Author: Chalian Meline

 12:20,

YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on the Belgian National Day.

“I cordially congratulate you and the friendly people of Belgium on the National Day of the Kingdom of Belgium,” Pashinyan said in a letter addressed to De Croo, which was published by the Prime Minister’s Office. 

“I highly value the achievements of Armenia and Belgium in various areas of cooperation. I am sure that the relations between Armenia and Belgium will develop and expand in bilateral and multilateral formats through joint efforts, including within the framework of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. Taking this occasion, I commend the Belgian government’s decision on opening a resident embassy in Yerevan. I am sure that it will intensify the Armenian-Belgian interstate relations based on traditional friendship. I wish robust health and all the best to you and prosperity and progress to your country,” the Armenian Prime Minister added.

 17:21,

YEREVAN, JULY 17, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan’s non-compliance with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) constitutes a violation of conventional obligations, Armenia’s Ambassador-at-large Edmon Marukyan said on July 17.

“Azerbaijan’s non-compliance is a violation of conventional obligations and undermines the Council of Europe’s key principles of human rights and the rule of law,” Marukyan tweeted.

On July 12, the ECHR examined the Armenian Government’s request to indicate interim measures against Azerbaijan and issued a decision reaffirming its December 21, 2022 decision whereby it indicated to the Government of Azerbaijan, under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, to take all measures that are within their jurisdiction to ensure safe passage through the “Lachin Corridor” of seriously ill persons in need of medical treatment in Armenia and others who were stranded on the road without shelter or means of subsistence.

 09:59, 6 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. The reputation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is steadily growing in a bid to become a separate pole in international relations, according to Grigor Balasanyan, an international affairs expert. Balasanyan told ARMENPRESS that the BRICS factor is contributing to the SCO’s growing role because it includes nearly the same founding members.

“The SCO’s appeal is that it is able to maintain the reputation of a universal organization ensuring comprehensive security in the Asia-Pacific. It is noteworthy that for instance India and Pakistan were considered enemies before becoming members of the SCO, but after joining it virtually no border clashes have taken place there, meaning they were able to resolve in the SCO strong disagreements and thus avoid military escalation. It’s no coincidence that many countries are seeking to join the organization because they tie their physical, economic and cultural security with it,” Balasanyan said.

The expert noted that the U.S. is also actively trying to establish close relations with the SCO and BRICS countries by engaging in separate talks so that they don’t abandon dollarization and don’t severe ties with Washington, and to openly condemn the events in Ukraine.  But influential India and China pursue their interests, well realizing that both the SCO and BRICS have real opportunities to abandon U.S. dominance and the impact of the dollar, and not less importantly to decrease Washington’s role in regional processes.

“Following the example of India and China, many countries in Latin America, Africa and Middle East want to join BRICS, which in turn means a significant reduction of U.S. hegemony, whose economy – many believe – does no longer have a leading position in the world,” Balasanyan said.

Armenia ought to intensify cooperation with the SCO and BRICS with intent to become a full member of the two organizations to economically acquire access to broad markets and influential partners for its future development.

“In our case the security component is also important, given that the SCO has proven its vitality in this sense as well, hence joining it could bring significant benefits to Armenia,” the expert said.

Interview by Manvel Margaryan

 19:20, 6 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See His Grace Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister highly appreciated the cooperation between the Armenian government and the Holy See and noted that the Armenian side is interested in consistently developing and strengthening ties with the Vatican based on Christian values and cultural heritage.

The sides emphasized the need to organize high-level mutual visits between Armenia and the Holy See. In this context, the upcoming visit of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See to Armenia was highlighted.

The interlocutors also exchanged ideas on various issues of mutual interest.

 16:18, 3 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS/BTA. Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov addressed Monday the heads of offices of the military attaché to Bulgaria’s foreign representations at the opening of their conference, saying that peace is achieved when every aggressor knows that if they attack, they will be punished. “In order for our country to feel calm, we must develop our military capacity, because the risks have not disappeared, “stressed the Prime Minister.

Increasing military capacity will be one of the government’s tasks, he added, explaining that this should not happen piece by piece. Both the modernization of the army and the development of personnel must go hand in hand. They must be considered not only in the context of Bulgarian capacity, but also in connection  to Bulgaria’s relations with its partners in the EU and NATO. At the same time, the development of applied-scientific activity in the military field, in which Bulgaria has traditions, should be strengthened, Denkov said.

The Prime Minister noted that at least for several years now, the delay in the development of military capacity is not due to economic difficulties, because despite the various crises, Bulgaria is developing relatively well. The problem is the political uncertainty of how to develop within the framework of the two unions. “In recent years, Bulgaria has sent mixed signals to its partners in the EU and NATO. This sows tension and even division in society, which is a national security concern. It is for this reason that we still do not take full advantage, both in a military and in a political capacity, of the opportunities that participation in these two powerful unions gives us,” Denkov pointed out.

He thanked the military attachés for their special role as military diplomats, intelligence officers, parliamentarians around the world, who gain trust for Bulgaria in partner networks and whose help the government relies on to make the right decisions.

(This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.)

 14:22,

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called on the international community to take action to protect the rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh amid a high risk of destabilization in the region.

“Urging international community to take practical steps to ensure rights & security of Nagorno Karabakh people. Meanwhile Lachin Corridor remains illegally blocked, tonight as result of Azerbaijani attack with use of UAVs there are 4 casualties. High risk of destabilization in South Caucasus,” Pashinyan tweeted Wednesday, hours after an Azeri attack in Nagorno Karabakh killed four troops.

Azerbaijani forces bombarded Nagorno Karabakh military positions with artillery and drone strikes in the early hours of June 28.

Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since December 2022.

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has so far ignored the order. Furthermore, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor.