Category: 2023

 12:57,

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Davit Ishkhanyan held a meeting on August 21 with the Head of the Russian Community of Nagorno-Karabakh Alexander Bordov.

Bordov presented the activities of the Russian community in Nagorno-Karabakh and issues pertaining to the community life, the NK parliament’s press service said in a readout.

Issues aimed at the ties between the Russian community and the parliament, as well as strengthening of cooperation were discussed.

 13:42,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan lauded on Tuesday the high level of political dialogue with Belgium after holding a meeting with his Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib.

Speaking at a joint press conference, FM Mirzoyan said that he discussed with Lahbib prospects for further expansion of partnership. Both sides expressed readiness to make effective steps to promote possible investments and fully utilize the existing potential in business, science, education, IT and culture.

“We expressed confidence that the partnership based on promotion of development in the region, democratic values, as well as the civilizational similarities between the two peoples will have its positive result. In this context we also greatly welcome the Belgian government’s decision on opening an embassy in Yerevan, which will definitely boost the development of the Armenian-Belgian dynamic relations,” the Armenian Foreign Minister said.

He thanked his Belgian counterpart for the Belgian foreign ministry’s assistance provided to the Soldier’s Home rehabilitation center in Yerevan and expressed hope that cooperation in this direction will continue.

The foreign ministers also highlighted the effective interparliamentary cooperation, given the Belgian parliament’s solidarity and significant attention on issues of great importance for Armenia.

Mirzoyan and Hadja Lahbib also discussed effective cooperation in international organizations and the Armenia-EU partnership. The circle of interests is broad – from support to Armenia’s democratic reforms to economic development, dialogue around security issues and the activities of the EU monitoring mission in Armenia. Mirzoyan was pleased to note Belgium’s presence within the EU monitoring mission.

 13:32,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has once again falsely accused the Armenian military of opening fire on the border, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia said in a statement Tuesday.

“The statement of the MoD of Azerbaijan that the units of the Republic of Armenia Armed Forces opened fire on the Azerbaijani combat positions, in the wake of which a serviceman of Azerbaijani Armed Forces was wounded, does not correspond to reality,” the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

 13:49,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said he discussed with his Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib on August 22 the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the illegal Azeri blockade of Lachin Corridor.

“We discussed in detail the extremely negative and irreversible consequences of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the UN Security Council emergency meeting, the targeted statements made by international partners and organizations, including Belgium and other EU states…” Mirzoyan said at a joint press conference with Lahbib in Yerevan.  He said Armenia attaches great importance to the statements.

“Nevertheless, despite all of this and contrary to the ICJ 22 February and 6 July rulings, Azerbaijan continues the blockade of Lachin Corridor. Of course, this is not a manifestation separate from other developments, we are continuously warning that Azerbaijan’s actions are based on the explicit policy of subjecting Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing,” FM Mirzoyan said.

He added that Azerbaijan has been violating the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh and targeting Armenian positions along the state border of Armenia in the recent days. Mirzoyan noted that the EU monitoring mission has also reported the shooting.

FM Mirzoyan said that Azerbaijan is continuously violating all terms of the 9 November statement, including the clause on releasing all POWs and other detainees, and determining the fate of those missing.

The Armenian Foreign Minister warned that by keeping 120,000 Armenians hostage in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan is challenging the efforts of the entire international community, and first of all Armenia, aimed at achieving peace and stability.

“The Armenian side expects our international partners to display political will and take effective steps in the direction of changing Azerbaijan’s destructive, inhuman and belligerent conduct. The Armenian side is once again reaffirming its stance to achieve lasting peace in the region through negotiations,” he said.

 14:49,

YEREVAN, 22 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib has said that her government’s decision to open an embassy in Armenia is a “powerful gesture” showing how much importance they attach to political relations with Armenia.

Hadja Lahbib, the first Belgian foreign minister to visit Armenia in the past eight years, said at a joint press conference with her Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan that the two countries have rich diplomatic relations. She mentioned that 30,000 Armenians live in Belgium.

Speaking about the decision to open an embassy in Yerevan, the Belgian FM said, “This powerful gesture shows how much we value our political relations. We are willing to further expand relations in all areas.”

Lahbib said she was moved during her visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide. She said that mankind must never forget the Armenian Genocide and do everything to avoid its repetition.

Lahbib added that Belgian and Armenian businesses are willing to cooperate. A delegation of the Wallonia trade agency will visit Armenia in October, followed by other delegations. The Belgian FM noted that the Armenia-EU CEPA is already showing results in human rights protection and good governance.

“Armenia is committed to continue reforms, eliminate all kinds of discriminations and more effectively combat corruption. Belgium and the EU will stand by Armenia on the path of implementing ambitious programs. The EU is already contributing to the development of the sustainable, innovative economy, supporting various startups and SMEs. We are also participating in the construction of the North-South road and the launch of a modern transport network in Yerevan. Belgium will assume EU presidency on January 1, 2024. Armenia is an important partner for Europeans, therefore, in this difficult and unstable global situation, Belgium wants to strengthen partnership with Armenia,” FM Lahbib said.

 14:56,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenia doesn’t distinguish between the mediator platforms in the talks with Azerbaijan, Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan has said.

Asked to point out the most effective platform for the talks, Mirzoyan said that the platform itself isn’t what matters, but rather the implementation of agreements.

“Actually, Armenia is interested to have any unbiased, objective and neutral mediation,” Mirzoyan said at a joint press conference with Belgium’s FM Hadja Lahbib.

“And we highly appreciate all efforts that are being made. Numerous important meetings take place in Brussels, I myself met with my Azerbaijani colleague in Washington at the mediation of Secretary of State Blinken. We have meetings also in Moscow, and elsewhere. Meetings take place both on the levels of leaders and foreign ministers. Just recently I participated in such meetings in both Washington and Moscow. We don’t distinguish between the platforms, what matters for us is for the agreements reached at the platforms to function and get implemented,” he said.

“For example, we still haven’t heard the Azerbaijani President’s public statements on recognizing Armenia’s territorial integrity, whereas we’ve heard such statements during private meetings. This is very concerning, and it could mean that Azerbaijan has territorial aspirations against Armenia,” Mirzoyan added, emphasizing that not only doesn’t Azerbaijan implement the agreements, but it’s actions further deteriorate the situation. “While we speak about the fact that addressing the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh must constitute a part of resolution and that expecting sustainable and lasting peace in South Caucasus would be unrealistic without it, we actually see a blockade of an entire nation, an entire region through the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor,” Mirzoyan said.

The Armenian FM said that Yerevan expects all international partners and mediators to follow up on the implementation of agreements that have been reached at their mediation.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. The ICJ reaffirmed its order on 6 July 2023.

Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.

 15:22,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. The latest Armenia-Azerbaijan talks held in Brussels showed that a peace treaty is close and therefore the leaders of both countries must do everything in order for the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples to live in peaceful conditions, Belgium’s Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib has said.

She said that new consultations must take place in Brussels, Yerevan and Baku.

Lahbib said at a press conference with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan that she’s come to Armenia to support and encourage.

“Belgium is deeply concerned about the tension caused by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The only way out of this conflict is the negotiations process and mutual concessions. During my upcoming visit to Azerbaijan, I will tell my Azerbaijani colleague that the agreements reached as part of the meetings in 2023 under the mediation of the President of the European Council Charles Michel have recorded positive progress. The leaders of the two countries have reciprocally recorded each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. I welcome the Armenian Prime Minister’s courageous statements pertaining to the path of peace. I also reiterate that the security and rights of the population must be guaranteed,” the Belgian FM said.

Lahbib lauded that EU monitoring mission in Armenia. The actions must contribute to the development of trust between the two nations, she added.

“Belgium is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and its deterioration. The restriction of movement along Lachin Corridor is having serious consequences, causing serious dangers of famine and disease. During our meeting, representatives of the ICRC also stated that the life of residents in Nagorno-Karabakh is in danger, which is naturally unacceptable. Belgium fully shares the EU’s stance that ensuring the security of the population of Karabakh and free movement in Lachin Corridor is Azerbaijan’s obligation. Belgium will continue to be guided by this approach in is diplomatic contacts,” Foreign Minister Lahbib said.

 15:21,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Belgium’s Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.

During the meeting PM Pashinyan attached importance to Minister Lahbib’s visit and expressed confidence that the trip will boost the development and strengthening of Armenian-Belgian relations, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.

Prime Minister Pashinyan commended the Belgian government’s decision on opening an embassy in Yerevan and said that it will contribute to the expansion of partnership not only in the political, but also business and cultural areas.

Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said that despite the intensive bilateral ties, there’s been no Belgian foreign ministerial visits in the last eight years, and her visit’s goal is to boost the Armenian-Belgian ties, including in the economy and investments. Belgian businesses have great interest for implementing investment programs and deepening business ties in Armenia, she said.

PM Pashinyan and Belgium’s Foreign Minister discussed the developments taking place in the region, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. The Armenian Prime Minister underscored that Azerbaijan seeks to commit ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. PM Pashinyan attached importance to the urgent debates in the UN Security Council on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the targeted reaction of international partners to Azerbaijan’s actions. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for effective steps to change Azerbaijan’s conduct. At the same time, PM Pashinyan attached importance to the need for consistency in implementation of the agreements that have been reached thus far in the Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations process in Brussels.

Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib underscored Belgium’s support to the stance of the EU, according to which Azerbaijan must ensure free movement of persons and goods along Lachin Corridor and implement the decision adopted by the UN International Court of Justice.

 15:29,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the transfer of 7 patients from blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia for treatment.

The Nagorno-Karabakh healthcare ministry said the patients were accompanied by their attendants. Another 7 patients who’ve completed treatment in Armenia are expected to be transported back to Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday.

The healthcare ministry said that Azerbaijan continues to block ICRC supplies of essential medications and medical items into Nagorno-Karabakh.

28 children are hospitalized in the Arevik clinic, 4 of them are in neonatal and intensive care.

85 patients are hospitalized in the Republican Medical Center in Stepanakert. 3 of them are in intensive care (2 are critically-ill).