Author: Ekmekjian Janet

Nagorno-Karabah, routes with Turkey, Russia, Iran reopen

Ekmekjian Janet
Asia News, Italy
Jan 14 2021
 
by Vladimir Rozanskij
 
 
Thanks to Putin’s mediation, prospects for the region’s economic revival are reopening. Russian soldiers to de-mine the territories and the rebuild the interrupted routes. Pašinyan did not obtain the return of prisoners. Internal opposition is growing.
 
Moscow (AsiaNews) – The corridors that allow transport between Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, …) will soon be reopened. This was assured by Russian President Vladimir Putin after 4 hours of discussion with Armenian Nikol Pašinyan (photo 2) and Azerbaijani Ilham Aliev (photo 3).
 
The negotiations, held on 11 January, failed to resolve all of the problems inherent to the conflict, but have presented some prospects for the region’s economic revival. Battered by armed clashes in recent months, its peace is for now guaranteed by Russian and Turkish “peacemakers”.
 
Putin has guaranteed that the transport corridors will be reopened thanks to the work of Russian soldiers who will de-mine the territories and rebuild the interrupted passages.
 
The two leaders in conflict listened to the Russian president with expressions far from conciliatory: Aliev was very cold and Pašinyan extremely nervous (his arrival was in question until the last moment); then there was a lack of the Turkish “guest of weight”, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who in recent speeches insisted on the need for Turkey to participate in all post-war processes in the region.
 
Putin seems to want to impose the exclusive tripartite format of the negotiations, while Aliev has continually talked about the “interests of our neighbouring countries”. With the reopening of transport, Azerbaijan obtains the reestablishment of direct contact (especially rail) with the Nakhichevan region (Azerbaijani area in Armenian territory) and with Turkey itself.
 
In turn, Prime Minister Pašinyan insisted on Armenian opposition to the status of Nagorno Karabakh and on the issue of the exchange of prisoners. However, he substantially agreed on the economic agreements proposed by Putin, which also reopen the links between Russia and Iran, and “can lead to more effective guarantees of security”.
 
The leader of the opposition in Pašinyan, head of the “Movement for the Salvation of the Fatherland” Vazken Manukyan, intervened yesterday against the negotiations. In harsh terms, he said that the Moscow meeting marks a new humiliation for Armenia, which has not obtained the return of prisoners and has complied with all of Aliev’s requests. Manukyan again called for the resignation of Pašinyan, “who is unable to defend the interests of our country”.
 
In Georgia too, reactions to the agreement have been rather negative, as the proposals of the Putin-Aliev-Pašinyan trio reduce the role of Tbilisi to a simple transit area for communications between the north and south of the Caucasus, without being able to intervene in the economic mechanisms.
 
Convoys to Baku and Ankara will now pass through Nakhichevan, excluding Georgia, which also maintains a strategic role in the transport of gas and oil. However, the Georgian political scene is blocked by the discussion on yet another withdrawal from politics of billionaire Bidzina Ivanišvili (photo 4), founder and leader of the ruling party, the “Georgian Dream”.
 

Nagorno-Karabakh resident dies in landmine explosion

Ekmekjian Janet
TASS, Russia
Jan 13 2021
 
 
 
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, by January 11, Russian peacekeepers cleared about 479 hectares and defused over 23,000 explosives 
 
 
YEREVAN, January 13. /TASS/. An excavator operator from the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Martakert died in a landmine explosion, the regional Investigative Committee reported Wednesday.
 
“According to the preliminary information, a Martakert resident died in a landmine explosion while operating an excavator during earthwork. He died immediately,” the announcement says.
 
Russian peacekeepers, deployed under the trilateral agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, perform 24/7 monitoring of the situation in the region and compliance with the ceasefire regime. Besides, they also perform mine clearance operations. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, by January 11, Russian peacekeepers cleared about 479 hectares and defused over 23,000 explosives.
 
Apart from the peacekeepers, explosives specialists from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations work on mine clearance as well. According to the Ministry, its specialists have surveyed over 65 hectares, discovering over 13,500 explosives, and defused some 65 explosives near the settlement of Afatli, currently under Azerbaijani control.
 

6 Christian Sites Armenia Fears It Has Lost to Azerbaijan

Ekmekjian Janet
Christianity Today
Jan 5 2021
Photo gallery captures cultural heritage that concerns Armenians most after ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Christina Maranci|January 5, 2021

In less than seven weeks of war last fall, fighting over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, known to Armenians as Artsakh, cost thousands of lives and created tens of thousands of refugees.

It also left a wealth of Christian monuments in the balance.

Below, a photo slideshow of the six sites most at risk as their final status and access is still being negotiated. But first, a summary of why Armenians fear the fate of their heritage.

The mountainous region, smaller than the state of Delaware, has historically been home to a majority Armenian population. During the Soviet Union, it had been given special status as an “autonomous oblast”—a semi-independent region—placed within the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan.

Putting an Armenian Christian region within the borders of an Azeri Muslim country was no accident. It was part of Josef Stalin’s “divide and conquer” strategy in the 1920s, deliberately drawing Soviet borders that would foment ethnic tension and make smaller republics easier to control. The Armenians, who were the first to declare Christianity as their national religion in 301 A.D., had a heritage of ancient churches, monasteries, and cross-stones dotting the landscape of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In 1991, just before the Soviet Union collapsed, the majority Armenian population of the region voted for independence and declared their own independent state. It accelerated violent tensions with their Azeri neighbors, resulting in an all-out war from 1992 to 1994. Scores were killed on both sides. Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis were displaced from their homes in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. The two peoples, many of them longtime neighbors and friends, no longer trusted each other enough for peaceful coexistence.

On November 10, 2020, the two sides arrived at a ceasefire which split Nagorno-Karabakh into two territories: one controlled by Azerbaijan, the other controlled by ethnic Armenians. Alongside the devastating toll of human life and personal loss, it left panicked Armenians wondering:

What will happen to the churches now left on the Azeri side?

Given the long history of vandalism and destruction of Armenian churches within Azerbaijan and Turkey, many scholars, historians, and clergy have raised alarm over heritage protection. The coming months and years will determine whether these churches remain intact, after centuries of worship by Armenian faithful.

Here are six sacred sites, located in territories now given to Azerbaijan, that concern Armenian Christians most:

Location: Martakert/Aghdara [in Armenian/in Azeri]

This ancient monastery was built in the fourth century. The complex comprises the church, seven chapels, a cemetery, and ruins of other buildings. The location is almost inaccessible over the hilly terrain, but the view is breathtaking.

Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

St. Yeghishe Arakyal Monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh


Location: Togh/Tugh

The ancient church of Ktchavank, from between the ninth and 10th centuries, was one of the large spiritual centers of eastern Armenia. Located at the foot of Mount Toghasar, near the ancient residence of Arstakh princes, the church bears a close resemblance to the architectural style of Ani, the capital city of Bagratid, Armenia.

View Larger
Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Ktich Monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh


Location: Shushi/Shusha

Commonly known as Kanach Jam (“Green Dome”) and built in 1818 on the site of a wooden church, its interior is a graceful, unified, and light-filled space dominated by a dome on pendentives (triangular construction devices that allow round domes to soar over square rooms). Over the entrance to the chapel is an inscription from 1847: “Babayan Stepanos Hovhannes. In the memory of his deceased brother Mkrtych.”

Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Kanach Jam in Nagorno-Karabakh


Location: Shushi/Shusha

Completed in 1887 and known as Ghazanchetsots in honor of the people who built it, this cathedral is considered a modern architectural masterpiece. Missile fire pierced its rooftop during the first two weeks of fighting during the 2020 war. Sheathed in stone, capped with tall umbrella roofs, and ornamented with crosses, angels, and other sculptures, it is a beautifully coherent synthesis of age-old Armenian building traditions. Rising some 115 feet from its base to the tip of its cupola, it is also one of the largest Armenian churches constructed in the world.

View Larger
Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Ghazanchetsots in Nagorno-Karabakh


Location: Berdzor/Lachin

Dating from the fifth or sixth century, this church in the province of Lachin is an extraordinary example of an intact Early Christian basilica. The inscriptions found around the church—bearing the names of parents, children, and other individuals patrons—chronicle a veritable history book of the region. A khachkar (cross-stone) from before the 10th century has an Armenian inscription asking Christ to “Remember the prayers of your servant, the undeserving Grigor, for his beloved brother Azat.”

Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Tzitzernavank Church in Nagorno-Karabakh

Location: Karvarjar/Kalbajar

Also known as Khutavank—the “monastery on the hill”—this is the burial site of Saint Dadi, one of the disciples of Thaddeus, who together with Bartholomew evangelized in Armenia during the first century. The constructions at the site date from the ninth to 13th centuries and are not only important examples of medieval architecture but also preserve more than 100 Armenian inscriptions, as well as bas-relief sculptures and frescoes. The monastic complex is extensive, one of the largest known from medieval Armenia.

View Larger
Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Dadivank Monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh


Location: Togh/Tugh

The ancient church of Ktchavank, from between the ninth and 10th centuries, was one of the large spiritual centers of eastern Armenia. Located at the foot of Mount Toghasar, near the ancient residence of Arstakh princes, the church bears a close resemblance to the architectural style of Ani, the capital city of Bagratid, Armenia.

Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Ktich Monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh

Location: Shushi/Shusha

Commonly known as Kanach Jam (“Green Dome”) and built in 1818 on the site of a wooden church, its interior is a graceful, unified, and light-filled space dominated by a dome on pendentives (triangular construction devices that allow round domes to soar over square rooms). Over the entrance to the chapel is an inscription from 1847: “Babayan Stepanos Hovhannes. In the memory of his deceased brother Mkrtych.”

Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Kanach Jam in Nagorno-Karabakh

Location: Shushi/Shusha

Completed in 1887 and known as Ghazanchetsots in honor of the people who built it, this cathedral is considered a modern architectural masterpiece. Missile fire pierced its rooftop during the first two weeks of fighting during the 2020 war. Sheathed in stone, capped with tall umbrella roofs, and ornamented with crosses, angels, and other sculptures, it is a beautifully coherent synthesis of age-old Armenian building traditions. Rising some 115 feet from its base to the tip of its cupola, it is also one of the largest Armenian churches constructed in the world.

Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Ghazanchetsots in Nagorno-Karabakh

Location: Berdzor/Lachin

Dating from the fifth or sixth century, this church in the province of Lachin is an extraordinary example of an intact Early Christian basilica. The inscriptions found around the church—bearing the names of parents, children, and other individuals patrons—chronicle a veritable history book of the region. A khachkar (cross-stone) from before the 10th century has an Armenian inscription asking Christ to “Remember the prayers of your servant, the undeserving Grigor, for his beloved brother Azat.”

Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Tzitzernavank Church in Nagorno-Karabakh

Location: Karvarjar/Kalbajar

Also known as Khutavank—the “monastery on the hill”—this is the burial site of Saint Dadi, one of the disciples of Thaddeus, who together with Bartholomew evangelized in Armenia during the first century. The constructions at the site date from the ninth to 13th centuries and are not only important examples of medieval architecture but also preserve more than 100 Armenian inscriptions, as well as bas-relief sculptures and frescoes. The monastic complex is extensive, one of the largest known from medieval Armenia.

View Larger
Image: Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

Dadivank Monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh

Christina Maranci is professor of Armenian Art and Architecture at Tufts University.

CT’s previous coverage of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be found here.

Christina Maranci is professor of Armenian Art and Architecture at Tufts University.

CT’s previous coverage of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be found here.

PM spokesperson: Armenia interested in possibility of transferring Armenian cargo to Russia, Iran via Azerbaijan

Ekmekjian Janet
News.am, Armenia
Jan 7 2021
 
 
16:53, 07.01.2021
 
Mane Gevorgyan, spokesperson of the Armenian prime minister, has commented—in response to Armenpress inquiry—on the statement made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev who, citing the joint statement that was signed on November 10, has noted that the “Nakhchivan corridor” will open soon.
 
“Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly drawn the attention to the fact that there is no talk about a corridor connecting Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan in the November 10 statement. Point 9 of the statement is about unblocking the transportation and economic infrastructure of the region and, in this context, also about establishing a transport connection between the eastern part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
 
Armenia, of course, is interested in the possibility of transporting Armenian cargo through the territory of Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran and the opposite direction. We are interested in the possibility of the transfer of the Armenian cargo through road and railway transportation to the Russian Federation, whereas to the Islamic Republic of Iran—especially through railway transportation. In this context, Armenia, naturally, is ready to ensure communication between the eastern part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
 
However, the complete discussion of all these issues would be difficult without the complete fulfillment of the November 10 joint statement’s point 8, which envisages exchange of captives, hostages, other detained persons, and the bodies of the dead. The Armenian side attaches importance also to expanding the scale of ongoing search and rescue operations in the battle zone. The recent statements made by Azerbaijan on this topic are puzzling, and they question Baku’s commitment to implement the agreements of the November 10 statement. There are still Armenian captives in Baku, there are numerous evidences on cruel and humiliating treatment toward them. There is evidence on executions of the captives, and all this evidence must be investigated in detail, including in the international platforms.
 
At the same time, the anti-Armenian propaganda of the past decade still continues in Azerbaijan. In order to establish stability and peace in the region, it is necessary to put an end to the provocative actions and statements,” stated the Armenian PM’s spokesperson.
 
 
 
 
 

Armenia, Artsakh FMs stress the need for immediate withdrawal of terrorist fighters from Karabakh conflict zone

Ekmekjian Janet
Public Radio of Armenia

Jan 5 2021

On a working visit to Artsakh, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian had a meeting with Artsakh’s Foreign Minister Davit Babayan.

During the meeting the foreign ministers discussed the situation in Artsakh and the conflict zone created as a result of the September 27 armed aggression of Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey and the involvement of foreign terrorist fighters as well as diplomatic means to overcome it.

In this context, David Babayan noted that international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh, expansion of its international cooperation and peaceful, political settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship based on the recognition of Artsakh people’s right to self-determination remained a priority for the foreign policy of the Republic of Artsakh.

David Babayan also stressed the need to end the military occupation of a large part of Artsakh’s territory by the Azerbaijani armed forces, to restore the territorial integrity of the republic, and to create conditions for the return of the displaced population of Artsakh to their homes.

The ministers also exchanged views on the measures taken to overcome the humanitarian crisis created by the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression and noted the need for the involvement of specialized international organizations to ensure comprehensive solutions. In this context, the interlocutors emphasized the need to recover the bodies from the territories under the control of Azerbaijan, and the early release of prisoners of war and hostages without preconditions, which is a requirement of international humanitarian law and stems from the obligations assumed by the Azerbaijani side in the statement signed on November 9.

The need for the immediate withdrawal of foreign terrorist fighters from the conflict zone was also emphasized.

During the meeting, the foreign ministers signed a plan of consultations for 2021 between the Foreign Ministries of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh.

Further, the meeting continued in an expanded format with the participation of the senior staff of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh, during which a wide range of issues related to the interaction of the relevant departments of the two ministries was discussed.


Armenian Ombudsman says Azerbaijan violating provisions of trilateral statement

Ekmekjian Janet
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 2 2021

Armenia’s Human Rights Definer Arman Tatoyan has called for immediate release of Armenian citizens held in Azerbaijani captivity.

The statement comes in the wake of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s speech, in which he stated that the Armenian servicemen held in captivity are not prisoners of war and described them as “terrorists.”

“As the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, I specifically declare that the mentioned statement and other similar statements are in gross violation of the post-war humanitarian process and the international human rights protection standards,” Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan said.

he added that the statement by the President of Azerbaijan also directly contradicts the requirement reflected in point 8 of the trilateral statement signed on November 9, 2020 which refers to the exchange of prisoners of war or persons who are in other way deprived of liberty.

“The Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijani soldiers should be immediately released and returned to Armenia. This must be done immediately and without any precondition since they have the status of prisoners of war,” Tatoyan said.

“During and after the war, the Azerbaijani authorities have constantly violated international human rights standards and humanitarian commitments by artificially delaying the return of prisoners of war and captives and not reporting the real number of prisoners of war and captives,” the Human Rights Defender said, adding that during this whole process Azerbaijani authorities have continued torture and inhuman treatment, have been publishing videos on torture and inhuman treatment in a targeted way, obstructing exchange of bodies, etc.

The studies and reports of the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia confirm that the aim of all these is to cause mental suffering to the families of the prisoners of war, to play with emotions of the Armenian society and generate tension in Armenia, he said.

“The monitoring clearly confirms that, in the case of the Azerbaijani authorities, it is necessary to always act with specific guarantees that will ensure full implementation of their humanitarian commitments and inviolability of international human rights standards,” Arman Tatoyan said.

He drew the attention of international community and particularly international bodies with human rights protection mandate to the mentioned statement of the President of Azerbaijan to exclude any violation of the humanitarian process and ensure strict compliance of the process with international human rights standards.


Aliyev Calls Armenian POWs ‘Terrorists’; Human Rights Defender Urges their Return to Armenia

Ekmekjian Janet

January 2,  2020



Artsakh soldiers on the battlefield

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan issued an announcement in response to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev who, in a statement, called captive Armenian soldiers “terrorists.” Tatoyan said that all captives must be returned to Armenia.

“On December 31, 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, when speaking about Armenian servicemen being held in captivity in his country, stated that they are not prisoners of war. He also stated that they have been arrested and are categorized as terrorists,” Tatoyan said.

Below are excerpts from Tatoyan’s statement.
As the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, I specifically declare that the mentioned statement and other similar statements are in gross violation of the post-war humanitarian process and the international human rights protection standards. The statement by the President of Azerbaijan also directly contradicts the requirement reflected in point 8 of the trilateral statement signed on November 9, 2020 which concerns the exchange of prisoners of war or persons who are in other way deprived of liberty.

The Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijani soldiers should be immediately released and returned to Armenia. This must be done immediately and without any precondition since they have the status of prisoners of war.

During and after the war activities, the Azerbaijani authorities have constantly violated international human rights standards and humanitarian commitments by artificially delaying the return of prisoners of war and captives and not reporting the real number of prisoners of war and captives, during this whole process Azerbaijani authorities have continued torture and inhuman treatment, they have been publicizing videos on torture and inhuman treatment in a targeted way, obstructing exchange of bodies, etc.

The studies and reports of the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia confirm that the aim of all these is to cause mental suffering to the families of the prisoners of war, to play with emotions of the Armenian society and generate tension in Armenia.

The monitoring clearly confirms that, in the case of the Azerbaijani authorities, it is necessary to always act with specific guarantees that will ensure full implementation of their humanitarian commitments and inviolability of international human rights standards.

Thus, I draw the attention of international community and particularly international bodies with human rights protection mandate to the mentioned statement of the President of Azerbaijan to exclude any violation of the humanitarian process and ensure strict compliance of the process with international human rights standards.

EU delegation makes all possible efforts to assist Armenia – EU Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin

Ekmekjian Janet

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 20:55,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The EU Delegation to Armenia makes all possible efforts to support Armenia in this difficult situation, ARMENPRESS reports head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin said in her New Year’s message.

”We are all approaching the festive period, when we would normally gather with our loved ones, eat delicious food, exchange presents and visit our family and friends.

I believe this time the celebrations will be very different. We are ending this year facing tragic events that affected Armenia and its people very harshly.

Lives, health, economic security were lost during the COVID pandemic that marked the beginning of this year. Lives, health and sense of stability were lost in the Nagorno Karabakh war. My heart is full of sorrow and compassion for those who have lost their loved ones. And it is difficult for me to say this, but we know that hardship is not over yet.

Today there are 90 000 displaced people in Armenia, who will not have a chance to spend the holidays in their homes. There are also 20 000 hosting families who opened their doors and welcomed those who were fleeing the war offering hospitality in difficult times. There are local and international organisations out there helping as they can. As well as there are thousands of health workers, teachers, police officers and others, who are risking their health and lives to save ours during still ongoing pandemic. Their strength and determination deserve more than just admiration. 

Speaking for all of us at the European Union Delegation to Armenia, I can promise you that we are putting every possible effort to support Armenia in this difficult situation.

Since the very start of the pandemic, we have been working hard to mitigate its impact. We teamed up with local organisations to provide food and hygiene parcels to those who could not access basic items, and tablets to children so they could continue learning at home. Together with our Member States, we delivered medical equipment to hospitals; numerous medical professionals from EU Member States arrived to Armenia to assist their Armenian colleagues. We provided small businesses with grants and private sector will receive additional support in 2021. To this date, we provided 35.6 million EUR to the Government of Armenia to help the vulnerable families and businesses.

Together with our Member States, we delivered humanitarian aid to those affected by the Nagorno Karabakh war. The European Commission provided 3.9 million EUR support to the civilians affected by the conflict in the region. We continue our cooperation with local organisations to provide food and hygiene parcels as well as psychosocial support to displaced people from Nagorno Karabakh. At the same time, we know that a lot more needs to be done and we are working hard to support you.

Dear people of Armenia,

Under normal circumstances, I would wish us all a Happy New Year 2021. However, today, let me humbly wish you that the upcoming year be hopeful and peaceful, marked with health and the end of the pandemic.

I would also like to wish you a lot of strength for yourself, for your loved ones and for Armenia. May the better and brighter days come soon”, reads the message.

Facebook blocks Mikayel Minasyan’s page, removes his post about priest after Armenian authorities’ complaint

Ekmekjian Janet
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 21 2020

Former Ambassador of Armenia to the Holy See Mikayel Minasyan told News.am that Facebook has blocked his page for 24 hours and has removed his last post supporting Father Pargev Zeynalyan, the priest of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in the Armenian town of Sisian.

“Since the actions of the authorities of Armenia in agony to cling to power are becoming ridiculous, I deem it necessary to inform that the authorities, using all state resources and in fear of today’s release of the Requiem series, blocked my Facebook page for 24 hours and, as a result of staged complaints, Facebook removed my last post about Father Pargev.

“I am gladly presenting to your media outlet the “Requiem/4: People” series to broadcast it for me and reaffirm every word stated in my last Facebook post, according to which any encroachment against the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church and its servants will be punished by the strictest rules of the law and life. If only this government of pitiful bastards dealt with the Armenian boys who are missing and in captivity, the security of the borders of Armenia and Artsakh and the social issues of our people with the same consistency. Casus belli,” the ex-ambassador stated.

Kapan mayor proposes to arm men from border villages in Armenia’s Syunik

Ekmekjian Janet
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 25 2020

During the discussion of the situation in Armenia’s Syunik Province on Friday, opposition Bright Armenia faction head Edmon Marukyan said that the people of the region have deep concerns about their safety.

“What should we do from now on to offer our compatriots a safe environment in Syunik Province, so that the people of Syunik keep standing firm on their land? It is obvious that if the fears persist, we will witness emigration from Syunik,” said Edmon Marukyan, addressing Mayor of Kapan Gevorg Parsyan.

In response to the deputy’s question, the mayor stressed the importance of deploying border guards on both sides along the whole border in Syunik.

“And it is important that no regular troops be stationed behind the border guards. A demilitarized zone must be behind the border guards. This will help prevent clashes. In addition, you, as MPs, can introduce a legislative initiative related to arming our village men. In that case, our villagers, our citizens will gain additional confidence. For instance, at present there are complicated procedural issues related to purchasing weapons from a hunting shop. Even to cross the Kapan-Goris road, people must have confidence, and one of the measures to build it is to have weapons. Therefore, you can ease the procedure for acquiring weapons,” Parsyan said.

According to him, men from border villages in Syunik should be armed. In that case people will gain confidence and will know that they can defend themselves, he added.

“Also, you, as lawmakers, should urge the Ministry of Defense to pay close attention to Syunik. We need the attention of the Ministry of Defense, both in terms of firearms and the regular army,” the mayor stated.