Category: 2023

 10:21, 8 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. As a result of Azerbaijan's ongoing blockage of the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and Armenia, the Lachin Corridor since 12 December 2022, there has been a severe shortage of medications and food, along with constant stress among the population, the Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Healthcare said Tuesday.

The consequences of the blockade have led to an increase in the rate of diseases and complications.

“Among the total number of deaths over the seven months (January-July), there has been a recorded increase in mortality from cardiovascular diseases by more than 2 times. This includes a 66% increase in mortality from acute and chronic heart failure, a 20.8% increase in mortality from acute myocardial infarction, and an 8.8% increase in mortality from brain paralysis.

“The mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases further increased in July, reaching a preliminary 2.6 times compared to July of the previous year. This includes 2.5 times increase in mortality from acute heart failure, 4 times increase in mortality from acute myocardial infarction, and 3 times increase in mortality from brain paralysis.

“Over the course of seven months, the number of deaths caused by malignant neoplasms has increased by 15.9%. Among the reasons for the increased mortality, factors such as the shortage or absence of necessary medications, changes in quality of life, severe limitations on adequate medical assistance and reduced viability are highlighted.

“During the same period, there has been an increase in new cases of acute cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) and acute myocardial infarctions among the population by 26% and 9.7% respectively.

“From January to July, there has been a recorded increase of 24.3% in newly diagnosed cases of malignant neoplasms.

“From January to July, compared to the same period of the previous year, the level of anemia among pregnant women under medical observation has reached around 90%. This is due to inadequate nutrition and the absence or insufficiency of appropriate medications.

“Although there was no increase in the overall number of abortions during the first half of the year, there was a sharp fourfold increase in the number of medically indicated abortions in July. Stress, improper nutrition and the lack or absence of medications worsen the already distressing situation.

“In July, there has been an increase in cases of fainting (collapses) reported by the Republican Emergency Situations Service. Compared to July of the previous year, cases of fainting have increased by 91%. Very often, there are cases where a person faints, but before the arrival of emergency medical assistance, the individual regains consciousness, and the incident is not actually documented.

“In July, there was also a sharp 5.6-fold increase in emergency calls for cases of high blood pressure compared to the same period last year.

“The increase in the mentioned and other indicators of mortality and morbidity is due to serious health problems caused by the blockade and subsequent complete siege of Artsakh. This includes the shortage or absence of medications and medical supplies, inadequate nutrition of the population, stress, suspension of scheduled surgeries and examinations, restricted access to medical care in Armenia and abroad, and so on.

“The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Artsakh warns that in the event of the continued full siege of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, the mentioned and other indicators will further worsen, leading to the loss of many lives or a deterioration in their health.

“The healthcare system is doing everything possible to mitigate the consequences of the serious problems it is facing. However, the complete blockade of movement of persons, vehicles and cargo through the Lachin Corridor makes it simply impossible to provide systemic and comprehensive healthcare solutions,” the Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Healthcare said in a press release.

 10:26, 8 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. The United States has reiterated that a potential peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains “within reach” after Russia warned last week that a hastily prepared peace treaty could lead to new conflict.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked during a press briefing to comment on the warnings from Moscow to Armenia and Azerbaijan against rushing into a peace agreement.

“I don’t want to speak with respect to Russia when it comes to Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Miller said. “I want to speak with respect to those two countries who are directly related – who are direct parties in this dispute.  We have been engaged directly with those countries; Special Envoy Bono traveled to the region last week and engaged directly with them.  And we believe, despite any comments from other countries who are not a party to this matter, that an agreement remains within reach, and we will continue to work with them to pursue it,” he added.

Miller added that Türkiye has a productive role it can play in this process.

 12:15, 8 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Former Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan has announced that he will run again for mayor.

Citizens of Yerevan will head to the polls on September 17 to elect a City Council, which will then elect a mayor.

Marutyan served as Mayor of Yerevan from 2018 until 2021, when he lost a no-confidence vote.

The actor-turned-politician announced his re-election bid in a video message released Tuesday.

6 political parties have announced participation in the upcoming election. The ruling Civil Contract party’s candidate in the upcoming polls is Deputy Mayor Tigran Avinyan.

Viktor Mnatsakanyan, a former city official who oversaw the Kentron administrative district, is also running for mayor.

Other candidates include Mane Tandilyan from the Aprelu Yerkir party, MP Andranik Tevanyan from the Mother Armenia movement, Natalya Arzakantsyan and city councillor Davit Khajakyan.

 12:21, 8 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Environment has received a letter from the Azerbaijani authorities regarding the construction of a steelworks in Yeraskh and has responded to it, Ministry of Environment spokesperson Ani Hakobyan told ARMENPRESS.

In the response, Armenia denied Azerbaijan’s accusations which claimed that the plant is being built in violation of environmental norms, and in turn demanded Azerbaijan to cease its unlawful use of force against the sovereign territory of Armenia.

Azerbaijan is falsely accusing Armenia of violating the provisions of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context.

“We’ve responded to the accusation and we’ve stated the standards with which the plant will function. The factory is being built without violations. Armenia demands Azerbaijan to cease its unlawful use of force on the sovereign territory of Armenia, the shootings targeting the construction site, because this has resulted in injuries among the employees, and material losses. This conduct is a gross violation of the provisions of the Convention which they themselves are citing, while Armenia remains committed to all its international obligations,” Hakobyan told ARMENPRESS, adding that the content of the letter, as well as the response, is within the framework of the Convention.

The construction of the $70,000,000 steel mill in Yeraskh is being carried out by the U.S.-affiliated GTB Steel. The construction site has been targeted by Azerbaijani troops on several occasions. Two workers were shot and wounded in one particular cross-border shooting by the Azeri military.

 13:18, 8 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan has held a meeting with the new Iranian ambassador Mehdi Sobhani.

During the meeting Grigoryan congratulated Ambassador Sobhani on assuming the responsible mission and expressed hope that during his tenure the latter will contribute to the further development and strengthening of the relations between the two friendly countries, Grigoryan’s office said in a readout.

Secretary Grigoryan and Ambassador Sobhani discussed a number of items on the Armenian-Iranian bilateral agenda, as well as the regional security situation. Grigoryan presented the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the Azerbaijani blockade of Lachin Corridor and Armenia’s stance on the matter.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with 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. Moreover, 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.

On July 26, Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medication for Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan blocked the trucks at the entrance of Lachin Corridor.

 14:58, 8 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has sent a delegation of two committee staffers to Armenia.

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations representatives Sarah Arkin and Damian Murphy conducted the visit at the instruction of Senator Menendez.

On August 7, Arkin and Murphy met with Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasyan and Goris Mayor Arush Arushanyan and became acquainted with the situation on the borders of Syunik Province, Azerbaijan’s encroachments against the sovereign territory of Armenia, the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh and the resulting humanitarian disaster, the Syunik Governor’s Office said in a statement.

The delegation also visited the village of Kornidzor and witnessed the closed Lachin Corridor and absence of traffic.

The U.S. Senate representatives also inspected the Armenian humanitarian convoy which is unable to enter the Lachin Corridor and deliver emergency aid to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with 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. Moreover, 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.

On July 26, Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medication for Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan blocked the trucks at the entrance of Lachin Corridor.