Author: Hovhannisian John

Greece and Armenia sign military cooperation agreement

Hovhannisian John
Neos Kosmos – The Hellenic Perspective
Dec 15 2023

Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias met with his Armenian counterpart, Suren Papikyan


Greece and Armenia have signed a military cooperation agreement in the wake of much instability in the Europe and Middle East regions.

Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias met with his Armenian counterpart, Suren Papikyan, during the latter’s visit to Athens on Thursday.

Following the meeting, Dendias took to X, formerly Twitter, to say that the military-technical field is a top priority for the Hellenic Government.

“Our meeting today coincides with a period of great tensions. The situation in Caucasus, the developments at the Ukrainian front, the Middle East, create many hotbeds of instability in the region,” he said.

Dendias noted that Greece maintains a solid view against the instability and supports “dialogue on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter and the International Law.”

“We support the recommencement of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia with the participation of the European Union, so that conditions of peace and security for the peoples of the region can be achieved… We stand by the side of the Armenian people.”

Papikyan echoed Dendias, stating that this bilateral military cooperation has a rich history, based on traditionally friendly relations between the two peoples, mutual support readiness, and shared overall views.

Earlier this week, the Armenian Minster of Defence visited Cyprus, where met with President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou.

The focus of their discussion was on matters pertaining to Armenian-Cypriot relations and regional security.

On X, Papikyan shared that he visited the Tomb of Makedonitissa and laid a wreath at the memorial dedicated to Cypriot and Greek soldiers who have died for the defence of Cyprus.

Armenia and Azerbaijan, a rare declaration rekindles hopes for peace

Hovhannisian John

Italy – Dec 12 2023


12/12/2023 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Despite concerns that even a framework agreement to normalise relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan would not come by the end of this year, an unexpected joint statement issued by Baku and Yerevan late last Thursday, 7 December, has sparked optimism that this could still happen. The two countries fought a devastating 44-day war three years ago, but a peace deal has so far remained elusive.

Though joint statements are not new, they had always been issued as part of trilateral talks either facilitated or mediated by Russian President Vladimir Putin or European Council President Charles Michel. This time, however, the statement was issued bilaterally by the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office and the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration with no third-party involved.

The development is particularly significant given the impasse in the Michel-facilitated Brussels Process, with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pulling out of EU-mediated talks in Granada and Brussels in October, and Yerevan rejecting offers of Russian-hosted talks as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan increasingly turns westwards.

Even more confident following its victory over ethnic Armenian forces in Karabakh that resulted in the exodus of just over 100,000 of its residents to Armenia, Baku considers that the EU is increasingly siding with Yerevan by supplying the latter with albeit modest non-offensive military support in addition to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) EUMA mission deployed on its border since February.

Indeed, on an 8 October visit to Tbilisi  , Aliyev had suggested that it is now time for Armenia and Azerbaijan to negotiate either bilaterally in a third country such as Georgia or on their shared border. This came to a head when Azerbaijan also cancelled planned talks scheduled to be held between the two foreign ministers in Washington DC on 20 November.

On the same day, Baku again invited Yerevan to engage bilaterally with no intermediaries. The next, apparently taken unawares, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan suggested that commissions from both countries would meet on the border. Azerbaijan agreed, though the meeting on 30 November lasted three hours with no reported outcome other than the plan to meet again.

Last week’s joint statement, however, was different as it involved the administrations of the Armenian Prime Minister and Azerbaijani President, apparently alone. Baku would release 32 Armenian captives, Yerevan would release 2 Azerbaijani detainees, and the parties would support each other in the international arena.

“As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Armenia supports the bid of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by withdrawing its own candidacy”, the joint statement read  in what was arguably an unprecedented announcement. The following day, the international reaction was overwhelmingly positive.

“Establishing and deepening bilateral dialogue between sides has been a key objective of the EU-led Brussels process: today’s progress is a key step. I now encourage the leaders to finalise the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal ASAP”, Charles Michel posted on X  .

