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

Cross-stone dedicated to victims of Armenian Genocide unveiled in Czech city of Kralupy nad Vltavou

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 16 2021
September 16, 2021, 11:04

 1 minute read

A new memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide was unveiled in Kralupy nad Vltavou, Czech Republic, on Wednesday, Orer.eu reports.

It was made by an Armenian native Telman Nersisjan, who lives in Kralupy. According to the author, the khachkar (cross-stone) will also stand as a symbol of solidarity and cooperation between peoples.

The official unveiling was also attended by Armenian Ambassador Ashot Hovakimijan and Cardinal Dominik Duka, who blessed the monument.

The deputy mayor of Kralupy Libor Lesák noted that Armenians settled in their city in the 1990s, showed their best, received higher education here and provided worthy services to the city. According to him, Armenians deserve to have their monument in this city.

Armenian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Ashot Hovakimyan noted that this year Armenians around the world marked the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and in fact the 6 million Armenian Diaspora are the descendants of Armenians scattered around the world as a result of that genocide.

The Ambassador stressed that Armenians all over the world are fighting against the denial of the Armenian Genocide, which Turkey continues to deny, and thanked the countries that support the Armenian people in their struggle. In particular, Ambassador Hovakimyan expressed his gratitude to the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament for adopting a resolution on the Armenian Genocide in 2017, and to the Czech Senate, which adopted a similar resolution in 2020.

The opening ceremony was aired live on Czech TV.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 09/15/2021

Emil Lazarian 
                                        Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Government Hopes To Prevent Russian Gas Price Hike
September 15, 2021
        • Robert Zargarian
Armenia - Deputy Prime Minister or Armenia Mher Grigorian.
The Armenian government is negotiating with Gazprom in an effort to prevent a 
further rise in the price of Russian natural gas supplied to Armenia, Deputy 
Prime Minister Mher Grigorian said on Wednesday.
“Every year we address this issue and try agree on at least keeping the price 
unchanged, rather than raising it, even though there is an insistence on the 
part of the Gazprom Group that the profit margin set by the 2013 [supply] 
contract does not satisfy them,” Grigorian told lawmakers. “But that is a 
working process, and with your permission I won’t say more because negotiations 
are underway right now.”
“I cannot say what will happen in two or three years’ time. We hope to maintain 
the same price this year,” he added during the government’s question-and-answer 
session in the Armenian parliament.
Grigorian spoke the day after Gazprom Chairman Alexei Miller visited Yerevan and 
met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. Very few details of the talks were made 
public.
The Russian energy giant most recently raised its gas price for Armenia by 10 
percent, to $165 per thousand cubic meters, in January 2019. Yerevan tried 
unsuccessfully to get the Russians to cut it last year, arguing that that global 
energy prices have collapsed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
International energy prices have rallied strongly this year amid renewed 
economic growth around the world. In June, Gazprom set its average gas export 
price for European countries at $240 per thousand cubic meters.
Yerevan Reacts To Azeri Hurdles For Iranian Vehicles In Armenia
September 15, 2021
        • Naira Nalbandian
        • Susan Badalian
An Azerbaijani checkpoint set up at on the main road conneting Armeia to Iran, 
September 14, 2021
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian reacted cautiously on Wednesday to Baku’s 
decision to check and tax Iranian vehicles using a strategic road that passes 
through border areas along southeastern Armenia controversially handed over to 
Azerbaijan after last year’s war.
Pashinian suggested that the move is aimed at pressuring Yerevan to open a 
transport corridor that would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave 
through Armenia’s southeastern Syunik province. But he stopped short of calling 
it illegal or demanding an end to what many regard as a serious blow to 
Armenia’s trade and transport links with Iran.
Azerbaijan gained control of a 21-kilometer section of the main Armenian highway 
leading to the Iranian border in December after Pashinian ordered Armenian army 
units and local militias to pull out of the surrounding area. He said it is 
located on the Azerbaijani side of Armenia’s Soviet-era border with Azerbaijan.
The order came weeks after a Russian-brokered ceasefire stopped the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinian and other government 
officials assured critics at the time that travellers and cargos will continue 
to pass through the road section without any problems.
Azerbaijani forces set up a checkpoint there on Sunday to start stopping Iranian 
trucks and buses, checking their drivers’ documents and cargos, and demanding 
cash payments from them. The authorities in Baku said they are enforcing an 
Azerbaijani law that requires foreign vehicles entering the country to pay road 
and transit fees.
An RFE/RL correspondent witnessed on Wednesday the checkpoint manned by armed 
and masked Azerbaijani servicemen. A roadblock set up by them caused a traffic 
jam along the two-lane highway. Dozens of Iranian trucks were parked on the 
roadside.
“They demanded $260 from me but I didn’t have it,” one Iranian driver bound for 
Yerevan told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. “They told me to pay up on my way back. 
I told my employer to send me the money so that I can return to Iran.”
Two other Iranian truckers were reportedly detained at the checkpoint later in 
the day. The Azerbaijani Interior Ministry accused them of “illegal entry into 
Azerbaijani territory,” an apparent reference to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Earlier this year, Baku demanded that Iranian trucks stop transporting cargos to 
and from Karabakh without its permission.
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian at a session of the Natioanal Assembly, 
August 26, 2021.
In what was the Armenian government’s first public reaction to the road checks, 
Pashinian said that Baku seems to be retaliating against Yerevan’s refusal to 
open the transport corridor sought by it.
“While acknowledging that regional transport links must be opened, Armenia makes 
clear that foreign cargos crossing into Armenian territory, including from 
Azerbaijan’s western regions on their way to the Nakhichevan Autonomous 
Republic, must pass through passport, customs and other checkpoints,” he said.
Speaking in the Armenian parliament, Pashinian also defended the Armenian troop 
withdrawal from the road section running along Syunik’s border areas. He said he 
made the decision, condemned by the Armenian opposition as illegal and 
dangerous, to prevent a “fresh military escalation” in the Karabakh conflict 
zone.
Opposition lawmakers continued to accuse Pashinian’s government of jeopardizing 
national security.
“Until when will the Azerbaijanis stay in that area and what steps are you 
taking?” one of them, Hripsime Stambulian, asked during the government’s 
question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.
“The Foreign Ministry is in constant touch with our Iranian partners,” replied 
Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikian. “We are trying to stabilize the situation 
with joint efforts.”
Papikian stressed the importance of the ongoing reconstruction of an alternative 
Syunik road bypassing the Armenian-Azerbaijani border zone. He said its 
completion will “more or less” solve the problem.
Kocharian Demands More Active Efforts From Political Allies
September 15, 2021
        • Gayane Saribekian
Armenia - Former President Robert Kocharian meets with senior members of ihs 
opposition Hayastan alliance, Yerevan, September 14, 2021.
Former President Robert Kocharian has told senior members of his opposition 
Hayastan alliance to intensify its political activities and public outreach 
efforts.
Kocharian met with them late on Tuesday to discuss recent political developments 
and lingering challenges facing Armenia. The meeting reportedly brought together 
parliament deputies affiliated with Hayastan and other activists of the 
country’s leading opposition force.
A Hayastan statement on the meeting issued on Wednesday said Kocharian 
instructed them to “increase public activity at this moment fateful for the 
country” and “further step up contacts between the Alliance and the public.” It 
said he also told them to set up “even more efficient organizational structures 
in order to give new impetus to the Alliance’s activities.”
“Members of the Alliance reaffirmed their aim: to achieve as soon as possible 
the ouster of the government wrecking Armenia and leading it to destruction,” 
added the statement. It did not give other details.
Seyran Ohanian, Hayastan’s parliamentary leader, said Kocharian wants his 
political allies to first and foremost improve communication with Armenians 
unhappy with the country’s current leadership. The opposition bloc will at the 
same time remain ready to stage anti-government street protests, he said.
“If the current authorities take actions aimed at the fall of the Republic of 
Armenia and loss of its sovereignty then we will use all tools at our disposal … 
to prevent that,” Ohanian told reporters.
Armenia - Former President Robert Kocharian and senior members of his Hayastan 
(Armenia) bloc hold an election campaign rally in Yerevan's Republic Square, 
June 18, 2021.
Hayastan won almost 22 percent of the vote and finished second in the June 20 
parliamentary elections, according to their official results challenged by it 
court.
Like other opposition groups, Kocharian’s bloc holds Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian responsible for Armenia’s defeat in last year’s war in 
Nagorno-Karabakh. It also accuses Pashinian’s administration of failing to 
adequately deal with the country’s post-war security challenges.
Hayastan lawmakers repeated these accusations last month during the opening 
sessions of the new Armenian parliament marred by bitter verbal exchanges with 
pro-government deputies and even violent incidents.
Arusyak Julhakian, a deputy representing Pashinian’s Civil Contract party, 
claimed on Wednesday that the ex-president, who had ruled Armenia from 
1998-2008, is dissatisfied with Hayastan’s work in the National Assembly. She 
also dismissed the bloc’s fresh pledges to keep fighting for regime change, 
saying that “the public doesn’t trust them.”
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Political scientist: Azerbaijani media ‘enthusiastically’ quoting Nikol Pashinyan and Alen Simonyan

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 16 2021

POLITICS 13:13 16/09/2021 ARMENIA

Azerbaijani media outlets are eagerly citing the latest statements of the Armenian leaders, particularly Nikol Pashinyan and Alen Simonyan, political scientist Gagik Hambaryan said on Facebook on Wednesday, sharing some images of the Azeri news headlines.

“The Azerbaijani media are actively citing the “gibberish” talked by Nikol Landless in the National Assembly of Armenia on Thursday that Vorotan is Eyvazli and the problems of Azerbaijanis with Iranian drivers passing along the Goris-Kapan road do not concern us,” he wrote.

“The Azerbaijani media has also reacted with great joy to the “whining” of National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan that the data of the Armenian ombudsman on the inhuman treatment of Armenian prisoners of war being held in Azerbaijan were false.

“It turns out that the so-called statements of the Armenian leadership lie in Azerbaijan’s interests, as best evidenced by the active quotation of Nikol and Alen by Aliyev-controlled media,” the expert said.

In Hambaryan’s words, it is not ruled out that those statements could be used by Baku against Armenia in international instances and organizations when spreading lies.

He recalled that just a year ago, some members of Pashinyan’s My Step bloc “blatantly” accused the opposition of being quoted by the Azerbaijani media.

“You bastards and traitors, you have nothing to say now, when your leaders have become the most quoted heroes of the Aliyev-controlled Armenophobic media and whose pearls of thought are in Azerbaijan’s national interests,” the expert said.

Armenia files a lawsuit against Azerbaijan at International Court of Justice

Emil Lazarian

Sept 19 2021


    JAMnews, Yerevan

Armenia filed a lawsuit against Azerbaijan at the International Court of Justice for violation of 6 articles of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The plaintiff states that “Azerbaijan has been subjecting Armenians to racial discrimination for decades”. During this time, the Armenians were subjected to systemic discrimination, massacres, torture and other forms of humiliation.

  • Punish government officials who discriminated against Armenians,
  • Eliminate glorification of acts of racism against Armenians,
  • Refrain from the practice of ethnic cleansing,
  • Refrain from hate speech against Armenians, including in educational materials,
  • Ensure the protection of the rights of Armenian prisoners of war who continue to remain in Azerbaijan after the end of the Karabakh war,
  • Stop the destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage.

This is an incomplete list of the plaintiff’s claims. If the Hague court satisfies the claim of Armenia, it will oblige Azerbaijan to fulfill these and other requirements. The interests of Armenia in the UN International Court of Justice will be represented by lawyer Yeghishe Kirakosyan. He is the representative of Armenia at the European Court of Human Rights.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has already stated that Baku will “resolutely defend itself” and plans to file a counterclaim.

An interview with an expert on international law Ara Ghazaryan about how the procedure for considering such claims usually goes, what Armenia can get if the claim is satisfied, and what consequences it may have for Azerbaijan.

  • Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations: prospects and risks
  • Customs payments for Iranian trucks: what is happening at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border
  • Armenian Ombudsman’s report: Armenian prisoners are tortured, abused in Azerbaijan

– The claim was submitted to the respondent state. Time is allowed for counter-arguments.

The parties will then exchange written statements several times. Basically, this is a written procedure, but I do not exclude that there may be oral hearings.

– This case will be considered for years, based on the experience of similar cases, which were considered for 10-15 years. The same applies to the preliminary immediate measure [the application of which is required by Armenia], although it can be satisfied sooner – within months.

I think it will take a long time since the claim touches on a wide range of issues, the court does not have clear, approved approaches to the issues presented. This is a manifestation of racism that took place in parallel with war crimes. This makes this case different from others.

– The court issues an act, fixes the violation, nothing more. Considering which court establishes it, this will be a very serious legal document. If we manage to get a favorable judicial act, it will be a historical document.

The court does not apply sanctions, they are applied by the Security Council but let’s not forget that this court was created on the basis of the UN Charter, and judges are elected by the Security Council, that is, all UN bodies will take into account the decision of this court and its legal positions.

The claim for compensation is filed at the next stages of court proceedings, this happens after the publication of the judgment if the violation is recorded.

Now Armenia, on a general basis, talks about compensation for the violations committed, which relate to the destruction of cultural values, religious objects, war crimes against individuals and prisoners of war, as well as ethnic cleansing. Another question is when and how the question of compensation on specific issues will be presented.

Thus, first, a violation is recognized by a judicial act, then the court issues a separate act on compensation for damage.

– First of all, this is a remedy, because it will be a decision of a very authoritative court.

In addition, it can become a serious mechanism for restraining Azerbaijan’s unbridled policy. Unfortunately, this will be a long process, but as a result, Azerbaijan will understand that it is impossible to speak from a position of strength since from a legal point of view, we will find ourselves in the sphere of equal opportunities.

Of course, Azerbaijan will try to present a “mirror” situation, speaking for its part about ethnic cleansing, torture and all other issues raised [by Armenia]. I am sure of this because this was the signature behavior of Azerbaijan in the legal field.

In theory, the court’s decision can also contribute to the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, because the claim is based on the argument that Azerbaijan pursued a racist policy precisely in connection with the Artsakh issue, although the historical facts [presented in the claim] date back to 1918-20 from Nakhichevan.

If the court makes a favorable decision, it will affect not only that part of the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, control over which remained with the Armenian side. Questions related to the occupied territories will also be raised. We are talking about ethnic cleansing in all territories inhabited by Armenians, including Hadrut, Shushi, and other settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The lawsuit simply refers to ethnic cleansing in general. In the future, there will be concretization of what territories and what period of time we are talking about.

The main obstacle to the recognition of Artsakh today is the racist policy of Azerbaijan, which does not recognize it only because Armenians live there. If the judicial act establishes that Azerbaijan pursues a racist policy towards all ethnic Armenians, this will already explain the reason why the Artsakh people want independence.

The Armenian authorities put forward the principle of “separation for the sake of salvation”. Although it is not recognized as a theoretical principle in international law, if it is established that the life of the Artsakh people is under threat within the given state [Azerbaijan], it will mean that the only political solution is to recognize the independence of Artsakh.

This judicial act can contribute to the approval, dissemination of the principle of “separation for the sake of salvation”, as well as its application in a specific case – in relation to NK.

Some analysts explain the fact that Armenia has not yet submitted this claim by the fact that the OSCE Minsk Group [mediated peace negotiations before the start of the second Karabakh war in autumn 2020 – JAMnews] considered it undesirable for both sides to start legal cases against each other, as it could interfere with negotiations.

After the war, the situation changed. Now we need to resort to extreme measures since it is ineffective to rely on such a political process as the Minsk Group is leading. Therefore, the legal process comes to the fore.

Erdogan says Turkey “not closed” to talks with Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 19 2021
, 15:40

Turkey’s President on Sunday said his country was “ready for talks with Armenia” but added Yerevan needed to take steps towards opening a “corridor” that would have to go through Armenia to connect Azerbaijan to Nakhijevan, AFP reports.

Armenia and Turkey have no diplomatic relations and the shared border has been closed since the 1990s.

Earlier this month, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan was prepared to hold discussions on repairing relations with Ankara.

“We are not closed to talks (with Armenia), we will hold the talks,” Erdogan told reporters at an Istanbul airport before leaving for New York where he will attend the annual UN General Assembly meetings.

“I hope that not a negative but a positive approach will prevail there,” he said. “God willing, the problem between Azerbaijan and Armenia will be overcome with the opening of the corridors.”

Addressing a government meeting on September 8, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said “deepening or normalization of relations with neighboring countries is an important foreign policy priority.”

Referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest statements, Nikol Pashinyan said “we see an opportunity to talk about normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, recommissioning of the rail and road communication.”

At the same time, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has declared on many occasions that “Armenia has never discussed and will not discuss anything under the logic of a corridor.” He has empathized that neither the November 9, nor the January 11th statement make any mention of a “corridor.”

Khatibzadeh: Iran hopes Iranian truckers detained by Azeris in Armenia’s Syunik will be released immediately

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 19 2021
Khatibzadeh: Iran hopes Iranian truckers detained by Azeris in Armenia’s Syunik will be released immediately
17:05, 19.09.2021

Asked about the detention of Iranian truck drivers by Azerbaijan in Syunik Province of Armenia, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh noted that Iran has followed up the issue, and has requested immediate release of the drivers and a meeting of officials to provide a sustainable solution to the issue, IRNA reported.

And about the issues regarding a motorway connecting Iran to Armenia, the Iranian MFA spokesman highlighted Iran’s policy on prioritizing territorial integrity of the neighboring countries, saying that Iran tries to leverage its capacities with regards to its neighbors in a balanced manner.


Armenian President receives outgoing German Ambassador

Emil Lazarian

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 11:46, 13 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received Ambassador of Germany Michael Johannes Banzhaf on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic mission, the Presidential Office reports.

During the meeting the Armenian President thanked the German Ambassador for his contributions to the deepening of the bilateral ties and the strengthening of the friendship between the two countries and peoples. He noted that at this period it was important for Armenia to get acquainted with the experience of Germany as a young parliamentary republic. Mr. Sarkissian thanked for the support and cooperation in the exchange of experience.

In his turn the German Ambassador stated that he will remain Armenia’s good friend and will try to contribute to the development of the ties between the two countries as much as possible.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Active duty reservist killed in fatal accident, says defense ministry

Emil Lazarian

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 09:51, 14 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. An active duty reservist of the Armenian Armed Forces died after suffering “according to preliminary information a fatal gunshot wound as a result of violation of the rules of organizing combat service”, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

It said the incident took place around 22:00, September 13 in a military outpost at the south-eastern direction.

The victim is Sergeant Mkrtich Hovakimyan (born 1978).

“An investigation is underway to fully determine the circumstances of the incident,” the Ministry of Defense said and conveyed condolences to the family and friends of the Sergeant.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian, Slovak FMs discuss regional security during Yerevan meeting

Emil Lazarian

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 11:22, 14 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Slovakia Ararat Mirzoyan and Ivan Korčok discussed the ongoing regional developments during their meeting in Yerevan on September 14.

At a briefing with reporters following the meeting, the Armenian FM informed that they have also discussed with his Slovak counterpart the recent large-scale aggression of Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh and the Azerbaijani crimes.

“We talked about the non-fulfillment by Azerbaijan of the provisions of the trilateral statement. In particular, it concerns the Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives held in Azerbaijan. We also talked about the preservation of cultural heritage, touched upon the current tension on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, the provocative actions of Azerbaijan, its incursion into Armenia’s territories. We talked about solving all existing problems with peaceful means, through negotiations, in particular the necessity to continue the peaceful negotiations over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship”, FM Mirzoyan said.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia Ivan Korčok arrived in Armenia on an official visit on September 13.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian PM, Slovak FM highlight settlement of NK conflict within OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairmanship

Emil Lazarian

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 14:41, 14 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia Ivan Korčok and his delegation, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

Pashinyan welcomed Mr. Korčok’s official visit to Armenia and highlighted the constant development of the relations with Slovakia. He praised the fact that Slovakia is showing an interest to the establishment of peace and stability in the South Caucasian region.

In this context the Armenian PM touched upon the current situation caused by the 2020 war launched by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, Azerbaijan’s non-fulfillment of the agreement on the return of Armenian prisoners of war, as well as the incursions of the Azerbaijani armed forces into Armenia’s sovereign territory.

Nikol Pashinyan introduced the actions of the Armenian government, Armenia’s expectations from the international community and emphasized the necessity of resuming the negotiation process within the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

Pashinyan also touched upon the Armenia-EU partnership and highlighted the importance of the support provided to Armenia’s democracy development reforms.

In his turn the Slovak FM presented the interest of his country’s government to developing the multilayered cooperation with Armenia. He highlighted the importance of utilizing the great cooperation potential in economy, business ties, commercial relations and IT industry. Ivan Korčok conveyed the friendly greetings of the Slovak leadership addressed to Armenia’s Prime Minister and people.

Mr. Ivan Korčok said he is impressed with the results of the recent snap parliamentary elections in Armenia and stated that despite the pandemic and the war Armenia is moving on the development path.

Mr. Korčok said Slovakia appreciates Armenia’s efforts aimed at the establishment of peace and stability in the region and attached importance to the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. He stressed the need for taking actions to strengthen trust in the region and expressed Slovakia’s support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

The officials also exchanged views on the ongoing regional developments.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan