Asbarez: Yerevan Ready to Sign Non-Aggression Pact with Azerbaijan

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

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

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan addresses the UN Disarmament Conference in Geneva on Feb. 27


Accuses Baku of Disregarding Human Rights Norms and Stoking Conflict

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Tuesday said that Armenia is ready to sign an non-aggression pact with Azerbaijan before the ratification of a peace treaty, talks for which are scheduled later this week in Berlin. He also accused Baku of disregarding international human rights norms and continuing the fan the flames of conflict.

Speaking at the annual United Nations Disarmament Conference in Geneva, Mirzoyan proposed to sign a bilateral arms control mechanism and non-aggression pact ahead of the peace treaty “in case the signing of the latter requires additional time to reach a consensus.”

“Armenia is well familiar with the devastating impact of conflict, having experienced the tragic consequences of wars in our recent history. This painful past motivates us to persistently advocate for peaceful resolution of conflicts, prevention of the use or threat of force, uncontrolled and mass acquisition of weaponry and disarmament,” Mirzoyan said.

“The erosion of the arms control regimes does not happen in a vacuum. It is usually a consequence of years-long noncompliance to the main treaties and documents, as well as the negligence of such crucial principles of the UN Charter as the non-use of force or threat of use of force and the maintenance of international peace and security and good-neighborly relations. The international failures of identifying early warning signs of such violations usually evolve into bloody conflicts and hostilities,” the foreign minister added.

He emphasized that continued disregard for international norms led to the 2020 Artsakh War, and continued as Azerbaijan invaded Armenia’s sovereign territory, and, finally in September of last year launched an attack on Artsakh that forced the Armenian population there to flee to Armenia. Mirzoyan accused Azerbaijan of an ethnic cleansing campaign that went generally unpunished by the international community.

“We have proposed simultaneous withdrawal of troops from the Armenia-Azerbaijan interstate border, with further demilitarization of the bordering areas. Armenia also is proposing to sign a bilateral arms control mechanism and non-aggression pact ahead of the peace treaty in case the signing of the latter requires additional time to reach a consensus. Despite the fact that all these proposals have so far been ignored or rejected by Azerbaijan, we are determined to continue our efforts,” Mirzoyan said.

He also spoke at the United Nations Human Rights Council, where he accused Azerbaijan of violating international norms and also derided world leaders for failing to properly condemn the Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia and Artsakh.

“We have been witnessing such a policy of Azerbaijan since the 80s of last century. In fact, today, we commemorate the victims of Sumgait pogroms. Together with similar acts in Baku, Kirovabad and other Armenian-populated cities of Azerbaijan, around 360 thousand Armenians were forced to flee their homes, deprived of all their rights, including the right to property, and find refuge in Armenia. Earlier, due to the same-style implemented policy, Armenians left their homes in Nakhichevan,” Mirzoyan told the UN HRC.

“In the case of Nagorno-Karabakh, there was no shortage of early warning signs of the looming atrocities. The list includes statements from the UN Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Orders of ICJ, public communications of UN Special Procedure Mandate Holders,” explained Mirzoyan.
“However, this was not enough for the international community, and I quote the Secretary General again, ‘to stand on the right side of history, to stand up for human rights.’ Approximately 145.000 people were forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and relocated to Armenia between 2020 and 2023,” he emphasized.

“There are more than thousand missing persons and enforced disappearances on the Armenian side from the wars of the 1990s and 2020. We have 23 prisoners of war and other detainees in Azerbaijan. We have an immense risk of destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage that the UN Special Rapporteur has recently warned: ‘may amount to cultural cleansing,’” Mirzoyan pointed out.

“There is continuous bellicose rhetoric and military escalation provoked by Azerbaijan following earlier incursions into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. The impunity of the illegal use of force resulted in new territorial claims against Armenia. Nowadays, the whole territory of the Republic of Armenia is presented as so-called ‘Western Azerbaijan,’ which was invented with a pure intention to keep tension in the region,” he added, underscoring that February 27 marked the beginning of the 1988 Azerbaijani pogroms of Armenians in Sumgait.

RFE/RL Armenian Service – 02/27/2024

Talar Tumanian 
                                        Tuesday, 


‘Still No Decision’ On New Armenian Constitution

        • Ruzanna Stepanian

Armenia - The main government building in Yerevan's Republic Square decorated 
and illuminated by Christmas lights, December 7, 2022.


Armenia’s leadership has not made a final decision on whether to try to enact 
this year a new constitution sought by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, one of 
his top political allies said on Tuesday.

A national referendum is the only legal way of completely replacing the current 
Armenian constitution enacted in 1995 and repeatedly amended since then.

“If I’m not mistaken, one of the opposition representatives said during an 
RFE/RL program that ‘we should turn the constitutional referendum into [a 
popular vote of no confidence in Pashinian,]” parliament speaker Alen Simonian 
told journalists. “What constitutional referendum? Have we said that a 
constitutional referendum will be held in the near future?”

“Such a change might happen in, say, 2030,” added Simonian.

Pashinian said last month that Armenia needs to adopt a new constitution 
reflecting the “new geopolitical environment” in the region. Also in January, 
the Armenian Ministry of Justice a presented a still unpublicized “concept” for 
constitutional reform to the prime minister’s office.

Critics believe that Pashinian first and foremost wants to get rid of a preamble 
to the current constitution which makes an indirect reference to a 1989 
declaration on Armenia’s unification with Nagorno-Karabakh and calls for 
international recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey. 
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on February 1 that Armenia should remove 
that reference and amend other documents “infringing on Azerbaijan’s territorial 
integrity” if it wants to make peace with his country.

Armenian opposition leaders portrayed Aliyev’s statement as further proof that 
Pashinian wants to change the constitution under pressure from Azerbaijan as 
well as Turkey. The premier and his allies denied that.

Simonian insisted that “there is no decision” on the new constitution yet. He 
claimed that the authorities simply wanted to trigger a public debate on the 
idea and gauge Armenians’ reaction to it.

Ishkhan Saghatelian, a leader of the main opposition Hayastan alliance, 
similarly told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service last week: “In my view, they [the 
authorities] are trying to examine the public mood and they will make a final 
decision only if they feel that they will succeed.”

Saghatelian said that should they decide to hold the referendum after all the 
Armenian opposition “will do everything to turn it into a referendum of no 
confidence in Nikol Pashinian.”




German Lawmaker Against Sanctioning Azerbaijan

        • Anush Mkrtchian

Germany - Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker (left), a senior German parliamentarian, 
talks to journalists in Yerevan, .


A senior member of Germany’s parliament on Tuesday argued against imposing 
sanctions on Azerbaijan over its military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and what 
the European Union has described as territorial claims to Armenia.

Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, the chairwoman of the Bundestag’s committee on 
legal affairs, insisted that European sanctions would only dent prospects for an 
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal.

“I want to stress that the facts presented by you cannot be justified,” 
Winkelmeier-Becker told reporters in Yerevan. “All that is alien to us. I come 
from a country where it is impossible to imagine such a violation of human 
rights, the displacement of an ethnic group.”

“At this stage of the peace process, we should act like an honest broker, a 
facilitator, and I think that such a contribution to the peace process on our 
part is in Armenia’s interests. Sanctions have a limited impact, and their 
application at this stage could hinder the peace process,” said the lawmaker 
affiliated with Germany’s main opposition Christian Democratic Union party.

Winkelmeier-Becker spoke at the end at a visit to Armenia by a German 
parliamentary delegation led by her. The delegation is scheduled to visit Baku 
later this week.

The EU and Germany in particular were quick to condemn Azerbaijan’s September 
offensive that forced Karabakh’s practically entire population to flee to 
Armenia. In an October resolution, the European Parliament accused Azerbaijan of 
committing “ethnic cleaning” and called on the EU to impose sanctions on Baku.

The sanctions require the unanimous backing of all EU member states. None of 
them -- including France, the main EU backer of Armenia -- has voiced support 
for them. French President Emmanuel Macron said in October that punitive 
measures against Baku would be counterproductive at this point.

The 27-nation bloc signaled no change in this policy even after what its foreign 
policy chief, Josep Borrell, described as territorial claims to Armenia made by 
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev last month.

“Any violation of Armenia’s territorial integrity would be unacceptable and will 
have severe consequences for our relations with Azerbaijan,” Borrell warned on 
January 22.




Pashinian Hopes For Progress In Armenian-Azeri Talks

        • Artak Khulian

Greece - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Armenian counterpart 
Nikol Pashinian speak after talks in Athens, .


Just days after saying that Azerbaijan is “very likely” to invade Armenia, Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian expressed hope on Tuesday that the foreign ministers of 
the two states will make progress at their upcoming talks in Berlin.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan complained, meanwhile, about the 
“continuous bellicose rhetoric and military escalation provoked by Azerbaijan” 
as he addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. He accused Baku of making 
“new territorial claims” to Armenia.

Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov are scheduled to meet 
in the German capital on Wednesday and Thursday for further discussions on an 
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty.

“We should hope that progress will be made during that meeting,” Pashinian said 
during a visit to Greece. He said he briefed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos 
Mitsotakis on “outstanding issues” in the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiation 
process.

In an interview with the France 24 TV channel aired last Friday, Pashinian said 
Azerbaijan remains reluctant to recognize Armenia’s borders “without ambiguity” 
and is planning military aggression against his country. The Azerbaijani Foreign 
Ministry rejected the claim as “absolutely baseless.”

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Monday that Yerevan has no choice but 
to accept his terms of a peace deal discussed by the two sides.

Aliyev and Pashinian met in Munich on February 17 for talks hosted by German 
Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The latter said they “agreed to resolve open issues 
without new violence.”




Armenian Speaker Blasts Russian Military Presence

        • Shoghik Galstian

Armenia -- President Armen Sarkissian (second from right) visits a Russian 
border guard post on Armenia's border with Turkey, July 4, 2020.


Parliament speaker Alen Simonian on Tuesday criticized Russian border guards and 
military personnel deployed in Armenia, saying that they do not protect his 
country against Azerbaijani attacks.

The border guards have for decades been stationed along Armenia’s borders with 
Turkey and Iran as well as at Yerevan’s Zvartnots international airport. During 
and after the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh, they were also deployed, along with 
Russian army units, to some sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Some Armenian media outlets have reported in recent weeks that the Armenian 
government now wants them to leave Zvartnots amid its mounting tensions with 
Moscow. Simonian did not confirm those reports. But he did call for Russian 
withdrawal from the airport.

“We will defend the borders of our country, but I’m not sure they will defend 
the borders of our country,” Simonian told reporters, clearly referring to not 
only the border guards but also Russian troops. “It was proved on a number of 
occasions that they didn’t protect [Armenia] and even did everything to make 
those borders much more vulnerable.”

Armenia - Parliament speaker Alen Simonian speaks to journalists, Yerevan, 
November 28, 2023.

The controversial speaker, who is a leading member of Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian’s political team, went on to point to the failure of Russian 
peacekeeping forces to prevent or stop last September’s Azerbaijani military 
offensive that forced Nagorno-Karabakh’s practically entire population to flee 
to Armenia.

“What did they do in Nagorno-Karabakh? They escorted the Armenian population out 
[of the region] … One day they could also escort me and you out of Zvartnots,” 
he said.

Simonian’s remarks are another indication of a deepening rift between 
Pashinian’s government and Moscow. Visiting Paris last week, Pashinian declared 
that Armenia has effectively “frozen” its membership in the Russian-led 
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The Kremlin responded by 
demanding official explanations from Yerevan.

Pashinian has so far stopped short of demanding the withdrawal of the Russian 
troops or border guards from Armenia. His domestic critics say he will 
eventually do so at the behest of Western powers locked in the geopolitical 
standoff with Russia over Ukraine. While also criticizing Moscow’s actions in 
the region, they say that a Russian withdrawal would only encourage Azerbaijan 
and even Turkey to invade Armenia.

Armen Rustamian, a lawmaker from the main opposition Hayastan alliance, 
suggested that Simonian’s calls for the removal of Russian security personnel 
from the Yerevan airport are the first step towards the Armenian government 
demanding an end to the Russian military presence. He warned of “destructive” 
consequences of such a development.



Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2024 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

The California Courier Online Feb. 29, 2024

Manouk Vasilian

The California Courier Online, February 29, 2024

1- Aliyev Asks the Arab League and Turkey

To Pressure PACE to Readmit Azerbaijan
By Harut
Sassounian
Publisher,
The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2- France to deliver armaments to Armenia
3- Dadrian Archive Project Housed at UCLA
4- Catholic Armenian prisoner sends open letter to Pope Francis

************************************************************************************

1- Aliyev Asks the Arab League and Turkey
To Pressure PACE to Readmit Azerbaijan
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
TheCaliforniaCourier.com

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev repeatedly states: “I doesn’t care who says what about my country, I will continue doing whatever I want.” However, this is a cover up. Regardless of his public tough talk, Azerbaijan is working behind the scenes to manage its conflicts with other countries.

Last week, I wrote that Azerbaijan asked the Israeli government to intercede with France to improve their relations which have deteriorated in recent years due to the French support of Armenia in the Artsakh conflict. Since Israel turned down Aliyev’s request to mediate with France, Azerbaijan started looking for other channels to resolve its problems with Europe.

After the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) suspended Azerbaijan’s membership, Aliyev asked the League of Arab States to intervene with Europeans to restore Azerbaijan’s status. On February 13, 2024, at Azerbaijan’s request, Adel bin Abdul Rahman Al-Asoomi, the President of the Arab League’s Parliament, sent a letter to the President of PACE, Theodoros Rousopoulos, complaining about the resolution PACE had adopted refusing to ratify the credentials of the delegation of Azerbaijan.

The President of the Arab Parliament told PACE: “The Arab Parliament expresses its deep regret over the adoption of this resolution; the Republic of Azerbaijan is a friend and strategic partner of the Arab States and plays a significant and influential role to preserve cultural diversity and to promote dialogue among civilizations. …The Republic of Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe since 2001 and plays a major role in promoting activities of this Organization and achieving its principles and objectives. At the global level, it makes concerted efforts to lower tensions and conflicts….”

The President of the Arab Parliament then counseled PACE: “Multilateral parliamentary diplomacy must be an instrument to reconcile points of view, and a wall of resistance in front of any divisions, and an added value for the diffusion of the principles of peace and tolerance.”

The letter ended by urging PACE to reconsider its earlier resolution that had refused to ratify the credentials of Azerbaijan’s parliamentary delegation “which contradict the principles of dialog and cooperation.”

Naturally, Azerbaijan’s Parliament (Milli Majlis) immediately publicized the Arab Parliament’s letter which was also published by several Azeri newspapers.

It is very odd that the Arab Parliament would intervene with PACE on a matter that has nothing to do with Arab states. Azerbaijan is neither a member nor an observer of the Arab League. How can the President of the Arab Parliament call Azerbaijan “a friend and strategic partner of Arab States,” when it is an ally of Israel and buys billions of dollars of Israeli weapons? That is the reason Azerbaijan’s request in the past for observer status was rejected by the Arab League. The only possible explanation for the Arab Parliament’s willingness to write a letter to PACE is that Azerbaijan was engaged in its usual practice of ‘Caviar Diplomacy,’ meaning that it made a very generous donation to the Arab League. Therefore, the Arab Parliament’s statement about Azerbaijan seeking dialog and peace has nothing to do with reality.

Since Armenia has had an Observer status with the League of Arab States since 2005, I am curious to know if Armenia’s representative in the League was aware that the Arab Parliament was considering sending such a letter to PACE in support of Azerbaijan. If yes, what actions, if any, he or she took to object to sending such a letter?

In addition to the Arab League, Azerbaijan is pursuing its lobbying efforts at PACE through its big brother Erdogan, the President of Turkey. Yasar Yakis, the former Foreign Minister of Turkey and founder of the ruling AK Party, wrote in ARAB NEWS on February 25: “Turkey has strongly opposed the suspension of Azerbaijan [from PACE]…. Even if Azerbaijan’s membership of the Council of Europe is suspended, it could survive without being a member.”

Earlier in February, when Aliyev visited Erdogan in Ankara, the Turkish President pledged to do everything possible “to get Azerbaijan's credentials validated at PACE. We will continue our support and efforts for Azerbaijan until the decision [not ratifying its credentials] is overturned.” Erdogan added that Turkey will stress that PACE should be a platform for “parliamentary democracy rather than conflict.” However, Aliyev and Erdogan do not have parliamentary democracy and peace in their own countries.

If Aliyev truly did not care what actions other countries take against Azerbaijan, he would not have gone to such great lengths to lobby the Arab League and Pres. Erdogan to restore his country’s credentials at PACE. He would have simply ignored PACE’s decision.

The truth is that Aliyev deeply cares about his image. Most dictators, having violated all sorts of domestic and international laws, do everything possible to whitewash their crimes and try to look like an angel in the eyes of the world.
************************************************************************************
2- France to deliver armaments to Armenia

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. France will deliver a batch of defensive armaments to Armenia, Le Figaro reported..
The supplies include three Thalès Ground Master (GM 200) radars which have a range of 250 kilometers, as well as night vision devices and other equipment.
As part of defense cooperation, this year the French military will conduct mountain combat training courses for Armenian troops.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu is expected to arrive in Armenia.
***********************************************************************************
3- Dadrian Archive Project Housed at UCLA

MISSION HILLS, Calif. — The Ararat-Eskijian Museum Research Center (AEMRC) and the Armenian Genocide Research Program (AGRP) within the Promise Armenian Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) announced the launch of the Vahakn N. Dadrian Archive Project.

Prof. Dadrian (1926–2019) was a preeminent scholar of the Armenian Genocide and instrumental in establishing the larger field of genocide studies. He lectured and published widely in the field, leading to greater international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. His unique collection of archival materials and books is of extraordinary value to those researching the origins of the Armenian Genocide, the Genocide itself and its aftermath.

Throughout his career, Professor Dadrian accumulated a wealth of material on the Armenian Genocide in different archives, American, British, German, French, Armenian and Ottoman among them. His archive has also numerous unpublished manuscripts and newspapers from various languages. Before his death, he transferred these materials to the AEMRC. The Vahakn Dadrian Armenian Genocide Book Collection is now housed in the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library located at the University of Southern California.

AEMRC initiated a project in 2009 to digitize his personal notes and archives of historical documents and make them available for future generations of researchers interested in furthering their knowledge of Armenian Genocide Studies and general genocide studies.

A total of 28,000 pages out of a total of 110,000 pages were digitized and indexed by 2018. It took two years of effort to appropriately preserve the entire archive collection into special folders and boxes. This full archive has been available to scholars and researchers by in-person appointment only at the AEMRC. Due to a large grant received in 2023, the remaining 80,000 pages are being digitized and indexed. Dr. Anna Aleksanyan, a post-graduate student from Clark University, has been involved in these efforts. She is also currently on fellowship with the AGRP.

The Vahakn N. Dadrian Archive Project is led under the direction of Professor Taner Akçam, the inaugural Director of the AGRP. This project is anticipated to be completed by December 2025. Upon completion, the entire collection will be available online.

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum was founded in June 1985 by Genocide survivor, Luther Eskijian, and includes a unique collection of Armenian artifacts as well as books and materials about the Armenian Genocide. The museum is also a cultural and educational center where scholars, artists, writers, and community leaders can present current and historical subjects related to the Armenian people, as well as Genocide education.

The Armenian Genocide Research Program (AGRP) was established within the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA in early 2022. Led by Taner Akçam, Ph.D., the AGRP engages in research and scholarly activities pertaining to the study of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire during the early 20th century.
**********************************************************************************

4- Catholic Armenian prisoner sends open letter to Pope Francis

Christian Post
By Uzay Bulut and Luciana Minassian, Op-ed contributor

Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) have been illegally detained and tortured in Azerbaijan’s jails for the past three years in violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws.

These prisoners were arrested by Azeri forces during Azerbaijan's war against the Armenian Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh in 2020 as well as its aftermath.

The military of Azerbaijan — with the help of Turkey — attacked Artsakh between 27 September 2020 and 10 November 2020. The war was suspended through an agreement mediated by Russia and signed by Azerbaijan and Armenia.

According to the agreement, all prisoners of war should have been returned and none other arrested after the agreement’s enactment. Azerbaijan, however, refuses to honor this and continues to illegally hold and abuse Armenian POWs.

One is a Catholic Armenian prisoner of war who through an open letter has called on Pope Francis and the Vatican to help him.

Gevorg Sujyan is the founding president of the “New Armenia Homeland-Diaspora Charitable NGO.” Along with another humanitarian worker, Davit Davtyan, Sujyan was arrested by Azeri forces in Artsakh after the November 2020 ceasefire agreement.

Both were part of the non-governmental organization that was providing humanitarian aid near the Shushi region of Arsakh, which was under attack by Azerbaijan.

Sujyan and Davtyan faced an unjust trial in 2021, resulting in a 15-year imprisonment sentence at a Baku detention center. The charges against them, including accusations of “espionage,” were based on a series of articles from the Azerbaijani criminal code. The Baku Court on Grave Crimes orchestrated these trials, which were marked by illegal, illegitimate, and improper proceedings.

Through his family, Sujyan sent an open letter to Pope Francis, asking for help to secure his release:

The Reverend Father,

I offer you the bitter sorrow and the tragic plea of my heart. Please receive these concise and sincere words with kindness, and not with anger. May my heartfelt appeal reach you now, and may the prisoner’s wish be granted in the name of God.

I repent of my sin. I am not a murderer. I have not cheated, yet I am condemned as a criminal. I am misunderstood. I am left with no hope of survival, I am trapped in endless despair…

And now I humbly beg you, merciful Father, to release me from the prison of sins for I have repented for my wrongdoings. Grant me, the undeserving, salvation and freedom. Alleviate my sadness with your mercy. I implore you, take me out of the profound abyss.

I have a family, a son who awaits my return, shedding endless tears. My pleas are filled with anguish, and they resonate from the very depths of my soul. Where will I find my salvation?

Please help me, be the mediator who will save my soul …

Gevorg Ruben Sujyan

The first Armenian genocide in modern history occurred in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. Approximately 1.5 million Armenians perished.

Over 100 years later, from 2020 to 2023, Armenians faced Turkish and Azeri military assaults, illegal blockades, and forced displacements. Azerbaijan and Turkey carried out an ethnic cleansing campaign against Armenians in Artsakh. This included methods such as starving, indiscriminately bombing and forcibly displacing around 120,000 Armenians. Azeri forces beheaded and mutilated Armenians — both civilians and soldiers — and posted videos of these beheadings on social media.

The subsequent mistreatment of Armenian captives is deeply concerning. Accused of violating various articles of Azerbaijan's Penal Code, Sujyan and Davtyan underwent sham trials in Baku's Serious Crimes Court. These trials were shaped by unlawfulness, arbitrariness, and a lack of due process. Armenian detainees faced false accusations and were denied basic guarantees, including the right to a defense lawyer from the moment of their arrest. This contravenes fundamental principles of justice and human rights.

Under the Geneva Convention, these individuals, classified as prisoners of war, should have been promptly repatriated after their arrest. The deliberate disregard for these international norms by Azerbaijan is a blatant violation of humanitarian principles.

A report by the University Network for Human Rights entitled “How Three Years of Atrocities Against Ethnic Armenians Led to Ethnic Cleansing” details the types of torture that the Armenian POWs are routinely exposed to in Azeri jails:

“Armenians captured by Azerbaijan during and after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, as well as in the course of fighting on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in September 2022, have been subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment while in Azerbaijani custody.

Forms of torture and mistreatment have included prolonged and repeated beatings with batons, skewers, brooms, and firearms; laceration of wrists with zip-ties; employment of electro-shock and stress positions; sleep deprivation; confiscation of warm clothing during extreme cold; deprivation of food, water, and hygiene products; and infliction of mental suffering and humiliation.”

The actual number of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan is unknown because Azerbaijan refuses to be transparent about the number. It is also unknown how many POWs were executed after their capture.

According to 

the Center for Truth and Justice,

“Twenty-three Armenians are being illegally detained in Azerbaijan … However, it is suspected that many more POWs and civilian hostages are lingering in Azerbaijani prisons. Now that both wars have ended, all detainees must be freed immediately under the Geneva Conventions. However, Azerbaijan refuses to comply.”

Sujyan, Davtyan and other Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan are tortured for being Christian and Armenian. Governments across the world and international human rights organizations appear to abandon them and ignore their plight. Will Pope Francis and the Vatican hear their call and help liberate them from the captivity and torture they have been suffering for the past three years?

Uzay Bulut is a Turkish journalist formerly based in Ankara.

Luciana Minassian is a human rights lawyer based in Argentina.
************************************************************
California Courier weekly Englsh-language Armenian newspaper, based in California.
Website: TheCaliforniaCourier.com
email:

Ararat-Eskijian Museum Research Center and UCLA’s Armenian Genocide Research Program launch Dadrian Archive Project

Emil Lazarian
 Guest Contributor Announcements 0

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum Research Center (AEMRC) and the Armenian Genocide Research Program (AGRP) within The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA are proud to announce the launch of the Vahakn N. Dadrian Archive Project.

Professor Vahakn N. Dadrian (1926–2019) was a preeminent scholar of the Armenian Genocide and instrumental in establishing the larger field of genocide studies. He lectured and published widely in the field, leading to greater international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. His unique collection of archival materials and books is of extraordinary value to those researching the origins of the Armenian Genocide, the Genocide itself and its aftermath.

Throughout his long career, Professor Dadrian accumulated a wealth of material on the Armenian Genocide throughout the different archives in the world, American, British, German, French Armenian and Ottoman among them. His archive also has numerous unpublished manuscripts and newspapers from various languages. Before his death, he transferred these materials to the AEMRC. The Vahakn Dadrian Armenian Genocide Book Collection is now housed in The Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library located at the University of Southern California.

Professor Vahakn N. Dadrian

After a gradual process of herculean efforts and numerous trips across the nation transporting Professor Dadrian’s archives, the AEMRC initiated a project in 2009 to digitize his personal notes and archives of historical documents and make them available for future generations of researchers interested in furthering their knowledge of Armenian Genocide Studies and general genocide studies.

A total of 28,000 pages out of a total of 110,000 pages were digitized and indexed by 2018. It took two years to appropriately preserve the entire archive collection in special folders and boxes. This full archive has been available to scholars and researchers by in-person appointment only at the AEMRC. Due to a large grant received in 2023, we will be resuming the continuation of digitization and indexing of the remaining 80,000 pages.

Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian’s collection of archival materials and books

We are also in the important process of facilitating the accessibility of the digitized collection, particularly to make it searchable through keywords for researchers. Dr. Anna Aleksanyan, a postgraduate student from Clark University, has been involved in these efforts. Dr. Aleksanyan is also currently on fellowship with the AGRP.

The Vahakn N. Dadrian Archive Project is led under the direction of Professor Taner Akçam, the inaugural director of the AGRP. This project is anticipated to be completed by December 2025. Upon completion, the entire collection will be available online.

The AGRP will host a webinar this spring to offer additional insight into the project.‍

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum was founded in June 1985 by Genocide survivor, Luther Eskijian, and includes a unique collection of Armenian artifacts as well as books and materials about the Armenian Genocide. The museum is also a cultural and educational center where scholars, artists, writers and community leaders can present current and historical subjects related to the Armenian people, as well as genocide education.

The Armenian Genocide Research Program (AGRP) was established within The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA in early 2022. Led by Taner Akçam, Ph.D., the AGRP engages in research and scholarly activities pertaining to the study of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire during the early 20th century.




AYF holds Washington, D.C. protest commemorating anti-Armenian pogroms in Sumgait and Baku

Dabaghian Diana
 AYF DC "Ani" Chapter Diaspora, Youth 0

Photos by Vartkaes Pamboukian and Arpa Shahnazarian

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Youth Federation – Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) Washington D.C. “Ani” Chapter organized a protest in front of the Azerbaijani embassy on Sunday afternoon, , in commemoration of those who were killed during the anti-Armenian pogroms of 1988 and calling for justice in the wake of the Artsakh genocide of 2023.

AYF D.C. “Ani” Chapter member Anie Shahnazarian leads chants condemning Azerbaijani attacks against Armenians in Sumgait and Baku and demands justice for the 2023 Artsakh genocide.

In late February nearly 40 years ago, the Armenian population of Azerbaijan faced a brutal and merciless massacre organized and committed by ordinary Azeri citizens. In Sumgait, mobs of Azeris gathered to attack helpless Armenian families; meanwhile in Baku, dozens to hundreds were killed, raped and brutally injured by similar mobs. Every year since these ambushes, Armenians around the world commemorate those we lost during the pogroms.

Although decades have passed since the annihilation of Armenians from Sumgait, Baku, Kirovabad and Maragha, Armenian Americans and supporters demonstrated that they have not forgotten this miscarriage of justice, spending a cold Sunday afternoon passionately chanting their pleas to “stop threats of war” and “recognize the Artsakh genocide.” 

AYF D.C. “Ani” Chapter member Hovsep Seferian, who last year shared his family’s story of survival from Azerbaijan’s murderous attacks in Baku, roused the crowd with his speech condemning Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh Armenians and warned of further aggression against Armenia. “Aliyev has made his intent to take Syunik very clear and has gone so far as to claim Yerevan as historic Azerbaijani territory. Make no mistake, that’s where he’s going next,” stated Seferian. He urged Armenian Americans to “answer the call of our homeland in what will become its darkest hours if we don’t act.” He emphasized the need to pass the “Armenian Protection Act of 2024 and the 502B legislation in the House and Senate [to] cut American aid from Azerbaijan and keep American taxpayer dollars out of the hands of dictators like Aliyev and Erdogan.” 

AYF D.C. “Ani” Chapter member Hovsep Seferian roused the crowd with his speech condemning Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh Armenians and warned of further aggression against Armenia.

AYF D.C. “Ani” Chapter member Sune Hamparian, describing the 1988 Sumgait massacres, noted, “These pogroms should not and cannot be confused with the spontaneous acts of an angry crowd. Like the genocide of 1915, they were premeditated.” Spotlighting the existential threat facing the Armenian homeland, Hamparian explained, “Having emptied Western Armenia, then Nakhichevan and now Artsakh, they’ve turned their sights on Syunik. Their goal: an Armenia emptied of Armenians. Their weapon: terror and violence.” 

AYF D.C. “Ani” Chapter member Sune Hamparian warned, “Having emptied Western Armenia, then Nakhichevan and now Artsakh, they’ve [Azerbaijan/Turkey] turned their sights on Syunik. Their goal: an Armenia emptied of Armenians. Their weapon: terror and violence.”Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian followed, urging congressional action to sanction Azerbaijan, send assistance to survivors of the Artsakh genocide and ensure their dignified and safe return to Artsakh. “If you all show up, if you all turn out, we can get our congressional delegations on board,” stated Hamparian.  ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian outlines Armenian American demands from U.S. leaders, including sanctions on Azerbaijan, expanded aid to Artsakh Genocide victims and efforts to ensure the secure and dignified return of Artsakh Armenians to their indigenous homes.

AYF D.C. “Ani” vice-chair Matt Girardi then closed the gathering with brief remarks reminding Armenians that “[while] some see our struggle as a burden, I see it as a sign of life, because we have much to fight for!” Then he added, “Artsakh will return to us, Nakhichevan will return to us, and we will leave future generations of Armenians with peace, prosperity and security in a free, united and independent Armenia.”

AYF D.C. “Ani” Chapter vice-chair Matt Girardi leads protest chants at the commemoration of Azerbaijani atrocities in Sumgait and Baku (1988-1992).

The AYF urges all readers to take action on the ANCA website to support the passage of the Armenian Protection Act, impose sanctions on Azerbaijan by passing 502B legislation and divest funds from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Videos from the AYF-led protest are available here:

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Founded in 1942, the AYF Washington DC “Ani” and “Sevan” chapters work to unite Armenian youth and organize activities in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. The chapter has a Senior ("Ani") and Junior ("Sevan") chapter. The Washington DC “Ani” chapter sets out to achieve its goals and objectives throughout the year and hosts events like joint meetings between DMV juniors and juniors in Armenia, protests and other forms of political activism, an annual chapter anniversary dinner and fundraisers to benefit the homeland. The AYF-YOARF's five pillars (athletic, cultural educational, political, social) guide the chapter and help keep its membership active and at the forefront of the Armenian cause at all times.


Homenetmen Central Executive chairman meets with Eastern USA Regional Executive members

Torgomian Varazdat
 Homenetmen Eastern U.S. Diaspora, Youth 0

Regional Executive members meet with Central Executive members Hagop Khatcherian (chairman) and Vahe Tanashian

On Monday, February 19, 2024, members of the Homenetmen Eastern USA Regional Executive Vicken Khatchadourian, Razmik Banosian and Vahe Andonian met with Homenetmen’s Central Executive chairman Hagop Khatcherian (visiting from Lebanon) and Central Executive member Vahe Tanashian. The meeting took place at Homenetmen’s regional office in the Hairenik building in Watertown, Massachusetts.

During this meeting, Khatcherian shared details of Homenetmen’s programs for the next four years, as discussed during the Central Executive’s first plenary meeting held in January 2024. These programs include:

  • Homenetmen’s 13th World Congress held in October 2023 confirmed the continued existence of the Artsakh chapter in exile and the establishment of the Homenetmen Artsakh Fund. While the fund will provide financial support for those displaced from Artsakh, Homenetmen’s efforts also emphasize the need to provide programs for displaced youth to gather and feel camaraderie with their Homenetmen brothers and sisters. Beginning in April 2024, all Homenetmen scouts and athletes will wear a special Artsakh badge on their uniforms, with the purpose of keeping Artsakh at the forefront of our members’ thoughts.
  • To advance the Homenetmen Youth Division, areas will be identified in which it may appeal to both Homenetmen scouts/athletes who are no longer active and non-Homenetmen members who may have other interests. The intent of this undertaking is to create new opportunities for the Armenian youth to unify and utilize their shared strengths, furthering Homenetmen’s ability to contribute to the needs of the Armenian community, both in Armenia and abroad.
  • In addition to the traditional pan-Homenetmen Scouting panagoums and athletic games, Homenetmen will provide additional opportunities for participation by organizing “continental” events. This will allow scouts and athletes who are not able to attend a pan-Homenetmen event to participate in inter-regional events without traveling as far.
  • The organization is taking steps to create a more consistent brand, utilizing the Homenetmen website to provide uniform information about each region across the world. Among others, one of the goals of this program is to target corporate sponsorships for the organization as a whole.
  • Homenetmen is working to update its membership database, gathering additional data that will allow identification of members who have similar educational or professional backgrounds, interests, pursuits, etc. to enhance the development of current and future programs.

