Category: 2022

ArmInfo.The Russian military contingent is performing three major tasks in the South Caucasus: ensuring Armenia’s security in Turkey’s direction, carrying out a  peacekeeping mission in Artsakh and, now, ensuring the security along  the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, independent analyst Saro Saroyan  said in an interview with ArmInfo. 

“I mean the earth works, presence of building machinery, visits of  Russian military personnel to Berd. The local residents report  problems involving the territorial jurisdiction. So the issue of  construction of a Russian military base in Berd has remained  unsettled for over a month. However, the very intention to construct  a base there is evidence of the current situation along the  Armenian-Azerbaijani border,” he said. 

The Zhoghovurd (People) newspaper earlier reported that Armenia’s  government approved a decision on deployment of one more Russian  military base in Armenia’s north-west, in Berd, Tavush province.  Planned redeployment of Russian troops was reported as well. However,  a high-ranking official of Armenia’s security services stated  recently that the rumors were unfounded.

According to Mr Saroyan, the situation can be understood in the  context of geographical location of the prospective Russian military  base – exactly along the midline of the Armenian-Azerbaijani and  Georgian- Iranian borders. Thus, it is Berd that s the most  convenient location for guarding the trunk line and deploying Russian  frontier posts both along the northern and southern sections of the  border. 

“Russia needed that to accomplish its own political and geopolitical  tasks – under the pretext of ensuring Armenia’s security. Russian  troops’ presence along the border with Azerbaijan is Moscow’s trump  card in its future relations – or rather, bargaining – with Ankara,  which will henceforth be capable of influencing the situation on the  Armenian-Azerbaijani border only by means of agreements with Russia.  This situation is the result of the fallacious Armenian political  thought that Armenia is allegedly sacrificing its independent  decisions to security. In fact, however, Armenia, after losing part  of its sovereignty, is receiving new threats,” Mr Saroyan said.

ArmInfo.Turkey supports the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This was stated by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at a press  conference after the first trilateral meeting of the ministers of  foreign affairs and transport of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Kazakhstan.   At the same time, he added that they expect the opening of the  “Zangezur corridor” (through the Syunik region of the Republic of  Armenia, ed. note), which will provide communication with the western  regions of Azerbaijan, in the shortest possible time.

According to him, the opening of communication through the Syunik  region is very important from the point of view of the development of  the countries of the region. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun  Bayramov also stated this.

It should be noted that within the framework of the first trilateral  meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs and transport of  Azerbaijan, Turkey and Kazakhstan in Baku, the Baku Declaration was  signed.

According to the Baku Declaration, the ministers stressed the need  for the full operation of the proposed new corridors. “Ministers  expressed the need for the full exploitation of the newly proposed  corridors, which will strengthen ties in the region, including the  establishment of rail and road corridors, stated in the tripartite  statements of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia dated November 9/10,  2020 and January 11, 2021. Ministers stated the importance of  development corridor linking Eastern Zangezur and the Nakhichevan  Autonomous Republic as a promising part of the Middle Corridor,” the  document cited by the Azerbaijani media says.

It should be noted that on January 11, talks between the leaders of  Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia Vladimir Putin, Ilham Aliyev and Nikol  Pashinyan were held in Moscow. After the talks, the Russian leader  announced the establishment of a working group, which will be headed  by the vice-premiers of the three countries. The group deals with  issues of unblocking economic, trade and transport links in the  region, opening borders. On June 3, the 10th meeting of the  trilateral working group under the joint chairmanship of the Deputy  Prime Ministers of Armenia – Mher Grigoryan, Russia – Alexei Overchuk  and Azerbaijan – Shahin Mustafayev was held. “Armenia, Russia and  Azerbaijan have brought their positions closer on border and other  types of control, as well as on the safe passage of citizens,  vehicles and goods on roads and railways through the territories of  Armenia and Azerbaijan. The vice-premiers discussed possible routes  for the passage of the highway, which provides transport links  between the western regions of Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan through the  territory of Armenia. The parties will continue to work on the  implementation of the agreements between the leaders of Russia,  Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the unblocking of transport links in  the region.”

It is noteworthy that Turkey and Azerbaijan are trying to get a  corridor road through the territory of Armenia. Meanwhile, official  Yerevan has repeatedly stated that there can be no talk of a road  “with corridor logic”, this position was supported by Russia, which  noted that the communication would function under Armenian  sovereignty. 

ArmInfo. A working group has been formed in the Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia to study the recording of the conversation between the former and current heads of  the Supreme Court of Justice Ruben Vardazaryan and Gagik Jhangiryan.  Member of the SJC David Khachaturyan told journalists on June 27.

According to him, the working group consists of five members. The  Group intends to study the recording and give an objective and  adequate assessment of the expressions and opinions that are recorded  in it.  That’s why Khachaturyan now refuses to comment on this  conversation. He noted that the JSC appealed to Vardazaryan with an  appeal to provide the group with a complete and unedited recording of  the conversation. “Vardazaryan said that he has not yet received our  letter, when he receives and gives an official answer, we will also  answer for our part,” Khachaturyan emphasized, adding that the  versions of all parties, including Vardazaryan himself, Jhangiryan  and lawyers, have the right to be expressed. In this regard,  Khachaturyan pointed out the importance of conducting a full-fledged  investigation. According to him, law enforcement agencies are  preparing materials, and urged to wait for the results of the  investigation.

