In the penultimate round of the European Individual Chess Championship taking place in Slovenia, Armenian Grandmaster Gabriel Sargsyan defeated Azerbaijani Abdullah Gadimbayli with white pieces and became the leader.
Sargsyan earned 8 points.
20:29, 4 April, 2022
YEREVAN, APRIL 4, ARMENPRESS. The United Kingdom intends to hold a meeting of the UN Security Council on Ukraine on April 5, ARMENPRESS reports the permanent representative of Great Britain in the UN Barbara Woodward said in a video message posted on “Twitter”.
In her video message, she stressed the need to pay special attention to the events in the Ukrainian city of Bucha.
Earlier, journalists and Ukrainian officials said the bodies of 16 people had been found in the town of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities have blamed the Russian military for killing them.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the video of the Bucha incident is fake.
Armenia is fearing fresh bloodshed on its border with Azerbaijan after armed clashes restarted between the two regional rivals, Newsweek magazine said.
Azeri forces are attacking Armenian soldiers in Nagorno-Karabakh and this was a “clear violation” of a ceasefire signed between Baku and Yerevan in November 2020, following six weeks of clashes over the disputed region, said Hayk Mamijanyan, a deputy of the Armenian parliament.
Azerbaijan is using the situation in Ukraine as “leverage” to renew its offensive and “to take advantage” of Russia’s war there, Mamijanyan told Newsweek on Saturday.
Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, began a successful military offensive against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2020. The conflict ended in November with a Russia-brokered ceasefire. Azerbaijan regained control of much of the disputed territory controlled by ethnic Armenians since the 1990s.
“The world, most of the international organisations were silent during the 44-day war, and I do hope that, despite the inefficiency of the Armenian government, international organisations, and the world will pay attention to the crimes Azerbaijan is conducting at the moment,” Mamijanyan said.
“This coincidence with the Ukrainian crisis cannot be accidental,” Kristine Vardanyan, another deputy of the Armenian parliament told Newsweek.
Azerbaijan has denied that clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh have restarted.
“The information spread by Armenian sources, regarding the situation that has allegedly been escalating along the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, does not reflect the reality,” the Azeri Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
No clashes or incidents have occurred, and the situation is “artificially exaggerated by Armenian sources” it said. “There is no reason to worry or panic.”
In a separate statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said that “members of illegal Armenian armed detachments attempted to sabotage the Azerbaijan army units, and as a result of immediate measures, members of illegal Armenian armed detachments were forced to retreat.”
Azerbaijan is committed to the ceasefire agreement and has not violated any of its provisions, the ministry said. “It is Armenia, not Azerbaijan, that violates the provisions,” it said.
The official announcement of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the Azeri attack in Nagorno-Karabakh on March 25, 2022, thus violating the Ceasefire Agreement, while proving their sad attitude towards Armenia which shows cowardice and hypocrisy.
They do not dare utter the name of Azerbaijan as the culprit of this violation, which lets the reader’s imagination choose who they want to hold responsible – the Azeris, the Armenians or the Russians.
It seems as if this announcement was made by force, by people who are afraid of being exposed in the eyes of those responsible, who are none other than the Azeris, who systematically violate this agreement.
Greece as the new Pontius Pilate, tries to keep equal distances, applying the doctrine of neutrality at a time when for Ukraine it took a clear position, without a second thought.
The embarrassing announcement by the Greek Foreign Minister states the following:
“Greece expresses its concern over the latest armed incidents and advance of military units in Nagorno-Karabakh. We call for these acts to cease immediately, units to withdraw to their starting positions & respect the ceasefire agreement of November 9, 2020.”
Let them answer us clearly from the Foreign Minister, who is this unknown actor who is called to return to his original positions?
However, lessons of courage and true friendship were given by the American Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress, Mr. Robert Menendez , who made the following statement:
“Reports that Azerbaijani forces have entered parts of Nagorno Karabakh and launched drone strikes on the region’s self-defense forces are extremely concerning. I call on Azerbaijani forces to withdraw back to their initial positions and immediately cease their unprovoked attacks.”
This is masculine behavior. Everything else is for the cowardly, the unfriendly and the cowardly.
Krikor Tsakitzian is a contributor to Politis Press.
Moscow said on Saturday that Azerbaijan violated a ceasefire agreement by entering the Russian peacekeeping mission’s zone in Nagorno-Karabakk.
Although this is not by far the first time Azerbaijan has violated the ceasefire agreement, it is the first time Russia has publicly blamed the country for violating the 2020 deal.
The Russian defence ministry also accused Azerbaijani troops of using Turkish-made drones against the regions defence forces.
“Violating the provisions of a trilateral statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia from November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan’s armed forces between March 24 and March 25 entered the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh and set up an observation post,” the Russian defence ministry also said in a statement.
“An appeal has been sent to the Azerbaijani side to withdraw its troops.
“The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is taking measures to resolve the situation.”
For their part, the Russian foreign ministry expressed “extreme concern” over the spiraling tensions in the region.
On Saturday, the Nagorno-Karabakh defence ministry said in a statement that Azerbaijani drones had killed three people and wounded another 15.
“Azerbaijan’s armed forces are continuing to remain in the village of Parukh,” the statement added.
Yerevan called on the international community to prevent attempts aimed at “destabilising the situation in the South Caucasus.”
“We also expect the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh to undertake concrete, visible steps to resolve the situation and prevent new casualties and hostilities,” the Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Yerevan said that the “invasion” of strategically important Parukh “was preceded by constant shelling of Armenian settlements and civilian infrastructure.”
The Armenian foreign ministry said earlier this week that Azerbaijani troops on Thursday moved into the village of Parukh — under control of Russian peacekeepers — in what they said was “a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
ATP Nursery and CTP staff visit The Heroes Rehabilitation City in the village of Proshyan in Kotayk, Armenia
The Community Tree Planting (CTP) team at Armenia Tree Project (ATP) has been evaluating many sites ahead of the planting season which is scheduled to start in a few weeks. As one of ATP’s most visible programs, CTP distributes fruit and decorative trees each year to urban and rural communities throughout Armenia and works with the local population to nurture those trees.
Each year, ATP adds approximately 50 to 100 new sites to its CTP program. Some locations approach ATP for trees, but most locations are from an ATP initiative to provide trees to border villages or communities that would benefit from the environmental and economic investment of trees. Since the beginning of this program, ATP has planted trees at 1,400 sites throughout Armenia and Artsakh. These trees are grown in ATP’s nurseries in the villages of Karin, Khachpar, Chiva and Margahovit, which provide 53 varieties of indigenous fruit and decorative trees.
ATP and CTP team evaluate six criteria before trees are distributed for planting to ensure the trees are cared for and positioned for long-term survival: human factor, fencing and security, soil composition, water irrigation, community land and climate zone. The team investigates potential sites in every region of Armenia and Artsakh.
Sites are monitored regularly to ensure the highest rates of survival and to provide technical assistance to families or institutions that receive trees. More than 10 million pounds of fruit have been harvested from ATP’s trees to improve food security in rural villages and public institutions.
This spring, approximately 20,000 to 23,000 trees will be distributed. Among the new sites are the Heroes Rehabilitation City in the village of Proshyan in Kotayk region and the Great Light CEF Camp Center near Lake Sevan, Gegharkunik region.
The Heroes Rehabilitation City is currently under construction. Their mission is to provide psychological and social care, as well as offer therapy for the soldiers’ families. Their objective is to rehabilitate soldiers with disabilities (including PTSD) and help re-integrate them into society and promote their independence.
ATP’s nursery and CTP teams assessed the area and the various features of the landscape, proposing a list of varieties of trees and shrubs. Since the campus of the Heroes Rehabilitation City is still under construction, planting will be over three seasons. This spring, trees will be distributed in containers, and additional trees will be distributed in the fall and next spring.
The Great Light CEF camp near Sevan Lake serves youth and teens from every region of Armenia, including Artsakh. They also assist displaced Artsakh children living throughout Armenia. The camp offers eight week-long sessions; each session welcomes 45-50 youth and teens. The camp is underwritten by The Christian Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), allowing all the children to attend without charge.
Children come from all different churches and organizations are welcome. All social groups regardless of financial situation, including children of fallen soldiers, orphans, refugees and domestic violence survivors participate.
Many other institutions and communities will also receive trees this spring. ATP expects to plant a record-breaking 400,000 trees this spring.
WATERTOWN, Mass.—While supply chain disruptions and the pandemic have led to some unpredictable delays, the renovation work is nearing completion in what will soon be the state-of-the-art Hairenik Media Center. In the next few weeks, the lighting grid will be installed and thereafter the new flooring. At that point, all that will remain will be the installation of the equipment. Thus far, over $100,000 has been invested in the construction of the media center. It is anticipated another $50,000 will be required to finish the project.
The Hairenik Media Center has been an initiative of the Armenian Cultural Association of America, Inc. (ACAA). The ACAA is a non-profit, 501c3 tax-deductible corporation based in Massachusetts. It is the major funder of the Armenian Weekly and Hairenik Weekly publications, among others, including A Place Called Gyumri: Life in the Armenian Mountains and Letter to Yerevan. A grant from the ACAA also funds the publication of The Armenian Review, a multidisciplinary, peer reviewed journal published since 1948 and dedicated to exploring issues related to Armenia and Armenians.
Through the ACAA Artsakh Fund, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested in Artsakh and the Armenians who live there. The ACAA has funded the construction of new homes, reconstruction of community centers and schools, legal initiative to free POWs and defend against human rights violations, the Verelk program for start-up businesses and financial assistance to the families of those killed and wounded during the 2020 war as well as those returning to live in Artsakh.
The ACAA has also provided grants to the Armenian Relief Society for humanitarian efforts in Lebanon, Armenia and Javakhk. Other projects being funded by the ACAA include a new film about the Armenian community of Lviv, Ukraine, the digital remastering of a silent movie from 1930 about the burning of Smyrna, and the digitization of a Mardiros Kheranian map. The ACAA also helps maintain the archives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Hairenik Digital Archives. Over the past five years alone, the ACAA has supplied grants of over $1 million.
Tax deductible donations to support these and many more projects can be made through the ACAA website.
Azerbaijan pulls back troops from Parukh village, Russian peacekeepers say
21:05, 27 March, 2022
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, ARMENPRESS. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that the Azerbaijani military pulled back its troops from the village of Parukh in Artsakh as a result of negotiations with Russian peacekeepers.
“As a result of negotiations the Azerbaijani side pulled back its units from the Parukh settlement,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also accused Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire again in Askeran region. “Two people from each side were wounded in the shootout.The Russian peacekeeping contingent stabilized the situation in cooperation with the representatives of the parties to the conflict.”
On March 24-25 the Azerbaijani troops attacked Artsakh military positions and invaded the Parukh village. Azeri drone strikes killed 3 Artsakh troops and wounded 15 others.
13:54, 28 March, 2022
YEREVAN, MARCH 28, ARMENPRESS. Russia considers it necessary for all parties to observe the previously reached agreements over Nagorno Karabakh, and the question about the possibility of sending an additional contingent of peacekeepers amid growing tensions in the region must be addressed to the Russian defense ministry, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters today, TASS reports.
“That question must be addressed to our military. They are in contact with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides. Now the main thing is to ensure that all sides continue implementing the terms of the respective agreements”, the Kremlin spokesperson said.
Azeri troops still deployed in Karaglukh area adjacent to Parukh, Artsakh authorities say
00:08, 29 March, 2022
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS. No significant ceasefire violations occurred on the Artsakh line of contact on March 28 and the operative-tactical situation remained tense, the Artsakh authorities said through a statement published by the official InfoCenter of Artsakh.
“The Azerbaijani troops remain in their positions in Karaglukh section adjacent to Parukh and no changes in positions took place during the day. The Artsakh Armed Forces took additional warning and suppressive measures especially in the direction of Karaglukh. Parallel with this, works continue with the Russian peacekeeping contingent’s command with the purpose of withdrawing the Azerbaijani side to their initial positions,” the Artsakh authorities said, urging the population to remain calm.
On March 24-25 the Azerbaijani troops attacked Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) military positions and invaded the Parukh village.
Azeri drone strikes killed 3 Artsakh troops and wounded 15 others.
10:06, 29 March, 2022
YEREVAN, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS. On March 29, the delegation led by Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan took part in the meeting dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (IPA) of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The Speakers of parliaments of the CIS states read the messages of the heads of their states.
Alen Simonyan presented the congratulatory message by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The message particularly reads:
“During the past years the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly has become a functioning platform of cooperation of the legislative bodies of the participant states. I am sure that we can jointly solve the items on the agenda of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, relying on the best traditions of the parliamentarism, to find effective solutions of such important problems, as the protection of the citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms, the statehood, the cooperation between the wings of the power and the formation of the civil society.
The Republic of Armenia gives special importance to the persistent development of the inter-parliamentary cooperation. We are sure that the enrichment of the considerable experience of the multi-lateral cooperation within the framework of the IPA CIS from now on will also promote the effective activity of the legislative bodies of our countries, as well as the development of cooperation, in general, between our states.”