12:38,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure again officially announced that Flyone Armenia airline will launch the Yerevan-Istanbul flights on February 2, Anadolu reports.
Flyone Armenia was granted a permit for operating three roundtrip flights per week from Yerevan to Istanbul.
The Turkish Pegasus airline will also operate the route, again three times per week.
Commission on delimitation and demarcation not formed yet, the conditions are being discussed – Armenian FM
19:45,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. A bilateral commission on the delimitation and demarcation of Armenia – Azerbaijan border has not been formed yet, the conditions are being discussed, there are certain circumstances to be clarified, ARMENPRESS reports Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said in a parliament-Cabinet Q&A session, answering the question of MP Taguhi Ghazaryan from “Civil Contract” party if there are any concrete agreements on setting the commission.
“A delimitation and demarcation commission has not been formed yet, the conditions under which that commission can start working are being discussed. We are convinced that unless concrete mechanisms are put in place, concrete steps are taken to increase border stability and security, mechanisms to help prevent further collisions, intentional or sometimes accidental, for technical reasons, this commission will have difficulty to be formed and to work”, Mirzoyan said.
There is no clarity on the specific dates of the establishment of the commission, but, according to the Minister, there is a perception that the process will start in the near future. There are certain circumstances to clarify and agree on. After that, the commission can be formed and work.
Last year, based on the results of the trilateral meeting in Sochi, an agreement was reached on the establishment of a bilateral commission with the consultative participation of the Russian Federation.
The Azerbaijani foreign ministry has fallen into hysterical rage by the statement made by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, in which he accused Azerbaijan of “violating diplomatic ethics.”
Answering the questions of the MPs in the French parliament, Le Drian had said that Paris considers unacceptable Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statements in connection with the recent visit to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by French presidential candidate Valerie Pecresse.
“Le Drian called Ilham Aliyev’s words regarding the illegal trip of French presidential candidate Valerie Pecresse to the Karabakh region unacceptable in form and content. The irresponsible and unacceptable comment of the French minister on the statement of the head of another state violates diplomatic traditions. We note with regret that the minister of foreign affairs of France, a country with a long tradition of statehood, does not understand this,” said Leyla Abdullayeva, spokeswoman for the Azerbaijani foreign ministry.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 19
By Humay Aghajanova – Trend:
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov rejected the unfounded allegations of the Armenian representative at the OSCE forum, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, Trend reports.
On , the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov addressed the opening meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) under the Chairmanship of Azerbaijan.
Speaking about the priority issues of the FSC chairmanship of Azerbaijan and the identified Security Dialogues, the minister voiced a number of important points.
“The last chairmanship of Azerbaijan in the FSC was 17 years ago, and since then a number of developments have taken place, complicating the overall security environment in the OSCE region. What remains unchanged is the basis for cooperation both within the OSCE as a whole and the FSC in particular. That is unconditional respect for fundamental norms, principles and commitments enshrined in the core OSCE documents, starting from the Helsinki Final Act, in particular respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of states,” he said.
“As a result of blatant violations of the core principles of inter-state conduct, Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders were undermined. However, a counter-offensive operation of our armed forces in the autumn of 2020 put an end to this situation,” Bayramov said.
He noted that the agenda of the presidency of Azerbaijan includes the implementation of Security Dialogues on issues of high importance for the FSC.
“Thus, the first Security Dialogue will be held next week on compliance with international humanitarian law and protection of civilians. We aim to use this Security Dialogue as an opportunity to promote and strengthen the commitment of states to ensure compliance with obligations under international humanitarian law and related OSCE commitments, as well as to dwell on the importance of accountability for their violations,” he said.
“The other two Security Dialogues will focus on various aspects of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition. One will focus on the implementation of relevant OSCE commitments and lessons learned. The other Security Dialogue will focus on the issue of mine action,” he noted.
Bayramov said that speaking from the perspective of the OSCE’s comprehensive and cross-dimensional concept of security, realization of practical assistance projects is also of primary importance for the implementation of our commitments in other dimensions of security, such as facilitating the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes in safety and in dignity.
“Azerbaijan has always regarded the OSCE as a major pillar of the pan-European security architecture. One of our Security Dialogues under our chairmanship will be dedicated to the place and role of countries that do not belong to any politico-military alliance in European security architecture, as well as their approach and experience in contributing to security and stability in the OSCE area,” he said.
Bayramov pointed out that the next Security Dialogue under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship will be devoted to countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and based on its unique comprehensive concept of security, the OSCE is well-suited to combating and preventing terrorism through a holistic approach.
“Our next Security Dialogue will cover the issue of conventional arms control and confidence and security building measures (CSBMs). Based on its experience, Azerbaijan is well aware of threats and challenges existing in this sphere. In the past nearly three decades, we witnessed deliberate disregard and evasion of all applicable arms control and CSBMs regimes in a wrongful quest to consolidate the status-quo of occupation of our territories. Proceeding from this experience, we are convinced that the implementation of arms control and CSBMs commitments under existing regimes both in letter and spirit could indeed provide a significant contribution to peace, security and stability in the OSCE region,” Bayramov said.
“Our final Security Dialogue will be dedicated to post-conflict rehabilitation and will draw on the lessons in the OSCE region. The OSCE’s conflict cycle toolbox provides a basis for the Organization’s engagement in post-conflict rehabilitation activities in a broad and comprehensive manner,” he noted.
Azerbaijani minister said the country, during its chairmanship, is looking forward to work together with other participating states with a view of promoting and enhancing the implementation of our shared politico-military commitments, while ensuring respect for foundational principles that our organization rests on.
At the end of the meeting, Jeyhun Bayramov expressed gratitude to all the participants who congratulated Azerbaijan on the chairmanship of the FSC, supported the priorities of Azerbaijan and expressed readiness to work with Azerbaijan in this direction, commented on a number of suggestions of the participants.
At the same time, the unfounded allegations made by the Armenian representative during the discussions were rejected, and Azerbaijan’s position on regional security based on international law was brought to the attention of the participants.
13:09,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh plans to increase its healthcare budget as all healthcare services are now free of charge from January 1, 2022.
The Minister of State Artak Beglaryan said that there won’t be any paid medical service in the country in 2022, with the exception of the kind of services which aren’t essential and are done solely at the desire of the patient. “We plan to implement a number of reforms to increase the efficiency of the sector’s management, and I think we will have good news in the end of the year,” Beglaryan said.
He said the education budget is also higher this year, and the government plans salary increases for education staffers on an average of 20 percent.
The higher education will continue to be free in the country. The Minister of State said they plan to implement serious strategic reforms in education.
In September, the Anania Shirakatsy International Academy will be opened in Artsakh, and it will be a branch of the Yerevan Anania Shirakatsy school.
Pensions and state benefits have increased on an average of 20%.
“It is important to note that this year the social protection budget alone is 52 billion 564 million 240 thousand drams, which is significantly higher than in 2021.”
13:17,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Ambassador to Japan met on January 18 with Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takako Suzuki, the Embassy of Armenia told Armenpress.
A number of issues relating to the bilateral and multilateral cooperation were discussed.
The sides discussed holding joint events on the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Japan. They attached importance to raising mutual recognition through culture, intensifying human contacts and engaging Japanese companies into Armenia’s infrastructure programs (road, water reservoir construction, etc), as well as renewable energy sector.
The necessity of expanding the bilateral legal contractual field was also emphasized at the meeting.
13:52,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenian National Interest Fund CEO David Papazian participated in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit in Abu Dhabi on January 17-18.
One of the world’s largest summits on sustainability, climate change and renewable energy is hosted by ANIF partner Abu Dhabi based Masdar company. ANIF is implementing the “Ayg-1” solar photovoltaic power plant project jointly with Masdar.
Within the framework of the summit, ANIF Director David Papazyan participated in the meeting of President Armen Sarkissian’s delegation with Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Fund CEO Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak and General CEO of Masdar Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi.
The programs implemented by Masdar in Armenia in the field of renewable energy, as well as the growing role of sustainability issues in the world economic agenda were discussed.
More than 35,000 delegates from more than 130 countries are taking part in the annual Abu Dhabi Summit. Among the participants are presidents and prime ministers of several countries, heads of leading international companies.
The issues of climate change and sustainable development are also high on the agenda of financial institutions internationally. Financial institutions and investment funds develop sustainability standards, prioritizing investment policies that have a positive impact on sustainable development.
“ANIF puts special emphasis on the aspect of sustainability of its programs, and the joint programs with Masdar in the field of renewable energy are in line with our commitments. In terms of sustainability, the ultimate goal is to apply relevant standards and follow up on consistent implementation both in complex industries and areas. ANIF’s portfolio already has and will continue to have challenging projects in terms of sustainability. Responsible financiers and banks take responsibility for impacting challenging sectors through participation, based on the belief that continuous improvement of sustainability performance is possible in all sectors and serves the interests of both the state and the investor”,- ANIF CEO David Papazian, said, highlighting the role of the United Arab Emirates partners in further fostering of sustainability culture and capacity building in Armenia.
The impudent behavior of Azerbaijani president Aliyev is due to the silence of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Minister of State Artak Beglaryan told about this to a press conference Tuesday—and when asked about Aliyev’s mocking statements addressed to the co-chairs, and his assertion that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is “settled.”
“This is not the first time he mocks the co-chairs; not only mocks, but also debases. The co-chairs must start taking tough measures [against him]. They should not speak from the position of a mediator, but from the position of an arbitrator. Even if Azerbaijan says that the conflict is settled, everyone understands that the situation has only deepened. And all the co-chairs admit that the conflict has not been resolved. If Azerbaijan does not want to establish contact with the international community, then there need to be unilateral decisions by the international community,” Beglaryan concluded.
https://news.am/eng/news/682562.html
Expert in Iran Vardan Voskanyan commented on Facebook on recent statements made by Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey. “The Ambassador of the artificial formation called Azerbaijan in Turkey made an explicit statement that Azerbaijan cannot survive without Turkey. In reality, he could go on further and confess that the artificial formation named Azerbaijan could have not appeared on the world map after 1918 if the puppet Azerbaijani regime of the Ottomans didn’t establish in Baku supported by Nuri Pasha bashibozuks,” Voskanyan wrote.
The expert also questions the reasoning of the Baku dictator claiming that in 1918 the Azerbaijani government allegedly ‘gifted Yerevan’ to Armenia in a situation when without the support of the Ottomans the Azerbaijani government was unable to enter even Baku which was then mostly controlled by Armenian armed forces.
The current Armenian authorities have launched a “class struggle” against the media, President of the Journalists Union of Armenia Satik Seyranyan told a discussion on freedom of press on Tuesday.
“The incumbent authorities are doing everything possible to silence the media and to make it suffer financial losses through legislative amendments,” she noted. “We know very well how Nikol Pashinyan’s newspaper worked, how he collected funds. Nevertheless, when Pashinyan found himself in a difficult situation, we stood by him, held rallies and press conferences.”
She stated the media faced many challenges in the past three years, adding 2022 will be “even harder” for media outlets due to the difficult political and social situation in the country.
“The press plays the role of a controller, and the people who came to power due to street protests do not want their actions to be supervised in any way,” Seyranyan said.
She underscored that most of the issues on the agenda of a government session are discussed behind closed doors and the people are not aware of what decisions are made.
In addition, although government agencies have spokespersons and public relations departments, most questions of media outlets addressed to them go unanswered, Seyranyan noted.
“Journalists find it increasingly difficult to carry out their work today. Unfortunately, the civil society, which until now seemed to be a supporter of changes, turned out to be a supporter of the authorities, often wielding a sword against the media. For several years now, I have been witnessing a dangerous phenomenon in which media outlets and journalists critical of the government are targeted on social media. There have even been cases of violence. The press has now become the sole guardian of democracy in Armenia, trying to control the unbridled actions of the authorities,” she said, adding that the need for legislative changes had also been raised under the previous governments.