Armenia Parliament to consider ratifying Rome Statute

Emil Lazarian
JURIST
Sept 1 2023

David DeNotaris | U. Pittsburgh School of Law, US
SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 03:31:16 PM

Armenian state news agency Armenpress reported Friday that the country’s parliament will consider ratifying the Rome Statute.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is the treaty that established the ICC. Armenia signed the Rome Statute in October 1999 but has not ratified it. In 2004, Armenia’s Constitutional Court found that the Rome Statute did not comply with the country’s 1995 constitution. However, in December 2022, Armenia took steps to ratify the Rome Statute anyway. The following month, the Constitutional Court took up the case for consideration, and in March 2023, the court found the Rome Statute was in compliance with the newly amended Armenian Constitution.

Armenian Minister of Justice Grigor Minasyan said it was necessary to ratify the Rome Statute due to what he calls military aggression by neighboring country Azerbaijan.

Minasyan stated that the Rome Statute must be ratified because “the risk of new Azerbaijani military aggression against Armenia remains high” and “the Azeri crimes, including war crimes committed in Armenia” being subject to the jurisdiction of the ICC would be a “preventative and restraining measure against Azerbaijan.” Azerbaijan has not signed or ratified the Rome Statute.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been involved in a violent dispute over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh (also called Artsakh), an ethnically Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan internationally recognized as being Azerbaijan’s territory. The border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was established during the dissolution of the USSR. Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence from Azerbaijan as the Republic of Artsakh in September 1991 due to what it called “apartheid and discrimination” by the Azerbaijani government. Artsakh is recognized by some US states as an independent country even though it is not recognized by the US federal government.

A letter by Azerbaijan’s representative to the UN described Armenia as unleashing “full-scale war” against Azerbaijan in 1992. The UN Security Council condemned the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh but resolved to remain “actively seized” of the matter. Following the conflict in the 1990s, Azerbaijan exercised its “inherent right to self-defense” in September 2020, taking more than 300 settlements from Artsakh, which claimed the lives of at least 7,272 soldiers.

While both nations had agreed to a ceasefire after the 2020 conflict, Azerbaijan invaded Armenia in September 2022. Reuters reported that the September 2022 conflict ended in a ceasefire, but on Friday, Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Azerbaijan opened fire on Armenian armed forces, killing three.

The move to ratify the Rome Statute means Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be allowed into the country as Armenian forces would be required to detain him. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin, who helped broker the 2020 ceasefire between the two formerly-Soviet nations, in March.

Human Rights Commission: Nagorno-Karabakh: Update

Hambardsumian Paul
TOM LANTOS 
Human Rights Commission
United States Congress
Sept 1 2023
Date: 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 – 1:00pm
Location: 
TBD

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Luis Moreno Ocampo, the former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, released his personal Expert Opinion on August 7, stating that “there is a reasonable basis to believe that a Genocide is being committed against Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023” and emphasizing that under the Genocide Conventions all states have a “duty to prevent” genocide. At the hearing Mr. Ocampo will present his Expert Opinion on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. David Phillips will testify on facts relevant to gathering the intent of the government of Azerbaijan, including as available on the web page “Atrocities Artsakh.”

This hearing will be open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the interested public, and the media. The hearing will be livestreamed via the Commission website and will also be available for viewing on Channel ## of the House Digital Channel service. For any questions, please contact Mark Milosch for Co-Chair Smith or Kimberly Stanton for Co-Chair McGovern.
Christopher H. Smith, M.C.
Co-Chairman, TLHRC
James P. McGovern, M.C.
Co-Chairman, TLHRC

Luis Moreno Ocampo, Former Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (2003-2012)

David L. Phillips, Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University, and Director of Columbia University’s Artsakh Atrocities Project.

118th Congress

Prime Minister Pashinyan holds meeting with IMF Director for Middle East and Central Asia

Chatinian Lara

 19:16, 1 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Friday held a meeting with Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Jihad Azօur, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release. 

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the IMF and noted that it contributes to advancing the ambitious reform agenda and economic activity in Armenia.

In this context, Nikol Pashinyan also emphasized the effective cooperation between the Central Bank of Armenia and the IMF. The Prime Minister thanked Jihad Azour for participating in the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Armenian dram.

The director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department highly appreciated the cooperation with the Armenian government and emphasized that Armenia is a reliable partner for the IMF. Jihad Azour noted that the IMF is ready to further support the Armenian government in the framework of mutually beneficial cooperation, in the process of successful implementation of reforms and in programs aimed at the country’s economic progress.

At the guest’s request, PM Nikol Pashinyan presented the steps and measures carried out in the areas of changes in the structure of the economy, fight against corruption, reforms in the judiciary, public administration system, improvement of the investment environment, infrastructure development and other directions.

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria calls on Azerbaijan to open Lachin Corridor

Maghakian Mike

 18:54, 1 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to open the Lachin Corridor to ensure the security of the population and save them from famine.

The Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church made the call during a meeting held Friday with Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanyan, the Primate of the Diocese of Egypt of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the Armenian Ambassador to Egypt Hrachya Poladyan.

Pope Tawadros II also expressed hope that peace will be established between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“The conversation also touched on the illegal and inhumane siege of the Artsakh region by Azerbaijan, and His Holiness the Pope appealed to the relevant authorities in the State of Azerbaijan to open the Lachin Corridor in the South Caucasus for the safety of people and to protect them from the specter of hunger, as this vital corridor has been closed since December 2022, hoping that peace prevails between the two neighboring countries,” the Coptic Orthodox Church said in a statement on Facebook.

Pope Tawadros II said he will send a delegation to visit Armenia for the upcoming Chrism Mass in October.

 




Armenpress: Azerbaijan is encroaching on Armenia’s territorial integrity, warns PM Pashinyan after deadly border attack

Toneyan Mark

 21:17, 1 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of encroaching on the territorial integrity of Armenia after Azeri forces killed 3 Armenian troops and wounded 2 others in a border attack on Friday.

“Today, Azerbaijani Armed Forces , using UAVs and mortars, attacked positions towards the Armenian combat outposts nearby Sotk & Norabak,  leaving 3 servicemen dead & 2 wounded. Encroachments on the territorial integrity of Armenia, combined with warmongering rhetoric, are a continuation of Azerbaijan’s policy,” PM Pashinyan said in a post on X.

The Armenian Ministry of Defense initially reported that the death toll was 4, but then updated it to 3.

AW: Thursday at the AYF Olympics

Lilit Nahapetian
September 1, 2023 Mark Gavoor AYF Olympics, Diaspora 0

The AYF block at Nationals Park

Our flight from Chicago landed in D.C. at 4:30 p.m. We collected our luggage and took a cab to the Renaissance Hotel.

I always wonder who will be the first AYFers I see at the Olympics.  We walked into the hotel, and seated in the lobby were Andrew and Madonna Kizirian and Gloria Keleshian.  We got in line to check in behind Phil and Alidz Nigon and their adorable sons Zaven and Raffi. Cousins Vahan and Garo Hovannisian from Los Angeles stood in front of them.  Steve Hagopian greeted us with his two precious granddaughters.  

We had arrived at the Olympics.

Phil, Alidz, Zaven and Raffi Nigon

Yet there was no time to sit and chat. We had an hour to unpack and board a bus full of Armenians to a baseball game. The Washington Nationals were playing the Florida Marlins. Ara Sarajian, who used to work for the Nationals, had arranged for a block of tickets for the second year in a row. Last year was a blast, so I bought four tickets for my wife Judy and me along with our son, Aram, and our khnami Yervant.

While walking around the seating area at the Nationals Park, I saw four young men who looked like they might be Armenian. Two of them wore San Francisco Giants shirts. I stopped to chat, and unsurprisingly, they were Armenians from San Francisco. It was a pleasure to meet Sahag Derounian, Shaunt Avetian, Johnny Khatchadourian and Garin Derounian.  

It was the perfect night for a ball game, and we had even more fun this year. We were seated on the Gallery Level, where people can mingle and eat at stand-up tables. We were all so happy to see each other and catch up. I don’t think we went to our seats until the fourth inning! Even at our seats, we all socialized more than watching the game. We did see a couple of home runs, some good defensive plays and a few errors as the Marlins beat the Nationals 6-1.  

On the bus to the Nationals game

Back at the hotel, the lobby was full of people we know from Jersey, Philly, Boston, Providence and more, catching up and enjoying the laid back atmosphere that is Thursday night at the Olympics. We ran into Rich and Nora Sarajian, Ara’s parents. Rich was excited to introduce me to two young fellows from Australia…and I believe they are competing! My mom, sisters and nephews came from Detroit to see my nephew Jacob play tennis tomorrow. 

The Olympics begin in earnest on Friday. I am leaving the hotel at 6:15 a.m. to watch several hours of golf. Then, after watching tennis followed by swimming matches, we will cap off the night with the Alumni Ball where the Kings, Queens and Varadian Spirit Awards will be presented. On Friday, AYF members will also join “SOS Artsakh!” to protest Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh. The march will begin at the Renaissance Hotel at 1:30 p.m. and conclude at the White House. We embrace our Armenian American heritage and culture exemplified in the AYF Olympic spirit while supporting the plight of our people in Artsakh.

  •  Bio
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Mark Gavoor is Associate Professor of Operations Management in the School of Business and Nonprofit Management at North Park University in Chicago. He is an avid blogger and oud player.


Asbarez: UPDATED: 3 Armenian Soldiers Killed, 1 Injured as Azerbaijan Mounts Offensive on Gegharkunik Province

Hovhannisian John
by Asbarez Staff

 

 September 1, 2023

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

4 Armenian soldiers were killed


Armenia is reporting that three soldiers were killed and another was injured as Azerbaijan mounted an offensive against positions in the Gegharkunik Province on Friday.

The defense ministry initially announced the death toll to be three after doctors were able to revive one of the soldiers who was believed to have died.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of encroaching on Armenia’s territorial integrity after Friday’s brazen attack.

“Today, Azerbaijani Armed Forces , using UAVs and mortars, attacked positions towards the Armenian combat outposts nearby Sotk & Norabak,  leaving 3 servicemen dead & 2 wounded. Encroachments on the territorial integrity of Armenia, combined with warmongering rhetoric, are a continuation of Azerbaijan’s policy,” Pashinyan said in a post on X.

“On September 1, the armed forces of Azerbaijan opened fire on the positions of the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia located in the area of Sotk and Norabak in the Gegharkunik region, which resulted in casualties of 4 killed and 1 wounded. Azerbaijan’s armed forces also used mortars and UAV,” the foreign ministry said in a statement that demanded Azerbaijan withdraw its troops from Armenia’s sovereign territory.

The attacks started in the early morning hours of Friday and have continued throughout the day.

Since around 7:50 a.m. local time, Azerbaijani forces began shooting at positions in Sotk and Norabak villages in Armenia’s Gegharkunik Province. According to Armenia’s Defense Ministry, as of 2:30 p.m. local time the attacks had subsided, but the situation remained tense.

Of the four fatalities, two of them are from Armenia’s Massis region. They were identified as Andranik Antonyan and Arsen Mkrtchyan. Davit Hambartsumyan, the mayor of Massis announced their names in a social media posts.

The Massis city council told Azatutyun.am that the two were taking part in a 25-day training exercises.

The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Azerbaijan’s military aggression targeting Armenian border positions in Gegharkunik province and warned that Baku’s actions could seriously disrupt the efforts aimed at establishing stability and lasting peace in the region.

In a statement released Friday, the foreign ministry called on the international community to restrain “Azerbaijan’s growing maximalist behavior.”

Yerevan accused Baku of systematically disseminating false information as cover for military attacks against Armenian positions.
 
“The encroachments against the territorial integrity of Armenia, combined with the statements and bellicose rhetoric regularly made by the Azerbaijani side on various levels as well as channeled through various state media, are the continuation of Baku’s aggressive policy aimed at settling existing problems and imposing its own will through the use of force and the threat of use of force,” the foreign ministry said in its statement.

“Under the conditions of targeted calls and growing pressure to lift the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, Azerbaijan’s provocation is also aimed at diverting the attention of the international community and avoiding the fulfillment of its obligations,” added the statement.

“We strongly condemn Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior, which is coupled with the overt siege of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh through the eight-month-long illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, and can seriously disrupt the efforts aimed at establishing stability and lasting peace in the region. The Republic of Armenia reaffirms its principled position that all units of Azerbaijan’s armed forces must be withdrawn from the sovereign territory of Armenia,” Yerevan said.

“We call on the international community and the stakeholders interested in real stability in the region to restrain Azerbaijan’s daily increasing maximalist behavior through the existing mechanisms and active and clear steps in order to prevent further escalation of the situation and to bring Azerbaijan to a constructive track,” the statement said.