The Regional Executive members then shared information about the 12 chapters and miavors in the Eastern USA to better acquaint the visiting Central Executive chairman about the inner workings of the region. The executive members spoke about the region’s major annual events, such as the Navasartian Games and Regional Panagoum, as well as strengths, challenges and priorities for the current term. Several of the Regional Executive’s undertakings for the near term will complement the Central Executive’s programs, such as the completion of a regional membership database, development of a regional youth division and pursuit of a Homenetmen campsite in the Eastern U.S.

Before Khatcherian departed for Lebanon, the Regional Executive members presented him with a Homenetmen Eastern USA Region polo shirt as a small token of appreciation for his visit.

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The Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, known as "Homenetmen," is a non-profit organization founded over 100 years ago. Believing in the idea that strong bodies lead to strong minds, Homenetmen has provided Armenian youth across the globe with a moral, physical and psychological education outside the school environment, while also demonstrating richness of the Armenian culture and heritage. Today, Homenetmen is a worldwide organization with over 25,000 members on five continents. On the East Coast U.S., Homenetmen is a thriving organization with 12 chapters and over 900 members, governed by the Homenetmen Eastern Regional Executive.


Homenetmen Eastern USA Regional Executive holds first plenary meeting

Hambik Zargarian
 Homenetmen Eastern U.S. Diaspora, Youth 0

The Regional Executive of Homenetmen Eastern USA convened its first liakoumar (plenary meeting) for the 2023-2025 term on January 27-28, 2024 at its office in Watertown, Massachusetts. Based on the resolutions and decisions set forth by the 46th Regional Convention held in October 2023, the executive developed over the two-day meeting its strategy for implementing the convention’s vision.

The agenda included a review of the current status of the region’s 12 chapters and miavors (units), specifically with regard to their activities in the organization’s athletic and scouting programs.

The meeting then focused on plans for the region’s 32nd Navasartian Games, to be hosted by the Providence chapter in July. The executive reviewed many of the details that the steering committee has prepared over the last several months, in anticipation of releasing information to the public on social media and the Navasartian Games’ website. Athlete registration for this year will include an educational component intended to reinforce understanding of Homenetmen’s mission among all participating coaches and athletes.

Members of the Regional Executive at the Boston chapter’s Scouting Oath Ceremony

The executive also began preliminary discussions for the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Games, which are expected to take place in Armenia in the summer of 2025, including a high-level plan for athletic tryouts and timelines to plan logistics for travel. The executive is working closely with the Regional Athletic Committee to ensure the success of the athletic program for the next few years.

Regarding the region’s scouting programs, the executive reviewed the proposed candidates for the Regional Scout Council and approved the members who will be responsible for developing the next generation of scouting leaders in the region. The programs for this term include the annual regional panagoums (camping trips) for the scouts and educational seminars for different scouting divisions. The council will also be responsible for preliminary preparations for the 13th Pan-Homenetmen Scout Jamboree, planned to be held in Armenia in 2026. In addition, the executive discussed forming a committee to explore the possibility of securing a regional scouting campsite.

The Regional Public Relations Committee and Information Technology Group are responsible for ensuring successful communication of Homenetmen’s plans and activities both within the region’s chapters and to the public. During the meeting, the Regional Executive reviewed the goals for each committee, which include updating social media guidelines and finalizing a regional membership database.

Regional Executive meeting at its office in the Hairenik building

On Saturday, the Regional Executive members took a break from the liakoumar meeting to attend the Homenetmen Boston chapter’s Scouting Oath Ceremony, during which many Kayligs and Ardzvigs (cub scouts) moved to the Ari and Arenoush groups, older scouts received new ranks and responsibilities and scouts of all ages gave their oaths to abide by the rules of Homenetmen scouting and dedicate themselves to the Armenian people.

The first liakoumar set forth the strategy for ensuring the success and growth of Homenetmen in the coming term. The executive looks forward to sharing this success with all of our current and future members in the Eastern USA region.

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The Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, known as "Homenetmen," is a non-profit organization founded over 100 years ago. Believing in the idea that strong bodies lead to strong minds, Homenetmen has provided Armenian youth across the globe with a moral, physical and psychological education outside the school environment, while also demonstrating richness of the Armenian culture and heritage. Today, Homenetmen is a worldwide organization with over 25,000 members on five continents. On the East Coast U.S., Homenetmen is a thriving organization with 12 chapters and over 900 members, governed by the Homenetmen Eastern Regional Executive.


Hamazkayin of Washington, D.C. hosts first traditional Dyaruntarach/Trndez

Hambardsumian Paul
 Guest Contributor Community News, Diaspora 0

BETHESDA, Md.—The Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association welcomed families, friends and community members from throughout the Greater Washington D.C. area for the first traditional Dyaruntarach/Trndez celebration in the nation’s capital, held at the Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church’s new “River Road” property on February 18, 2024.

Victoria Penenian jumping over the fire

Hamazkayin of Washington D.C. vice-chair Kayane Kassarjian Tatarian warmly welcomed everyone to the age-old Armenian celebration of the upcoming spring and a bountiful harvest. She welcomed remarks from Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church pastor, Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, who offered prayers, invoking blessings upon the gathering and its endeavors.

Hamazkayin of Washington D.C. vice-chair Kayane Kassarjian Tatarian warmly welcoming everyone to the age-old Armenian celebration

Archpriest Fr. Aktavoukian then shared the significance of the Armenian pagan rituals of Trndez, which, upon Armenia’s adoption of Christianity, was renamed Dyaruntarach, meaning “bringing forward of the Lord.” He explained that the ritual of jumping over fire is believed to ward off evil and bring the blessings of children to newly-married couples.

With anticipation mounting, Archpriest Fr. Aktavoukian initiated the lighting of the ceremonial fire, prepared by members of the ARF Sebouh Gomideh. As the flames flickered and danced, filling the air with warmth and light, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and joy.

Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian initiating the lighting of the ceremonial fire

The community then sang a series of traditional Vartanantz songs, voices resonating with pride and unity. Hamazkayin of Washington D.C. Van Dance Group member and AYF DC “Sevan” Juniors chair Meghri Aguilian took a moment to honor the memory of the Armenian traditional dance icon and Artsakh war veteran Gagik Ginosyan, who served as the first dance instructor of the newly-formed Hamazkayin D.C. Van Dance group. They performed the Echmiadzin dance in his honor, paying homage to his legacy and contributions.

Hamazkayin Washington D.C. Van Dance Group performing the Echmiadzin dance in Gagik Ginosyan’s honor, paying homage to his legacy and contributions

As the afternoon progressed, community members young and old eagerly took part in the ancient ritual of jumping over the fire, each leap accompanied by heartfelt wishes for a prosperous year ahead. 

Hamazkayin Washington D.C. members offered refreshments and gift lanterns to attendees, ensuring that the sacred fire and its spirit would continue to illuminate their lives long after the event concluded.

Hamazkayin Washington D.C. offered refreshments and gift lanterns to attendees, ensuring that the participants could take the sacred fire back to their homes

The inaugural traditional Dyaruntarach/Trndez in Washington D.C. was a resounding success, thanks to the dedication and vision of Hamazkayin D.C. chapter members and the Van dancers, as well as the unwavering support of Archpriest Fr. Aktavoukian. As the flames of tradition were kindled anew, it was evident that this cherished custom had found a home in the heart of the nation’s capital, promising future celebrations and gatherings filled with joy, community and cultural pride.




AW: Council of Socialist International adopts resolution on Artsakh

Emil Lazarian
 Guest Contributor Diaspora 0

On February 24-25, the Council of the Socialist International held a meeting in Madrid, at the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE).

Since 1907, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun has been a member of this large political organization, which unites political parties from about a hundred countries. Mario Nalpatian, a former member of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun Bureau and a member of the Armenian National Committee – International, as well as one of the vice-presidents of the Socialist International (SI), participated in the meetings of the Council and the Presidium and was elected a member of the SI Finance and Administration Committee.

President of the Socialist International and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez referred to the Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh issue in his opening speeches at the organization’s Presidium and Council meetings.

At the meetings of the SI Presidium and Council, Nalpatian presented the situation and challenges caused by the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh by Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions and violence, as well as Azerbaijan’s threats and demands directed at the Republic of Armenia.

The SI Council adopted a resolution on the Artsakh issue, which states:

The Socialist International supports the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at signing a peace agreement. To contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in the region, such an agreement should be reached without the use of force or the threat of force, based on international law and diplomatic practice, including a commitment to an internationally sponsored peaceful process towards a final political settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the full realization of the fundamental rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh on their ancestral territory.

President of the Socialist International and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez speaking at the Council of the Socialist International meeting

In line with our longstanding principled policy regarding the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and considering the November 17, 2023 provisional measure by the International Court of Justice ordering Azerbaijan to “ensure that persons who have left Nagorno Karabakh after 19 September 2023 and who wish to return to Nagorno Karabakh are able to do so in a safe, unimpeded and expeditious manner” and “are free from the use of force or intimidation that may cause them to flee,” we reiterate our call:

  1. Until the final political settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the full realization of the fundamental rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, for the collective, unhindered and safe return to their homeland. Also, for the provision of an intermediate status for Nagorno Karabakh – ensuring the full extent of the civil and political rights and providing effective security guarantees for the people of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as unhindered land connection with Armenia – guaranteed by international norms.
  2. For the release of prisoners of war and detained persons. 
  3. For the complete and simultaneous lift of the blockades of transport and other means of communication, without any restriction of sovereignty.

The Socialist International stands ready to assist in these processes through its good offices and with the participation of its member parties and organizations.

The meeting of the Council of the Socialist International also made decisions on organizational issues and adopted the Madrid Declaration.

The Socialist International is the worldwide organization of social democratic, socialist and labor parties. It currently brings together 132 political parties and organizations from all continents. The relevant structures of the ARF are full members of the Socialist International Women (SIW) and the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY). Sarine Abrahamian, from the ARF Youth, is a vice-president of IUSY. 

Armenian National Committee – International
2.27.2024

Armenpress: Prime Minister receives the delegation led by the chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag

Aram Torosian

 14:14,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS.  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation headed by Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, the chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag.

According to the readout issued by the PM's office, the Prime Minister welcomed the delegation's visit to Armenia and emphasized the importance of consistently developing and expanding cooperation with Germany. Nikol Pashinyan noted that political and economic cooperation has been dynamic in recent years and emphasized the fact of bilateral high-level, as well as inter-parliamentary dialogue.

The Prime Minister emphasized Germany's support in the effective promotion of democratic reforms in our country, as well as in ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

In this regard, Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the contribution of Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, as well as emphasized the importance of the principles established by the quadripartite declaration of the German Chancellor, the President of France, the President of the European Council and the Prime Minister of Armenia in Granada last fall.

The interlocutors exchanged ideas on the deepening of Armenia-Germany, Armenia-European Union cooperation, the activities of the EU civilian mission on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and other issues.