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

44th Chess Olympiad: Armenian team faces US in Round 7, Aronian misses the tour

Emil Lazarian

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 14:51, 5 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. The men’s national chess team of Armenia is facing the US team in Round 7 of the 44th Chess Olympiad.

Armenia scored 12 points after 6 rounds and is the sole leader of the tournament, while the US is the second with 11 points.

Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian, who is representing the United States, missed this tour.

In Round 7, Gabriel Sargsyan is competing with Fabiano Caruana, Hrant Melkumyan with Wesley So. Samvel Ter-Sahakyan is competing with Leinier Domínguez Pérez, Robert Hovhannisyan with Sam Shankland.

In the previous Rounds, the team of Armenia defeated Madagascar (4:0), Andorra (3:1), Egypt (2,5:1,5), Austria (3:1), England (2,5:1,5) and the leader India-2 team (2,5:1,5).

The Armenian women’s national team is facing Israel in Round 7. In the previous rounds, the team defeated Botswana (4:0), Norway (4:0), Ireland (4:0), Indonesia (3:1) and England (3,5:0,5), but lost to Estonia (1,5:2,5).

EU deeply concerned by recent incidents: Josep Borrell responds to MEPs over Azeri aggression in Nagorno Karabakh

Emil Lazarian

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 17:05, 5 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. A group of Members of the European Parliament have recently sent a question for written answer to the Vice President of the European Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell about the deterioration of the situation in Nagorno Karabakh.

They wanted particularly to know what concrete steps the European External Action Service intends to take to prevent a renewed outbreak of hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh and to continue the constructive dialogue between the parties.

On behalf of the European Commission, Josep Borrell provided an answer to the MEPs, where he expresses the EU’s deep concerns over the recent incidents between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the possibility of further escalation.

The question was sent by the following MEPs: Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI), Gianna Gancia (ID), Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE), Isabel Santos (S&D), Martin Sonneborn (NI), Miriam Lexmann (PPE), François-Xavier Bellamy (PPE), Lars Patrick Berg (ECR), Mario Furore (NI), Evin Incir (S&D), Ivan Štefanec (PPE), Costas Mavrides (S&D), Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó (NI), Antoni Comín i Oliveres (NI), Clara Ponsatí Obiols (NI), Eva Kaili (S&D), Tiziana Beghin (NI), Sabrina Pignedoli (NI), Loucas Fourlas (PPE), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), François Alfonsi (Verts/ALE), Chiara Gemma (NI), Dino Giarrusso (NI), Emmanuel Maurel (The Left), Charlie Weimers (ECR).

In their letter the MEPs note that while the world’s attention is focused on the developments in Ukraine, the situation in Nagorno Karabakh is deteriorating. “Azerbaijani forces attacked the village of Parukh on March 24, 2022, and violated the ceasefire on May 28, 2022, fatally wounding an Armenian soldier. This happened a day after a crude speech by Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev, in which he presented the use of force as an approach to enforcing international law, also claimed that the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh had been fully resolved, made claims to Armenian territory, and said in harsh words that the “Nazis in Armenia” [… ] “should keep quiet and not dare to even turn their eyes to Azerbaijan if they do not want their heads to be crushed again”, the MEPs said.

They stated that these actions and statements are in open contradiction with the provisions of the November 2020 ceasefire agreement and the spirit of the declaration issued after the trilateral meeting between Armenia, Azerbaijan and the EU in Brussels on May 22, 2022.

In response, Josep Borrell said: “The EU is deeply concerned by the recent incidents between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the possibility of further escalation. The Commission regrets the loss of life.

The EU takes a positive approach to the continuation of the trilateral talks led by the President of the European Council with the Armenian Prime Minister and the Azerbaijani President. These efforts have already produced numerous results, but a peace process is never without difficulties. The EU’s goal remains to contribute to a comprehensive agreement for lasting peace and security in the region.

The High Representative/Vice President has been in regular contact with Armenia and Azerbaijan since the outbreak of hostilities. The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Conflict in Georgia has been involved in the preparation of the trilateral meetings and has followed up on the ground on the implementation of the agreements reached between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, most recently in early June 2022. On May 31, 2022, the Spokesperson for the President of the European Council issued a statement reiterating the need for a fair and balanced negotiation process and the need to prepare the population for peace. The President of the European Council also addressed both heads of state and government in early July 2022 regarding the recent sharp statements that are not conducive to the nature and spirit of the talks and expressed the EU’s readiness to convene the next round of trilateral talks in Brussels”.

Asbarez: In Response to Lavrov, Yerevan Says it Voiced Concerns about Russian Peacekeepers in 2021

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 August 5, 2022

 

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

Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Artsakh


In response to criticism from Prime Nikol Pashinyan about the role of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that Moscow had not seen concrete proposals from Armenia on the matter.

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry contended on Friday, saying that Yerevan had made its position known as far back as February 2021.

“Armenia’s concerns regarding the need to increase the effectiveness of the activities of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the emergence of possible issues in the future, among other cases, were transferred in writing to the top leadership of Russia in February 2021,” Armenia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said in a press statement, without elaborating on the specifics of the said proposal.

After two Artsakh soldiers were killed and 19 other wounded as a result of ongoing Azerbaijani attacks in the Berdzor region, Pashinyan on Thursday told his cabinet that adjustments were needed in the role of the Russian peacekeeping mission.

He cited examples of Azerbaijani attacks at Artsakh’s line of contact, which is under the protection of the Russian peacekeepers and called into question their approach to these matters. The most recent example cited by Pashinyan was the Azerbaijani incursion into Parukh village in Artsakh’s Askeran district in March, when Azerbaijani forces also advanced their positions onto the Karaglukh Heights and continue to remain there.

“If we see that solutions are not possible in a trilateral [Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani] format, we will have to think about activating additional international mechanisms,” Pashinyan told his cabinet on Thursday, without elaborating on what he meant by “additional international mechanisms.”

“It’s hard for me to answer this question because we haven’t seen concrete proposals which the Armenian prime minister wants to discuss in the context of the Russian peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. So I can’t guess now,” Lavrov said Friday, commenting on Pashinyan’s remarks.

Evidently, the statement by Armenia’s foreign ministry in response to Lavrov was meant to suggest that the effectiveness of the Russian peacekeepers has been on Yerevan’s agenda from the moment military actions were halted after the 2020 war.

Major General Andrei Volkov, the commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh, complained during a meeting with Artsakh’s political representatives, that they lacked personnel and the powers to prevent Azerbaijani attacks.

Nevertheless, he assured the meeting participants that Moscow would prevent another escalation in military tensions.

The Russian foreign ministry on Thursday voiced Moscow’s concern over the surge in tensions in Artsakh and said that the peacekeepers were taking all necessary steps to stabilize the situation.

“The Russian peacekeepers are making all necessary efforts to stabilize the situation on the spot. Active work is being done with both sides through all channels and all levels, including the country’s top leadership. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in close contact with his Azerbaijani and Armenian counterparts,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

“We call on the sides to show restraint and observe the ceasefire regime. The settlement of existing disagreements should take place exclusively through political-diplomatic means by taking into account the positions of the sides and strictly observing the provisions of the 2020 November 9 statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia,” added the foreign ministry.

Davit Babayan expresses gratitude to the foreign politicians who condemned the actions of Azerbaijan

Emil Lazarian

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 19:50, 5 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh Davit Babayan noted with satisfaction that representatives of many public and political circles from the USA, France, Russia, Australia and the Middle East have expressed an appropriate and firm position, condemning Azerbaijan’s policy and calling to curb the country’s aggressive actions.

“We express our gratitude to all supporters of Artsakh and, consequently, of justice. This kind of political and moral support is very important for Artsakh. It is also important for the international community, where extremely serious and worrying changes in the system of values are noticeable.

Unfortunately, a number of countries, as well as international organizations, the activities of which are directly related to democracy, international #law and protection of human rights, were not similarly steadfast and have issued indirect statements regarding the military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh․ This is more than worrying”.

Putin, Erdogan agree to make payment in rubles for gas supplies from Russia

Emil Lazarian

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 21:25, 5 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have agreed to start payment in rubles for Russian gas supplies to Turkey, ARMENPRESS reports, citing “RIA Novosti”, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak announced.

“Gas supplies to the Republic of Turkey were discussed, which are supplied in a rather large volume, 26 billion cubic meters per year. During the negotiations, the presidents agreed that we will start partial payment in rubles,” Novak told reporters.

He noted that they talked about the transition to national currencies gradually, and in the first stage, part of the supplies will be paid in Russian rubles.

Rep. Pallone calls for efforts to halt Aliyev’s dangerous actions against Artsakh

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia – Aug 4 2022

Congressman Frank Pallone calls on the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Mission to the OSCE to condemn the recent Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh.

“This is the latest example of Aliyev threatening the people of Artsakh over absurd demands like the closing of the Lachin corridor,” he said in a tweet on Wednesday.

“I urge the State Department and the U.S. Mission to the OSCE to condemn these actions and use every diplomatic tool available to halt Aliyev’s dangerous actions,” Pallone wrote.

Two Artsakh Armenian soldiers were killed and 19 others were injured in Azerbaijani attacks on Wednesday.

Armenian MP: Azerbaijan is trying to get rid of buffer zone through new route

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia – Aug 4 2022

MP Tigran Abrahamyan of the opposition Pativ Unem faction has reacted to the Armenian Foreign Ministry’s statement on the situation around the Lachin corridor.

“We consider unacceptable the statements of the Azerbaijani side attempting to unilaterally change the legal regime in the Lachin corridor defined by provision 6 of the trilateral statement, and reaffirm that the road passing through the Lachin corridor can be changed only according to the plan approved by the parties to the statement,” reads the statement.

Abrahamyan says the alternative route connecting Armenia to Artsakh which is under construction will be simply a road instead of a corridor.

“In the case of the corridor, a 5-kilometer-wide area was envisaged with 2.5 km sections on both sides of the road, which, in fact, also served as a buffer zone for security reasons,” the MP wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

“Demanding a shift to the new route, Azerbaijan is trying to get rid of the buffer zone, a layer of security, due to which, theoretically, Azerbaijani positions and personnel can be deployed at a distance of 5-10 meters from the road, which is excluded in case of the current corridor,” Abrahamyan said.

Pashinyan both praises and criticizes Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia – Aug 4 2022

Two servicemen of the Artsakh Defense Army were killed and 19 others were injured in the latest fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, Nikol Pashinyan said at the start of a cabinet meeting on Thursday, commenting on the events of August 2 and 3, which everyone already knows about.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said its forces carried out a military operation named “Revenge” in the Artsakh Republic, a common practice for the aggressor, Azerbaijan. As a result of Azerbaijan’s terrorist operation, there are wounded and killed on the Armenian side. The situation was “defused” with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Nikol Pashinyan said today that the latest developments are bringing about institutional issues. He says he has repeatedly stated that the presence and activities of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh are a key factor to ensure the security of the Artsakh Armenians, and Armenia highly appreciates Russia’s efforts to ensure security and stability in the region.

In Pashinyan’s words, a number of events in Nagorno-Karabakh since November 2020, including the latest developments, have raised questions among the Armenian public about the content and essence of the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Pashinyan, who yesterday was still on vacation and did not react in any way to the Azerbaijani aggression against the Artsakh Republic, today apparently decided to both praise and criticize the peacekeepers.

“The December 11, 2020 capture of the villages of Khtsaberd and Hin Tagher and Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan in the presence and connivance of Russian peacekeepers, the March 24, 2022 seizure of the village of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh again in the presence of Russian peacekeepers, the constant and increasing ceasefire violations along the line of contact, the cases of physical and psychological terror against the Armenians of Artsakh in the presence of peacekeepers are simply unacceptable,” Nikol Pashinyan says when it is already too late.

Pashinyan also stressed “the need to clarify the details of the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

“It was necessary from the very beginning, along with the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. But we must admit that this process was hindered by Azerbaijan, which refused to sign a mandate for the operation of peacekeeping forces in NK, while Armenia did so in November 2020, and we expect this mandate signed in the bilateral format to function fully,” Pashinyan said.

It is worth recalling that the trilateral statement signed by Nikol Pashinyan secretly from the Armenian public has long been a useless document, and Pashinyan simply explains every new aggression by Azerbaijan by the fact that there was also a “verbal agreement”.

Given Azerbaijan’s increasing appetite, we can understand that Pashinyan and Aliyev never stopped “verbal contacts”.

Incidentally, the demobilization of soldiers drafted from Armenia to Artsakh was carried out ahead of schedule, followed by Azerbaijan’s terrorist operation “Revenge”. Obviously, the last group of conscripted soldiers were withdrawn from the Republic of Artsakh early at the behest of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani border guards arrested for drug smuggling in Karabakh

Emil Lazarian
eurasianet
Aug 5 2022
Ulkar Natiqqizi Aug 5, 2022
A new road the Azerbaijani government has constructed in the Jabrayil region. (photo: president.az)

Seven Azerbaijani border guards have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking, accused of bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drugs across the border from Iran.

The drugs, including 88 kilograms of marijuana and eight kilograms of heroin, were discovered near the border at the village of Mehdili, in Azerbaijan’s Jabrayil region, over which Azerbaijan regained control in the 2020 war with Armenia. In the course of the investigation, four men were discovered trying to take the drugs from their cache, and were detained.

“The identity of the detained persons was investigated, and it was determined that they were military personnel of the State Border Service, who were carrying out the task of demining border areas freed from occupation” the border service reported in a July 22 press release announcing an initial four arrests.

Three days later, the Prosecutor’s Office announced that a court had charged a total of seven border personnel “who conspired to smuggle and sell a large amount of narcotics, psychotropic and powerful substances from the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Jabrayil had been occupied by Armenian forces since the war in the 1990s between the two sides. During that time, Azerbaijan regularly accused Armenians of using the occupied territories as a drug smuggling hub, though there was never any firm evidence presented.

Azerbaijan regained control over Jabrayil and the other territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh in the 2020 war.

In October 2021, President Ilham Aliyev said that as a result of that war, a major, Armenian-run drug route from Iran to Europe via Jabrayil had been shut down.

“Azerbaijan has closed the drug trafficking route from Iran to Armenia and then to Europe that used to pass through Jabrayil district,” Aliyev said. “The volume of heroin we have seized in other areas of the Azerbaijani-Iranian border has doubled compared to the same period last year. This means that for about 30 years, Armenia, together with Iran, had used the former occupied territories of Azerbaijan for drug trafficking to Europe.”

The border service and local police also have made other arrests in Jabrayil: in March (twice), April, and May, accusing people of smuggling over 120 kilos of drugs including marijuana and heroin. One of those cases involved the same border post where the most recent arrests took place.

According to the latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report on global drug prices, one kilo of wholesale marijuana is worth a minimum of 5,000 manats ($2,900) in Azerbaijan, making the latest haul worth more than $250,000.

The solution to these sorts of cases, suggested one opposition politician, is to speed up the resettlement of the territories like Jabrayil. Over 600,000 Azerbaijanis were displaced from the area as a result of the war in the 1990s, and thus far only a small handful have returned.

“Unfortunately, a group of State Border Service soldiers, who are responsible for ensuring the security of our state border and fighting against the illegal trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances, were detained in Jabrayil while trying to transport a large amount of drugs from Iran to Azerbaijan,” Razim Amiraslanli, the deputy chair of the Musavat Party, wrote on Facebook.

“Our border villages and settlements should be restored quickly. The sooner the population settles in the liberated territories, the more beneficial it will be for our state, our people and our soldiers,” he wrote. 

Ulkar Natiqqizi is an Azerbaijani journalist.

NATO calls on Azerbaijani and Armenian sides to return to negotiating table

Emil Lazarian

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 16:39, 4 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. NATO calls for immediately ceasing the hostilities between the Armenian and Azerbaijani forces and returning to the negotiation table.

“NATO calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces. We deeply regret the loss of life and urge both sides to de-escalate and return to the negotiating table”, Javier Colomina, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, said on Twitter, adding: “NATO supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan”.

On August 3, two Artsakh soldiers were killed and 19 others were wounded when Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire and launched an attack on Artsakh military positions. The Azerbaijani military used mortars, grenade-launchers, combat UAVs in attacking a permanent deployment location of an Artsakh military base.