It should be reminded that on June 20, Chairman of the Supreme  Judicial Council Ruben Vardazaryan, whose powers had not yet been  suspended by this date, published a recording of a conversation with  Acting Chairman of the SJC Gagik Jhangiryan, stating that in exchange  for stopping the persecution, he was offered to resign as Chairman of  the SJC. He also noted that the proposal was made on behalf of  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Before publishing the  recording, Vardazaryan emphasized that if something happens to him or  his family members, the perpetrators can be easily found. -sh-  

ArmInfo. Member of the National Assembly of Armenia from the ruling “Civil Contract” faction Artur Davtyan filed an application for the resignation of the parliamentary  mandate. This is stated in the statement of President of the RA  National Assembly Alen Simonyan.

As the press service of the RA NA reports, the statement of President  of the National Assembly reads, in part: “Pursuant to Article 155.1  of the Constitutional Law the Rules of Procedure of the National  Assembly, the deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of  Armenia Artur Davtyan submitted his resignation letter on June 27.

Pursuant to Article 155.2 of the Constitutional Law the Rules of  Procedure of the National Assembly, if within a week, after the  promulgation of resignation, the deputy withdraws his/her application  for resignation with a written application, then the President of the  National Assembly shall make a statement on that, if he/she does not  withdraw his/her letter for resignation, then a protocol shall be  made on the termination of his/her powers, which shall be signed and  promulgated by the President of the National Assembly. The  resignation shall be deemed adopted from the moment of promulgation  of the protocol.”

It should be reminded that the Supreme Judicial Council nominated  Artur Davtyan for the position of judge of the Cassation Court for  anti-corruption cases.  

ArmInfo.The Government of Armenia, in cooperation with the World Bank, the European Union and the United Nations Development Program, today launched the “Growth  and Recovery for the Strengthening, Upgrading and Prosperity of  Armenia” platform in support of Armenia’s promising sustainable  development, green recovery and growth.

As the press service of the RA Government reports, the discussion  chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan was attended  by World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus Sebastian  Molineus, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin, the  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden  to Armenia Patrik Svensson, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia  Natia Natsvlishvili, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, and  representatives of other concerned structures.

The goal of the GREEN Armenia platform is to combine and optimize  policies and investment initiatives for the sake of Armenia’s  transition to green economy.  Today’s event was the first in a series  of thematic dialogues jointly organized by beneficiaries to come up  with innovative ideas and to learn about global knowledge, which is  key to building resilience to climate change.

Deputy Prime Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan welcomed the participants  of the discussion, emphasizing that the Armenian Government highly  appreciates such initiatives in terms of summarizing the work done,  learning lessons and outlining the next steps. “This is best  expressed in the Government’s Action Plan 2021-2026, by which we have  planned a number of measures, from increasing the share of green  energy to the promotion of alternative vehicles, the introduction of  related infrastructure, afforestation, and other necessary works”,  the Deputy Prime Minister said, adding that on the way to building a  modern low-carbon economy, Armenia attaches importance to ensuring an  inclusive, participatory process with the active participation of  international partners, the private sector, civil society, and  academia.

According to Sebastian Molineus, WB Regional Director for the South  Caucasus, the GREEN Armenia platform will assist Armenia in its  efforts to transition to a sustainable economy. “The green transition  may be a stimulus for Armenia’s economy, but it will be necessary to  set priorities in cooperation with the private sector and  international development partners and implement low- carbon,  resource efficient policies and programs, in line with environmental  goals,” the WB representative said.

According to EU Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, the green agenda, which  is considered one of the leading among the priorities set by the EU  for Europe and the planet, implies much more than the reduction of  emissions. “It implies systemic changes in economies, societies and  industries. In the case of Armenia, this opportunity is clear. A  greener economy will not only improve the quality of life of the  Armenian people, but will also stimulate sustainable growth and new  jobs,” the EU Ambassador said, hoping that the GREEN Armenia platform  will contribute to an open and transparent transition to a green  economy.

According to UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia  Natsvlishvili, making Armenia’s economy greener is the right policy  in these difficult times, it can serve as a national strategic  framework to ensure an equitable and inclusive transition to  sustainable, zero-emission, climate- friendly economy while  minimizing potential challenges that can be faced by the affected  population and communities. She reaffirmed the UNDP’s readiness to  combine efforts with the EU, the WB and other partners to assist the  Government of Armenia in the fact-based, equitable and strategic  policy of green transition, contributing to economic growth, human  development and the unique natural capital of the country.

During the discussions, the Government presented its vision for the  transition to a green economy in Armenia and its policy on climate  and environment, which will help strengthen Armenia’s resilience.   The representatives of the scientific-educational community, the  public sector and international organizations presented their  experience and position on the challenges and opportunities on the  way to the transition to a green and resilient economy.

Deputy Prime Minister Matevosyan praised the efforts and readiness of  all partners and stakeholders to combine their knowledge, experience  and resources for the sustainable growth of the country through the  GREEN Armenia platform. 

ArmInfo. Military personnel from Armenia take part  in the courses of the Sachkhere School of Mountain Training named  after Colonel Besik Kutateladze after a four-year break.

The course is held within the framework of the NATO Partnership for  Peace program. In addition to the military personnel of Armenia,  Georgian, American, Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian military personnel  took part in it.

According to the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, the summer basic  mountain training course under the NATO Partnership for Peace program  will last three weeks.

The last time the Armenian side took part in such courses was in  January 2018.