Author: Vanyan Gary

Yeni Şafak
Turkey – Feb 12 2024

Armenian leader says Yerevan, Baku agreed on 'architecture, principles' of peace treaty

Pashinyan says Yerevan‘s decision to diversify its relations in security sector consequence of previous relationships not addressing its needs

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Yerevan and Baku have agreed on the "architecture and principles" of a peace treaty, as the two neighbors continue talks on normalizing their relations.

“The architecture and principles of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been agreed upon … but from the beginning, Azerbaijan three times refused to participate in negotiations in different formats, after which presidential elections in Azerbaijan were scheduled,” Pashinyan said in an interview with The Telegraph aired on Sunday, the transcript of which was shared by Pashinyan's office.

The Armenian leader said that he assumed that they would be able to finalize an agreement after the presidential election in Azerbaijan “if there is political will.”

He further said Yerevan “has the political will” to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan based on previous agreements between the two countries.

He said he has neither denied nor rejected cooperation with Russia in general and particularly in the security sector.

“What does this mean? Does this mean that we are going to break our security relationship with Russia? No, it doesn't mean that, but it means that in the field of security, we are preparing and are ready, and we are discussing and working to establish relations, for example, with the European Union,” Pashinyan went on to say.

He added that Armenia's security relations with the US, France, India or the EU are not directed against Russia, but rather “a consequence of the reality that the security relationships we used to have in the past do not address our security needs.”

He also denied discussions on NATO membership, saying that Armenia is “at least a de jure member of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)."

Armenia's ties with the EU are deepening and that it is ready to be “as close to the European Union as the European Union deems it possible,” he added.

Pashinyan went on to neither confirm nor deny that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be arrested should he visit Armenia, commenting on a question on whether Yerevan will do so after having formally joined the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as of Feb. 1.

“There are various opinions and legal analyzes on that topic, and in particular, the lawyers who say that the current heads of state have immunity, insurmountable immunity, due to their status are not just a few. I mean, it's a legal issue, not a political issue that I have to discuss and respond to,” he said.

 16:06,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMENPRESS. The monuments and heritage sites in Europe shortlisted for this year’s edition of the 7 Most Endangered Programme were announced today by Europa Nostra, the European Voice of Civil Society Committed to Cultural and Natural Heritage, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute.

Armenia’s 7th-century Amberd is included in the shortlist.

These are the 11 most endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe shortlisted for 2024:
Archaeological Site of Muret e Portës, Durrës, ALBANIA
Amberd Historical and Cultural Reserve, ARMENIA
Palais du Midi, Brussels, BELGIUM
Working-class Housing (courées) in Roubaix-Tourcoing, FRANCE
Cycladic Islands, notably Sifnos, Serifos and Folegandros, GREECE
Church of San Pietro in Gessate, Milan, ITALY
Synagogue of Siena, ITALY
Palace in Sztynort, northern Masuria, POLAND
Home of the Yugoslav People’s Army in Šabac, SERBIA
Greek Orthodox Church of St. Georgios, Altınözü / Hatay province, TÜRKIYE
Iron Gate of Antioch, Antakya / Hatay province, TÜRKIYE

The Executive President of Europa Nostra, Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, stated: “The selected heritage sites are threatened by demolition, unsuitable development, the devastating impact of natural disasters, neglect or lack of funding. By publishing this shortlist, we wish to convey a strong message of solidarity and support to the activists and local communities who are deeply committed to saving these sites. Europe’s heritage must be preserved not only as a testimony of our shared past, but also as a catalyst for a sustainable, cohesive and peaceful future.”

The Dean of the European Investment Bank Institute, Shiva Dustdar, said: “Cultural heritage is a key resource for European identity, attractiveness and economic growth. This shortlist reminds us how fragile it is and how much we take it for granted. Together with our long-time partner Europa Nostra, the Institute amplifies the efforts of local communities throughout Europe who know that saving cultural heritage sites will help them tackle other pressing challenges. We hope to see the sites restored and preserved for generations to come.”

The above-mentioned endangered heritage sites were shortlisted by an international Advisory Panel, comprising experts in history, archaeology, architecture, conservation, project analysis and finance. Nominations for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2024 were put forward by member organisations, associate organisations or individual members of Europa Nostra, as well as by members of the European Heritage Alliance.

The selection was made on the basis of the outstanding heritage significance and cultural value of each of the sites, as well as the serious danger that they are facing today. The level of engagement of local communities and the commitment of public and private stakeholders to saving these sites were considered crucial added values. Another selection criterion was the potential of these sites to act as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development.

The final list of 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2024 will be unveiled in April.

 12:15,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government will discuss at the January 25 Cabinet meeting the ratification of the agreement with the EU on the status of the EU Mission in Armenia.

On November 20, 2023, Armenia and the EU signed an agreement regarding the status of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA).

Armenian Deputy FM Paruyr Hovhannisyan explained after the signing that the agreement on the status is about creating facilitated conditions for the monitors, ranging from healthcare to technical issues. “It’s similar to the authority that diplomats have in every country,” the Deputy FM had said.

 21:08,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government plans to allocate around 557 billion drams to the defense sector in 2024, which is 6% more than the amount envisioned by the revised 2023 budget, the Ministry of Finance reported.

Defense spending in 2024 is to increase by 81% as compared to 2020.

In 2024, more than 17% of the budget expenditures will be allocated to the defense sector.

 11:01,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Inna Sahakyan’s animated documentary Aurora's Sunrise has been included in the list of 25 best films of 2023 according to Irish Cinephile, an online film and television review platform.

The story of Aurora Mardiganian from Armenian genocide survivor to silent movie star is close to unreal. Having lost her family, escaped slavery and now enduring trauma, she journeys far to tell the world of the Armenian Genocide as it happened. Once in Hollywood, as a star of the silent screen, her story becomes the biggest blockbuster of the time. 30 million dollars is raised, which will save 160 000 orphans, whose descendants number in the millions today. Her courage long forgotten, “Aurora’s Sunrise” revives Aurora’s story through unique testimony, archive footage, and the magic of animation.

Aurora's Sunrise was earlier included in MovieWeb’s 16 Best Animated Movies of 2023.

It also won the Grand Prix at 2023 FIFDH.

 18:48,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS.  Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan on Tuesday received the delegation of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates, headed by Ali Rashid Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defense, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council, Grigoryan's Office said.

It is noted that, the interlocutors commended the intensive development of Armenia-UAE economic relations, within the framework of which the trade turnover in 2023 reached $2.8 billion, recording an increase of 185 percent as compared to 2022. The parties also discussed the possibilities of cooperation within the spheres of bilateral interest.

According to the source, The parties also discussed the possibilities of cooperation within the  domain of bilateral interest.

Ali Rashid Al-Nuaim expressed support for the Crossroads of Peace project presented by the Armenian government, within the framework of which the parties discussed regional cooperation.