Category: 2018

Marianna Mkrtchyan. During Brussels meeting of Armenia and Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministers the issue of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev’s meeting was not raised, Spokesperson of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan stated at the briefing in Yerevan on July 16. Talking in general about the Mnatsakanyan-Mammadyarov meeting, the representative of the Armenian foreign ministry has once again recalled that it was a familiarization meeting and no specific agreements were reached during the meeting. At the same time Balayan stressed that the sides expressed readiness to continue contacts.

At the same time, the Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesman noted that at on unofficial level, opinions were voiced about the possible impact of the forthcoming electoral processes in Armenia on the negotiation process, and the need to take a break for this period. “We consider that the pre-election period can not be an obstacle to the negotiation process, which should proceed on the basis of the proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, and they can not be an obstacle in creating an atmosphere of peace and ensuring progress. And our position is known and has been voiced repeatedly, in particular, that the most important issue is to ensure the security of Artsakh and its status, and our priority is to ensure these conditions during the negotiations, “said Balayan.

The representative of the Armenian Foreign Ministry also informed that the issue of the implementation of the agreements reached at the high-level in Vienna and St. Petersburg was raised at the meeting. “The matter concerns an extension of the mandate of the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the introduction of confidence-building mechanisms on the contact line of the troops – an agreement that Azerbaijan has been obstructing for two years,” concluded Balayan.

Marianna Mkrtchyan. The Armenian Foreign Ministry is familiar with the various comments and assessments regarding the excerpts in the declaration of the latest NATO summit, the Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tigran Balayan stated at a briefing on July 16. At the same time he added that he do not want to conduct a linguistic analysis on this issue during the briefing. “One thing is clear: the 67th paragraph of the declaration of the latest NATO summit envisages that negotiations or conflicts should be settled in the current formats and on the basis of the principles of international law, in particular, on the basis of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.” This is what we are talking about – based on international norms and in the current format, “Balayan summed up.

To note, the final declaration of the NATO summit in Brussels contains a call for the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the South Caucasus. In paragraph 67 of the Declaration, it is noted: ” We continue to support the right of all our partners to make independent and sovereign choices on foreign and security policy, free from external pressure and coercion. We remain committed in our support for the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova. In this context, we continue to support efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the South Caucasus, as well as in the Republic of Moldova, based upon these principles and the norms of international law, the UN Charter, and the Helsinki Final Act. We urge all parties to engage constructively and with reinforced political will in peaceful conflict resolution, within the established negotiation frameworks”.

Naira Badalian. Schengen visa for Armenians may not rise in price. This was stated by the head of the EU delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalski on July 16 at a press conference commenting on possible possible outcomes of the Schengen Code reforms for Armenian citizens.

According to the Ambassador, due to the strong migration pressure, the Schengen Code reforms were launched earlier in the European Union. It was done to protect their own borders. “It is planned to introduce certain elements that contribute to increasing the level of controllability of people’s movement,” Switalski said.

So, on June 19, 2018, the EU ambassadors approved the mandate on behalf of the Council for negotiations with the European Parliament on introducing amendments to the visa regime. To express its position on the proposal “On Amending the Schengen Border Code with regard to the temporary restoration of control at internal borders,” as the ambassador said, the Council of Europe has been given six months. As a result of the adoption of this proposal, in addition to procedural changes to the entry of Schengen visa, basic visa prices may increase from 60 euros to 80 euros, and for countries with existing agreements on visa facilitation with the EU from 30 euros to 40 euros.

Nevertheless, as Piotr Switalski pointed out, there are no procedural changes for Armenia, the country, with a simplified visa regime. Most likely, according to Piotr Switalski, the citizens of the country will also not be affected by the increase in the cost of the Schengen visa.

Earlier, ArmInfo reported that in June the Schengen Code reforms were launched. The process should give Europeans more effective means of controlling borders to counter the influx of migrants, as well as to provide some simplification of the procedure for issuing visas to “respectable travelers”. However, the payment for this will be an increase in the base price of the Schengen visa from 60 euros to 80 euros, and for countries with existing agreements on visa facilitation with the EU, from 30 euros to 40 euros.

Naira Badalian. The heads of European countries took seriously the words of Nikol Pashinyan about Karabakh, voiced in Brussels, and are ready to convey peace messages to Azerbaijan. This was stated to journalists by the head of EU delegation to Armenia Piotr Swatalsky.

According to the ambassador, it is necessary to do everything possible to reduce the escalation of the conflict. “We are doing our best, including assisting the OSCE Minsk Group on the Karabakh settlement,” the European diplomat said.

As Switalski pointed out, the first meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan was held in Brussels. The Karabakh issue was among the priorities also during the Brussels meetings of the Armenian prime minister with high-ranking EU officials. “We listened to the concerns of the Armenian side and will do everything possible to send peace and peace messages to Azerbaijan,” the ambassador said.

To note, while in Brussels, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to the Euronews television channel. In connection with the Karabakh problem, Pashinyan said in particular: “This conflict should be resolved only peacefully. Unfortunately, from the first days of my tenure as prime minister of Armenia, I see that Azerbaijan is increasing its aggressiveness towards Armenia. In my opinion, now we see that the situation is changing, because this aggressive policy is directed not only against Armenia, but also against democracy, because now Armenia is really a democratic country. ” “I think the leadership of Azerbaijan is afraid that its own people, inspired by the Armenian processes, will start democratic changes in Azerbaijan,” Pashinyan said. Answering the question about the possible role of NATO in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the prime minister noted that it would be very useful if NATO sends a strong signal to Azerbaijan that any attempt to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict using force will meet strong reaction from the international community.

Ani Mshetsyan. I would like to note once again that in case of the next aggression by Azerbaijan, Yerevan will recognize the independence of Artsakh, Deputy Chairman of the RPA, the head of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Armen Ashotyan wrote on his Facebook page.

Ashotyan noted that Azerbaijan’s plans for a blitzkrieg during the velvet revolution failed, as Serzh Sargsyan and Nikol Pashinyan managed to maintain internal stability, reducing the threat to the security of the two Armenian states to a minimum.

Ashotyan’s message reads as follows: “On May 9, in Artsakh, Prime Minister Pashinyan announced the toughening of the position of the Armenian side in the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, noting the necessity of Artsakh’s participation in the negotiations. There was also an obvious message from the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, who stated in their statement that the negotiation process should continue in the current format. And there was a very subtle hint in the statement by the prime minister, following a meeting with Federica Mogherini, that the negotiation process must be reactivated without any preconditions, “Ashotyan wrote.

The MP also noted that after two months of diplomatic maneuvers, the negotiation process on the Artsakh settlement apparently has returned to the same point as prior to the change of power, therefore, the question arises how the Armenian side should behave in such a situation. “I think that the plan of our actions should be as follows: Armenia must constantly declare that without the consent of the people of Artsakh there can be no final decision, while in the course of negotiations both international recognition and the right of the Artsakh people to self-determination should be declared as priority. I think that there is a need to return to diplomatic pressure, in connection with the implementation of the St. Petersburg and Vienna agreements, since without them political settlement is out of question, “Ashotyan concluded.

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) holds dialogue with all relevant authorities in connection with the appearance of Karen Ghazaryan, a resident of bordering Berdavan village of Armenia’s Tavush province, in the Azerbaijani territory, ICRC spokesperson Gohar Ter-Hakobyan told Armenpress.

“Usually we visit that person, assess the conditions of the place, his healthcare condition and share the information we have with the relevant authorities involved. At the moment the works are in process”, she said.

Earlier Ashot Aharonyan, head of the PR and Information department of the Armenia Police, said on Facebook that the Azerbaijani media reports, according to which the Azerbaijani side prevented a sabotage infiltration attempt by the Armenian side in the Qazax region and captured “Armenian spy” Karen Ghazaryan, born in 1984, have nothing to do with the reality.

“Karen Ghazaryan is a resident of the bordering Berdavan village of Armenia’s Tavush province, he has no link with the military service, faces healthcare problems and is registered in the respective medical center since 2013. The details of his appearance in the Azerbaijani territory are being clarified”, Aharonyan said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defenders of Armenia and Artsakh Arman Tatoyan and Ruben Melikyan visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to meet with Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II to discuss the recent acts of physical abuse against His Holiness near Gndevank monastery, Artsakh Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan said on Facebook.

“During the meeting the ongoing situation around the Armenian Apostolic Church has been discussed”, Ruben Melikyan said.

Earlier on July 6 protesters entered the headquarters of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin demanding the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. They were acting in an unacceptable manner. On July 14 the protesters blocked the vehicle of His Holiness Garegin II who was in the Vayots Dzor province on a pilgrimage. The protesters blocked the roads with cars and stones.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS. During today’s press briefing Armenia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan said the ministry is in contact with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) for the safe return of the Armenian captive who appeared in the Azerbaijani territory recently, reports Armenpress.

The MFA spokesman reaffirmed the information according to which 34-year-old Karen Ghazaryan faces mental problems, therefore he has not served in the Armenian Armed Forces. “The foreign ministry keeps contact with the Red Cross. Works are also being carried out in other directions so that our citizen will return to Armenia as quickly as possible”, Tigran Balayan said.

In response to the question that the Azerbaijani side tries to present the Armenian captive who faces healthcare problems as a saboteur, Balayan said this is an ordinary practice in the Azerbaijani side.

The Armenian captive Karen Ghazaryan, born in 1984, is a resident of Berdavan village of Tavush province.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS. The formulations in the final document of the NATO summit relating to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict contain some contradictions, political scientist Narek Minasyan told ARMENPRESS.

-How do you assess Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Brussels in the context of the Armenia-NATO relations?

-Firstly, I would like to state that the Brussels visit was of cognitive nature since this was Pashinyan’s first visit to Brussels as a Prime Minister, and overall the visit can be assessed as positive.

As for the Armenia-NATO relations, the visit was quite important in terms of the contacts with the leaders of the structure and its separate member states which is vital for establishing ties and exchanging views on different matters. On the sidelines of the visit it’s necessary to highlight the PM’s participation in the meeting of the heads of state and government contributing to the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan during which the Armenian PM delivered remarks.

Armenia is taking part in the NATO’s peace operation in Afghanistan since 2010. And today nearly 130 Armenian servicemen continue conducting service in that country. It’s worth to mention that the participation in this mission not only contributes to the development of skills of the Armenian servicemen, but also positively affects Armenia’s international reputation. In fact, it’s a clear indicator that Armenia is not a security consuming, but a security providing country.

-Different comments are being circulated in the media in connection with the point in the NATO summit’s final document relating to the Karabakh conflict.

-Actually, the part in the final document of the NATO summit relating to the Karabakh conflict repeats the formulations reflected in the final act of the 2016 July Warsaw summit. I want to state that these formulations contain some contradictions which is due to not so objective approach by NATO to show a single approach to different conflicts. The document states that the structure supports the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova. At the same time it states that NATO continues supporting the efforts aimed at peacefully settling the conflicts in the South Caucasus (including the Karabakh conflict), in accordance with the principles and norms of the international law, as well as the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. In fact, this formulation makes indirect reference to peoples’ right to equality and self-determination, which is one of the key principles of the Helsinki Final Act.

The Armenian side has constantly voiced about the controversy of such formulation, calling on to adopt a differentiated approach over conflicts which will take into account also their features. At the same time, it was clearly stated that NATO plays no role and has no mandate in the NK conflict settlement process, and any unbalanced approach on such sensitive issue can lead to negative consequences.

The Armenian leadership of different years has approached to issue of participation in the NATO summits with some reservations, in connection with such formulations. For instance, there have been years when the Armenian side made a decision not to participate in the summits. But there have also been years, for instance in Wales 2014, Warsaw 2016, and as well as this year in Brussels, that the Armenian side participated in the summit by using this platform to voice about its proposals, approaches and views on the NK conflict as effectively as possible. One of the most vivid manifestations of this was perhaps the Armenian PM’s speech at the NATO during which the NK conflict and Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior were presented with an interesting and new approach, which, I think, was quite effective.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan