Category: 2023

 16:37,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. The "Questions to the Ambassador" initiative is being implemented on the platform of the "Orbeli" analytical center operating under the Public Relations and Information Center of the Armenian Prime Minister's Office, within the framework of which interviews are organized with heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia, Armenian ambassadors abroad, representatives of international organizations, etc., on key issues of Armenian foreign policy agenda, bilateral and multilateral relations.

Within the framework of the initiative, the guest of the "Orbeli" analytical center is the Ambassador of Iran to Armenia, Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, who is completing his mission in Armenia.

– Your Excellency, the year 2022 was quite an important and effective year in terms of the development of Armenia-Iran cooperation in almost all fields. In the political sphere, there have been enough important meetings, mutual visits, top level negotiations. The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran was opened in Kapan, the bilateral trade turnover records an unprecedented progress, exceeding 700 million USD. How would you assess bilateral cooperation in the past year, and what expectations and benchmarks are there for the coming years?

– We witnessed the growth and development of relations in various fields. Most importantly, on political and strategic issues, we witnessed the continuation of regular contacts at the highest levels and the strengthening of mutual trust and respect. One of the important events of last year was the opening of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kapan. Bilateral cooperation in the field of infrastructures, including energy and transport infrastructures, also recorded positive developments. Last year, the trade turnover between the two countries also increased by more than forty percent and crossed the threshold of 700 million USD. The increase in trade turnover continued in the first months of this year as well. We witnessed interesting trends also in terms of human contacts and public opinion towards each other.

– Mr. Ambassador, the whole world, including our region, is facing serious political and security threats. The Armenian and Iranian peoples, as the indigenous peoples of this region that have been neighbors and friends for several thousand years, and their states are trying to face new challenges, often showing quite close positions. In your opinion, how can bilateral cooperation in the direction of facing common challenges be made more effective?

– Maintaining and strengthening the atmosphere of trust and mutual respect between the authorities and peoples of the two countries was one of the important areas in the center of attention of the embassy in recent years. I think that at present, more than ever, we realize the importance of bilateral cooperation and there is a real will to expand cooperation in both countries. It is necessary to strive to maintain this dynamic. Another important point is to draw attention to the fact that deep and serious developments are taking place at the international and regional levels, which may lead to the creation of unexpected opportunities and challenges. Based on this, I consider the continuity of contacts and consensus between the authorities and expert circles of the two countries to be very important. In particular, expert and professional communication can help foster mutual understanding, correctly predict challenges, and proper planning of grasping opportunities.

– Mr. Zohouri, it has been more than 4 months since Azerbaijan closed the Lachin Corridor, as a result of which the 120,000 Armenian population of Artsakh has appeared under siege. Azerbaijan has also placed a checkpoint in the corridor. These actions of Baku are another gross violation of the tripartite declaration of November 9, 2020 and violate the right of Artsakh Armenians to live freely and safely in their homeland. What is Tehran's position on this issue, and how can Iran support the resolution of the crisis?

– Our advice to all parties to the November 9 declaration and the subsequent agreements has always been to adhere to the letter and spirit of these agreements and commitments. The countries also have clear obligations under international law, one of which is to protect the rights and safety of the residents of the region. We note that the issue of the rights and security of the residents of the mentioned area is a complex and delicate issue.

– Armenian and Iranian expert fields often talk about the need to develop security cooperation between the two countries. According to you, what are the prospects for bilateral cooperation in this field?

– The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia have common interests and common concerns in the field of national security. You are aware that among the periodic contacts between the heads of the two countries, there were regular meetings and contacts between the secretaries of the national security councils of the two countries during the past year. Institutions responsible for national security in both countries also closely cooperate with each other. This is the path that should be continued at different levels. Another direction to pursue and pay attention to in the field of national security is the regular process of serious political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs and strategic dialogue between the two countries. In this regard, in March of this year, we witnessed the visit of Iran's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Mr. Bagheri, to Armenia.

– Mr. Zohouri, as we know, the North-South highway is being built in Armenia, thanks to which Armenia can become one of the key routes of the North-South international corridor. On October 20, 2022, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian announced during his visit to Armenia that an Armenia-Iran-India platform should be created for effective cooperation in the sidelines of North-South Corridor. By the way, it should be noted that tripartite political consultations were held at the Armenian MFA recently. At the same time, some expert circles are skeptical about the implementation of the North-South International Corridor project. How important is this corridor for Iran, what are the material obstacles on the way to its implementation, and what are the concrete expectations from Armenia to implement this important regional program as quickly as possible?

– Most of the trade between Iran and Armenia is carried out by the land route from Nurduz to Yerevan, which passes through the Syunik Province of Armenia. Within the framework of the "North-South" road project in Armenia, the Armenian government has serious plans to improve the infrastructure of this route and turn it into an international transit road. We also attach great importance to the full implementation of this project in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and Iranian companies are ready to actively participate in the implementation of this project. The implementation of this project will contribute to the launch of the Persian Gulf-Black Sea transit corridor through the territory of Iran and Armenia, which has also attracted the attention of other countries. The North-South road project is a large-scale project, both economically and in terms of implementation. The implementation of a project of this scale is one of the largest economic projects in the history of Armenia. The works must be carried out very carefully in terms of financing, tendering, project implementation and monitoring of deadlines. I think that now the perspective of the implementation of the project has significantly improved.

– And in the end, since your diplomatic activity in Armenia is coming to an end, during it, what significant obstacles did you face for the development of bilateral relations, which could have been solved by the state structures of the Republic of Armenia, and which still continue to exist? And what are the most impressive achievements during your tenure in the Republic of Armenia?

– During the farewell meeting with Mr. Pashinyan, I highly appreciated the cooperation shown by him, the government of the Republic of Armenia and the state system in developing relations at different levels. I consider it necessary to thank once again for all the cooperation shown by the Armenian side during my mission. Without the will and cooperation of both parties, it would not be possible to advance the works. Of course, this does not mean that the situation could not be better or that there are no obstacles and problems. My understanding is that increasing awareness of each other's capabilities and potential, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and speeding up and facilitating cooperation and especially focusing on key issues is of primary importance and can contribute to further development of relations. The development of relations in all spheres is the joint achievement of the authorities and peoples of the two countries in recent years.

 16:42,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan attended the opening ceremony of the football school named after the legendary football player Khoren Hovhannisyan in Yerevan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan, President of the Football Federation of Armenia Armen Melikbekyan, many representatives of the sports world were also present at the event.

The Prime Minister first toured the sports school, familiarized himself with the implemented works and the conditions created for the children.

The Prime Minister congratulated on the opening of the sports school named after Khoren Hovhannisyan and noted. "There are people who do not belong to themselves, to their family, but to a wider circle, to the country, to the people. Khoren Hovhannisyan is one of those.

On the other hand, of course, it creates many other complications for these people, because such people are almost sanctified, made perfect, especially by the young generation who have been inspired by them, but no person is perfect, and every ordinary human movement can cause a problem in that regard. I am glad that today we are gathered on such an occasion, where we also emphasize that we do not forget values, we do not forget people, their merits and contributions."

The Prime Minister noted that it is symbolic that there are people present at the opening of the sports school, with whom there will be another oportunity to meet when a sport school named after them will be opened. "The sports school after Arthur Aleksanyan is being built in Gyumri, the construction process of the sports school after Arthur Abraham has started in Yerevan, we are in working discussions with Vik Darchinyan. There is the political decision, it remains to ensure the continuation. The construction works of the school after Simon Martirosyan are in the final stage, and according to the preliminary plan, the opening should take place in August. We have made a very important decision to build the sports school after Roman and Malkhas Amoyans in the enlarged Alagyaz community. This must be done.

But I also want to say that this process is, first of all, an appreciation for the merits of our famous athletes and the fame they have brought to Armenia, on the other hand, this is an important tool for popularizing sports," said Nikol Pashinyan, expressing his belief that many parents, children, learning about the existence of the "Khoren Hovhannisyan" Academy, they will hurry, especially here, because that name, heritage, atmosphere will bring a lot with it.

"Mr. Hovhannisyan, I congratulate you once again. Of course, the Football Federation implemented this program with the support of the Government, and we will continue this process. I am very happy that I have the opportunity to say such a word of appreciation to you, because I know and remember that your football career was not easy, there were as much complications, difficulties and problems, as glory.

I am very happy that we have come to this milestone after passing that difficult path both during the Soviet period and post-Soviet period. Can you imagine what expectations will be formed from this school, what kind of football players will come out? Of course, stardom aspiration is not such a good thing, because, first of all, it is important that our children have the opportunity to do sports and physical education. First of all, the healthy lifestyle, sports lifestyle should spread as much as possible, but on the other hand, when it has real scale in the country, as it is said, the pleasant will be combined with the useful. The more popular is the sport, the more opportunities to have stars we will have.

And that we have stars, I think there is no need to explain and prove it in this audience, because there are people present here who have proven that they can achieve success with their own work. I am sure, and the people present here are talking about it, that talent, hard work is the biggest sponsor and the biggest promoter. On the contrary, the victory of talent and hard work leads to people standing in line to be useful," the Prime Minister noted.

Nikol Pashinyan quoted the words of Khoren Hovhannisyan, according to which he never had the opportunity to train in such conditions. "It is very important that this also brings a change in thinking, brings with it a new way of thinking. Fair play, fair competition is the most important thing in football today and it is becoming more and more important in sports. Every now and then there is an attempt to suggest that what we see on the field is not really what is happening. That's a lie.

In fact, that’s what is happening, it’s another thing that the infrastructural issues, the atmosphere, from the diet, to the training programs and the qualification of the coaches determine the outcome. Because who said that the world dreamed of our champions becoming champions? They decided, they had a goal, they sacrificed a lot to achieve this goal, and they achieved that goal. The glory of these people is seen, glorified and praised and it seems to them that it is that 3 minutes or that 15 minutes. Behind those 15 minutes are tens of years of suffering, starting with limiting contact with friends, family, and so on. You have to be able to do it, but it is a sacrifice that, in my opinion, people make for the sake of the people, for the sake of the state, for the sake of statehood, for the sake of the flag, because we are all eagerly waiting for the moment when the flag of the Republic of Armenia will be raised and the anthem of the Republic of Armenia will be heard.

Mr. Hovhannisyan, thank you again for your work, thank you for your willingness to watch how the children play football here every day. I am sure that it will bring a new quality," Prime Minister Pashinyan said.

The construction works of the sports school started in spring 2022. This is the first sports school in the history of newly independent Armenia built from scratch in the Kentron community of Yerevan and bearing the name of a legendary football player.

The sports school is designed for 250-300 children, who will have the opportunity to train on a daily basis.

The sports school meets high international standards. It has a high quality artificial grass, the administrative building includes a heating and ventilation system, auditoriums, offices, locker rooms and a gym.

 16:48,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has again spread disinformation, ARMENPRESS reports, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Artsakh said in a statement.

"The message issued by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan that the Defense Army units carried out fortification works in the Askeran and Karvachar regions of the Republic of Artsakh between 10:05 and 14:55 on July 11, which were allegedly suspended by the Azerbaijani units located in the occupied territories of the said regions, is another disinformation.

The false statements of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan are clearly aimed at justifying the periodic violations of the ceasefire by their own units," MoD Artsakh said.

 19:08,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The interlocutors referred to the situation in the region, the ongoing negotiations on the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the necessary steps to ensure the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, including the need for a Baku-Stepanakert dialogue with international involvement.

Prime Minister Pashinyan referred to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulted by Azerbaijan's illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor and the steps necessary for overcoming it.

The interlocutors emphasized the need for consistent efforts to ensure stability and peace in the region.

Prime Minister Pashinyan reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Armenia to the peace agenda.

 17:09,

YEREVAN, 11 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 11 July, USD exchange rate up by 0.08 drams to 387.17 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.79 drams to 426.08 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.06 drams to 4.29 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 4.98 drams to 499.95 drams.

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

Gold price up by 11.17 drams to 23934.64 drams. Silver price up by 4.11 drams to 286.80 drams.

 19:40,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. On July 11, at 5:35 p.m., the units of the Azerbaijani army opened fire on the Armenian positions located in the area of Tegh village and Sev Lake, ARMENPRESS reports, the Defense Ministry of Armenia said in a message, providing no other details.

Azerbaijan on Tuesday temporarily shut the only road linking its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region with Armenia, accusing the Armenian branch of the Red Cross of smuggling.

The Armenian-populated region has been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the Caucasus arch-foes, which have fought two wars over the mountainous territory.

The closure comes ahead of European Union-mediated talks in July between the ex-Soviet countries' leaders, and as regional mediators, Washington, Brussels and Moscow, are distracted by the NATO summit in Lithuania.

"The passage through Lachin checkpoint of the state border is temporarily suspended" pending an investigation into the Red Cross using its medical vehicles for "smuggling", Azerbaijan's state border service said on Tuesday.

It said the decision was made after the Red Cross failed to "take necessary steps to prevent illegal actions" such as smuggling mobile phones from Armenia to Karabakh, using the organisation's medical vehicles.

Armenia urged international action, calling the move part of Baku's policy of "ethnic cleansing".

"More international efforts and actions needed to lift" the Karabakh blockade and "to prevent ethnic cleansing," foreign ministry spokeswoman Ani Badalyan said in an English-language Twitter post.

The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross denied Baku's claims, saying that "no unauthorised material has been found in any vehicle belonging to ICRC."

"However, we regret that without our knowledge four hired drivers tried to transport some commercial goods in their own vehicles which were temporarily displaying the ICRC emblem," it added in a statement.

Azerbaijan in April set up the border point at the entrance to the Lachin corridor, exacerbating allegations from Armenia of a Karabakh "blockade".

The Armenian branch of the Red Cross said in late June that Azerbaijan was blocking access to Karabakh, as concern grew over the humanitarian crisis in the restive region.

Azerbaijan's state border service said several days later that traffic through the Lachin corridor — policed by Russian peacekeepers — was resumed.

The latest developments followed a months-long blockade by Azerbaijani environmental activists, which Yerevan claims spurred a humanitarian crisis and food and fuel shortages.

Azerbaijan insisted at the time that civilian transport could go unimpeded through the Lachin corridor.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said last month that the "humanitarian situation in Karabakh has worsened dramatically".

"Food supplies to Karabakh have practically ceased and patients are not being allowed to be taken to hospitals in Armenia for medical treatment," he said.

Baku's "actions prove that Azerbaijan is pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh," he added.

In February, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) — the UN's top judicial body — had ordered Azerbaijan to ensure free movement on the road.

Amnesty International said at the time that the blockade of the Lachin corridor "is endangering the lives of thousands of people" in Karabakh.

The two former Soviet republics have fought two wars for control of Karabakh, in the 1990s and again in 2020.

Six weeks of fighting in autumn 2020 ended with a Russian-sponsored ceasefire agreement that saw Armenia cede swathes of territories it had controlled for decades.

Under the deal, the five-kilometre-wide Lachin Corridor is to be manned by Russian peacekeepers to ensure free passage between Armenia and Karabakh.

There have been frequent clashes at the two countries' shared border despite the ongoing peace talks between Baku and Yerevan under the mediation of the European Union and United States.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, ethnic Armenian separatists in Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan. The ensuing conflict claimed some 30,000 lives.

(AFP)

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230711-azerbaijan-closes-only-road-linking-breakaway-nagarno-karabakh-region-to-armenia

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