2021 – Page 509 – Armenian Directory & News

Chief of General Staff, First Deputy Head of CSTO Joint Staff discuss military security of CSTO member states

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Kajoyan Gevork

16:11, 27 August, 2021

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS. Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General Artak Davtyan received today the delegation led by Lieutenant-General Hasan Kaloev, first deputy chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, the defense ministry told Armenpress.

Issues relating to the military security of the CSTO member states and the further development of the CSTO military component were discussed during the meeting.

The sides paid special focus to some of the provisions aimed at improving the activity of the CSTO Joint Staff.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Azerbaijani press: Armenian PM begins using Azerbaijani toponyms during gov’t meeting

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

POLITICS27 August 2021 15:21 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.27

Trend:

Speech by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the government meeting shocked Armenians in the literal sense of the word, Trend reports referring to Armenian media.

So, during his speech, Pashinyan suddenly began to use Azerbaijani toponyms, surprising the radically-minded Armenian society.

“The opening of the road on the sections of Eyvazly and Chayzami [settlements of Azerbaijani Gubadly district, close to the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan] can become a very good symbol of regional stability,” he said.

Another heavy blow to Armenian radicals and other destructive forces trying to prevent the establishment of peace in the Caucasus was the PM’s statement about Turkey. According to him, he received positive signals from the country on the restoration of lasting peace, tranquility, and stability in the region.

“I must say that we have received some positive and optimistic signals from Turkey. We appreciate these signals. We will respond to positive signals,” Pashinyan also noted.

Turkish press: Changing political landscape in South Caucasus

August 30, 2021August 30, 2021 Emil Lazarian

OP-ED

AUG 28, 2021 12:05 AM GMT+3

An Azerbaijani military checkpoint at the line of contact on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, Qudabli, Azerbaijan, July 3, 2021. (Photo by Getty Images)

The 44-day war between Armenian forces and Azerbaijan brings about new debates. Azerbaijan liberated its lands that had been under Armenian occupation for about 30 years. Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia signed a cease-fire agreement on Nov. 9, 2020, that has shaped the region in light of new realities and stronger Turkish involvement in the region as an important ally of Azerbaijan. Signing this document, Yerevan accepted Azerbaijan’s terms, but as time progresses, the implementation of the document has become difficult for several reasons.

First and foremost, it seems that the cease-fire signed on Nov. 9, 2020, will continue to be one of the most effective documents in the future, as the final peace document is far from being signed between the sides. The document is also important in terms of guaranteeing Russian effectiveness in the region. Thus, a permanent peace agreement would be against Russian interests, as the Kremlin wants to maintain its long-term presence and dominance in the region through conflicts. Neither permanent peace nor total war serves Russian foreign policy goals in the region.

Turkey has clearly shown an interest in being an effective player in the postwar South Caucasus. Ankara supported Azerbaijan in the war and it is no secret that Turkish-made drones played an important role in Azerbaijan’s victory. Ankara wants to increase its influence in the region in the postwar period and to guarantee a safe route to Central Asia via Azerbaijan. This fact brings a new dimension to the Russian-Turkish rivalry that was previously witnessed in Syria and Libya. Furthermore, it is obvious that playing an influential role in the post-conflict region would help Ankara strengthen its economic ties with regional countries and increase Turkey’s role in regional and global politics. Ankara actively seeks to expand its soft power tools through the South Caucasus to Central Asia and be an active player in the future of this wide region. Far from being a romantic initiative, seeking an economy-based rational unity of Turkic countries might transform these actors to be a global player.

During the war, the efforts from France, and later the U.S., have shown that global actors try to balance Russian hegemony in the region. U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration especially tries to be more active in the region as a part of a new U.S. foreign policy strategy. In this environment, issues related with achieving permanent peace become more intricate.

In fact, the November declaration has changed the geopolitical map of the region because, with this statement, Yerevan and Baku agreed to open transport links and regional economic integration. According to the document, Russia has become a key state guaranteeing peace and a cease-fire in the region, and Russian peacekeepers have been deployed along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh, including the Lachin corridor. A Turkish-Russian joint monitoring center was also established in Aghdam. The center monitors the observance of the cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but most importantly, it also provides the presence of Turkey in the region. Thus, two regional powers – Turkey and Russia – have strengthened their positions in the South Caucasus, ensuring their diplomatic and military presence.

It may seem that the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been resolved and the status quo has been changed, but still, as a new status quo has not emerged, the new political and security environment threatens peace, and a challenging stability and security environment remain in the post-conflict era. Namely, the cease-fire was broken several times both at state borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as some incidents that happened in the Azerbaijani regions that are under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Problems with the implementation of the above-mentioned document still exist, as the remnants of Armenian military units have not been withdrawn from the territories of Azerbaijan that are under the control of Russian peacekeepers.

The confusing moves and statements coming from both conflict-involved countries and other regional actors worsen the situation. The activities of Iran create dissatisfaction in Azerbaijan, although both countries have expressed interest in having a friendly relationship.

As a result, the Iranian ambassador to Baku was invited to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and a note verbale was submitted to the ambassador expressing discomfort over the recent arrival of Iranian vehicles to Azerbaijani territories being overseen by Russian peacekeepers.

Secondly, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated recently that Russia will help Armenia modernize its army, making an emphasis that Armenia is a key partner and ally of the Kremlin in the South Caucasus region. The Azerbaijani side again expressed that the redeployment of the Armenian military would threaten the peace in the region. Another threat to peace is the harsh rhetoric of newly appointed Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan that has shown the postwar period will not be smooth and peace will not be provided in the short term. In turn, Azerbaijan continues its cooperation with Israel in the military sphere, aims to have $2 billion worth of military deals with Israel and further strengthens its military ties with Turkey and Pakistan.

On the other hand, new opportunities for regional economic integration are emerging as mentioned above. Both Ankara and Moscow support regional economic integration by opening transport corridors in the region. In this sense, the Zangezur corridor is a very important transport route. All parties involved in this project will benefit from it. With the opening of the Zangezur corridor, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be directly connected with Azerbaijan, and Turkey also will have an opportunity for direct connection with other Turkic-speaking countries in Central Asia. Armenia will have access to transport connections with Iran via Nakhchivan and with Russia through northwest Azerbaijan. Furthermore, a new platform proposed by Azerbaijan and Turkey that would involve Russia, Iran, Georgia and Armenia, could propel peace and development in the region.

Taking into consideration the issues mentioned above, the region’s problems are not expected to be solved in a short time. However, it is essential that both governments and nations understand that a rationalist and constructivist approach is the main element needed to bring peace and development to the region.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Faculty member at International Relations Department of Nakhchivan State University

Asbarez: Sen. Menendez Meets Armenian Community Leaders in Greece

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Emil Karabekian

by Asbarez Staff

August 27, 2021

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) met with EAFJD and ANC-Greece leaders

Surrealist novel The Fleeting City takes down Armenia’s social taboos | Calvert Reads

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Karapet Navasardian

The Calvert Journal

Aug 23 2021

Text: Lucía de la Torre

Dubbed a “virtual movie-novella” for its vivid style, The Fleeting City is a part-absurdist, part-surrealist book following a group of friends as they journey across Armenia.

When protagonists Gagik and Grigor strike up an unlikely friendship with a Turkish traveller, writer Hovhannes Tekgyozyan unleashes a whirlwind narrative that encompasses both sexuality and the supernatural. Keen to expand beyond the traditional tales of political corruption and economic struggle that fill Armenia’s contemporary literary canon, Tekgyozyan focuses on social taboos.

By mining the cavernous stronghold of Armenia’s many forbidden subjects, he finds a cache of lively, honest humour, delivered through vivid, sensory storytelling. With a touch of magical realism, The Fleeting City subtly knocks down the “forbidden fruits” of Armenian society, which still dominate the lives of the country’s younger generations: including homosexuality, premarital relations, and gender fluidity.

Published in 2012, The Fleeting City was Tekgyozyan’s first book, following two collections of short stories — Wooden Shirt and Glass Sun — and a number of plays staged by independent theatres in Armenia. Currently, he resides in France, where he continues to write novels.

This article is part of Calvert Reads, a series revisiting great works of literature across the ages.

The Road Towards Peace: The Aftermath Of The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Garnik Zakarian

Aug 29 2021

Briana John

It has been close to nine months since the “second Nagorno-Karabakh war” ended with the country of Azerbaijan becoming victorious over Armenia for control of the contested enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. However, the hastily signed peace deal by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia to end the military conflict within the region has not brought forth a solution for long-term peace and stability in the region. Many Armenians continue to be affected by the conflict with thousands being displaced and hundreds being illegally detained and tortured. This is in conjunction with the state-led campaign of cultural destruction of Armenian heritage in efforts to eliminate the historical existence of the Armenian population. Overall, the peace deal has not overcome the decades long Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with the status and stability of the region still in question today.

The 44-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia has been an ongoing conflict which traces its roots back to many centuries ago when Muslim Azerbaijanis and Christian Armenians fought for control over the region. The continuous dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave was evident even during the Armenian genocide where leaders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic worked alongside the Ottomans to eliminate the Armenian population. During the early 1900s, the Soviet Union decided to grant Nagorno-Karabakh an autonomous oblast status which was used to gain support for Soviet ruling from Armenia. However, this decision was reversed, and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) was given to the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) by the upcoming leader of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin. This decision to win the support from then-Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk set into motion decades of political, economic, and cultural turmoil against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh that still continues today.

Despite a full ceasefire agreement signed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan, the provisions within the deal have not brought forth full stability or peace to the region. Within the agreement, certain provisions were included such as a phasing out of the Armenian military from the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh, Lachin, Kelbajar, and Agdam. Within the peace deal, it is evident that the victors of the conflict were the Azerbaijanis who gained back much of the territory they lost over 30 years ago while not having to give any sort of autonomy to Nagorno-Karabakh. However, for Armenia, the ceasefire agreement points to the massive losses they must bear in the aftermath of the conflict. The biggest loss is the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh which is seen by the Armenian community as integral to their heritage, history, and culture. This loss of the region has led to many Armenians taking to the streets to voice their frustrations towards the signing of the peace deal which many believe was done with no consideration of the Armenian people.

Furthermore, the ceasefire does not take into consideration the situations regarding the thousands of ethnic Armenians who remain in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While the ending of the fighting between the two sides does lessen the violence towards civilians, there is no real assurance from the peace deal that ensures that ethnic Armenians will have a safe evacuation from Nagorno-Karabakh or neighboring areas. Within the peace deal, the internally displaced persons, and refugees have been called to return to Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas. However, the deal did not clearly outline the provisions for the ethnic Armenians wishing to remain or return to Nagorno-Karabakh especially during the period of rising tensions where more Azerbaijanis are returning to the region.

As Azerbaijan’s occupation of the region continues, it has become more noticeable that many of the “cultural restoration” projects in the region are in efforts to erase Armenian heritage and history. As explained by Foreign Policy, “…Azerbaijan’s occupation has seen the erasure of Armenian inscriptions and cultural markers… in effort to deny the indigeneity of Armenians to the region”. Additionally, the continued inflammatory rhetoric from Azerbaijan government officials that refers to southern Armenia as the “historical territory of Azerbaijan” has been interpreted as a threat by the Armenian population. It has been clear through the provisions of the ceasefire agreement and the continuous dangerous rhetoric that the country of Azerbaijan is not dedicated to protecting the rights of the Armenian population within Nagorno-Karabakh or engaging in good faith talks to ensure long-lasting stability within the region.

There needs to be a proper negotiated settlement agreed upon by those involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The region and surrounding territories of Nagorno-Karabakh have yet to overcome the traumatic events and consequences of the conflict which has led to a lessening in the chances of peace and stability over time. As identified by the US Ambassador to Armenia, Lynne Tracy, the civilians of Nagorno-Karabakh are still caught up in the middle of the conflict. This is impending their ability to live safely and securely in their own homes. The United States has urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to start new peace talks to find a comprehensive solution to this impending crisis.

During the negotiated settlement talks, it can potentially be beneficial if there is unbiased mediation involved in the process of conflict resolution. The involvement of international third parties can help to stop the continuation of hostilities and lessen the severity of the conflict. This will be greatly beneficial in the case of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. For example, since Russia has a key role in the history of the conflict and negotiated peace settlements, it can turn to the Organization for Cooperation and Security to oversee the peace negotiations for Nagorno-Karabakh. The negotiated peace settlement talks could also involve the UN Security Council members passing a resolution for a ceasefire. This resolution can include specific provisions that outline the rights and protections of civilians. Additionally, the continued dedication to protect the internally displaced people and refugees should also be considered within the negotiated peace talks. There needs to be a commitment within the negotiated peace deal to ensure that resources are allocated properly to help with the costs of resettling civilians and fixing infrastructure destroyed in the conflict.

Within these peace talks, it is crucial that both Armenia and Azerbaijan are listening and negotiating with each other. If the peace deal made is like the one made on November 9, 2020 – as in it only sees provisions that primarily benefit one actor of the conflict – there may be a recurrence of conflict. The so-called peace deal can potentially leave a generation of the Armenian population frustrated and resentful of the instabilities and inequalities of the region. More importantly, it does not leave the ability to establish long-lasting peace in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories.

Overall, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has a long and complicated history which continues to have a hold on the region and populations of Azerbaijan and Armenia. This conflict continues to take lives and has forcibly displaced numerous civilians who are caught in the crossfire of this recurring conflict. It is essential to have a negotiated peace settlement that seeks to address the aftermath of the conflict while protecting the rights of civilians. If there is not a dedication to stop the recurrence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the region will only continue to suffer and experience more instability and insecurity resulting in less protections for civilians.

Azeri Opinion: The Economic Crisis Deepens In Armenia – OpEd

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Aug 29 2021

Orkhan Baghirov* 0 Comments

By Orkhan Baghirov*

After the parliamentary elections in June, there was a widely accepted consensus in Armenia that the political situation will stabilize and the economy will recover from the wounds of the pandemic and the 44 Day War. However, economic data shows that the opposite process is occurring in Armenia. According to recent data published by the National Statistical Service of Armenia, inflation in July has reached 8.2% on an annualized basis. The highest increase in prices was observed in the food products. In July, average prices for food products, for the first time this year, reached a double-digit figure of 13.9% which was 4.9% more compared to the previous month.

If we examine the prices of different types of food products, we can see that prices of almost all daily consumer goods have risen. The price of rice has increased by about 13.4%, the price of bread by about 8.6%, the price of pork by about 32.2% and poultry by about 24.3%. The highest increase was observed in the price of eggs which was more than 51%. The price of other important food products such as potatoes has increased by about 38.4% and the price of butter by about 15.9%. As these products constitute the main part of the consumer basket of the population, their price increases significantly affect the prosperity and social situation of the population.

The increase of the prices in July is the continuation of the inflation process that has started from the beginning of the year. Despite the fact that at the end of 2020 the level of inflation was just about 1.23%, after two months it reached 5.3%, driven by high food prices, depreciation of Dram (national currency of Armenia) and rising price expectations. Despite the efforts of the Central Bank to curb the rising inflation by using monetary tools such as refinancing rate (it was increased four times from December of 2020) it has not led to favorable results and inflation continues to rise.

The increase in the prices of food products in Armenia is directly related to the economic implications of the war as Armenia lost its access to the agricultural resources in Karabakh which were illegally exploited during the Armenian occupation. The agricultural lands in Karabakh played an important role in crop production and animal husbandry which were significantly contributing to the provision of food security in Armenia. According to calculations, as a result of the 44 Day War Armenia lost control of the 90 thousand hectares of agricultural lands which consists of 90% of arable land in the previously occupied territories. Annually about 150 thousand tons of different grain products were being produced on those lands and 66% of this production was being exported to Armenia which met about 25% of the local demand. Azerbaijan also regained control over 70% of the orchards in Karabakh. Therefore, after the war, Armenia was faced with food shortages which necessitated the increase in the import of grain products and other agricultural goods. Increasing the share of the imported agricultural products, in turn, is having an enhancing effect on inflation. Along with increased imports, increased electricity tariffs (from February of 2021) have also affected inflation.

Another sign of the economic crisis in Armenia is the mass emigration of the population, which is a traditional problem for Armenia. In the early 90s, due to economic and political instability after the Karabakh War, Armenia was faced with a severe emigration crisis. Between the years 1992-2020, the number of the population decreased by about 22.6%, from 3.63 million to 2.96. However, according to some estimates, around 31% of the population had de facto emigrated between 1991 and 2019, even though many are still officially registered in Armenia. Most of them emigrated to Russia: according to the statistics, about 20% of families in Armenia have labor migrants in Russia.

The same process is taking place after the 44 Day War. Since, during the war, Armenia was faced with severe defeat and Azerbaijan liberated its territories, political chaos and economic problems overtook Armenia. This situation accelerated the emigration process. According to the official data, in January-March of 2021 63,7 thousand citizens irrevocably left Armenia. In April this figure increased by 16,827 and in May by 8,3 thousand. Thus, the negative balance of passenger traffic for the first 5 months of the year approached 90 thousand. During this period the passenger traffic amounted to 368 thousand, about 25% of which did not return. In the first half of the year, 21.9 thousand Armenian citizens received Russian citizenship. It is worth noting that this figure was 30.5 thousand in 2020, and 24 thousand in 2019.

In parallel with emigration, the capital outflow from the country also has been accelerated in recent months which is another indication of the economic crisis. It is related to the emigration process as the remittances issued by emigrants are the main source of the capital outflow. In the first five months, money transfers made from Armenia to other countries increased by about $70 million or 17.6%, amounting to $467 million. The $154 million of it were remitted to Russia and $78 million to the USA and smaller amounts to other countries. In general, in the last three years, about $4 billion has left Armenia.

All these processes and the economic indicators demonstrate that the negative economic implications of the war continue to affect the economic and social situation in Armenia. The death of soldiers on the border because of the Armenian provocations, political instability and declining confidence in the development prospects of the country in the upcoming years will continue to accelerate emigration and capital outflow. Therefore, for the future economic development of the country, Armenia should stop its aggressive attitude and provocations on the border with Azerbaijan and implement the provisions of the November agreement including the opening of the Zangazur Corridor. The only way for the economic survival of Armenia is the normalization of the political and economic relations with its neighbors and release from the economic blockade. Otherwise, deepening the economic crisis in the country will not be manageable.

*Orkhan Baghirov, Leading advisor for Center of Analysis of International Relations

Armenian Road to Iran Reopens After Azerbaijani Blockage

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Aram Torosian

Financial Tribune, Iran

Aug 29 2021

The land route on the border between Iran and Armenia from the neighboring country’s side has reopened and trucks and cars are now allowed to pass through, after it was shortly blocked by Azerbaijani forces, according to the spokesperson of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.

“According to the information received from the Meghri customs of Armenia and reports by drivers entering Iran from Armenia, the main road has reopened and the remaining trucks and buses in Kapan have been allowed to pass and are arriving at the border to head for their destination,” Rouhollah Latifi was quoted as saying by IRNA on Aug. 27.

He noted that Meghri, which is located across from Nurduz in East Azarbaijan Province, has announced that it is ready to readmit trucks and buses to pass through this Armenian customs office.

Armenia’s Defence Ministry Reports Firefight on Border With Azerbaijan

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Tatoyan Vazgen

Sputnik

Aug 29 2021

WORLD

10:36 GMT 29.08.2021

YEREVAN (Sputnik) – Armenia’s Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that an intense firefight broke out on the border with Azerbaijan overnight.

“Starting from 12:20 p.m. on August 29 [20:00 GMT August 28], units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from small arms of various calibers at Armenian positions in the Gegharkunik Province, in particular, in the Sotk village. As a result of the retaliation from the Armenian side, an intense firefight broke out which lasted for about two hours,” the ministry said in a statement.

It is also mentioned that at 2:25 a.m. an ambulance had arrived to the Azerbaijani side, after which the Armenian side ceased fire “allowing the enemy to evacuate the wounded.”

The ministry added that there were no casualties from the Armenian side.

Firefights on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border resumed in late July. Azerbaijan claimed that Armenia violated the ceasefire agreement that was struck in November 2020 after a six-week war broke out between the two countries in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkey Ready to Normalise Relations With Armenia, Erdogan Says

August 30, 2021March 12, 2026 Bedik Zaminian

Sputnik

Aug 29 2021

WORLD

15:42 GMT 29.08.2021

ANKARA (Sputnik) – Turkey is ready to gradually develop relations with Armenia after hearing Yerevan’s conciliatory statements, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

“I wish success to the new government of Armenia. Our region needs a constructive approach. Even if there are disagreements, neighborly relations should be developed on the basis of respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Therefore, we can gradually normalize the relations with Armenia, whose new government has stated its readiness to move in this direction,” Erdogan told reporters, as quoted by Turkish broadcaster NTV.

Lasting peace is a prerequisite of regional economic development and cooperation, the Turkish president said, adding that allied Azerbaijan agrees and, therefore, has proposed to start comprehensive peace negotiations with Armenia.

“We are ready to work with all sides who want to use this historical opportunity. The agenda has our proposal to create a ‘Platform of Five’ or a ‘Platform of Six’ involving Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, and Armenia. We proposed to include Georgia, too. If such a platform is set up, the region will become more peaceful,” Erdogan said.

An ultimate benefit of the regional rapprochement will be the overhaul of transport networks, including railroads, he said. Erdogan said he has already “discussed and reached an agreement” on these issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and plans to discuss them with Iran’s new president, Ebrahim Raisi.

On Friday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he saw “positive signals” from Turkey in the context of regional peace.

Relations between Turkey and Armenia have been strained over the 1915 killing of more than 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman authorities. The events are recognized as a genocide by the governments and parliaments of over 30 countries, most recently the United States. Turkey has recognized that the massacre took place but refused to call it a genocide.

The strife escalated last fall after Turkey extended its support to Azerbaijan during the armed hostilities in the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh. A ceasefire declaration was brokered by Russia in November 2020 and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region to monitor the truce.