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

Charles Michel`s statements not law for us – David Babayan

Emil Lazarian
ARMINFO
Armenia – June 20 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo.The EU has its geopolitical agenda, Foreign Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) David Babayan stated at the presentation of the book  entitled "Karabakh conflict and foreign policy of Republic of  Artsakh" as he commented on today's statement by Toivo Klaar, EU  Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in  Georgia, who welcomed Azerbaijani President lham Aliyev's statement  at the Global Baku Forum.

"We should not take offence at anyone. We should admit the facts. Let  them say their own things, and we are going to say our own. We must  adhere to our principles and wee can speak of that. Thee point is  that we must adhere to our principles. As soon as we show  faint-heartedness, make a mistake, it will be the end," Mr Babayan  said. 

"I think the ties some democratic states have with Azerbaijan clearly  show a global moral and psychological crisis. And the argument that  democracies do not war against each other and that democracy cannot  be 'placed at the disposal' of authoritarian states – but we can see  an entirely different picture. so we should bee realists and remain  vigilant, s much depends on a small state," Mr Babayan. 

In this context, he recalled the statement by President of the  European Council Charles Michel. And the harsh response by Artsakh  made Toivo Klaar issue a statement, claiming that Mr Michel's  statement was misinterpreted. 

"Much depends on us. Of importance is our own conduct and policy. We  should not underestimate our potential much less lose heart," he  said. 

As to a possibility of his book being translated into English and put  on Charles Michel's table, Mr Babayan said that both the President of  the European Council and others must on regular occasions hear  messages from Artsakh before the book is translated. 

"And you must know that Charles Michel's statements are not a law for  us, as it is struggle for existence.  We are not insulting him, we  have not such a right. But we are saying to him in a civilized  manner: well and good, it is your opinion, but we do not share it. If  anyone thinks we have no alternative, such people are profoundly  mistaken. There is always an alternative as geopolitics itself offers  such alternatives. And vacuum is never formed in important regions,"  Mr Babayan. 

In a statement by the head of the  European Council following a  meeting with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on June 22, on the  issue of transport communications, it  is noted that the leaders  agreed on the need to start unblocking  transport communications.  "They agreed on the principles governing  transit between western  Azerbaijan and Nakhijevan and between  different parts of Armenia  through Azerbaijan, as well as  international transport through the  communication infrastructure of  both countries. In particular, they  agreed on the principles of  border management, security, land fees,  as well as customs rules in  the context of international  transportation. In the coming days, the  vice-premiers will continue  this work," Michel said.  At the same  time, Charles Michel's  statement does not say a word about the status  and future of  Nagorno- Karabakh. Moreover, in his statement, the head  of the  European Council, instead of the generally recognized term   Nagorno-Karabakh, used the Azerbaijani term "Karabakh" and the   wording "Armenian ethnic population of Karabakh." In addition, his   statement does not mention any trilateral agreements at the level of   the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, or other generally   accepted principles of settlement.    

3 youth brought to Yerevan hospital after shooting in Nigavan village, one died, hospital deputy director says

Emil Lazarian
NEWS.am
Armenia – June 20 2022
10:32, 20.06.2022

Three young people were hospitalized—in critical condition—at "Armenia" medical center after the shootings in Nigavan village yesterday, one of whom, unfortunately, has died. Ashot Kurghinyan, Deputy Director of "Armenia" Republican Medical Center, told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am

"All three had gunshot wounds. Two of the three sustained gunshot wounds to the head and neck area, and the 18-year-old—to the chest area.

The first one was pronounced dead here. The second was operated on by neurosurgeons; he has a very severe brain injury. After the surgery, he is at the intensive care unit—in a critical condition (…).

And the condition of the 18-year-old young man is, thank God, the most stable, stable and severe. He also had an operation, the fragment was removed from his lung, his lung was drained, and he is also at the intensive care unit. Right now he is being disconnected from the respirator," Kurghinyan said.

Earlier we reported that according to the police, at around 7:45pm on Sunday, an incident took place between a group of people in Nigavan village of Aragatsotn Province. And during that time, a shot was fired.

New breath to community life: “Diaspora Youth Ambassador” program to bring 20 young people to Armenia

Emil Lazarian

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 11:05, 20 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. Exchange of experience, development of skills, creation of ties and a new breath to the community life: “Diaspora Youth Ambassador” program of the Office of High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia is providing these and other opportunities for already the second time.

20 young people from 16 countries of the world participated in the program last year. They had a chance to be in Armenia and Artsakh for two weeks, participate in trainings, workshops, have meetings and get necessary political, economic, social, cultural, educational and other information.

After returning back they are obliged to come up with projects and initiatives in their communities, by investing the experience and knowledge gained in Armenia.

Representative of the Office of High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, program manager, Greta Mnatsakanyan told ARMENPRESS that the program aims at assisting Diaspora-Armenian youth to be actively engaged in community life and improve their knowledge and skills for conducting more effective activity in their communities.

“The program enables to upgrade their knowledge and establish new ties. Within the frames of the program, they visit the state structures of Armenia and Artsakh and have a number of meetings. For instance, in Artsakh we had a meeting with the President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Foreign Minister. They got acquainted with a total of 200 people within the framework of the program, and this already allows to directly work with these people. In addition, the participants become the partners of our Office and raise different issues relating to their communities, try to understand how this or that problem could be solved”, she said.

The next key process is that the participants themselves share their experience with community works. They have different skills, are from different countries and have their own experience of successful programs. For instance, a participant from Russia highlighted the experience of the participant from France, which supposes improving education through games.

Harutyun Chatoyan was one of the participants of the program. He was from Chita. In an interview to ARMENPRESS, he said that when he was informed about the program, he was engaged that time with the activities on creating an Armenian cultural educational center of the Trans-Baikal region.

“I thought that within the frames of this program I will acquire sufficient skills and knowledge in the homeland for the effective activity of the Armenian center. Thanks to the program, I became more confident, started to better speak in Armenian. After getting acquainted with my colleagues from different countries, who already reached some success, I understood that I can take their experience and localize it, by taking into account the needs of our community”, he said.

As an example, he said that he introduced the Armenian language teacher of their center with the colleague from France for exchanging experiences. Shortly afterwards, the number of those wishing to attend the Armenian language courses organized in Chita has greatly increased.

Another participant Sona Baghumyan lives in Belgium for over 20 years. During the 2020 Artsakh War, she was thinking of being useful somehow to the Homeland. And during the war Sona started her activities in the Armenian community of Belgium.

“After learning about the “Diaspora Youth Ambassador” program, I thought it would be useful, and I would be able to do something for our state, for our community. The meetings, that lasted for two weeks, enabled to better know the situation in Armenia and Artsakh, better understand how the Diaspora could help. One of the best achievements is that we managed to create such a connection in the team through which we are conducting a teamwork in different areas”, Sona said. She organized awareness-raising campaigns on repatriation and return of Armenian captives from Azerbaijan. Sona also organized a discussion on the attempts to normalize the Armenian-Turkish relations.

The deadline for applying to the program is until July 1. There are already applications from Russia, Georgia, European countries and the United States.

The program will be implemented from September 25 to October 8, 2022.

This year as well 20 young people will participate in the program.

 

Interview by Anna Gziryan




Citizens of Ecuador can now visit Armenia visa-free

Emil Lazarian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia – June 23 2022
June 23, 2022 – 18:45 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Citizens of Ecuador will be able to visit Armenia visa-free, according to a decision approved by the government on Thursday, June 22.

People traveling to Armenia from the South American nation will be allowed to stay in the territory of the country for a maximum of 180 days in a year.

The move is expected to promote the development of tourism, as well as the promotion of business relations.

The mutual abolition of the visa regime between Armenia and Ecuador comes after "steps to develop and strengthen the cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and that country," the document approved by the government says.

Opposition members paid three-day visit to Artsakh

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia – June 23 2022

Members of Armenia’s opposition resistance movement have paid a three-day visit to the Artsakh Republic on June 21-23 to meet with local political parties, lawmakers and former presidents, the opposition Hayastan alliance said in a statement.

The movement coordinator and deputy parliament speaker, Ishkhan Saghatelyan, MPs Tigran Abrahamyan, Aghvan Vardanyan, Aram Vardevanyan, Artur Sargsyan and Gegham Manukyan together with Artsakh MPs visited the Askeran, Martakert and Martuni districts, met with local residents and heads of the local administrations.

A separate meeting was also held at the Stepanakert City Hall with the participation of the administrative leadership of the Artsakh capital as well as heads of educational and cultural institutions.

During the meetings, Ishkhan Saghatelyan presented the further activities of the opposition movement, its challenges and tasks. Artsakh’s role in making the resistance movement nationwide and comprehensive was highlighted.

“It was agreed that despite the lack of reasonable and proper interaction between the Armenian authorities and Artsakh, joint programs and mutual visits should be carried out,” the statement said.

“It was reaffirmed that the statement adopted unanimously by the Artsakh National Assembly on April 14, which lays out the key principles and red lines for the future of the country, remains the guideline for the authorities and people of Artsakh,” it added.

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan starts asphalting new road bypassing Lachin city (PHOTO)

Emil Lazarian
Economy Materials 23 June 2022 15:42


Economy Materials 23 June 2022 15:42

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The restoration of road infrastructure is among the main priorities in reconstruction and restoration process in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenian occupation, Trend reports via the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads.

According to the agency, one of the road infrastructure projects implemented by instructions of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions is the construction of a new highway bypassing the city of Lachin.

Design of all roads in the above regions envisions their construction bypassing large settlements. As part of the construction process, asphalting of sections of the road bypassing Lachin city has already started, the agency said.

The length of the new road is 32 km. The width of the carriageway is 7-10.5 meters, the width of the subgrade – 12-15 meters, and the width of the shoulder sections – 2×2.5 (5 m) meters, the agency noted.

At the site where the road base is ready, installation of the asphalt concrete pavement has begun. The construction of ring pipes and various artificial structures is also underway in order to ensure the drainage of water. Construction work on the 22-nd kilometer of the road is at the final stage.

The construction of the road is carried out in accordance with the schedule. The necessary labor force has been attracted to the territory to complete the construction work this year.



Azerbaijani press: Baku hosts discussions on meetings between Azerbaijani and Armenian young people in Strasbourg (PHOTO)

Emil Lazarian
Politics Materials 22 June 2022 20:23


BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. The discussions on the follow-up of meetings between Azerbaijani and Armenian youth representatives took place in Strasbourg with support of the German and French embassies in Baku, Trend reports.

The meeting was attended by French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Zacharie Gross, Deputy Head of the German Embassy Mission in Baku Heiko Schwarz and young Azerbaijanis, who shared their experiences.

One of the participants underscored the fruitfulness of the meetings, as well as the usefulness of French and German experience in establishing lasting peace.

Furthermore, the French ambassador noted the significance of such meetings between young people of the two countries.

"Even though peacebuilding is a very long and complex process, such kind of meetings between the Azerbaijani and Armenian youth should be held on a regular basis," Gross said.

He also emphasized the necessity to involve other countries and representatives of the world's thinktanks in accelerating the reconciliation process.

In his turn, the German official expressed hope for future organization of such meetings, which will promote further development of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations.

Meetings of Azerbaijani and Armenian young people were held on June 6-10 in France within the framework of FGYO (Franco-German Youth Office) program "New areas of cooperation within the EU's Eastern Partnership".

Armenian, Russian, Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals discuss ways to solve humanitarian issues caused by 44-day war

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia –


A trilateral meeting took place in Minsk between the Prosecutor General of Armenia Artur Davtyan, the Prosecutor General of Russia Igor Krasnov and the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kamran Aliyev.

They discussed the possibility of finding new opportunities for resolving the existing humanitarian and legal issues arising as a result of the war unleashed against Artsakh within the competence of the prosecutor’s offices of the three countries. Issues related to the implementation of the agreements reached during the previous two meetings were discussed.

The parties stressed the need to maintain the tripartite format of the meetings of the Prosecutors General as an effective platform for continuing legal contacts to ensure stability, legitimacy, de-escalation, basic human rights and security in the region.

Armenian Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan noted that despite the agreement reached during the previous trilateral meetings on the incidents on the contact line of the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces and on the mediated exchange of operative information on the ongoing investigations, the criminal ceasefire violations continue, resulting in human losses, new threats to the realization of vital rights and security of the civilian population.

As a vivid example, the Armenian Prosecutor General referred to the actions carried out by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the direction of Parukh settlement, which left 16 servicemen killed and 16 wounded. Artur Davtyan stressed the need to properly investigate these actions in the village of Parukh, as well as other cases of gross ceasefire violations.

These realities also prove the urgent need to increase the efficiency of the operative exchange of information by using the resources of the representatives of the Russian Prosecutor’s Office located in Artsakh.

Artur Davtyan raised the circumstance that the 8th point of the trilateral statement on the November 10, 2020 ceasefire was especially imperfect. He noted that the speedy return of 38 Armenians held in Azerbaijani is crucial to restoring trust between the parties, establishing peace in the region and extending security guarantees, with particular emphasis on the full implementation of the humanitarian requirements of the trilateral statement by Armenia.

As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached with the mediation of the Russian side to continue the talks in order to fully resolve the humanitarian issues in a short time.

SJC head’s statement calls into question legality of Avetik Chalabyan’s prosecution, lawyers say

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia –


The latest statement of Gagik Jhangiryan, the acting chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) overseeing Armenian courts, casts doubt on the legality of the criminal case against opposition activist Avetik Chalabyan, his lawyers said in a statement on Friday.

Chalabyan was arrested on May 12 for allegedly trying to pay students of the Armenian National Agrarian University to participate in anti-government protests in Yerevan. He has denied the charges as politically motivated.

The criminal case against the politician is based on a leaked audio of parts of conversations he and an Agrarian University lecturer had with the chairman of the university student council, Tornik Aliyan. The Investigative Committee claims he was offered 2 million drams in return for ensuring the presence of 2,000 students at opposition protests.

In an interview to the Public TV Company on Thursday. Jhangiryan spoke about the wiretapping of Chalabyan’s phone, suggesting that it was based on a court order.

“Mr. Jhangiryan’s statement calls into question the legality of the prosecution against Avetik Chalabyan. Moreover, it gives grounds to assume that administrative pressure is being put on both the body dealing with the proceedings and the judges," the legal team said.

They cited Article 31 of the law on operative and detective activity which says wiretapping may be conducted in case a man is suspected of committing a grave or especially grave crime. Whereas, Chalabyan is charged with a crime of medium gravity.

In addition, it is also not clear whether Jhangiryan’s statement implies that the court allowed not only to wiretap Chalabyan’s phone, but also to edit the audio recording and provide it to Media News which released it, the lawyers said.

“There are numerous facts in the case which completely refute the assumption that the wiretapping was conducted by a court order, but given the secrecy of the investigation the facts will not be disclosed for now. Nevertheless, we do not exclude that the wiretapping in question was carried out by law enforcement officers, but we rule out its legality," the statement reads.