Category: 2021

 13:28, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia issued a statement on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide.

Armenpress presents the full text of the statement:

“On December 9, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the first human rights treaty – the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 

The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide clearly stipulates that “genocides have caused enormous harm to humanity at all stages of history”, thus reaffirming that the crimes of genocide appeared before the adoption of the Convention. The Armenian Genocide served as an important precedent for the adoption of the Genocide Convention, which was publicly mentioned by the author of the Convention, Raphael Lemkin.

One of the specific aspects of this Convention is the imposition of a legal obligation on the states parties to the Convention to not only punish but also prevent genocide. This is very crucial in terms of universal protection of national, ethnic and religious groups.

Despite the enormous work that has been carried out, the international community still needs to make further efforts for adequate and timely response, including for condemnation of gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as for holding accountable the states guilty of genocide. 

Today, there are different methods and toolkit for committing the crime of genocide, as modern weapons of mass destruction are being used. However, those who justify genocide have not changed their aspiration to achieve geopolitical goals through mass atrocities.

In 2015, due to Armenia's efforts, December 9th was included in the list of UN International Days as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime.

A resolution on the prevention of genocide, initiated by Armenia and adopted with consensus by the UN Human Rights Council in 2020, clearly states that “the justification of genocide, bias assessment and denial of past crimes increases the risk of a recurrence of violence.”

Historical memory, education and the dissemination of accurate information concerning previous genocides are essential to prevent a recurrence of mass atrocities.

The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage should also be condemned as it is a vital element for the preservation of national identity. 

Manifestations of domination over national, ethnic, religious or racial groups or justifications for the use of force against the latter are unacceptable. 

The Republic of Armenia will continue to work diligently to raise awareness of past genocides, the dangers of their impunity and the new challenges”.

 15:00, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration of and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Armen Ghevondyan, ministry’s secretary general Boris Sahakyan and other representatives visited today the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust and the Assyrian, Yazidi genocides, the ministry reports.

9 December 2021 marks the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, as well as the 73rd anniversary of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”), the first human rights treaty adopted by the General Assembly. The Convention signifies the international community’s commitment to “never again” and provides the first international legal definition of “genocide,” widely adopted at national and international levels. It also establishes a duty for State Parties to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.

Editing by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:29, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross Jagan Chapagain, the PM’s Office reports.

PM Pashinyan highlighted the continuous active cooperation with the organization in solving a number of humanitarian problems. He, particularly, emphasized the facts of a number of humanitarian problems in Artsakh as a result of the 2020 war and the necessity for the IFRC active engagement for solving these issues.

The Prime Minister added that till now, after the end of the war, Azerbaijan still is not fulfilling the commitments assumed by the 2020 November 9 statement, and highlighted the importance of an adequate response by international organizations for ensuring the return of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages and other persons held.

In turn the IFRC Secretary General said that there is an effective and close cooperation with the Armenian government, adding that the Federation will continue the active efforts to contribute to solving various humanitarian problems.

Issues relating to the humanitarian programs being implemented by the IFRC in Armenia were also discussed during the meeting.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:35, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.

During the meeting the Emir of Qatar spoke highly about the atmosphere of mutual trust and constructive dialogue between Armenia and Qatar, as well as his warm relationship with President Sarkissian, the presidency said in a readout.

President Sarkissian said that Armenia is eager to develop cooperation with Gulf countries in various areas, and that in this context Qatar is an important partner for Armenia. Sarkissian informed the Emir on the situation in Armenia, the existing challenges, namely the humanitarian issues. Sarkissian and the Emir of Qatar underscored the big potential of partnership between Armenia and Qatar and mutual readiness for enhancing and strengthening relations.  They addressed the agreements they’d reached during their previous meeting, the implementation of which was halted due to the pandemic and the war, and emphasized the need to realize the plans as soon as possible.

President Sarkissian and the Emir of Qatar noted that Armenia and Qatar can advance their relationship especially in the spheres of IT, scientific-educational innovation, financials and banking, tourism and climate change.

President Sarkissian said that Armenia seeks to become a leading high-tech innovation country, and in this context addressed his ATOM initiative aimed at developing modern technologies and AI in Armenia, and noted that Qatar too can be an important partner in this project.

Noting the many opportunities of investments in Armenia, the President said that he is ready to support potential Qatari investors.  Cooperation as part of the Debt-For-Climate project was also discussed.

A broad circle of regional issues were also addressed.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 15:52, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Members of the European Parliament welcomed the Orders of the International Court of Justice of 7 December 2021 indicating provisional measures in the cases between Armenia and Azerbaijan concerning the application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

In a statement Marina Kaljurand (S&D, Estonia), Chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the South Caucasus; Andrey Kovatchev (EPP, Bulgaria), the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia; Željana Zovko (EPP, Croatia), the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, urged Azerbaijan to immediately release the Armenian prisoners of war.

“These are important decisions with binding effect that need to be fully implemented. Furthermore, we continue urging the immediate release of all remaining prisoners by Azerbaijan, as well as the exchange of all available information on minefields in order to proceed with effective demining. In this respect, we welcome the recent release of 10 Armenian prisoners and the handing over of mine maps.

As mentioned in our previous statements, it is crucial that Armenia and Azerbaijan take immediate and effective steps to de-escalate the situation and cease any inflammatory rhetoric in order to start building mutual trust, foster reconciliation and resume negotiations on the settlement of the conflict. In this respect, we look forward to a constructive meeting between the two countries’ political leaders in the side-lines of the Eastern Partnership Summit scheduled on 15 December 2021.

Finally, we reiterate once again the EU’s commitment to support confidence-building measures and substantive negotiations, in particular on a lasting conflict settlement and the future status of the Nagorno Karabakh region within the process led by Minsk Group Co-Chairs”, the statement says.

 15:53, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan received the today the delegation led by the Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Jagan Chapagain, the Armenian Parliament’s press service reports.

Welcoming the guests, the Speaker highly appreciated the role of the Federation in the development of the capabilities of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and withstanding natural disasters.

Alen Simonyan has noted that the delegation visited Armenia in a very hard period, when there is still the aftermath of the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan with the help of Turkey and mercenary and there are numerous unresolved issues.

The interlocutors touched upon the humanitarian problems caused by the 44-day war, highlighting the mandate of the Federation in terms of their settlement.

The Parliament Speaker informed the guests about the yesterday’s meeting with the parents of the captives and the missing. Alen Simonyan highlighted the primary role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the repatriation of prisoners of war and the hostages. In this context he stressed the priority of the issue of returning Armenian prisoners of war on the relevant platforms.

The Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed readiness to convey the Speaker’s word to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

During the meeting the sides talked about the problems of the displaced, the situation created as a result of the pandemic, the assessment of the needs and solutions.

 16:38, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Russian servicemen are currently focusing on returning POWs, implementing infrastructure projects and resolving other humanitarian issues within the framework of the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno Karabakh, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said, reports TASS.

“In addition to monitoring the ceasefire and all military actions, the efforts of our peacekeepers are focused on restoring a life of peace to the region, while humanitarian objectives are being successfully dealt with”, he said at a briefing for foreign military attaches on Thursday.

The main objectives were “demining the area and objects, returning prisoners of war and detained individuals, searching for the bodies of those killed, ensuring the security of the delivery of humanitarian cargo and implementing infrastructure projects”, the general specified.

“The Russian armed forces continue to implement peacekeeping tasks in Nagorno-Karabakh. Over a year ago, the deadly war ended and conditions were created for the restoration of peace in the region. In order to reduce tensions and maintain adherence to the ceasefire, the Russian peacekeepers organized on-duty observation posts and patrols in the zone of the peacekeeping operation”, the chief of General Staff said.

 17:16, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Georgia has again officially announced that it won’t take part in the 3+3 platform, the inaugural meeting of which will take place on December 10.

The Turkish foreign ministry revealed on December 9 that the venue of the meeting will be in Moscow.

The session will be held on the deputy foreign ministerial level.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on December 8 that the Armenian deputy foreign minister will take part in the session.

The 3+3 regional cooperation platform was brought forward after the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war and was supposed to include Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Iran, however Georgia repeatedly refused to participate. 

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 16:41, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense Arman Sargsyan denies media reports which claimed that a Russian military task force charged with the delimitation and demarcation issues has arrived in Armenia.

“Different groups can regularly arrive from Moscow to discuss their issues. Don’t forget that we have a Russian military base here. But no team has arrived from Moscow for the delimitation and demarcation,” he said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 17:18, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met today with Father Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in Doha, the President’s Office reports.

The Armenian President and the Qatari Father Emir discussed the prospects of developing the relations between the two countries, as well as the regional issues.

President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian arrived in Qatar on a working visit.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan