Author: Frangulian Shushan

Mikayel Minasyan: We must realize that ‘gang of Turkish-Azerbaijani agents’ is in power in Armenia

Frangulian Shushan
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 4 2021

Armenia’s former Ambassador to the Holy See Mikayel Minasyan took to Telegram on Thursday to strongly condemn the recent remarks of MP Anush Beghloyan from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s My Step bloc about Artsakh.

The lawmaker came under fire for her statement that “it is not important who started the war or whose historical land Artsakh is” during a meeting via video conference on 2 February.

“The walking madam did not say anything new. It follows Nikol’s political line, which he started 2,5 years ago, creating from the image of the enemy an educated and constructive partner and presenting the generals who built the state and army as criminals and thieves,” he wrote.

Minasyan also referred to an interview of Deputy Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Lena Nazaryan, where she calls for living in peace instead of “regaining what has been lost”.

“We have reached the point where the usurer holding the post of minister of social affairs feels free to mock the people of Artsakh who have been left homeless, stating that “there are no social or humanitarian issues in post-war Artsakh.” The problems of the Nikol and his team are resolved while they are in power. This is what allows them to constantly ignore the public opinion,” the ex-ambassador said.

“Few people know that according to the verbal agreement between Aliyev and Pashinyan, the office of the Artsakh representation in Russia is being closed. This is a continuation of the same policy of pacifying the enemy, giving it all the elements of our victory and unquestioningly fulfilling all his demands.

“We must realize that the power in Armenia is held by a gang of Turkish-Azerbaijani agents, who trample on state and national interests every single minute. And it is up to us how long we will allow them to live comfortably,” he said. 

Artsakh’s police force, emergency situations service merged into Internal Affairs Ministry

Frangulian Shushan

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 13:44, 25 January, 2021

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The State Service of Emergency Situations and the Police force in Artsakh are merging into a single body, the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan signed an order on amending his 2020 December 17 decree on the Cabinet’s structure to formalize the unification of the agencies.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Tehran: Iran’s Foreign Minister Arrives in Armenia after Visiting Baku, Moscow

Frangulian Shushan
Iran Front Page
Jan 27 2021
By IFP Editorial Staff
–

January 27, 2021

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Yerevan for political talks with the Armenian officials.

Foreign Minister Zarif travelled to Armenia on Wednesday in the third leg of a tour of the Caucasus that took him earlier to the Republic of Azerbaijan and Russia.

 

Speaking to reporters upon arrival in Yerevan, the top Iranian diplomat hailed Armenia as “an old neighbour and friend of the Islamic Republic”.

 

Foreign Minister Zarif said he has held negotiations about “multilateral cooperation” during his stays in Baku and Moscow, considering the significance of the issue after a January 11 summit among Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

 

“The ground is prepared for cooperation among the regional countries, particularly in the economic sphere. Such cooperation could entail long-term peace and stability,” he added.

 

On his schedule in Yerevan, Foreign Minister Zarif said he is going to hold talks with Prime Minister Pashinyan and with his Armenian counterpart about “the bilateral relations between Iran and Armenia, and the multilateral cooperation in the region.”

Wilk Announces Armenian Genocide Awareness Scholarships

Frangulian Shushan
Jan 29 2021

Posted by: Louie Diaz in Community News, Santa Clarita Latest News January 29, 2021 – 1:00 pm 0 7 Views

California high school students in 9th through 12th grade are invited to participate in an essay contest or a visual arts contest to increase awareness of the Armenian Genocide on its anniversary, according to a statement from Wilk’s office. 

Students interested in participating in the contest have until April 9 to submit their work, according to officials. 

All winners are expected to be awarded scholarships and a trip to the State Capitol in Sacramento to be acknowledged at the California Armenian Legislative Caucus’ annual Armenian Advocacy Day during a press conference on Monday, April 26, 2021 and receive special recognition from the members of the Armenian Caucus, according to officials. 

First place winners of the contest are set to win $1,000, second place winners are set to take home $750 and third place winnings are expected to win $500, according to Wilk.      

Winners are expected to be contacted directly and announced to the media by the California Armenian Legislative Caucus on Friday, April 16, 2021, according to officials. 

Original artwork will be requested from visual arts applicants if they are selected as a finalist, for possible display in the California State Capitol. 

For more information on the contest and to see a list of criteria for the essay and visual art, click here.  

Russia and Turkey open monitoring centre for Nagorno-Karabakh

Frangulian Shushan
Middle East Monitor
Jan 30 2021
at 3:15 pm 
Opening ceremony of Turkish-Russian Joint Observation Center established within the scope of observing the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Merzili village of Agdam, which was captured by Azerbaijan from Armenia, on [Resul Rehimov/Anadolu Agency]
at 3:15 pm

    Russia and Turkey opened a joint centre on Saturday to observe a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that was agreed following a flare-up in the conflict in the region last year, Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said on Saturday, reports Reuters.

    The centre, which both countries agreed to set up in November, was officially opened in the Agdam region of Azerbaijan. It will be staffed by up to 60 servicemen each from Turkey and from Russia, the defence ministry said in a statement.

    After six weeks of fighting, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Russia-brokered ceasefire for the enclave, which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but mainly populated by ethnic Armenians.

    Turkey said on Friday that one Turkish general and 38 personnel will work at the centre.

    The Russian Defence Ministry, quoted by Interfax, said that “monitoring will be carried out through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles as well as the evaluation of data received from other sources”.

    Turkey backs Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, and has criticised the co-chairs of the OSCE’s so-called Minsk Group for not resolving the long-running conflict in decades of mediation. The Minsk Group is led by the United States, France and Russia.

    Armenia/Azerbaijan fighting rages – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

    Armenia records major progress in Corruption Perceptions Index 2020

    Frangulian Shushan

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     11:03,

    YEREVAN, JANUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has recorded a major progress in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2020, Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan said on social media.

    “Dear compatriots,

    The results of the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2020 have been released.

    Armenia continues recording a major progress, improving its positions by 7 points this year.

    With 49 score, Armenia is ranked the 60th in the CPI 2020, whereas in 2019 and 2018 it was ranked 77th and 105th respectively.

    Transparency International says “with a score of 49, Armenia is a significant improver on the CPI, rising 15 points since 2012. Armenia has taken a gradual approach to reform, resulting in steady and positive improvements in anti-corruption”.

    At the same time, Transparency International notes that the problems existing in the judiciary remain as a challenge in Armenia’s anti-corruption efforts.

    I would like to remind that the CPI results are important because it assesses the citizens’ perception over the actions taken by the government.

    I am confident that the consistent and real anti-corruption reforms, the judicial reforms will contribute also to the strengthening of our Armed Forces.

    Congratulations on the Armenian Army Day…

    Glory and honor to the defenders of the Homeland…”, the minister said.

     

    Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

    Armenian FM hopes growing int’l pressure on Azerbaijan will lead to release of PoWs

    Frangulian Shushan

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     11:24,

    YEREVAN, JANUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. In order to speak about stability, security and peace in the region it is first of all necessary to create an atmosphere of trust, and this in turn requires the repatriation of the Armenian PoWs held in Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian told reporters.

    “An atmosphere of trust is created in the event of solving highly important issues, first of all the issue of the release of our captives. I think Azerbaijan ought to understand that this is a humanitarian issue and if this issue continues being manipulated, I am sure it will be problematic for Azerbaijan,” Aivazian said.

    FM Aivazian said the governmental inter-departmental task force is working every day over this issue.

    “If you’ve noticed the international pressure is growing every day and I hope Azerbaijan will understand that this issue must have an urgent resolution,” the FM said.

    Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

    Ruling bloc meets to discuss electoral code, potential constitutional amendments

    Frangulian Shushan

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     16:07,

    YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. A bill on amending the Electoral Code will be introduced for public discussions in February, the My Step parliamentary faction MP Hamazasp Danielyan told reporters after the ruling bloc held a meeting.

    He said the ruling bloc lawmakers discussed potential constitutional amendments, a possible self-dissolution of parliament and other options.

    “During February we will introduce the Electoral Code first for public discussions then into circulation, meaning the part of the code which relates to the electoral procedures and other parts. When we were planning electoral reforms one and a half years ago, we had an idea that we would address the main part after constitutional amendments, because the electoral procedure includes clauses which are regulated by the Constitution,” he said, adding that despite constitutional amendments haven’t taken place the Electoral Code package is ready.

    Danielyan says the ruling bloc discussed the possibility of making some constitutional amendments in parliament. “We discussed several options, and discussions are still ongoing.”

    Asked whether or not they discussed the possibility of enabling parliament to “self-dissolve” – a brainchild of their colleague MP Vahagn Hovakimyan – he said they have indeed discussed it. “There are many ideas, it’s not one thing, there are many items relating to the timeframes of early elections and others,” he said.

    Danielyan noted that making constitutional amendments in parliament isn’t solely up to the ruling bloc. “Such an amendment requires at least 88 votes, therefore the opposition should also express its view. Therefore, we are still at a very early stage for me to be able to give concrete information. There was no concrete decision at the discussion,” Danielyan said.

    Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

    Azerbaijan prohibiting the removal of over 1,500 works of art and exclusive samples from Armenian Shushi (PHOTOS)

    Frangulian Shushan
    News.am, Armenia
    Jan 15 2021
      

    Well-known geologist and philanthropist Grigor Gabrielyants, Director of the Museums of the City of Shushi SNCO Lusine Gasparyan and the Ministry of Culture of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) are actively negotiating with the Russian side to save the museum samples that are still preserved in the city of Shushi transferred to the enemy and remove them from the city. This is what Lusine Gasparyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am and voiced hope that it will be possible to at least save pieces of the tremendous cultural heritage of Shushi through the mediation of the Russian side.

    Before the war that broke out in September 2020, there were 4 state and 2 private museums operating in Shushi, which is considered the center for culture in Artsakh. Unfortunately, during the war, only the samples of a private rug museum were removed from the city, and the samples of 3 of the 4 museums operating as part of the SNCO were moved to a bomb shelter.

    “I was in Shushi in early November, and moved to Yerevan on November 5. During that period, it didn’t cross anyone’s mind that the city could be transferred to the enemy and it would be necessary to remove the collections kept in the bomb shelter. We moved all the samples to the bomb shelter amid shooting, and if we had known that the city might be transferred to the enemy, we would have moved the collections to Stepanakert,” Gasparyan said stressed that the authorities of Artsakh and Armenia hadn’t informed her and the others about the intention to hand the city, and until November 9, the Ministry of Defense insisted that Shushi was under Armenians’ control.

    There are 197 monuments representing the history and culture of Shushi, nearly 800 paintings, graphic works and sculptures of the Museum of Fine Arts and over 700 samples of the Geology Museum of Shushi that are currently under the control of the enemy.

    “Today the Azerbaijani side doesn’t even want to hear about the return of collections remaining in Shushi, but these collections are the cultural heritage of us Armenians and need to be returned to us. Knowing the enemy, we don’t have good expectations from the negotiations, but we have to do everything we can to save whatever there is,” Gabrielyants said. Gasparyan added that she is regularly following the scenes published in Azerbaijani sources showing that the museum wasn’t destroyed during shelling. According to her, this shows that the samples moved to the bomb shelter couldn’t have been damaged before November 9, and if the Azerbaijani side refuses to return the samples or declares that they haven’t been preserved, the only thing left to do is to conclude that we are dealing with another war crime.

    https://news.am/eng/news/623710.html

    Armenia-Azerbaijan Meeting in Moscow Leaves Unanswered Questions

    Frangulian Shushan
    Jan 15 2021

    01/15/2021 Russia (International Christian Concern) – This week, the prime ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the peace agreement between the two countries following their brief war last fall.  Although Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed optimism about the compliance with the peace agreement signed in November, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed his concern regarding several unresolved issues that remain for Armenia.

    The issue at the forefront of many Armenians’ minds is the continued detention of Armenian soldiers captured by Azerbaijan during the war.  Despite requests from the European Court of Human Rights, Azerbaijan has not released the identities nor information on the quantity of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) that it still holds.  Additionally, there is mounting evidence that Azerbaijani soldiers have abused and tortured Armenian POWs, in direct violation of international law.

    The continued detention and reported abuse of Armenian POWs speaks to the deep hatred that is present throughout this conflict.  The oldest Christian nation of Armenia has long been threatened by Turkish aggression.  Dating back to the takeover of the Ottoman Empire, ethnic Armenians have been continually targeted by the rise of Islamic Turkish nationalism in the region.  The Turkish-backed attack on Armenia in September and the brutality that followed are a manifestation of this long history of animosity towards ethnic Armenian Christians.

    As part of the peace agreement, Russia has served as the peacekeeper between the two sides, overseeing the implementation of the agreement.  2,000 Russian troops have been deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh (Armenian: Artsakh) to ensure that hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan do not start back up.  It is expected that Russian presence in the Caucasus will continue to grow, potentially countering the presence of Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan.