Category: 2023

 13:41,

YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia released a statement on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been under blockade for 7 months, ARMENPRESS presents below the statement issued by the MFA Armenia.

“It has already been 7 months since the Azerbaijani authorities have illegally blocked the Lachin corridor, the lifeline linking Nagorno-Karabakh with the outer world.

All the actions undertaken by Azerbaijan around the Lachin corridor during these months, from demonstrations of fake eco-activists to the installation of an illegal checkpoint in the corridor and the well-known “punitive” blockade of movement, come to prove that these steps are clearly preplanned and aimed at creating conditions incompatible with life for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and subjecting them to ethnic cleansing.

These actions of Azerbaijan not only directly contravene the Trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, but also clearly disregard the calls of the civilized community to lift the blockade of the Lachin corridor, the resolutions adopted by various parliaments and the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6. We would like to reiterate that in its latest Order of July 6, the Court stated that Azerbaijan’s assertions of its compliance with the Court’s Order of 22 February to ensure the unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions along the Lachin corridor, have nothing to do with reality.

During these months, the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the blockade of the Lachin corridor has continued to deteriorate. It is further exacerbated by months-long disruption of the gas and electricity supply by Azerbaijan.

Since June 15, the supply of food to Nagorno-Karabakh has been completely halted. Prior to this, during the unimpeded operation of the Lachin corridor, Nagorno-Karabakh was receiving approximately 400 tons of cargo, whereas, after December 12, the amount of food transported through the Russian peacekeeping contingent decreased by tenfold. Currently, the population of Nagorno-Karabakh faces a real threat of starvation, as the supply of all types of goods has been completely prohibited. The information circulated in Azerbaijani media yesterday about an attempted transportation of tobacco and mobile phone batteries, on the one hand, demonstrates a desperate situation of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh that undermines their dignity and, on the other hand, once again highlights the impossibility of unhindered movement of cargo.

The same situation has developed in the healthcare sector. There is a clear shortage of medicine required for proper medical care. Consequently, several vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, cancer and diabetes patients and children face serious health problems. There has already been an increase in mortality rates in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Only a few people were able to reach Armenia through the ICRC to receive urgent medical care. They and their accompanying persons were subjected to humiliating procedures and degrading treatment, having been filmed and subsequently exploited by the Azerbaijani propaganda machine as a tool to falsely depict an unhindered movement of people through the Lachin corridor.

It is unfortunate that during these months, the international community and international humanitarian organizations have been unable to gain humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh to conduct a proper fact-finding mission and provide humanitarian aid.

Under such circumstances, Armenia expects that the international community will use all available tools to ensure the implementation of the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, 2023 on the opening of the Lachin corridor. This is crucial to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Nagorno-Karabakh and stop the policy of ethnic cleansing. The civilized world cannot and should not tolerate such actions and disdain of the legally binding Orders of the International Court of Justice.”

 12:33,

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and congratulated him on his re-election as the head of the country, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister. 

The Prime Minister wished Mr. Mirziyoyev success in his responsible position for the further development of Uzbekistan.

The leaders of the two countries discussed issues related to the further development of Armenian-Uzbek relations and the steps planned in that direction.

 14:01,

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. Ucom has expanded its fixed network to include Goris and has also upgraded the mobile network in this regional city of Armenia. This means that both individual and corporate subscribers in Goris can now enjoy the benefits of the latest fiber optic network technology. Residents of Goris will also have the option to combine their fixed and mobile communication services into a single package, saving up to 45% compared to subscribing to these services separately.

In particular, by selecting the Unity packages, subscribers can provide their entire family with up to 500 Mbps of home internet, access to 210+ TV channels (including those of 4K quality), and a Wi-Fi 6 device that offers faster and smoother internet connectivity at home. Additionally, the package allows for the inclusion of up to 4 Super SIM cards at a special price, ensuring the family can enjoy high-speed mobile communication together.

The first subscriber from Goris, Artyom Ohanjanyan, has joined the largest Unity Super 20000 package. His family will enjoy the mentioned services free of charge for 6 months as part of this comprehensive offer.

"Internet connectivity is crucial everywhere. Whether you reside in a border settlement, Yerevan, or anywhere else in the world, the desire to stay in touch with distant relatives, see their faces, and have conversations remains constant. Fast internet plays a vital role," stated Artyom Ohanjanyan, the inaugural subscriber of Ucom's Unity package in the city of Goris.

"Of course, Ucom has a special offer for the residents of Goris. By subscribing to the regional Unity 9000 package for 12 months until October 1, families in Goris can enjoy home internet with speeds of up to 150 Mbps, over 210 TV channels, 20 GB of mobile internet, and the ability to use popular mobile applications without consuming their data bundle. Additionally, the package includes 1000 minutes to call all local networks, Artsakh, USA, and Canada. Notably, these calls will be made through our upgraded mobile network, and all connections will be activated within three days," stated Ralph Yirikian, Director General of Ucom.

During his visit on July 11, the directors of Goris No. 4 and A. Bakunts High Schools No. 1, as well as "Goris State College" SNPO A. Shegunts, L. Manucharyan, and K. Lazaryan, met with the Director General of Ucom. Immediately, the General Director instructed the teams to provide access to high-speed fixed Internet in these educational institutions, allowing hundreds of students to benefit from the fastest internet in Armenia free of charge.

Let us remind that Ucom has a strategic network expansion plan, which includes the expansion of the fixed network also in Ashtarak, Artashat, Gavar, Sevan, and Ijevan regional cities. The technical works are scheduled to be completed by 2024. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Ucom has been awarded the "Fastest Fixed Network in Armenia 2021" and "Fastest Fixed Network in Armenia 2022" Speedtest Awards™ by Ookla®, a global leader in fixed and mobile Internet testing and analysis, for two consecutive years. This recognition serves as a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of Ucom's 1400 employees, not only in the Armenian market but also at the regional and CIS levels.

 14:57,

STEPANAKERT, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. On July 12, a rally was held by the initiative of the "People's Movement for Unblocking the Corridor" in Stepanakert's Renaissance Square, demanding to unblock the Lachin Corridor.

The coordinators of the rally noted that the situation created by the complete blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan after July 15 forces to take actions for unblocking the Lachin Corridor as soon as possible, as the situation is getting worse.

"Our plan is to gather a large number of people here, after which we will start a march to Hakari Bridge. For that, we need to be provided with fuel and security, and we need to turn to the Russian peacekeepers for both of those issues. If they don't do anything, we will close the airport and cut off their supply, just as ours is cut off. For now, we will inform the population about our actions so that a large number of people gather," Arthur Osipyan, an activist of the rally, told Armenpress.

Then the participants of the rally headed to the headquarters of the "People's Movement for Unblocking the Corridor", where the action group announced that today they will also turn to Artsakh authorities to support the implementation of the goals of the rally.

 14:43,

YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The statement released by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan claiming that [Artsakh] Defense Army units opened fire around 09:25, July 12 at Azerbaijan’s positions located in the occupied territories of the Shushi region is yet another disinformation, ARMENPRESS reports, the Ministry of Defense of Artsakh said in a statement.

 15:32,

YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. On July 12, at 12:10 p.m. Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire in the direction of the Armenian positions in Tegh village, as a result of which an Armenian serviceman was injured, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia.

The health condition of the serviceman is assessed as moderate with no threat to life.

Earlier today, the Azerbaijani armed forces had opened fire in the direction of the same Armenian positions, as a result of which an Armenian serviceman had been injured. The Ministry of Defense reported that the serviceman's health condition is assessed as satisfactory, his life is not in danger either.

 17:24,

YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 12 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.91 drams to 386.26 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.38 drams to 425.70 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 4.26 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.02 drams to 498.93 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 82.21 drams to 24016.85 drams. Silver price up by 0.50 drams to 287.30 drams.

 15:36,

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. The European Union strongly supports the activities of the ICRC as the only major humanitarian organization present in the South Caucasus, the statement made by the EU Spokesperson on ICRC activities in Southern Caucasus says.

“The EU strongly supports the activities of the ICRC as the only major humanitarian organization present in the South Caucasus. It is providing crucial humanitarian assistance and protection to those in need, in accordance with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality.

Their work along the Lachin corridor has been exclusively focused on providing the essential needs for the Armenian population in Karabakh and much needed humanitarian assistance. It is the responsibility of the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that ICRC can continue its operations and prevent a potential humanitarian crisis.

The EU strongly supports the crucial role of the ICRC in the region, and reiterates its call for Azerbaijan to ensure the unrestricted movement of people and goods via the Lachin corridor”, the statement says.

 17:55,

YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. On July 12, at 13:40-13:50, Azerbaijani army opened fire from different caliber firearms in the direction of the Armenian positions located in the Ishkhanasar sector, Syunik Province, ARMENPRESS was informed from MoD Armenia.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense reported that on July 12, Azerbaijanis opened fire twice at the Armenian positions located in the Tegh sector, as a result of which 2 servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia were injured.

 19:48,

YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The 4th meeting of the Commission on delimitation and border security of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was held on the border of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, in the section of the Tavush region of the Republic of Armenia and the Kazakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan told ARMENPRESS.

On July 12, the fourth meeting of the Commission was held on the border of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafaev.

According to the agreements reached at the level of the leaders of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan in different formats, the parties continued the discussion of border delimitation issues, addressed a number of organizational and procedural issues.