Author: Hambik Zargarian

Artsakh strongly condemns visit of the delegation of TURKSOY National Commissions for UNESCO to the occupied Shushi

Hambik Zargarian

Save

Share

 17:28,

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) strongly condemns the visit of the delegation of the National Commissions for UNESCO of the member states of the International Organization of Turkic Culture to the occupied Armenian city of Shushi on 8 April.

Below is the full statement issued by the Artsakh MFA.

“We strongly condemn the visit of the delegation of the National Commissions for UNESCO of the member states of the International Organization of Turkic Culture to the occupied Armenian city of Shushi on 8 April. It is obvious that this illegal visit, as well as holding other similar events in the occupied Armenian city of Shushi, are aimed at legitimising by Azerbaijan and its allies the results of the aggressive war unleashed by Baku in 2020 and the illegal use of force against the Republic of Artsakh and its people. We emphasise again that the city of Shushi is an integral part of Artsakh, both in the territorial, cultural, economic and historical aspects.

The visit by the National Commissions for UNESCO to Shushi looks even more blasphemous and provocative against the backdrop of the illegal blockade of Artsakh that has been going on for 4 months now, as well as the systematic destruction of Armenian religious, historical and cultural monuments and the falsification of their identity in the territories that came under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces, including in the ancient Armenian city of Shushi, and the persistent obstruction by the Azerbaijani authorities of sending a UNESCO assessment mission to Nagorno-Karabakh to conduct an inventory and assessment of the state of cultural heritage sites.

By such actions, the Azerbaijani authorities seek to obtain from representatives of individual states and international structures tacit approval of their criminal plans to carry out ethnic cleansing aimed at leaving Artsakh without Armenians and traces of the centuries-old Armenian presence. The abuse of kinship ties between countries and peoples to falsify history and promote their own political narratives is unacceptable and does not contribute to strengthening peace and mutual understanding among peoples.

In this regard, we remind once again that the ongoing acts of vandalism and desecration by Azerbaijan against Armenian churches and other cultural and religious monuments in Artsakh, including in the occupied Armenian city of Shushi, constitute gross violations of international law, as well as the Order of the International Court of Justice of 7 December 2021 on the indication of provisional measures.”

*Tomorrow: Time Capsule to be Unearthed at San Francisco’s Mount Davidson Cross Commemorating First Easter Sunrise Service of 1923

Hambik Zargarian

Please make note of this historic San Francisco event happening tomorrow at 11am at Mt. Davidson Cross.
Thanks,
Kim
510-499-5723
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
*MEDIA ALERT/PHOTO & VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES*

 

Time Capsule to be Unearthed at San Francisco’s 

Mount Davidson Cross Commemorating First

 Easter Sunrise Service of 1923

Reveal of time capsule items and burial of new time capsule; 

Religious and political leaders join for historic event

 WHEN:                     Saturday, April 1, 2023

11am – Ceremony Begins

                              

WHERE:                   Mount Davidson Cross

          39 Dalewood, San Francisco

*Media Vans to use Fire Road for automobile access to 

 Mt. Davidson Cross HillTop*

WHO: 

  • Hosted by the Council of Armenian American Organizations of Northern California

  • See below for other participants  

(San Francisco, CA) On Saturday, April 1, 2023, a time capsule will be unearthed from the foot of Mt. Davidson Cross in San Francisco.  Ninety years ago to the day, city officials and community members gathered at the top of Mt. Davidson to witness Boy Scouts of America Troop 88 bury a sealed copper box at the foot of the cross to commemorate the first Easter Sunrise Service held there.

Members of today’s Troop 88 will assist in the unearthing of the time capsule. The troop recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and continues to meet regularly at the Forest Hill Clubhouse. 

The San Francisco Historical Society will receive the unearthed items and prepare the items for archiving and display at its downtown San Francisco museum this summer.

Following the unearthing of the old time capsule, a new time capsule will be buried at the same spot. 

WHEN:                     Saturday, April 1, 2023

11am – Ceremony Begins

                              

WHERE:                   Mount Davidson Cross

          39 Dalewood, San Francisco

*Media Vans to use Fire Road for automobile access to Mt. Davidson Cross Hilltop*

WHAT: * Press box located at mixer position * 

* Selection of Aerial Drone Video Footage Links of 

Mt. Davidson Cross

*Event will be Livestreamed from the 

“Mt. Davidson Landmark Park and Cross” Facebook & Instagram Page

 

WHO: 

  • Hosted by the Council of Armenian American Organizations of Northern California  

  • San Francisco Boy Scouts of America Troop #88

  • San Francisco Historical Society

  • Archbishop Salvadore Cordieone, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco

  • Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church

  • Metropolitan Gerasimos , Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco

  • Rev. Jeff Mammen, New Life Church of the Nazarene & Lead Pastor of the  Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Mt. Davidson Cross

  • The Rev. Cn. Debra Low-Skinner, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of California

  • Elected Officials  – To be confirmed

The Council of Armenian-American Organizations of Northern California (CAAONC) is a coalition of more than 30 Armenian-American organizations that purchased the Mt. Davidson Cross through a City of San Francisco public auction in 1997. The sale was then approved by San Francisco voters. The CAAONC has renovated the cross and maintains it and the hilltop  as an offer of thanks to San Francisco for becoming a safe haven for survivors of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Turkish government of the Ottoman Empire, 1915-1918. 

NOTE: A list of the unearthed items and new items being placed

 into the ground will be available after the event.

NOTES: In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place inside at 

St. John’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 275 Olympia Way, SF 

(1 mile from the cross)

Selection of Aerial Drone Video Footage Links of 

Mt. Davidson Cross

Event will be livestreamed from the 

“Mt. Davidson Landmark Park and Cross” Facebook and Instagram Pages

Tips for Guests Attending

Those planning to attend are advised to dress warmly, in layers, and wear comfortable walking shoes for the hike to the summit. The trailhead across from 125 Dalewood Way affords the easiest route to the top. A van will be available for those who need assistance to the top.

History of Mt. Davidson Cross:

https://www.mountdavidsoncross.org/about-the-cross

Between 1923-33, four temporary wooden crosses were erected in succession atop Mt. Davidson by local Christian groups, but each successively burned down. 

In 1933, Margaret May Morgan, the first woman on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, led the collection of  donations to build the current 103-ft. concrete cross. President Franklin D. Roosevelt turned a symbolic switch from the White House to light  the cross on March 24, 1934 in front of an audience of 50,000 people during the Easter Sunrise Service.

Since 1923, Easter sunrise services have been held atop Mt. Davidson every year. These services were broadcast nationwide from the 1940s to the 1970s. This year’s Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Sunday, April 9, 2023, marking the 100th anniversary of the first Easter Sunrise Service held at Mt. Davidson in 1923.

For more information visit: https://www.mountdavidsoncross.org/

MEDIA CONTACT:      

Kim Bardakian

(510) 499-5723 cell

[email protected]

Archival  Photos from Mt. Davidson Cross, Easter Eve Services & Time Capsule Burial

(Courtesy of San Francisco Public Library)

  

California Assembly Judiciary Committee passes ANCA-backed resolution condemning Artsakh blockade

Hambik Zargarian
 ANCA ANCA News 0

Following successful passage by the California Assembly Judiciary Committee, AJR 1 is headed to a full Assembly vote as early as March 30th.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.– The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)-backed anti-blockade resolution AJR 1, which condemns Azerbaijan’s 100-day blockade of Artsakh, has been passed by the California Assembly Committee on Judiciary with overwhelming bipartisan support.

