Category: 2023

 15:21, 20 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Monday in Moscow that Azerbaijan wants to commit ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh.

During the meeting with Lavrov the Armenian FM said that Azerbaijan’s aggressive rhetoric on the highest level, as well as its continual military provocations against the territory of both Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia is escalating the situation in South Caucasus even further.

“By blocking the Lachin Corridor, Azerbaijan violates its obligations assumed under the trilateral statements between the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian leaders. The disruptions of supplies of energy resources to Nagorno Karabakh leave no doubts about the goals of official Baku, this is about ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh,” Mirzoyan said.

FM Mirzoyan called for the unblocking of the Lachin Corridor by strongly adhering to the 9 November 2020 statement’s terms. Mirzoyan also mentioned the ICJ ruling ordering Azerbaijan to ensure the free movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor.

The Armenian FM said that Azerbaijan has practically violated every single clause of the 9 November 2020 statement.

Mirzoyan mentioned the periodic ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan, occupation of the territories of Armenia, the illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor, the illegal detention of Armenian POWs, obstruction to opening of regional connections and creation of an international mechanism for the return of Armenian IDPs of Nagorno Karabakh.

“With its provocations, Azerbaijan is torpedoing the efforts for establishing long-term peace and stability in the region. In this context I’d like to stress the implementation of active steps by Armenia’s allies and partners in order for Azerbaijan to fulfill its obligations and stop the use of force or threat of force,” Mirzoyan said.

 14:06, 20 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. The CSTO’s actions and reaction are insufficient for Armenia, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan has said.

He said the matter can’t be resolved simply with a visit by the Secretary General of the organization.

“The term ‘CSTO is leaving the region’ means that the CSTO is not doing the actions that it ought to do, and is showing its absence,” the Speaker said, explaining Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s earlier comments.

Commenting on a reporter’s observation that the CSTO hasn’t said that it is leaving Armenia, while the organization’s Secretary General visited the country on an official trip, the Speaker said: “So what that he visited? What changed?”

Regardless of anything Armenia is making its moves, Simonyan explained.

“Being a member of the CSTO is no obstruction for us in making any move. Regardless of which organization we hold membership in and what conclusions we can draw from this situation, we continue to seek all possible ways to ensure the security of the Republic of Armenia. And politically, he came and left, let them come and go, the issue won’t be resolved by doing so. They’ll come and leave and it won’t stand in the way, for example, for some action two days later. We’ve had that experience after the visit of even higher ranking officials,” Speaker Alen Simonyan said.

Simonyan said that regardless of what system Armenia is part of, it will always try to ensure its security by all means. And often this causes a strong reaction from other CSTO members. “Those strong reactions happen because of this. At the same time, we are committed to our signature. And at this moment, the actions and reaction by the CSTO which we have are insufficient for Armenia. And the visit, ensuring the theoretical part so to say, I don’t know to what extent will be sufficient enough to stop anything on the ground,” Simonyan said.

 09:36, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Lachin Corridor – Nagorno Karabakh’s only road to the outside world – under fake environmental pretexts.

Despite numerous calls by the international community to open the corridor, as well as the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice, Azerbaijan is still keeping the corridor blocked. Nagorno Karabakh is under blockade for already 100 days. Only the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Russian peacekeepers have access to Nagorno Karabakh and attempt to somewhat mitigate the worsening crisis. Azerbaijan is regularly trying to mislead the international community by showing the Red Cross and Russian peacekeeping vehicles as they pass along the corridor to advance its narrative that the road is open. However, these manipulations fail because the international community is calling for the immediate lifting of the blockade.

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. The Lachin Corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022. 

Member of the European Parliament Nathalie Loiseau from France says she cannot understand that only the ICRC and Russian troops are allowed to use the Lachin Corridor and that the world watches silently.

In an interview with ARMENPRESS, MEP Loiseau emphasized that the blockade of Lachin Corridor must be immediately lifted and the UN Security Council must form a fact-finding mission and demand all UN humanitarian agencies to have access into Nagorno Karabakh.

ARMENPRESS: It has now been 100 days since Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world. The International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to open the corridor, but Azerbaijan ignores the ruling. In this case, don’t you think that there should be sanctions to force Azerbaijan to open the corridor?

MEP Nathalie Loiseau: If one asks for sanctions, he or she must be certain they can be adopted. I don’t know if the UN Security Council is ready for this. Strong links between Russia and Azerbaijan already prevented the UNSC from delivering a statement last year. 

But there is a new reality: the decision taken by the ICJ and the fact that Baku has so far disregarded it. 

