Category: 2022

Pashinyan, Putin reaffirm the importance of using the potential and experience of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs

Andranik Taslakhchian

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 21:42,

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin confirmed the importance of using the potential and experience of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with its international mandate.

“The leaders exchanged views on the situation in the South Caucasus, spoke in favor of the continuation of the constructive work in the sidelines of the regular meetings between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia and the consistent implementation of the November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021 agreements reached between the three leaders for the benefit of regional stability, security and economic development, stressed the decisive contribution of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to the provision of security of Nagorno Karabakh and creation of favorable and safe living conditions for the population, emphasized the need for an urgent solution to pressing humanitarian issues and the settlement of all issues through political and diplomatic means. In this context, the Parties underlined the importance of using the potential and experience of the institute of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, in accordance with its international mandate”, reads the statement.

Armenia, Russia agree to speed up establishment of Armenia-Azerbaijan commission on border demarcation and security

Arsine Chaltikian

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 21:48,

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. According to the bilateral statement adopted based on the results of the meeting of the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in Moscow, the parties agreed in accordance with the November 26, 2021 agreement, to speed up the establishment of a bilateral commission on demarcation and security in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border area with the consultative assistance of the Russian Federation at the request of the Parties.

“The Parties agreed to speed up the establishment of a bilateral commission on demarcation and security in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border area in accordance with the trilateral agreement of November 26, 2021 with the consultative assistance of the Russian Federation at the request of the Parties.

The leaders were united in their assessment of the high usefulness of contacts between Azerbaijani and Armenian religious figures and representatives of the societies with the support of Russia, which contributes to the “construction of bridges” between the peoples of the two countries. This practice will continue.

The Parties agreed to intensify the trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan aimed at supporting the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and in the region in general”, reads the statement.

Armenian PM, Russian President sum up the results of the meeting with a joint statement

Hovhannisian John

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 21:43,

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin summed up the results of the meeting held within the framework of the Prime Minister’s official visit.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Offic eof the Prime Minsiter, the statement runs as follows:

At the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin, on April 19-20, 2022, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia N.V. Pashinyan paid an official visit to the Russian Federation.

 

  1. The leaders held a detailed exchange of views in the constructive and trusting atmosphere typical of the allied relations between Armenia and Russia on the wide-ranging agenda in the political, military, military-technical, trade-economic, scientific-educational, cultural-humanitarian spheres, as well as in the spheres of justice, labor and social affairs, noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of the development of a mutually beneficial multifaceted alliance between Armenia and Russia. Cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed.

    2. Attaching historical significance to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, April 3, 1992, the parties confirmed the intention to expand and deepen the comprehensive interstate relations based on the principles enshrined in the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, Mutual Assistance between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation signed on August 29, 1997 and the Declaration on the Allied Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation oriented towards the 21st century signed on September 26, 2000. The parties expressed confidence that the further progressive development of the Armenian-Russian relations will contribute to the realization of the essential interests and aspirations of the peoples of Armenia and Russia, to the strengthening of regional security and stability, to the strengthening of the international reputation of the two countries.

    3. The leaders agreed that the organization of joint events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022 will serve to the promotion of bilateral cooperation and strengthening of its strategic orientation and special nature. It was agreed to hold the Days of Armenian Culture in Russia and the Days of Russian Spiritual Culture in Armenia, to lay the foundation of the Armenian-Russian friendship monument in Yerevan on the occasion of the anniversary and a number of other events that will strengthen interpersonal contacts between our peoples.

    It was decided to promote the establishment of a dialogue between the Armenian and Russian societies on a permanent basis, aiming to hold its first session in 2022, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

    4. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin mentioned the priority importance of regular dialogue in the atmosphere of trust at the highest level. In this connection, the importance of the current official visit of the Prime Minister of Armenia to the Russian Federation was stressed in terms of further strengthening mutually beneficial political ties, expanding interdepartmental exchanges, deepening trade and economic cooperation and integration processes in the Eurasian region and normalization of the situation and raising stability in the South Caucasus.

    The usefulness of the experience of conducting bilateral foreign policy consultations at different levels was confirmed. The need to continue the intensive Armenian-Russian inter-parliamentary dialogue was stressed. The high level of military and military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation was mentioned.

    5. The leaders expressed satisfaction with the results of the work aimed at bringing the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia to the path of sustainable growth. The need for further diversification of the categories of trade, further progressive growth of volumes, the development of cooperation in various spheres of production, the active implementation of the mechanisms of the Eurasian Economic Union were stressed.

    An agreement was reached to encourage the establishment of close ties between the business circles of the two countries, including through interregional and local self-government platforms, through the application of business mission mechanisms. The work done to finalize the economic cooperation program between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Russian Federation for 2022-2025 was positively assessed.

    6. The high demand and efficiency of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, as well as the Working Group on Industry in terms of elaboration and implementation of bilateral practical arrangements were underlined. Mutual interest was expressed in holding permanent industrial exhibitions in the territory of Armenia, including, with the emphasis on cooperation in the field of high technologies.

    The Parties welcomed the intention of the Russian economic operators to create a complete, modern production cycle in Armenia, expressed interest in the development of the field of energy, including the development of renewable energy programs based on the principles of energy security and independence, caring attitude for the nature and sustainable development.

    It was decided to further facilitate the flow of Russian investments to Armenia. It was emphasized that the Russian economic operators are among the main taxpayers of the Republic of Armenia, ensure the creation of a significant number of jobs, expand the opportunities for professional training of the staff.

    The Parties noted with satisfaction the work of the Parties on the establishment of the Armenian-Russian Business Council with the aim of expanding ties between the two countries’ regions, strengthening business ties, establishing joint ventures and intensifying investment dialogue.

    The Parties reaffirmed their readiness to expand cooperation in the field of use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, welcomed the extension of the term of operation of the Armenian NPP, expressed their intention to work out the construction of new power units.

    The effective joint work aimed at the consistent establishment of common market of
    energy resources within the Eurasian Economic Union was emphasized.

    7. The Parties expressed intention to promote the deepening of practical cooperation between the regions of Armenia and Russia, including through the implementation of the mechanism of annual interregional conferences, supported the comprehensive implementation of the Interregional Cooperation Program 2022-2027 between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Russian Federation, the establishment of cross-links between the regions and municipal units.

    8. The leaders reaffirmed their intention to continue joint action to combat the spread of the COVID-19 disease, other dangerous infections, and animal infections. They considered the politicization of the epidemic issue inadmissible, and spoke in favor of a joint effort to overcome the aftermath of COVID-19, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

    9. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin expressed concern over the use of unilateral restrictive measures by a number of countries, expressed intention to jointly overcome the challenges posed by these measures, including in the areas of food, energy security, logistics and other areas of the two countries.

    10. The Parties expressed concern over the growing tendency to use modern information and communication technologies to carry out unlawful and harmful acts, to interfere in the internal affairs of States, and to undermine their sovereignty, emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of international information security. The Parties reaffirmed the intention to engage constructively in ensuring international information security at the regional and global levels, first and foremost at the United Nations.

    11. The leaders stressed the importance of further implementation of the agreements reached between Yerevan and Moscow in the field of biosafety, including the 2021 agreement, including based on the May 6, 2021 Memorandum of Understanding on Ensuring Biological Safety. It has been confirmed that the territories of the two countries will not be allocated for use by third countries for the purpose of carrying out activities against each other’s interests in the field of biosafety.

    12. The Parties, maintaining a shared approach to the common past, expressed intention to continue the fight against the revising of the aftermath of World War II and the distortion of history, agreed to step up efforts to combat racism, xenophobia, neo-Nazism, as well as national, linguistic or religious discrimination, including any manifestations against the rights of citizens, compatriots living in Armenia, Russia, and their legitimate interests.

    13. The leaders spoke in favor of further deepening of cooperation in the fields of culture, education, protection of employment and social affairs, information, tourism, sports and the environment. The important tools for this are the bilateral interagency working group on cooperation in the field of education, the cooperation plan for 2022-2025 between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the 2022-2023 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Sports between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the 2022-2023 program of implementation of the memorandum of cooperation in the field of environment between the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation.

    The importance of providing favorable conditions for the study of the Russian language in the Republic of Armenia and for the study of the Armenian language in the Russian Federation was emphasized, including through increasing the efficiency of the joint educational organizations and the branches of Russian universities operating in the Republic of Armenia.

    14. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin agreed to expand cooperation in the field of fundamental science on the basis of joint research and production complexes, with emphasis on the In a constructive and trusting atmosphere typical of the Armenian- Russian allied relations, the leaders held a detailed exchange of views on the extended agenda of bilateral cooperation in the political, military, military-technical, trade-economic, scientific-educational, cultural-humanitarian fields, as well as justice, labor and social issues, noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of the development of the multifaceted mutually beneficial alliance between Armenia and Russia. development of the demanded high-tech products, expressed readiness to promote the links between the universities and research institutes of the two countries, new business projects (startups), as well as to promote the organization of congresses, conferences, seminars, exhibitions and other events aimed at the development of cooperation in the fields of science, education, youth policy.

    15. The leaders spoke in favor of intensifying youth exchanges between the two countries, based on the Armenian-Russian youth forums and the admission mechanisms of Armenian citizens to Russian higher education institutions in specialties assessed as priority by Yerevan covered by the federal budget of the Russian Federation.

    16. The useful work carried out by the “Moscow House” Moscow Cultural-Business Center, the Russian Book House in Yerevan, the Yerevan State Russian Drama Theater after K.S. Stanislavsky for closer contacts in the fields of culture and education was emphasized. The Parties spoke in favor of holding mass events aimed at strengthening cultural ties between the two peoples, in particular, organizing joint exhibitions, festivals, tours of leading artists of Armenia and Russia.

    17. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin agreed to promote the unveiling of the potential of the Russian Diaspora in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora in Russia for strengthening bilateral cultural and humanitarian ties, and to implement initiatives of social significance for the two countries. The importance of the activities of Diaspora associations was emphasized in promoting interethnic unity, maintaining and strengthening inter-ethnic consensus and trust.

    18. Recognizing the key role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in ensuring regional security, considering Armenia’s ongoing presidency over the Organization, the Parties reaffirmed their readiness to intensify efforts to increase the capacity of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, including the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces and the Organization’s crisis response mechanisms, to strengthen coordination and to support the expansion of CSTO partnering relations.

    19. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin spoke in favor of the progressive advancement of integration processes within the Eurasian Economic Union, the implementation of strategic directions of integration development, including the creation of an internal market without restrictions, obstacles, exceptions, increasing the share of settlements in national currencies.

    20. The Parties spoke in favor of further deepening of cooperation in the format of the Commonwealth of Independent States in all directions, including for the coordination of positions on current international issues, raising the level of socio-economic development of the Commonwealth member states, and expanding cultural and humanitarian ties.

    21. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the development of an inclusive, equitable, representative international system for the promotion of peace, democracy, and the prosperity of all peoples in line with the principles and goals of the UN Charter. The Parties shall make the necessary efforts to coordinate the positions of Armenia and Russia, in order to deepen cooperation in the UN and on other platforms.

    22. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin expressed deep concern over the aggravating situation in the field of international security. In this regard, the Parties intend to further strengthen cooperation to counter negative trends in this area. The leaders hold the position that no state, union or coalition cannot and should not ensure their security at the expense of the security of other states. They note the inadmissibility of actions aimed at the destruction of the arms control architecture and gaining unilateral military benefits to the detriment of others, which violates the basic principle of equal and indivisible security, and leads to contradictions and confrontation.

    23. The Parties stressed the high demand for strengthening the joint efforts to counter international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the extremism, trafficking in drugs, weapons, arms, explosives related with the latter, transnational organized crime, as well as other security challenges and threats to the two countries, as well as to block the sources and channels for funding terrorism.

    24. The leaders exchanged views on the situation in the South Caucasus, spoke in favor of the continuation of the constructive work in the sidelines of the regular meetings between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia and the consistent implementation of the November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021 agreements reached between the three leaders for the benefit of regional stability, security and economic development, stressed the decisive contribution of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to the provision of security of Nagorno Karabakh and creation of favorable and safe living conditions for the population, emphasized the need for an urgent solution to pressing humanitarian issues and the settlement of all issues through political and diplomatic means. In this context, the Parties underlined the importance of using the potential and experience of the institute of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, in accordance with its international mandate.

    25. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin stressed the importance of intensifying the activity of the trilateral working group on the unblocking of all economic ties and transport routes in the South Caucasus, jointly chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia.

    The Russian side is ready to participate in the restoration projects of the railway infrastructure of Armenia, including railway restoration in Syunik and other provinces of the Republic of Armenia.

    26. The Parties agreed to speed up the establishment of a bilateral commission on demarcation and security in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border area in accordance with the trilateral agreement of November 26, 2021 with the consultative assistance of the Russian Federation at the request of the Parties.

    27. The leaders were united in their assessment of the high usefulness of contacts between Azerbaijani and Armenian religious figures and representatives of the societies with the support of Russia, which contributes to the “construction of bridges” between the peoples of the two countries. This practice will continue.

    28. The Parties agreed to intensify the trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan aimed at supporting the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and in the region in general.

    The leaders noted the importance of the access and involvement of all stakeholders, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the specialized agencies of the UN, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNESCO, in addressing humanitarian issues in the region, and in providing comprehensive assistance to all those in need.

    29. N.V. Pashinyan and V.V. Putin welcomed the normalization process of the Armenian-Turkish relations launched with the Russian support.

    30. The Parties noted the successful launch of the “3 + 3” regional consultative format, which aims to provide additional opportunities for dialogue and multifaceted cooperation between all countries in the region.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the President of the Russian Federation expressed confidence that the effective negotiations held in Moscow will contribute to the further strengthening of the Armenian-Russian multilateral special allied relations.

N.V. Pashinyan thanked for the warm reception given by V.V. Putin, confirmed his invitation to the Russian leader to visit Yerevan in the second half of 2022 in connection with the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council. The invitation was accepted with gratitude.

Pashinyan, Putin welcome the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations launched with Russian support

Emma Nadirian

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 21:54,

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Moscow welcomed the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations launched with Russian support, ARMENPRESS reports reads the joint statement of the two leaders.

“Nikol Pashinyan and Vladimir Putin welcomed the normalization process of the Armenian-Turkish relations launched with the Russian support.
The Parties noted the successful launch of the “3 + 3” regional consultative format, which aims to provide additional opportunities for dialogue and multifaceted cooperation between all countries in the region”, reads the statement.

Armenpress: Putin accepts Pashinyan’s invitation to visit Armenia this year

Emil Lazarian

Putin accepts Pashinyan’s invitation to visit Armenia this year

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 21:54,

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin received the invitation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to visit Armenia in the second half of the year, in connection with the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council, ARMENPRESS reports reads the joint statement of the two leaders.

“The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the President of the Russian Federation expressed confidence that the effective negotiations held in Moscow will contribute to the further strengthening of the Armenian-Russian multilateral special allied relations.

Nikol Pashinyan thanked for the warm reception given by Vladimir Putin, confirmed his invitation to the Russian leader to visit Yerevan in the second half of 2022 in connection with the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council. The invitation was accepted with gratitude”, reads the statement.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 04/19/2022

Emil Lazarian 
                                        Tuesday, 
Russia, Armenia Vow To Boost ‘Privileged Alliance’
Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Armenian Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, .
Russia and Armenia pledged on Tuesday to strengthen their political, economic 
and security ties despite sweeping Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over its 
invasion of Ukraine.
In a joint statement issued after their talks held outside Moscow, Russian 
President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said the 
“privileged alliance” of their states will grow stronger.
“Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinian expressed concern over the use of unilateral 
restrictive measures by a number of countries,” they said, clearly referring to 
the Western sanctions. “They expressed their intention to jointly overcome the 
challenges caused by these measures, including in the field of food and energy 
security of the two countries, logistics, etc.”
In particular, they said, the two sides will continue to “facilitate the flow of 
Russian investments in Armenia.”
Visiting Moscow last week, Armenian Economy Minister Kerobian said that 
Russian-Armenian trade, which totaled over $2.5 billion last year, began falling 
in March. He said the two governments should work together to “urgently 
eliminate the causes of the decline and restore growth.”
Because of its close economic links with Russia, Armenia is expected to be 
significantly affected by the Western sanctions. The Central Bank of Armenia 
(CBA), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have forecast that the 
Armenian economy will barely grow this year.
In another veiled reference to the conflict in Ukraine, Putin and Pashinian 
expressed serious concern over “the aggravating situation in the field of 
international security.”
“In this regard, the Parties intend to further strengthen cooperation in order 
to counter negative trends in this area,” reads their joint statement.
“The leaders proceed from the premise that no state, union or coalition can or 
should ensure its security at the expense of the security of other states,” it 
adds, echoing a Russian argument against Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
Putin, Pashinian Reaffirm Russia’s Role In Armenian-Azeri Talks
Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Armenian Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian 
reaffirmed Russia’s key role in efforts to end the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict 
when they met outside Moscow on Tuesday.
They called for a “consistent implementation” of Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements 
brokered by Moscow during and after the 2020 war in Karabakh. They also agreed 
to speed up the planned creation of a commission on demarcating Armenia’s border 
with Azerbaijan with Russian assistance.
“The parties agreed to intensify trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Russia 
and Azerbaijan in order to foster the normalization of relations between 
Azerbaijan and Armenia and in the region as a whole,” Putin and Pashinian added 
in a joint declaration issued after their talks.
Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed to start drafting an 
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty and to set up the commission on the border 
demarcation during their April 6 talks in Brussels hosted by European Council 
President Charles Michel. The latter reaffirmed the European Union’s readiness 
to facilitate the opening of transport links between the two South Caucasus 
states.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted on April 8 that Putin had already 
laid the groundwork for these agreements during his frequent contacts with the 
Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. Lavrov accused the EU of seeking to sideline 
Moscow and use the Karabakh conflict in the standoff over Ukraine.
A senior EU diplomat insisted shortly before Lavrov’s comments that the EU and 
Russian efforts are “not mutually incompatible.”
In their joint statement, Putin and Pashinian stressed the importance of 
“revitalizing” the work of a Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental body 
dealing with practical modalities of reopening regional transport links. The 
working group has not met since December.
The statement made no explicit mention of the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty. 
Lavrov said that Moscow is ready to help Yerevan and Baku “create conditions” 
for concluding such an accord.
In his opening remarks at the talks held in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence near 
Moscow, Putin noted that “many problems remain” in the Karabakh conflict zone. 
He did not go into details.
The two leaders did not address the press in person after the talks.
Armenian Road Deaths Keep Rising
        • Nane Sahakian
Armenia -- A police car races through heavy traffic in Yerevan, November 27, 
2019.
The number of officially registered traffic deaths in Armenia rose by nearly 6 
percent to 368 last year, continuing a decade-long trend and underscoring the 
country’s poor road safety record.
Pedestrians accounted for about one-third of the victims of traffic accidents, 
according to the Armenian road police.
The police registered a sharper increase in overall vehicle accidents. They 
totaled 4,604, up by almost 15 percent from 2020.
A recent report released by the World Bank found that of the 32 countries of the 
European Union and the former Soviet Union involved in the EU’s Partnership 
Program Armenia has the second highest rate of traffic fatalities.
Arman Chilingarian, a deputy chief of the traffic police, blamed the growing car 
accidents and resulting deaths on a significant increase in the number of cars 
owned by Armenians. But he admitted that other factors have also been at play.
Experts believe those factors include a culture of reckless and dangerous 
driving as well as lenient policing. Some of them also point to the easing of 
traffic fines which Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s government initiated after 
taking office in the 2018 “velvet revolution.”
During the revolution and in the immediate aftermath of it, Pashinian repeatedly 
lambasted Armenia’s former government for aggressively enforcing traffic rules 
with fines. His government forgave thousands of car owners that had refused to 
pay such fines imposed on them in previous months and years. It also reduced 
most of the legal penalties for traffic violations.
However, Pashinian’s government toughened some of them after traffic deaths 
surged from 279 in 2017 to 343 in 2018. Under new rules introduced by it in 
2020, unruly motorists now risk not only fines but also points deductions that 
could result in the suspension of their driving licenses and even prosecution. 
The so-called a “credit system” has clearly not had desired effects so far.
Armenia’s National Innovation Center sponsored by the United Nations is now 
helping the government devise a comprehensive strategy of improving road safety.
“One of the reasons for what we now see in Armenia is that it has been quite 
difficult to diagnose the problem so far,” the head of the center, Tigran 
Chorokhian, told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Chorokhian and other experts cite a lack of details in police data such as the 
percentage of traffic accidents caused by drunk driving. They say such 
information is essential for tackling the problem.
Civic Activists Also Concerned About Pashinian’s Karabakh Policy
        • Sargis Harutyunyan
Nagorno-Karabakh - A man shepherds his cows near a rocket case left after the 
2020 war, January 6, 2021.
A group of Armenian civil society members on Tuesday expressed serious concern 
over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s latest statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh 
conflict.
In a joint statement, they warned that Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian population 
will be subjected to “ethnic cleansing and annihilation” if Azerbaijan regains 
control over the disputed territory.
Addressing the Armenian parliament on April 13, Pashinian said the international 
community is pressing Armenia to “lower a bit the bar on the question of 
Nagorno-Karabakh’s status” and recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. He 
signaled Yerevan’s intention to make such concessions to Baku, fuelling more 
opposition allegations that he plans to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over 
Karabakh.
Karabakh’s leadership also deplored that declaration. In a resolution, the 
Karabakh parliament demanded that the Armenian authorities “abandon their 
current disastrous position.”
The statement issued by a dozen civic activists says Pashinian speech suggests 
that the Armenian government is involved in preparations for “a process which 
may have serious and dangerous consequences for the security of Armenia’s and 
Karabakh’s citizens.”
The signatories mostly affiliated with Western-funded NGOs also said that 
Pashinian’s conciliatory rhetoric is not and will not be reciprocated by 
Azerbaijan’s leadership. Baku is on the contrary continuing its “aggressive 
actions” against Armenia and Karabakh, they said.
“There are many reasons to think so,” Gayane Abrahamian, one of the signatories, 
told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Eduard Aghajanian, a senior lawmaker and member of the ruling Civil Contract 
party, insisted late last week that Pashinian did not call for the restoration 
of Azerbaijani control of Karabakh. But he would not be drawn on what exactly 
“lowering the bar” on the territory’s status means.
EU Leader Voices Support For Pashinian Over Karabakh
France - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and European Council President 
Charles Michel hold an unofficial meeting in Paris, March 9, 2022.
European Council President Charles Michel has spoken with Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian and praised his position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the eve 
of his official visit to Russia.
In a Twitter post, Michel said Tuesday that he phoned Pashinian the previous 
evening to “follow up on our recent discussions in Brussels.”
“Full support to his and all efforts to promote a peaceful, stable and secure 
South Caucasus,” added the European Union’s top official.
A statement on the phone call released by the Armenian prime minister said the 
two men discussed “the situation in the region” and the implementation of 
agreements reached by Michel, Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev 
at their trilateral meeting in Brussels held on April 6.
At that meeting, the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders agreed to start drafting a 
bilateral peace accord and to set up a commission tasked with demarcating the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
On April 8, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the EU of trying to 
sideline Moscow and use the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for its “Russophobic 
line.” He said the EU wants to hijack Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements that were 
brokered by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the 2020 war in Karabakh.
Moscow announced afterwards that the Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, 
Igor Khovaev, will now work as Lavrov’s special envoy on “fostering the 
normalization of relations” between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The group’s two other co-chairs, the United States and France, have not denied 
Lavrov’s claims that they have stopped cooperating with Russia on a Karabakh 
settlement because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian arrives in Moscow at the start 
of an official visit, 
The Karabakh issue was expected to top the agenda of Pashinian’s talks with 
Putin slated for Tuesday. The Armenian premier flew to Moscow in the morning.
Pashinian began the visit a week after declaring that the international 
community is pressing Armenia to “lower a bit the bar on the question of 
Nagorno-Karabakh’s status” and recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. 
Addressing the Armenian parliament, he signaled Yerevan’s intention to make such 
concessions to Baku.
The remarks fueled more opposition allegations that he has agreed to Azerbaijani 
control over Karabakh. Armenia’s leading opposition groups also responded by 
pledging to stage street protests aimed at toppling Pashinian.
By contrast, the EU’s special representative to the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, 
swiftly praised Pashinian’s “forward-looking” speech in the parliament.
“Armenia has the EU’s support in the search for a just peace,” Klaar tweeted on 
April 13.
The EU diplomat met with Aliyev in Baku on Tuesday. He described the meeting as 
“substantive.”
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2022 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

CivilNet: Package of agreements to be signed during Pashinyan’s visit to Russia, says Russian official

David Nargizian
CIVILNET.AM

19 Apr, 2022 08:04

  • Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has arrived in Russia for a two-day visit.
  • President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discuss the implementation of agreements reached during the April 6 meeting between Michel, Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
  • The US is ready to support efforts to achieve a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including in its capacity as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, says US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

Credits: Ruptly

Trump is backing Oz’s Pa. Senate bid. Armenian Americans are skeptical.

Vanyan Gary
NBC News
Allies of the Turkish American candidate have dismissed questions about his heritage as racist.
By Alex Seitz-Wald
WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Senate hopeful Mehmet Oz has faced a barrage of questions and criticism from his Republican primary opponents about his initial refusal to relinquish his dual Turkish citizenship.

Oz relented and said he would give up his formal ties with Turkey.

But prominent leaders of a minority group argue that his ties to Turkey demand further scrutiny as Oz, the celebrity physician who picked up the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, competes in the crowded Senate race.

Allies have rejected questions about Oz’s Turkish heritage as racist and as dog whistles. But some Armenian American leaders say Oz has failed to adequately answer questions about a 100-year-old dispute over the mass deportations and massacres of Armenians in the early 20th century Ottoman Empire, widely characterized as genocide, a description Turkey vigorously disputes.

“No one in this community will ever vote for Dr. Oz,” said Mark Momjian, a prominent Philadelphia attorney and the former chair of the Armenian Center at Columbia University. “We are convinced that he is part of a denial campaign when it comes to the Armenian genocide.”

At the root of their opposition to Oz is Turkey’s insistence that what happened during World War I wasn’t genocide. It asserts that the number of deaths has been inflated and that those who died were victims of civil war.

It isn’t unusual for foreign policy disputes to enter U.S. political races — for example, questions about China and Hong Kong or about Israel and the Palestinian territories have been fixtures in U.S. elections — but the race is emerging as the highest-profile example of the Old World fight’s being transmuted into American politics.

Momjian, who said all four of his grandparents were born in Turkey, said the issue isn’t about Oz’s ethnicity but his lack of public acknowledgment that Turkey committed genocide.

“We have what our president has called a genocide taking place in real time in Ukraine,” Momjian said. “Having a U.S. senator who denies the truth of the Armenian genocide should be very concerning to anyone who cares about human rights.”

Oz, who was born in Ohio to Turkish parents and holds dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship, has faced criticism from his rivals in the May 17 Republican primary and others about whether he has “dual loyalties” to Turkey.

Oz has dismissed the question as “reminiscent of slurs made in the past about Catholics and Jews,” noting that President John F. Kennedy faced baseless accusations that he would be secretly loyal to the pope, while Jewish politicians have sometimes been subjected to similar questions about Israel.

To Americans of Armenian descent, Oz is a famous Turkish American who has, over his long public career, seemed uncomfortable condemning an atrocity that is as important to them as the Holocaust is to Jews.

“For the better part of the last 100 years, we have been trying to wrestle the memory of the Armenian genocide out of Turkey’s grip,” said Aram Hamparian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America. “So when somebody is running for office who is close to the leader of that country, who has served in the military of that country — that’s a three-alarm fire.”

It took a century for the U.S. government to officially recognize an Armenian genocide — an atrocity Turkey has long denied despite the consensus of scholars and official recognition from more than 30 countries.

Now, Armenian Americans worry that Turkey’s campaign to deny the slaughter of 800,000 to 1 million Armenians during World War I would have a powerful champion inside the U.S. government if Oz joins the Senate.

Asked for Oz’s view, campaign spokesperson Brittany Yanick said in a statement: “Dr. Mehmet Oz opposes genocide and the murder of innocent people in all forms.

“The evils of World War I should be commemorated,” Yanick continued. “Dr. Oz looks forward to those important discussions, as well as helping the three million people of Armenia today.”

His campaign’s response didn’t use the words “Armenian genocide.”

While the episode known as the Armenian genocide isn’t well known to most Americans, the Ottoman Empire’s systematic destruction of its Christian minorities starting in 1915 paved the way to create an ethno-nationialist Turkish state.

Fleeing Repression, Russians Rebuild Their Lives in Armenia

Kalantarian Kevo
Russians seeking to leave their country amid the war in Ukraine have limited options. Many have flocked to Armenia, where they don’t need a visa to enter, creating a small, makeshift community in the capital Yerevan in a matter of weeks.

Some members of this new diaspora have left in protest against the war, some are seeking security as Russia’s economy falters, and some have fled ongoing repression against anti-war journalists, activists and protesters.

As they struggle to find work and accommodation — particularly as housing costs have begun to rise — many have found support and solidarity with other émigrés and a rapidly growing informal network of events and meeting spots.
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