In Azerbaijan, the bilateral nature of the agreement was widely celebrated though Armenian analysts were either dismissive or mainly silent, fearful that it could also represent a shift away from either the Brussels format, US-facilitated bilateral talks between the Foreign Ministers, or both. Some in Yerevan, however, suggested that Georgia might have mediated with the US to help finalise the agreement.

Yet, the day after the statement, MP Sargis Khandanyan, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, rejected such suggestions, repeating that the process was bilateral without intermediaries, though adding that, while its significance should not be underrated, it should not be overestimated either. He also said that the exchange of prisoners would occur in “hours or days”.

At time of publication, however, there has been no news of those prisoners being released.

Nonetheless, until it becomes known whether Armenia and Azerbaijan will return to bilateral or trilateral talks, the joint statement has at least encouraged those hopeful for an agreement to come soon. For now, that remains unclear. Speaking on Armenian Public TV on Saturday, Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan could only say that a deal could come “by the end of the year… or as soon as possible”. The same was expected at the end of last year.

https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Armenia/Armenia-and-Azerbaijan-a-rare-declaration-rekindles-hopes-for-peace-228965

EU and partners to step up efforts to implement Eastern Partnership’s agenda for recovery, resilience and reform

Hovhannisian John

 09:37,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has participated in the EU Eastern Partnership ministerial meeting in Brussels.

The EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) ministerial meeting brought together EU foreign ministers and their counterparts from five of the six Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine), under the chairmanship of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi also participated in the meeting.

“The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the Eastern Partnership, take stock of its achievements and identify concrete recommendations for the future of the policy. At the meeting, ministers addressed (1) how the Eastern Partnership can continue to ensure that the needs of member states and partner countries are met, (2) what should be the key priorities of joint work in 2024, (3) how to accelerate the delivery of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership and (4) how to increase cooperation with regions such as Central Asia and the Western Balkans and synergies with other regional policies such as the Black Sea Synergy. The EU, Member States and partners will step up their efforts to implement the Eastern Partnership’s agenda for recovery, resilience and reform, as well as tackling challenges related to the ongoing consequences of the Russian war against Ukraine for the entire region. Ministers discussed areas of cooperation, including connectivity, transport, energy, green and digital transition, and human rights, civil society, rule of law, and security matters. Ministers expressed support for concrete deliverables for 2024, notably in the area of regional roaming, road safety and transport. Ministers were addressed by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum,” the Council of the EU said in a press release.

Russian military base police detain fugitive Russian contract soldier in Armenia

Hovhannisian John
yahoo! news
Dec 10 2023
Ukrainska Pravda
Sun, at 12:37 PM GMT+2

Reports have emerged in Armenia indicating that police officers at the Russian military base in the city of Gyumri have detained a Russian army contract soldier who fled Russia after it had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: human rights activist Artur Sakunts, as reported by European Pravda, citing Radio Liberty

Details: Dmitry Setrakov, 20, had been detained on 6 or 7 December by police officers of the 102nd Russian military base, based in Gyumri. He was placed under 27-day arrest there.

Russian military investigators initiated a criminal case against Setrakov on charges of leaving his place of service for longer than one month during mobilisation or hostilities. He faces 5-10 years in prison.

Armenian human rights activists learned about the situation from their Russian colleagues, whom Setrakov's wife contacted. She got a call from the 102nd military base and was informed that her husband had been detained.

Sakunts said Setrakov was a contract soldier, but in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he refused to serve in the Russian Armed Forces and moved to Armenia, like thousands of his compatriots.

The Russian 519th Military Investigation Department, located in Armenia, leads the investigation of his criminal case. Representatives of the Russian military base in Gyumri told Artur Sakunts that should Setrakov be found guilty, he would serve his sentence in Russia.

