On 19 February, Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan received Mr. Tomat and noted that effective operation of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) contributes to ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan met with Mr. Tomat to discuss the activities of EUMA, touching upon the work done with one year since the deployment of the Mission. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the important contribution of the Mission in promoting the stability of the international border with Azerbaijan.

The parties agreed that the Mission is one of the good examples of expanding Armenia-EU cooperation, serving the mutual interest of both Armenia and the EU.

During his visit, CivopsCdr Tomat also joined a EUMA patrol in Jermuk, sharing a car with EU monitors. To this day, EUMA has conducted over 1720 patrols contributing to enhanced security and stability on the Armenian side of the border with Azerbaijan.

On 21 February, EUMA celebrated its first anniversary in Yerevan. CivOpsCdr Tomat addressed the participants stating:

I am very proud of what has been achieved by the Mission so far. It has conducted its activities with exemplary professionalism. EUMA’s presence on the ground is proof of EU engagement for peace and stability in the region.

EUMA is an exclusively civilian and unarmed Mission, operating as an impartial actor to monitor the situation on the Armenian side of the Armenian border with Azerbaijan. Through its reporting to Brussels, it has contributed to a better understanding of the situation on the ground. It also plays an important role in support of EU high-level efforts for Armenia-Azerbaijan normalisation.

On 11 December 2023, the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to strengthen the observation capacity of EUMA within the Mission’s existing Area of Operation by increasing its presence on the ground from 138 staff to 209.

The Mission operates from Headquarters in Yeghegnadzor, with six Forward Operating bases in Kapan, Goris, Jermuk, Yeghegnadzor, Martuni and Ijevan. The Mission will open a Liaison and Support Office in Yerevan in spring 2024. The Mission has a two year mandate which runs until February 2025.

https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/civilian-operations-commander-visits-armenia-1st-euma-anniversary_en

Armenia’s unique landscape is often at the brunt of seismic challenges. This has presented the Government the opportunity to implement a variety of urban development strategies tailored to its seismic risk zone. In response to such geodynamic processes, Armenia has not only embraced cutting-edge guidelines for earthquake-resistant construction but has also focused on the renovation of existing housing stock.

At the center of this is the implementation of a “micro regional planning document”, a participatory spatial plan aimed at fostering balanced territorial development with a green energy focus. Armenia’s focus on integrated governance, community involvement, and a holistic approach to spatial planning, sheds light on valuable lessons for sustainable urban development in the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Considering that Armenia is in a seismic risk zone with geodynamic processes throughout its’ territory, it has adopted new guidelines for earthquake-resistant construction, as well as enforcement of existing housing stock and its renovation.

Another important milestone is the protection of historic heritage and adaptive reuse of industrial abandoned areas from the post-Soviet cities, done in parallel with the modernization of the housing stock, urban fabric, mobility enhancements and low carbon transport.

The development of these policies ensures active involvement of local communities through public discussions supported by decentralization of governance processes in the country, in line with the pledge of “leaving no one behind”.

A key learning for the region is Armenia’s integrated and participative governance model for urban planning which has proved to be more effective for achieving sustainable urban regeneration and growth.

Analysis of Armenia’s existing human settlement system uncovers disparities and uneven utilization of territorial resources as well as urban expansion to agricultural lands and on the other hand shrinking settlements in the suburbs.

In response to these spatial development challenges, several priorities to promote sustainable territorial arrangements from Armenia’s experience based on integration of social, economic, environmental and cultural demands emerge. These include priorities to strengthen:

• Polycentric urban growth to formulate a sustainable settlement system across regions for a balanced spatial structure with cities as centers of the system.
• Cities’ urban structure and their inclusive governance systems.
• Partnerships for balanced territorial development between urban and rural areas.
• Economic capacity of the region by building integrated economic relations between the components of urban clusters.
• Disaster risk management including addressing the adverse impacts of climate change such as flooding.
• Ecologic frameworks and cultural resources as part of new urban development strategies.

