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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

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan, Iran to sign accords on energy, industry sectors

Emil Lazarian
11 March 2022 16:45 (UTC+04:00)
848

 

By Sabina Mammadli

Baku and Tehran will sign certain accords on the energy and industry sectors at the 15th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Iran Intergovernmental Joint Economic Commission, Trend has reported.

Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Rostam Ghasemi made the remarks before his visit to Azerbaijan.

He noted that a number of agreements and contracts will be signed between various authorities of Azerbaijan and Iran.

“Certain agreements related to the energy and industrial sectors will be reached at the meeting of the commission. Cooperation in agriculture and trade between the two countries will also be discussed,” he added.

Ghasemi added that it is planned to increase the activities of the Iran Khodro Company in Azerbaijan.

In a separate statement, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Mehdi Safari said that there is a great opportunity to open a new page in economic relations between Iran and Azerbaijan.

He emphasized that the meeting will create conditions for the development of cooperation in many areas, including transit, trade, technical engineering services, tourism, agriculture, and others.

The deputy minister added that several construction projects in Azerbaijan have been implemented by Iran.

“It is hoped that Iranian companies with sufficient potential in the construction sector will be involved in the implementation of more projects,” he said.

Safari underlined that Iran highly values strengthening economic relations with various countries with a special place for neighboring countries.

Meanwhile, the official visit of Rostam Ghasemi, accompanied by a large delegation, to Azerbaijan has started. He has already been received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The Iranian delegation has started its visit from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

Within the visit, the Iranian minister will meet with Nakhchivan Supreme Majlis Chairman Vasif Talibov, familiarize himself with the Julfa border terminal and the Julfa-Tabriz railway station.

The minister noted that within the visit, Tehran-Baku relations will be discussed, aiming for further development.

On November 28, 2021, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan signed a trilateral agreement on swapping gas supplies in Ashgabat. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi.

The agreement envisages deliveries of 1.5 to 2 billion cubic meters of gas each year, with Turkmenistan supplying gas to Iran and Iran delivering an equal quantity of gas to Azerbaijan. Thus, under the trilateral deal, Turkmenistan will sell 5-6 million cubic meters of gas per day to Azerbaijan. These volumes are expected to increase in the future.

After liberating its lands from Armenian occupation in the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan regained control over a 132-km section of the Azerbaijan-Iran border. The re-establishment of control over the state border opened up new prospects for deeper cooperation between the two countries.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran in 2021 was $440.8 million.

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan, Russia eye fulfilment of tripartite statements

Emil Lazarian
11 March 2022 17:00 (UTC+04:00)
648

By Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov have discussed the implementation of tripartite statements earlier signed by Baku, Moscow and Yerevan after the end of the 44-day war in 2020.

The meeting was held within the framework of participation in the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya on March 10.

At the meeting, the ministers focused on the current regional situation, including the fulfillment of tripartite statements, creating opportunities for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, unblocking the regional communication and transport lines and the border delimitation.

During the meeting, the parties also considered topical issues on the bilateral agenda.

The parties exchanged views on the current situation in Ukraine, negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and ways to resolve the crisis.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting.

The trilateral ceasefire deal signed by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders on November 10, 2020, ended the three-decade conflict over Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region which along with the seven adjacent districts came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

The deal also stipulated the return of Azerbaijan’s Kalbajar, Aghdam and Lachin regions. Before the signing of the peace deal, Azerbaijan liberated 300 villages, settlements, city centers, and historic Shusha city that had been under Armenian occupation for about 30 years.

On January 11, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed the second statement since the end of the 44-day war. The newly-signed statement was set to implement clause 9 of the November 2020 statement related to the unblocking of all economic and transport communications in the region.

On November 26, 2021, the three leaders signed a statement and agreed on a number of issues, including the demarcation and delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border by late 2021, some points related to humanitarian issues and the issue of unblocking of transport corridors which applies to the railway and to automobile communications.

On December 14, 2021, during the Brussels meeting, organized between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders at the initiative of European Council President Charles Michel, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the conditions agreed in the Sochi meeting.

Both sides agreed to establish a temporary working group on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The issue of demining the liberated territories of Azerbaijan was also brought up on the agenda, and the European Union’s readiness to provide technical assistance to Azerbaijan in this regard was underlined at the meeting.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz  


Turkish press: Stoltenberg praises Turkey’s diplomatic efforts for Ukraine war

Emil Lazarian
 ISTANBUL MAR 11, 2022 – 12:42 PM GMT+3

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg gives an interview on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Antalya, Turkey, March 11, 2022. (AA Photo)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday commended Turkey for facilitating diplomatic and political processes “that can lead to a peaceful discussion between Ukraine and Russia.”

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Stoltenberg said that as the Ukraine-Russia war marks its 16th day, NATO stated that it “understands frustration” in Ukraine while noting that “an escalation beyond Ukraine’s borders would actually just cause even more suffering, more death.”

He also commented on the enacting of a no-fly zone in Ukraine as he stressed that “implementing a no-fly zone in Ukraine would mean massive airstrikes against Russian air defense systems, leading to a direct confrontation with Russia.”

“We see a brutality, we see an absolutely unjustified attack on Ukraine, on civilians in Ukraine and this is horrific,” said Stoltenberg and urged Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to “end this war.”

Citing the alliance’s support to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said the NATO members are providing both military and financial aid while also imposing “heavy sanctions on Russia.”

“NATO stands united partly in imposing unprecedented costs on Russia through economic sanctions we haven’t seen before,” said the alliance chief.

Politicians, diplomats, opinion makers and academics from around the world have gathered in Turkey to discuss hot-button global issues at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

The second edition of the annual event kicked off on Friday with panel discussions and will be followed by opening speeches by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as well as Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

The forum will continue with various panel discussions through Sunday, where prominent participants will discuss a wide range of topics concerning international relations.

Stoltenberg and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell are also among the participants of the forum.

Another significant dignitary to attend the forum is Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who arrived in Antalya Thursday in the backdrop of talks to normalize relations with Turkey.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen, Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisaid Muse Ali and European Parliament standing rapporteur on Turkey Nacho Sanchez Amor are also among the participants.

The event is being held at the NEST Congress and Exhibition Center in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya under the theme of “Recoding Diplomacy.”

Prominent leaders and diplomats from different countries will hold debates of global importance, including the “Price of Peace, Cost of War” and “Pathways to Peace and Prosperity.”

Panel discussions will also be held on democratic governance, leadership and diplomacy, energy security, fighting racism and discrimination, irregular migration, revisiting security in Europe, climate change and energy transition, green economy and empowering women.

In addition to the panels, the forum will host special guests, roundtable meetings and other events.

“The participants will address a wide range of topics in international relations under the overarching theme of Recoding Diplomacy,” according to a statement on the organizers’ website.

“Diplomacy is indeed transforming. Its language and methods are changing,” the statement added. “Competition, discord and even conflict are constants in international affairs and affect humanity with changing dynamic.”

“New fluctuations in global affairs coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the need for transformation,” it added. “Shifts in the relationship between state and the individual as well as technological innovation require attention.”

Last year, the forum was held under the theme “Innovative Diplomacy: New Era, New Approaches.”

Turkish press: Azerbaijan sends Armenia 5-point proposal to renew relations

Emil Lazarian
 ISTANBUL MAR 11, 2022 – 10:41 PM GMT+3

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov speaks to Anadolu Agency (AA) in an interview at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, March 11, 2022. (AA Photo)

Azerbaijan sent a proposal containing five conditions to normalize relations with Armenia, the country’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said Friday.

Bayramov, who is in Turkey to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Azerbaijan is waiting for Armenia’s response.

“This is a really nice opportunity for Azerbaijan if they sincerely want to normalize relations,” he said. He noted that Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territory in complete disregard of United Nations Security Council resolutions for over three decades had posed an obstacle on the way to establishing diplomatic ties.

Bayramov continued by saying that Azerbaijan’s liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 eliminated the factor of occupation and that Baku is in favor of normalizing ties with Armenia despite the difficulties and issues of the past.

The Azerbaijani military routed the Armenian forces in 44 days of fierce fighting in the fall of 2020, which ended with a Russia-brokered peace deal that saw Azerbaijan gain control of a significant part of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Russia has deployed nearly 2,000 peacekeepers for at least five years to monitor the peace deal.

“Armenia has not responded to our offer for about a year. To show its goodwill, Azerbaijan recently made a new proposal to Armenia,” Bayramov said, adding that Baku awaits Yerevan’s response.

Bayramov said the two sides would take steps in line with Armenia’s response afterward.

Azerbaijan’s one-page proposal outlines main principles in line with international relations and does not contain anything “out of the ordinary,” according to Bayramov.

One of the points in the proposal includes the demarcation of the borders between the two countries, which Azerbaijan had proposed to solve, but Armenia had consistently brought preconditions to address it.

Highlighting that preconditions are unacceptable to launch the process, Bayramov said a bilateral cooperation group needs to be established and the new group needs to start work as soon as possible.

Bayramov had previously said that Azerbaijan “fully supports” the normalization of relations between neighboring Turkey and Armenia.

Following years of frozen ties, the neighboring countries of Turkey and Armenia have announced they seek to normalize relations amid efforts for regional integration and cooperation in the South Caucasus. In December, the two countries appointed special envoys to normalize relations.

The borders between the two countries have been closed for decades, and diplomatic relations have been on hold. Armenia and Turkey signed a landmark peace accord in 2009 to restore ties and open their shared border after decades, but the deal was never ratified and ties have remained tense.

Relations between Armenia and Turkey have historically been complicated. During the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict last year, Ankara supported Baku in its war that saw it liberate Azerbaijani territories from Yerevan’s occupation.

Azerbaijan and Iran sign deal to create new links from East Zangezur and Nakhchivan

Emil Lazarian

CHRISTIAN FERNSBY | 

A memorandum of understanding between Azerbaijan and Iran was signed in Baku on the creation of new communication links between the East Zangezur economic region of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the territory of Iran.

According to the memorandum, this transport corridor, consisting of a railway line, a broadband highway, power transmission lines, digital communications, will be laid through the territory of Iran, about 5 km south of the Armenian-Iranian border.

To achieve this large-scale goal, it is planned to build four bridges across the Aras River – two automobiles (with a pedestrian crossing) and two railways.

According to the memorandum, the parties undertake to build checkpoints on their territories capable of servicing at least 1,000 incoming and outgoing heavy vehicles transporting goods of an export, import and transit nature during the day.

All expenses for the preparation of project documentation, construction and control over the construction of a road bridge connecting the East Zangezur economic region with Iran will be paid by the Azerbaijani side.

In turn, all expenses for the preparation of project documentation and the construction of a road bridge connecting Iran with the Ordubad region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are borne by the Iranian side.

The parties agreed that a joint working group consisting of representatives of the relevant structures of both parties will be created for the design and construction of bridges.

The new transport corridor will actually duplicate the Zangezur corridor, the creation of which was envisaged on the territory of Armenia in accordance with paragraph 9 of the tripartite statement dated November 10, 2020, signed between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

After the end of the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan took practical steps to implement the Zangezur transport corridor with the hope that it would be laid in the future also through the territory of Armenia – at the moment a new transport artery is being created which was supposed to be connected to the communications of Armenia.

The new transport corridor, the name of which has not yet been invented, is intended not only to connect Nakhchivan with the mainland of Azerbaijan, but also to become a branch of the North-South international transport corridor, which creates a good foundation for the future in terms of cooperation not only in the direction of North-South, but also in the direction of East-West.

In this context, the launch of a new transport corridor will change both the transport and economic architecture of the region.


South Caucasus Closely Watches Ukraine

Emil Lazarian
MODERN DIPLOMACY
PUBLISHED BY

Emil Avdaliani

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine reverberates across the world, one region particularly susceptible to unfolding geopolitical changes is the South Caucasus. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are trying to maneuver trying to balance between potential Russian reprisals and the need, near necessity, to stand together with Ukraine. 

Georgia is on a knife-edge. It has sent mixed signals over the past two weeks. Tbilisi applied for EU membership but has also largely abstained from publicly criticizing Russia. Ordinary people, however, have been expressing support. With large gatherings in central Tbilisi, constant flow of humanitarian aid is flowing to Kyiv. It seems that Tbilisi tries to maintain a certain balance while it is still unclear how the war in Ukraine ends. Russia winning augurs trouble for Tbilisi. As the second country mentioned in Russia’s security demands addressed to NATO and the US, Georgia feels insecure and rightfully considers that a victorious Russia will have greater space to pressure Tbilisi into obedience regarding the latter’s NATO aspirations.

Russia’s retreat, on the contrary, will be a major boon for Georgia’s EU/NATO membership bids. Understanding the Georgian government’s logic, Russia has sent some positive signals to Tbilisi as the latter did not join the sanctions regime against Moscow. 

But the balancing game is turning increasingly untenable. Pressure from inside grows as do calls from international partners. Hopes that Russia might be changing its position on the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is premature at best. Yet one positive development for Georgia though is that two separatist territories are unlikely to see expanding international recognition. Moscow’s recognition of Donbas entities showed that the Kremlin purposefully fostered separatist regimes for geopolitical goals and that there is no ground for inter-ethnic problems Moscow has been arguing about. The end result is that Russia created too many entities for its foreign policy to gain credibility and expect wider recognition. 

With Azerbaijan Russia will continue its highly successful transactional approach. The recent agreement on allied cooperation with Baku stressed this tactic. Moreover, it also means that Moscow has successfully laid ground for its likely presence in Azerbaijan post-2025. Baku has avoided openly criticizing Russia as it also fears potential Russian reprisals. In a way, Azerbaijan, sandwiched in between Russia and Iran, has little maneuvering room. Alliance with Turkey would not be saving the country from potential threats.

Armenia is perhaps least shaken by the war in Ukraine. The trauma of 2020 and how the West was largely absent from the conflict and the post-war period made many angry to the way the West has been responding to the Russian invasion. Armenia simply has little space to maneuver and its decision to support Russia in various votes in international settings since the war began underlines the growing limits Yerevan faces in the last years especially following 2020 war. 

The three countries nevertheless fear that if Russia wins it would be able to further close off the South Caucasus from the West, whose influence has already been declining in the region for some time. The Second Nagorno-Karabakh war and the subsequent 3+3 initiative covering all regional players highlights changing balance of power in the region. What Russia aspires is a greater acquiescence. Iran and to a certain extent Turkey will be critical in shaping the new order where hierarchy will be a dominating feature.

The South Caucasus states are also watching for any signs of potential shifts in Russia’s position over Ukraine. An outright Russian defeat is hardly possible at this stage, but withdrawal is quite possible. This could lead to unraveling of some of the aspects of Russia’s foreign policy in the South Caucasus. First, Georgia might be successful in its EU membership bid, while Azerbaijan could be pushing for the end of Russia peacekeeping mission in 2025. Shattered Russian military prestige would foretell issues for Moscow’s positioning vis-à-vis other regional powers.

Another potential result from Russia’s weakened position could be Armenia increasing its ability for foreign policy maneuvering. Through better ties with Ankara, Yerevan could be realistically aiming at gaining greater autonomy in the economic realm. Improved connectivity and greater trade ties with the neighboring countries will allow Armenia to diversify at least some elements in its foreign policy.

Hard power is the only tool Moscow has been able to use to maintain its clout in the region. This is well reflected in the growing number of military bases Russia has built in the South Caucasus over the past two decades. Therefore, a potential retreat in Ukraine will have a major impact on Moscow’s position among the South Caucasus states and the separatist entities.

Regional powers such as Iran will be also less intent on coordinating its moves with Moscow as willingly as they have tried to do so far. Another actor, Turkey, could become more assertive as it sees a less confident Russia. Moreover, there could be a return of the West in the South Caucasus especially as since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the trans-Atlantic community has shown greater efficiency and willingness to work in unison.

Author’s note: first published in caucasuswatch

 

Armenia FM on normalizing ties with Turkey: We will continue unconditional contacts to develop bilateral relations

Emil Lazarian
 NEWS.am 
Armenia –
14:08, 12.03.2022

We will continue the unconditional contacts to develop bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia stated this after his meeting with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey, according to Report.

“Armenia is determined to establish peace in the region,” Mirzoyan added, speaking to reporters Saturday in Antalya, Turkey.

Iran speaks on elimination of Israeli spy network in Western Azerbaijan province

Emil Lazarian
 NEWS.am 
Armenia –

16:42, 13.03.2022

 The intelligence director general of the province of West Azerbaijan in northwestern Iran said Israel’s largest spy network had been eliminated in the province, Mehr reported.

The spy network tried to carry out acts of sabotage inside Iran, but thanks to the vigilance of the intelligence forces, these threats were neutralized and the spy network was eliminated, the director general of intelligence of the West Azarbaijan province said on Saturday evening.

The scope of the intelligence forces is to disrupt pre-planned plots and destroy anti-security groups, as well as to identify infiltrators and their leaders, he added.

Pogroms Were ‘Direct Assault’ on Artsakh’s Right to Self-Determination, Says Rep. Judy Chu

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Latest, News, Top Stories

Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) added her voice to the growing list of elected officials who have marked the anniversary of the Sumgait and Baku pogroms.

Chu joins representatives Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Tony Cárdenas and State Senator Anthony Portantino, among others who voiced their support for the people of Artsakh and condemned Azerbaijan ongoing aggression Armenia and Artsakh.

Below is Chu’s statement.

Madam Speaker, as the Representative of America’s largest and oldest Armenian population, I rise today to commemorate the Baku and Sumgait Pogroms and to reaffirm that the US stands on the side of democracy and peace–and that means standing with the Armenian people.

Over 30 years ago, as the lines of the Soviet Union were fading, the people of Artsakh were united and voted for greater independence from Azerbaijan. But this peaceful movement for self-determination was followed by premeditated and government-sponsored attacks. Over the next two years, the Armenian population of Artsakh was repeatedly victim to brutal and racially motivated pogroms. Hundreds were murdered, and thousands were displaced in Baku, Sumgait and Kirovabad.

These pogroms were a direct assault on the right of self-determination in Artsakh, and it is an assault that is continuing today. In the fall of 2020, as the world was struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic, Azerbaijan launched yet another war of aggression against the peaceful people of Artsakh, destroying homes and villages and once again displacing thousands.

This violence is unacceptable, which is why I immediately called for a cease fire and have called for an end to U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan. We must also ensure the humanitarian needs of the Armenian people are being met, which is something I have pushed Samantha Power, the Administrator of USAID, to help us do.

Having had the privilege of visiting Artsakh in October 2019, I’ve seen the pride of the people there and I know how strong they are. That is why I know that, just as their spirit could not be defeated after the Sumgait and Baku pogroms, it will not be defeated today.

I am proud to stand with the Armenian people in their fight for democracy and human rights and stand united in rejecting the violence from Azerbaijan that has destroyed too many lives.

Azerbaijani forces fire 120mm mortars in direction of village school in Artsakh

Emil Lazarian

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 10:55,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. Around 10:20, March 11 the Azerbaijani forces fired two 120mm mortar shells in the direction of the Khnapat village (Askeran region) in Artsakh. The shells hit the area near the village school, the Artsakh Ministry of Interior said.

No one was hurt in the attack.

In addition, the Ministry of Interior said that now the Azerbaijani military deployed in positions adjacent to the Taghavard village in Martuni region are using loudspeakers to threaten the villagers, telling them to leave the territory.

The Ministry of Interior said the regional police departments are preparing materials over the incident.