Author: Garnik Tadevosian

In this stage the meetings and discussions can focus only on the prevention of new Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh, which will pave the way for resumption of negotiations, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told reports today.

As for the perspectives of recognition of Artsakh by Armenia, Minister Nalbandian said: “It’s clearly mentioned in the government opinion on the bill submitted by two MPs that the recognition will depend on discussions between Armenia and Artsakh and other developments, including the ones on international arena.

“It’s a delicate issue, and there’s no need for sudden and emotional approaches,” the Minister said.

“The international community shares our approaches and stance. This is proven by the five statements of the heads of the three-co-chairing countries. You know that until now Azerbaijan has been avoiding to make any reference to the statements, while those represent the position of the international community on the Nagorno Karabakh issue,” Minister Nalbandian said.

“The messages coming from the United States, France and Russia on these days also make it clear that the self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh is a key issue. It has always been a key topic in the talks, and it’s necessary to ensure that the right is realized and recognized,” the Foreign Minister added.

“Despite the numerous appeals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs and the international community to fully respect the trilateral ceasefire agreements of 1994 and 1995, Azerbaijan continued violations, concentrating heavy weaponry and military forces along the entire Nagorno Karabakh, further increasing its war-mongering and launching a provocative propaganda campaign on international arena, trying to accuse the Armenian side in exactly the same it is doing itself, thus preparing ground for new military attacks,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Timo Soini.

“It can have far-reaching consequences for the whole region. We are sharing the view with the international community that there is no alternative to an exclusively peaceful negotiated settlement of the Karabakh conflict,” Minister Nalbandian said.

Edward Nlabandian said that immense efforts will be needed for resumption of the negotiation process. He stressed the need for implementation of a mechanism for investigation of ceasefire regime violations and guarantee the unconditional implementation of the ceasefire agreements of 1994 and 1995.

“All these proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are fully supported by Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,” he said.

At a meeting in Helsinki the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Finland discussed a number of issues on regional and international arena, including the situation in the Middle East, fight against terrorism, etc.

Another Azerbaijani attacking drone was shot down in Artsakh at about 23:00 yesterday, the NKR Defense Ministry reports.

The Federal Member for Bennelong, John Alexander, has released a statement condemning Azerbaijan’s aggression towards the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and the targeting of innocent civilian lives.

“I deplore the recent acts of aggression committed by the Azerbaijan military against ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, with reports of civilians being targeted including the shelling of a school in the Martuni region that resulted in the death of a 12 year old boy and the serious injury of two other children,” Alexander said.

Alexander has spoken in Parliament on several occasions regarding the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, and reiterated in his statement that it is an Armenian-populated Republic with people who “enjoy a democratic system of government, a commitment to human rights and a free press that lies in start contrast to their closest neighbour”.

In his statement, Alexander reminds us that this year would mark the 25^th Anniversary of Independence for the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, the 28^th Anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms, and the 101^st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

While slamming Azerbaijan’s aggression, Alexander also condemned the Turkish government’s recent seizure of Armenian, Assyrian and Chaldean Churches in the Diyarbakir region.

In regards to Azerbaijan’s aggression and Turkey’s expropriation, Alexander said: “These historical events remain supremely relevant to Armenian people in Yerevan, Artsakh, Sur and across the globe.”

ANC Australia Executive Administrator Arin Markarian said: “We thank Mr. Alexander for this highly commendable statement during these tough times. Again, his strong stance and voice has shown why he is a great advocate for human rights issues, and a great friend of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

“It is very important that other MPs and Senators join in a united effort to condemn the violent aggression that Azerbaijan has initiated against the Armenians of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, and Mr. Alexander has done himself well to lead the way on bringing awareness to this issue in Australia.”

Eleven of the 13 homeless families in Gymri will have apartment, pledges have been made to buy the remaining two. The fund-raising campaign still continues and will be wrapped up on March 20 with a charity auction at Northern Avenue in Yerevan, acompanied by a gala concert, member of the SOS Gyumri initiative Maxim Sargsyan told reporters today.

Among the interesting items are a jersey signed by Real Mardid players, a Barcelona flag signed by Lionel Messi and 10 other Barca stars, the jerseys of Henrikk Mkhitaryan and Yura Movsisyan, outfits of Arsen and Levon Julfalakyan, a ball signed by players of legendary Ararat-73, and others.

The issue of housing for vulnerable Gymri families united scores of people both in Armenia and abroad. Photographer Hayk Barseghyan created a photo story three years ago to draw attention to the issue. Photos were featured in the National Geographic. The photo story marked the launch of a new initiative, which caught the attention of world media. Al Jazeera prepared a 40-minute film, while the BBC crew is expected to arrive in Armenia in April.

Buckingham Palace has complained to the press watchdog over the Sun newspaper’s article claiming the Queen backed “Brexit” from the European Union, the BBC reports.

The Sun quotes anonymous sources, one of whom claims to have witnessed a “bust-up” between the Queen and pro-EU former Deputy PM Nick Clegg in 2011.

It says the Queen told Mr Clegg the EU was “heading in the wrong direction”.

Earlier, the palace insisted the Queen was “politically neutral”. Mr Clegg called the story “nonsense”.

Under the headline, “Queen backs Brexit”, the Sun said the Queen’s exchange with Mr Clegg at a lunch in 2011 left “no room for doubt about her passionate feelings over Europe”.

The paper says the Queen also revealed her feelings about Europe during a separate conversation with MPs at Buckingham Palace “a few years ago”.

The Azerbaijani side used weapons of different caliber as it fired more than 900 shots in the direction of the Armenian positions last night, the NKR Ministry of Defense reports.

The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army mostly refrained from retaliatory actions and confidently continued with their military duty all along the line of contact.

The Azerbaijani side used artillery weapons of different caliber as it fired more than 1,100 shots from weapons of different caliber in the direction of the Armenian positions over the weekend.

The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army confidently perform their military duty and resort to retaliatory measures in cases of extreme necessity, the NKR Defense Ministry said.

Asbarez – Over 100 community members gathered at the St. Mary’s Church hall for a Community Rally organized by the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund.

The Rally’s guest speaker was Rev. Haroutune Selimian, President of the Armenian Evangelical Community of Syria as well as a member of the Central Committee of Syrian- Armenian Emergency Relief and Reconstruction Organization.

“It is important for our community to hear first-hand from individuals on the ground in Syria,” said Mher Tavidian, a member of the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund. “Rev. Selimian gave us a glimpse into what the Armenian communities in Syria need and the realistic effects of where the relief funds money is going.”

The rally started with opening remarks by SARF Committee member Vazken Madenlian which reminded the community of the SARF “Save a Life” Telethon which is set to take place this Sunday, February 21 from 2 to 8 p.m. Following his remarks, Rev. Selimian took the stage to discuss the situation in Syria for Armenians and the effects SARF has had on the community.

“Many in the community have asked how long we should continue to keep fighting for our Community in Syria instead of evacuating them,” exclaimed Rev. Selimian. “Of course we must keep the community alive. Today is the day that we stay, not the day that we leave. We must protect our communities, the war will end and our community will thrive again.”

Rev. Selimian continued by thanking every single Armenian-American community member who heeded the call for help and supported SARF and its activities and urged the community to support the SARF Telethon.

“SARF has supported thousands of families so that they can continue their lives not only in the present, but for the future as well,” said Selimian.