Author: Ekmekjian Janet

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. 


Dozens detained in protests against Armenia’s prime minister

Ekmekjian Janet
Irish Independent
Dec 24 2020
 
 
 
Campaigners want Nikol Pashinyan to quit over the terms of a November 10 peace deal with Azerbaijan.
 
By Avet Demourian, Associated Press
03:25 PM
 
 
Police in the Armenian capital detained dozens of people during protests against the country’s prime minister, who is being pressured to resign over his handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan.
 
Opposition politicians and their supporters have been demanding for weeks that Nikol Pashinyan step down over the November 10 peace deal that saw Azerbaijan reclaim control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.
 
The Russia-brokered agreement ended 44 days of fierce fighting in which the Azerbaijani army routed Armenian forces.
 
Police detained 77 people following clashes when thousands of protesters converged on centre of the capital Yerevan and surrounded the heavily guarded government building.
 
Mr Pashinyan and other cabinet members were able to get into the building despite the unrest.
 
“Now our goal is that they don’t get out until Nikol Pashinyan resigns,” Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a leading member of the opposition Dashnaktsutyun party, was quoted as saying by the Russian state Tass news agency.
 
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but was under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994.
 
That war left Nagorno-Karabakh itself and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands.
 
 Demonstrators scuffle with Armenian police (Vahram Baghdasaryan/AP)
 
Heavy fighting erupted in late September in the biggest escalation of the decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, killing more than 5,600 people on both sides.
 
The Russian-brokered peace agreement stipulated that Armenia hand over control of some areas it holds outside Nagorno-Karabakh’s borders.
 
Azerbaijan also retained control over areas of Nagorno-Karabakh it had taken during the conflict.
 
The peace deal was celebrated in Azerbaijan as a major triumph, but sparked outrage and mass protests in Armenia where thousands repeatedly took to the streets.
 
Mr Pashinyan has defended the deal as a painful but necessary move that prevented Azerbaijan from overrunning the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region.
 
 

AFP: Tensions In Armenia As Thousands Mourn Karabakh Victims

Ekmekjian Janet
BARRON’S
Dec 19 2020
 
 
 
Tensions In Armenia As Thousands Mourn Karabakh Victims
 
________________________________
Mariam HARUTYUNYAN
AFP
 
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday led thousands in a march in memory of those killed in a six-week war with Azerbaijan as the Caucasus country began three days of mourning.
 
Pashinyan has been under huge pressure from the opposition to step down after nearly 3,000 Armenians were killed in the clashes with Azerbaijan over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
 
As Armenia began its period of mourning for the Karabakh war, the opposition kept up pressure on Pashinyan to resign over the handling of the conflict and what they say is a humiliating peace deal with Azerbaijan.
 
Accompanied by top officials, Pashinyan led a thousands-strong procession to a memorial complex in the capital Yerevan where victims of the conflict are buried.
 
“The entire nation has been through and is going through a nightmare,” Pashinyan said in a video address ahead of the memorial march.
 
“Sometimes it seems that all of our dreams have been dashed and our optimism destroyed,” he said.
 
The opposition has called the 45-year-old leader a “traitor” for agreeing to end the war on Azerbaijan’s terms.
 
Pashinyan, whose wife and son were at the front during the conflict, has said he has no plans to quit and the peace deal was Armenia’s only option, ensuring Karabakh’s survival.
 
The war ended in November with a Moscow-brokered peace agreement that saw the Armenians cede swathes of territory to Azerbaijan which has been backed by close ally Turkey.
 
Beg for forgiveness
 
Many critics said on Saturday the leader should stay away from the memorial cemetery.
 
“He must not desecrate the graves of our children,” Misak Avetisyan, who lost a son in the war, told reporters.
 
The grief-stricken father said the prime minister should get down on his knees and “beg for forgiveness”.
 
Many critics chanted “Nikol the traitor” as authorities dramatically beefed up security at the cemetery.
 
Later Saturday several thousands of opposition supporters gathered for a memorial rally in Yerevan’s Freedom Square.
 
“This war did not have to happen,” said former prime minister Vazgen Manukyan who the opposition says should replace Pashinyan.
 
He said Armenia under Pashinyan had lost “all allies.”
 
Pashinyan’s critics have called on supporters to stage a national strike from December 22.
 
A member of the Pashinyan-led procession said the prime minister should not be blamed for the mistakes of previous leaders.
 
“He is not guilty of anything,” said Karo Sargsyan.
 
Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor, was propelled to power in 2018 after he channelled widespread desire for change into a broad protest movement against corrupt post-Soviet elites.
 
But after the war with Azerbaijan, many now say Pashinyan has betrayed Armenia’s interests.
 
Numerous public figures including the influential head of Armenia’s Apostolic Church, Catholicos Garegin, have called for Pashinyan’s resignation.
 
As part of the peace deal Russia deployed nearly 2,000 peacekeeping troops to Karabakh.
 
More than 5,000 people including civilians were killed during the fighting between the ex-Soviet rivals, who also fought a war in the 1990s over the mountainous region.
 

 

CivilNet: Dozens of Armenian Soldiers Missing in Karabakh’s South

Ekmekjian Janet
CIVILNET.AM

01:36

The fate of 73 servicemen in Karabakh’s southern Khtsaberd-Hin Tagher area continues to remain unknown, reports the Artsakh Defense Army, while denying rumors that the number is 171.

The exact number remains unclear.

On Tuesday evening, videos began circulating in Azerbaijani media, claiming to show dozens of captured Armenian servicemen. Following public anger and outcry, Armenia’s Ministry of Defense demanded clarification from the Artsakh Defense Army.

“From the very first hours of the incident and with the support of Russian peacekeepers, urgent work is being done to find out the fate of our servicemen,” reports the Karabakh Defense Ministry, adding that the head of the General Staff of Armenia’s Armed Forces, Colonel-General Onik Gasparyan, has also arrived in Artsakh to investigate and to take necessary action.

Artsakh Human Right Ombudsman Artak Beglaryan said it was highly likely that roughly 60 servicemen have been captured.

Families of the missing soldiers blocked a main road in protest, demanding to know more details about the fate of their loved ones.