Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he was hopeful for a peace deal with neighbor Azerbaijan last year, but the deal has yet to emerge. He, however, pointed out that the two sides had agreed on the "architecture and principles" of a peace treaty.

"The architecture and principles of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been agreed upon … but from the beginning, Azerbaijan three times refused to participate in negotiations in different formats, after which presidential elections in Azerbaijan were scheduled," Pashinyan said in an interview with The Telegraph aired on Sunday, the transcript of which was shared by Pashinyan's office. The Armenian leader said that he assumed that they would be able to finalize an agreement after the presidential election in Azerbaijan "if there is political will."

He further said Yerevan "has the political will" to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan based on previous agreements between the two countries. He said he has neither denied nor rejected cooperation with Russia in general and particularly in the security sector.

"What does this mean? Does this mean that we are going to break our security relationship with Russia? No, it doesn't mean that, but it means that in the field of security, we are preparing and are ready, and we are discussing and working to establish relations, for example, with the European Union," Pashinyan went on to say. He added that Armenia's security relations with the U.S., France, India or the EU are not directed against Russia, but rather "a consequence of the reality that the security relationships we used to have in the past do not address our security needs." He also denied discussions on NATO membership, saying that Armenia is "at least a de jure member of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)."

Armenia's ties with the EU are deepening and it is ready to be "as close to the European Union as the European Union deems it possible," he added.

Pashinyan went on to neither confirm nor deny that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be arrested should he visit Armenia, commenting on a question on whether Yerevan will do so after having formally joined the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as of Feb. 1. "There are various opinions and legal analyzes on that topic, and in particular, the lawyers who say that the current heads of state have immunity, insurmountable immunity, due to their status are not just a few. I mean, it's a legal issue, not a political issue that I have to discuss and respond to," he said.

In the meantime, Azerbaijan on Monday summoned the EU's ambassador to Baku over the activities of the bloc's mission in Armenia. "During the meeting, the serious concern was reiterated with regard to the activities of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) that contradict the initial agreements with respect to this mission and activities," said a statement by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The meeting noted the EU mission is being exploited as an "anti-Azerbaijani propaganda tool," contrary to its purpose of "contributing to stability in the region and confidence between Azerbaijan and Armenia," according to the statement. It further said Ambassador Peter Michalko was told that the EU mission facilitated the visits of different European officials and unofficial delegations to the border areas between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and that it became an agent of "binocular diplomacy."

"All such visits, without exception, are used for disseminating anti-Azerbaijani hate and replicating unfounded Azerbaijan-phobia," the statement noted, adding that this "binocular diplomacy" came at an unprecedented calm situation along the border.

"Moreover, the recent case of prevention of an attempt of illegal crossing through the areas of responsibility of the EUMA casts a serious shadow over the declared tasks of the mission. Such concerning actions by no means conform with the declared goals of EUMA of contributing to trust and confidence as a neutral actor," it said.

It concluded that the EU side was urged to take all necessary measures to ensure the mission acts "strictly as a neutral, civilian and unarmed mission in line with its declared mandate, and refrain from any activity that would target Azerbaijan's sovereignty, territorial integrity or in any other manner affect its legitimate security interests."

The Council of the EU established the EUMA in January 2023 to secure the border areas of Armenia and "ensure an environment conducive to normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU."

Also on Monday, Azerbaijan’s National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) said Armenia presented eight new maps of minefields in the Karabakh region, which was liberated following a 44-day conflict between the two sides in the fall of 2020. ANAMA told Azerbaijan’s state news agency Azertac that the maps it was provided mainly consist of notes on mined areas surrounding the Murovdag mountain range in the country’s Kalbajar district. The report further said the information in the newly submitted maps is "inaccurate, unreliable and incomplete.”

"After analyzing and processing the forms, it was determined that the recorded data does not overlap with the real minefields, and the coordinates of the reference points are incorrect and useless,” it also said. It added that the maps covered some of the areas along the former contact line and that information has not yet been provided about the part of the former contact line passing through Azerbaijan’s Khojavend, Tartar and Goranboy districts, as well as areas mined by Armenian military units while retreating during the 2020 war.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions. Azerbaijan liberated most of the region during the war in the fall of 2020, which ended with a Russian-brokered peace agreement, opening the door to normalization. The Azerbaijani army initiated a counterterrorism operation in Karabakh last September to establish constitutional order after which illegal separatist forces in the region surrendered.

More than 340 Azerbaijani citizens have either been killed or injured in varying degrees due to land mines since the Second Karabakh War.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the European Union's Ambassador to Baku, Peter Michalko, according to a statement released by the ministry.

The statement shared that Michalko was informed of serious concerns regarding the activities of EUMA in Azerbaijan, contrary to the agreements initially reached.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that Michalko was briefed on the widespread misuse of EUMA as a "propaganda tool against Azerbaijan," which contradicts the objectives stated for contributing to regional stability and building trust between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The statement reminded that various EU officials and unofficial delegations have been observed using binoculars to observe the Azerbaijan border under the EUMA framework. It was conveyed to the EU that these visits have transformed into a form of "binocular diplomacy," used to spread hatred against Azerbaijan and promote baseless anti-Azerbaijan sentiments. 

Michalko was informed in the statement that such alarming activities do not align with the objectives of EUMA as a neutral actor contributing to trust and confidence-building.

The statement also reminded the EU to take all necessary measures to avoid any activities that may impact Azerbaijan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, or legitimate security interests.

An Armenian teen, Nelson, who was injured during recent attacks in Artsakh received care in a Boston hospital with the help of Watertown’s Stepan Chiloyan and the Armenian American Medical Association. Chiloyan has started a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to help Nelson.

The following piece was provided by Chiloyan:

In a heartrending call to action, a GoFundMe campaign was launched on Feb. 11, 2024, to support Nelson, a 17-year-old survivor of a catastrophic explosion in Berkadzor, near Stepanakert, amidst the recent aggression and ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Artsakh. This tragedy, part of one of the most significant humanitarian crises in modern Armenian history, forcibly displaced over 100,000 people, including Nelson and his family.

The explosion on Sept. 25, 2023, claimed the lives of at least 220 people and resulted in over 300 injuries, leaving Nelson as the sole surviving male of his immediate family. Nelson sustained life-threatening injuries and spent two months in a hospital in Yerevan with severe wounds on his hands and face. Through the efforts of volunteer Stepan Chiloyan of Watertown and the Armenian American Medical Association (AAMA), Nelson was able to receive care at Shriners Hospital in Boston, where he continues his recovery.

“Nelson’s story is a stark reminder of the personal toll behind the headlines,” said Chiloyan, who also initiated the GoFundMe campaign. “After the loss of almost his entire family and his own severe injuries, we are calling on the global community to help Nelson and his family rebuild their lives.”

On Jan. 5, 2024, Nelson and his mother arrived at Shriners Hospital in Boston, where he underwent major surgery to reconstruct his hands and face. The campaign seeks to provide financial support for Nelson, his mother, his two sisters, and his aunts as they strive to heal and move forward after being forcibly displaced from their homeland.

“Your contribution embodies the spirit of giving and compassion, offering not just financial support but also a message of hope and solidarity to Nelson and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” Chiloyan added. “Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant difference.

The dedication and expertise of the care managers, nurses, and doctors at Shriners Hospital have been instrumental in Nelson’s recovery process. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Gennadiy Fuzaylov; Dr. Salpy Akaragian, President and Founder of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIM Fund); and Dr. Hovig Chilitian, President of the Armenian American Medical Association (AAMA), for their vital roles in bringing Nelson to Shriners Hospital. This effort showcases the power of collaborative care and the commitment to providing the best possible support for those in need.

The campaign underscores the importance of humanity coming together to uplift those suffering in times of need. To support Nelson and his family, please visit the GoFundMe page and donate today: https://gofund.me/e9439aab.

https://www.watertownmanews.com/2024/02/12/armenian-teen-gets-medical-help-after-being-injured-in-explosion-with-help-from-local-man/

Yerevan in Armenia has been named host of the 2027 Francophonie Games, both the Armenian government and the Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) announced last week.

The capital was unanimously elected host of the 10th edition of the event by the 126th extraordinary Session of the Permanent Council of La Francophonie after a campaign was launched last November. The virtual meeting included 88 member states and governments that are French-speaking or former French colonies.

The French-speaking population of Armenia is less than one percent but the nation was admitted to La Francophonie in 2012, activating its eligibility to host the sport and cultural event aimed to promote values among youth in the French language. More than 50 member countries and regions represented by over 4000 athletes are expected to participate in at least nine sports and several cultural activities such as poetry, photography and song.

The OIF and the International Committee of the Francophonie Games (CIJF) have struggled to find hosts for the event that is intended to be held every four years, and a recent string of delays left a six -year gap between the 2017 edition held in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast and the 2023 edition that was staged in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, last August.

The 2021 edition was set to be hosted by New Brunswick’s Dieppe and Moncton (Canada has three member regions; bilingual province New Brunswick, Quebec and the rest of Canada) but skyrocketing costs blamed on flawed budget estimates had provincial government officials walking away from the project in January 2019. In July that year Kinshasa was chosen as the replacement.

The Games were later delayed until 2022 due the the COVID-19 pandemic and a scheduling conflict with the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics held in 2021. Then additional difficulties including construction delays pushed the Games forward a further year until 2023.

Similar problems have plagued other regional multi-sport events. The Commonwealth Games is still desperately searching for a 2026 host after Victoria in Australia backed out due to cost concerns. The Pan American Games is currently considering Asuncion in Paraguay and Lima in Peru as replacement for Barranquilla after the Colombian city had its 2027 hosting rights stripped in January due to missed financial commitments. A new election is scheduled for next month but the winning host will have some catching up to do.

The first Francophonie Games was held in 1989 by Casablanca and Rabat, Morocco followed in 1994 by Paris, France. The Games were intended to be rotated between the North and the South, but recent difficulties have seen that strategy fail.

La Francophonie has already opened up the application process for the 11th edition of the Games scheduled for 2031.

https://gamesbids.com/eng/other-games-bids/yerevan-armenia-elected-to-host-10th-francophonie-games-in-2027-as-the-oif-hopes-to-leave-delays-behind/

An Armenian court rejected the appeal of a Baptist conscientious objector who faces two years in jail for refusing to serve in the military.

On Feb. 9, a three-judge panel of Yerevan’s Criminal Court of Appeal rejected the appeal sought by 20-year-old Davit Nazaretyan, who received a two-year jail sentence last October.

“I am a Christian, and I read the Bible. … We have to love one another, even our enemies, and not kill people,” Nazaretyan told Forum 18, a Norway-based human rights organization.

Nazaretyan, a member of an unregistered Council of Churches Baptist congregation in Arinj, near Yerevan, is considering another appeal and will not be required to go to jail until further appeal is heard.

The court pointed to an opinion by the theology faculty of Yerevan State University, who stated, “The creed of the Baptist Church and the analysis of the presented case materials allows us to state that Nazaretyan’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion would not be restricted by military service.”

Mikhail Shubin, Nazaretyan’s pastor, rejected the testimony offered by the Yerevan State University faculty regarding Baptist beliefs, saying his church believes convictions regarding military service are “a personal decision for each church member based on their conscience.”

“Davit asked for alternative civilian service,” Shubin told Forum 18. “If the law allows this, why didn’t they give it to him? If an individual’s conscientious views do not allow him to carry weapons or swear the oath, why didn’t they give him alternative service?”

Nazaretyan began the process of seeking alternative civilian service on religious grounds in June 2022, but officials with the Conscription Service and the Alternative Service Commission repeatedly rejected his requests.

All men in Armenia ages 18 to 27 are subject to conscription and 24 months of military service, with deferments available in strictly limited circumstances. Individuals subject to conscription can apply for 30 months of service without weapons within the armed forces or for 36 months of alternative civilian service.

The fifth meeting of the EU-Armenia Partnership Council begins in Brussels today.

The meeting will cover a broad array of topics, including political dialogue, trade, rule of law and regional security. The Council will be chaired by EU foreign and security policy chief Josep Borrell.

One focus point will likely be the EU-Armenia Comprehensive Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA). CEPA, which entered into force three years ago, aims at enhancing virtually all aspects of cooperation and integration between Armenia and the EU’s 27 members states. It provides a framework for incrementally increasing economic, education and academic cooperation, while at the same time supporting Armenia in domestic public sector reforms and strengthening its rule of law and democracy. In addition, following the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the EU is supporting Armenia in protecting its borders with an active civilian border protection mission.

Armenia remains an important partner to the EU, as a part the EU’s Eastern neighborhood. Brussels is keen to foster stronger relations with Yerevan, which has long favored ties with Moscow. However, Russia’s failure to assist Armenia in its war against Azerbaijan caused Armenia’s pivot to Europe. Last October, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Moscow of attempting to overthrow him. Still, Russia remains Armenia’s biggest trade partner.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who is leading the Armenian delegation at today’s meeting, will likely push for rapidly strengthening economic integration with Europe and perhaps even to upgrade Armenia’s status to that of an association agreement akin to Georgia, Moldova or Ukraine.