ANCA local leaders were present during the committee hearing and testified in support of the expeditious passage of the resolution, which reaffirms California’s recognition of Artsakh’s right to self-determination, urges the Biden administration to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to the Armenians of Artsakh, and calls on the Biden administration to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its aggression by enforcing Section 907 restrictions on military aid to Baku.

“This is a courageous step in condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh, and the reaffirmation of California’s commitment to Artsakh’s right to self-determination speaks to the essence of our values as Americans, and as Californians,” stated ANCA San Francisco representative Khatchig Tazian in remarks before the committee. “With this resolution, let us make sure the US government and our tax dollars are not enabling Azerbaijan’s aggression against the Armenian people – as the Aliyev regime perpetrates this genocide right under the nose of the international community.”

Longtime ANCA Burbank activist Antranik Jarchafjian spoke to the deep connections between the Armenian-American community and the people in Artsakh impacted by the blockade. “Among the 120,000 people of Artsakh is my son, who was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Armenia to help rural communities. Shortly after he arrived in Armenia, Azerbaijan launched its assault on Artsakh, and my son stayed to help displaced refugees. Prior to the blockade, he was living in Artsakh doing humanitarian work and raising funds for communities impacted by the war. Now he, along with his wife and our 16-month-old granddaughter, have been blockaded for over 100 days.”

Khatchig Tazian (ANCA-SF) and Antranik Jarchafjian (ANCA-Burbank) with principal co-author of AJR 1, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena)

Assemblymember Chris Holden was joined by Assemblymembers Laura Friedman, Wendy Carillo, Lisa Calderon, Megan Dahle, Mike Gipson, Mike Fong, Tom Lackey, Cottie Petrie-Norris, Eloise Gomez Reyes, Luz Rivas and Blanca Rubio as co-authors on AJR 1. The resolution is also being introduced jointly in the California State Senate by Senator Anthony Portantino, with Senators Bob Archuleta and Scott Wilk as co-authors.

“Today, AJR 1 passed the Assembly Committee on Judiciary with overwhelming bipartisan support. I stand with the Armenian Diaspora community and my colleagues as we request immediate humanitarian assistance for Armenians in Artsakh and hold Azerbaijan accountable,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

“Assemblymember Holden has been a longtime friend of the Armenian community. He once again has shown his unwavering support during these trying times, when Armenians in Artsakh are facing extermination by the Azerbaijani government. The Armenian American community is thankful for Mr. Holden presenting a joint resolution calling on the Azeri government to end its illegal blockade and to hold the Azerbaijani government accountable for its relentless aggression,” said ANCA National Board member Aida Dimejian.

The resolution comes amidst mounting pressure in the US Congress on President Biden to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its brazen aggression against the Armenian people. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), along with Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chairs Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and David Valadao (R-CA) and over 80 Congressional colleagues are leading a bipartisan House Resolution (H.Res.108) condemning the blockade and urging immediate action be taken to guarantee vital humanitarian assistance to Artsakh’s 120,000 Armenians, who have been denied access to food, fuel, medical supplies, and other vital humanitarian goods for over 100 days in freezing conditions.

Representative Pallone, founding co-chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, also recently led a Congressional letter to Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations chairman Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL) and Ranking Member Barbara Lee (D-CA) calling for an end to US military assistance to Azerbaijan and urging the provision of $50 million in emergency assistance to Artsakh to meet the humanitarian and recovery needs of the region’s 120,000 Armenians, and $100 million in security, economic, governance and rule of law assistance to Armenia.

AJR 1 will be up for consideration on the California Assembly floor on Thursday.

Since the first day of the blockade, the ANCA and its local chapters have been working with the White House, State Department and Congressional leaders – urging them to stop US military assistance to Azerbaijan and to send emergency humanitarian assistance to Artsakh. Thousands have already used the ANCA online portal to call, tweet and write the White House and Congressional leaders to immediately address this enfolding Artsakh humanitarian crisis.

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


Armenian-Turkish Earthquake Diplomacy

Hambik Zargarian
March 20 2023

March 20, 2023 05:27 PM 

On February 6, a 7.7-magnitude (Mw) earthquake hit Turkey’s Southeastern Anatolia Region with its epicenter at Pazarcık, Kahramanmaras. Less than 12 hours later, a second 7.6-Mw earthquake, centered on Elbistan, Kahramanmaras, followed. As a result of three major earthquakes in total, tens of thousands of people have lost their lives. In response to this devastating series of earthquakes, the Turkish government issued a level-four alarm, calling for international assistance. According to (, 88 countries have sent aid and helped directly in the field (Trtworld,com, February 7). North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who visited Turkey in the wake of the disaster, described it as the most violent earthquake ever faced by a NATO member.

Azerbaijan was the first state ally to send support to Turkey. Furthermore, messages of condolences, rescue teams and support sent by countries such as Greece and Israel, which traditionally have political conflicts with Turkey, were welcomed by Ankara and Turkish society. Going along with this humanitarian spirit, both a rescue team and other aid were sent from neighboring Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan directly to express his condolences, while Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan visited Turkey on February 15 to meet with his counterpart, Cavusoglu (Daily Sabah, February 15).

All these developments took place amid a wider normalization process between Ankara and Yerevan with the aim of opening their shared borders and establishing diplomatic relations. In fact, the Margara bridge on the border between the two countries, which had been closed for 30 years, was opened for the Armenian aid coming to Turkey (Aa.com.tr, February 11). This led to demands from Yerevan that the border remain completely open. After their meeting on February 15, once the second delivery of aid had passed through Margara, Mirzoyan and Cavusoglu released important messages on bilateral relations and regional normalization. In this, it was revealed that the parties had decided to jointly repair the historic Silk Road bridge (Apa.az, February 15).

Mirzoyan also reaffirmed Yerevan’s willingness to establish diplomatic relations with Ankara and its support for the full opening of the border between Turkey and Armenia. While Cavusoglu stated that progress in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, as well as Azerbaijan, will contribute to peace and prosperity in the region, he stipulated that the signing of a peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku was a central condition before opening the Turkish border with Armenia. Therefore, once again (see EDM, November 2, 2022), while the Armenian side is adamant that the borders be opened, the Turkish government is more concerned with wider normalization throughout the South Caucasus (Daily Sabah, March 15, 2022).

At almost every opportunity, Turkish officials declare that they are sincere about the normalization of relations with Armenia (Daily Sabah, January 15), and important steps are indeed being taken to achieve this goal. Roads and bridges have been repaired for the opening of the border between the two countries. Furthermore, on January 1, the joint decision was made for bilateral cargo transportation to resume (Apa.az, February 15).

The Turkish side believes that what happened between the two countries following the earthquakes is part of a mutual trust-building process between Ankara and Yerevan. Conflicts between the two sides on the eve of World War I and in the Karabakh wars caused deep mistrust between both countries’ societies, which persists to this day. In fact, according to the results of the “Turkey Trends 2022” public survey conducted by the Global Academy, with the contributions of a group of independent Turkish academics, 52.6 percent of participants considered Armenia an enemy (Globacademy.org, January 17). In the same survey, only 20 percent of respondents wanted the normalization of relations with Armenia, while 60.2 percent still opposed it. According to the survey’s results, Armenia was the last country—behind the United States, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Syria, South Africa, Israel and the Republic of Cyprus—with which respondents wanted to normalize relations.

These results came even after the end of the Second Karabakh War, the continuation of the normalization process between Ankara and Yerevan over the past year and mutual positive messages emanating from both countries. Naturally, this mistrust must be eliminated before the borders can be opened and diplomatic relations are established. According to the results of the same survey, Azerbaijan ranked first among Turkey’s allies, with an approval rating of 54.8 percent. The signing of a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan, with the mutual respect for territorial integrity, will reduce insecurity in Turkey and accelerate normalization with Armenia (Globacademy.org, January 17).

Although negotiations continue for a final peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, an official agreement has yet to be reached. Recently, at the Munich Security Conference, these negotiations continued as facilitated by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that, for the first time, Azerbaijan has officially proposed to put checkpoints on both sides of the Zangezur Corridor and Lachin road (Apa.az, February 18). That way, if controls are established on both the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides, Russian peacekeeping forces may not be needed on either side.

Aliyev added that it is unacceptable that “any claims be made in relation to Karabakh” in the prospective agreement (Apa.az, February 18). Moreover, in Munich, the Azerbaijani president insisted that he will be not speak with Russian oligarch Ruben Vardanyan but rather that talks would be held with local Armenians. After the meeting in Munich, Vardanyan, Arayik Harutyunyan and Sergey Ghazaryan urgently traveled to Moscow. Partially as a result of Azerbaijan’s objections, Vardanyan was dismissed and replaced with Gurgen Nersisyan, the former “chief prosecutor” in the de facto separatist Karabakh region (News.az, February 23).

Therefore, while some positive developments are present in the Azerbaijani–Armenian peace process, which is critical to the Turkish–Armenian normalization process, real results have yet to be achieved.

In short, the borders between Turkey and Armenia are ready to be opened, and the remaining legal procedure is close to completion. However, two major obstacles remain to full normalization between the two sides: mutual distrust between their societies and the lack of a lasting resolution for peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Opposition MPs fail to push motion seeking ouster of Justice Seda Safaryan

Hambik Zargarian

Save

Share

 14:36, 22 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Lawmakers representing the ruling Civil Contract party did not participate in a vote on Wednesday initiated by the opposition seeking the ouster of Justice Seda Safaryan, effectively blocking the motion.

The opposition Hayastan faction submitted a motion for removing Constitutional Court Judge Seda Safaryan from her position for what they describe as violations of requirements on holding office at the time of her appointment. The opposition MPs claim that Justice Safaryan failed to renounce her entrepreneurial interests after she assumed office in December 2022, violating the requirements of the law. By law, justices are required to abandon any business interests or entrepreneurial activities within thirty days after taking office. Justice Safaryan took office 16 December 2022 and her entrepreneurial interests were officially renounced only on 27 January 2023.

However, MP Arusyak Julhakyan cited State Revenue Committee data claiming that Safaryan had indeed notified the authorities on suspending her activities and the issue is due to formalities regarding paperwork. The opposition dismissed the explanations and still demanded her removal.

Ruling party MPs announced that they will not take part in the vote. The number of votes garnered by the opposition MPs was insufficient for the motion to pass.

Nagorno Karabakh says direct talks with Azerbaijan possible only in international format with guarantees

Hambik Zargarian

Save

Share

 14:16, 23 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno Karabakh announced Thursday that a direct negotiations process with Azerbaijan would be possible only in an international format and in conditions of guarantees for implementation of obligations.

Nagorno Karabakh Foreign Minister Sergey Ghazaryan said at a press conference that Russia-mediated meetings have taken place between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan pertaining to various humanitarian and technical issues. Ghazaryan underscored that Azerbaijan attempted to distort the agenda of the latest meeting.

The goal of that meeting was to discuss issues relating to the disruptions of the electricity and gas supplies, he said. “The attempts by Azerbaijan to distort the agenda of the meeting are unacceptable. But at the same time, we stand ready to have meetings in the same format, with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, for the solution of the abovementioned issues,” Ghazaryan said when asked in which case the meetings could become negotiations.

Speaking about a full negotiations process, the FM said: “We’ve numerously said that such meetings can only take place in an international format. The substantiations are rather clear.”

Ghazaryan noted that if Azerbaijan even violated the agreements reached in the OSCE Minsk Group talks, then it would definitely violate bilateral agreements as well.

“Only under an international format, and guarantees of implementation of obligations must be the most important component of such a process,” Ghazaryan added.

Armenian Armed Forces did not fire in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions. MoD Armenia

Hambik Zargarian

Save

Share

 21:28,

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has again spread disinformation. The message of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan that allegedly on the evening of March 24 the units of the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions located in several directions of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border zone does not correspond to reality, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

PM Pashinyan outlines key challenge of his administration

Hambik Zargarian

Save

Share

 12:19, 14 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday that ensuring external security remains the key challenge of his administration’s activity.

“The deepening geopolitical instability, the obvious uncertainties and tensions in the world order and international security are further escalating the external security threats of Armenia,” Pashinyan said at a press conference.

He said that in 2022 his administration was unable to completely focus on implementing its development agenda because of Azerbaijan’s attack and subsequent occupation of sovereign Armenian territories in September, the persisting threat of renewed aggression, the unresolved NK conflict, the Azerbaijani invasions into the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh, the illegal blockade of the Lachin Coridor, the gas and electricity supply interruptions in Nagorno Karabakh and the resulting humanitarian, energy and environmental crises.

However, he noted that 2022 was a year of major reforms. “The government adopted a policy of not deviating from the agenda of development of state institutions and the republic and reforms in conditions of security challenges. As a result, we had 12,6% economic growth – an unprecedented indicator in the last 15 years,” Pashinyan said.

The state budget’s tax revenues in 2022 totaled 1 trillion 926 billion AMD – 53% more compared to 2018.

PM Pashinyan said that the Armenian government continues to maintain a balanced foreign policy, and a foreign policy of balancing. “Nonetheless, the key issue remains unresolved – guaranteeing external security of Armenia. Our assessment is that there is no one-step solution to this issue. The solution of this issue requires a deep analysis of the international, regional, military-political, national situation and subsequent steps. The government has adopted this very policy and approach, realizing that the situation brings very serious threats and very serious possibilities for the country. Our objective, therefore, is to manage the threats and use the possibilities,” the PM said.

Louis Bono honors memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

Hambik Zargarian

Save

Share

 12:34, 8 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Louis Bono, Senior Advisor for Caucasian Negotiations of the US State Department, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial and paid tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims, the US Embassy in Armenia informed.

The message released by the embassy states that in meetings with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahe Gevorgyan, Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Louis Bono reaffirmed the readiness of the United States to engage in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as with like-minded partners to help Armenia and Azerbaijan achieve lasting and comprehensive peace.

“He emphasized the need for free and open commercial and private movement through the Lachin Corridor. Louis Bono also visited the Genocide Memorial to pay his respects to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide,” reads the message.

Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of hypocrisy concerning peaceful agenda

Hambik Zargarian
 TASS 
Russia – March 5 2023
According to the Azerbaijani foreign ministry, such actions demonstrate the Armenian side’s hypocrisy in the process of the search for a peaceful solution for the region

BAKU, March 5. /TASS/. Armenia continues to pursue an occupational policy toward Azerbaijan and Yerevan’s ideas on the peace agenda are hypocritic, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry said on Sunday following clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian units in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“On March 5, a unit of the Azerbaijani army was deployed to an area around the Khankedi-Khalfali-Turshsu country road to check reports that the Armenian army is transporting weapons, munitions and manpower. During an attempt to check a vehicle, the other side opened fire. The Azerbaijani army sustained losses, with several soldiers killed and wounded. The attackers were repelled by retaliatory fire,” it said.

According to the Azerbaijani foreign ministry, such actions demonstrate the Armenian side’s hypocrisy in the process of the search for a peaceful solution for the region. “Such acts of aggression and provocations demonstrate that Armenia has not dropped its occupational policy toward Azerbaijan, that Yerevan’s ideas about the peaceful agenda is nothing but hypocrisy. Armenian is not interested in establishing peace and security in the region,” it added.

The ministry stressed that this incident once again proved that checkpoints on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border are needed.