Thursday,
Armenia, Azerbaijan Hold More Talks On Border Delimitation
Armenia -- A view of the Tavush province bordering Azerbaijan, November 6, 2018.
Senior Armenian and Azerbaijani officials held on Thursday another round of
direct negotiations on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, a
key hurdle to a comprehensive peace deal between the two nations.
The fifth joint session of Armenian and Azerbaijani government commissions on
border demarcation and delimitation took place at a relatively peaceful section
of the heavily militarized frontier. It was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister
Mher Grigorian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Shahin Mustfayev.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said that the commissions headed by the two men
continued to discuss “a number of organizational and procedural issues” and
agreed to step up their joint work. It did not report progress on substantive
issues, notably the mechanism for border delimitation.
Yerevan insists on using late Soviet-era military maps as a basis in that
process. Baku has until now rejected the idea backed by the European Union.
Senior Armenian officials have suggested that it is reluctant to recognize
Armenia’s current borders and wants to leave the door open for future
territorial claims.
In October, Azerbaijani President Aliyev again accused Armenia of occupying
“eight Azerbaijani villages” amid growing fears in Yerevan that that he is
planning another military offensive after regaining control over
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Aliyev referred to several small enclaves inside Armenia which were controlled
by Azerbaijan in Soviet times and occupied by the Armenian army in the early
1990s. For its part, the Azerbaijani side seized at the time a bigger Armenian
enclave comprising the village of Artsvashen and surrounding farmland and
pastures.
The two sides agreed to hold fresh delimitation talks after Baku offered on
November 21 to negotiate directly with Yerevan on a bilateral peace treaty. The
offer came after Aliyev twice cancelled EU-mediated talks with Prime Minister
Nikol Pashinian in October.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers attended on Thursday an annual
ministerial conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe held in North Macedonia’s capital Skopje. An Armenian Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that they are not scheduled to meet
on the sidelines of the gathering.
Karabakh Leader Denies Talks With Baku
• Ruzanna Stepanian
Armenia - Samvel Shahramanian, the Nagorno Karabakh president, is interviewed by
Artsakh Public TV, Yerevan, October 28, 2023.
Samvel Shahramanian, Nagorno-Karabakh’s exiled president, on Thursday denied
through a spokesman a political rival’s claims that he is negotiating with
Azerbaijan’s government.
Samvel Babayan, a former Karabakh army commander, said on Wednesday that
Shahramanian is “calling Baku every day” to discuss the possible return of the
Karabakh Armenians displaced as a result of the recent Azerbaijani military
offensive. Babayan declined to elaborate on his claims.
An aide to Shahramanian, Vladimir Grigorian, insisted that the Karabakh leader
may have only talked to Azerbaijani officials about “technical issues” such as
the continuing detention in Baku of his three predecessors and several other
current and former Karabakh officials.
“If they call from there or we try to get in touch from here, I don’t know
whether we can consider that a contact,” said Grigorian. “We definitely can’t
call it a negotiation.”
According to Davit Galstian, a senior Karabakh lawmaker, Shahramanian has
managed to speak by phone with at least some of the Karabakh leaders who were
arrested by Azerbaijani security forces during the mass exodus of Karabakh’s
population.
“When I and other deputies were meeting with the president, we asked what news
there is from our captured high-ranking officials. He said that … he spoke with
them and they said they have not been tortured,” Galstian told RFE/RL’s Armenian
Service. He said he is not aware of other details of the phone calls.
Grigorian implicitly alluded to such calls. But he too did not elaborate.
Karabakh’s three former presidents -- Arayik Harutiunian, Bako Sahakian and
Arkadi Ghukasian -- as well as current parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanian were
taken to Baku to face grave criminal charges in late September. Karabakh’s
former premier Ruben Vardanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former
army commander Levon Mnatsakanian and his ex-deputy Davit Manukian were arrested
while trying to enter Armenia through the Lachin corridor.
The Armenian government strongly condemned the arrests and urged the
international community to help it secure the release of the Karabakh leaders.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry rejected the criticism, saying that they will
go on trial for promoting separatism, organizing “terrorist acts” and
participating in “aggression against Azerbaijan.”
Russian, Armenian FMs Meet Amid Tensions
North Macedonia - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Armenian
counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan meet in Skopje, .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his Armenian counterpart Ararat
Mirzoyan on Thursday for the first time in months amid unprecedented tensions
between their countries.
The talks, described by the Russian Foreign Ministry as a “short conversation,”
were held on the sidelines of a meeting in North Macedonian’s capital Skopje of
the foreign ministers of OSCE member states.
The ministry said Lavrov and Mirzoyan discussed bilateral ties and the
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process. It reported no concrete understandings
reached by them.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued an unusually short statement on the talks.
It said only that Mirzoyan “once again presented the Armenian side’s positions
regarding the Russian policy and the steps taken on bilateral and regional
agendas.”
Russian-Armenian relations have significantly deteriorated over the past year
primarily because of what Armenia sees as a lack of Russian support in its
conflict with Azerbaijan. Tensions between the two longtime allies rose further
in the run-up to and after Baku’s September 19-20 military offensive in
Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of
systematically “destroying” those relations and reorienting his country towards
the West. Pashinian and other Armenian leaders charged, for their part, that
Russia has failed to honor its security commitments to its South Caucasus ally.
The deepening rift is increasingly calling into question Armenia’s continued
membership in Russian-led military and trade blocs comprising several ex-Soviet
states. Pashinian last week did not rule out the possibility of pulling his
country out of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
According to the Russian readout of the Skopje talks, Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s
readiness to “vigorously” facilitate an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal based on
understandings brokered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Yerevan now seems to prefer Western mediation of the peace talks. It has ignored
Lavrov’s recent offers to host fresh talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani
foreign ministers. Moscow claims that peace efforts by the United States and the
European Union are primarily aimed at driving Russia out of the South Caucasus.
EU, Armenia Explore Closer Ties
North Macedonia - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Armenian Foreign
Minister Ararat Mirzoyan meet in Skopje, .
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Armenian Foreign
Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met late on Wednesday after an EU delegation visited to
Yerevan to discuss ways of deepening the bloc’s ties with Armenia.
Borrell on Thursday described as “substantial” the meeting held in North
Macedonia’s capital Skopje on the sidelines of an annual meeting of foreign
ministers of OSCE member states. Writing on the X social media platform, he said
they discussed “how to deepen bilateral relations and EU support.”
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said, for its part, that the two men focused on
“expanding the agenda of the EU-Armenia partnership.” They reviewed “current
prospects and efforts made in that direction,” it added in a statement.
Armenia’s conflict with Azerbaijan was also on the agenda, with Mirzoyan
stressing the importance of “countering any challenges to the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of Armenia.”
“The EU remains committed to achieving sustainable and comprehensive peace in
the South Caucasus,” Borrell tweeted in that regard.
The talks came as a team of officials from the EU’s executive body, the European
Commission, and External Action Service concluded a three-day visit to Yerevan
during which they met with Deputy Prime Ministers Tigran Khachatrian and Mher
Grigorian and other Armenian officials.
An EU statement said the delegation looked into “possibilities to deepen and
strengthen EU-Armenia relations in all dimensions,” including defense and
security.
“The meetings further confirmed the mutual interest of Armenia and the EU to
further the dialogue and cooperation in the areas of security and defense,” it
said. “The EU will, for instance, further explore non-lethal support to the
Armenian military via the European Peace Facility.”
The facility is a special fund designed to boost EU partners’ defense capacity.
Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonian revealed in July that Yerevan
requested “technical assistance” from the fund but was rebuffed by Brussels.
According to the EU statement, the 27-nation bloc also wants to “strengthen
Armenia’s economic and social resilience in the longer term” and has already
“mobilized” about 500 million euros ($540 million) for that purpose. Most of
that funding is loans that are due to be provided by European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s government is seeking closer links with the EU
amid its mounting tensions with Russia. Addressing the European Parliament in
October, Pashinian effectively accused Moscow of using the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict to try to topple him. A Russian official responded by saying that the
Armenian premier is helping the West “turn Armenia into another Ukraine.”
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
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
Parliament war commission subpoenas former NK official Samvel Babayan
11:55,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The parliament select committee probing the 2020 Second Nagorno Karabakh War has subpoenaed the former Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army Commander Samvel Babayan.
Babayan will participate in a meeting of the committee on November 29.
He told reporters he was ready to answer all questions.
“I was invited, I agreed to be present and answer questions. Why would I avoid it if I am ready to answer all questions? I will answer all questions honestly,” Babayan, a former Secretary of the Security Council of Nagorno-Karabakh, told reporters in parliament.
Prime Minister Pashinyan meets with Amazon Web Services regional Director of Public Policy Franco Spicciariello
15:49,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Franco Spicciariello, Director of Public Policy, Italy and ECSEED (East Central and South-Eastern Europe Division) of Amazon Web Services.
Prime Minister Pashinyan attached importance to the cooperation with Amazon and said that the development of the technological sector is of primary importance to the Armenian government, the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.
The Armenian Prime Minister said that partnership and active dialogue with Amazon will contribute to the implementation of joint projects.
Spicciariello underscored readiness to develop cooperation with Armenia and added that the company is in a phase of active discussions with the Armenian Ministry of High-Tech Industry.
The sides also discussed the implementation of projects in the digitization sector and upcoming joint work in this direction.
Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 29-11-23
17:04,
YEREVAN, 29 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 29 November, USD exchange rate up by 0.21 drams to 402.50 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.19 drams to 441.78 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 4.52 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 2.24 drams to 510.53 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price up by 168.24 drams to 26213.28 drams. Silver price down by 1.19 drams to 318.99 drams.
European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs calls for sanctions against Azerbaijan
19:23,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs has adopted the annual reports on the implementation of the common security and defense policy and the implementation of the common foreign and security policy.
Armenpress Brussels correspondent informs the reports condemn Azerbaijan’s aggressive policy, pre-planned military attack against Nagorno-Karabakh.
The annual report on the implementation of the common security and defense policy asserts that the attack carried out by Azerbaijan cannot remain without consequences and calls on the EU to impose sanctions against the Azerbaijani authorities, which are responsible for numerous violations of the ceasefire. It is also called to suspend the memorandum of understanding on energy and, taking into account the recent events and the dramatic situation of human rights in Azerbaijan, to stop the negotiations on a new partnership agreement with Azerbaijan.
Given the recent events and the concerning human rights situation in Azerbaijan, the report recommends halting negotiations on a new partnership agreement with the country.
Any deepening of EU relations with Azerbaijan must be conditioned on the country making substantial progress in safeguarding human rights, upholding the rule of law, promoting democracy, and protecting fundamental freedoms, including the rights of ethnic minorities.
The report applauds the establishment of the European Union civilian mission in Armenia, which aims to contribute to the enhancement of security in the region. It calls on the European Council to increase the number of experts included in the mission, to increase the mission's capabilities and geographical scope. The report recommends extending the deployment period for an additional five years.
The report calls on Azerbaijan to allow the deployment of the same mission on its territory and in Nagorno-Karabakh. It also highlights the EU's support for the defense of Armenia's security, independence, and sovereignty. The report calls for promoting more comprehensive and expanded defense cooperation between the parties.
The European Council is urged to be prepared to implement targeted and individual sanctions against those responsible for aggression but not be limited to the political and military circle of President Aliyev, and to stop importing oil and gas from Azerbaijan in the event of any military aggression by Azerbaijan against the territorial integrity of Armenia.
The annual report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy condemns Azerbaijan's pre-planned and unjustified attack against the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and demands the protection of the Armenian cultural, historical and religious heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh in accordance with UNESCO standards and Azerbaijan's international obligations. The report supports ongoing peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which have been seriously hampered by the recent military operation against Nagorno-Karabakh and de facto ethnic cleansing.
The report reaffirms its support for the democratically elected government of Armenia and expresses full respect for the country's sovereignty, democracy, and territorial integrity. It commends Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for his announcement that Armenia will not be drawn into a new war with Azerbaijan and appreciates his recent calls to resume peace talks with Azerbaijan at the highest level. Furthermore, the report welcomes Armenia's decision to ratify the Rome Statute.
Lilit Gasparyan
First session of the Armenia-UN Joint Steering Committee held in the Government
19:18,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The Government of the Republic of Armenia and the UN Office in Armenia have officially announced the commencement of the Joint Steering Committee. This committee serves as a key pillar in the implementation of the 2021-2025 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Armenia.
During the session, the Joint Steering Committee discussed the Republic of Armenia's progress in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and addressed challenges, including the massive influx of forcibly displaced refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, Grigoryan’s Office said in a statement.
The Committee emphasized the importance of comprehensively addressing the humanitarian and development needs of refugees, ensuring their sustainable development.
Additionally, the committee stressed the need to outline further measures for the implementation of the UN SDGs, considering the current socio-economic, humanitarian, and security situation in the country."
According to the source, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said in the opening speech: 'Armenia, committed to the implementation of the 2030 agenda, continues to make efforts towards achieving the goals of sustainable development. A vivid proof of that commitment is the ambitious agenda of reforms implemented by the Government, which is based on a people-centered, inclusive approach and the protection of human rights.
On the path of sustainable development and strengthening of democracy, the United Nations Organization has been and remains one of our most important partners, which has always been a supporter of socio-economic progress in Armenia, the introduction of a good governance system, and a number of other activities.''
It is noted that during the inaugural session, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Nanna Skau stated: "The launch of the Joint Steering Committee is of great importance for the existing partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United Nations.
In the conditions of open dialogue, the Armenian government and the United Nations share a common vision for the development of the country. It is through this dialogue that we aim to empower people, build capacity, and create an enabling environment."
It was emphasized that with a commitment to cooperation, inclusiveness and accountability, the meetings of the Steering Committee will be held at least once a year, strengthening the basis of a stable and developing partnership between the Government of Armenia and the United Nations.
Asbarez: Amaryan Charitable Foundation Commits More than $300,000 to Support Syunik Region
The Amaryan Charitable Foundation is providing school essentials to children displaced from Artsakh, who are now living in Armenia's Syunik region
David Amaryan, an Armenian entrepreneur and investor, the founder and executive director of the Balchug Capital, in partnership with his brother Vardan Amaryan, a businessman and the founder of the Armenian Apricot Capital investment company, established the Amaryan Charitable Foundation.
With extensive experience in the international business arena, the Amaryan brothers have launched this initiative to provide direct support to their compatriots — forcibly displaced Armenians of Artsakh during this challenging time for Armenia.
The Foundation focuses on advancing educational programs, promoting a healthy lifestyle and sports, nurturing cultural initiatives, and providing assistance to the youth through various strategic projects.
The Amaryan Charitable Foundation was recently launched by brothers David and Vardan Amaryan The foundation provides warm coats and shoes for displaced children from Artsakh
The Foundation’s journey commenced from the Syunik region, specifically in Verishen, the ancestral village of the Amaryan family.
“It is a great tragedy for me to witness the ongoing pan-Armenian disaster and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. It has resulted in multi-sectoral and complex issues demanding the implementation of comprehensive, long-term, and strategic programs in collaboration with government, international organizations, and public institutions, based on the periodic needs assessment. I believe these programs should be consistent and unceasing. Thanks to the foundation, we will focus on enhancing educational opportunities and improving teaching excellence in Armenia, emphasizing the invaluable role that education plays in the future of our country. Despite widespread business success and operations in various countries, we have remained faithful to our roots and history. Our activities and many projects have always been committed to fostering Armenia’s growth and economic development. And today, more than ever, the unity of global Armenians is of high importance,” said David Amaryan.
David (left) and Vardan Amaryan
“What happened in Artsakh poses a big challenge both for Armenia and the whole Armenian community. We have a clear objective: to ensure that every Armenian has the opportunity to live and create with dignity. Our foundation’s initiatives will consistently establish the prerequisites necessary for realizing this opportunity. With numerous ideas at hand, we will implement them based on the short-term and long-term needs of our beneficiaries,” Vardan Amaryan said.
The first beneficiaries of the Amaryan Charitable Foundation include 89 compatriots forcibly displaced from Artsakh who have found accommodation in Verishen village in Syunik region, alongside 157 socially disadvantaged people within the village. The foundation provided essential support, offering warm coats and shoes. Additionally, children from Artsakh received comprehensive school packages containing stationery and bags.
Amaryan Charitable Foundation volunteers prepare boxes to be delivered to displaced Armenians from Artsakh
The Amaryan brothers extended aid to the Verishen school, home to 345 students and honored as Syunik’s top school in 2022. The Foundation contributed essential materials for gymnasium repairs and an array of sports equipment, including 30 sets each of basketball, volleyball, and soccer gear, alongside 10 sets of tennis rackets and balls, complemented by various accessories, such as volleyball and football nets.
The foundation’s initial budget for its initiatives is nearly $305,000, allocated for execution in Syunik throughout 2023 to 2024. The foundation is firmly committed to maintaining continuity and extending its programs in other regions and communities in Armenia.
Security Summit: Rethinking Armenia’s Geopolitical and Defense Trajectory
Rethinking Armenia’s Geopolitical and Defense Trajectory, organized by the newly established Institute for Security Analysis (ISA), will feature a series of both public and closed-door discussions around national security and state building on Tuesday, November 28 and Wednesday, November 29. Panelists will include personalities from a diverse range of disciplines and backgrounds. The summit will also be accompanied by capacity building workshops, advocacy efforts and stakeholder engagement.
The conference will be held at the Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel and on Zoom. To register for in-person attendance, visit https://bit.ly/Security-Summit-In-Person. For profiles of the speakers or to register for Zoom attendance, visit https://bit.ly/Security-Summit-On-Zoom. There is a $40 fee for Zoom attendance.
The Security Summit starts at 4 p.m. EVN (7 a.m. Eastern Time). Zoom attendees will have the opportunity to view a recording of the conference for one week. The conference will predominately be held in English. Simultaneous translation will be available from English to Armenian and Armenian to English.
The Security Summit is sponsored by the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), Armenian Network of America—Greater New York, Justice Armenia, Knights of Vartan Bakradouny Lodge, and National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).
“Critical security challenges — the 2020 Artsakh War, Azerbaijan’s 2022 assault on Syunik and Vayotz Dzor provinces, and the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population — have exposed the limitations of Armenia’s security strategies and highlighted an urgent need for fundamental modernization and institutional innovation,” ISA Senior Research Fellow Dr. Eduard Abrahamyan said.
The Security Summit aims to address these pressing issues head-on. Dr. Abrahamyan noted, “Our goal is to create a dynamic platform where fresh, often unconventional ideas can be exchanged, thereby encouraging collaboration among defense specialists and fostering public engagement across national security discourse.”
In the face of escalating regional threats and shifting power configurations, the Security Summit is committed to catalyzing grassroots and society-wide support dedicated to safeguarding Armenia’s sovereignty and rapidly enhancing defense and security reforms. By bringing together policy experts, defense specialists, statesmen and active citizens, the summit aims to clarify — and actualize — smart and alternative options for extracting Armenia from its current crisis.
The Security Summit will present seven panels that will examine Security and Geopolitics; Politics; and Next Steps and Policy Solutions.
- Armenia’s Road to 2020: Nurturing Failure, Azerbaijan’s Aggression, and Russia’s Role
- The Emerging Geopolitical Order in the Caucasus: The Rise — and Threat — of Eurasianism
- Hybrid War: Disrupting Security, Society and Politics
- Strategic Disaster: The Dangers of Appeasement
- Salvaging Statehood: A Crisis Roadmap for the Armenian Republic
- Next Steps: A Legal Strategy for Artsakh
- Shaping a Reform Agenda: A Whole-of-Society Approach to Territorial Defense
Panelists include:
- Dr. Eduard Abrahamyan, Institute for Security Analysis;
- Hratchya Arzumanyan, National Security Expert;
- Dr. Stepan Astourian, Turpanjian Center for Policy Analysis at the American University of Armenia;
- Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Glen Grant, National Security Expert;
- Talin Hitik, Legal Expert with Hitik Law;
- Colonel Vladimir Milenski, Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria; and
- Dr. Thomas Young, Defense Security Cooperation University and Naval Postgraduate School.
Dr. Abrahamyan encouraged Diasporans and Yerevan residents to join the Security Summit. “By forging innovative solutions and strategies, we hope to empower Armenia to navigate and overcome its security challenges and ensure a secure and resilient future,” he said.
Registration is required. For in-person and Zoom attendance, visit https://bit.ly/Security-Summit-In-Person and https://bit.ly/Security-Summit-On-Zoom, respectively. For questions, contact Alvard Zakaryan at [email protected] or +37495202148.
SPECA countries transform Karabakh into a platform for economic cooperation [Azeri opinion]
euReporter
Nov 28 2023
Having paid attention to the processes that are taking place now in our renewing globe, we can see that the world's countries primarily require economic and political stability and peace. States and governments that organize these types of discussions through international platforms understand that healthy dialogue and increased cooperation are the primary mechanisms for achieving sustainable development and better, more effective organization of the emerging new political architecture.
Today, Azerbaijan continues its commitment to partnership and cooperation on all international platforms based on mutual respect and trust, successfully proving to the entire community the path to sustainable development. The multi-vector economic policies executed under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership during the previous 20 years, as well as the excellent management model used, have had a considerable impact on the development of not just the South Caucasus but also the Central Asian region.
In general, our country has created relations with Central Asian governments in multilateral forms based on mutual respect and confidence in recent years; the President of Azerbaijan attends high-level meetings of the region's heads of state as an honored guest.
Recently Azerbaijan, under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), has brought new breath into these relations. The Summit meeting of the leaders of state and government of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asian Countries – SPECA took place in Baku for the first time in history.
The United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was launched in 1998 to strengthen subregional cooperation in Central Asia and deepen its integration into the world economy. SPECA countries consist of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
President Ilham Aliyev's speech at the Summit held on November 24, 2023, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of SPECA, as well as a series of bilateral meetings with the heads of states participating in the meeting, which determined the future directions of SPECA's activities, highlighted the importance of our country for the institution, and revealed the state's consistent work in the fields of regional integration and socio-economic development.
The presence of the Prime Ministers of Georgia and Hungary, as well as the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as guests of honor at President Ilham Aliyev's request, will open the way for a broader framework of economic cooperation.
These initiatives, of course, are a result of Azerbaijan's consistent policy, which has resulted in political stability and an autonomous economy. "Without stability, no economic growth can be achieved. Today, wars, conflicts and bloody clashes are raging in various regions across the globe, whereas, our countries enjoy peace, stability and security, with successful growth and development processes underway," President Ilham Aliyev remarked during his speech at the Summit.
Over the last two decades, the fourfold increase in Azerbaijan's GDP, the reduction of poverty from approximately 50 percent to 5.5 percent, and the fact that our foreign exchange reserves have exceeded our direct foreign debt by tenfold have all contributed to a favorable investment environment for foreign countries and companies in our country. Thus, over the last 20 years, more than 310 billion US dollars have been invested in Azerbaijan's economy, with approximately 200 billion US dollars landing in the non-energy sector.
President Ilham Aliyev also mentioned the centuries-old historical and cultural relations between Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, as well as our ongoing collaboration in the fields of transportation and logistics, during his speech. The President stated that Azerbaijan has become a reliable partner in this field. He pointed out how useful our investments of billions of US dollars for the expansion of the capacity of the Eurasian East-West and North-South transport corridors are to strengthen the transport security of SPECA countries.
It is no surprise that the importance of SPECA to the UN has grown in recent years. This year, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution commemorating SPECA's 25th anniversary, and the SPECA Trust Fund was formed under UN auspices. Azerbaijan, for its part, will contribute 3.5 million US dollars to the Trust Fund.
I'd like to emphasize that the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), a UN sub-structure, supports SPECA activities. This year, on October 19–20, 2023, the Republic of Azerbaijan, including the Milli Majlis, was represented at a high level in the Regional Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, under the auspices of UNECE.
As a result of improving connections, the SPECA countries are heavily involved in the restoration and reconstruction of our territories liberated from occupation. During his speech, the country's leader underlined this issue specifically, and the work of these states was lauded. President Ilham Aliyev mentioned the school and creative center being built as a gift for the people of Azerbaijan by brotherly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and emphasized that additional steps have been taken to enhance cooperation in this area.
The involvement of Central Asian countries in the work being done to turn Karabakh into a paradise opens up new avenues of cooperation by increasing the volume of foreign investment flowing into Azerbaijan as well as creates conditions for the Great Return to accelerate.
As a result, Karabakh, in addition to being a source of pride for the Azerbaijani people, is also becoming a global center of peace, justice, and mutual collaboration.
Author:
Mazahir Afandiyev, Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Turkish Press: Washington’s recent actions ‘seriously damaged’ relations with Baku: Azerbaijani president
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Nov 28 2023
Elena Teslova |28.11.2023 – Update : 28.11.2023
MOSCOW
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that the latest statements and actions taken by the US have “seriously damaged” relations between Washington and Baku.
According to a statement by the Azerbaijani presidency, Alivey said this during a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday night.
The Azerbaijani president said that the “remarks about our country, made by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Europe hearing on November 15, 2023, were biased, failed to reflect reality and were rejected by Azerbaijan,” the statement said.
“With the aim of normalization of relationship, Secretary Blinken has asked to allow the visit of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien in December to Azerbaijan,” the statement said, adding: “Aliyev has agreed to this proposal on the condition that after this visit the unfounded ban on the visits of Azerbaijani high-level officials to the United States will be lifted. Secretary Blinken has accepted that.”
The two sides discussed issues of bilateral relations and efforts for normalization of ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Aliyev emphasized that Armenia's 70-day delay in responding to Azerbaijan's peace agreement draft “demonstrates again that Armenia misuses the text of the peace treaty as a pretext for the prolongation of negotiations process.”
Aliyev and Blinken also exchanged views on another meeting of a special commission on the border delimitation, which is scheduled for Nov. 30 at the Armenian-Azerbaijani "conditional border."
Relations between the two former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.
Most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan during a war in the fall of 2020, which ended after a Russian-brokered peace agreement and also opened the door to normalization.
Azerbaijan established full sovereignty in Karabakh after an "anti-terrorism operation" in September, after which separatist forces in the region surrendered.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/washington-s-recent-actions-seriously-damaged-relations-with-baku-azerbaijani-president/3066943