ARMENPRESS: Does the international community consider it realistic to impose sanctions? And what has prevented the international community from doing this so far? What role can the European Parliament play in forcing Azerbaijan to end its policy?

MEP Nathalie Loiseau: The UNSC should decide a fact-finding mission and demand that all humanitarian UN agencies can reach the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. I cannot understand that only the ICRC and Russian troops are allowed to use the Lachin Corridor and that the world watches silently. The European Parliament has voted two reports, one on Armenia and the other on Azerbaijan. I co-authored the report on Armenia and amended the one on Azerbaijan to ensure they don’t contradict each other. The European Parliament’s position is crystal clear: The blockade of the Lachin Corridor must stop.

ARMENPRESS: As a result of the blockade, the people of Artsakh are facing a serious humanitarian crisis, there are widespread shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies. With these actions Azerbaijan demonstrates its policy of ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. In this case, how do you imagine the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and guaranteeing the security of the Armenian people of Artsakh?

MEP Nathalie Loiseau: It is time for confidence measures to take place, like the freeing of all war prisoners, the return of bodies of soldiers and civilians to their homeland, transparency on missing people and full protection of cultural heritage. Peace negotiations must be built on .

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 09:46, 21 March 2023

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. 782 businesses were forced to shut down and 1,170 people lost their jobs in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) as a result of the ongoing Azerbaijani blockade.

It has now been 100 days since the Azerbaijani blockade of Nagorno Karabakh began.

The blockade has led to significant economic impact and reduced tax revenues.

Manush Hovhannisyan, the Director of the Department of Revenue Registration and Organization at the Artsakh State Revenue Committee presented the situation to ARMENPRESS.

ARMENPRESS: What’s been the impact of the blockade on the tax revenues in Artsakh?

Hovhannisyan: During January-February of 2023, 4 billion 23,9 million drams in tax revenues and duties was collected to the state budget, which amounted to 75,9% of the projected 5 billion 300 million or 1 billion 276,1 million less. The collected revenues underperformed by 18,6% or 922,2 million less compared to the same period of the previous year. The decreased figures are a result of the partial of complete closure of businesses due to the situation in the economy resulting from the ongoing blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.

ARMENPRESS: How many businesses have either partially or completely shut down operations?

Hovhannisyan: During the blockade 782 businesses, or 18,3% of the total, shut down operations, as a result 1,170 people became unemployed. 317 businesses, or 7,5%, are still open but were forced to lay off 1,502 employees, while the remaining businesses are working either partially or with government support. The closures pertain to nearly all sectors.

ARMENPRESS: Are there any tax privileges for businesses during the blockade?

Hovhannisyan: We have three relief programs for mitigating the socio-economic consequences of the blockade, the first one is being implemented by the State Revenue Committee, while the remaining two – which pertain to the unemployed persons – are implemented by the Ministry of Social Development and Migration. Given the three-year tax privileges instituted after the 2020 war, we don’t have the need to provide individual privileges at this stage. In 2023, businesses are still exempt from fixed and patent payments, while taxes for trade and general tax regime is determined by turnover.

ARMENPRESS: Who is eligible for the one-time grants and financial support?

Hovhannisyan: The government designated the 41 sectors of the economy that have been affected the most, such as retail and wholesale trade, construction, interstate passenger transportation, cargo transportation, restaurant businesses, mining industry – excluding the iron ore mining and some other areas. Private entrepreneurs in these sectors, with the exception of patent tariff payers, receive a 136,000-dram support, while the patent tariff payers receive 68,000. Under the one-time grant program, the support is in the size of taxes and social payments calculated by maximum of 136,000 drams per each employee, or the factual amount of revenue in case of the revenues being less. The support and grant payments began from February 21, 2023.

ARMENPRESS:  How much money has been paid in support in total?

Hovhannisyan: As of March 17, 2023, a total of 555,6 million drams in support and grants was paid to 1,959 businesses.

The official added that the program’s application deadline was extended from the original February 28 to March 15 and the provision of payments is still ongoing. Applications from 400 other businesses are still being processed.

 10:08, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on March 21 congratulated the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi on the occasion of Nowruz.

The message addressed to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution reads as follows,

"Your Eminence,

I warmly congratulate you and the friendly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the occasion of the Iranian New Year, Nowruz. I wish the coming year to be marked by unique success and peace for our neighbor and friend Iran.

The Armenian-Iranian relations, shaped in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect dating back millennia ago, are of special importance for the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people.

I sincerely hope that in the near future we will witness the expansion of the bilateral multi-layered agenda, which will become a stimulus for the further deepening and growth of our friendly relations, for the benefit of the well-being of the Armenian and Iranian peoples and regional peace.

Taking the opportunity, I wish you plenty of sunshine and lasting prosperity to the people of Iran."

The message addressed to the President of Iran reads as follows,

"Your Excellency,

I send my warm and sincere congratulations to you and the friendly people of Iran on the occasion of Nowruz, the beautiful holiday of the awakening of nature. I wish the New Year to be a year of unshakable peace and lasting achievements for the neighboring Islamic Republic of Iran.

The centuries-old rich historical and cultural background of Armenian-Iranian relations is a unique basis for the current friendly atmosphere, multifaceted interaction and warm contacts between Armenian and Iranian friendly peoples.

I can say without hesitation that by continuing the steady path of cooperation, we will give a new rise to the Armenian-Iranian multi-layered agenda in the current year for the benefit of the well-being of our two peoples and states.

Taking the opportunity, I wish you new success and good health, and prosperity and peace to the friendly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

 10:28, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan’s fake eco-activists who’ve been blocking the Lachin Corridor for already 100 days are now explicitly threatening to kill Armenians, despite their own president Ilham Aliyev’s repeated claims that Azerbaijan stands ready to provide security and rights to the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh according to Azeri legislation.

A video online shows one of the fake eco-activists in the Lachin Corridor threatening to “slaughter” Armenians.  “We will soon slaughter an Armenian for Nowruz here and will add his blood on kebab,” one of the fake eco-activists says smilingly looking into the camera. Those standing next to the man are heard laughing.

Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan reacted to the video. “It's never enough for a bloodthirsty regime and its puppets to starve 120000 people of Nagorno Karabakh,” he tweeted. “Now their pseudo-eco-activist threatens to kill all Armenians and literally drink their blood. Are we truly in the 21st century? Is there a civilized world somewhere around?”

 10:53, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on March 21 extended Newroz greetings to the Kurdish community of Armenia.

“I warmly congratulate the representatives of the Kurdish community of Armenia on the national holiday, Newroz,” PM Pashinyan said in a message published by his office. “This beautiful spring holiday symbolizing the awakening of nature and the new year is full of new life, new hopes and expectations of success. May the new year be a year of overcoming problems, establishing peace and fruitful work. I wish the representatives of the Kurdish community of Armenia health, hope and faith in the prosperous future of our country, and progress and implementation of good initiatives to your community.”

 11:01, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. United States Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) is collecting signatures on a U.S. House letter calling out newly appointed US Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Louis Bono for ruling out U.S. sanctions against Azerbaijan for its 100-day blockade of Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) reported.

On March 8th of this year – deep into the second month of Azerbaijan’s blockade, Bono, on his first official trip to the region as Special U.S. Advisor, stated publicly: “This is not a time for sanctions… Sanctions would be counter-productive. It’s not even under consideration at this point.”

The Schiff-led Congressional letter addressed to Bono states, in part: “We are deeply concerned by your reported comments during the trip ruling out the use of economic and diplomatic sanctions against Azerbaijan for their clear aggression. It was reported that you stated, “this is not a time for sanctions … it’s not even under consideration at this point.” As 120,000 innocent people remain deprived of their basic rights in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) for a third month, due to a blockade that the International Court of Justice (World Court) has ordered Azerbaijan to lift, this is not the time to take any tools off the table.”

In closing, the signatories affirm that: “The United States, the President of the United States, the U.S. State Department, and entire Administration must use all tools at its disposal to ensure the safety of the people of Artsakh, now and in the future, including cessation of financial support to Azerbaijan and imposition of sanctions.”

 12:12, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Haifa, the third-largest city in Israel, inaugurated the Armenian Genocide Square on March 20, the Armenian National Committee of Jerusalem (ANCJ) reported.

ANCJ said that the inauguration ceremony took place “despite great pressure from the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv.”

Haifa Mayor Dr. Einat Kalisch-Rotem, City Council members, the Armenian ambassador to Israel Arman Hakobyan, representatives of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, representatives of the ANCJ and members of the Armenian community of Israel and representatives of all various communities of Haifa attended the ceremony.

 12:16, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. The body of a newborn baby has been found in a forest near the Goris-Stepanakert road, authorities said Tuesday.

The body of the newborn girl, half-covered with a sheet, was found on the ground near the area referred to as "Nor Zanger" by a farmer on March 20 who then called the Goris Police Department, the Ministry of Internal Affairs Press Department Director Zarzand Gabrielyan told ARMENPRESS.

An investigation by Goris authorities is underway.