Interfax - Russia & CIS Diplomatic Panorama Wednesday 6:28 PM MSK Baku criticizes Cypriot foreign minister for attributing Karabakh to Armenia, says Cypriot Turks have right to self-determination BAKU. May 31 Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides's remark to the effect that Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Armenia encourages Armenia's 'policy of occupation' and is at odds with Nicosia's international obligations, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Hikmet Hajiyev said. "The remark by Kasoulides goes directly against the obligations which Cyprus has undertaken under international law, the Helsinki Final Act and other documents and is an illustrative example of propaganda of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and Yerevan's policy of occupation," Hajiyev said in a statement on Wednesday. "Remarks of the sort harm efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs fostering a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and lasting peace in the region," he said. A number of media outlets earlier quoted Kasoulides as saying at a meeting with Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan, "It would be wrong to compare Northern Cyprus to Nagorno-Karabakh because, in contrast to Northern Cyprus, which is occupied by Turkey, Artsakh [the Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh] is historically an Armenian territory." Hajiyev said this remark by Kasoulides is at odds with the opinion on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict maintained by the European Union, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, whose member Cyprus is. "What is more, the Cypriot foreign minister negates his own words by making this controversial statement. I'd like to recall that, while speaking at the January 26 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in the capacity of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers chairman, Kasoulides said that Cyprus firmly supported the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of states," Hajiyev said. "I should also say that Northern Cyprus is a territory for centuries inhabited by Turks, who also have the right to self-termination," Hajiyev said. "There are also some questions and suspicions about military cooperation between Cyprus and Armenia. Hopefully, the European Union and the OSCE will look into this matter from the angle of military aspects of the conflict," he said.
Author: Kalashian Nyrie
Russia does not need dubious advice on how to build inter-ethnic relations – Foreign Ministry
Interfax - Russia & CIS Diplomatic Panorama May 18, 2017 Thursday 6:33 PM MSK Russia does not need dubious advice on how to build inter-ethnic relations - Foreign Ministry MOSCOW. May 18 The comments made by Azerbajani diplomats over the Russian Supreme Court decision to close the All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress were inappropriate, Moscow does not need the advice of the Azeri representatives on how to build inter-ethnic relations within the country, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. "We took note of the speech by a representative from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry regarding Russia's domestic policy. Things were said about the balance of inter-ethnic relations, the concept of reform, prospects of an intercultural dialogue in our country. We consider such statements inappropriate," Zakharova said at a briefing in Moscow on Thursday. "Assessing a Russian court decision on a Russian civic organization as an unfriendly step against Azerbaijan looks, in principle, somehow odd," Zakharova said. "And, of course, it is regretful that the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan is again using media theories and then goes public with them about some Armenian trail. We don't need some dubious advice on how we should build inter-ethnic relations in our own country," Zakharova said. "Russia is a multiethnic, democratic state, the rights of everyone are protected and ensured regardless of their ethnicity," she said. "We have all the conditions created for self-organization and proper operation of cultural, ethnic, civic organizations. In particular, the interests of Russian citizens of Azeri ethnicity are represented by over 260 nonprofit organizations. At the federal level, we have successfully operating the Azerbaijani youth organization of Russia, the Union of Azerbaijani organizations of Russia, the Federal national-cultural autonomy of Azerbaijanis of Russia, the World Azerbaijani Cultural Foundation," Zakharova said. "Russia cherishes its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, the course towards reinforcing it in every measure was determined by the two countries' leaders. We are convinced that the remarks that I quoted, which perhaps were not quite thought through, will not inflict damage on the Russian-Azerbaijani relationship," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
Stand Up to Erdogan’s Assault on Democracy
National Review
Stand Up to Erdogan’s Assault on Democracy
The U.S. and the West need to be firm.
President Donald Trump and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to discuss U.S.–Turkish trade relations, the fight against terrorism, and more. But one topic that seems to have been ignored was Turkey’s democratic-turned-autocratic regime, which is at odds with a core NATO principle: that member states will promote democratic values.
Erdogan is intolerant of any opposition, especially when it comes from those in the media. As of December 2016, 81 journalists, more than in any other country in the world, were in Turkish prisons.
The U.S. and its NATO allies must lead Turkey back on to the path toward democracy, not autocracy. Turkey officially joined NATO in 1952 after establishing a multiparty election system in 1950. Nearly 70 years later, Turkey’s NATO allies must continue to hold all members to high standards, ensuring that they maintain democratic norms.
If the U.S. and NATO remain silent on Erdogan’s violations of human rights, the number of Turkish citizens being persecuted will likely increase, especially now that Erdogan has the authority to control all three branches of government. The Turkish people in April passed a referendum granting him broad presidential power, but there is reason to believe that it was not a fair and free election.
On Tuesday, the Bipartisan Policy Center said that the U.S. should “call for a reputable and impartial international review of the referendum, and continue to treat the results as illegitimate until such a point as Turkey has a free press and independent judiciary capable of investigating all evidence of fraud.” The BPC document also called on the U.S. to demand that Turkish officials release the journalists who are imprisoned because of their opposition to the president. “The key for American policymakers,” it said, “is to remain critical of Erdogan’s intensified efforts to crack down on his opponents through increasingly draconian means.”
Thus far, however, President Trump has done the opposite: He congratulated Erdogan for his referendum victory and pursued a stronger alliance with Turkey in the fight against terrorism. Advocates of a Trump–Erdogan alliance argue that Trump’s actions are appropriate: A U.S.–Turkish alliance in the fight against terrorism is necessary, and publicly opposing Erdogan’s regime would undermine counterterrorism efforts.
If members of NATO don’t begin expressing their disapproval of Erdogan’s regime, they will soon have in their alliance a country that explicitly defies the values NATO cherishes.
But Blaise Misztal, the director of the BPC’s national-security program, tells National Review that “Turkish cooperation with the U.S. on counterterrorism is mythical at this point.” Turkey turned a “blind eye” to ISIS’s use of its territory until 2015, Misztal explains, and it has bombed the Syrian Kurds, a U.S. ally on the ground.
The U.S. and NATO ought to “call Erdogan out on his excesses,” Misztal says. “More than anything, what Erdogan craves is the approval of world leaders. . . . He wants to be seen as a player on the world stage.” If Turkey’s NATO allies ignore Erdogan’s human-rights violations, the nation will almost certainly see the demise of its remaining democratic norms.
Even faced with the possibility of losing their democracy, Erdogan’s supporters appear to have remained loyal over the past several elections (if we assume that the result of April’s referendum on executive power was anaccurate reflection of public opinion). In the June 2015 parliamentary election, Erdogan’s party earned only 40.87 percent of the national vote – but, according to the BPC, the data on Turkish elections “suggest[s] that the results of June 2015 were an anomaly and that concerns over Erdogan’s authoritarianism, as well as the risks it brings to Turkey’s stability and economic prosperity, have had little impact on voters.” It seems that many of Erdogan’s devout supporters are concerned more with religious and cultural issues than with human rights and democracy.
If members of NATO don’t begin expressing their disapproval of Erdogan’s regime, they will soon have in their alliance a country that explicitly defies the values NATO cherishes. “Though he entered office with the promise of liberalization, EU membership, and economic growth,” the BPC report stated, “Erdogan now represents authoritarianism, abandonment of the West, and civil conflict.”
– Austin Yack is a William F. Buckley Fellow in Political Journalism at the National Review Institute.
Armenia pays tribute to the memory of Pontian Greek Genocide victims
Public Radio of Armenia
17:58,
Vice-President of the Armenian National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov, other MPs, representatives of the Greek Embassy in Armenia and the Greek community visited the Tsitsernakaberd memorial today to pay tribute to the memory of victims of the Pontian Greek genocide.
On behalf of the Armenian Parliament, Edward Sharmazanov laid a wreath at the memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims.
Condemning the crime committed by Ottoman Turkey at the turn of the 20th century, Edward Sharmazanov said “This is also a day of revival.”
“We’ll do our best to prevent reoccurrence of such crimes against humanity in the future. An evidence of this is the existence of two Greek and two Armenian states. The Armenian authorities will do everything to reach international condemnation of genocides against Christian nations, and we have to combine efforts, because the denial of genocide is as dangerous as its perpetration,” Sharmazanov stated.
In 1994 the Hellenic Parliament recognized and condemned the genocide of more than 600 thousand Pontian Greeks. Many of those who fled the genocide found refuge in Armenia and integrated into the social-economic and political life of the country.
The genocide of Pontian Greeks has been recognized by Armenia, Greece, Cyprus, Sweden and Artsakh Republic.
The Armenian National Assembly observed a minute of silence today in memory of victims of the genocide.
Voters in Iran go to the polls to pick president
Iranians are voting an a presidential election, in which Hassan Rouhani is seeking a second term, the BBC reports.
Mr Rouhani, 68, a moderate cleric who negotiated a landmark nuclear deal with world powers in 2015, is standing against three other candidates.
His main challenger is seen as Ebrahim Raisi, 56, a hardline cleric and former prosecutor who is close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
If no-one wins more than 50% of votes cast, a run-off will be held next week.
Every incumbent president has been re-elected in Iran since 1985, when Ayatollah Khamenei himself won a second term.
He cast his ballot just minutes after polls opened at 8:00 local time (03:30 GMT).
“Everyone should vote in this important election,” he said, urging citizens to get the polls early.
Mr Rouhani voted about an hour later.
More than 54 million people are eligible to vote in Friday’s election.
Early election results are expected on Saturday.
Astrid Panosyan a favorite to be named French Minister of Employment and Social Affairs
Former adviser to Emmanuel Macron, when he was in Bercy, Astrid Panosyan is a favorite to be named France’s new Minister of Employment and Social Affairs, reports.
The government is expected to be announced later today.
Mrs. Astrid Panosyan has been Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer at Societe de Tayninh SA since September 1, 2015. Mrs. Panosyan has been the Chief Resources Officer and Member of the Management Board at Unibail-Rodamco SE since September 1, 2015 and serves as its Chief Executive Officer in charge of Central Operations.
She serves as the President of Doria SAS, Unibail Management SAS and Espace Expansion Immobilière SAS. She also holds the position of member of the Management Board of Uni-Expos SA.
She served as an Advisor and Member of the Cabinet of French Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs, where she was in charge of economic attractiveness and international investments. She served as the Secretary of the Board of Groupama S.A. until September 22, 2014 and General Secretary since 2011. She joined Groupama S.A. in 2002, where she held various senior positions in the international department, the department of strategy and the department of finance.
Previously, she joined AXA’s strategy department in 1998. She served as Head Officer of Strategy and Head Officer of Business Support & Development Asia-Pacific at AXA. She began her career at the AT Kearney. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Unibail-Rodamco Participations SAS and U&R Management BV. She served as a Director of Cegid Group SA from December 20, 2011 to November 27, 2014. She was a member of the Board of Directors at CEDID Group S.A. Mrs. Panosyan graduated from HEC Paris, IEP Paris, Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Montreal and Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University.
Eurovision 2017: Armenia makes it to the Grand Final
Armenia makes it to the Grand Final of 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. Artsvik represents the country with the song “Fly With Me.”
Tonight the first Semi-Final of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest was held in Kyiv, Ukraine. In total 18 countries competed for 10 places in the Grand Final.
The ten qualifiers were (in the order they were announced): Moldova, Azerbaijan, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Armenia,
Australia, Cyprus and Belgium.
The final outcome was decided through a combination of scores received from national expert juries and televoting. The expert juries had already voted after watching the live feed of the dress rehearsal, held yesterday.
Viewers from the 18 countries participating in the first Semi-Final, as well as from Italy, United Kingdom and Spain cast their votes. The first ten finalists will join the so-called Big Five and hosts Ukraine in the Grand Final.
Georgia, Albania, Montenegro, Finland, Iceland, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Latvia failed to make it to the final.
The second Semi-Final will take place on May 11, the Grand Final is set for Saturday, May 13.
Defense Ministers of Armenia, Iran meet in Moscow
The delegation led by Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan participated in the 6th Moscow Conference on International Security.
Topics included global and regional challenges, international terrorism and rise of tensions on the Korean peninsula. The rise of extremisms and terrorism in the Middle East, information security and other topics were also discussed in separate panels.
Vigen Sargsyan held several meetings with his counterparts from other nations. In particular, he met with the Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Support of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Dehghani. A number of questions of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. References were made to the Karabakh conflict. The parties stressed that the conflict cannot be solved through force.
Vigen Sargsyan met with the Minister of Defense of Serbia on the same day. Highlighting the similarities between the Armenian and Serbian peoples, the sides expressed confidence that these similarities will be great precedents in deepening Armenian-Serbian relations. It was noted that a large scope of cooperation exists in military industrial, research, military medical, military educational and other areas.
Cooperation in peacekeeping operations was mentioned as an example of effective cooperation. The Ministers of Defense of Armenia and Serbia agreed to communicate more intensively, in order to render the discussions concerning bilateral cooperation more practical.
Artsakh’s Representative to the US speaks at Florida International University
Robert Avetisyan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the US, gave a lecture at the Florida International University. Students and lecturers of the International Relations and Political Science Departments attended the event.
During the lecture, Robert Avetisyan briefed on the history of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, the current situation in the settlement process as well as regional developments.
At the end of the meeting, the Artsakh Representative answered the questions of the lecturers and students related to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, the international recognition of Artsakh and the state-building process.
Armenian Evangelical Church of Alfortville attacked
Armenian Weekly – A fire erupted in the Armenian Evangelical Church of Alfortville at around 6 a.m. on the morning of April 2, in what is being described as an arson attack—the third attack on the church in the last 12 months.
According to reports, the flames woke Pastor Gilbert Léonian and his wife, who live in the first floor of the building.
Though no injuries reported in the incident, Léonian said that the two were shocked to wake up to the fire. The church’s entrance also sustained substantial damage as a result.
According to reports, a trash bin in front of the church was deliberately set on fire. Firefighters arrived on scene on time to stop the spread of the fire to the rest of the building.
Eight days earlier, stones were thrown against the facade of the church causing some damage. Léonian became the pastor of the church 18 months ago and leads the congregation of about 30 people.
The Mayor of Alfortville Luc Carvounas was quick to condemn the attack and expressed his solidarity with the church’s congregation and leadership.