Artur Sakunts emphasises that the Russian military police have no right to detain a Russian citizen on the territory of Armenia as only local law enforcement agencies can do so.

Pursuant to the procedure, Russia must first contact Armenian representatives to search for the wanted citizen.

The human rights activist believes the actions of the Russian military base in this matter are illegal.

Armenian human rights activists are asking the authorities of their country not only to prevent the extradition of Dmitry Setrakov to Russia but also to initiate a criminal case "on charges of illegal actions committed by Russian military police officers on the territory of Armenia".

The 102nd Russian military base operates in the Armenian city of Gyumri.

Background: Recently, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that he sees no advantage in the protracted presence of Russian military bases in the country, as Russia has not fulfilled its alliance commitments.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has publicly criticised recent remarks by

Asbarez: Young Yerevan Man Donates Stem Cells to Help Save Fellow Armenian’s Life

Hovhannisian John
by Contributor

 

 December 5, 2023

 

in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

The stem cell donor during the harvesting procedure, at ABMDR’s Stem Cell Harvesting Center, in Yerevan, with ABMDR Medical Director Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan, left; Dr. Andranik Mshetsyan, who performed the procedure; and ABMDR nurse Knarik Pashanyan.


The harvesting of the donated stem cells is the 41st such procedure performed by ABMDR

LOS ANGELES—A young man in Yerevan donated bone marrow stem cells on Tuesday to help save the life of a fellow Armenian.

The harvesting of the donated stem cells was the 41st such procedure to be performed by the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The painless, non-invasive harvesting took place at ABMDR’s Stem Cell Harvesting Center, in the Armenian capital.

Thanks to the procedure, the donated stem cells were to be used for an urgent transplant that could help a patient, himself an Armenian young man, survive a life-threatening blood-related illness.

“More than two decades ago, when ABMDR was being established, our overarching goal was to find donor matches for patients living anywhere in the world,” said ABMDR Executive Director Dr. Sevak Avagyan and continued, “Today, the significant increase in the number of such donor matches speaks to the fact that ABMDR, thanks to its pool of close to 34,000 potential donors, is able to secure a level of genetic diversity that is essential for patients for whom matched donors can’t be found in their immediate families.”

On December 5, ABMDR’s latest donor said that years ago, when he joined the ranks of the Registry as a 19-year-old, he hadn’t given much thought to the possibility that one day he could actually be identified as a match for a patient. “But now I am overjoyed for having been given the opportunity to donate stem cells, thanks to the great ABMDR team,” the donor said.

The harvesting procedure was performed by Dr. Andranik Mshetsyan, the Stem Cell Harvesting Center’s resident physician. Also present at the procedure were ABMDR Medical Director Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan and other lab personnel.

Commenting on the harvesting procedure and the transplantation that was to follow, ABMDR President Dr. Frieda Jordan said, “Every transplant is a challenge, involving the work of many specialists. But once the process is set in motion, everyone involved focuses on a single goal, which is to get the donated stem cells to the patient as quickly as possible for helping them survive a potentially fatal illness.”

Anyone in good health between the ages of 18 and 50 can register with ABMDR as a potential bone marrow stem cell donor, for a chance to save someone’s life. Given the unique genetic makeup of ethnic Armenians, ABMDR needs to maintain a robust global registry of Armenian donors.

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 33,500 donors in 44 countries across four continents, identified over 9,000 patients, and facilitated 41 bone marrow transplants.

ASA awards $155,000 in scholarships in 2023

Hovhannisian John
December 6, 2023 Guest Contributor Community News, Diaspora 0

This year, the Armenian Students’ Association (ASA) awarded $155,000 in scholarships to 32 deserving students of Armenian descent enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States of America. 

The Board of Trustees would like to thank the many generous benefactors who have made it possible for the ASA to assist our young men and women in their educational pursuits. During the past decade, the Association, through its Scholarship Committee, has been able to award over $1,000,000 in outright scholarship grants.

The Scholarship Grant Program is the hallmark of the Association’s mission. Please consider supporting this vital program, especially as tuitions continue to increase. Your gift will have an immediate impact and give a lifetime of returns. Donations may be made online or via mail by check made payable to the Armenian Students’ Association of America, Inc., 588 Boston Post Road, Suite 364, Weston, MA 02493.

ASA Scholarship Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are available on our website or by emailing [email protected]. Completed applications with all documentation must be submitted to the ASA by March 15, 2024.

Scholarship Recipients 2023

Vartan Avedoumian – Drake University, Data Analytics

Davit Azizyan – University of Minnesota, Political Science 

Sona Bardakjian – Boston College, Communications

Karo Boyadzhyan – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Religious Studies

Ashkhen Chamasanyan – California State University at Fresno, Master’s in Counseling

Kristin Dermenjian – UPenn Wharton School of Business, Strategic Management

Ava Gallagher – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Lori Ganjian – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Biology/Biotechnology

Hannah Gantz – Wake Forest University, Medical Doctor

Garen Hamamjian – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Religious Studies

Hayk Hovhannisyan – Western Governors University, Cyber Security / Information Assurance

Alec Kellzi – University of Southern California, Law

Hayk Kocharyan – Harvard University, Master’s in Learning, Design, Innovation and Technology

Nikolas Kojoian – Northeastern University, Industrial Engineering

Ava Kooloian – Tulane University, Communications

Armen Manuk-Khaloyan – Georgetown University, Ph.D. History

Hayk Mardanyan – University of Minnesota, Master’s in Public Policy

Zareh Mirzayan – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Master’s of Divinity

Hovhannes Mnatsakanyan – University of California-Davis, Ph.D. Resource Economics

Alec Ohanian – UC San Francisco School of Medicine, Medical Doctor/Master’s in Public Health

Katerina Ohanyan – LIM College, Fashion Merchandising

Angineh Parsadanians – Virginia Tech, Ph.D. Crop, Soil and Environmental Science

Arin Parsanian – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Religious Studies

Armine Poghosyan – Virginia Tech, Ph.D. Econometric/Quantitative Economics

Edgar Sahakian – University of California Los Angeles, Psychology

Radik Sarukhanyan – Fordham University, Law

Arin Shahbazian – Virginia Tech, Ph.D. Economics

Arman Shirikyan – St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Religious Studies

Nora Suren – University of Massachusetts Amherst, Communications

Gary Taraian – Nova Southwestern University, Computer Science

Boghos Taslakjian – University of Chicago, Master’s in Molecular Engineering

Ofelia Yeghiyan – Michigan State University, Political Science

ASA Silver Medal Awards

In addition to scholarships, the Armenian Students’ Association Silver Medal Award Committee selected three high school seniors to receive the Silver Medal Award.

  • John Levon Kurkjian, Weston, MA, Weston High School; entering the University of Rhode Island 
  • Vardui Izabell Tenekedzhyan, Watertown, MA, Watertown High School; entering Bentley University
  • John Aram Varin, Cranston, RI, Cranston High School East; entering Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The Silver Medal Awards are awarded annually to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic ability. Applications for the Silver Medal Awards can be obtained at www.asainc.org. Deadline for submitting applications and documentation is May 1, 2024.




Eshoo and Padilla Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Requesting Aid for Armenia in Upcoming National Security Bill

Hovhannisian John
Dec 4 2023

December 4, 2023
Press Release


Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Anna G. Eshoo and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla led a bipartisan group of 60 Senators and House Members in writing to Congressional Leadership to request the inclusion of military and humanitarian aid for Armenia in upcoming national security supplemental appropriations legislation.

 “We strongly support the inclusion of funds in any supplemental appropriations bill to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia security partnership and help address the severe humanitarian challenges caused by Azerbaijan’s recent aggression,” the Members wrote. “As a small democracy in a region dominated by autocrats, Armenia is particularly vulnerable.”

“We thank Congresswoman Eshoo and Senator Padilla for partnering in this bicameral call on President Biden to invest in Armenia’s security and meaningfully support Artsakh’s refugees,” said Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Any spending measure needs to include increased military aid to Armenia and robust humanitarian assistance for displaced Armenians from Artsakh.”

“We commend Senator Padilla and Representative Eshoo for spearheading this bipartisan letter urging security assistance to Armenia as well as humanitarian aid for the Armenian people of Artsakh,” said Armenian Assembly of America Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. “We strongly support the inclusion of funds in any supplemental appropriations bill to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia security partnership and help address the severe humanitarian challenges caused by Azerbaijan’s recent aggression.”

In September of this year, Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked military offensive on Nagorno-Karabakh, displacing over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from their homeland and ending their more than three decades of self-rule. The assault has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with Armenia absorbing tens of thousands of refugees.

In their letter, the bipartisan group of lawmakers requests that at least $10 million in military aid for Armenia be included in the supplemental appropriations bill to deter further Azerbaijani aggression. The letter also voices support for including robust humanitarian aid in the legislation and recognizes that a portion of these funds should be made available to Armenia to meet the needs of the thousands of refugees who were forced from their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In addition to Representative Eshoo and Senator Padilla, the letter is signed by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), as well as Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12), Gabe Amo (D-R.I.-01), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.-04), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio-03), Donald Beyer, Jr. (D-Va.-08), Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.-29), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Danny Davis (D-Ill.-07), Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.-04), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), Andy Kim (D-N.J.-03), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.-17), Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.-02), James McGovern (D-Mass.-02), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.-06), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.-31), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.-06), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Katie Porter (D-Calif.-47), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.-02), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.-02), John Sarbanes (D-Md.-03), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.-30), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Christopher Smith (R-N.J.-04), Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.-07), Haley Stevens (D-Mich.-11), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.-20), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.-03), David Trone (D-Md.-06), David Valadao (R-Calif.-22), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07).

A PDF of the letter can be found HEREand the text of the letter is below:

Dear Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader Jeffries, and Minority Leader McConnell,

As Congress considers supplemental funding to enhance the security of our allies, we would like to highlight a vulnerable democracy that warrants American support: the Republic of Armenia. We strongly support the inclusion of funds in any supplemental appropriations bill to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia security partnership and help address the severe humanitarian challenges caused by Azerbaijan’s recent aggression.

On September 19th, Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked military offensive on Nagorno-Karabakh, displacing 120,000 ethnically Armenian civilians from their homeland and ending their more than three decades of self-rule. The assault was the culmination of a cruel blockade that deprived the region’s population of food, medicine, and other necessities for nearly ten months. Azerbaijan’s aggression has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with Armenia absorbing tens of thousands of refugees.

Now that Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev has reshaped the region using military force, we fear that he is emboldened to do so again. We are particularly concerned that Azerbaijan will continue its aggression by invading the sovereign territory of Armenia. Ominously, Aliyev recently referred to southern Armenia as “western Azerbaijan” and called for the “liberation” of eight Armenian villages along the Azerbaijani border.  

As a small democracy in a region dominated by autocrats, Armenia is particularly vulnerable. This is especially true now that Armenia has distanced itself from Russia, Armenia’s traditional security guarantor, in pursuit of closer ties with western democracies. We believe the U.S. has an important role to play in ensuring Armenia’s security is not jeopardized because of its decision to break away from Putin’s murderous regime.

At this inflection point for the Caucasus, U.S. leadership is needed to deter further Azerbaijani aggression and enable Armenians to defend their democracy. To this end, we respectfully request that at least $10 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Armenia be included in the forthcoming supplemental appropriations package. We are also pleased that the President’s supplemental request includes robust funding for humanitarian aid, and we’re hopeful that a portion of these funds will be made available to Armenia to meet the humanitarian needs of the 120,000 refugees who were recently forced from their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of our requests and for your commitment to strengthening American support for vulnerable democracies throughout the world.

Sincerely,

https://eshoo.house.gov/media/press-releases/eshoo-and-padilla-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-letter-requesting-aid-armenia

At least 80 Armenian captives kept off the record by Azerbaijan, warns expert

Hovhannisian John

 16:06,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The actual number of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan is a lot higher than Baku has officially acknowledged, prominent lawyer and international law expert Siranush Sahakyan has said.

Azerbaijan has so far officially confirmed that it holds 55 Armenians captive. These captives are civilians, POWs, and political prisoners, Sahakyan said at a press conference on November 30.

According to Sahakyan, this figure includes 6 civilians, 41 prisoners of war and 8 high-ranking ex-politicians and ex-military officials, who are considered to be political prisoners. “But this is just the number of officialized captives,” Sahakyan said, adding that Azerbaijan is actually holding at least 80 more Armenians captive, both civilians and POWs, and hasn’t officially confirmed this.

Senate Passes Armenian Protection Act of 2023, Menendez Shows Strong Support

Hovhannisian John
Shore News Network
Nov 19 2023

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – In a significant move, the U.S. Senate has passed the Armenian Protection Act of 2023, receiving commendation from Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.). The act aims to halt military aid to the Azeri government, accused of committing genocide against the Armenian community in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Senator Menendez, a vocal advocate for the legislation, expressed his satisfaction and ongoing commitment to the cause. He emphasized the systematic and brutal nature of the atrocities committed against the Armenians, advocating for sanctions against those responsible.

Menendez is currently facing federal bribery and corruption charges. The Department of Justice has alleged Menendez is a foreign agent of Egypt.

The passage of this act highlights the U.S. Senate’s stance on human rights violations and its commitment to protecting vulnerable communities. Senator Menendez stressed the importance of standing in solidarity with the Armenian people, aligning with the broader goals of U.S. foreign policy centered on human rights.

This development marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and reflects the U.S. government’s resolve to intervene in matters of international humanitarian concern. The legislation’s impact on U.S.-Azerbaijan relations and its broader geopolitical implications are yet to be seen.

World Court: Azerbaijan must let ethnic Armenians return to Nagorno-Karabakh – Reuters

Hovhannisian John
Reuters

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Judges at the World Court on Friday ordered Azerbaijan to let ethnic Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh in September return, and to keep the Armenians remaining in the enclave safe, as part of a set of emergency measures.

Azerbaijan in September recaptured the region, then controlled by its ethnic Armenian majority despite being internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

The lightning offensive, after decades of enmity between Baku and Yerevan and a nine-month blockade of essential supplies by Baku, prompted the mass exodus of most of the region's 120,000 ethnic Armenians to neighbouring Armenia.

Yerevan accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing and asked the International Court of Justice, as the World Court is formally known, to issue emergency measures aimed at protecting the rights of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Azerbaijan must (…) ensure that persons who have left Nagorno-Karabakh after Sept. 19, 2023, and who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh are able to do so in a safe, unimpeded and expeditious manner," presiding judge Joan Donoghue said.

The court said Azerbaijan must also make sure any ethnic Armenians still living in the enclave were "free from the use of force or intimidation that may cause them to flee" and ordered that Baku report to the court in two months to show what it was doing to comply with the order.

Azerbaijan's foreign ministry said it had already pledged to ensure all residents’ safety and security, regardless of national or ethnic origin, and that it had not forced the ethnic Armenians to leave Karabakh.

"Azerbaijan is committed to upholding the human rights of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on an equal basis with other citizens of Azerbaijan," it said in a statement.

The measures are part of two competing legal disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan before the ICJ. Both states accuse each of violating a U.N. anti-discrimination treaty.

No date has been set for the main case and a final ruling is not expected before well into next year.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg and Nailia Bagirova; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Hugh Lawson, William Maclean)