Category: 2022

Moscow is asking its Armenian, Turkish and Azerbaijani partners to explain to Georgia the advantages of the 3 + 3 format

Ara Felekian
Tittle Press
Jan 14 2022
BYNEWSDESK
JANUARY 14, 2022

15:37,

IREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is confident that in accordance with the agreements reached between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan through the mediation of the Russian President, the cessation of hostilities in the South Caucasus and the opening of all transport communications will open opportunities for all countries in the region. – Armenia, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan are interested.

Commenting on the “3 + 3” format on the South Caucasus at a press conference today, Lavrov said that Georgia’s accession to this format will not force Tbilisi to change its political position.

“We can agree that in this format we only discuss issues of interest to all participants,” he said, adding that Moscow has little opportunity to explain to the Georgian side because it has no diplomatic relations with Tbilisi. advantages of this cooperation format. Therefore, Russia appealed to its Armenian, Turkish and Azerbaijani partners to explain this to the Georgian side.

According to Lavrov, it is in Georgia’s interest to join this format without preconditions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev have launched a “3 + 3” initiative on cooperation in the South Caucasus. The first meeting was held on December 10, 2021 in Moscow, Russia. Georgia has stated it will not attend the meetings.


Sergey Manassarian, Armenian ambassador to China, praised the Beijing winter Olympics as a high-quality and safe games

Nyrie Kalashian
Jan 14 2022
Sergey Manassarian
Fri, , 6:57 PM

According to data from Armenia, the trade volume between the two countries is expected to reach US$1.2 billion in 2021

According to data from Armenia, the trade volume between the two countries is expected to reach US$1.2 billion in 2021

Beijing, China, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Beijing Winter Olympics will open on February 4th. Recently, Armenian Ambassador to China Sergey Manassarian publicly stated that "China has a lot of experience in fighting Covid-19 epidemic and hosting the Olympic Games, and believes that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be successfully held and become one of the most successful Winter Olympics in history. Armenia attaches great importance to its relations with China and expects the cooperation between the two countries to develop rapidly after the outbreak.

Looking forward to the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics

Sergey Manasaryan said that although winter sports are not very popular in Armenia, and the level of athletes’ winter sport skills is not very high, they still look forward to the success of the Winter Olympics as "the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part". "There are expected to be 6 to 8 athletes who will participate in skiing and other sports events. The final list of entries has yet to be finalized, and athletes are still competing for 'tickets' to the Winter Olympics."

Regarding the anti-pandemic measures China has taken to ensure the safety during the Winter Olympics, Sergey Manasaryan said that the most important thing for the successful holding of the Winter Olympics is the safety of the participating athletes and the Chinese people. "China is very experienced in fighting the pandemic. The series of anti-pandemic measures it has taken are correct and effective. Athletes of the Winter Olympics must respect China's decisions and measures. China has hosted the Summer Olympics and Paralympics and is very experienced in organizing the Olympic Games."

Manasaryan pointed out that as early as the post WWI, there have been cases of exerting political pressure on or even boycotting the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, this problem has become a common issue since that. "One of the main principles of the Olympic Charter is to ensure the rights and freedoms of the participants of the Olympic Games. To achieve this, it is necessary to ensure that the Olympic Games are free from the influences such as political pressure and political discrimination. Politics should be separated from the Olympic Games."

"To exert political pressure on the Beijing Winter Olympics is actually to boycott the main principles of the Olympic Charter, because Beijing is only the host city of the Winter Olympics," said Sergey Manasaryan, adding that China has done a lot of preparation work over the past six years since 2015 when it won the bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Last year, Mr. Sergey Manasaryan was invited to visit the Olympic Village and the venues and infrastructure of the Winter Olympics. "I believe that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be above-standard and safe. I also believe that it will become one of the most successful Winter Olympics in Olympic history."

Welcome Chinese tourists to Armenia

In 2022, China and Armenia will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"China and Armenia both have a long history and splendid culture, and the history of friendly exchanges between the two countries lasts for more than 2,000 years," said Sergey Manasaryan, adding that China and Armenia keep a close relationship and cooperate in many fields." Armenia firmly adheres to the One-China Principle, supports China's position on the Taiwan issue, and agrees that Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet affairs are China's internal affairs," he emphasized.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, great progress has been made on economic and trade cooperation. Since 2009, China has been the second largest trading partner of Armenia for many consecutive years, and the scale of bilateral trade has continued to expand.

According to data from Armenia, the trade volume between the two countries is expected to reach US$1.2 billion in 2021, an increase of 35%-40% over the previous year, said Sergey Manasaryan, commenting that although the absolute value is not huge, it is already a great achievement for Armenia.

"In the future, China and Armenia can strengthen cooperation in food processing, alcoholic beverages, machinery, minerals, chemicals, and infrastructure construction." In the view of Sergey Manasaryan, Armenia is a landlocked country with a relatively small market. He hoped that the two countries can promote cooperation in the fields of transportation and logistics, such as opening direct flights, etc., after the pandemic is over. "Armenia attaches great importance to the development of science and technology, and hopes that more Chinese companies, especially technology companies, will invest in and cooperate with Armenian companies."

In 2019, China and Armenia signed a visa-free agreement, which came into effect in January 2020. Over the past two years, tourism has developed rapidly between the two countries.

"Armenia is a very friendly country. It has cliff stone carvings, ancient reliefs, temples and beautiful natural scenery, which is especially picturesque in late spring or autumn," said Manasaryan, adding that Armenia welcome more Chinese tourists to come for a visit.

Believe in a brighter future between the two countries

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Armenia has provided China with a large amount of medical masks and other materials when China was at a difficult time to fight against the pandemic. Armenia has expressed its determination to stand with China. China has also assisted Armenia in its fight against the pandemic from various aspects, including selflessly donating anti-pandemic materials and medical equipment.

On January 12, Sergei Manasaryan, Armenian Ambassador to China received the interview by Workers’ Daily. Reported by Dou Feitao.

"The most popular vaccines in Armenia are those produced by China," said Sergey Manasaryan. Experts from China and Armenia have held many video conferences to exchange experiences. The Chinese medicine has played a very important role in the treatment of Armenian patients, he added.

Sergey Manasaryan expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chinese government and enterprises for their selfless assistance to Armenia. According to him, China's ability to control the pandemic is inseparable from the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the correct decision-making of the Chinese government, and the organization and discipline of the Chinese people. "Since the very beginning of the pandemic outbreak, China has shared pandemic information and anti-pandemic experience with other countries in an open and transparent manner. In the future, the two countries will continue to deepen cooperation to control the pandemic as soon as possible," he said.

Mr. Sergey Manasaryan has been in China for almost 6 years. "I believe that the two countries will have a brighter future, and the cooperation between two countries will take a fast track after the pandemic," he said. In his opinion, the relationship with China has a very special status in Armenia's foreign policy, and Armenia is committed to working with China in multiple aspects.

At the end of the interview, Sergey Manasaryan also conveyed his blessings through the newspaper. On the occasion of the coming of the Year of the Tiger, he hopes that the Chinese people will be healthy and enjoy a good and prosperous life.

Source: http://www.workercn.cn/34067/202201/14/220114020753271.shtml

Turkish Press: Armenians born, raised in Lebanon still have command of Turkish language

Janet Ekmekjian
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Jan 14 2022



BEIRUT, Lebanon

In a geographical quirk of fate, most of the Armenians who have lived in Lebanon for three generations can still speak fluent Turkish, a tongue they learned from their parents starting in the cradle.

Turkish people can run across with Armenians while wandering the streets of Beirut and end up chatting with them in Turkish.

Although a century has passed since they left Turkiye, besides those who continue to speak Turkish, there are also Armenians who have recently learned Turkish by themselves from popular exported Turkish TV shows.

The most interesting thing is that even many Armenians who have never visited Turkiye in their lives can speak Turkish very fluently.

Ermen Cerkezyan, 65, who lives in Beirut's Burc Hammud district, where the majority of Armenians live, is also one of the Lebanese Armenians who can speak fluent Turkish.

Cerkezyan said that he was born in Lebanon and had the opportunity to visit Turkiye at the age of 45. His family is from Adana.

“I loved it a lot. I also liked Turkey. I also liked the people. I also loved their food. I also liked their service. It is such a beautiful country that I was very respected,” he said.

Speaking on the recent normalization of relations efforts between Turkiye and Armenia, Cerkezyan said that “of course it would be nice.”

“Let Armenian children think a little ahead. There is no end to it. Life doesn't go like that. There should always be peace in life. If it were up to me, I would make peace (between Turkiye and Armenia). I want the country to progress. I do this so that my children and grandchildren can go further,” he said.

Vartan Deirsarkisyan, 48, whose father was originally from Adana and his mother was originally from Gaziantep, was born and raised in Lebanon and never had the opportunity to visit Turkiye.

Deirsarkisyan, who you can come across humming Turkish folk songs in the shopping center where he works as a parking lot attendant, said that when he gets home, he usually turns on songs by Ibrahim Tatlises – a popular Turkish singer for decades – and listens to them until he falls asleep.


Deirsarkisyan told Anadolu Agency that he never had the chance to visit Turkiye.

He said that nearly 70% of Armenians in Lebanon can speak Turkish, adding that the new generation also learned Turkish thanks to Turkish soap operas.

“Lebanese people who hear me speak Turkish sometimes ask, 'What language is this?' I also say that it's Turkish, and that my parents are from Gaziantep and Adana,” in southeastern and southern Turkiye, he said.

Arli Hacaduryan, 36, whose mother is originally from Istanbul and father from Diyarbakır, is also one of those who speak Turkish very fluently.

Hacaduryan, who was born in Lebanon and works as a real estate consultant in Beirut, said: "When we were little, my mother always watched Turkish TV channels and Turkish series. Looking at them, my brother and I learned Turkish."

Recalling her first visit to Istanbul with a smile, Hacaduryan said: "It was a bit funny at first. My brother and I felt like we were in a TV series. After that, we opened up a little bit."

“When I go to Turkiye, the first couple of days are a bit difficult. But after that I open up and speak Turkish comfortably. They ask me if I’m Turkish or not. If I have friends who came to Lebanon from Turkiye, of course we speak Turkish. I have a few (Lebanese Armenian) friends, I watch TV series with them and we always speak Turkish when we gather,” she added.

Will Turkey and Armenia Reach a Compromise?

Jirair Kafian
Jan 14 2022
By Neil Hauer

There’s rarely a dull moment in the Caucasus, and now is no exception.

The ongoing attempt at normalization of ties between Armenia and Turkey is the region’s latest drama. Following Armenia’s loss to Azerbaijan in the 2020 Karabakh War, the process has started up again, with the two sides holding their first bilateral meeting on the subject on Friday. 

The baggage on the Armenian side in particular needs little introduction — Turkey is the successor of the Ottoman Empire, which committed the Armenian genocide that Ankara continues to vehemently deny, to say nothing of Turkey’s support for Azerbaijan in the recent war. Nevertheless, the normalization process steams ahead, with hope for more progress than the abortive 2008 attempt.

For observers, the process is infuriatingly opaque. The impossibility of discerning true intentions, and the genuine willingness to reach compromise, both of participants and interested parties leaves outsiders guessing. 

Armenia, for its part, seems to be the most straightforward participant in both its outlook and goals. Yerevan’s line has changed little in three decades — normalization without preconditions. This approach, reiterated repeatedly by Pashinyan in recent months, entails simply the opening of the long-closed border between the two as a basis for potential future improvements. 

No topics like recognition or reparations for the genocide — a frequent demand from Armenia’s diaspora — or establishing full diplomatic relations are tied to this first step. For Yerevan, the opening of one of its long-sealed borders, would be achievement enough.

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Two other relevant players have their own interests in the process, ones that could see them either back an accord or seek to sabotage it. 

The first is Russia, Armenia’s erstwhile, though not particularly reliable, backer and treaty ally. Moscow has openly supported Turkish Armenian reconciliation, and also stands to gain from it. 

Russia has repeatedly pushed for the reopening of the Soviet-era railway from Russia through Azerbaijan and Armenia to Turkey. The restoration of this route, which Russian President Vladimir Putin acquired additional support for from both Aliyev and Pashinyan in Sochi last month, would give Russia its first functional rail connection with Turkey since the Soviet collapse. 

Conversely, however, the Kremlin has long benefited from, and been content with, the frozen status of the Karabakh conflict, which has kept Russia’s role as mediator center stage, not to mention a steady flow of arms sales. This influence, which only grew following the introduction of Russian peacekeepers to Karabakh in November 2020, gives the Kremlin a powerful incentive to keep the region divided and its inhabitants at each other's throats.

The other major stakeholder in the process has an even greater impetus to prevent its success. Azerbaijan, and its president Ilham Aliyev, have been riding high since recapturing three-quarters of ethnic Armenian-held territory in and around Karabakh in the fall of 2020. 

The Azerbaijani president has since directed his efforts toward attempting to force Yerevan, via military and economic pressure, into a capitulating settlement that would recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and admit the eventual cession of the remainder of Armenian Karabakh.

 For Aliyev personally, the modus operandi of his near 20-year dictatorial rule has been demonizing Armenians as subhuman creatures of evil worthy of little more than extermination, while portraying his administration as the only force capable of defending Azerbaijan against this terror. 

Baku has pressured Ankara to conduct its own normalization process in concert with Azerbaijan’s maximalist goals for Armenia. Some have suggested that Azerbaijan now has less reason to stand in the way of Armenian-Turkish normalization than it did in 2008, given its victory in 2020’s war. While this may be the case for the state itself, the Aliyev regime has ample interest in maintaining a tense standoff and maximum pressure on its eternal enemy.

The real wildcard is Turkey. Ankara’s diplomats have repeatedly changed tack in public remarks regarding normalizing relations with Armenia.

Early last year, a number of Erdogan advisors told media that Ankara was ready and willing to move forward with Yerevan, and that they had seen “positive signals” from Armenia following the war. 

In recent months, however, that line has shifted. Turkey’s foreign minister and other diplomats have begun to state that Ankara will coordinate closely with Baku on the process and keep their allies in consultation for the duration of the talks. This shift in rhetoric followed a sharp uptick from Azerbaijan in military provocations against both Armenia and Karabakh, something that may or may not have been related to the process. 

Following this, the recent renewed push for Armenia-Turkey talks came as something of a surprise, sparking speculation that Ankara wanted a diplomatic win of some sort in light of neverending crises with its European and US allies. In one article, anonymous Turkish sources even suggested the push came from U.S. President Joe Biden. 

With the Turkish lira and economy in freefall in recent months, engendering better relations with Turkey’s Western partners as well as the economic opportunities (albeit limited) from opening the Armenian border could also weigh on Ankara’s calculus. But only Erdogan and his inner circle know if this will be enough to overcome their stated desire to continue to back Ankara's allies in Baku.

The onus, then, falls squarely on Turkey in this round of prospective normalization. If Ankara opens its border with Armenia without preconditions — something today’s statement hinted at — then there will be a real possibility of doing so. If the potential spoiler role of Russia, and especially Azerbaijan, wins, however, it will just become the latest failed attempt to build towards peace in the Caucasus.

The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the position of The Moscow Times.
Neil Hauer is an independent security analyst based in Tbilisi, Georgia. His work focuses on Russian activity in Syria and conflict and politics in the Caucasus.

