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

Closer Iran-Armenia Ties to Ensure Security: Raisi

Emil Lazarian
Jan 3 2022

Tasnim
4th January 2022, 00:37 GMT+11

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Promotion of cooperation and economic relations between Iran and Armenia would serve the interests of all parties and contribute to regional security, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said.

– Politics news –

In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on Monday, Raisi stressed the need for the development of economic and trade ties between the two neighbors.

“Enhancement of cooperation and economic exchanges between Tehran and Yerevan would fulfill the interests of all parties and definitely contribute to security,” the Iranian president said.

He also pointed to the delicate situation in the Caucasus region, saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled policy is to support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries.”

Reaffirming Iran’s support for Armenia’s sovereignty over its territories and roads, the Iranian president welcomed the progress in the negotiations between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, adding, “We hope that the other problems between the two countries would be also settled peacefully within the framework of the international principles and laws, and that we’d witness peace, stability and security in the region.”

For his part, Pashinyan briefed the Iranian president on the process of negotiations about the situation in the Caucasus.

He also highlighted Armenia’s determination to promote economic interaction with Iran and step up the activities of the Economic Cooperation Joint Commission.

The premier expressed confidence that closer cooperation and coordination between Armenia and Iran would help them take major steps for stabilizing regional peace and security.

Pres. Raeisi: Supporting countries’ integrity, sovereignty Iran’s fundamental policy

Emil Lazarian
Iran – Jan 3 2022
Monday, 2:54 PM

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi says the country’s foreign policy is based on the basic principle of supporting territorial integrity and sovereignty of other countries.

Raeisi made the remarks in a Monday phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during which the two sides discussed development of economic exchanges and cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan.

“The principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries,” Raeisi said. “In doing so, Tehran supports the sovereignty of Armenia over all its territories and means of transportation passing through the country.”

Expressing felicitations on the birthday anniversary of Jesus Christ (PBUH) and the beginning of the Christian New Year, the Iranian president highlighted the necessity of constant interaction and dialogue between the two countries at different levels and among neighbors.

“The sensitivity of the situation in the Caucasus region requires the countries of the region to discuss regional and bilateral issues on a regular basis,” Raeisi added.

Stressing that Tehran welcomes progress in the process of talks between the Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Iranian president said, “We hope that other issues between the two countries will be resolved peacefully within the framework of international principles and law, and that we will see more peace, stability and security in the region.”


Pashinyan, for his part, reaffirmed his country’s resolve to expand multilateral relations with Iran and said, “We are determined to increase economic relations and interactions with Iran in all fields and to make the Iran-Armenia joint economic cooperation commission more active than before.”

The Armenian premier described regional cooperation between the two countries as important and said, “We are confident that by boosting the level of cooperation and bilateral coordination, we can take important steps towards establishment of peace and security in the region.”

Iran has on several occasions voiced concern over tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, urging the two neighbors to exercise restraint and resort to dialogue to resolve differences.

Tensions between Yerevan and Baku remain high a year after the arch-foes fought a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The six-week conflict, which claimed more than 6,500 lives on both sides, ended in November 2020 with a Russian-brokered deal that left Azerbaijan largely in control of the territory.

Since the truce, the two sides have accused each other of breaching the peace deal.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been populated by ethnic Armenians. 


https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/01/03/673983/Iran-President-Ebrahim-Raeisi-Armenian-Prime-Minister-Nikol-Pashinyan-territorial-integrity-sovereignty-

Russian Foreign Ministry details preparation of "single package" to restore Azerbaijan-Armenia communications

Emil Lazarian
Vestnik Kavkaza
Jan 3 2021
 3 Jan in 14:40

Unblocking all economic and transport ties in the South Caucasus is one of the most important directions of a process launched to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told TASS

“In essence, we are talking about an opportunity for both countries to derive concrete practical benefits from peaceful coexistence. Russia is a direct participant in this process. At the summit in Moscow on January 11, 2021, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia  agreed to establish a trilateral working group co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of the three countries to deal with this process. Within the framework of this mechanism, important preparatory work has been done to restore both railway and automobile roads in the region,” he stressed.

“Currently, a single “package” is being finalized. This approach will ensure the sustainability of decisions,” Rudenko explained.

The Russian Deputy Foreign minister also drew attention to the fact that the necessary impetus for the current joint work was given by the relevant agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Sochi on November 26. “We are working to have all the modalities worked out as soon as possible and launch specific projects,” Rudenko said.

Armenia ex-PM: Average annual growth is only 2.4% under premier Pashinyan

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Jan 3 2022
19:03, 03.01.2022

Last year was unsuccessful. The economic decline in 2020 was 7.8%, this year the growth will be 5-5.5% at best—if there will be, of course—, and the growth is mainly due to the mining and gaming. And what these authorities were complaining about, they now have become the drivers of economic growth in Armenia. Former PM, chairman of the opposition Freedom Party, and economist Hrant Bagratyan told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am—referring to the 2021 economic indicators of the country.

“As a result of the four years of [incumbent PM Nikol] Pashinyan’s rule, the gross economic growth will make 9-9.5%. We have a 7.2% growth, a 5.8 [%], then a 7.8% decline, and a 5% growth. If we divide this by four years, we will get only 2.35-2.4% growth annually. This is the worst indicator during the last seven four years; there is nothing to talk about here.

Not to mention that the mining industry, which has become 20% in industry, whereas 5% in the GDP balance, should be excluded from that growth. The mines [of Armenia] are being looted, mined without oversight, the prices of copper are relatively high, and the miners are constantly extracting and taking the ore, paying only pennies to the state budget, which I simply call looting.

And not counting that the sphere of gaming should be removed from that growth, the growth of which in the GDP made 30%, when the annual GDP grows on average 2.4%, the sphere of gaming—30%. The share of gaming in the GDP [of Armenia] is higher than in the healthcare, education sectors—which is unacceptable. People close to the prime minister control the sphere of gaming, and, sadly, this field is flourishing in Armenia (…).

When 4-5 years ago the sphere of gaming was nothing in the GDP, now it has surpassed a number of important branches, and this structural change is a consequence of poor economic policy. Even during [preceding] Serzh Sargsyan’s rule, when it was the worst, too, his average annual growth was 2.7[%], whereas in the last four years—2.4[%].

The construction sector has grown by about 6% this year, and those who say that construction is one of the drivers of economic growth [in Armenia] are lying. Compared to that, the mining industry is growing by 20%, the gaming—by 30%,” said the former premier.

Armenia’s CSTO chairmanship: What priorities, challenges, and prospects lie ahead for 2022

Emil Lazarian
TASS, Russia
Jan 1 2022
This year, the organization will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Collective Security and the 20th anniversary of its current formation

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. Armenia will take the chairmanship reins of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a post-Soviet security bloc, in 2022.

Yerevan was formally handed CSTO chairmanship from Tajikistan at the organization’s session in September 2021, and will pass the baton to Belarus in late 2022.

The member states – Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan – chair the organization in turn, according to alphabetical order.

The secretary-general is appointed for three years (regardless of the country’s chairmanship), while the Permanent Council is led by a representative of the state that holds the chairmanship in rotation. Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the CSTO Viktor Biyagov assumed this post, while the country’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan became the Chairman of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

This year, the CSTO will celebrate two anniversaries – the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Collective Security and the 20th anniversary of the current organization’s formation. CSTO Secretary-General Stanislav Zas earlier said the key challenges were the escalating presence of NATO’s forces approaching the CSTO’s western borders as well as the complicated and unpredictable situation in Afghanistan. According to him, Afghanistan could see a wider armed standoff, stepped-up activity by terrorist organizations, a surge in drug trafficking and mounting uncontrolled migration.

