Author: David Nargizian

Turkish Press: Pashinyan dismissed the director who gifted a book about Karaba

David Nargizian
Haberler, Turkey
Mar 12 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed the museum director who gifted a book about Karabakh to U.S. Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Armenia, citing it as a “provocative act contrary to the government’s foreign policy.”

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, dismissed the museum director who gifted a book about Karabakh to U.S. Vice President JD Vance due to behavior contrary to the government’s foreign policy.

PASHINYAN DISMISSED THE MUSEUM DIRECTOR

According to reports in the Armenian press, Pashinyan requested the resignation of Edita Gzoyan, who served as the director of a museum in Yerevan, regarding the book she gifted to Vance. Pashinyan described the act of gifting the book as “a provocative action contrary to the government’s foreign policy.”

“HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY CAN CONDUCT FOREIGN POLICY?”

The Prime Minister of Armenia stated, “If the Prime Minister of a country says ‘there is no Karabakh movement,’ what does it mean to give a book about the Artsakh (the name Armenians use for Karabakh) issue to a foreign guest? How many people in the country can conduct foreign policy? Any state official who says something contrary to the government’s foreign policy will be dismissed.”

VANCE’S VISIT TO ARMENIA

Vance’s deletion of the “monument” post he made during his visit to Armenia on February 10 had angered the largest Armenian lobby in the U.S., the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Vance had shared about the visit on the social media account of the U.S.-based X company, but later deleted it.

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More Russian grain shipments via Azerbaijan en route to Armenia

David Nargizian

Economy10:22, 11 March 2026
Read the article in: العربيةEspañolPersian is a Turkish language

Eleven wagons loaded with a total of 1,023 tons of Russian grain will be dispatched to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory, the Azerbaijani APA news agency reported.

This is the second grain shipment via this route in the past three days.

The latest shipment of Russian grain via Azerbaijan and Georgia took place on March 9.

The cargo passes through Georgian territory, as the rail connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not yet been restored.

The route has also been used for Kazakh grain imports, as well as Azerbaijani petroleum products.

The rail shipment was launched in November 2025.

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Dismantling of Armenia’s Genocide Museum-Institute and the Tragedy of Remaini

David Nargizian

by Contributor

 

 March 11, 2026

 

in Armenia, Commentary, Latest, Op-Ed, Top Stories

AGMI Director Edita Gzoyan with Vice-President JD Vance and the Second Lady, Usha Vance on Feb. 10

BY GEVORG VARDANYAN

Gevorg Vardanyan

Recently Armenia’s Education Minister Zhanna Andreasyan dismissed Dr. Edita Gzoyan from her position as Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. This strange decision has confused and bewildered Armenia’s academic community. It appears arbitrary, ignoring and trampling over the opinion of the AGMI staff, who had collectively opposed it. Moreover, the scholar members of the Board of Trustees firmly stood against it. In protest, the chairman of the board, prominent French Armenian historian Raymond Kevorkian resigned, followed by board members Harutyun Marutyan, Hranush Kharatyan, and Stephan Astourian.

The young and ambitious scholar Edita Gzoyan had been elected to the position two years ago. Earning a doctorate in International Relations from Yerevan State University, a master’s in law from the American University of Armenia, and training in numerous professional courses at prestigious Western universities, the new director had implemented noticeable reforms in the museum’s scientific and administrative management.

The scientific achievements were revolutionary. Not only in terms of productivity per researcher, but also in terms of quality. The AGMI became unmatched. For the first time in the history of the Republic of Armenia, a scientific institution began systematically producing results that met elite Western standards.

Additionally, nearly a year ago the official website of the Ministry of Education proudly announced that the museum’s journal, “International Journal of Armenian Genocide Studies”, had been included in the Scopus database, becoming the first historical/social science journal from Armenia to do so. Research into the many details of genocide, studies on the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, professionalization of museology were among a few of the numerous unprecedented achievements. Many history departments at Western universities would dream of such productivity.

This would not have been possible without Gzoyan’s exceptional managerial abilities. Strategic planning and proactive leadership were accompanied by an attitude that respected academic freedom and political pluralism. From hosting official delegations at a high level to working with schoolchildren from the provinces, everything was done with dedication and care. Sensing the spirit of teamwork was easy and all were appreciated and valued for their abilities.

