Author: Talar Tumanian

Turkey FM: It would have been difficult for Azerbaijan to take Karabakh if we had not manufactured UAVs

Talar Tumanian
NEWS.am
Armenia –
18:24, 10.04.2023
Region:Armenia, Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia
Theme: Politics

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, speaking about the manufacture of Turkish combat drones, reflected also on the 44-day Karabakh war in 2020, writes Ermenihaber.am.

“Today, Turkey has increased national and local production in the field of military industry to 80 percent. If we hadn’t reached that figure, if we hadn’t manufactured combat UAVs, if we hadn’t manufactured all kinds of ground, air defense and attack systems, including helicopters, it would have been difficult for Azerbaijan to take Karabakh,” the Turkish FM said at the official opening of the Afyonkarahisar city election headquarters of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party.

Also, Cavusoglu emphasized that Turkey will continue to develop the local military industry so as to be minimally dependent on other countries in that regard.

Armenpress: Government plans to achieve 6% foreign direct investment-GDP ratio in 2026

Talar Tumanian

Save

Share

 11:40, 8 April 2023

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government’s goal is to reach 6% of the foreign direct investments – GDP ratio in 2026, the Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said Saturday.

“In 2022, foreign direct investments in the Armenian economy totaled 998,1 million dollars, comprising 5,12% of the GDP. In 2021 this figure stood at 366,4 million dollars or around 2,5% of the GDP. The government’s goal is to bring the foreign direct investments – GDP ratio up to 6% in 2026,” Kerobyan said on social media.

Artsakh citizens prevented from returning home by Azerbaijanis

Talar Tumanian
April 5, 2023 Lillian Avedian News 0

Artsakh citizens prevented from entering Artsakh (Gegham Stepanyan, April 4)

Officials in Artsakh say that a group of Azerbaijanis blocked their citizens from returning home.

These 27 Artsakh citizens have been stranded in Armenia since the start of the blockade on December 12, 2022. The Russian peacekeeping force in Artsakh had negotiated their return and arranged their transportation. On the afternoon of April 4, Russian peacekeeping vehicles transporting the citizens from Goris, Armenia to Stepanakert were held up on the Lachin Corridor for five hours by a group of Azerbaijanis. 

The Lachin Corridor, the sole road connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world, has been blocked for nearly four months by Azerbaijanis claiming to be eco-activists. As a result, hundreds of people who were in Armenia at the start of the blockade have been separated from their families. Some have returned home with the assistance of the Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Only vehicles belonging to the Russian peacekeepers and the ICRC have been allowed to use the Lachin Corridor. 

According to a report by the Office of Artsakh Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan, Azerbaijanis entered one of the vehicles. Four women became distressed and fainted. They were transferred to the Stepanakert Medical Center. Three of the women have been discharged, while one remains under medical supervision. Following “fruitless negotiations” between the Russian peacekeepers and Azerbaijani protesters, the remaining 23 citizens were not allowed to enter blockaded Artsakh and returned to Goris. 

Azerbaijani protesters stop Russian peacekeeping vehicles (Gegham Stepanyan, April 4)

Azerbaijan and Russia have not officially commented on the incident. An Azerbaijani news outlet reported that an Azerbaijani ambulance had transferred the four women in psychological distress to the Stepanakert hospital. Artsakh authorities said the women were transferred with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers. 

“Today’s incident proves once again the whole essence of the false and fabricated claims of the Azerbaijani leadership, the behavior of obvious and undisguised lying and misleading the international community,” Stepanyan said.

The Artsakh Foreign Ministry said that the incident is the latest in Azerbaijan’s “practical implementation of their criminal plan to ethnically cleanse Artsakh.” It condemned the “inaction of the international community in the face of such serious violations of human rights,” calling it “tacit approval.”

While the Lachin Corridor remains closed, Azerbaijan has made several efforts in recent weeks to take control of routes around Artsakh by force. 

The route of the Lachin Corridor was forcibly changed by Azerbaijan on March 30. Azerbaijani armed forces captured a road that has been used by Armenia since August 2022 to connect to the Lachin Corridor. Armenian authorities said that Azerbaijani forces also advanced into Armenia’s borders. 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Artsakh said that, while Azerbaijan had blocked the road, the alternate Tegh-Kornidzor road is ready for use by the Russian peacekeepers and the ICRC. The road is still unpaved and under construction. 

The Tegh-Kornidzor road runs within the Syunik province of Armenia and connects to the new route of the Lachin Corridor that has been in operation since August 2022. 

On March 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan confirmed that Azeri armed forces captured several heights in the Lachin region and along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. 

“In regard with the commissioning of the new Lachin road, several high grounds between Jaghazur and Zabukh (Aghavno) villages of Lachin region, main and auxiliary roads, as well as large areas along the border were taken under the control of the Azerbaijan Army Units,” the Foreign Ministry said. 

The road captured by Azerbaijani forces is a temporary road that has been in use since August 2022. Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed that the temporary road would be operational until Armenia completed construction of the Tegh-Kornidzor road. 

According to the ceasefire agreement ending the 2020 Artsakh War, within three years Armenia and Azerbaijan would construct a new route along the Lachin Corridor, to which Russian peacekeepers would be deployed. The new route begins in the village Kornidzor in the Syunik province of Armenia, passes through the village Hin Shen in the Shushi district and reaches the Artsakh capital Stepanakert. 

Azerbaijan undertook construction of the portion of the road that runs through Artsakh. Its crews worked rapidly to complete construction by August 2022. The Armenian side, however, delayed starting construction on the part of the road within its borders. Armenian authorities insisted that the route should be decided within three years, under the terms of the ceasefire. 

On August 2, Azerbaijan demanded that Armenia halt use of the old route. Its demand coincided with border attacks on Artsakh, resulting in the deaths of two Armenian soldiers. On August 5, Artsakh authorities announced that the Armenian residents of Lachin, Aghavno and Sus, all located along the old route, would have to evacuate their homes by August 25. 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed during a March 30 cabinet meeting that the route of the Lachin Corridor has been changed. He said that Armenia and Azerbaijan had previously agreed that Armenia could use the temporary road until April 1, 2023. Pashinyan said that border guards from the National Security Service (NSS), rather than from the army, will be deployed along the new Tegh-Kornidzor road. 

The NSS added that Azerbaijani soldiers have not only captured the road, but have also set up posts within Armenia’s borders. It said that Azerbaijani soldiers have advanced up to 300 meters into Armenian territory at five border sections. The NSS added that the Azerbaijani forces have started to “carry out engineering work.” 

These Azerbaijani posts are located near the village Tegh. Farmers have lost access to their fields and cannot work as a result, according to local officials. 

This is not the first time in recent weeks that Azerbaijan has asserted control over routes around Artsakh by force. On March 25, Azerbaijani armed forces captured a strategic height near the Stepanakert-Lisagor road, placing the road under its direct line of fire. The road, which runs through difficult terrain and was rarely used in the past, was used after the start of the blockade of Artsakh to transfer civilians and humanitarian goods. It was also used to connect Stepanakert with Lisagor, Hin Shen, Mets Shen and Yeghtsahogh, villages around Shushi.

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
Lillian Avedian is a staff writer for the Armenian Weekly. Her writing has also been published in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Hetq and the Daily Californian. She is pursuing master’s degrees in journalism and Near Eastern Studies at New York University. A human rights journalist and feminist poet, Lillian’s first poetry collection Journey to Tatev was released with Girls on Key Press in spring of 2021.

Armenian military to call up over 2700 reservists for new round of musters

Talar Tumanian

Save

Share

 11:40, 6 April 2023

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian military will call up 2715 reservists (Privates, NCOs and Officers) for a new round of mandatory training musters.

The decision was made at the April 6 Cabinet meeting.

2431 of the 2715 reservists will be Privates and NCOs, 124 will be senior NCOs and 160 will be officers with motor-rifle, communication, reconnaissance, engineering and rocket-artillery specialties.

Opinion on Greek-Armenian military cooperation

Talar Tumanian
April 4 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Greek-Armenian military cooperation

Armenia and Greece are launching a new military cooperation program involving “the exchange of experience in the use of air defense systems.” It is reported that “cooperation in the field of military intelligence” is also an important component of the program.

Political observer Hakob Badalyan says that this is not a new phenomenon, as joint projects began almost 20 years ago.

  • Azerbaijan has taken control of new heights on the border with Armenia. Comments from Baku
  • Pashinyan on the “road to peace” at Biden-hosted Democracy Summit
  • Pashinyan on the new road to NK

The Armenian Embassy in Greece announced that the signing of a document outlining the new program “asserts strong military ties between the two countries”:

“The program strengthens the operational capabilities of the armed forces and the level of interaction, contributing to the strengthening of the role of Greece and Armenia in ensuring stability and security in the region.”

It is reported that the “Greece-Armenia Military Cooperation Program” includes 21 points of joint action, fifteen of which will be carried in Greece and six in Armenia.

The program includes:

  • joint training of units, special forces,
  • study of objects of electronic warfare,
  • exchange of experience in the use of air defense systems,
  • cooperation in the field of military intelligence.

According to information published on the website of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, before this document agreements on military cooperation were signed with Greece in 1996, 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Possible escalation on the Armenian border – what the EU monitoring mission can and can’t do

Political observer Hakob Badalyan says that Russia is still Armenia’s main partner in the military sphere. Greece, if not immediately behind Russia, is still one of its most important partners.

“The more complicated the situation at the international level, the tougher the confrontation between the West and Russia became, the more complicated the cooperation between Armenia and NATO and Greece,” he told JAMnews.

According to Badalyan, maintaining a balance and working with the opposing poles is becoming increasingly difficult, requiring “greater mobilization of diplomatic resources.” He maintains that Armenia needs to demonstrate and announce that the country is solving pressing security problems.

According to Badalyan, the new military cooperation program is important both from the point of view of the Armenian-Greek partnership and interaction with the NATO security system:

“This is an additional opportunity for Armenia to solve security problems. It should neither be overestimated nor underestimated.”

According to Badalyan, “the working environment has been formed, we need to try to squeeze the maximum out of it.” He emphasizes that it is now extremely difficult to make long-term plans, so the ability to “work quickly, conduct work of a tactical nature” is important.

“Armenia is trying to work in this mode, given the fact that the security mechanism based on partnership with Russia, to put it mildly, has problems. They must work on eliminating possible problems and gaps in this system,” Badalyan said.

On normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and strained relations between Greece and Turkey, he says that the priority for Armenian diplomacy should be that it is not acting against Turkey.

“In this case, Armenia should also argue that work in different areas is not directed against anyone, but is an an opportunity to manage risks,” he concluded.

Tsakhkazard Kids Festival

Talar Tumanian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Person: Nane Avagyan [email protected]

 

We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever Tsakhkazard Kids
Festival in California! This unique event will celebrate Armenian culture and
history in a fun and exciting way for kids and their families. The festival
promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience featuring participation from various
educational institutions.

 

Students from music, art, and sports centers, as
well as public schools, will showcase their talents as part of the program. One
of the festival’s highlights will be the presence of Gagik Ginosyan, a renowned
ethnographic dance choreographer, who will teach Armenian dances to children.
The festival will also include an exhibition of children’s paintings, displays
of Tsakhkazard traditions, and a concert featuring Armenian classical, folk,
and pop music performed by kids.


—
Nane Avagyan
Coordinator,
818-279-4421
www.armeniankidsfestival.com



MS-Word 2007 document


Tsakhzard Festival L.docx
MS-Word 2007 document


festival flyer eng.jpg
JPEG image


Festival flyer Arm.jpeg
JPEG image

Armenia Calls For Involving Int’l Mission In Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement -Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan

Talar Tumanian
March 20 2023

 Muhammad Irfan  Published March 20, 2023 | 07:16 PM

Armenia considers it necessary to engage an international fact-finding mission in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement and hopes that Russia will assist, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 20th March, 2023) Armenia considers it necessary to engage an international fact-finding mission in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement and hopes that Russia will assist, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Monday.

“Without any diminishing of the role of our Russian partners in the process of establishing a ceasefire in 2020, as well as the role of the Russian peacekeeping contingent … the current situation demonstrates the need for mechanisms to guarantee the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh and international involvement in them. It is necessary to involve international mechanisms for the prevention of genocide, to send an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh. We hope for cooperation with the Russian side on this issue,” Mirzoyan said at a joint press conference after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

Lavrov, in turn, expressed appreciation for Armenia’s resolve on deployment of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) mission to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border amid rising tensions over the blocked Lachin corridor.

“I would like to express satisfaction with what Ararat Samveli (Mirzoyan) just said, specifically that Armenia has not refused to sign the decision on the CSTO mission deployment,” the top Russian diplomat said.

Since December 12, 2022, the Lachin corridor, which runs through the Lachin district of Azerbaijan to link Armenia with the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, has been blocked by a group of people from Azerbaijan described by Baku as environmental activists protesting alleged Armenian illegal mining in the area.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly said that the corridor’s blockade violates the ceasefire declaration brokered by Russia between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020. The document delegated control of the Lachin corridor to Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh. In late December 2022, Pashinyan alleged that the peacekeepers did not fulfill their obligations, a claim that was dismissed by Moscow.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/armenia-calls-for-involving-intl-mission-in-1662496.html

Asbarez: Armenian American Museum Launches ‘Elevate’ Campaign During Sold Out Gala

Talar Tumanian
by Contributor

 

 March 23, 2023

 

in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

George Ignatius Foundation Trustee George Phillips, Sr., Honorable Walter J. Karabian, Honorable Michael Amerian & Executive Vice Chairman Zaven Kazazian


CENTURY CITY, Calif. – The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California announced the launch of the new Elevate Campaign at the sold out Elevate Gala on Sunday, March 19. The signature event of the year welcomed a capacity audience of donors, supporters, public officials, and guests at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The Elevate Gala raised $7 million in support of the Armenian American Museum through sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, and gift announcements.

The Elevate Gala kicked off with heartwarming and comedic welcoming remarks from the internationally acclaimed and award-winning entertainer Kev Orkian who served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Museum Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian Elevate Gala Chair Diana Timuryan Museum Executive Director Shant Sahakian

The National Anthems were performed by the renowned Soprano Mariné Ter-Kazaryan.

The Invocation was conducted by Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America Reverend Hendrik Shanazarian, and Representative of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the United States and Canada Monsignor Parsegh Baghdassarian.

Monsignor Parsegh Baghdassarian, Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian & Reverend Henrik Shanazarian

“The vision of the Armenian American Museum has infused in our spiritual and national life a most precious milestone which has unified us to justify the legacy of the Martyred Saints of the first Genocide of the 20th Century,” stated Board of Trustees Co-Chair Archbishop Hovnan Derderian in his remarks on behalf of the Board of Trustees. “Tonight’s Gala is another step forward to mobilize our efforts and send to the community a new level of hope, resilience, and commitment to serve this country and our ancestral land of Armenia.”

Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer Avedik Izmirlian & Board of Trustees Representative Dr. Raffi Balian Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer Talin Yacoubian & Board of Trustees Member Garbiel Moloyan Board of Trustees Member Dr. Nazareth Darakjian & Board of Trustees Member Vicky Marashlian

Elevate Gala Chair Diana Timuryan thanked the sponsors who generously supported the event and the Elevate Gala Committee members who contributed their time to help organize the event with the museum team.

Major Sponsors included Rima & Donnell Cameron, Armen & Gloria Hampar Family Foundation, Avadis & Nancy Tevanian, Jack & Zarig Youredjian, Ayvazian Family Foundation, The GASKA Alliance Foundation, Anonymous, Dr. Vicken & Sossy Aharonian, Ron & Kourtni Arakelian, Bank of America, Gregory & Gina Felikian, Steve & Sandi Hampar, Nabil & Hanan Karabetian, Berdj & Mary Karapetian, Matthew & Audrey Matoesian, William McMorrow, Nora Tertzag Hampar Charitable Trust Ara & Nina Ohanian, Sarkis & Nune Sepetjian, and Isaac & Frieda Vartanian.

Senator Anthony J. Portantino Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian

The Elevate Gala Committee members included Mayda Altounian, Alvard Barseghian, Angela Bedoyan, Ani Bekarian, Araxie Boyamian, Garine Depoyan, Hilda Fidanian, Aida Gharakhani, Marie Jeanne Harmandayan, Natalie Hariri, Christine Hovnanian, Tanya Kalaydjian, Maro Kasparian, Dr. Alexia Kevonian, Erika Toriz-Kurkjian, Carmen Libaridian, Margaret Mgrublian, Narine Mouradian, Aleen Orucakciel, Dzovig Zetlian, and Elizabeth Zoryan.
 
Senator Anthony J. Portantino delivered remarks on behalf of the State of California, who has invested $19.6 million to support the historic project including a new $9.8 million grant in the 2022-2023 State Budget that was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Master of Ceremonies Kev Orkian Soprano Mariné Ter-Kazaryan Ara Dance Studio Dance Performance

Executive Director Shant Sahakian celebrated the Groundbreaking Campaign that helped the museum reach the historic groundbreaking of the cultural and educational center in Summer 2021 and successfully complete the first phase of construction featuring the museum parking garage and building foundation in November 2022. He announced the launch of the Elevate Campaign to set sights on the next major milestone of the project as the landmark center is elevated to the horizon as a destination for education, enrichment, and inspiration for generations to come.

“In the education world, we talk a great deal about the concept of windows and mirrors,” stated Executive Director Shant Sahakian in his message on behalf of the Armenian American Museum. “That if we want our children and our young people to thrive – they need mirrors. They need to be able to see themselves in the books they read, in the films they watch, in the stories they hear, and yes – in the museums they visit. They also need windows – that allow them to peek into the past to discover their roots, transport themselves into places that they have never been before, learn about cultures that are not their own, and in doing so, learn more about themselves and everyone around them.”

Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian & Master of Ceremonies Kev Orkian

Ara Dance Studio delivered an uplifting dance performance dedicated to the Armenian American Museum.

Master of Ceremonies Kev Orkian delivered a powerful musical performance on the piano with a self-written piece called “Freedom.”

Mayor Ardy Kassakhian delivered remarks on behalf of the City of Glendale, who has dedicated a premier location for the historic project in Central Park, where the museum campus will be going through a major expansion with the creation of a new central lawn, outdoor amphitheater, children’s park, and much more.

Board of Trustees Member Dr. Nazareth Darakjian representing the Armenian Missionary Association of America and Board of Trustees Member Vicky Marashlian representing the Armenian Relief Society Western USA presented the Park Entrance Plaza recognition. The Park Entrance Plaza will serve as the main entrance for visitors through Central Park, greeting patrons as they are welcomed to an immersive and impactful experience at the Armenian American Museum. The presenters announced that the Park Entrance Plaza will be sponsored by the Armen and Gloria Hampar Family Foundation in honor of the foundation’s generous gift to the museum.

The sold-out crowd at the Elevate Gala

Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer Avedik Izmirlian representing the Armenian Cultural Foundation and Board of Trustees Representative Dr. Raffi Balian representing the Nor Or Charitable Foundation presented the Grand Elevator recognition. The Grand Elevator will elevate guests between the first level and upper levels of the museum with an unfettered view of the inspiring Grand Lobby on the first level and the beautiful Hazarashen Skylight rising to the sky. The presenters announced that the Grand Elevator will be sponsored by Rima and Donnell Cameron in honor of the family’s generous gift in the beloved memory of Rouzas and Janet Khoylian.

Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer Talin Yacoubian representing Armenian General Benevolent Union Western Region and Board of Trustees Member Garbiel Moloyan representing Nor Serount Cultural Association presented the Demonstration Kitchen recognition. The Demonstration Kitchen will provide a one-of-a-kind learning experience for patrons with a wide array of culinary opportunities including cooking presentations, cooking courses, and food-centered social events. The presenters announced that the Demonstration Kitchen will be sponsored by Avie and Nancy Tevanian in honor of the family’s generous gift to the museum.

Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian presented Master of Ceremonies Kev Orkian with a special Armenian American Museum Golden Pin in recognition of his impactful support of the Armenian American Museum and the Elevate Gala.

Executive Vice Chairman Zaven Kazazian introduced the Honorable Michael Amerian, Trustee with the George Ignatius Foundation, to make a special surprise announcement at the grand finale of the event. Joined by fellow Trustees George Phillips, Sr. and Honorable Walter J. Karabian, he announced that the George Ignatius Foundation will be contributing $1 million in support of the Armenian American Museum, an announcement that was greeted with a roaring applause by the capacity audience. The George Ignatius Foundation is a non-profit organization which has generously supported several charitable causes promoting Armenian history, culture, and religion since 1976.

“Together, we are going to elevate the Armenian American Museum, we are going to elevate the community, and we are going to elevate the future,” stated Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian in his closing remarks for the successful event.

The Armenian American Museum is a world class educational and cultural institution that is currently under construction in the museum campus at Glendale Central Park. The museum will offer a wide range of public programming through the Permanent Exhibition, Temporary Exhibitions, Auditorium, Learning Center, Demonstration Kitchen, Archives Center, and more.

Contribute to the Elevate Campaign at https://www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org/Elevate.

Transcript of Dutch FM’s speech debunks Azerbaijani disinformation: ambassador was indeed summoned over ICJ ruling

Talar Tumanian

Save

Share

 12:38,

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani propaganda machine has again spread disinformation in an attempt to mislead both its own society and the international community.

The spokesperson of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizade denied that the Netherlands Foreign Ministry summoned the Azerbaijani Ambassador over the non-compliance with the International Court of Justice ruling on the Lachin Corridor. Hajizade claimed that their Ambassador was not summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and that his last meeting at the ministry took place on his own initiative on March 15.

However, the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra himself said that the Azerbaijani Ambassador was  called to the Foreign Ministry. The Dutch FM made the remarks during question time in parliament, the transcript of which is available online.

During the question time in parliament, Dutch lawmakers asked FM Hoekstra whether the government plans to contact the Azeri ambassador over his country’s non-compliance with the ICJ order.

“Yes, as we’ve said previously, on February 28 the Azerbaijani Ambassador was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a discussion on this issue, in order for the UN International Court decision to be fulfilled. During the conversation the Netherlands called upon Azerbaijan to comply with the decision of the international court. During this conversation, it was noted that the Netherlands does not share the limited explanations given by Azerbaijan on the decision, and that the court’s decision must be implemented entirely,” the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra told lawmakers.

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.

Dutch foreign ministry summons Azeri ambassador to communicate need to fully implement ICJ ruling on Lachin Corridor

Talar Tumanian

Save

Share

 10:40,

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani Ambassador was invited to the Dutch foreign ministry to communicate the need to fully implement the ICJ decision and unblock the Lachin Corridor, the Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) reported.

The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON)said it has taken note of the answers by Dutch Foreign Minister Wobke Hoekstra to the written questions of 13 parliamentary factions about the ICJ ruling of 22 February 2022 on blockade of Lachin Corridor (Armenia v. Azerbaijan). Minister Hoekstra agrees with the MP’s, that there is non-compliance by Azerbaijan with the Judgment of the ICJ on the blockade of the Lachin Corridor. According to the Court ruling, Azerbaijan must take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions, which it keeps blockaded for more than 100 days.

In his letter to the Parliament, the Minister underlines that the International Court rulings are legally binding. Therefore, the Netherlands publicly called on the Azerbaijani authorities to comply with the ruling.

According to the Minister, the Netherlands has repeatedly raised its concerns about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno Karabakh resulting from the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, at several occasions including in bilateral talks with the Azerbaijani authorities, as in the recent meeting between the Dutch Prime Minister Rutte and Azerbaijani President Aliyev. The Minister Hoekstra has conveyed these concerns in several conversations with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister. The Netherlands has also expressed these concerns in various multilateral forums, such as the EU Foreign Affairs Council and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The Netherlands, together with the other EU member states, has also conveyed this position by means of EU statements to, for example, the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Stability in Europe (OSCE).

The Minister also states that the restrictive interpretation of the Court ruling by Azerbaijan is not shared by the Dutch Government. The Minister Hoekstra underlined that the Court ruling must be complied with in their entirety, which means that Azerbaijan must ensure the free movement of people, vehicles and cargo through the Lachin Corridor in both directions.

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. The Lachin Corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022.