Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

We saw with our own eyes the complete and illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. Nathalie Loiseau

Emil Lazarian

 20:05, 21 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. Blocking the Lachin Corridor is illegal and must be stopped, ARMENPRESS reports, chair of the Security and Defense Subcommittee of the European Parliament Nathalie Loiseau announced, reaffirming the European Parliament's position on the issue of blocking the Lachin Corridor.

Nathalie Loiseau noted that they came to Armenia to express their support for the democratic processes and reforms they have witnessed over the years, as well as for all the peace-oriented efforts aimed at the idea of establishing peace with neighboring Azerbaijan.

"We wanted to make sure and assess the situation ourselves and also see how the European Union’s civilian mission, which has been operating along the border for four months, is working. Yesterday we had a meeting with officials in Yerevan, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other high-ranking officials. Today we were in Goris, where we met with the governor of Syunik, the head of the community of Goris, residents of Nagorno-Karabakh located in Armenia and talked with them about the 44-day war and the blocking of the Lachin corridor.

We also approached the entrance to Lachin Corridor and saw with our own eyes the complete and illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. We heard about the increasing number of armed incidents and the invasion of the sovereign territory of Armenia. We learned about the incident in Yeraskh, where civilians were targeted. We also learned about the incident at the entrance to Lachin Corridor, where Azerbaijanis tried to raise a flag. I would like to send a strong message: as much as Armenia is devoted to peace, Azerbaijan is obliged to present evidence that it is also devoted to peace. The European Union is making efforts to facilitate the contacts between the leaderships of Armenia and Azerbaijan," Loiseau said.

According to her, the European Union is making efforts to reduce tension and the presence of the EU mission in Armenia should contribute to reducing those tension.

"As you know, it once country decides to start a war, but to stop it, the goodwill of both countries is needed. The time has come for a lasting peace to be established. I want to reaffirm the position of the European Parliament: the blocking of the Lachin corridor is illegal and must be stopped. The rights and well-being of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh must be protected and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia must be respected. I will take this message with me to Brussels, I will testify about what we saw and heard while in Armenia.

Since the blocking of the Lachin Corridor is illegal, I also send a message to the European ambassadors accredited in Baku, if Azerbaijan invites them to an illegally located checkpoint, they should refrain from accepting the invitation, remaining faithful to the terms of the ruling of the International Court of Justice," Loiseau concluded.

Putin called the situation related to the armed riot a blow to the back of the country and the people

Emil Lazarian

 11:35,

YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS. Putin called the situation related to the armed riot a blow to the back of the country and people, ARMENPRESS reports, citing TASS, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the nation.

Putin also noted that the work of the civil and military departments in Rostov is actually blocked.

"The armed forces and other state bodies have received the necessary orders, now additional anti-terror measures are being implemented in Moscow, Moscow region and a number of other regions. Decisive actions will also be taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains complicated, the work of the civil and military department is actually blocked," he said.

The EU is seriously concerned about the almost complete blockade of the Lachin Corridor

Emil Lazarian

 20:15,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. and considers it a direct threat to the livelihood of the local population and raises serious concerns about a possible humanitarian crisis, ARMENPRESS reports, reads the press release of the EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali.

The EU has been closely following the growing tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the past few weeks, with daily shootings along the international border of the two countries, in addition to similar incidents along the Karabakh line of contact.

"The almost complete blocking of the Lachin Corridor since June 15 is very worrying. This directly threatens the livelihood of the local population and raises serious concerns about a possible humanitarian crisis.

Following a series of recent high-level meetings, the EU continues to engage at the highest political level to help ease these tensions and find mutually acceptable solutions," the message said.

Yesterday, June 22, the Azerbaijani side resorted to another provocation and criminal action, closing the only road between Artsakh and Armenia (Lachin Corridor) with a concrete barrier.

"In fact, in addition to the illegal checkpoint and blocking the road with armored vehicles, Azerbaijan is now demonstratively blocking the road, preventing any movement, including by the Red Cross and peacekeepers.

This incident once again demonstrates the criminal goals of the Azerbaijani authorities to completely isolate the people of Artsakh from the outside world and to use all methods of repression," said the press release of Artsakh's information headquarters.




Armenpress: Problems related to food security discussed with President of Artsakh

Emil Lazarian

 21:48,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. On June 23, Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan convened a meeting of the Security Council, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the President of Artsakh.  

Problems related to food security in the conditions of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan and their possible solutions were discussed.

State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan reported on the measures taken to overcome the situation created in the context of the suspension of humanitarian supplies. He also presented the programs launched in recent months and aimed at reducing foreseeble risks in the field of food security.

Minister of Agriculture Georgy Hayriyan presented the planned activities concerning the organizition of harvesting, procurement and supply of agricultural products considering the existing fuel shortages.

An exchange of views took place on the issues presented.

As Azerbaijan Installs Concrete Barrier on Lachin Corridor Artsakh Calls for International Support

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories, Videos

Azerbaijan installed a concrete barrier on the Lachin Corridor on June 22


In yet another sign of aggression and attempt to choke the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan installed a massive concrete barrier on the Lachin corridor late Thursday, completely blocking the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, the Artsakh authorities reported.

Last week, two month after illegally installing a checkpoint, Azerbaijan completey barred access to all vehicles, including humanitarian relief efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

Earlier this week, an armored vehicle was brought in to block the road.

Yesterday, on June 22, the Azerbaijani side engaged in another provocation and committed a criminal act by installing a concrete barrier to block the sole road connecting Artsakh and Armenia (Lachin Corridor), the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) InfoCenter said in a press release.

“In just one month, Azerbaijan has turned its illegally installed and advertised checkpoint on the road within the Lachin Corridor into a military fortress, with armored vehicles, engineering barriers and armed personnel,” said the Artsakh foreign ministry in a statement on Friday.

“This, once again, demonstrates that all the actions by the Azerbaijani side, including the orchestrated protest of pseudo-activists, blocking of the Stepanakert-Goris road, cutting off gas and electricity supplies from Armenia to Artsakh, targeting of civilians and obstruction of agricultural work in the fields, have been deliberate and pre-planned and are aimed to make the life of Armenians in Artsakh impossible,” the statement added.

“The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have repeatedly warned about the negative consequences of the illegal establishment of an Azerbaijani checkpoint for the safe and unimpeded movement along the Lachin Corridor, which is now, in fact, completely stopped, and 120,000 people in Artsakh, including 30,000 children, are held hostage in their own homes,” the foreign ministry said. “Under these circumstances, overlooking or ignoring the actual state of affairs on the ground, statements and appeals, as well as the lack of specific and adequate measures on the part of the international community, is only abetting the Azerbaijani authorities to continue and intensify their illegal and aggressive actions.”

“We call on the signatories of the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, primarily the Russian Federation, to take all necessary measures to ensure the strict and full implementation of their international obligations. We appeal to the UN Security Council, which bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, as well as to all responsible members of the international community, including the leadership of individual countries and international organizations, to move from words to action and, within the universal ‘Responsibility to Protect,’ charter, undertake all necessary measures to stop the war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity committed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh and its people,” the foreign ministry said.

Artsakh’s defense ministry reported on Thursday that Azerbaijani forces opened fire on a farmer in the Chartar village.

In another incident, an Artsakh resident told police late Thursday evening that his home was being targeted by sporadic automatic gunfire from Azerbaijani military positions near the Chankatagh village.

The shooting damaged the roof of the house and rattled its residents.

Salaries grow continuously as result of government’s reforms – PM

Emil Lazarian

 13:53,

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. The salaries in Armenia continue to grow, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the June 22 Cabinet meeting.

“The wage fund in Armenia doubled in May 2023 compared to May 2018, growing by 106,6% or by 103 billion 40 million drams. Meaning, today, employed persons get 103 billion 40 million dram more salary than in May of 2018,” he said.

The average monthly salary per capita grew 57,6%.

The salaries are continuously growing as a result of the government’s reforms, the prime minister said.

“Excluding the inflation effect, with the results of 2022, salaries grew 6,3% in Armenia.”

Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization discussed during meeting of U.S. Secretary of State and Turkish FM

Emil Lazarian

 16:13,

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization was among the issues discussed during United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in London, Turkey’s Anadolu state news agency reported.

Anadolu cited Turkish diplomatic sources as saying the duo discussed the latest situation in Ukraine, NATO's enlargement, and normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the context of developments in the South Caucasus region.

The Black Sea Grain Deal and U.S.-Turkey relations were also discussed.

‘Blocking Lachin Corridor is Illegal and Must be Stopped,’ EU Lawmaker Says

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Nathalie Loiseau, chair of the EU Parliament's defense sub-commission, visited the entrance of Lachin Corridor on June 21


“We saw with our own eyes the complete and illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan,” Member of European Parliament says.

“Blocking the Lachin Corridor is illegal and must be stopped,” said Nathalie Loiseau, the chair of the European Parliament’s security and defense subcommittee, who is in Armenia and joined the EU’s monitoring mission in Armenia on Wednesday visited the Lachin Corridor entrance.

“We approached the entrance to Lachin Corridor and saw with our own eyes the complete and illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan,” Loiseau exclaimed when speaking to reporters.

“We heard about the increasing number of armed incidents and the invasion of the sovereign territory of Armenia. We learned about the incident in Yeraskh, where civilians were targeted. We also learned about the incident at the entrance to Lachin Corridor, where Azerbaijanis tried to raise a flag,” Loiseau added after her tour of the region with the EU monitors. She was referring to an incident on June 15 when Azerbaijani forces attempted to breach Armenia’s border and plant a flag there.

Nathalie Loiseau during a press conference in Yerevan on June 21

“I would like to send a strong message,” she emphasized. “As much as Armenia is devoted to peace, Azerbaijan is obliged to present evidence that it is also devoted to peace. The European Union is making efforts to facilitate the contacts between the leaderships of Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

“We wanted to make sure and assess the situation ourselves and also see how the European Union’s civilian mission, which has been operating along the border for four months, is working,” the EU parliament member said. “Today we were in Goris, where we met with the governor of Syunik, the head of the community of Goris, residents of Nagorno-Karabakh located in Armenia and talked with them about the 44-day war and the blocking of the Lachin corridor.”

Loiseau said that the European Union is making efforts to reduce tension and the presence of the EU mission in Armenia should contribute to reducing those tension.

“The time has come for a lasting peace to be established. I want to reaffirm the position of the European Parliament: the blocking of the Lachin corridor is illegal and must be stopped,” she said.

“The rights and well-being of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh must be protected and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia must be respected. I will take this message with me to Brussels, I will testify about what we saw and heard while in Armenia,” Loiseau added.

She also called on European ambassadors accredited in Baku to refrain from accepting any invitation from the Azerbaijani government to an illegally located checkpoint, and remain “faithful to the terms of the ruling of the International Court of Justice,”
Loiseau also said that the European Parliament fully supports sending a fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor, adding that the matter was discussed during a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“First, there is a decision of the International Court of Justice regarding the unblocking of the Lachin Corridor, which must be properly implemented. Second, the European Parliament fully supports the idea of sending a fact-finding mission,” said Loiseau.

“The European Parliament also welcomes the idea of an international presence in general to fully protect the rights and interests of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh,” she added.

“We are also completely in favor of a UN Security Council resolution being adopted. And the sooner, the better it will be if the members of the UN Security Council prepare a draft of such a resolution,” Loiseau said.

Earlier on Wednesday Loiseau, along with the EU’s representative to Armenia, Andrea Wikorin, joined the EU mission leader in Armenia, Markus Ritter and toured the border region, including the entrance of the Lachin Corridor.

Steps inciting and elevating tensions are unproductive – U.S. State Department on Armenia-Azerbaijan talks

Emil Lazarian

 10:42,

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. Steps that are going to incite tensions and elevate tensions are certainly unproductive right now as talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan are proceeding in different venues, U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel has said.

“So we look forward to hosting another round of talks in Washington soon as the parties continue to pursue a peaceful future in the South Caucasus region. We continue to believe direct dialogue is key to resolving issues and reaching a durable and dignified peace,” Patel said at the June 21 press briefing.

“…we continue to believe that steps that are going to incite tensions and elevate tensions are certainly unproductive right now as talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan are proceeding in different venues. And so we’ll continue to engage on this and look forward to hosting another round of talks very soon,” he added, when asked to comment on the border shootings.

Patel was also asked to comment on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s accusation claiming that Washington is actually attempting to squeeze Russia out of the region in mediating between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“If Russia thinks that they can play a constructive role in this, certainly they are welcome to, but we continue to feel that these talks are progressing, they’re proceeding,” the U.S. State Department spokesperson said.

“The United States has been an important partner in this. The Secretary personally has been engaged on this,” he said, adding that “we think direct dialogue is key to resolving this issue and reaching a durable and dignified peace and we also continue to think that dialogue can’t be replaced in this process.”

Azerbaijan is intermittently shelling Armenian positions and civilian facilities in cross-border shooting attacks. Furthermore, a U.S.-affiliated company’s construction site in the Armenian border village of Yeraskh came under Azeri gunfire several times, resulting in two construction workers being wounded.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has been generating an intensive disinformation campaign aimed at falsely accusing Armenia of shootings.