Author: Vanyan Gary

Armenian side will never respond Azerbaijani vandalism in the same way – MoD

Vanyan Gary

Save

Share

 21:17, 9 October, 2020

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS.  The Armenian side will not respond to Azerbaijani vandalism with vandalism, ARMENPRESS reports representative of MoD Armenia Artsrun Hovhannisyan said in a press conference, referring to the question of Azerbaijani bombing of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of Sushi town.

‘’The military knows very well what to do. They know where to use the bullets and bombs to make them more effective. If anyone expects from Armenian side similar vandalism, it will never happen, because it’s not our handwriting’’, Hovhannisyan said.

Azerbaijan unleashed war against Artsakh on September 27. Turkey explicitly support Azerbaijan both politically and militarily, particularly the Turkish air forces are directly involved in the military operations. On September 29 a Turkish F-16 fighter jet downed an Armenian SU-25 jet in the Armenian air force. The pilot did not survive. Turkey has also deployed thousands of terrorists and jihadists from northern Syria in Azerbaijan to fight against Artsakh.

Azerbaijan has targeted civilian population and infrastructures from the first days of the war, but in the last days they do it more intensively. 22 civilians have died so far, 2 of them in the Republic of Armenia, Vardenis region. International reporters are being deliberately targeted. 2 French reporters were injured in Martuni town on October 1 as a result of Azerbaijani bombing of the municipality of the town. 1 of them was in critical situation but was able to survive. On October 8 Russian reporters were injured as a result of the Azerbaijani high precision strikes against Shushi’s Ghazanchetsots Cathedral. One of the reporters is in critical situation.

Azerbaijan has banned international reporter from covering the developments from the frontline.  

Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

Russian, US and French Presidents prepare statement on situation in Nagorno Karabakh

Vanyan Gary

Save

Share

 15:17, 1 October, 2020

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin during the meeting with the permanent members of the Russian Security Council informed them that a joint statement on behalf of the presidents of Russia, the US and France is being prepared over the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, RIA Novosti reports.

“The meeting paid a special attention to the current situation in the Nagorno Karabakh line of contact. They once again expressed a deep concern over the ongoing battles”, Peskov said.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Nagorno-Karabakh escalation: Armenia releases VIDEO showing Azerbaijani tank on fire, Baku denies it lost heavy armor

Vanyan Gary
RT – Russia Today
Sept 27 2020
Armenia’s military released footage, on Sunday, purportedly showing an Azeri tank being hit by an armor-piercing projectile and catching fire amid hostilities over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku denied suffering any losses.

The Armenian Defense Ministry claimed its forces have destroyed at least three Azerbaijani tanks, along with two helicopters and three UAVs. Later in the day, the ministry circulated what it said was video documentation of an enemy armored vehicle being destroyed by the Armenians.

The one-minute clip shows a T-72 tank on the move. Moments later, it comes to a halt and erupts in flames. Plumes of fire are seen emitting from the inside compartments, as well as the turret. No one inside seems to be able to flee to safety.

Another short video later released by Yerevan shows a group of tanks apparently being shelled, with two of them directly hit by projectiles and suffering damage. 

The authenticity of the footage has not yet been independently verified. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry denied reports of any losses in heavy armor, telling Russia’s news agency RIA Novosti that these claims were “lies and disinformation.”

“Be advised that our units fully prevail over the enemy on the front line,” it said.

View videos as


Donald Trump congratulates Armenia’s PM on Independence Day

Vanyan Gary

Save

Share

 12:08,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the 29th anniversary of Republic of Armenia’s independence, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on September 21 – the Independence Day of your country.

Over the past 29 years of Armenia’s independence, the United States has been standing by the Armenian people and supported your efforts to build a modern democracy and ensure economic development. We are prepared to continue cooperating in the areas of mutual interest, including the expansion of bilateral trade and investment exchanges, the furtherance of the rule of law, regional stability, and the strengthening of your country’s sovereignty.

Today’s challenges reaffirm the importance of our partnership. The Armenian and American peoples boast strong and enduring ties, be it in the face of a new global pandemic or in the side-by-side international peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan or Kosovo.

On this special day, we wish you all the best and look forward to strengthening our friendship over the coming year,” the U.S. President said in his congratulatory message.

FM: July battles demonstrated Armenia’s capacities to defend itself, its population and borders

Vanyan Gary
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 19 2020
Politics 13:51 19/09/2020 Armenia

The July battles demonstrated Armenia’s capacities to defend itself, its population and borders. Moreover, the battles vividly demonstrated that there can be no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said in an interview to Al-Akhbar newspaper.

Question: What are the reasons for the recent clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan?

Answer: There are many reasons, but the underlying reason is that this is a renewed attempt by Azerbaijan to impose unilateral concessions on Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh through use of force and threat of force. But what is more important in this regard, is that it was a miscalculation by Azerbaijani side which showed that their current capacities do not match with their well known intentions.

It was an attempt by Azerbaijani side to show a military advantage over Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, which indeed was a failed one. The July battles demonstrated Armenia’s capacities to defend itself, its population and its borders. Moreover, the July battles vividly demonstrated that there can be no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Question: What is the Turkish role in fuelling the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan?

Answer: We have been witnessing Turkey’s destabilizing role not only in our region but in all other neighboring regions. The projection of power, intrusion and interference in the South Caucasian region do not contribute in any way to the peaceful resolution of the conflict and to regional peace, security and stability. 

During the battles in July, Turkey has been the only country that was taking a one-sided supporting and fueling the maximalist approaches of Azerbaijan. That support was accompanied by a very aggressive approach toward Armenia and the Armenian people:

First, Turkey publically encourages Azerbaijan to take a harder stance against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh by openly communicating its support, including in military matters.

Second, Turkey came up with military posturing against Armenia by initiating large scale military exercises in the vicinity of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh with very provocative moves.

Third, there is ongoing Turkish military build-up in Azerbaijan, which is strengthening and expanding their presence thereon.

Fourth,  there are reports of recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters in Syria with aim to be transferred to Azerbaijan.

We saw the outcome of similar behavior of Turkey in other regions which inflicted immense suffering on the people living in those regions. Thus, we have to be very vigilant in maintaining and strengthening regional peace and security.

Question: Do you consider Turkey’s statements in response to recognition of the Armenian Genocide from several countries, including the US Congress, the French Senate and others?

Answer: What we consider and what should be considered is the fact that Turkey’s policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide has failed particularly in recent times. The new wave of recognition of the Armenian Genocide has been marked by both continuity and change on the perception of this issue.

This struggle for truth, historic justice and human rights has been ongoing for several decades in all continents. However, there is new emerging important dimension in recognition of the Armenian Genocide and that is the security threats posed by Turkey to its neighboring regions and peoples. Nobody wants history to repeat itself again and again and we need to acknowledge not merely the past but to prevent recurrences of new atrocities today and in future. A state and its leadership who justifies Genocide and supports terrorist groups engaged in identity based atrocities is threat which needs to be clearly defined as such.

Question: Azerbaijan accused Russia of arming Armenia. What is your comment?

Answer:  Armenia and Russia are allies and our relations are developing based on the logic of allied relationship. Russia is a main supplier of military equipment and armaments to Azerbaijan as well and thus these accusations neither justified nor sincere.

The full interview can be accessed .

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijani president phones Turkish counterpart

Vanyan Gary
POLITICS 15:39 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 15

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan to congratulate him on the 102nd anniversary of the liberation of Baku on September 15, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani presidential press-service.

Noting that the Caucasian Islamic Army under the leadership of Nuru Pasha had liberated Baku from Armenian and Bolshevik occupation together with the Azerbaijani National Army and volunteers, the president said the martyrs who gave their lives in the battles were commemorated with deep respect and their memory would always live in the hearts of our people.

President Aliyev noted that he had sent a congratulatory letter to President Erdogan on this significant event. The president noted that September 15 was still celebrated as an example of devotion to the memory of our ancestors. In this regard, events are being held in Baku and various regions of Azerbaijan.

President Erdogan thanked President Aliyev for the phone call, conveyed his congratulations to President Aliyev, and said that he had also sent a letter to the Azerbaijani president on this occasion. The president of the Republic of Turkey underlined the role of the Caucasus Islamic Army led by Nuru Pasha and the Azerbaijani National Army in the liberation of Baku.

The presidents stressed that the two countries had always stood by each other and supported each other in all matters.

The military parade held two years ago on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Baku was also pointed out during the telephone conversation.

The presidents recalled with pleasure their watching the military parade with the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish soldiers. The sides hailed the fact that the relations between the two countries had risen to an even higher level.

During the conversation, the presidents discussed prospects for developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey in various fields.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 15-09-20

Vanyan Gary

Save

Share

 17:32,

YEREVAN, 15 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 15 September, USD exchange rate down by 1.06 drams to 485.31 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 576.60 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 6.46 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.02 drams to 625.86 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 109.95 drams to 30561.75 drams. Silver price down by 0.76 drams to 419.49 drams. Platinum price up by 249.19 drams to 14776.11 drams.

Kavkaz 2020: Why Russia’s Latest Military Drills Are a Golden Opportunity for Pakistan

Vanyan Gary 
The Diplomat
Kavkaz 2020: Why Russia’s Latest Military Drills Are a Golden
Opportunity for Pakistan
By Shahid Hussain
Beyond a chance to deepen ties with Russia, Pakistan hopes to build
bridges with Central Asian countries through the Kavkaz 2020
exercises.
In the late 1970s, the Pakistani and Russian militaries faced off
against each other in the mountains of Afghanistan, albeit indirectly.
The conflict between the two started in 1979 when the Soviet army
marched into Kabul in support of the Afghan Communist Party. Pakistan
and America responded swiftly, funding and equipping the mujahideen as
well as providing safe haven for them to regroup in Pakistan’s
mountainous North West Frontier Province. The war rumbled on through
the 1980s and, throughout this period, Islamabad’s support for the
Afghan insurgency was unwavering. After sustained losses, the Soviet
Union withdrew from Afghanistan and in little more than a year, the
USSR itself would collapse.
Three decades later, Pakistan and Russia have met again on the
battlefield — but this time on the same side as part of joint military
exercises. Not only do these exercises mark a significant shift from
the mutual hostility of the 1980s, but they also stand to create a
number of opportunities for Pakistan and the wider erstwhile Soviet
world. The latest installment of exercises including both Russia and
Pakistan comes with the multilateral Kavkaz 2020 military drills.
The exercises will take place close to Russia’s southern city of
Astrakhan. The list of participating countries is impressive,  ranging
from Pakistan and Belarus to Azerbaijan and China. The drills include
war games and joint training, as well as the opportunity for
participants to show off their latest military technology and
hardware. This is not the first time Pakistan has participated in the
drills with Russia and Central Asian countries. For example, last year
Islamabad sent a contingent to the Tsentr 2019 exercise along with
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and India.
However, this year is different.
India has recently announced it will not be participating in the
exercise. New Delhi was due to send around 200 soldiers, including
infantry, naval, and air force personnel, only to announce on Saturday
that it was withdrawing from the event. The stated reason was
difficulties due to COVID-19, even though officials speaking
anonymously pointed to India’s recent tensions with China as a factor
behind the decision. Furthermore, the prospect of training alongside
the Pakistani army almost certainty tilted the balance against
participation. While we are likely to see Indian officials emphasizing
their close military and strategic relationship with Russia in the
coming days, there is no doubt Moscow will be somewhat frustrated at
India’s sudden decision to pull out of the event.
For the Russian military, the sheer number and range of participants
alone marks a triumph of sorts and sends a defiant message to the West
and particularly the United States. India’s absence threatens this
messaging to a degree. This sudden reversal, alongside Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump,
provides Pakistan an opportunity to cement its friendship with
President Vladimir Putin and Moscow.
However, aside from improving relations with Russia, the Kavkaz
military drills are an important opportunity for Pakistan to solidify
and develop its relationship with the former Soviet world. Russia’s
ally in the Caucasus, Armenia, will be attending the event. Pakistan
refuses to acknowledge the existence of Armenia in support of
Islamabad’s iron-clad ally Azerbaijan. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are
currently engaged in a long-standing territorial dispute over the
region of Nagorno-Karabakh. While it is unlikely Pakistan will want to
upset Baku, the drills provide an opportunity for Pakistani and
Armenian troops to participate in the drills together, which could be
an important step toward improving relations. Despite the prospect of
Pakistan formally recognizing Armenia being a long way off, the mere
presence of the two armies together is symbolic.
Belarus will also send a contingent to the event — another country in
the former Soviet Union Pakistan has maintained a surprisingly warm
relationship with. President Alexander Lukashenko — who is under
significant pressure from the West over his controversial re-election
— is keen to further ties with as many allies as possible, including
Pakistan. Recently, he sent Independence Day greetings to Islamabad,
stating “Pakistan had succeeded in building an independent state” and
emphasizing the “great prospects” between the two unlikely allies.
Given this background, it is unsurprising Pakistan has refrained from
criticizing Lukashenko. The presence of both militaries in southern
Russia could act as a catalyst for stronger defense ties between
Islamabad and Minsk.
Pakistan can also use the opportunity to reset relations closer to
home. The scenic Wakan corridor separates Pakistan and Tajikistan and
at their closest point, the two countries are a mere 10 miles apart.
Despite historical and cultural ties between the two Asian nations
(both were part of the Arab Umayyad and Persian Empires) and their
joint participation in several infrastructure and energy projects (the
Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Program),
Tajikistan plays host to India’s only air force base outside of its
borders. The Farkhor Air Base lies around 81 miles southeast of
Dushanbe and perilously close to Pakistan’s northern border with
Afghanistan. Indian fighter jets taking off from the base can reach
Pakistani airspace in little more than a few minutes.
Naturally, this has put a significant strain on relations with
Islamabad. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are no major military ties or
significant arms deals between Pakistan and Tajikistan, and if the
former plays its cards right, it could use the drills as an
opportunity to pull Tajikistan away from India’s military grip.
Military drills are often seen as a show of common strength between
allies and a warning to others. However, for Pakistan it would be wise
not to see these drills as a show of strength, but rather as an
important opportunity to further its relationship with the former
Soviet World. India’s recent decision to stay away from Kavkaz 2020
along with the sheer number of former Soviet states participating in
them suggests a golden opportunity Pakistan cannot afford to ignore.
Shahid Hussain will commence his Ph.D. at the University College
London in September, where he will focus on diplomacy and the
relationship between Russia and Britain in the 17th century.

Armenia’s humanitarian mission donates over 2 tons of medical items to Aleppo’s hospitals

Vanyan Gary

Save

Share

 15:39,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s humanitarian mission consisting of healthcare workers, in cooperation with the General Consulate of Armenia in Aleppo, donated more than 2 tons of medical and healthcare items to Aleppo’s hospitals on August 24, the Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise SNCO told Armenpress.

The local healthcare officials expressed their gratitude to the Armenian doctors for the assistance provided. According to them, the Armenian and Syrian doctors are making joint efforts for assisting the injured people. The hospital staff thanked Armenia’s authorities, healthcare structures for the support.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenians Again Warned Against Coronavirus Complacency

Vanyan Gary
RFE/RL – Azatutyun
Aug 20 2020
Artak Khulian

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Thursday again urged Armenians to strictly follow anti-epidemic rules amid what he described as relative stability in the rate of coronavirus infection in the country.

Health Minister Arsen Torosian said at a government session that the downward trend in the number of new coronavirus cases in Armenia has come to a stop, adding that sharper declines are hardly expected while the situation remains stable.

“Taking into account the economic activity and the mobility of the population in general, including the number of citizens returning to Armenia, I think it will be very difficult to have fewer cases than we identify daily if the situation I have described is maintained,” Torosian said.

During the past several weeks Armenia’s Health Ministry has reported between 150 and 300 new coronavirus cases and between one and eight Covid-19 deaths a day. This is two to three times lower than at what appeared to the peak of the epidemic in the first half of July when more than 700 new coronavirus cases and about 15 deaths were recorded on a daily basis.

Overall, Armenia has recorded more than 42,000 coronavirus cases and 836 deaths since the start of the epidemic in March.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian presiding over a cabinet meeting (file photo)

At today’s cabinet meeting Prime Minister Pashinian stressed that the current stability is relative and a reversal of the situation may happen at any moment. Pashinian warned the public against complacency based on the observed decrease in the number of new coronavirus cases.

“The average daily numbers today are more than twice lower than in July. But if we do not respond to the situation properly, we will quickly return to the situation observed in July,” he said.

A total of 1,993 coronavirus tests were conducted in Armenia on August 19; 263 citizens were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. According to the health minister, currently hospitals in Armenia are not overloaded and the coronavirus situation remains manageable.

“No citizen will be left without medical assistance, but citizens must make an effort not to get infected,” Pashinian said for his part.

The Armenian prime minister urged the police to step up their efforts in enforcing mandated mask-wearing in all public spaces and also appealed to the public to show more individual responsibility to stem the spread of infection.