Category: 2018

Azerbaijani Press: Baku ready to help resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict – FM

Chmshkian Vicken
APA, Azerbaijan
May 18 2018
Baku ready to help resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict – FM

[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of APA]

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said that Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the APA news agency reported on 19 May.

“As always, Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to a fair resolution of the Palestinian issue. We reiterate our solidarity and support for a fair and comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be resolved peacefully based on a ‘two states principle’, recognising West Jerusalem as capital of Palestine,” Mammadyarov was quoted as saying while addressing a meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on 18 May.

He urged the OIC to step up its efforts to “put an end to and condemn bloodshed”.

Mammadyarov said that US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the relocation of the US embassy came at odds with international law. “This step taken despite numerous warnings has shattered hopes of reaching a fair and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and opened up a way for a humanitarian disaster,” he said.

Mammadyarov also lambasted Armenia’s role in the Karabakh conflict.

“Despite the UN Security Council resolutions and decisions taken by a number of international organisations, including OIC, Armenia has been holding 20 per cent of our territories under occupation for 25 years, leading to terrible humanitarian outcomes for the local Muslims and Islamic culture,” he said.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are locked in a conflict over Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which, along with seven surrounding districts, came under the control of Armenian troops in the early 1990s. Dozens of Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers were killed during an outbreak of fighting between the two sides in April 2016, the worst escalation since cease-fire deal was signed in 1994. Peace talks between Baku and Yerevan have been mediated by France, Russia and the United States, in their capacity of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Sports: Moscow football club decided to play in the championship of Armenia

Liana Toganian
The Bobr Times
May 19 2018


Lisa Flanders |

Moscow “Ararat” is being prepared for a new challenge

Moscow “Ararat” in the next season will not take part in the Football national League of Russia (FNL) and move in the championship of Armenia.

This was reported by General Director of the club Poghos Galstyan.

Earlier, the “Ararat” ahead of schedule became the winner of a zone “Center” of the Professional football League and secured a place in the top division for next season. But the club has not received a license of the Russian football Union (RFU) to participate in FNL.

“The club next season will play in the national Football League. It will act in the championship of Armenia. It is unknown how exactly is the name of the club in Armenia, but most likely it will be “Ararat to Moscow,” – said Galstyan.

According to the Director of the club, the main reason for this decision could be the failure in obtaining the license of the RFU for the right of speech in Germany.

“As for the reasons why, in my opinion, this refusal to licensing of the club. We gave the documents, but did not receive a license. Apparently, something is not quite right, but these questions should be addressed to the legal Department,” said the source.

Galstyan also expressed confidence that the players of the Moscow club will find a decent options for a career.

Club “Ararat” was founded in 2017 and started to perform in a FIE in the zone “Center”. The team was named after the famous Yerevan club “Ararat”.



Sports: Mihran Harutyunyan: I dedicate my victory to Armenia

Parkev Tvankchian
News.am, Armenia
Mihran Harutyunyan: I dedicate my victory to Armenia

Mihran Harutyunyan, Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler, who won his first MMA bout dedicated his victory to Armenia.

“I worked hard preparing for a 15-minute war. Fortunately, I was lucky to win in advance. Thank you God and thank you my team. I dedicate my victory to Armenia,” Harutyunyan said.

Harutyunyan’s rival was Iran’s Ali Yusefi.

Artsakh has been and will be at the forefront of our diplomacy – foreign minister

Lilit Nahapetian
Panorama, Armenia

Artsakh has been and will be at the forefront of our diplomacy as long as we are not confident its security and development goes on naturally, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told reporters at a briefing in Stepanakert after the meeting with Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan.

Asked what topics were discussed at the meeting with the president, Mnatsakanyan said: “We talked about the principles, about the significance of Artsakh to Armenia, its security and development.”

In Mnatsakanyan’s words, the matter refers to all Armenians since “Artsakh is one of the most important pillars of our identity in the ongoing period of history.”

“Every person who is in Artsakh feels that in this period people live in unique conditions, and it is unacceptable and impermissible to not acknowledge that. By saying unique conditions, I mean there is an adversary, the matter of physical security is relevant, and our consolidation and strength refer to all. In that respect, it is extremely important to be here, to feel the spirit, the responsibility and take it, ” the minister added.

168: Shooting in Gyumri kills 2

Adrine Hakobian
| 19:01 | May 17 2018
Category
Society

Two people were killed in Gyumri on May 17 as a result of shooting.  Gyumri medical center informed that two citizens were hospitalized at 17:15 with gunshot wounds. Their death was registered at the medical center.

Prosecutor of Shirak Province Karen Gabrielyan informed ARMENPRESS that the Police received the alarm call from the medical center. He added that the operative group is carrying out investigative measures at the scene. “The victims, according to some information, are cousins. A criminal case has been initiated”, Karen Gabrielyan said, emphasizing that everything is being done to discover the suspects.

168: PM Pashinyan visits Defense Army serviceman injured by Azerbaijani shooting (photos)

Lilit Nahapetian
| 09:09 | May 18 2018
Category
Society

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan visited the Central Military hospital on May 17.

The PM met with Shamkhal Petrosyan – a Defense Army serviceman seriously injured by Azerbaijani shooting on May 13.

The medical staff introduced the health situation and rehabilitation process of the patient to the PM. Pashinyan talked to the serviceman, wished him speedy recovery and thanked for his dedication.

The Head of the Executive visited also other rooms, wishing the servicemen health and speedy recovery. During the tour PM Pashinyan got acquainted with the equipment of the hospital and infrastructures.

168: PM Pashinyan’s pick for economic revival says will visit Armenia “at convenient time”

Liana Toganian
| 10:37 | May 18 2018
Categories
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Politics
World

Turkish-American economist Daron Acemoglu, the acclaimed ethnic Armenian economist who was personally contacted by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan shortly after his election for assisting in restoring the country’s economy, says he is certain that “a public transformation is needed in Armenia which will open a road to a more competitive and dynamic economy.”

Speaking to Istanbul’s Turkish-Armenian Agos newspaper about his phone call with the news Armenian Prime Minister, Acemoglu argued that the Armenian economy has suffered from corruption.

“Only the Armenian society can lead such a change,” he argues.

According to Acemoglu, the Armenian Prime Minister called him and asked whether he would like to help.

“As someone being outside of that country I don’t know how and to what extent I’ll be able to help, however I told him that I would be happy to make efforts in that direction. I would like to visit Yerevan at a convenient time but the date is still unclear due to personal reasons”, he said.

“We must all be hopeful in the issue of Armenia’s future”.

Acemoglu claims that Armenia’s political system is “based on bribery” and “it won’t be easy to eradicate the corrupt system”.

Earlier on May 13, five days after being elected Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan said that he has phoned Daron Acemoglu, the acclaimed ethnic Armenian economist. Acemoglu was born to Armenian parents in Turkey and holds dual Turkish/US citizenship.

According to Pashinyan, the economist had said that he is ready to assist Armenia in restoring and developing the economy. “Mr. Acemoglu accepted my invitation to visit Armenia”, the PM had said.

Acemoglu has been teaching at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for many years. He is considered a global authority in modern economics.

“Velvet Revolution” in Armenia Indicates a Stronger Russian-Armenian Relationship

Babken Chilingarian
Global Security Review


“Velvet Revolution” in Armenia Indicates a Stronger Russian-Armenian Relationship

By Gabriella Gricius On

In the wake of former Armenian President and Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian’s resignation on April 23, a shift in of policy might have been expected.

However, new prime minister and protest leader of Armenia, Nikol Pashinian, was seen meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Sochi on May 14 reaffirming the Russian-Armenian strategic relationship.

At the meeting, Pashinian not only supported maintaining the current Russian-Armenian relationship but also suggested a “new impulse” for political and trade relations.

Interestingly, Pashinian does not precisely have a history of supporting Russian-Armenian relations. His party, the Yelk Coalition, submitted legislation last year to leave the Eurasian Union. Further, he has spoken out against the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In response to these claims, Pashinian has claimed that now that he has accepted the prime minister position, his focus is on the country rather than maintaining loyalty with his old party positions.

The demonstrations against Sarkisian were fuelled by a number of factors, including electoral fraud in 2008, changes in pensions and municipal services, a hike in energy bills in 2014, Sarkisian’s re-election as president in 2013 and his subsequent run towards prime minister this year.

Although there was no suggestion that a protest bringing such a radical change in government would come, within weeks, Sarkisian had resigned. This is primarily because there were widespread protests, including more than 100,000 people gathered in Yerevan’s main square the day before his resignation.

Sarkisian was known as the Kremlin’s man. Because of that, many observers waited and watched Russia’s reaction in particular. However, Russia did not involve itself other than speaking with Armenian politicians.

Perhaps more blatant Russian interference was expected, as Pashinian actually praised Russia’s “balanced position… it was a very constructive position. And I think this is highly valued not just by our government but in Armenian society in general.”

Pashinian’s new government position on crucial matters such as the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh territory are as of yet unknown. Despite this populist win in Armenia that was very much sought by the people, right now the country remains at a crossroads.

Pashinian has stated he wants to work with the old governing party but also fight ingrown corruption. Confrontations in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region have reached an all-time high since 1994 when more than 200 people died in April 2016. Since then, both Azerbaijan and Armenia have been building up military might on both sides of the border.

The simmering conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh might prove to be one of the factors in the maintenance of the Russian-Armenian relationship. Since the beginning of the tensions, Russia has acted as Armenia’s security guarantor, providing training and weapons to both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia also has been dependent on Russia for financial aid, military development and protection in general.

Notably, in Sochi, Pashinian told Putin that he wanted Armenia to buy more Russian weaponry. So, despite this revolution against a ruler that was supported by the Kremlin – how much can really change? Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh implies that Armenia must continue to turn to Russia for regional security and assistance.

As tensions rise in the region and there are signs of Azerbaijani destabilization, will the ceasefire and uneasy peace continue to hold? Armenia’s estrangement from Azerbaijan and Turkey means that they remain dependent on Russia.

Beyond that, as this change in government continues to grow and develop, wouldn’t this be a convenient time for Azerbaijan to decide to take back some territory?