Turkish-Armenian linguist Nişanyan arrested in Greece, facing deportation

Emil Lazarian
Jan 1 2022

  • Jan 01 2022 10:38 Gmt+3
  • Last Updated On: Jan 01 2022 10:54 Gmt+3

Greek police have arrested Turkish-Armenian author and linguist Sevan Nişanyan, who sought asylum in Greece four years ago, his wife announced on Twitter, saying the intellectual was facing deportation.

Nişanyan, whose residence permit was not renewed by Greece and subsequently declared “persona non grata” by Athens last month, was taken into Greek police custody on Thursday and will face a judge on Monday, Ira Tzourou said on Saturday.

Sixty-six-year-old Nisanyan has been living in Greece for the past four years after fleeing a Turkish prison, where he was serving a prison sentence on charges of violating  zoning laws, among other charges.

A Turkish court in 2014 sentenced Nisanyan to 17 years in prison on nine separate counts, including 13 months for insulting the Prophet Mohammed and more than eight years for violating zoning laws. Three years later, the author and linguist announced on Twitter that he had escaped to neighbouring Greece.

A Greek court on Monday will decide where Nişanyan will be deported, his wife said.

Nişanyan is recognised for his etymological Turkish dictionary and travel guides. The linguist become a controversial figure in Turkey after publishing a book entitled “The Wrong Republic,” which questioned taboos about the Turkish Republic and its founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. 

New Azerbaijani propaganda video aims to alienate Orthodox Christians from Armenians

Emil Lazarian
Dec 27 2021
by ATHENS BUREAU

Azerbaijan has attempted to present Armenians as responsible for vandalizing a Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Artsakh.

The video, made by a Russian-Azeri woman who belongs to the party of dictator Ilham Aliyev and is a deputy head of the youth branch, attempts to to alienate the Russian Orthodox church from Armenians.

Now, it’s Greek translation and uploaded by the Azeri Ambassador to his YouTube channel, clearly demonstrates the nasty intentions of these falsifiers and deniers of history.

Artsakh has always been proud of the Monuments of Religious and Cultural Heritage that are in its territory and considers them as part of its Historical and Cultural heritage.

The Armenians of Artsakh also pay special attention to the work of protecting and preserving the monuments of Russian religious and cultural heritage.

Noteworthy, the Republic of Artsakh’s annual state budget provides for spending on the preservation and restoration of Historical and Cultural monuments.

The Russian church Surp Astvatzin / Saint Astvatzin is located in Gevorgavan in the Martuni area of Artsakh Republic.

The church was built more than 100 years ago by immigrants from Russia. The church was made of limestone and it is yellow in the appearance.

It has two entrances, that open from the west and north sides. The number of windows is more than two dozen. The parishioners were Russian settlers.

In 1989, restoration began of the church began, which were stopped due to the aggression that Azerbaijan unleashed against Artsakh and in which the church suffered major damage again.

Before the war started in 2020, the government of Artsakh worked on the church restoration plan and was looking for a sponsor to start work on the church restoration.

Thus, the propaganda material by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Greece, with its translation in Greek regarding the allegation against the Russian Orthodox religious sites, is another provocation that is baseless and riddled with fake information aimed at spreading hatred against Armenians.

More disturbingly, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Athens is once again trying to undermine and put a wedge in Armenia’s relationship with Greece and other friendly countries.

Azerbaijan, which deliberately destroys cultural monuments, is trying with baseless accusations to hide the numerous cases of vandalism that itself has committed.

It must be noted that on December 7, 2021 the International Court of Justice, in the context of the case – Armenia against Azerbaijan, judged that Azerbaijan must first of all “take all necessary measures to prevent discrimination and its incitement, including by its officials and public institutions.”

On the other hand, the Court requires Azerbaijan to “Take all necessary measures to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and desecration towards Armenian cultural heritage, including churches and other places of worship, monuments, landmarks, cemeteries and artifacts.”

Contrary to the decisions of the International Court of Justice, Azerbaijani officials continue the targeted spread of racial hatred and take no measures to prevent the destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage lawlessness.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/27/azerbaijani-propaganda-video/

Karabakh parliament: Artsakh, though shrunken, has statehood, its independence is indisputable

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 28 2021
10:57, 28.12.2021

President Artur Tovmasyan of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) National Assembly has issued a congratulatory message on the 30th anniversary of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Supreme Council of the First Convocation. The message reads as follows: 

30 years ago, on this day, as a result of the elections held on December 28, 1991, the legislative body of the newly created republic was formed – the Supreme Council, which at its first sitting on January 6, 1992, adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Proceeding from the inalienable right of the people to self-determination, relying on the free will of the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

On this occasion, I warmly congratulate the legislative body chairmen, vice-chairmen, chairmen of committees, heads of factions, deputies of all convocations and wish them health, peace and a dignified future.

Azerbaijan responded to the declaration of independence with three wars. During the first Artsakh war 11 deputies of the first convocation of the Supreme Council enlisted in the army and sacrificed their lives. Eternal glory to them, to all the heroes who died for the homeland, I bow to their sacred memory.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the NKR Supreme Council, the Artsakh Parliament intended to convene a special sitting on December 28. However, due to the widespread national quarantine announced in the Republic, no session was convened.

Nowadays, Artsakh, though shrunken, has a statehood, and its independence is indisputable. Next to the final settlement of the conflict is the issue of international recognition of the Artsakh Republic and its borders, and is unconditionally set.

The existence and salvation of the Armenian people who struggled in the crossroads of history was always conditioned by the unity and unanimity of the Armenians.

With our way of life and confidence, we must stand up for our homeland and fight for the protection of our rights. Our will and goals are unshakable, they are not subject to compromise.

We call on all Armenians for unity, mutual understanding and tolerance.

60% of Armenia’s Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine to pass under Russia-registered company control

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 28 2021
14:33, 28.12.2021

About 60 percent of the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine will pass under the control of an industrial company registered in Russia. Chairman of the Competition Protection Commission (CPC) of Armenia, Gegham Gevorgyan, told this to a press conference Tuesday, summing up the results of the passing year.

“This year this was the biggest [business] deal in the sector of extraction of useful minerals,” Gevorgyan added.

He noted that another such huge business deal was made in Armenia in telecommunications.

“The Rostelecom shares were acquired by Electric Networks of Armenia company, as well as by individuals,” the CPC chairman informed.

Opposition lawmaker: Local producers will face difficult situation if Turkey companies invade Armenia

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 28 2021
16:52, 28.12.2021

Even after the [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war [last year] when [Armenian PM Nikol] Pashinyan started talking about the “era of peace,” we were saying that he was going to start a “flirtation” with Turkey. Artur Khachatryan, a member of the opposition “Armenia” Faction of the National Assembly of Armenia, told this to a press conference Tuesday.

“Turkey’s preconditions [for normalizing relations with Armenia] are known: the acknowledgment of the territorial integrity of Turkey and Azerbaijan; the suspension of work aimed at the [international] recognition of the [Armenian] Genocide. And now they have added the provision of a land route [via Armenia] between Turkey and the Turkic world. From the point of view of the [Armenian] state, the road is not expected to have any positive impact. When we ask the [Armenian] authorities, ‘Have you made any economic assessment [in this regard]?’ They do not answer. They have not even calculated not only the road, but also the Armenian-Turkish trade and economic relations. If Turkish companies invade Armenia, local producers will face a terribly difficult situation—at least in the sector of textiles, primary agriculture,” Khachatryan added.

According to the lawmaker, a broad opposition front is being formed against the Armenian authorities—and in various domains.

“We use all the means available to the parliamentary opposition to inform about Pashinyan’s nation-betraying programs, and offer our alternative programs. Also, we show in the parliament what we would do if we were in power.

We have started the resistance movement, we are mobilizing people on the spot; a vivid proof: the [recent] local elections. Of course, somewhere we have defeat, somewhere—victory. But if we look prior to our running [in these elections], defeat was everywhere. The local elections showed that they [i.e., the Armenian authorities] are losing their [approval] rating. We are ready for broad discussions with our compatriots, too” Artur Khachatryan emphasized.