Turkish, Armenian envoys meet in bid to end chilly relation

Emil Lazarian
Jan 14 2022
Andrew Cuomo

By ULIANA PAVLOVA and SUZAN FRASER
Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Turkish and Armenian envoys have met in Moscow to try to end decades of bitterness between their countries and to establish diplomatic ties. Turkey was among the first countries to recognize Armenia’s independence in 1991. But the neighbors share a bitter relationship and have no diplomatic ties. They said after the meeting Friday they would continue to talk without preconditions. It’s the regional foes’ second attempt at reconciliation. Turkey and Armenia reached an agreement in 2009 to establish formal relations and to open their joint border. But the agreement was never ratified because of strong opposition from Azerbaijan. 

AP National News

Alen Simonyan receives US Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy

Meline Chalian

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 18:04,

YEREVAN, 13 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan on January 13 received US Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy ahead of his working visits to the USA.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the National Assembly of Armenia, issues on the agenda of the Armenian-US cooperation were touched upon. The directions of cooperation to be implemented this year were also outlined.

The sides exchanged thoughts on legislative reforms related to several spheres.

Armenian President concerned over the continuing Azerbaijani militant rhetoric

Yeghisabet Arthur

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 18:07,

YEREVAN, 13 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian had a meeting with the President of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan on January 13.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the President, a reference was made to the external and domestic challenges faced by the country. President Sarkissian expressed concern with regards to the recent days’ provocations of the Azerbaijani armed forces and the continuing Azerbaijani militant rhetoric.

President Sarkissian and the President of the National Assembly referred also to the role of the parliamentary diplomacy and highlighted more active and efficient activities in that area.

Delegation led by President of the National Assembly of Armenia to leave for the USA

Kajoyan Gevork

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 18:16,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The delegation headed by the President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan will pay a working visit to Washington on January 15-20, ARMENPRESS reports the relevant order of the President of the national Assembly is published on the official website of the parliament.

The delegation includes the head of the "Civil Contract" faction Hayk Konjoryan, MP Maria Karapetyan, the head of the "I have honor" faction Arthur Vanetsyan, a group of members of the National Assembly staff.

According to another order of Alen Simonyan, from January 17-20  Deputy President of the National Assembly Hakob Arshakyan will temporarily fulfill the duties of the President of the National Assembly.

Defense Ministers of CSTO member states sign decision on withdrawing peacekeepers from Kazakhstan

Kajoyan Gevork

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 19:03,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The special session of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization was held on January 13 through a videoconference.

Аs ARMENPRESS was informed from the MoD Armenia, the session was chaired by Chairman of the CSTO Council of Defense Ministers, Defense Minister of Armenia Suren Papikyan. The session was attended by the Defense Ministers of the CSTO member states, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Takhir Khayrulloyev, Commander of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Colonel-General Andrey Serdyukov.

"During the meeting, the defense ministers of the CSTO member states discussed the results of the peacekeeping operation in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the issues of ensuring regional security and improving the rapid response mechanisms to emerging threats," the statement said.

Based on the results of the special session of the CSTO Council of Defense Ministers, the Defense Ministers signed a joint decision on organizing the return of peacekeeping units from the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan to permanent bases.

Armenian Defense Minister receives newly appointed Commander of Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh

Edgar Tavakalian

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 19:06,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan received Deputy Commander of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant – General Rustam Muradov, and the newly appointed Commander of the Russian Peacekeeping Forces in Artsakh, Major -General Andrey Volkov on January 13.

As ARMNENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MoD Armenia, Suren Papikyan congratulated Major – General Andrey Volkov on assuming the new post and wished him success in the peacekeeping mission.

The parties praised the efforts of the Russian Federation to stabilize the military-political situation in the region, as well as the process and effectiveness of the peacekeeping mission in Artsakh.

The sides also exchanged views on regional security issues.