were characteristic of the Hellenistic age and resembled the pottery discovered in another archeological site of Tigranakert in Artsakh and other sites in Armenia.
Deployment of Russian border guard posts along Armenian-Azerbaijani border needs to be considered, says Pashinyan
11:49, 29 July, 2021
YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan not only continues to be illegally located in the territory of Armenia, but also is constantly taking provocative actions, attempting to discredit the system of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting today.
“Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of launching provocation. Armenia, being as member of the CSTO, which will assume its chairmanship from September, understands its responsibility of not creating security threats for the CSTO, not engaging the allied states into military operations, and I officially rule out any provocative actions by the Armenian Armed Forces. One of the possible solutions to reveal the truth of mutual accusations of Armenia and Azerbaijan could be the deployment of the CSTO monitoring mission along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. If such mission would be impossible, there could be other acceptable international formats for us”, Pashinyan said.
He says Azerbaijan’s attempts to show that Armenia opposes starting the border demarcation and delimitation process has nothing to do with the reality. “We support the process, moreover, we have received a mandate from our own people to start such a process and establish peace and stability in the region. Back to the May 27 session of the Security Council I have raised our approaches on the launch of demarcation and delimitation works”, Pashinyan said.
He said it is necessary to consider the deployment of Russian peacekeeping posts along the entire length of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border which will allow to carry out the demarcation and delimitation works without a risk of a military clash.
“We are going to discuss this topic with our Russian partners. Our government is going to take all necessary measures for ensuring peace, security and stability in the region. We will act in accordance with the mandate gained from the citizens of Armenia”, the caretaker PM said.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan