Author: Hambardsumian Paul

Moscow hosts consultations between envoys from Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia — source

Hambardsumian Paul
TASS, Russia
June 3 2021
The sides agreed to continue working contacts, several sources confirmed these reports

MOSCOW, June 3. /TASS/. Trilateral consultations between representatives from Russia, Azerbaiajan and Armenia were held in Moscow on Wednesday, the sides discussed de-escalation in some areas along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, several sources confirmed these reports to TASS.

“On June 2, Moscow hosted trilateral consultations between representatives from Russia, Azerbaiajan and Armenia where ways to de-escalate the situation in certain border-adjacent areas in Armenia and Azerbaijan were discussed. [The sides] agreed to continue working contacts,” one source said.

Following the end of military action in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone last fall, when seven regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh fell under Azerbaijan’s control, the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan moved to the immediate vicinity of the Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces. The situation there exacerbated on May 12. Then, the Armenian Defense Ministry announced that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces attempted to carry out “certain operations” in the Syunik Province in a bid to “redefine the border.” The Azerbaijani forces ceased their activities after the Armenian Armed Forces took measures in response.

However, both parties regularly report new incidents. On May 27, Azerbaijan announced that it had captured six Armenian servicemen during an attempt to cross the border. The Armenian side confirmed that the servicemen were captured yet emphasized that at the time they were involved in engineering works in the border area of Armenia’s Gegharkunik Province. Later, Yerevan said that it had turned to the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) with regards to the escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azeri border. In their turn, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh put forward their de-escalation plan, which involves the parties withdrawing troops and beginning the process of demarcating and delimiting the state border with the assistance of the Minsk Group.

Belgian trade mission due in Armenia to study the prospects of cooperation

Hambardsumian Paul
Public Radio of Armenia
June 2 2021

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo in Brussels.

The interlocutors attached importance to the continuous development of political and economic relations between Armenia and Belgium, and the high-level contacts.

Nikol Pashinyan and Alexander De Croo stressed the interest of the governments of the two countries to expand trade and economic ties, implement joint programs in various sectors of the economy and promote democratic reforms in Armenia.

In this regard, the interlocutors attached importance to the effective implementation of the measures envisaged by the Roadmap of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU.

The parties discussed the agenda of the reforms being implemented in the Republic of Armenia, especially the reforms in the sphere of the police. Alexander De Croo emphasized the need for popular reform and stressed the EU’s commitment to continuing its support for Armenia.

Emphasizing the development of economic ties with Armenia, Alexander De Croo noted that a Belgian trade mission will visit Armenia to study the prospects and opportunities for the development of trade and investment relations between the two countries. The visit is planned to coincide with the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian community in Belgium.

During the meeting, the parties referred to the provocative actions of the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, stressed the need for their withdrawal from the sovereign territory of Armenia and a peaceful solution to the situation. The Belgian Prime Minister noted that the developments are a matter of concern, and the issue is in the center of their attention.

Both sides agreed on ensuring the return of Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan and the resumption of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

https://en.armradio.am/2021/06/02/belgian-trade-mission-due-in-armenia-to-study-the-prospects-of-cooperation/

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan’s proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Hambardsumian Paul
News.am, Armenia
June 2 2021
US Department of State responds to Pashinyan’s proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border
22:20, 02.06.2021

As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the US is strongly committed to the principle of working with the parties to achieve a long-term political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and urges the parties to return to the Minsk Group Co-Chairs-led talks as soon as possible.

In response to Tert.am’s question for an opinion on acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan’s proposal to overcome the crisis created after the appearance of Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Gegharkunik Province, an official of the US Department of State said the following:

“The US is concerned about the recent events that took place on the interstate border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the detention of a few Armenian servicemen by the Azerbaijani troops. We call on both parties to resolve the incident quickly and in peace. The US is ready to support these efforts.” The official also recalled the US State Department’s May 27 statement.

Azerbaijani troops have been in Armenia’s territory for over two weeks now. They have invaded in several directions and aren’t leaving. Moreover, incidents take place on a regular basis (gunshots were fired, an Armenian serviceman was killed, 6 Armenian servicemen were encircled in Gegharkunik Province and captured by Azerbaijani troops.

To resolve the crisis, acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan offered the international community and the President of Azerbaijan to pull out the troops of both parties and move them to the line of contact in the sector between Sotk of Gegharkunik Province and Khoznavar village of Syunik Province. He proposed to deploy observers of Russia or co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, after which the borders will be adjusted along with those observers.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 31-05-21

Hambardsumian Paul

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 17:30,

YEREVAN, 31 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 31 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.17 drams to 520.61 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.52 drams to 634.52 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.09 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 2.51 drams to 737.96 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 7.04 drams to 31801.36 drams. Silver price down by 8.36 drams to 462.47 drams. Platinum price down by 525.44 drams to 19583.46 drams.

Armenian expert Vardan Voskanyan publishes map of border areas for Pashinyan

Hambardsumian Paul
Panorama, Armenia

Expert on Iran Vardan Voskanyan published a map of Armenia’s border areas on Facebook in response to Friday’s statements of Armenia’s caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, explaining the link between the Black Lake (Sev Lich) area in Syunik Province bordering Azerbaijan and the Artsakh issue.

“Since, judging by the voiced “questions”, the leader of the regime, which still considers himself to be in power in Armenia, does not seem to understand how the border of the Republic of Armenia in the areas of Black Lake, the town of Sandruk (Sadarak is the Azerbaijani distorted version) or Vardenis has to do with Artsakh, obviously, he, to put it mildly, has no idea what the map of Armenia and the communication lines look like,” the expert wrote.

“If our border is unfavorable in the Sandruk and Black Lake areas (Ishkhanasar), the only land connection with Artsakh along M2 highway leading to the Kashatagh corridor (Yerevan-Yeraskh-Goris-Meghri) is strategically endangered at two points.

“And if the border turns out to be unfavorable in the Vardenis region, M11 highway (Martuni-Vardenis-occupied Artsakh border), which, although not functioning now, but being the second route of strategic importance which connects Armenia and Artsakh, will be under threat,” he said.

 

Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections

Hambardsumian Paul
News.am, Armenia
17:18, 28.05.2021

We Armenians had a share of very cruel fate, and sometimes I want to understand why all this had to happen to us and me personally. Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia stated this at Friday’s meeting with the ruling Civil Contract Party supporters at Kanaker-Zeytun district of Yerevan.

“Sometimes when I meet with the relatives of deceased or missing soldiers, they get frustrated and tell me I can’t understand their grief, but then I ask them how they know I can’t. I tell them my grief is for 4,000 soldiers, while they are only in grief for their sons and husbands. I have lived and still live with the sense that I have lost 4,000 sons, and I’m not exaggerating at all,” he said.

Pashinyan added that during a meeting with relatives of missing servicemen, he told them that he hadn’t asked about his son’s fate during the war because it would mean that he distinguishes between the soldiers.

Touching upon the return of captives, Pashinyan said he is certain that the process of the return of captives will intensify after the upcoming elections in Armenia since the factor of captives and other factors are being used to have an impact on the results of the elections.

Pashinyan also talked about those who said the authorities deceived the people during the war and told them that the Armenian side was going to win, adding that the government couldn’t tell the people that the country was going to be defeated.

Russian, Armenian defense ministers address situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Hambardsumian Paul
TASS, Russia
May 20 2021
On May 17, the defense ministers of Russia and Armenia discussed over the phone issues of bilateral cooperation, the situation in the region and the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh

“In the evening of May 19, Russian Defense Minister, Army General Sergey Shoigu held talks over the phone with Armenian [Acting] Defense Minister [Vagharshak] Harutyunyan. During the conversation, the situation in the region and areas, where Russia’s peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh fulfills the tasks, was discussed,” the defense ministry said.

Armenia also reported that “Harutyunyan outlined his stance on the situation resulting from the Azerbaijani forces’ provocations and Armenia’s actions”. “Both sides agreed on the need for a peaceful settlement of the issue. Meanwhile, Armenia’s Acting Defense Minister stressed that any encroachments on Armenia’s sovereign territories were absolutely unacceptable and the Azerbaijani military must return to their original positions,” the republic’s defense ministry stated.

On May 12, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijan’s forces tried to carry out “a certain effort” in one of Syunik’s border regions in order to “adjust the border”. As the ministry stated, after the measures taken by the Armenian forces, the Azerbaijani servicemen halted these works. In the evening of the same day, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting of the republic’s Security Council, during which he slammed these events an encroachment on Armenia’s territory. According to Pashinyan, the Azerbaijani forces crossed the country’s border, going 3.5 km deep.

On May 17, the defense ministers of Russia and Armenia discussed over the phone issues of bilateral cooperation, the situation in the region and the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

  

Caucasian Knot | Armenia complains about Turkey to the ECtHR

Hambardsumian Paul
Caucasian Knot, EU
May 21 2021
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Yerevan has accused Turkey of sending mercenaries to Nagorno-Karabakh, who had fought for Azerbaijan there. Such complaint was submitted to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The European Parliament has also condemned sending mercenaries by Ankara.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on May 19, the European Parliament called on Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire for further reconciliation of the two nations.

“Turkey decided to support Azerbaijan and facilitate the escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh instead of supporting the calls of the OSCE co-chairs to end the hostilities,” says the report, quoted by the Armenian Embassy in Belgium.

In October 2020, France and the United States released data on the transfer of militants from Syria via Turkey to the Karabakh conflict zone. Armenia accused Turkey of involvement in shelling of Karabakh dwelling settlements.

Arman Tatoyan, the Armenian Ombudsperson, said on the Facebook that the above complaint noted that during the autumn war of 2020, Turkey provided military support to Azerbaijan and thereby violated the rights of the population of Karabakh and Armenia to life, protection from inhuman treatment, property rights and a number of other fundamental rights.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 20, 2021 at 04:45 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Armine Martirosyan; Source: CK correspondent

Source:
© Caucasian Knot



CoE Secretary General responds to letter of Armenian President over return of POWs from Azerbaijan

Hambardsumian Paul

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 10:52,

YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić has responded to the letter of Armenian President Armen Sarkissian relating to the quick return of all Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives from Azerbaijan, the President’s Office told Armenpress.

“We continue closely following the humanitarian and human rights situation in and around Nagorno Karabakh. In its turn, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has expressed its concerns over the reports according to which not all persons detained in the context of the 2020 conflict have been exchanged”, the CoE Secretary General said in her response letter.

She also informed that the PACE Migration Committee is preparing a report titled “The Humanitarian Consequences of the Conflict Between Armenia and Azerbaijan”. “Let me assure you that the Council of Europe will do everything possible within its mandate to assist the two member states for achieving lasting peace and prosperity in the region, and will use every opportunity to raise humanitarian and human rights-related issues”, the CoE chief said

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia has proposal for Novavax and Johnson & Johnson vaccines

Hambardsumian Paul

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 21:50, 7 May, 2021

YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has a proposal to receive Novavax and Johnson & Johnson vaccines through the COVAX Facility initiative, ARMENPRESS reports acting Healthcare Minister of Armenia said in an on-line discussion.

‘’ We do not know exactly when we will get it, because there is shortage of vaccines in the world, all countries are competing to get more vaccines sooner. This is of primary health importance, but the economic and political components are also important. We are already seeing that in countries that have carried out large-scale vaccinations, the disease is declining very fast’’, Avanesyan said.

Armenia uses the Sputnik V, AstraZeneca and CoronaVac vaccines.