Author: Edgar Tavakalian

 

 

 

“The only fact of Aliyev saying that the meeting with Armenian President was formal is enough to show Azerbaijan’s position on the negotiations,” Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan told reporters after the government sitting today.

“This is enough to understand the stance of the Azerbaijani leadership on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the principles of conflict settlement. Definitely, this is the reason why there has been no progress in the settlement,” Kocharyan said.

According to him, progress in the approaches of the parties is important for achieving progress in the negotiations. “Of course, the Co-Chairs try to organize meetings as frequently as possible, but there can be no progress, if Azerbaijan continues to describe them as formal,” he added.

The Deputy FM said discussions in Bern were focused on the need to implement a mechanism of investigation of borer incidents, as installation of corresponding equipment.

“Although Azerbaijan rejects the proposal, this shows that the mediators are worried and are seeking new ways of settlement,” Shavarsh Kocharyan noted.

The Deputy Foreign Minister made it clear that should these attempts fail, there will be two options left –either imposing peace on Azerbaijan or recognizing the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Today, President of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief Serzh Sargsyan held consultations at the Ministry of Defense. Present at the consultations held at the administrative complex of the Ministry were the Prime Minister, Ministers of Defense and Finance, other officials, as well as the senior staff of the Ministry and commanding officers of the RA Armed Forces. The participants of the consultations summarized the results of the Defense Strategic Review process carried out in 2014-2015. In the framework of the agenda, discussed were plans for the development of the Armed Forces in 2016-2020, as well as the state program on the Development of arms and military equipment.

At the meeting presented were possible modes and means to conduct warfare, the commanding structure of the Armed Forces and main areas of its development, and the works aimed at the continuous augmentation of the Armed Forces with modern weaponry and defense technology. Reference was made to the results of the implementation of the previous 2011-2015 state program, for the Development of arms and military equipment, and it was noted that the plan was carried out in its entirety.

The President of Armenia underscored that along with the process of equipping the Armenian army with supermodern technologies, it is necessary to pay due attention to a continuous improvement of the professional skills for their proper use. President Sargsyan issued instructions related to the implementation of the results of the Defense Strategic Review, setting deadlines and procedure for reporting on the execution of the main guiding documents.

The leadership of the Ministry of Defense assured the President of Armenia that the execution of the development plan and arms program, as well as the adoption in the Armed Forces of new approaches and principles will allow to significantly increase the combat readiness of the Army, provide for the advancement in line with the modern standards, and will allow to continue to ensure the infallible defense of Armenia and Artsakh.

The State Department has officially welcomed proposals by U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY) and more than 80 of their House colleagues to check Azerbaijan’s escalating aggression, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The Department’s support for the Royce-Engel peace proposals comes during a year that has already seen 40 Armenians killed by the Azerbaijani military — 4 just last week. On Tuesday, Azerbaijani Minister of Defense, Zakir Hasanov, publicly pledged renewed anti-Armenian aggression, stating “we are going to inflict even more devastating attacks.”

In the November 12th State Department response to the Royce-Engel letter, a copy of which has been shared with the ANCA, Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Julia Frifield explained: “The United States supports proposals to withdraw snipers, expand OSCE’s role via an OSCE investigation mechanism and deploy sensors along the line of contact and the Armenia-Azerbaijan international border. […] Without a mechanism to verify ceasefire allegations, or sensors to pinpoint the location of gunfire, it is difficult for the Co-chairs to make specific accusations against one side’s use of force.”

Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic have agreed to all three provisions advanced in the Royce-Engel letter. The Obama Administration and the OSCE also support these initiatives. Only Azerbaijan opposes their implementation.

At the December 9 Capitol Hill celebration of Karabakh freedom last week, Chairman Royce condemned Azerbaijan’s attacks and urged concrete international action to ramp down regional violence.

“Why are the snipers not pulled back? […] Why have we not deployed those special [gun fire] direction finders?” asked Chairman Royce, citing reports of unprecedented Azerbaijani tank fired shelling and high-powered rifle fire, which claimed the life of 24-year-old Garik Gurgen Avanesyan earlier that day.

Chairman Royce then announced a special Congressional briefing with U.S. Ambassador James Warlick – the State Department official responsible for the Nagorno Karabakh peace talks – to get concrete answers to his concerns.

Chairman Royce concluded his remarks, noting “I retain hope that one day the people of Nagorno Karabakh will be able to live in peace, enjoying security and a flourishing trade with its neighbors in the region, and I give thanks to those of you here who are committed to that peace and who are committed to stay engaged to see that that happens.”

“We join with Chairman Royce in welcoming the Department of State’s willingness to go on the record in support of the Royce-Engel peace proposals, and echo his urgent call for immediate action by the Obama Administration to implement these life-saving initiatives – even over the objections of the Azerbaijani government,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Words alone won’t save lives. The United States and our international partners need to demand accountability and hold Azerbaijan responsible for its aggression.”

Armenia, the first Christian nation in the world, could be a good holiday destination this winter for those who want to savor the old world charm along with modernity, the writes.

“Tucked away in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, this mountainous country is eagerly waiting to welcome you with its rich platter of heritage, culture, hospitality, breathtaking landscapes and feel-at-home ambience. From Mt Ararat (the traditional site of landing of Noah’s Arc which is now in Turkey) to the world’s largest mountain lake (Sevan), Armenia promises a thrilling and wholesome vacation,” the author writes.

Armenia’s culture trek will be a journey from the Khor Virap monastery in the Ararat plain where St Gregory, the Illuminator, was imprisoned for 14 years by Armenian King Tiridates III, a pagan. A 40-minute drive from Yerevan will lead to this historical place overlooking Mt Ararat. Later, St Gregory became the king’s mentor and they led proselytizing activity in the country. The place could be the first port of call in Yerevan for visitors.

The next day, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, founded by Gregory the Illuminator, could be on the top of the tour list. Considered the oldest cathedral in the world, this structure replaced a pre-existing temple, symbolizing the conversion of paganism to Christianity. The cathedral in Vagharsapat city was listed as a World Heritage Site by the Unesco in 2000.

Etchmiadzin is the seat of the Catholicos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The altar is built over an ancient pagan fire worshipping pit. The surrounding grounds have gardens and khachkars (cross stones). There is a bookstore inside the compound selling gifts, crosses and jewelry.

Capital Yerevan or Erebuni, has a lot to offer to tourists. From the dancing fountains at the Republic Square, The State Opera House to the Cascade Complex, visitors are spoilt for choice. A walk around the capital at night is an absolute delight. After a hard day’s work, people from all walks of life hang out at the Republic Square to see the colorful fountains.

For shoppers, a visit to the open-air ‘Vernissage’ market is a must. From vintage meat, old guns, knives, semi-precious stones, jewelry, traditional carpets, medallions to pets, it is an amazing place, which was set up by Armenian artists in the Eighties to display their works. Buyers should have adequate bargaining skills and prices can come down dramatically.

A must visit is Garni, the only pagan temple in the country believed to be built by King Tiridates 1 in the first century AD for sun god Mihr. It was converted into a royal summer house for the sister of Tiridates 3 after Armenia converted to Christianity. It was destroyed in an earthquake in 1679 and was reconstructed later. The temple boasts 24 columns resting on an elevated podium, and unlike other Greco-Roman temples, it is made of basalt.

A trip to this country is incomplete without a visit to the genocide memorial. Genocide is not just any term for Armenians, it is what defines the country and stirs emotions. It is estimated that 1.5 million people lost their lives in the Ottoman government’s systematic extermination of Armenians inside their historic homeland, which lies within the territory constituting the present-day Republic of Turkey. However, Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire, denies it.

The photographs and accounts of survivors at the memorial hark back to the country’s dark past. A melancholic tune is played at the place all the time in memory of those who lost their lives.

Real Madrid have taken their appeal against expulsion from this season’s Copa del Rey to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), the BBC reports.

Real Madrid claimed the winger was not personally told that he was suspended.

Osasuna were thrown out of last season’s draw for a similar offence.

Real’s initial appeal to the Spanish football association was rejected and after they had been thrown out of the competition, Real Madrid said they were sure “the final resolution will be favourable to the club”.

They had still been advertising tickets to the return leg in the run-up to their appeal hearing.

The Russian energy giant Gazprom is in talks with Iran over gas exchange operations for gas supplies to Armenia, CEO Alexey Miller said, Sputnik News reports.

On Tuesday, Miller met Georgian Energy Minister Kakhaber Kaladze for negotiations.

“Yes, we did discuss this issue, currently we are working on the issues of exchange operations with our Iranian colleagues,” Miller said, when answering a question whether he and Kaladze discussed supplies of gas to Armenia from Iran.

At the moment, the Russian gas is supplied to Armenia via Georgia.

In November, Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh said Tehran was already in talks with Moscow on oil and gas swaps agreement.

President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan participated in the Constitutional Referendum.

They cast their votes at polling station 9/11 stationed at Yerevan school #24 after S. Spandaryan.

President Sargsayn did not respond to the journalists’ questions. “I’ll answer all questions only after the voting,” he said.

Photo:  ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Rogulin

 

Russia has begun the supplies of S-300 air defense systems to Iran, Russian presidential aide for military-technical cooperation Vladimir Kozhin has told .

“The contract is in action. They’ve begun,” Kozhin said in reply to a question.

Iranian ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanai late last month said his country had received the first S-300 systems.

The head of the Rostec corporation (to which the Rosoboronexport company is affiliated) Sergey Chemezov said earlier the new contract for selling S-300 to Iran had taken effect at the beginning of November. The contract was concluded after Russian President Vladimir Putin had lifted the ban from selling this air defense system to Iran. Iran will get the S-300PMU-2 configuration.

Russia and Iran signed a contract in 2007 for the supply of five S-300PMU-1 battalions but in the autumn of 2010 then-President Dmitry Medvedev banned the supply of these systems to Tehran. The contract worth more than $800 million was annulled and the paid advance was returned to Iran.

Iran filed an almost $4 billion lawsuit against Russia at the Geneva Court of Arbitration over Russia’s nonfulfillment of the contract.

In the spring of 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on the supply of S-300 systems to Tehran.

There is no official information yet which modification of S-300 Iran plans to obtain: S-300PMU-1, which has been discontinued but may be specially produced for the Iranian side, or S-300VM.

Photo: Reuters

 

The Turkish army has suspended flights over Syria as part of an ongoing joint military campaign with the United States against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) after it shot down a Russian jetfighter, sparking an unprecedented crisis between Ankara and Moscow, the reports.

The decision was taken following the eruption of the crisis with Russia in which a Turkish F-16 downed a Russian warplane early Nov. 24 after it allegedly violated Turkish airspace, according to diplomatic sources.

Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, stressed that the suspension of the Turkish jetfighters’ participation in the U.S.-led military operations against ISIL was in fact a mutual decision taken with Russia, which also halted its aerial campaigns near the Turkish border. Both parties will continue to be as careful as possible in a bid to avoid a repetition of such incidents until they re-establish dialogue channels to reduce the tension.

Turkish and Russian military officials held initial talks on the incident on Nov. 25 as the office of the Chief of General Staff invited defense and military attachés from theRussian Embassy to military headquarters to inform them about how the incident took place.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu proposed to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, a meeting on Dec. 3 or 4 in Belgrade on the sidelines of an international conference. However, the Russian side has not yet confirmed that the meeting will take place.