Category: 2022

Nagorno Karabakh conflict: United States reiterates need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement

 08:50,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. The United States continues working to facilitate a comprehensive long-term peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said when asked about the process during the August 17 press briefing at the State Department.

QUESTION: …the Secretary was involved in, well, very active Karabakh diplomacy while he was traveling. And I also remember a couple weeks ago behind this podium, you mentioned – you were talking about historic opportunities. I’m just wondering what was driving your optimism back then because it was followed by ceasefire violations and we just got (inaudible). And how much of your optimism is still there given the recent developments in the region?

PRICE: Well, we are still working to do what we can to facilitate what we hope to see, and that is a comprehensive long-term peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. You know that Secretary Blinken recently had an opportunity to engage with the leaders of these countries. We did so, registering our deep concern about the recent fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, including the casualties and the loss of life that had resulted from that. We urged immediate steps to reduce tensions and to avoid further escalations between the parties. And the recent increase in tensions underscores, we believe, the need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. So while we’ve seen an intensification of tensions resulting in some violence, we are going to remain committed to working with the parties. We will continue to do so bilaterally, but also with likeminded partners in the EU and through our role as an OSCE Minsk co-chair to help the countries find that long-term comprehensive peace.

QUESTION: But do you still see the same level of historic opportunities you were seeing three weeks ago? How much it has faded away?

PRICE: We absolutely still see an opportunity here despite the setbacks. We always recognized this was never going to be a linear process. We believe that through continued dialogue, continued engagement, including at the senior levels, we will be in a position to do everything we can to help advance that long-term comprehensive peace.

 10:22,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. The search-and-rescue operations in the Surmalu trade center resumed Thursday morning, the Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan told reporters.

“The [search-and-rescue operations] resumed at 08:30. Right now the search-and-rescue operation is carried out in the presumed epicenter. According to preliminary information a person was in that section when the explosion happened. Now the efforts are focused there,” he said.

After completing the search-and-rescue efforts authorities will determine what to do with the semi-collapsed building.

Pambukhchyan said they have the sufficient number of experts and specialists and there was no need to ask other countries for help.

“From the very beginning the volunteers from the Armenian Red Cross and representatives of the VOMA organization were working with us, our colleagues from the Russian-Armenian Humanitarian Response Center were also here, our Belgian colleagues who were here also joined us. I’d like to emphasize that we didn’t have the need of any additional manpower or equipment during these days. Our capacities are sufficient,” Pambukhchyan said.

 10:27,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan offered condolences to the families of the victims of the Surmalu trade center explosion.

Khachaturyan released a statement on August 18, saying:

“The tragedy which happened in the Surmalu trade center in Yerevan, which claimed numerous lives, became a shared calamity for all residents of our country. During these days of national mourning in commemoration of the victims of the tragedy, I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and share the sorrow of loss. I wish swift recovery to all those injured.

On behalf of us all, I’d like to thank the employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and City Hall, our doctors, employees of other state agencies, representatives of the Armenian Red Cross Society and our volunteers for their selfless work.

On the occasion of this horrifying tragedy I am once again urging all our citizens, businesses and agencies in-charge to be constantly vigilant and strongly maintain safety regulations because the life and health of each and every citizen of Armenia is priceless,” the president said.

 10:52,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. Two earthquakes measuring 3 or higher on the MSK scale were registered in the region from August 11 to 17, the Regional Service for Seismic Protection of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

One of the earthquakes – measuring 3-4 on the MSK scale – was recorded some 42km north-west from the town of Akhaltskha in Georgia on August 15.

On August 17, an MSK 4 earthquake was recorded 41km north-east from the town of Maku at the Iran-Turkey border zone, which was felt in the Armenian towns of Artashat and Ararat, as well as in the villages of Vosketap, Yeraskh and Surenavan at an intensity of 2-3 MSK.

No earthquakes measuring 2-3 or higher were recorded in Armenia or Artsakh in the past week.

 11:06,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and ministers observed a moment of silence at today’s Cabinet meeting in memory of the victims of the Surmalu trade center explosion.

16 people were killed and more than 60 were injured in the August 14 blast. 2 people are unaccounted for.

A criminal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion.

 11:20,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid extended condolences to the families of the victims of the Yerevan explosion.

“On these two days of mourning, I join all Armenians in remembering those who died in the tragic explosion at Surmalu market in Yerevan. My sincere condolences go to those who lost their loved ones, and I wish those injured a quick recovery,” Schmid tweeted.

 11:27,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. During the search-and-rescue operations that started after emergency responders arrived at the Surmalu market 10 survivors were pulled out from the rubble within two hours after the fire had spread.

Rescuers recovered 16 bodies.

“935 rescuers were involved in the work, 350 of whom were deployed on the same day. 60 units of equipment, of which 32 water tanks, 6 ladders, 9 rescue and 13 auxiliary vehicles, and two UAVs were used,” the Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan told reporters.

1 of the 16 bodies is yet to be identified.

“Now we announce about 2 missing persons, but we presume that the unidentified body belongs to one of those who is unaccounted for,” the minister said.

He said they know the identity of the other missing person and know where the person was located when the blast hit.

“We’ve cleared more than 90% of the area and we have approached the presumed epicenter and the search-and-rescue operation continues here,” the minister said.

 11:47,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. The Chairman of the Investigative Committee Argishti Kyaramyan says the evidence they have now in the investigation into the Surmalu explosion speak more about a negligence-related crime.

PM Nikol Pashinyan asked Kyaramyan at the Cabinet meeting whether the investigators considered foul play, such as terrorism or other criminal intent, and whether or not any circumstances substantiating or ruling out these scenarios exist at this moment.

Kyaramyan said investigators are looking into various scenarios, including those mentioned by the PM.

“At this moment the criminal investigation doesn’t have any factual information that would indicate terrorism or any other criminal intent,” Kyaramyan said.

The Prime Minister said that the surveillance footage from the trade center and other eyewitness accounts suggest that terrorism can be ruled out, but reiterated that a final conclusion shouldn’t be made until the investigation is completed.

 12:22,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that after the 2020 Beirut explosion he had ordered relevant state agencies to collect information on all possible facilities storing explosive materials in the country.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, PM Pashinyan said that he tried to receive a report on the execution of his order.

“The information is being summed up. First, I have to instruct the State Oversight Service to conduct a concrete study and report back on how my instruction was carried out,” the PM said.

He said that back in 2021 the government inspection agency conducted inspections at the Surmalu trade center and found violations.

“This information is public, but nevertheless I need an in-depth study on the course of implementation of my instructions in terms of content. That instruction wasn’t limited to a deadline. After the Beirut explosion a task was set to take action so that similar events don’t happen in Armenia,” the PM said.

 12:32,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. Catholicos Karekin II served a requiem mass for the repose of the souls of the victims of the Surmalu trade center explosion. 

Before the mass began in Etchmiadzin, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Director of the Conceptual Affairs Office of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, called on Armenians to be united and support one another in overcoming these difficult times.

National days of mourning are declared in Armenia August 17-18 in memory of those who died in the Surmalu trade center explosion.