Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Baku Accused Of Trying To Curb Red Cross Presence In Karabakh
• Sargis Harutyunyan
Nagorno Karabakh - Bertrand Lamon (right), head of the Stepanakert office of the
International Committee of the Red Cross, meets with Karabakh officials, January
22, 2021
Armenia criticized Azerbaijan on Wednesday for what it called attempts to
restrict long-running activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“They are forcing even the International Committee of the Red Cross, a purely
humanitarian organization, to fit into a policy wanted by them,” Foreign
Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told reporters.
“This is the only [international] organization that has been present in
Nagorno-Karabakh during all these years, and Azerbaijan is now, in essence,
restricting even that,” he said without elaborating on those restrictions.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry was quick to dismiss the criticism. It said
that “any international organization’s activities on our country’s sovereign
territory is a bilateral issue concerning that international organization and
Azerbaijan.”
The ICRC has had offices in Stepanakert as well as Baku and Yerevan since the
early 1990s. They have dealt with humanitarian issues such as repatriation of
prisoners and bodies of victims of the Karabakh conflict.
Baku is also understood to be blocking international mediators’ renewed visits
to Karabakh.
The U.S., Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group had for decades
travelled to the disputed territory and met with its ethnic Armenian leadership
during regular tours of the conflict zone. The visits practically stopped with
the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent outbreak of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani war.
The mediators planned to resume their shuttle diplomacy after organizing talks
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in New York in September.
The trip has still not taken place, however.
Russian Officials Hold Fresh Talks On Armenian-Azeri Transport Links
Armenia - Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian meets with his Russian
counterpart Alexei Overchuk and the head of Russian Railways network, Oleg
Belozerov, Yerevan, February 2, 2022.
Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk visited Yerevan on Wednesday for
further talks with Armenian officials on ongoing efforts to restore transport
links between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Overchuk arrived in the Armenian capital with Oleg Belozerov, the chief
executive of the Russian Railways (RZD) state monopoly managing Armenia’s
railway network. They met with Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian.
An Armenian government statement on the meeting said they discussed, among other
things, issues on the agenda of a Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani working group
dealing with practical modalities of opening the Armenian-Azerbaijani border to
passenger and cargo traffic. The statement gave no details.
The working group co-headed by Overchuk and his Armenian and Azerbaijani
opposite numbers last met in Moscow on December 1. It had been expected to
formalize relevant understandings reached by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Russia in Sochi on November 26.
The trilateral body announced no deals on the transport links, however. It
emerged afterwards that Baku and Yerevan disagree on the status of a highway
that would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave through Armenia’s
Syunik province.
The two sides appear to be much closer to establishing a rail link between
Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan, which would also pass through Syunik.
The Armenian government set up last month a task force that will coordinate work
on the 45-kilometer railway
Grigorian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service in December that its planned
construction will likely cost $200 million and take about three years. Russian
officials have not said publicly whether RZD is ready to invest or participate
otherwise in the project.
Armenia -- A commuter train at Yerevan railway station, February 27, 2018
RZD runs the Armenian railway network, called South Caucasus Railway (SCR), in
line with a 30-year management contract signed with the former Armenian
government in 2008.
The statement on Grigorian’s talks with Overchuk and Belozerov said the two
sides “emphasized the SRC’s important role in the Armenian economy” and
discussed “further development” of the company’s cooperation with the current
government.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said in early January that
Moscow is aiming for a quick “completion of the elaboration of the parameters of
joint infrastructure initiatives” agreed with Yerevan and Baku.
Armenian FM Cautiously Upbeat On Talks With Turkey
• Sargis Harutyunyan
Armenia – Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan (right) and his Austrian
counterpart Alexander Schallenberg hold a joint news conference in Yerevan,
February 2, 2022.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Wednesday voiced cautious optimism over the
success of negotiations on normalizing Armenia’s relations with Turkey.
Turkish and Armenian officials held the first round of the negotiations in
Moscow on January 14. The foreign ministries of the two neighboring nations
described the talks as “positive and constructive.”
They said special envoys representing the two sides agreed to continue the
dialogue “without preconditions.” It is still not clear when they will meet
again.
“I must say that the first meeting didn’t address many substantive issues, but
there are some positive signs that the process will unfold successfully,”
Mirzoyan said after holding talks in Yerevan with Austrian Foreign Minister
Alexander Schallenberg.
“But again, these are issues which don’t depend only on the position of one
side,” he told a joint news conference.
The minister insisted that just like its predecessors, the current Armenian
government stands for normalizing bilateral ties “without preconditions.” “It is
with these expectations that we embarked on this dialogue,” he stressed.
Mirzoyan complained as recently as in November that the Turks are setting “new
preconditions” for establishing diplomatic relations and opening their border
with Armenia. He alluded to their statements making the normalization of
Turkish-Armenian relations conditional on Armenia agreeing to open a land
corridor that would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave.
Turkish leaders have also cited Baku’s demands for a formal Armenian recognition
of Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenian opposition leaders have accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of being
ready to accept these demands. Pashinian’s political allies have denied that.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has repeatedly made clear that Ankara
will continue to coordinate its Armenian policy with Baku.
Cavusoglu announced two weeks ago that he has invited Mirzoyan to an
international conference that will be held in Turkey in March. Pashinian
signaled last week that Yerevan will likely accept the invitation.
Mirzoyan likewise said that he has “no problem” with attending the Antalya
Diplomacy Forum organized by the Turkish government. But he also cautioned: “The
Armenian Foreign Ministry has made no decision on this yet. The issue is being
discussed.”
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2022 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
Armenian, Austrian FMs hold private meeting in Yerevan
11:56, 2 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. The tête-à-tête meeting of Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg was held in Yerevan today, the Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on social media.
The spokesperson added that the conversation of the two FMs will be followed by the meeting in enlarged format.
Austrian FM honors Armenian Genocide victims at Yerevan memorial
13:20, 2 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg and his delegation visited today the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, accompanied by Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute said.
Director of the Museum-Institute Harutyun Marutyan introduced the guests on the history of the creation of the Memorial.
The Armenian and Austrian Foreign Ministers laid wreaths at the Memorial and flowers at the Eternal Flame, by paying tribute to the memory of the innocent victims with a moment of silence.
In order to achieve regional peace, a similar position of Azerbaijan is needed – FM Mirzoyan
17:54, 2 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. The process of resolving all issues resulted by the 44-day war and any other issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should take place within the framework of the OSCE, in particular, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, ARMENPRESS reports Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, said during a joint press conference with the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, answering the question what role the international community can have in the repatriation of Armenian POWs and ensuring the entry of humanitarian organizations to Artsakh.
Alexander Schallenberg noted that the will of the international community can never replace the will of the conflicting sides to reach a settlement.
“The will of Baku, Yerevan, Azerbaijanis and Armenians is needed to move forward in that direction. We know that the wound is still open, you mentioned the existing problems, the issue of the status of Nagorno Karabakh, the issue of borders. There are still some open issues, but I have the impression that the moods have changed a bit since my previous visit, I am more encouraged now than I was last summer as I see signs of moving in the right direction. I am speaking on behalf of Austria, the European Union, I hope the OSCE, that we are ready to help, but you must be willing to accept our help,” said the Austrian Foreign Minister.
Responding to the Austrian counterpart’s comment, the Armenian Foreign Minister agreed that no matter how much the international community uses its toolkit to encourage the parties to reach an agreement, it is essential that the parties first and foremost exercise that political will. And the whole world has seen that Armenia is ready, really wants to build peace in our region, to solve all the problems. But the problem, according to Minister Mirzoyan, is that by expressing that readiness, Yerevan always receives the exact opposite messages from official Baku.
“As an example, I can advise my colleagues to look at the recent statement of thepPresident of Azerbaijan. As in the past, I repeat today that anti-Armenian rhetoric, aggressive rhetoric, aggressive steps at the border, failure to solve humanitarian problems, such as the continued presence of prisoners of war in Azerbaijan, to put it mildly, do not contribute to a constructive atmosphere. I would like to add that though it was not provided by the trilateral ceasefire statement, however, the Armenian side provided Azerbaijan with maps of minefields, as we are not interested in the death of people, we have unilaterally resolved this issue,” Mirzoyan said.
Mirzoyan also touched upon the issue of international organizations, again noting with regret that Azerbaijan shows a unconstructive approach to this issue, forcing international organizations, even the International Committee of the Red Cross, to put up with their policy.
“This is the only organization that has had a presence, an entry and exit to Nagorno Karabakh during these years, and now Azerbaijan restricts even this. I must summarize and reaffirm that we want a constructive dialogue, a solution to all issues, as you mentioned, with the aim of establishing peace, stability in the region, but a similar position of Azerbaijan is required here,” he added.
Armenian-Georgian relations show new dynamics. PM Pashinyan receives Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia
17:59, 2 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri. Police Chief of Armenia Vahe Ghazaryan also attended the meeting, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Greeting the guest, the PM said, “I am very happy for the new dynamics in the relations between our countries. A few days ago, the Minister of Justice of Georgia was here, but unfortunately I could not meet him because of the Covid. Our Police Chief had paid a visit to Georgia before. We summed up last year with the sitting of the Armenian-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Tbilisi. Before that, I had several meetings with the Prime Minister of Georgia, my friend Irakli Garibashvili. And I think it’s very important that our law enforcement systems establish close cooperation. It is important for the security of our countries, for the protection of the rule of law”. Nikol Pashinyan asked to convey his heartfelt greetings and wishes of health to the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, who has contracted the coronavirus.
Vakhtang Gomelauri thanked for the reception, conveying to the Armenian PM the warm greetings of the Georgian PM. “Armenia is a very important partner for Georgia, it is a neighbor and a friendly country. I always emphasize that Armenians and Georgians are the nearest and dearest peoples, we are very close, with similarities in traditions and cultures, we are close in every aspect.
As for our cooperation, let me say that just after the first meeting we have already made friends with the Police Chief. I would like to express our readiness for further cooperation. You should know that we are always ready to support and are also ready to consider your experience, which is quite extensive. What you have just undertaken, I am particularly about the Patrol Service, is a very laudable and important program. I wish you a successful completion.”
Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the continuous strengthening of the effective cooperation between the law enforcement systems of the two countries.
The interlocutors exchanged views on sectoral reforms in Armenia and Georgia, shared information on the results of the patrol service reform process. Both sides highlighted exchange of experience and constant communication in the spirit of Armenian-Georgian friendly relations.
Armenpress: Armenian, Austrian FMs discuss issues related to rich agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation
Armenian, Austrian FMs discuss issues related to rich agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation
21:04, 2 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. On February 2, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, who is in Yerevan on a working visit. As ARMENPRESS was infomred from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the meeting started with a private talk, then continued in an expanded format with the participation of delegations.
Welcoming Autrian FM Alexander Schalenberg, Ararat Mirzoyan noted ․ “It is noteworthy that the visit takes place in the jubilee year of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Austria. This is an opportunity to outline steps to strengthen political dialogue between our two countries and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.”
The Ministers discussed issues related to the rich agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Armenia and Austria. The development of economic ties between the two countries was highlighted, attaching importance to the activity of the Armenian-Austrian intergovernmental commission on trade-economic-scientific-technical cooperation, as well as the establishment of contacts between the business circles.
Minister Mirzoyan noted with satisfaction Armenia’s inclusion in the framework strategic plan of Austrian Development Cooperation 2021-2027, expressing conviction that the latter provides wide opportunities for further progress in the direction of strengthening democracy, protection of human rights and economic development.
The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Austria touched upon international and regional developments. The sides exchanged views on the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey without preconditions.
The ministers discussed the situation created by the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabakh and its people, as well as the situation created by the invasion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia.
The FMs also touched upon humanitarian issues, in particular, the need for immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees, the preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories under Azerbaijani control, and the unhindered involvement of relevant international organizations on the ground. In this context, Ararat Mirzoyan expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the Austrian government in overcoming the humanitarian consequences of the 44-day war.
The Ministers stressed the need for a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. In this regard, the Armenian Foreign Minister stressed that the Armenian side, among other issues on the agenda, highlights the Co-Chairs’ visits to the region.
Ararat Mirzoyan and Alexander Schalenberg also discussed issues related to the Armenia-EU partnership.
It is mentioned that the meeting was followed by a joint press conference of the ministers.
Later, with the participation of the two ministers, the official opening ceremony of the Austrian Development Agency office took place, where Ararat Mirzoyan delivered an opening speech.
In the morning of the same day, the delegation led by the Austrian Federal Minister of European Affairs Alexander Schalenberg, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to the memory of the Genocide victims accomponied by Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan.
FlyOne Armenia starts flights to Istanbul
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 2 2022
The air communication between Yerevan and Istanbul was resumed today as FlyOne Armenia launched non-scheduled commercial flights on Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan route.
On this occasion a temporary exhibition of world-famous Armenian photographer Ara Guler’s works was organized at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan.
In February-March the Yerevan-Istanbul flights from Zvartnots International Airport to Istanbul International Airport will be operated twice a week – on Mondays and Fridays.
It is planned to increase the number of flights from April, 2022. The company will operate three flights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Ticket prices start from 39 euros, and will cost 34 euros for FLuOne CLUB members. Tickets and additional services can be purchased from the website www.flyone.am or through the mobile application, available in the Google App or App Store, as well as all partner agencies.
Armenian alpine skier tests positive for Covid-19, likely to miss the Olympics
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 2 2022
Armenian alpine skier Harutyun Harutyunyan has tested positive for Covid-19 and will not leave for Beijing, President of Armenia’s Ski Federation Gagik Sargsyan told Armenpress.
Sargsyan and coach Arsen nersisyan have also tested positive.
Members of the delegation were required to pass coronavirus tests for three days before leaving for Beijing. Sargsyan and coach Arsen nersisyan also tested positive.
“Even if the test result is negative a few days later, we will still not be able to reach Beijing because there is a flight problem. The teams leave for the Olympic Games by charter flights, the last flight was on January 31. We have asked the National Olympic Committee to somehow arrange the departure of alpine skier Harutyun Harutyunyan to Beijing, he is expected to start on February 12.” Sargsyan said.
Other skiers Mikayel Mikayelyan, Katya Galstyan and Angelina Muradyan are in Beijing. Coaches Artur Mikayelyan and Alla Mikaelyan are also there.
The delegation is led by Armen Grigoryan from the Olympic Committee.
12-month inflation will gradually decline in Armenia – Central Bank
16:30, 1 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. According to the estimates of the Central Bank, the external sector will still have an inflationary impact on the economy of Armenia, but the Bank expects that the 12-month inflation will gradually decline and will approach the targeted 4% figure in a predicted horizon.
During a press conference today, Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia Martin Galstyan reminded that during today’s session the Board of the Central Bank decided to raise the refinancing rate by 0.25%, setting it at 8.0%. The 12-month inflation in December 2021 declined, comprising 7.7%.
“The 12-month inflation declined in accordance with the CBA forecasts and comprised 7.3%. the economic recovery continues in main partner countries of Armenia”, he said.
Another wave of the pandemic is spreading in Armenia at rapid rates, however, according to the CBA Governor, its impact on the economy is estimated as “mild”. A high economic activity was registered in construction and industry branches in late 2021. The Board of the Bank agrees that the total demand remains high at the expense of external demand which contributes to the maintenance of inflationary environment.
Therefore, the Board found it appropriate to raise the refinancing rate. “As a result of these policy actions the 12-month inflation will gradually decline and will approach the targeted 4% in the predicted horizon. The Board believes that the uncertainty with macro-economic prospects conditioned by geopolitical developments is still high. In case of risks, the Board will respond adequately and will ensure the price stability goal”, Galstyan said.
FlyOne Armenia ready for first Yerevan-Istanbul flight scheduled on Feb 2
17:14, 1 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian airline FlyOne Armenia is ready for the first Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flight scheduled on February 2, Aram Ananyan, Flyone Armenia Chairman of the Board of Directors, told Armenpress.
He said that all preparation works have been done, the coronavirus-related measures have been taken into account.
According to Ananyan, there is an interest to the Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights. He says the current activeness level over the flights is in accordance with the preliminary predictions of the company.
“We attach importance to the restoration of air communication in this direction on the basis of reciprocity. As we have already said, it’s a very good opportunity to strengthen the ties between the Armenian community of Istanbul and the Homeland”, Aram Ananyan said.
The airline also pays special attention to the coronavirus-related measures. Wearing a face mask on the plane will be mandatory. The airplanes are equipped with HEPA filters which remove 99,97% of viruses and bacteria from the air. Aram Ananyan emphasized that the health and safety of passengers are a priority for them.
Initially, it is planned to carry out Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. However, the airline is planning to increase the number of flights in the future, operating them on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The FlyOne Armenia airline has recently received a permit from the Turkish government to operate roundtrip flights from Yerevan to Istanbul. The airline received the permit from Armenian authorities earlier in late December 2021.