Category: News

The Azerbaijani side resorted to provocative actions hours after failing to lead the OSCE monitoring mission to its frontlines. The rival shelled the military posts located in the eastern direction of the NKR Defense Army between 17:00 and 8:50 today, the NKR Defense Ministry reports.

The Azerbaijani forces used cannons and mortars of different calibers in the eastern and northern (Talish) directions.

The Armenian side reports no losses as a result of the heavy shelling.

The NKR Defense Ministry has declared that “the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for the provocative actions and their consequences.

“Should the provocations continues, the NKR Defense Army reserves the right to take relevant measures to ensure the security of Artsakh’s state border,” the Ministry said.

The Supreme Court of Belarus ruled today to leave the decision of the Prosecutor General’s office on blogger Alexander Lapshin’s extradition to Azerbaijan in force, RIA Novosti reports.

On December 15, 2016, police in Belarus detained Mr. Lapshin, a popular travel blogger based in Moscow, for his prior visits to the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and for his criticism of the Aliyev regime.

Alexander Lapshin, who holds Russian and Israeli citizenship, was detained in Minsk in December 2015 at the request of Azerbaijan for his prior visits to Nagorno Karabakh.

On 20 January 2017  the General Prosecutor’s Office of Belarus decided to have Mr. Lapshin extradited to Azerbaijan.  An appeal to the ruling was recently denied by Minsk City Court.

Thus, the decision on Lapshin’s extradition comes into force, as the Supreme Court is the highest instance, where the decision of the Prosecutor General’s Office could be appealed.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Karen Mirzoyan sent a congratulatory message to Rex Tillerson on his appointment as Secretary of State of the United States of America.

The Foreign Minister expressed his confidence that Tillerson would definitely facilitate the mediation efforts of the US, as one of the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, to find a long-term and peaceful settlement to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.

The Foreign Minister also expressed his gratitude for the assistance the US renders to the Artsakh Republic and its people.

“We are looking forward to continued cooperation, built on shared values of democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as a vision of stable and peaceful South Caucasus”, reads the congratulatory message of Karen Mirzoyan.

On February 7, 2017, in accordance with the arrangement reached with the authorities of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the OSCE Mission conducted a planned monitoring of the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, in the direction of the NKR Hadrut region, to the north of Horadiz.

From the positions of the NKR Defense Army, the monitoring was conducted by Field Assistants to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Khristo Khristov (Bulgaria) and Jiri Aberle (Czech Republic), as well as Personal Assistant to the CiO Personal Representative Simon Tiller (Great Britain).

From the opposite side of the Line of Contact, the monitoring was conducted by Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, Field Assistant to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ghenadie Petrica (Moldova), and staff member of the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Peter Svedberg (Sweden).

The monitoring passed in accordance with the agreed schedule. No violation of the cease-fire regime was registered. However, the Azerbaijani side did not lead the OSCE mission to its front-lines.

From the Karabakh side, the monitoring mission was accompanied by representatives of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense.

Photo: Marina Lystseva/TASS

 

Russia may supply two-four Sukhoi Superjet-100 aircraft to Armenia in 2018-2019, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on the sidelines of the meeting of the United Russia faction on Tuesday, reports.

“I think in total it concerns supplying not more than 10 aircraft in five years, but we will start with two-four aircraft,” the minister said.

“If we form a sound program this year and find ways of its implementation, including the sources of financing, than, taking into account the production cycle, the delivery of aircraft will be in 2018 – early 2019 in the best case. But I think it would be more realistic in 2019,” Manturov added.

In January, it was reported that Russia and Armenia are in talks on establishing a new airline in Armenia. It was planned that SSJ-100 aircraft would form the core of the fleet of the new company. Currently, Armenia has only one airline that was created in 2016 and began to carry out flights last summer. The airline’s main airport is Zvartnots (Yerevan).

European Union officials should press President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to free unjustly imprisoned political activists, journalists, and other government critics, said today. EU officials should also urge Aliyev to end the crackdown on independent groups and allow them to operate without undue government interference.

President Aliyev visits Brussels on February 6, 2017, to inaugurate talks on a new partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU to enhance political and economic ties between them. He is set to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Council Donald Tusk, and other top EU officials.

“Time and time again, the EU has praised courageous human rights defenders, pledging to ‘throw the EU’s full weight behind them,’” said Lotte Leicht, EU director at Human Rights Watch. “As the EU and Azerbaijan forge a new era of cooperation, now is the time to make good on those EU promises and not sweep Aliyev’s crackdown on dissent, and basic human rights under the red carpet.”

In a signed by 76 human rights groups worldwide and sent to top EU officials, the groups said the EU should use the meetings with President Aliyev to secure concrete commitments for urgently needed rights reforms in Azerbaijan.

In recent years, the Azerbaijan government has made concerted efforts to restrict independent activism, critical journalism, and opposition political activity by imprisoning and harassing many activists, prominent human rights defenders, and journalists. Draconian laws and regulations impede the operation of independent groups and their ability to secure funding.

Following pressure by Azerbaijan’s international bilateral and multilateral partners, including the EU, in 2016, the Azerbaijani authorities released 17 human rights defenders, journalists, and political activists. They had been convicted on politically motivated charges, including narcotics and weapons possession, tax evasion, hooliganism, incitement, and even treason, and sentenced to long prison terms.

The Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire about 20 times at the lien of contact with the Karabakh forces last night, the NKR Defense Ministry reports.

The rival used firearms of different calibers as it fired over 220 shots in the direction of the Armenian positions.

The front troops of the NKR Defense Army confidently continued with their military duty all along the line of contact, resorting to response actions, when necessary.

offers visitors the 15 best things to do in Armenia’s capital Yerevan.

“The capital city of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It dates back to the 8th century, when the fortress of Erebuni was built by king Argishti I,” the website writes.

“Yerevan is often pegged as the ‘Pink City’ because of the colour of the stones used to build much of the city centre, which is a compact area known as Kentron. This area, amongst others, has been greatly developed over the past decade, resulting in more restaurants, cafés, shops and hotels.”

“The capital city is fast becoming a major tourist destination thanks to its numerous landmarks, extensive nightlife, great museums and lovely parks.”

The best things to do in Yerevan:

1. Go on a walking tour of the city centre

 

2. Watch the city from the top of the Cascade

 

3. Window shop on Northern Avenue

 

4. Have a picnic in a park

 

5. Splash around in the water

 

6. Go ice skating

 

7. Get lost on winding streets and alleyways

 

8. Learn about the city’s history

9. Shop for local art

10. Hang out at Republic Square

11.  Sip on brandy

12. Delight your taste buds

13. Step back into medieval times

14. Listen to Music

15. Go to a football match

A portrait of the Queen by British photographer David Bailey has been reissued for her Sapphire Jubilee, marking 65 years on the throne, the BBC reports.

In the photo, the Queen wears sapphire jewellery given to her by King George VI as a wedding gift in 1947.

The Queen has become the first British monarch to reach a sapphire jubilee.

The portrait was among a series taken by Bailey in 2014, with one released for the Queen’s 88th birthday that year.

She became the UK’s longest-reigning monarch in 2015 at the age of 89.

The photographer’s subjects over the years include Princess Diana, the Beatles, and criminals the Kray twins.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has one quality that the Premier League’s top No.10s lack, according to Jamie Carragher, the Daily Star reports.

The ex-Liverpool defender believes Manchester United star Mkhitaryan has pace to burn unlike team-mate Juan Mata, Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil and Manchester City’s David Silva.

Mkhitaryan impressed in the role as United eased past reigning champions Leicester to move within striking distance of the top four.

The Red Devils made a sluggish start at the King Power Stadium, prompting Jose Mourinho to move Mkhitaryan from the wing to a more central position.

And the Armenia international wreaked havoc, opening the scoring after racing behind Leicester’s defence to fire past Kasper Schmeichel before half time.

“Great technicians but they don’t have that pace.

“I think that was vital in the first goal.”