Category: 2022

Artur Vanetsyan: Diaspora must also be engaged in shaping Armenian agenda

Aram Torosian
panorama.am
Armenia – March 1 2022


Armenian society has become indifferent, which is best evidenced by the high emigration rates, MP Artur Vanetsyan, head of the opposition With Honor faction and Homeland Party, told a panel hosted by the Alternative Projects Group in Yerevan’s Congress Hotel on Tuesday.

The lawmaker lamented that the 2021 statistics show a huge number of people emigrated from Armenia, which is a direct threat to Armenia and its future.

“Before presenting my formula for the Armenian agenda, I would like to speak about the risks that prevent us from shaping the Armenian dream. I have to address security risks over and over again. I can’t help but point out that the incumbent authorities must leave so that the chain of defeats around us can be broken, Afterwards, we will be able to form our agenda,” he noted.

Listing the problems in the security sphere, Vanetsyan underlined that the Artsakh issue is not resolved, the Azerbaijani troops have been stationed on Armenia’s sovereign territory since May 2021, the borders are not determined, Armenia’s relations with its allies are unclear and there are problems in relations with its international partners.

“All these problems must be addressed. They also need to be considered in the context of global security, which is not done today. As a result of the actions or rather the inaction of the current authorities, we have lost the support of the international community. Except for France and Russia, no other country issued a statement condemning the war [unleashed by Azerbaijan in 2020],” he stated.

According to the opposition MP, first of all, the country needs a professional government, which would end the practice of dividing the society into groups.

He stressed the need for a dialogue with society as well as between “sober” forces regardless of their political views to calm down the situation and form a national agenda.

Vanetsyan believes the Armenian Diaspora, whose representatives are skilled and successful professionals who can offer pro-Armenian solutions to pending issues, must also be engaged in shaping the Armenian agenda.

Armen Gevorgyan: The Armenian agenda has three dimensions

Emma Nadirian
panorama.am
Armenia – March 1 2022


MP Armen Gevorgyan from Armenia’s main opposition Hayastan faction believes the Armenian agenda should focus on the future.

“I consider the Armenian agenda as something about a tendency towards the future, movement, dynamics,” he told a panel discussion held in Yerevan’s Congress Hotel on Tuesday.

Armen Gevorgyan noted with regret that when talking about the Armenian agenda, “we constantly focused on existing problems and could not go beyond that and look forward.”

“Of course, it is also objective in the post-war period. But constantly lingering on problems, waiting for external signals or changes lead you to nowhere; you are constantly in a state of reflection,” he said.

The Armenian agenda, according to the MP, has three dimensions: the first is the intra-Armenian plane, where complicated political and moral-psychological processes take place; the second is the pan-Armenian plane, where the problems are not limited to Armenia and cover the Diaspora; the third is the geopolitical plane, where Armenia is in the epicenter of processes beyond its control.

“Thus, the Armenian-Turkish normalization process comprises all three dimensions,” he said, stressing the need to consider those issues as priorities.

“But we should realize that these priorities are not connected with the expectations of a significant part of our society. It’s very difficult to talk about plans for the future, when today many people are struggling to earn their daily bread,” Gevorgyan said.

Winners of Armenian Youth Weightlifting Championships named

Antonian Lara
panorama.am
Armenia – March 1 2022


The Armenian Youth Weightlifting Championships came to a close in Yerevan, the National Olympic Committee reported on Tuesday.

The winners of the tournament were Sahak Ghambaryan (55 kg), Andranik Papeyan (61 kg), Garik Voskanyan (67 kg), Gor Sahakyan (73 kg), Mnatsakan Abrahamyan (81 kg), Suren Grigoryan (89 kg). Garik Karapetyan (96 kg), Petros Petrosyan (102 kg), Eduard Mkhoyan (109 kg) and Davit Gasparyan (+109 kg).

A team has been formed to compete at the Junior World Championships to be held in Greece in May. Before that, the weightlifters will hold training camps in Tsakhkadzor and Yerevan.

Rep. Sherman: Azerbaijan must be held accountable for its legacy of aggression against Armenian people

Arpi Talalian
panorama.am
Armenia – March 1 2022


U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman issued a statement commemorating Azerbaijan’s massacre of Armenians in Sumgait and Baku, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“I stand in solidarity with the Armenian American community in commemorating the February 1988 Sumgait Pogroms. On today’s solemn anniversary, we reaffirm our resolve to oppose anti-Armenian hatred and work to ensure such history will not be repeated,” stated Rep. Sherman.

His full statement is below.

“I stand in solidarity with the Armenian American community in commemorating the February 1988 Sumgait Pogroms. Thirty-four years ago, in the Azerbaijani town of Sumgait, Azerbaijani mobs targeted and assaulted peaceful Armenian residents on the basis of their ethnicity and endured unspeakable crimes. The violence left hundreds of Armenian civilians dead and injured, women and girls were raped, some victims were burned alive, and thousands were forced to flee their homes.

This tragic anti-Armenian massacre helped touch off a wave of anti-Armenian violence that spread to Kirovabad in November 1988 and to Baku in January 1990, which culminated in the forcible expulsion of 390,000 Armenians from Azerbaijan and the 1991-94 war over Artsakh.

As we pause to honor the memories of the victims of the Sumgait Pogroms, must also use this solemn anniversary to remember the consequences that ensue when aggression and ethnic hatred grow unchecked.

This stark reminder remains evident today as the government of Azerbaijan continues its state-sponsored policy of aggression against Armenia and Artsakh. The world witnessed the consequences of Azerbaijan’s unchecked hatred against Armenians during the invasion of Artsakh in 2020 as Azeri forces committed horrendous war crimes against Armenian civilians, including women and the elderly, and illegally imprisoned Armenian POWs after the cessation of hostilities. Many POWs are still held by Azerbaijan.

The government of Azerbaijan must be held accountable by the international community for its legacy of aggression against the Armenian people – from the pogroms committed thirty-four years ago, to their relentless belligerence against Armenians that persists today. Such crimes against humanity must never go unrecognized or escape accountability, whether they occurred yesterday or 30 years ago or 100 years ago.

As a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Congressional Armenian Caucus for 25 years, I have worked in Congress to shed light on such atrocities and hold those responsible accountable. On today’s solemn anniversary, we reaffirm our resolve to oppose anti-Armenian hatred and work to ensure such history will not be repeated.”

Armenia parliament to not debate on draft statement condemning ‘Shushi Declaration’

Emil Lazarian
 NEWS.am 
Armenia – March 1 2022
12:46, 01.03.2022

The parliamentary majority of Armenia—the MPs of the ruling “Civil Contract” Faction of the National Assembly (NA)—on Tuesday refused to put on the NA agenda the draft statement condemning the ratification of the “Shushi Declaration” by the legislatures of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The draft statement was prepared and tabled by the opposition “Armenia” Faction.

The respective position of the Armenian authorities was presented by MP Gurgen Arsenyan of the “Civil Contract” Faction. He, in particular, stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia had already given an assessment to the “Shushi Declaration.”

The proposal to put the aforesaid draft statement on the agenda of the current four-day sessions of the NA was approved by only 26 lawmakers. One MP voted against it, and 57 others abstained.


Why Armenia supported Russia at Council of Europe?

Emil Lazarian
 NEWS.am 
Armenia – March 1 2022
16:25, 01.03.2022

Yerevan’s position is that the conflict in Ukraine should be resolved through diplomacy. That’s why it is necessary to maintain diplomatic channels. Eduard Aghajanyan, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia and  an MP from the ruling Civil Contract Party, stated this at Tuesday’s press conference—at the NA—of the members of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly—and commenting on why Armenia did not support Council of Europe (CoE) sanctions on Russia.

According to him, the severance of ties does not contribute to the development of diplomatic solutions.

“It is in this context that Armenia decided to vote like that,” said Aghajanyan.

Last week, the CoE suspended Russia’s representation in the organization. A total 42 countries voted for the suspension of Russia’s representation, whereas only two countries—Russia itself and Armenia—voted against it. Turkey abstained while Azerbaijan did not take part in this vote.

Armenian, Russian parliamentarians discuss situation in region

Garnik Tadevosian
ARM INFO
March 1 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo.On February 28, the RA NA Vice President, the NA Acting President, the Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Cooperation between the National  Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and the RF Federal Assembly Hakob  Arshakyan had a telephone talk with the Deputy Speaker of the RF FA  Federation Council, the Co-Chair of the Inter- Parliamentary  Committee on Cooperation between the RF Federal Assembly and the RA  National Assembly Yury Vorobyov.  

As the press service pof the RA NA reports, Hakob Arshakyan and Yury  Vorobyov discussed the situation in the region, as well as issues  regarding the procedure of the works of the Inter-Parliamentary  Committee on Cooperation between the RA NA and the RF FA.

The sides also touched upon a number of issues on holding of the next  sitting of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Cooperation.

Dominant faction of Armenia`s Parliament declines proposal to set April 10 as Day in Commemoration of Maraga massacre victims

Ekmekjian Janet
ARM INFO
March 1 2022
Naira Badalian

ArmInfo. The dominant faction of Armenia’s Parliament, Civil Contract, has declined a proposal to set April 10 as Day in Commemoration of the victims in Maraga.  Aregnaz  Manukyan of the opposition faction Hayastan proposed amendments to  the RA Law on Holidays and Commemoration Days.

According to her, the organizers and perpetrators of the atrocities went unpunished, which served as the breeding ground for Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy  that resulted in the war on Artsakh unleashed on September 27. 2020. 

“We must show Azerbaijan has not changed its policy, which  predetermines Artsakh’s fate in case it remains part of Azerbaijan,”  she said.  

In his turn, Vladimir Vardanyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee  on State and Legal Affairs, said that the Maraga pogroms were a crime  against humanity that must be internationally condemned.  “Each event  of Armenian history cannot be a memorial day. Otherwise, we will come  to a situation when each day is a memorial day,” he said. 

According to the 1989 census in Azerbaijan, 4,660 Armenians lived in  Maraga, Martakert region, which borders on the Terter region of  Azerbaijan. The settlement has been under Azerbaijan’s control since  1992.  On April 10, 1992, the Azerbaijani forces invaded Maraga and  killed the remaining residents, 50 to 100 people, with at least 30 of  them being women. The perpetrators have never been punished.

Dominant parliamentary faction declines proposal to put condemnation of Shushi Declaration on agenda

Markos Nalchajian
ARM INFO
March 1 2022
Naira Badalian

ArmInfo.The dominant parliamentary faction Civil Contract has declined a draft statement condemning the so-called Shushi  Declaration by the Azerbaijani and Turkish  Parliaments.

On February 23, the dominant parliamentary faction thwarted the  opposition’s attempt to convene a special meeting of Armenia’s  Parliament to discuss the issue by not securing a quorum.  Armenia’s  Parliament was to hold a special meeting on the initiative  of the  Armenia opposition faction, on Wednesday, to discuss the  Shushi  Declaration. The opposition faction proposed that the RA  National  Assembly issue a statement condemning the ratification of  the Shushi   Declaration and “expressing deep concern over the  ratification by  the  Azerbaijani and Turkish Parliaments of the  declaration the  Azerbaijani and Turkish presidents signed in the  Azerbaijan-occupied   Shushi on June 15, 2021.” Back on June 15 and  17, 2021, Armenia’s  foreign office issued relevant statements.  

According to Mr Arsenyan, the statements contained all the key points   incorporated in the opposition-proposed draft. He believes the  Parliament’s position must be identical to that of the foreign   office.  In their 2021-2026 programme of action Armenia’s authorities   declared a policy of long-lasting peace and stability and are   implementing their foreign policy in line with the programme, with a   view of causing no harm to the declared policy.  The  opposition-proposed document reads that despite the assurances   that  the Shushi Declaration is not aimed at a third party, its   content  is obviously against the Armenian people.  “It sets the   strategic  goals of the two nations that carried out a 44-day   aggression  against the Republic of Artsakh, against Artsakh’s  self-determination, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the    Republic of Armenia, and the rights of the Armenian people, which    survived a genocide and was scattered throughout the world,” Mr    Tevanyan said. 

The wordings concerning the “Zangezur corridor” contained in the   declaration are evidence that Turkey and Azerbaijan are reaching    public agreements on implementation of joint expansionist programmes.   The authors of the statement also condemn the Azerbaijani-Turkish   agreement on struggling against international recognition of the    Armenian Genocide by distorting the essence of the problem and    turning it into a subject of historical research. 

“The Shushi Declaration is not based on the UN Charter or the    OSCE-approved security principles.  Rather, it is based on the  ‘ethnic   security’ approach, which is in conflict with the  fundamental international legal norms. According to the Vienna  Convention on the   Law of Treaties of 1969, all the international  treaties that are in   conflict with the imperative international  legal norms are not   legitimate. 

The provocative and destructive Shushi Declaration is   unacceptable  to the Republic of Armenia. It is a serious challenge to  regional  and global security, which does not contribute to our   region’s  peaceful development, is in conflict with normalization of    Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions and arouses serious    doubts about official Ankara’s real intentions,” the draft statement    reads.  

Turkish press: YouTube restricts Turkish-American committee’s live broadcast

Eduard Nalbandian
 ISTANBUL MAR 01, 2022 – 10:00 AM GMT+3

The Turkish and American flags fly in the Bowling Green Park area on Wall Street, New York, U.S., Oct. 31, 2021. (AA File Photo)

The Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) slammed the popular video-streaming platform YouTube for restricting live broadcasts after it released a series of videos about the Khojaly Massacre, denouncing the decision as unacceptable.

TASC TV Editor-in-Chief Gökhan Doğan noted that their broadcast and uploads were restricted after they published videos about the massacre and events of 1915.

“We’d previously faced similar attempts and we believe that the Armenian lobby and elements of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) are behind this,” Doğan said.

He noted that YouTube did not specify when the restriction would be lifted, adding that they will try their best to go live again.

Armenian forces took over the town of Khojaly after battering it with heavy artillery, tanks and infantry forces on Feb. 26, 1992.

Some 613 Azerbaijani citizens, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly people, were killed and 487 others were seriously injured, according to Azerbaijani figures.

Some 150 of the 1,275 Azerbaijanis captured by the Armenians remain missing. In the massacre, eight families were completely wiped out, while 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both.

While the horrors of the Khojaly Massacre continue to haunt the Azerbaijani community, Armenian authorities are far from acknowledging responsibility despite all the evidence of the incident. On the 30th anniversary of the tragedy, Azerbaijani officials and survivors of the attack reiterated their call for justice and that those responsible be punished.