After listing all this, the simple question arises: why was the director dismissed? Common sense seeks rational answers, in vain. Answers circulating in the media are frightening, yet more frightening is their validity.

According to these accounts, the dismissal is connected to the visit of U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance. While presenting the memorial complex, the director dared to speak about massacres and violence against Armenians committed by the Azerbaijani authorities, showed the khachkars commemorating them, and also presented Vance with a book describing these events. Gzoyan’s action was allegedly not forgiven by Armenia’s leadership and the Minister of Education. Gzoyan has long had a scholarly interest in the Artsakh issue and has continuously published astute articles in leading international journals. Her article on the massacres of Armenians in Azerbaijan was recently published in the International Criminal Law Review, the most influential legal analysis of the topic to date.

Many believe that for the Minister of Education, this could have been a convenient opportunity to get rid of Gzoyan, as before the elections, she was trying to shift responsibility for the “sloppily” renovated Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex away from the ministry and herself and onto the museum’s director.

This article is not simply the story of Gzoyan, a dignified patriotic Armenian scholar. Nor is it merely another example of failure by Armenia’s leadership and Minister Zhanna Andreasyan. This story is also about the abandonment of one’s rights and homeland, about the assassination of academic independence in Armenia, and about the vulnerable nature of scientific and cultural institutions. It proves that whether one is a director or an ordinary researcher, one is vulnerable. There is no effective protection from the whimsy of superiors.

I write this as a professional whose biography was significantly shaped by the museum, where I worked from 2008 to 2018. In 2017–2018, serving as director, the museum’s legal status changed from a state non-commercial organization to a foundation. At the time, there was hope this change would increase academic freedom. But those were illusions, and the shackle on freedom only further tightened.

In 2018, I left to teach and write my doctoral dissertation at the University of North Carolina. When I returned in 2024, the newly elected director, Gzoyan, warmly welcomed me into the museum. At first, it was difficult to trust one another, but gradually we became a powerful team and overcoming challenges, achieved successes in a short time. That was no coincidence, as our visions, values, and commitment to principles were near identical. For a moment, I believed we were unstoppable…

About two months ago, I moved to UCLA. Learning about what happened here and looking with a kind of envy at the academic environment, I once again reflect not only on the AGMI but also on the broader crisis of social sciences in Armenia. I remember my conversations and discussions with Gzoyan. She had an unshakable belief that something could be changed in Armenia—that it was possible to create a Western-quality scientific environment—and with her optimism, she inspired the entire museum.

History shows that in Armenia, bright minds like Gzoyan are usually pushed out and marginalized, and in many cases, they emigrate. Our tragedy is not that we are in a swamp; our tragedy is that we feel comfortable in it.

If Armenia wants to have a scientific environment that meets international standards, the priority should not only be to encourage productivity but also to create institutional protection. Intellectuals with their own opinions must be protected from the encroachments of power. Without that, academic successes will remain temporary, while systemic problems will persist.

If we don’t change, we will bring about our own destruction.

Gevorg Vardanyan is a PhD from the University of North Carolina and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).




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California Courier Online, March 9, 2026

David Nargizian
California Courier Online, March 9, 2026

1- By Attacking the ANCA,

UK PR Firm Damages its Own Reputation
By Harut Sassounian
http://www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2- Israel expands travel warnings to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
3- Pashinyan faces unusual request from a woman
4- Haifa Municipality restores damaged street sign marking Armenian Genocide Square
5- Armenia bars Iranians from protesting in Yerevan
6- 195 Armenians missing in 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War
7- Armenia Added To European List Of Journalist Jailers
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1- By Attacking the ANCA,

UK PR Firm Damages its Own Reputation

By Harut Sassounian
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

After successfully recruiting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijan and Turkey are trying to neutralize the Armenian Diaspora, the final step for their conquest of Armenia. Both Aliyev and Erdogan are very pleased with the compliant regime in Armenia and do not wish to see the Diaspora stand in the way of their anti-Armenian plots.

On March 2, 2026, Apollo Strategic Communications (ASC), a London-based public relations firm, attacked the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) by sending a covert memo to the U.S. media titled “Armenian Diaspora Voices Russian Interests on Capitol Hill.” ASC has ties to Azerbaijan and its Caspian Sea petroleum partners. The firm is listed in the UK Companies House registry as being involved in “public relations and communication activities.” It has undergone several name changes in recent years: “Apollo Public Relations Limited” (Aug. 13, 2009 – Aug. 29, 2014), and “Red Public Relations Limited” (Apr. 14, 2008 – Aug. 13, 2009).

The ASC memo spreads lies and disinformation by claiming that “U.S. administration efforts [in Armenia]…face resistance and opposition from the influential Armenian National Committee of America, the largest Armenian organization in the U.S., which, it is feared by some on Capitol Hill, is seeking to undermine the ongoing peace process in Congress. ANCA is accused of aligning with pro-Moscow forces, while working against Armenian national interests by endorsing Russian positions and misinformation narratives, often verbatim, at the heart of American institutions.” The memo goes on to condemn “senior ANCA officials” for issuing “an impassioned defense of the Armenian Apostolic Church.” The ANCA and the Diaspora oppose a fake peace, not genuine peace, and are not against Armenia’s national interests. On the contrary, they want to protect Armenia from Pashinyan’s endless concessions to Aliyev, which could lead to the demise of the homeland.

I would like to point out several questionable aspects of ASC’s memo:

1.  Election Timing: The memo makes a direct reference to the “crucial general election in Armenia,” indicating that Azerbaijan and Turkey are doing everything possible to ensure that Prime Minister Pashinyan remains in power after the parliamentary election of June 7.

2.  Unusual Choice of PR Channel: Azerbaijan is paying millions of dollars to public relations and lobbying firms in Washington. Yet, strangely, this hit piece is being circulated to the U.S. media by a London-based firm rather than the ones in Washington to which Azerbaijan pays large sums each year to lobby and do PR. This appears to be a waste of money and a slap in the face to the PR firms hired by Azerbaijan in Washington.

3.  Sources ASC offered to Journalists: ASC offered the names of four individuals who would “be happy to share further materials and information”:

. An unnamed “senior staffer at the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe — a congressional commission.” The ANCA should determine if this individual is receiving payment from a foreign firm with Azeri ties, while working for Congress. If so, he should be fired.

. “Maria Karapetyan, Member of Parliament for Armenia’s Ruling Civil Contract party and a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations.” Maria should be questioned about her collaboration with a foreign lobbying firm against an Armenian organization, and possibly being compensated for it.

. “Nzhdeh Hovsepyan, a respected academic and historian, who can speak to the fraternity between ANCA and the pro-Moscow Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) party in Armenia, as well as links between the ARF and Russia itself.” He has listed several positions in the Pashinyan government on his LinkedIn page.

. “Garo Paylan, visiting scholar with the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, is available to speak off the record on Armenian politics, Russian interference operations, as well as ANCA’s affiliation with pro-Moscow actors.” Paylan, a former member of the Turkish Parliament, contradicted the ASC when he posted on X: “It has come to my attention that messages were sent to journalists on my behalf regarding Armenia that I did not authorize. I speak publicly and with reporters, and my views are well known.”

4.  Possible FARA violation: The ASC memo was sent to the American media by a UK, not U.S., PR firm, possibly intending to circumvent the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires U.S. firms working on behalf of foreign entities to register with the Dept. of Justice. This may constitute a violation of American law.

5.  ASC’s lack of response: I sent several emails to ASC last week asking the firm to provide, as it had promised in its memo, additional information on the ANCA. ASC did not respond. Such unprofessional behavior can only result in a PR firm doing negative PR against itself.

6.  Commercial ties to Azerbaijan: Apollo’s parent company, RSK Group, has a wholly owned company, “Azerbaijan Environment and Technology Centre Ltd (AETC),” with an in‑country office and project work in the Caspian region, demonstrating long‑standing commercial activity in Azerbaijan.

The ANCA should consider filing a lawsuit against ASC for making false and defamatory statements about the organization.

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2– Israel expands travel warnings to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

The National Security Council urges Israelis to avoid travel to three additional countries and warns of heightened

Iranian efforts to target Israelis and Jews abroad since the launch of Operation Roaring Lion 

Moran Azula, ynetnews.com

As the war with Iran enters its second week, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has expanded its travel warnings to additional countries, advising Israelis to avoid visiting Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The announcement follows earlier warnings urging Israelis to avoid travel to the United Arab Emirates and to refrain from nonessential stays in Egypt and Jordan.
The NSC said the new guidance comes amid growing concerns that terrorist groups may attempt to carry out attacks against Israelis abroad. At the start of Operation Roaring Lion, Israel’s campaign against Iran, the NSC warned Israelis to avoid travel to the United Arab Emirates due to concerns that terrorist organizations might attempt attacks targeting Israeli citizens.

“At present, the Israeli public staying in the UAE is advised, where possible, to return to Israel using commercial flights,” the NSC said at the time. “In addition, the NSC recommends avoiding travel to the UAE at this time and refraining from transit flights through the UAE to or from other destinations.”
Regarding Egypt and Jordan, the council said Israelis returning to Israel should do so only via flights landing in Taba, Aqaba or Amman, and not through other airports.
It also recommended that Israelis avoid remaining in Egypt or Jordan, where Level 4 travel warnings remain in effect, and instead travel directly from the airport to the nearest land border crossings with Israel.
Warning of Iranian attempts to target Israelis abroad
The NSC said Israelis abroad should remain especially vigilant amid concrete concerns that terrorist actors are attempting to harm Israelis overseas.
“Since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, an increased motivation and expansion of hostile terrorist activity and threats by Iranian security bodies against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide has been identified,” the statement said.
The council also warned of potential Iranian kinetic attacks in countries in the region and around Iran, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan.
Officials said there is growing concern that Israeli targets could be attacked, particularly in these areas.
In recent days, several attempted attacks against Israelis abroad were reportedly thwarted, according to the NSC.
Safety recommendations for Israelis abroad
Israeli authorities issued several guidelines for citizens traveling overseas.
These include avoiding transit flights through the United Arab Emirates, concealing visible Jewish or Israeli symbols in public spaces and exercising heightened caution in all destinations worldwide, particularly in countries surrounding Iran.
Israelis were also advised not to share personal information in real time on social media and to avoid visiting locations identified with Israeli or Jewish communities, such as Chabad centers and synagogues.

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3- Pashinyan faces unusual request from a woman

Panorama

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan faced an unusual request from a citizen during a meeting in Ashtarak, Aragatsotn Province, as part of his regional tour on Saturday.

A local woman told him she had three sons, the eldest aged 30, and asked whether the government had any programs to help young people get married. Pashinyan replied that no such initiative existed.

The woman then pointed out that Pashinyan himself has three daughters and asked if he might consider one of them for her son.

Pashinyan laughed off, saying: “I won’t, because they are mature people. It’s for them to make their own decisions.”

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4- Haifa Municipality restores damaged street sign marking Armenian Genocide Square

Siranush Ghazanchyan
Armradio.am
The Haifa Municipality has restored the damaged street sign marking Armenian Genocide Square in the city, Jerusalemite Armenian Kegham Balian informs.
The Armenian community of Haifa is considering installing cameras near the sign to help prevent such incidents in the future.
The cause of the damage remains unconfirmed. Some sources suggest vandalism; others suggest the sign was already in poor condition and may have been knocked over by wind.
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Armenian police barred Iranian protesters in Yerevan from
rallying near the Iranian Embassy on Sunday following the US and Israeli
strikes that killed top members of Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader
Ali Khamenei, as well as numerous civilians.

Around 30–40 demonstrators were detained and taken to the National Security Service or local police stations before being released on Sunday. The detentions occurred despite the protesters securing permission from Yerevan authorities to hold a rally near the embassy on Sunday afternoon.

Hosein Setoode, an Iranian protester, told OC Media that some participants had arrived at the location in advance to prepare for the demonstration, but later called him and advised him not to come, as police had not allowed them to proceed.

‘I asked why, they responded that they were not aware and that the police did not allow them to stay in the park [adjacent to the embassy]’, Setoode said.

According to him, as the group attempted to change locations, police intervened, and around 20 people were detained.

Later, as he headed toward the Yerevan Municipality building, he saw police blocking other protesters who were attempting to approach on foot.

After parking nearby and walking to assess the situation, he said a white Nissan Rogue stopped beside him, and two officers called him over. As he approached, additional police vehicles arrived, and he was taken to the criminal police station.