RFE/RL Armenian Service – 09/01/2023

Chakhmakhchian Vatche 
                                        Friday, September 1, 2023
EU Calls For Compromise On Karabakh Blockade
Moldova - European Council President Charles Michel visits Chisinau, March 28, 
2023.
The European Union’s top official on Friday called for “courageous compromise 
solutions” to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh that would 
include a new supply route controlled by Azerbaijan.
“European Council President Charles Michel has proposed a step-by-step approach 
which would reflect a sequencing in the full-fledged operation of the Lachin 
corridor and the opening of the Aghdam route,” read a statement released by his 
spokeswoman, Ecaterina Casinge.
“The EU strongly believes the Lachin corridor must be unblocked, in line with 
past agreements and the [International Court of Justice] Order, and notes that 
the use of the Aghdam road to provide supplies can also be part of a concrete 
and sustainable solution to the provision of urgent and daily basic needs,” it 
said.
Despite struggling with worsening shortages of food and medicine, most residents 
of Karabakh appear to remain strongly opposed to the alternative supply line 
which Baku has set as a precondition for allowing renewed relief supplies 
through Karabakh’s land link with Armenia.
Scores of Karabakh Armenians have been blocking a road leading to the 
Azerbaijani town of Aghdam to prevent two Azerbaijani trucks loaded with 40 tons 
of flour from entering Karabakh. They as well as the authorities in Stepanakert 
believe that the proposed aid is a publicity stunt aimed at legitimizing the 
nearly nine-month blockade of the Lachin corridor and helping Azerbaijan regain 
full control over Karabakh.
Casinge said Michel and other EU officials have been “in frequent contact” with 
Baku, Yerevan and Karabakh representatives in recent weeks to advance the 
arrangement proposed by the EU chief.
“It is now time for courageous compromise solutions, also in light of today's 
escalation,” added Michel’s spokeswoman.
Reacting to Casinge’s statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said 
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian 
reached an agreement on the simultaneous reopening of the Lachin and Aghdam 
roads during their July 15 meeting in Brussels hosted by Michel. It claimed that 
the Armenian side did not honor the deal.
Baku already made such claims shortly after the Brussels summit. They were 
denied by Pashinian.
The dire humanitarian situation in Karabakh was on the agenda of a meeting of 
the foreign ministers of EU member states held in Spain on Thursday. Speaking 
after the meeting, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell renewed the 27-nation 
bloc’s calls for Azerbaijan to restore “safe and unhindered traffic” through the 
Lachin corridor.
The U.S. State Department also reiterated that Baku should “immediately reopen 
the Lachin corridor to humanitarian, commercial, and passenger traffic.” The 
department spokesman, Matthew Miller, at the same time backed “additional supply 
routes” for Karabakh.
International Court Treaty Sent To Armenian Parliament For Ratification
Netherlands -- The new building of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The 
Hague, on November 23, 2015.
Ignoring stern warnings from Russia, the Armenian government has formally asked 
the country’s parliament to ratify the founding treaty of the International 
Criminal Court (ICC).
The Armenian Constitutional Court gave the green light for parliamentary 
ratification of the treaty, also known as the Rome Statute, in March one week 
after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over 
war crimes allegedly committed by Russia in Ukraine. Moscow said shortly 
afterwards that Yerevan’s recognition of The Hague tribunal’s jurisdiction would 
have “extremely negative” consequences for Russian-Armenian relations.
Yury Vorobyov, a deputy speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament, brought 
up the issue during a meeting of Armenian and Russian lawmakers held in the 
Siberian city of Irkutsk in July. He warned of “significant damage” to bilateral 
ties.
Vorobyov’s Armenian counterpart, Hakob Arshakian, insisted during the meeting 
that Yerevan’s plans to submit to the ICC’s jurisdiction are “in no way directed 
against Russia” and are aimed instead at “preventing Azerbaijani attacks on the 
sovereign territory of Armenia.” Moscow was clearly unconvinced by similar 
assurances made by other Armenian officials earlier this year.
The government’s press office told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on Friday that the 
Rome Statute has been submitted to the National Assembly for ratification. A 
spokesperson for parliament speaker Alen Simonian confirmed the information.
The parliament committee on legal affairs has to discuss the treaty within a 
month. The document will then be debated by the full assembly controlled by 
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s Civil Contract party.
Armenia - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Russian President Vladimir 
Putin attend a CSTO summit in Yerevan, November 23, 2022.
Independent legal experts believe that recognition of the ICC’s jurisdiction 
would require the Armenian authorities to arrest Putin and extradite him to The 
Hague tribunal if he visits the South Caucasus country. Armenian opposition 
lawmakers have expressed serious concern over such a possibility, saying that it 
would ruin Armenia’s relationship with its key ally.
Russian-Armenian relations had already soured in the months leading up to the 
Constitutional Court’s March ruling due to what Pashinian’s administration sees 
as a lack of Russian support for Armenia in the conflict with Azerbaijan.
Arshakian said in Irkutsk that Armenian and Russian diplomats are holding 
“active discussions” on the matter. He expressed confidence that a “legal 
solution acceptable to Armenia and Russia” will be found.
It was not immediately clear whether Pashinian’s government wants lawmakers to 
ratify the Rome Statute unconditionally or with reservations relating to Russia. 
The full text of the relevant decision sent to the parliament was due to be 
publicized later in the day.
Three Armenian Soldiers Killed In Fresh Border Clashes (UPDATED)
Azerbaijani (L) and Armenian army posts near the Sotk gold mine in Armenia's 
Gegharkunik province, June 18, 2021
Three Armenian soldiers were killed and two others wounded on Friday in what the 
Defense Ministry in Yerevan called fresh Azerbaijani truce violations on the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
The ministry reported the first two casualties in the morning when it said its 
troops deployed near the border village of Sotk in Armenia’s eastern Gegharkunik 
province came under “intensive” cross-border fire. The Azerbaijani side is also 
using mortars to strike the Armenian army positions there, it said, adding that 
“the intensity of the gunfire” eased by 11:20 a.m. local time.
The ministry reported renewed Azerbaijani mortar and automatic fire early in the 
afternoon. Azerbaijani troops are also targeting Armenian positions near 
Norabak, another Gegharkunik close to Sotk, it said.
“Armenian army units are taking necessary defensive measures,” read a fresh 
ministry statement.
The Azerbaijani military said, meanwhile, that it is taking “retaliatory 
actions” after three of its soldiers were wounded by Armenian forces. The 
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a statement accusing Yerevan of heightening 
tensions along the border to mislead the international community.
Baku repeatedly accused the Armenian side of violating the ceasefire in the same 
area on Thursday. The Armenian Defense Ministry dismissed the “disinformation,” 
saying that it is aimed at justifying “yet another provocation.”
The Sotk area has been one of the most volatile sections of the long 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border since the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Deadly 
fighting raged there for several consecutive days in early May.
Armenia’s largest gold mine located near Sotk halted production operations in 
April due to systematic cross-border gunfire targeting its workers and 
production facilities. The village was shelled by the Azerbaijani army and 
sustained heavy damage during more large-scale clashes that broke out at this 
and other border sections in September 2022.
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Armenia, South Korea to sign agreement on economic, industrial, scientific and technical cooperation

Garnik Tadevosian

 10:37,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and South Korea plan to sign an agreement on economic, industrial, scientific and technical cooperation.

The bill approving the signing is included in the agenda of the August 31 Cabinet meeting.

The agreement is expected to allow to strengthen economic relations, enhance cooperation between companies, including SMEs, by creating favorable conditions for investments.

It will serve as a platform to strengthen and expand the economic, industrial, tourism, agricultural and scientific-technical cooperation, boost trade turnover and promote partnership.

The agreement envisages the creation of an Armenian-Korean Intergovernmental Commission for scientific-technical, economic and industrial affairs.

After humanitarian convoy gets blocked, Armenia slams Azerbaijan for ‘monstrous’ genocide through starvation in NK

Alex Jidarian

 11:30,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan’s blocking of the humanitarian convoys for Nagorno-Karabakh means that Baku continues its policy of subjecting the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to genocide through starvation in the presence of Russian peacekeepers, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Thursday.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, PM Pashinyan stated that the Azerbaijani authorities continue to block access of the humanitarian convoys stranded near Lachin Corridor.

Another 10 trucks joined on August 31 the 22 trucks carrying essential humanitarian goods for Nagorno-Karabakh. The vehicles are stranded at the entrance of Lachin Corridor near the Armenian village of Kornidzor. The most recent convoy was sent by French regions and was personally escorted by the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo.

“Nonetheless, neither this convoy nor the one stranded there since July 26 were allowed to enter Nagorno-Karabakh. This means that Azerbaijan, in the presence of Russian peacekeepers, continues its policy of subjecting the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to genocide through starvation. The main goal of their policy is to get rid of Armenians from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. As I said previously, one of the scenarios of developing this monstrous plan is the following, Azerbaijan plans to open the Lachin Corridor only in one direction at the most severe phase of the humanitarian crisis, to only allow people to leave Nagorno-Karabakh and not return. This policy of genocide and dispossession is taking place in the 21st century, before the eyes of the international community,” the Armenian Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan added that the situation could be resolved through Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under an international mechanism.

“I find it noteworthy that an international mechanism in this situation is crucially necessary, otherwise, as we’ve ascertained, Baku is derailing with all possible means the opportunity for dialogue,” Pashinyan concluded.