• Ecological frameworks, which integrate public spaces, attract a number of key development functions and affect climatic conditions, along with being places for leisure and culture-which are essential for social life.

  Since 2017, joint planning projects have been developed for marzes (regions) of Armenia. Due to the clustering of the communities, they need new urban models and general concepts for their spatial structure to respond to new development challenges․

  
  

• The conceptual, socio-economic justification of combined spatial planning should be aimed at identifying internal potential opportunities and preconditions of the region as a complete planning unit cluster and communities, interconnected by mutual territorial, economic and infrastructural relations. The ongoing spatial planning programs improved local policies and designs for safe, inclusive and accessible public spaces, which support more compact, integrated and connected, socially inclusive cities and neighborhoods in partner settlements of the urban cluster-joint community.

  In addition, the documents recommend solutions to address the problems of providing proper housing to the forcibly displaced population from Nagorno-Karabakh, and those displaced as a result of disasters.

  Armenia’s experience in advancing sustainable urban development and localizing the SDGs provides valuable insights and policy implications for the wider Asia-Pacific region. The region can draw upon these lessons to formulate and implement effective policies for sustainable urban and territorial development.

  Omar Siddique
  Economic Affairs Officer
  Nune Petrosyan

  Deputy Chairman of the Urban Development Committee of the Republic of Armenia

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• https://www.unescap.org/blog/urban-resilience-through-integrated-spatial-planning-armenias-key-learnings-region

BAGHDAD: Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and his Armenian counterpart Vahagn Khachaturyan met in Baghdad and discussed means to enhance bilateral ties in various aspects.

A statement by the media office of the Iraqi presidency said on Tuesday that the two leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, including the economy, trade and investment, Xinhua news agency reported.

During the meeting, Rashid stressed the importance of intensifying international efforts to "continue combating the threat of terrorist organisations and extremist ideology that target the security and lives of everyone without exception, " the statement said.

Rashid also commented on the tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan, stressing Iraq's position calling for dialogue and adopting political solutions to settle their differences.

Later on Tuesday, the two Presidents held a joint conference, during which Rashid welcomed Khachaturyan and expressed his readiness to "work with his Armenian counterpart to make this visit an essential milestone in improving relations between the two countries".

For his part, the Armenian President told the press conference that the talks discussed ways to develop bilateral relations and many issues related to regional developments.

"We stressed the need to reach a peaceful settlement of existing conflicts based on the rules of international law and respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and equality among all countries, " Khachaturyan added.

https://www.punjabnewsexpress.com/news/news/iraqi-armenian-presidents-hold-talks-in-baghdad-to-boost-ties-241873

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has deep-rooted historical origins, with tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region tracing back to the early 20th century. Nagorno-Karabakh, predominantly Armenian but located within the borders of Azerbaijan, has been a focal point of contention. The conflict escalated in the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh sought to join Armenia, leading to violent clashes and eventually a full-scale war.

The Soviet Union’s policies and borders significantly influenced the conflict dynamics. The region was established within Azerbaijani borders by the Soviets in 1923, despite its Armenian majority population. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the conflict intensified as both Armenia and Azerbaijan asserted their claims over Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to a devastating war that resulted in significant casualties and displacement.

In recent years, the conflict experienced renewed escalations, culminating in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. Azerbaijan, bolstered by its oil revenues and modernization efforts in its military, particularly in drone technology and loitering munitions, achieved significant military successes against Armenian forces. This conflict highlighted Azerbaijan’s adoption of modern warfare tactics and equipment, which outmatched Armenia’s older, Russian-made military arsenal.

In response to Azerbaijan’s advancements and Armenia’s military needs, India emerged as a significant arms supplier to Armenia. Over the past four years, Armenia has procured a substantial amount of weaponry from India, including Swathi Weapons Locating Radars, Pinaka multiple-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, artillery guns, anti-drone systems, and surface-to-air missile systems. These arms sales have bridged critical gaps in Armenia’s military inventory.

India’s motivations for arms sales to Armenia are multifaceted. Firstly, India seeks to expand its defence industry’s market and enhance its defence ties with Armenia, a strategically located country in the South Caucasus region. Additionally, by supporting Armenia, India aims to counterbalance the influence of regional powers like Turkey and Pakistan, which have supported Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Furthermore, India’s engagement with Armenia aligns with its broader foreign policy objectives of promoting stability and security in the region.

Also Read: From Mines to Grassland: Miyawaki Plantation Revolutionizing Coal Sector

India’s arms sales to Armenia have significant implications for regional dynamics. They signal India’s willingness to assert its influence in regions beyond its immediate neighborhood and challenge the dominance of other regional players. Moreover, these arms sales could potentially exacerbate tensions between India and Azerbaijan, as evidenced by Azerbaijan’s objections and warnings against India’s support for Armenia. However, they also present opportunities for India to strengthen its diplomatic ties and strategic partnerships with countries like Armenia and Greece, which share similar concerns regarding Turkish expansionism.

Russia has historically played a significant role in the South Caucasus region and has maintained close ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, its ability to assert influence in the region has faced limitations, particularly in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Despite being a key ally of Armenia and providing military support, Russia’s perceived neutrality during the 2020 conflict and its inability to prevent Azerbaijan’s military advancements have raised questions about its effectiveness as a security guarantor for Armenia. Moreover, Russia’s preoccupation with other geopolitical crises, such as the conflict in Ukraine, has diverted its attention and resources away from the South Caucasus, creating opportunities for other players like India to fill the void.

Azerbaijan has reacted strongly to India’s arms sales to Armenia, viewing it as a challenge to its security interests. President Ilham Aliyev and Azerbaijani military officials have issued warnings to India, urging it to cease its support for Armenia to avoid further escalation. Azerbaijan’s close alliance with Turkey and Pakistan, both of which have provided military and diplomatic support during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, strengthens its position in the region. The alignment of these countries poses challenges for India’s engagement in the South Caucasus and underscores the importance of strategic diplomacy and coalition-building to mitigate tensions and maintain regional stability.

India’s growing engagement with Armenia has broader implications for regional balance and stability. By providing military assistance to Armenia, India aims to bolster its strategic presence in the South Caucasus and counterbalance the influence of Turkey, Pakistan, and other regional actors supporting Azerbaijan. However, India must navigate carefully to avoid exacerbating existing tensions and conflicts in the region. India’s support for Armenia could strain its relations with Azerbaijan and potentially affect its ties with other countries in the region. Therefore, India must balance its strategic interests with the imperative of maintaining diplomatic relations and stability in the South Caucasus.

One of the primary challenges for India is to navigate the complex regional dynamics of the South Caucasus while advancing its strategic interests. India must carefully balance its support for Armenia with its broader diplomatic engagements in the region, including maintaining constructive relations with Azerbaijan and other key stakeholders. Achieving this balance requires nuanced diplomacy and strategic decision-making to mitigate potential conflicts and promote stability.

India can leverage its partnerships with countries like Greece to strengthen its position in the South Caucasus and counterbalance the influence of regional rivals. Greece’s historical tensions with Turkey and its shared interests in promoting stability in the region make it a valuable ally for India. By deepening cooperation with Greece and other like-minded countries, India can enhance its diplomatic leverage and bolster its strategic presence in the South Caucasus.

India must address concerns and counterarguments raised by regional actors, particularly Azerbaijan, regarding its support for Armenia. India should engage in transparent and constructive dialogue to clarify its intentions and emphasize its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. Additionally, India can explore diplomatic channels to mitigate tensions and build trust with all stakeholders, emphasizing its role as a responsible global actor committed to upholding international norms and principles.

India’s strategic engagement with Armenia amidst the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict presents a crucial opportunity for bolstering its influence in the South Caucasus region. By providing significant military assistance to Armenia, India aims to not only enhance its defence industry’s market but also counterbalance the influence of regional powers like Turkey and Pakistan. This proactive involvement underscores India’s commitment to promoting stability and security in the region while positioning itself as a key player in shaping geopolitical dynamics beyond its immediate neighborhood.