‘They very roughly and inhumanely detained us right near the municipality’, Setoode said, adding that the treatment was different at the police station, where they were told that the Iranian authorities were receiving condolences from people at the embassy.

‘They said to make a decision and do not go [near the embassy] for a few days until things calm down a bit, then apply again, obtain permission [for rallies]’, Setoode said.

Following the detentions, no further gatherings were held in the following days. Instead of protests, people left flowers and toys in memory of the victims, including children.

The Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor rights group strongly condemn[ed]’ the authorities’ actions, including the arrest and phone calls urging Iranians to appear before the police and the National Security Service (NSS).

The group also noted that for a ‘considerable period of time’, it had been receiving alerts from Iranians that their peaceful assemblies near the embassy were being hindered and Iranians were threatened ‘with deportation and extradition’.

‘We demand the immediate safeguarding of Iranian citizens’ right to peaceful assembly, [and] the immediate cessation of unlawful actions aimed at mass human rights violations’, the statement read.

Iranians in Armenia have been holding daily rallies near the embassy since January in support of widespread anti‑government protests which broke out in Iran starting in late December 2025. The brutal crackdown at the hands of Iranian authorities resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.

Amid those earlier protests, Iranians told OC Media that they faced various forms of pressure from the Armenian authorities, with some having been questioned by the NSS.

In the meantime, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami criticised the daily demonstrations, saying that they have continued despite Tehran’s protests.

In response, Yerevan said Armenia is a democratic country that ensures the right of free assembly, but reports of pressure on protesters have nonetheless continued.

Later in February, Shirgholami expressed gratitude to the Armenian authorities ‘for the steps taken to resolve the situation with the protests in front of the Iranian Embassy in Armenia’.
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6– 195 Armenians missing in 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War

Armenpress

One hundred ninety-five Armenians, mostly servicemembers, are still considered missing following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, also known as the 44-Day War, which was launched by Azerbaijan, according to Armenia’s Minister of Justice, Srbuhi Galyan.

“According to official data, we have 195 missing persons, of whom 175 are servicemembers and the others civilians,” Galyan said in parliament in response to a question from MP Garnik Danielyan (Hayastan faction).

Galyan also spoke about the DNA identification process of the remains.

She said that the remains of 75–80 deceased individuals have not been accepted by their next of kin, who argue that the identification was conducted inaccurately. However, Galyan underscored that qualified professionals conducted a double analysis and assured that the identification is accurate.
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7- Armenia Added To European List Of Journalist Jailers

  • Gayane Saribekian
Azatutyun.am 

A coalition of Western press freedom groups has for the first time included Armenia on its list of countries in wider Europe jailing journalists or other media figures.
As part of an annual report released on Tuesday, the Platform for the Safety of Journalists also blacklisted neighboring Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia as well Russia and Belarus. The platform consists of 15 watchdogs, including the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists and Paris-based Reporters Without Borders, cooperating with the Council of Europe.
“At the end of 2025, Armenia was recorded for the first time on the Platform with journalists or other media actors in detention, following the pre-trial detention of podcasters Vazgen Saghatelian and Narek Samsonian on hooliganism charges,” says its report.
Samsonian and Saghatelian are currently standing trial for verbally abusing parliament speaker Alen Simonian in response to his personal insults. Simonian branded the two outspoken men as “sons of a b*tch” when he commented on their seven-hour interview with former President Serzh Sarkisian broadcast live on YouTube in early November. They responded to him with offensive language.
Simonian demanded criminal proceedings against them on November 11. Two days later, officers of Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) demonstratively detained the two podcasters, searching their homes and their Imnemnimi podcast studio in the process. No action was taken against Simonian, who is a leading political ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian notorious for spitting at a heckler in Yerevan in 2023.
Both Saghatelian and Samsonian again pleaded not guilty to the hooliganism charge at the start of their trial in January. They said they are prosecuted for exercising their freedom of speech. Samsonian also went on hunger strike in protest against their detention.
He stopped refusing food two weeks later, after prison authorities reluctantly allowed him to undergo surgery at a Yerevan hospital of his choice. An Armenian appeals court moved him to house arrest on February 19. Saghatelian remains in jail.
Ashot Melikian, the chairman of the Yerevan-based Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech, described Armenia’s inclusion on the list of journalist jailers as a blow to its international reputation. He said it was an inevitable consequence of the “disproportionate measures” taken against the two pro-opposition podcasters.
“The mere fact that journalists are in prison is enough of a reason for serious [international] criticism,” Melikian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Dozens of other critics of Pashinian, including an opposition mayor and three archbishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, have also been prosecuted in recent months in what the Armenian opposition calls a pre-election government crackdown on dissent. The authorities deny that they are political prisoners.
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If you wish to read daily updated Armenian news and
commentary,
Please send me your email address: [email protected]
Website: TheCaliforniaCourier.com
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Armenia Proposes Key Amendments to Medicine Law: Aiming for Enhanced Regulation and Import Processes

David Nargizian
Feb 27 2024

In a significant move to overhaul the medical sector's regulatory framework, Armenia's Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan presented proposed amendments and additions to the country's 'On Medicine' law. The presentation, which took place in Yerevan on February 27, underscores a concerted effort to address critical issues related to medicine registration, clinical experiments, and the harmonization of import regulations that have emerged since the law's inception in 2016.

During the session, Minister Avanesyan outlined the primary challenges that have hindered the effective regulation of the medical sector. Among these, the ambiguity surrounding the organizations responsible for conducting examinations and professional observations stands out, leading to inefficiencies within the Armenian Health and Labor Inspection Body. The minister's critique extended to the current legislation's inability to provide clear definitions and authorizing norms, which are crucial for amending government decisions on matters such as parallel import permissions and import certification processes.

Feedback from importing companies played a pivotal role in shaping the legislative package, highlighting the necessity for reforms in the refusal system of permission for parallel imports. The proposed amendments aim not only to clarify the link to import certification processes but also to address broader aspects of the medical sector, including the regulation of clinical experiments, infrastructure for pathological anatomical dissections, import facilitation, and pricing policy. The comprehensive nature of the discussion, which also garnered the endorsement of the NA Standing Committee, reflects a broad consensus on the need for legislative improvements.

The proposed legislative package represents a critical step towards aligning Armenia's medical sector with international standards, ensuring a more effective and transparent regulatory environment. By addressing the identified shortcomings, the amendments hold the promise of significantly improving the medicine registration process, streamlining clinical experiments, and facilitating smoother import procedures. As these changes are debated and potentially implemented, the focus will undoubtedly remain on their impact on both the healthcare system and the broader public health landscape in Armenia.

For more information on the proposed amendments and the session in Yerevan, visit Armenpress and the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

https://bnnbreaking.com/politics/armenia-proposes-key-amendments-to-medicine-law-aiming-for-enhanced-regulation-and-import-processes

Macron announces new coalition to send Ukraine medium- and long-range missiles

David Nargizian

 11:51,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Feb. 26 that a new coalition will work to supply Ukraine with medium- and long-range missiles and bombs, Le Monde reports.

After a summit on Ukraine held in Paris, President Macron said at a press conference that France and other allies of Ukraine will “create a coalition for deep strikes and therefore medium- and long-range missiles and bombs.”

Ukraine has long appealed to allies for long-range weapons, but fears of escalation with Moscow have prevented Western partners from readily transferring the weapons, according to Kyiv Independent.

France has already supplied Ukraine with long-range SCALP missiles that can travel up to 250 kilometers.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said on Feb. 24, two years after Russia launched military operations in Ukraine, that Kyiv will not use long-range missile systems to strike targets in Russia.

Azerbaijan acquires JF-17s from Pakistan; Armenia boosts defense with Indian Akash missiles in fresh tensions

David Nargizian
Feb 22 2024

In a concerning development, Azerbaijan has finalized the acquisition of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan. This move has triggered a response from Armenia, which is enhancing its defense capabilities by procuring Akash Surface-to-Air missiles from India.

Sanjana Santhosh
First Published Feb 22, 2024, 7:17 PM IST

The tensions in the Mediterranean Sea region have started simmering once again as Azerbaijan is preparing a military operation against Armenia for a land grab. The Mediterranean neighbors have complex relations due to disputes in territorial claims on each other's side. Both countries have moved to bolster their defense before the conflict takes the shape of another war.

Azerbaijan, a key ally of Pakistan has been mulling to purchase JF-17s fighter jets to bolster its air force. According to a report from AzerNews, Pakistan and Azerbaijan have signed a $1.6 billion deal for JF-17 block III fighter jets. The export deal is the biggest one in the history of Pakistan.

The news comes as a welcoming development for Pakistan which hardly exports to other countries and is going through a financial crisis. The jets are likely to be made in the Aircraft Rebuild Factory (ARF) in Kamra by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).

Armenia has also made its move to bolster its skies from the Azerbaijan fighter jets. The Mediterranean nation signed a historic deal worth ₹6,000 crore ($820 million) for India's Akash Surface to Air missile system. The deal was reported in December 2023 and the delivery will commence soon by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

India and Armenian relations have grown significantly after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2020. India has been supplying Air defense systems to Armenia which has facilitated restrainment from the Azerbaijan side. The tensions are simmering once again after Armenia claimed that Azerbaijan is preparing another ground assault.

https://newsable.asianetnews.com/world/azerbaijan-acquires-jf-17s-from-pakistan-armenia-boosts-defense-with-indian-akash-missiles-in-fresh-tensions-avv-s99fmv

Border delimitation with Azerbaijan must be conducted exclusively with topographic maps – Deputy PM

David Nargizian

 16:11,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. The delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan must be done exclusively through topographic maps, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan has said.

He said that only the topographic “professional maps” should be used in the process. Furthermore, Grigoryan said that the delimitation process doesn’t simply involve working with maps. “First of all, the delimitation process is about identifying the legal basis on which any given map was drawn. Moreover, not every agency is authorized, or was authorized during the Soviet Union to draw or print a map. All these nuances are highly important and must be addressed during the work,” Grigoryan said.

He said that there’s no agreement yet on the timeframe of the next meeting on border delimitation.

The situation around the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem was discussed.

David Nargizian
Feb 18 2024
18 February, 19:10

On February 18, RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Ayman al-Safadi, within the framework of the Munich Security Forum.

During the meeting, reference was made to the activation of high-level political dialogue, mutual visits, and further expansion of intensive cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Exchanges and additional opportunities in the field of education were noted with satisfaction.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Jordan exchanged ideas on regional issues. Ararat Mirzoyan presented RA approaches to critical problems regulating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

At the meeting, reference was made to the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem.

Iran urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to exercise restraint amid border tensions

David Nargizian
PRESS TV, Iran
Feb 13 2024
Tuesday, 13 February 2024 4:45 PM  [ Last Update: Tuesday, 13 February 2024 4:48 PM ]


Iran has voiced concern over the escalation of border tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, urging the two neighbors to exercise restraint.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan’ani expressed Tehran’s concern during a news briefing on Tuesday, following the border conflict earlier in the day which resulted in the death of four Armenian soldiers.  

Kan’ani called for a peaceful solution – through diplomacy – to the dispute between the two sides. The Iranian official said to that end, it was necessary to speed up the conclusion of a peace agreement between the two countries.

Armenia and Azerbaijan traded blame in the wake of new clashes.

The Armenian Defense Ministry said “four people were killed and one injured as a result of fire on Armenian positions from Azerbaijani troops.”

But Azerbaijan’s border guards said this was a “riposte” to a “provocation” Armenian troops committed on Monday, which, according to Baku, left one Azerbaijani soldier injured.

Armenia says 4 soldiers killed in border clashes with Azerbaijan

Armenia and Azerbaijan have traded blame on fire fight that erupted along the volatile border between the two arch-foes, with Yerevan saying four of its soldiers were killed in the southern region of Siunik.

Azerbaijan’s defense ministry also said Armenian forces had opened fire twice late Monday at positions on Kokhanabi village in the Tovuz region. Yerevan denied the allegation, saying the claim “does not align with reality.”

Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the center of a dispute between Baku and Yerevan for more than three decades.

Since gaining independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, the two neighboring countries have fought two wars, in 1994 and 2020, over the mountainous territory.

Karabakh, while acknowledged as a part of Azerbaijan by the international community, has a predominantly Armenian population that has persistently opposed Azerbaijani governance since a separatist war in 1994.

Last year, Azerbaijan recaptured Karabakh in a lightning offensive that prompted an exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians.

The latest border skirmish was the first fatal incident since the two sides began negotiating a treaty in 2023 to formally end the conflict.