Author: Greg Madatian

ICC to welcome Armenia as a new State Party on 8 February 2024: Ceremony live streaming

Greg Madatian
International Criminal Court
Feb 5 2024
Information: 5 February 2024

On  8 February 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) will hold a ceremony at the seat of the Court in The Hague (The Netherlands) to welcome the Republic of Armenia as the 124th State Party to the Rome Statute, the ICC's founding treaty. The Ceremony will gather high level representatives of the Government of Armenia, of the ICC, of the Trust Fund for Victims, of the Assembly of States Parties, and of States Parties. Watch it live at 10:45 (CET) on the website (4th channel “media room") or on Facebook.

https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/icc-welcome-armenia-new-state-party-8-february-2024-ceremony-live-streaming

RFE/RL Armenian Service – 01/29/2024

Greg Madatian 
                                        Monday, 

Top Aide To Iran’s Khamenei Visits Armenia


Armenia - Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali 
Khamenei, meets Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in Yerevan, January 29, 
2024.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian praised Iran for supporting Armenia’s position on 
transport links with Azerbaijan when he met with a senior adviser to Iranian 
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Yerevan on Monday.

The official, Kamal Kharrazi, also heads Iran’s Strategic Council for Foreign 
Relations reportedly linked to Khamenei’s office. He had served as Iranian 
foreign minister from 1997-2005.

The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was high on the agenda of Kharrazi’s separate 
talks with Pashinian and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

“Minister Mirzoyan presented Armenia’s approaches in detail, emphasizing the 
imperative of unconditional respect for Armenia’s territorial integrity, 
inviolability of borders and sovereignty,” said the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

Both Pashinian and Mirzoyan were reported to stress the importance of Tehran’s 
“positive” reaction to Yerevan’s “Crossroads of Peace” project which they view 
as a blueprint for opening the Armenian-Azerbaijani border to travel and 
commerce.

The project says that Armenia and Azerbaijan should have full control of 
transport infrastructure inside each other’s territory. Iran’s Foreign Minister 
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian praised it during a December visit to Yerevan.

Azerbaijan afterwards renewed its demands for an extraterritorial corridor that 
would connect it to its Nakhichevan exclave through Syunik, the only Armenian 
region bordering Iran. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said people and cargo 
should be allowed to move through that corridor “without any checks.” Yerevan 
continues to reject those demands.

Iran has repeatedly warned against attempts to strip it of the common border and 
transport links with Armenia. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reportedly told a 
visiting Azerbaijani official in October 2023 that the corridor sought by Baku 
is “resolutely opposed by Iran.” Khamenei likewise made this clear to Turkish 
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when they met in Tehran in 2022.

Armenia’s position on the issue has been criticized by not only Azerbaijan and 
Turkey but also Russia, its longtime ally. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei 
Lavrov complained on January 18 that Yerevan opposes Russian control of a Syunik 
road and railway leading to Nakhichevan. Lavrov claimed that a Russian-brokered 
agreement that stopped the 2020 war in Karabakh calls for “neutral border and 
customs control” there. Armenian leaders deny this.




CSTO Decisions Still Not Signed By Armenia


Belarus - Russia's President Vladimir Putin poses for a photo with other leaders 
of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation during a meeting in the 
Belarusian capital Minsk, November 23, 2023.


Armenia has still not signed up to agreements reached by the other members of 
the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) during a November 
summit boycotted by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, a senior official said on 
Monday.

“The issue is under discussion,” Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanian told 
reporters. He gave no reason for the delay.

The decisions made by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan 
and Tajikistan at the November 23 meeting in Minsk included the creation of CSTO 
member states’ new joint air-defense system. The secretary general of the 
military alliance, Imangali Tasmagambetov, submitted their copies to the 
Armenian government for consideration during a December visit to Yerevan. 
Tasmagambetov was only received by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

Pashinian’s boycott of the Minsk summit highlighted Armenia’s growing 
estrangement from the CSTO, which is calling into question its continued 
membership in the bloc.

Armenia officially requested military aid from its CSTO allies after 
Azerbaijan’s offensive military operations launched along the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border in September 2022. It has since repeatedly accused 
them of ignoring the request in breach of the CSTO’s statutes and declared 
mission.

Yerevan has not only shunned various-level CSTO meetings but also cancelled a 
CSTO exercise in Armenia slated for 2023, refused to name an Armenian deputy 
head of the organization and recalled the Armenian representative to its Moscow 
headquarters in September.

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested in December that Armenia is not 
planning to leave the CSTO and attributed Yerevan’s boycott of the organization 
to internal “processes” taking place in the country. By contrast, the Russian 
Foreign Ministry earlier accused Pashinian of systematically “destroying” 
Russian-Armenian relations.




Pashinian Proposes Nonaggression Pact With Azerbaijan (UPDATED)

        • Shoghik Galstian
        • Ruzanna Stepanian

Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian speaks during an Army Day celebation in 
Yerevan, .


Armenia is ready to sign a nonaggression pact with Azerbaijan and give other 
“guarantees” to Baku, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said on Sunday.

The Azerbaijani government dismissed the proposals on Monday.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev demanded safeguards against Armenian 
“revanchism” in December, saying that an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty would 
not be enough to preclude another war between the two countries. Pashinian 
expressed on January 20 readiness to meet this demand if Azerbaijan recognizes 
Armenia’s territorial integrity through that treaty “without any reservations.”

“We are ready to give such long-term and irreversible guarantees but expect the 
same guarantees from others,” he reiterated during an official event to mark the 
32nd anniversary of the official establishment of Armenia’s armed forces.

In that context, Pashinian pointed to a mutual withdrawal of Armenian and 
Azerbaijani troops from the border between the two countries which has been 
proposed by Yerevan and categorically rejected by Baku.

“We have also proposed to Armenia a demilitarization of the border and also a 
mutual mechanism for arms control and the also signing of a nonaggression 
agreement if it turns out that the signing of a peace treaty takes longer than 
expected,” he said.

Pashinian tried hard to negotiate the peace treaty after explicitly recognizing 
Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh about a year ago. He kept pressing 
for such an accord even after Azerbaijan recaptured Karabakh and forced its 
entire population to flee to Armenia last September.

“The Republic of Armenia should identify itself with the territory on which it 
was recognized by the international community … We must state clearly and 
unequivocally that we do not and will not have any claims to any other 
territory, and this should become the strategic basis for ensuring Armenia's 
external security,” Pashinian said on Sunday.

The premier signaled on January 18 plans to try to enact a new Armenian 
constitution for that purpose, prompting scorn from opposition groups.

Commenting on Pashinian’s latest statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry 
claimed that the current Armenian constitution contains “encroachments on the 
territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.” Instead of taking concrete 
steps to eliminate them, the Armenian government is voicing “proposals that make 
no practical sense,” a ministry spokesman said, adding that Yerevan is not 
serious about normalizing Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

Azerbaijan remains reluctant to formally recognize Armenia’s current borders. In 
early January, Aliyev renewed his demands for Armenia to open an 
extraterritorial corridor to Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan exclave. He also demanded 
Armenian withdrawal from “eight Azerbaijani villages” and again dismissed 
Yerevan’s insistence on using the most recent Soviet maps to delimit the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Pashinian rejected those demands, saying that they amount to territorial claims 
to Armenia. His foreign minister, Ararat Mirzoyan again spoke last week of 
“significant regression” in Baku’s position on the peace deal with Yerevan. 
Armenian opposition leaders insisted, for their part, that Pashinian cannot 
prevent another Azerbaijani attack on Armenia with what they see as additional 
concessions offered to Aliyev.

Lilit Galstian, a parliament deputy from the main opposition Hayastan alliance, 
said on Monday that the latest Armenian proposals to Baku revealed by Pashinian 
are further proof of the failure of his declared “peace agenda.”

“Nikol Pashinian … constantly throws out thoughts, new ideas which once again 
subject our society to further stress,” she told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. “Not 
only has the peace process failed but we keep hearing aggressive rhetoric by 
Azerbaijan.”

Pashinian’s government is engaged in “inadequate behavior” in the face of 
Azerbaijani war preparations, she said.



Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2024 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Authorities introduce mandatory road safety audit requirement

Greg Madatian

 11:37,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government has introduced mandatory safety audit requirement of roads. The decision was adopted at the January 25 Cabinet meeting.

The government will also introduce an integrated system for road safety data management.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan said that the purpose of the initiative is to increase the level of safety of the road networks, tunnels and reduce possible risks.

The safety audit will be implemented during construction and a year after commissioning. The audit has been used during road construction projects involving international partners, and now it will be implemented in all projects as a mandatory requirement.

Exclusive: Biden urges US Congress to approve F-16 sale to Turkey ‘without delay’

Greg Madatian
Reuters
Jan 25 2024
By Humeyra Pamuk, Patricia Zengerle and Mike Stone
WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden sent a letter to leaders of key Capitol Hill committees on Wednesday informing them of his intention to begin the formal notification process for the sale of Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab F-16 aircraft to Turkey once Ankara completes Sweden’s NATO accession process.
In the letter to the top Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committees, Biden urged Congress to approve the sale "without delay," a U.S. official said.
Earlier on Wednesday the White House sent a letter to members of Congress urging approval of the $20 billion sale of F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Turkey, four sources familiar with the letter told Reuters.
Turkey's parliament ratified Sweden's NATO membership bid on Tuesday, clearing a major hurdle to expanding the Western military alliance after 20 months of delay. The sources said the letter was sent on Wednesday, and that the Biden administration has not yet formally notified Congress of plans for the sale.
Turkey's delay in approving the ratification had been a major obstacle to winning congressional approval for the fighter jet deal. Lawmakers had said they were awaiting Turkey's approval of Sweden's NATO membership- including President Tayyip Erdogan's signature – before deciding whether to approve the sale.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. State Department also urged Ankara on Wednesday to formally finalize Sweden's NATO ratification. To do that, Erdogan needs to sign the legislation, which then would be published in Turkey's Official Gazette. The instrument of accession for Sweden also needs to be sent to Washington.
The State Department declined to provide an exact timeline on the formal notification process for the F-16 sale.
"President Biden, Secretary Blinken have been very clear of our support for modernizing Turkey's F-16 fleet, which we view as a key investment in NATO interoperability. But beyond that … I'm just not going to confirm or get ahead of proposed defense sales or transfers until they are formally notified to Congress," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told a news briefing, referring to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Turkey in October 2021 asked to purchase $20 billion of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.
Leaders of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs committees review every major foreign arms sale. They regularly ask questions or raise concerns over human rights or diplomatic issues that can delay or stop such deals.Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, cast some doubt on a speedy approval, saying lawmakers need assurances from the Biden administration and Turkey first.
“For much of the time President Erdogan has been in office, Turkey has been an unfaithful NATO ally — so this is welcome news," Van Hollen said.
"That said, I still have questions about Erdogan’s ongoing attacks against our Syrian Kurdish allies, his aggressive actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the role he played in supporting Azerbaijan’s military assaults against Nagorno-Karabakh," Van Hollen told Reuters.
Sweden and Finland applied to enter NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. While Finnish membership was sealed last year, Sweden's bid had been held up by Turkey and Hungary.
All NATO members need to approve applications from countries seeking to join the alliance. When Sweden and Finland asked to join, Turkey raised objections over what it said was the two countries' protection of groups it deems terrorists.

Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Patricia Zengerle and Mike Stone; Editing by Leslie Adler, Ros Russell and Jonathan Oatis

Armenian Ambassador meets with Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece

Greg Madatian

 18:16,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan on Thursday  met Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy  Kostas Fragogiannis.
The Armenian Ambassador presented the latest regional developments, the current state of the Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiation process. The Ambassador also addressed the issue of unblocking regional communications based on the principle of reciprocity and equal jurisdiction, the Armenian Embassy in Greece said on social media.
According to the source, the interlocutors discussed the possibility of hosting the session of the intergovernmental commission on economic, industrial and scientific-technical cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Greece in Yerevan in the near future.
Both sides emphasized the importance of giving a new  impetus to Armenian-Greek economic relations as an important basis of traditional friendly bilateral relations. During the meeting, there was also a focus on intensifying relations among business circles.

Gulbenkian Foundation in Dialogue with Los Angeles Armenian Community

Greg Madatian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s two-day dialogue with the Los Angeles Armenian Community flyer


The Armenian Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has embarked on a two-day conversation with the Los Angeles Armenian community. It will take place on the weekend of February 2 and 3, at Hero House in Glendale.

Dr. Razmik Panossian, Director of the Armenian Department at Gulbenkian since 2013, will present the Foundation’s projects, strategies and goals, and engage in dialogue with various scholars and specialists.

On Friday, February 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., a visual presentation will precede a conversation where Dr. Panossian will highlight some of the activities of the Department during the past decade and present future directions. This short presentation will be followed by an hour-long discussion about Gulbenkian’s work, in conversation with Salpi Ghazarian of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies and Dr. Houri Berberian, Meghrouni Family Presidential Chair in Armenian Studies and Director of the Armenian Studies program at UC Irvine. Questions and comments from the audience will be welcomed.

On Saturday, February 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., a sequence of three bilingual panels will explore the changing world of Armenian philanthropy, the challenges facing the Armenian language, education and culture in the Diaspora, and the importance of critical thinking, especially in Armenia, and in Diaspora institutions.

The Gulbenkian Foundation’s engagement in Armenian communities around the world continues even as it looks to work more closely in Los Angeles, always within the sphere of its strategic directions. These directions are examined and adopted every five years, taking into consideration changing global and Armenian challenges.

The USC Institute of Armenian Studies has partnered with Gulbenkian in the organization of these events. “This is not the first time that we’ve collaborated with Gulbenkian. Our perspectives and approaches are similar, and we welcome the opportunity to broaden the Armenian conversation,” said Salpi Ghazarian, who, together with Institute Director Dr. Shushan Karapetian will participate in the panels. The various panelists also include, among others, Professor Donald Miller of USC, Dr. Hagop Gulludjian and Dr. Shant Shekherdimian of UCLA, a representative of Gituzh, as well as Shogher Margossian from the Gulbenkian Foundation. 

Everyone is invited to participate in this rare conversation between program designers and funders on the one hand, and the community the programs are meant to benefit on the other. What challenges Armenian organizations are currently facing and will face in the future? How can we actually reinforce language and culture in a diasporan setting? Do we want to? Are institutions and their programs useful, appropriate and impactful? or repetitious, outdated, not focused? How are decisions made and programs evaluated? Is decision-making and fundraising changing? Should it, and if so, how?

“The Gulbenkian Foundation journey supporting Armenian communities started in the Middle East, where it is still present. It has also steadily shifted westwards, bringing us to Los Angeles. We need to learn from the Los Angeles community, and we would like to contribute to it, especially in the domains of culture, education, and language. This two-day dialogue is essential for us to develop appropriate programming that is relevant to this ever-more-important Armenian hub that is very different from those that have come before,” said Dr. Panossian.

For additional information, please write to [email protected]

COAF embarks on Child and Family Center construction in Armavir

Greg Madatian
 Children of Armenia Fund Non-Profit 0

Rendering of the COAF Child and Family Center being built in the village of Myasnikyan, Armavir province

ARMAVIR, Armenia—A groundbreaking ceremony on January 17 marked the commencement of the construction of the Child and Family Center by the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) in the village of Myasnikyan, Armavir province. The Center is funded by the American-Armenian philanthropist Hagop Youredjian and stands as the inaugural phase of the SMART Armavir Campus, aligning seamlessly with the strategic development goals outlined by the Armenian government for the Armavir province. 

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Tatevik Stepanyan; Governor of Armavir Province, Davit Khudatyan; Mayor of Armavir, Varsham Sargsyan; Founder of the Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation, one of the largest benefactors of COAF, Hagop Youredjian; Global Executive Director of COAF, Ara Barsam; and Managing Director Liana Ghaltagchyan.

COAF’s Child & Family Center (CFC) aims to provide a comprehensive array of services, including early childhood education programs, speech therapy, and psychological and social work support for children and their families across 14 communities, impacting 3,000 children. The CFC will also host parenting workshops, personalized educational and developmental approaches, and multifaceted outreach initiatives to ensure every child receives the necessary support to overcome obstacles.

In his opening remarks, newly-appointed Governor Khudatyan expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This project marks the most inspiring start for me as the head of the community. I am thrilled to collaborate with COAF, and this megaproject is more than just a connection.”

Stepanyan emphasized, “Every initiative focused on children directly contributes to the development and strengthening of the Republic of Armenia.”

Ghaltagchyan underscored the significance of the COAF Armavir CFC, stating, “COAF works in close collaboration with governmental and local authorities to assure the fulfillment of regional needs. We envision this center to become a resource hub, empowering local communities with the skills and tools to advance Armavir province.”

Youredjian, a devoted COAF friend and philanthropist, expressed his connection with the foundation, saying, “My collaboration with COAF started right here in Armavir. When I first visited the COAF Karakert Center, I was deeply impressed. It brought me immense joy, and I am confident that this center in the village of Myasnikyan will play a vital role for children in local and nearby communities.”

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The Children of Armenia Fund is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 2003. Our community-based, comprehensive approach to reducing rural poverty has helped Armenian village youth access the resources to achieve and in turn, give back to their communities and the world.


Armenia Commemorates 34th Anniversary of Baku Pogroms, Calls for Prevention of Future Atrocities author By: Rizwan Shah

Greg Madatian
Jan 15 2024

By: Rizwan Shah

Yesterday, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly marked the 34th anniversary of the pogroms against Armenians in Baku – a series of tragic events which unfolded during the Azerbaijani SSR period. The commemoration was a poignant reminder of a violent chapter in history, one that the ministry described as the pinnacle of a policy aimed at forcibly displacing and ethnically cleansing the Armenian population from Azerbaijan.

The Ministry’s statement shed light on the harrowing experiences of hundreds of Armenians who were either murdered, mutilated, or went missing during the pogroms. It was a stark reminder of the atrocities of the past and the long-lasting impact these events have had on the Armenian community.

The commemoration also brought to attention the plight of half a million refugees generated by this violence. These individuals, torn from their homes and communities, represent the human cost of such policies and serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of hate and division.

The Ministry used this commemoration to emphasize the importance of preventing such policies in the future. It highlighted the necessity for all rights to be respected and addressed, an essential element in creating a just and peaceful society. The tribute to the innocent victims of the pogroms underscored this message, underscoring the dire need for reconciliation and progress.

Meanwhile, in related news, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan expressed that there is not a single provision in the draft peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan that concerns only one of the parties. This assertion came in light of ongoing peace negotiations between the two countries. Simonyan also noted that while Azerbaijan has not referred to Armenia’s 29,800 square kilometers, Armenia expects it to occur. In a separate statement, Artur Vanetsyan, a prominent Armenian political figure, discussed his future presence at various events.

Asbarez: Yerevan Accuses Baku of ‘Challenging Armenia’s Sovereignty’

Greg Madatian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Foreign ministers of Armenia and Croatia, Ararat Mirzoyan and Gordan Grlić Radman, hold a joint press conference in Zagreb, Croatia on Jan. 19


Recent statements and rhetoric from Azerbaijan’s leaders continue to challenge Armenia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and the effort to achieve lasting peace in the region, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Friday while speaking to reporters in Zagreb, Croatia.

“Unfortunately, we see rhetoric and statements of the high-level Azerbaijani officials that continue to challenge the rule-based order, territorial integrity, sovereignty of Armenia and, hence, the prospects of lasting peace in the region,” Mirzoyan said during a joint press conference with his Croatian counterpart, Gordan Grlić Radman.

In response to reporter’s question, Mirzoyan accused Azerbaijan of refusing resume the negotiations in the current existing framework.

”As I said, Armenia is engaged in negotiations with Azerbaijan in good faith and we are more than interested in establishing lasting peace in our region. We believe that this will be beneficial not only for the people of Armenia, but for the countries in the region,” Mirzoyan said.

“However,” he said, “we are seeing that our constructiveness sometimes does not meet the same constructive approach in the behavior of our neighbors.”

After highlighting Baku’s refusal to take part in the current format of negotiations, which are being facilitated by the European Union and others, Mirzoyan explained that Yerevan continues to remain interested in talks.

‘We attach importance not so much to the issue of who facilitates the negotiations, but to the principles, according to which the negotiations should continue,” the Armenian foreign minister said, explaining that for Armenia the principles include, territorial integrity, recognition of legitimate borders, inviolability of borders, respect for each other’s sovereignty.

“These are the principles, according to which, I believe, peace should be achieved. When it comes to participation of Croatia or the European Union in general, I would like to express our appreciation that the EU and Croatia has shown in ensuring security in our region along the borders,” said Mirzoyan, referring to the EU monitoring mission currently deployed in Armenia.

“We believe our partners interested in stability in the South Caucasus share the same approach, that peace requires unwavering commitment and genuine interest in lasting solutions. Armenia’s position has been very clear on possible solutions based on well-known principles and agreements. Countries should recognize each other’s territorial integrity without any ambiguity,” said Mirzoyan.

Can Armenia’s refugee crisis catalyse health-system reforms?

Greg Madatian
THE LANCET
Jan 16 2024

  • Christopher Markosian, Kim Hekimian, 
  • Kent Garber, 
  • Ara Darzi
  • , Shant Shekherdimian

Published:DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02459-5


After more than 30 years, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has culminated in a sudden mass exodus of more than 100 000 refugees from the region to Armenia. Since 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh), has existed as a de facto state, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians. The latest conflict in the region erupted on Sept 19, 2023, with a military offensive by Azerbaijan leading to a Russian-mediated ceasefire on Sept 20. On Sept 28, authorities of the enclave made the formal decision to dissolve the state by the end of the year.

1
Subsequently, nearly the entire Nagorno-Karabakh population fled westward to Armenia, increasing the country's population of 2·8 million by more than 3% in the span of less than 1 week. Refugees with few belongings crammed in cars, buses, and trucks fled to pass through the Lachin Corridor on their journeys over multiple days.

2

 The refugees have since been dispersed throughout the country wherever shelter was available (appendix).

3

 Emergency medical care and supplies are being provided by the Armenian Government, non-governmental organisations, and international agencies, such as WHO, Doctors Without Borders, World Food Programme, and UNICEF. However, meeting the health needs of this vulnerable population disseminated throughout a country with scarce resources has proven arduously complex.

The immediate health needs of the refugees are immense.

3

 Before the exodus, people of Nagorno-Karabakh had been living under a punitive 9-month blockade, resulting in malnutrition and worsening health conditions due to scarcity of food, medicine, and vaccines.

4

 During their exile, a fuel depot explosion led to hundreds of casualties among refugees.

5

 Other factors contributing to medical needs include the suddenness of displacement, forfeiture of medical records, and loss of established longitudinal health-care providers.

But as headlines fade and humanitarian priorities shift elsewhere, Nagorno-Karabakh refugees will continue to face challenges in accessing high-quality health care. The Armenian Government intends to integrate displaced people into the health-care system, providing them with the same care as their host communities. However, Armenia has a health-care infrastructure with scarce resources and of inadequate quality. Given this reality, it would be wise for the global health response—typically focused on the acute needs of the refugees, and sometimes guilty of setting up health programming in parallel to government efforts—to simultaneously strengthen local health services towards universal health coverage, improved primary care, and optimised outcomes. Addressing the urgent needs, such as infectious and chronic diseases and mental health and psychosocial factors (eg, disruption of social support, loss of homeland, or absence of employment), in an evidence-based manner with the aim of health-care system strengthening will build preparedness in a region with ongoing conflict.
KH is an adviser to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia; is a member of the Strategy and Operations Committee of Health Network for Armenia Foundation; and is a policy fellow of the Applied Policy Research Institute of Armenia. KG has served as a consultant for WHO and the World Bank. AD is a non-executive director of National Health Service England; is the chair of the Pre-emptive Health and Medicine Initiative at Flagship Pioneering; and is the chair of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee. SS is the associate director for Healthcare Outreach for the Promise Armenian Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles; is an adviser to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia; is a member of the Strategy and Operations Committee of the Health Network for Armenia Foundation; and was the director of the Board of Trustees of City of Smile–USA. CM declares no competing interests.
Editorial note: The Lancet Group takes a neutral position with respect to territorial claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.