Nagorno Karabakh -=- ARTSAKH

[Yervant1]

Asbarez.com

Yerevan Underscores Imperative of Response by CSTO to Baku’s Aggression

by Asbarez Staff

June 20, 2023

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

Foreign ministers of CSTO member-states meet in Minsk, Belarus on June 20

 

Belarus President Says Armenia’s CSTO Criticism is Justified

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Tuesday emphasized the imperative of the CSTO to respond to Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression against Armenia and Artsakh.

Speaking at the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s summit of foreign minister in Minsk, the Belarus capital, Mirzoyan spoke extensively about Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenians on Artsakh as well as its continued breach of Armenia’s borders through attacks on Armenian military positions.

He said that in light of Azerbaijan’s continued use of force, the CSTO must unconditionally fulfill its obligations and prove a clear assessment of the violations being committed against Armenia’s sovereign borders.

Yerevan and the CSTO, of which Armenia is a member, have been at odds since the organization did not properly condemn Azerbaijan’s attack and invasion of Armenia in September of last year. On several occasions, Armenia has appealed to the CSTO for assistance when Azerbaijan has breached its sovereign borders beginning in May, 2021. However, according to Yerevan, the organization has not responded according to the group’s charter.

Armenia has claimed that a lack of response by the CSTO prevented it from signing an agreement in November to allow the group to deploy a mission to the Armenian-Azerbaijan border.

President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus told the CSTO summit on Tuesday that Armenia’s criticism of the security bloc is “justified.”

Lukashenko said that Armenia is making justified claims, while another member, Kyrgyzstan, has been asking for support in resolving a border dispute with Tajikistan.

“I would say there are problems, very serious problems,” Lukashenko told the summit.

“If we do not resolve these problems, we will constantly rebuke each other and express discontent regarding the activities of the entire organization. Problems are there to be resolved. Thus, regardless of anything, we must dive into these issues that CSTO member Armenia and CSTO members Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are addressing today,” Lukashenko added.

“If we can help resolve the conflict on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border; if we start solving this issue, they will be grateful. People will stop dying, and these countries will always be grateful to us. The same goes for the most difficult problem of Azerbaijan and Armenia,” the Belarus leader said.

Ahead of the summit, Lukashenko met privately with Mirzoyan, who provided a briefing on the latest violations and attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia and Artsakh.

After recalling Azerbaijan’s ongoing occupation of Armenia’s sovereign territory, Mirzoyan addressed Azerbaijan’s continuous aggressive actions against Armenia’s sovereign territory and internationally recognized borders, the targeting of Armenian positions and civilian infrastructure in recent days, and emphasized their destabilizing effect on regional stability and security. In this context, Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the imperative of CSTO’s response.

Mirzoyan also referred to the tense situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and around Nagorno-Karabakh, including the provocations of Azerbaijan in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping troops.

The Armenian foreign minister told Lukashenko that Azerbaijan’s actions are not only hindering efforts to establish peace with Armenia, but also damage efforts by “all parties interested in ensuring stability and predictability in the South Caucasus.”

https://asbarez.com/yerevan-underscores-imperative-of-response-by-csto-to-bakus-aggression/?fbclid=IwAR3S5pzSX-n-F-a0Kr9Ma6JQ0tgNHduaVxDh1E27YJD-kp3qs08zjJ5pOFM

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

June 21 2023

The SEDE Delegation joined EUMA for a patrol near Lachin corridor for better understanding of the security situation

21.06.2023

Goris, 21.06.2023 – Today, the delegates of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) of the European Parliament visited the operational hub of European Mission in Armenia (EUMA) in Goris to get better understanding of the security situation in border areas between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the ground. Following the briefing by Head of EU Mission in Armenia Markus Ritter, the delegation led by Ms Nathalie Loiseau and the Ambassador to EU Delegation in Armenia Andrea Wiktorin joined EUMA for a patrol near Hakari bridge on the Armenian side, leading to Lachin corridor.

Markus Ritter: EUMA acts in a way as a spotlight of the international community

As part of the welcome speech, Markus Ritter highlighted that EU Mission in Armenia “acts in a way as a spotlight of the international community on incidents and ceasefire violations in Armenian-Azerbaijani border areas.” At the end of the visit, Nathalie Loiseau expressed support for EUMA as well as “for the peace aspiration in the region,” and thanked all the involved parties for organising the visit.

Nathalie Loiseau: European Parliament supports EUMA as well as the peace aspiration in the region.

Besides the operations of newly launched EU Mission in Armenia, the purpose of the three-day long visit of the SEDE delegation was to assess the security situation in Armenia as well as the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

What is SEDE?

The Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is a subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. It is responsible for the European security and defence policy (ESDP), including institutions, capabilities and operations, as well as developing relations with strategic partners and third countries. During the Ninth European Parliament (2019–2024), the committee has 30 members and is chaired by Nathalie Loiseau from France. More information on activities of the subcommittee can be found here.

What is EU Mission in Armenia?

EUMA is a non-armed, civilian and non-executive mission with the aim to observe and report to the EU on the security situation on the ground. The mission is deployed on the Armenian side of the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Headquarters in Yeghegnadzor, planned six operational hubs (also called Forward Operating Bases) and a small Support and Liaison office in Yerevan.

Contact information

Press and Public Information Office

ppio@eum-armenia.eu

https://www.eeas.europa.eu/euma/sede-delegation-joined-euma-patrol-near-lachin-corridor-better-understanding-security_en

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

European Parliament delegation joins EU mission in Armenia for 'planned patrol to Lachin corridor'

12:50, 21 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. The European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defense (SEDE) delegation led by Chair Nathalie Loiseau have joined the EU Mission in Armenia for a planned patrol to Lachin Corridor, the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) tweeted.

“Head of EU Mission in Armenia Markus Ritter and Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin welcome European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defense Chair Nathalie Loiseau and the SEDE delegation at the Sisian airfield to join EUMA for a planned patrol to Lachin corridor,” EUMA tweeted.

 

The Members of the European Parliament are visiting Armenia from 19 to 22 June to assess the security situation, the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the operation of the civilian EU mission – EUMA.

The Lachin Corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022.

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has so far ignored the order. Furthermore, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor in violation of the terms of the 2020 ceasefire statement.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1113769.html?fbclid=IwAR333r19TsrM13J-OGwmk4I35xmdnj4gFjFM3R9zuGDN77FdlCQFavSzYd0

[Yervant1]

Where is the force to go with that declaration?

 

Armenpress.am

We saw with our own eyes the complete and illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. Nathalie Loiseau

20:05, 21 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. Blocking the Lachin Corridor is illegal and must be stopped, ARMENPRESS reports, chair of the Security and Defense Subcommittee of the European Parliament Nathalie Loiseau announced, reaffirming the European Parliament's position on the issue of blocking the Lachin Corridor.

Nathalie Loiseau noted that they came to Armenia to express their support for the democratic processes and reforms they have witnessed over the years, as well as for all the peace-oriented efforts aimed at the idea of establishing peace with neighboring Azerbaijan.

"We wanted to make sure and assess the situation ourselves and also see how the European Union’s civilian mission, which has been operating along the border for four months, is working. Yesterday we had a meeting with officials in Yerevan, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other high-ranking officials. Today we were in Goris, where we met with the governor of Syunik, the head of the community of Goris, residents of Nagorno-Karabakh located in Armenia and talked with them about the 44-day war and the blocking of the Lachin corridor.

We also approached the entrance to Lachin Corridor and saw with our own eyes the complete and illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. We heard about the increasing number of armed incidents and the invasion of the sovereign territory of Armenia. We learned about the incident in Yeraskh, where civilians were targeted. We also learned about the incident at the entrance to Lachin Corridor, where Azerbaijanis tried to raise a flag. I would like to send a strong message: as much as Armenia is devoted to peace, Azerbaijan is obliged to present evidence that it is also devoted to peace. The European Union is making efforts to facilitate the contacts between the leaderships of Armenia and Azerbaijan," Loiseau said.

According to her, the European Union is making efforts to reduce tension and the presence of the EU mission in Armenia should contribute to reducing those tension.

"As you know, it once country decides to start a war, but to stop it, the goodwill of both countries is needed. The time has come for a lasting peace to be established. I want to reaffirm the position of the European Parliament: the blocking of the Lachin corridor is illegal and must be stopped. The rights and well-being of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh must be protected and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia must be respected. I will take this message with me to Brussels, I will testify about what we saw and heard while in Armenia.

Since the blocking of the Lachin Corridor is illegal, I also send a message to the European ambassadors accredited in Baku, if Azerbaijan invites them to an illegally located checkpoint, they should refrain from accepting the invitation, remaining faithful to the terms of the ruling of the International Court of Justice," Loiseau concluded.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1113826.html?fbclid=IwAR21XgRPnKTOcKJEj0MpUqT53Dy17euTl5Yu6HSsIg5rnEzF9lN89AbXW9Q

 

[Yervant1]

I thought the closure was found to be illegal, by you! What other facts are you looking for? Now you need to use the force!

 

Armenpress.am

The European Parliament fully supports the idea of sending an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor

20:53, 21 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS. The European Parliament fully supports the idea of sending an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor. ARMENPRESS reports, the chairperson of the Security and Defense Subcommittee of the European Parliament Nathalie Loiseau said during a press conference, answering the question whether the issue of sending a fact-finding team to the Lachin Corridor was discussed with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as part of her visit to Armenia, and whether she currently sees such an opportunity?

"First, there is a decision of the International Court of Justice regarding the unblocking of the Lachin Corridor, which must be properly implemented. Second, the European Parliament fully supports the idea of sending a fact-finding mission.

The European Parliament also welcomes the idea of an international presence in general to fully protect the rights and interests of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

We are also completely in favor of a UN Security Council resolution being adopted. And the sooner, the better it will be if the members of the UN Security Council prepare a draft of such a resolution," said Loiseau.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1113830.html?fbclid=IwAR1BpFkXE7Ak_1ZvC1fzOHeZUITPHZ1juXXSf7_J4cmbUkkkZs8ECIo58dI

 

[Yervant1]

Asbarez.com

Calling Blockade a War Crime, Artsakh Demands International Intervention

by Asbarez Staff

June 21, 2023

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

A placard held during a massive protest in Stepanakert against the Azerbaijani blockade in December, 2022

 

The complete and arbitrary blocking of the Lachin Corridor, in particular the deliberate obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian cargo by the Russian peacekeeping forces and the ICRC for the basic needs of the people of Artsakh under siege, is considered a war crime under international law, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We strongly demand that all responsible members of the international community take the necessary collective and individual measures to stop the ongoing international crimes committed by Azerbaijan, and to prevent a catastrophe threatening the people of Artsakh with genocide,” the statement said.

“We also consider it timely for the ICRC and other relevant international structures and human rights organizations to properly and adequately assess the situation and urge the Azerbaijani authorities to respect the right of the people of Artsakh to humanitarian assistance and international protection. We note that inaction and indifference in fact encourage Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions,” added the statement.

The Artsakh foreign ministry pointed out that for seven days now, Artsakh is completely cut off from the rest of the world since Azerbaijan blocked all transportation to and from Artsakh through the Lachin Corridor, including the humanitarian efforts being provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeeping forces.

“Azerbaijan has gone from blatant violation of the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and complete disregard for the legally binding Order of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023 to actions that amount to a war crime,” explained the Artsakh foreign ministry.

“The complete blockade and isolation of the Republic of Artsakh from the outside world exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and prepare fertile ground for the escalation of Azerbaijan’s ongoing crimes against humanity into the crime of genocide. By completely blocking the Lachin Corridor, which is the only Road of Life for the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan has actually taken its targeted policy of ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and destruction of its people as such to a new level,” the statement emphasized.

“There is no doubt that the initial purpose of the illegal establishment of Azerbaijani control over the Lachin Corridor was its subsequent blockade and use as a means of conducting its aggressive and genocidal policy against the people of Artsakh. In fact, the Lachin Corridor, originally intended to connect Artsakh with the outside world and as one of the guarantees of the normal life activity of its people, is used by Azerbaijan as a military-political tool to carry out aggressive actions against the Republic of Artsakh and its citizens,” explained the statement.

“The deliberate starvation of 120,000 people, including women, children and the elderly, inflicting unbearable daily suffering on them, as well as imposing Azerbaijan’s own will with the use or threat of force, requires the international community to take urgent and effective enforcement measures aimed at preventing massive violations of rights of the people of Artsakh,” the Artsakh foreign ministry said.

https://asbarez.com/calling-blockade-a-war-crime-artsakh-demands-international-intervention/?fbclid=IwAR1GreC1seb6GHtk0RCJbWdebVAM-i0E6ppAU-5DTKCadArDiwRxcB51IXQ

[Yervant1]

June 27 2023

It’s make or break time for Nagorno-Karabakh’s future

Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks in Washington DC. It’s a critical moment for Nagorno-Karabakh

 

Olesya Vartanyan

The year-long negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a peace agreement have reached a critical moment. Since May, leaders and their representatives have regularly convened in various capitals worldwide. And today, delegates are due to begin several days of talks in Washington DC.

While some of those involved acknowledge progress, stating that almost half of the document has already been agreed, the path to a successful end remains distant. The main point of disagreement remains the lack of compromise on the key and most difficult issue – the fate of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

This issue has been a central element in the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict, which has remained unresolved since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nagorno-Karabakh is a small enclave populated by Armenians located within the territory of Azerbaijan. Following the war in the 1990s, the Armenian side emerged victorious and controlled territories extending more than twice the size of Soviet era boundaries of the region for over 25 years. After the defeat in the 2020 war, around 120,000 local Armenians reside in a much smaller territory patrolled by Russian peacekeepers. All the territories around the enclave are now controlled by Azerbaijan.

Over the past year, the Armenian leadership has made significant concessions, such as officially recognising Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, including Nagorno-Karabakh. But in order to proceed with the peace treaty Armenia is insisting it includes special rights and ensures the security of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population. International mediators also want special measures due to decades of conflict and the recent 2020 war that claimed over 7,000 lives in just six weeks. The de facto leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh itself continues to assert its independence, even though the entity remains unrecognised by any state in the world.

The outcome of the talks largely hinges on what stance Azerbaijan will take. For Baku, any options considered must align with the objective of securing complete control over the Armenian-populated territory. It rejects reopening discussions on the enclave’s status, which persisted for almost 30 years without results.

International mediators see a way out by giving Baku and Stepanakert a chance to start talks on ways to continue living next to each other. The proposal was first put forward by European mediators a year ago and was promptly supported by their American counterparts. In April, the Russian foreign minister also spoke in support, but there have been no signs yet that Moscow is ready to push for the process to move forward.

Those involved in this week’s Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks say if direct dialogue does begin between Baku and Sepanakert, Yerevan and Baku will be able to proceed with signing the peace deal in the near future.

What could Baku-Stepanakert talks look like?

Both the president of Azerbaijan and the de facto leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh have spoken about their readiness to consider such negotiations. But many elements of the future process still remain unclear, including the format, agenda, location of the meetings and role of outside mediators. These factors can significantly influence not only the prospect of a deal but also its effectiveness and potential success.

Stepanakert is probably the party most interested in launching these talks. The last seven months have been particularly difficult for the local population. It started with the Baku-backed activists that blockaded the only road that connects the enclave with Armenia. That halted the movement of people and led to shortages of food products and medical supplies. In April, the situation deteriorated further, when Baku installed a checkpoint on this road.

In June, following a brief exchange of fire, Azerbaijan closed the checkpoint even for humanitarian cargo such as food and medication, which was being delivered to Nagorno-Karabakh by Russian peacekeepers and the International Red Cross (ICRC). On top of this, for over four months the local Armenians have faced a shortage of electricity supply and no natural gas due to the damage of the supply routes from Armenia that cross over the Azerbaijani-controlled territory in the conflict zone. As of Sunday, the ICRC is now able to conduct medical evacuations, though deliveries of food and medicine are still cut off.

When similar problems emerged in the past, Stepanakert would address them through the Russian peacekeepers or use its own contacts on the Azerbaijani side. None of these channels function anymore. Since the EU and US started pushing for the launch of Baku-Stepanakert talks, all parties have become particularly wary of not conceding on the format and content of the future talks even before they start.

Azerbaijan now refuses to have either formal or informal talks with the de facto officials of Nagorno-Karabakh. Instead, it invites them to Baku to demonstrate that the talks can be only about incorporating the enclave to its direct rule.

“All we hear is that each and every problem will be resolved when we agree to ‘integrate’ to Azerbaijan on their terms,” one de facto official said. “But we do not need a meeting just for the sake of meeting. We must show our people that this dialogue with Baku will be genuine.”

Mediation comes with more presence on the ground

Another crucial aspect of any Baku-Stepanakert talks is whether they would involve foreign mediators. Azerbaijan advocates for direct negotiations, similar to communication that is in place between Baku and its provinces. Conversely, Stepanakert believes that the participation of international actors is indispensable for ensuring the sustainability of any future agreements.

The knock-on effect of the war in Ukraine has complicated matters.

In previous decades, the OSCE Minsk Group, led by co-chairs from Russia, France, and the US, played a prominent role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Communication between Western and Russian envoys came to a standstill following the onset of the Ukraine war. Western diplomats say that despite formal assurances of willingness to separate the Nagorno-Karabakh issue from the Ukraine confrontation, Russia is reluctant to engage.

Much now depends on whether Baku would be willing to give the talks with Stepanakert a chance. Azerbaijan’s leadership harbours mistrust towards counterparts in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

“None of us desires another war in this region,” a Western diplomat told me last autumn. But in Moscow, officials are deeply suspicious of the West’s intentions. “We will not aid them in ousting Russia from the South Caucasus ourselves,” a Russian diplomat remarked this spring. As a result, Russia, the US, and the EU are all independently pursuing negotiation processes between Yerevan and Baku.

In theory, Russia could have been best suited to lead Baku-Stepanakert talks, if not for its waning influence in the area. Vladimir Putin played a pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire during the 2020 war and deployed peacekeepers. Russia then bolstered its military presence and increased the number of border guards along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border following the conflict. But the invasion of Ukraine significantly eroded the effectiveness of the Russian presence.

In 2022, three escalations occurred in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, each surpassing the previous in intensity and casualties. Azerbaijan gained a more advantageous military position along the front lines. The blockage of the Lachin road leading to Nagorno-Karabakh served as a stark demonstration of Russia's declining power. When the Azerbaijani military constructed a checkpoint adjacent to the Russian peacekeepers' observation point on that road, even the de facto officials openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Russia's inability to maintain the post-2020-war order in the region.

Some Western and Armenian representatives say there is still no discussion of replacing Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, but they at least want an additional international presence on the ground. A Western diplomat voiced concerns, stating: “We cannot rely on a mission without a clear mandate.”

This highlights the absence of an established and internationally recognised modus operandi for the Russian peacekeeping mission. Following its deployment in 2020, Russia opted not to seek assistance from the international entities to support its mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. These days Baku frequently expresses its frustration with the Russian peacekeepers and speaks about its desire for their departure when their term expires in 2025. So whether Azerbaijan would agree to an international mission that would add to the Russian peacekeepers’ presence remains a big question, considering Baku’s historical opposition to foreign presence on its territory.

What any additional international presence could look like remains a major question. Will it take the form of an international organisation or a foreign state? Will it be civilian in nature or involve policing functions? Moreover, will it maintain a permanent presence or simply consist of periodic visits to the enclave and its surrounding areas?

Equally important is the question of how this international force would establish communication channels with the Russian peacekeepers. Some foreign diplomats have expressed a preference for having direct involvement in the conflict zone.

What’s next?

In May, after the last round of negotiations in Washington DC, US state secretary Anthony Blinken said a historic agreement was in sight with potential impact extending beyond Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“The last mile of any marathon is always the hardest, we know that,” Blinken said. But if the current negotiation process were to fail, few in the region would be surprised. Over the course of 30 years, on numerous occasions the parties have come close to cementing pivotal agreements with their signatures, only to withdraw from the negotiating table at the last moment.

The ongoing talks are already taking place amidst a deteriorating situation along the front lines. Both sides are reporting multiple daily incidents, some of which have resulted in casualties. Since the 2020 war, more than 1,200 people have already been killed or wounded on all sides, including civilians and military personnel who perished in military clashes or from mine explosions. This figure surpasses any comparable period prior to the 2020 conflict. With no comprehensive diplomatic process, the incidents will continue to fuel the situation along the frontlines and may lead to a new escalation, further complicating the negotiation process and hindering the search for solutions.

The stakes, including the threat of a new war and significant regional changes amid the events in Ukraine, are too high to now consider the possibility of abandoning the process

Much now depends on whether Baku would be willing to give the talks with Stepanakert a chance. Azerbaijan’s leadership harbours mistrust towards counterparts in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The negotiation process has seldom facilitated discussions on comprehensive approaches and solutions.

After three decades of conflict, it is time to give the real talks a chance. Azerbaijan is undoubtedly aware that a mass exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh driven by fear and uncertainty would result in substantial global repercussions, potentially impeding the country in various ways. It could have a detrimental impact on Baku's reputation as a dependable trading partner, thereby affecting its thriving economy, which has benefited from Western countries seeking alternative energy exporters in light of the conflict in Ukraine. By heeding international appeals and entering the talks with Stepanakert, Baku can reassure Armenians that they would have a chance to continue living in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The stakes, including the threat of a new war and significant regional changes amid the events in Ukraine, are too high to now consider the possibility of abandoning the process.

As one official, who was at the helm in the early 1990s, told me, it is now a time for creation and compromise, not for making the same mistakes these nations made when their states regained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“We should not resume killing each other while others strengthen their statehood and continue to develop,” the retired official said.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-talks-washington/

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Nagorno Karabakh releases names of fallen troops in latest unprovoked Azeri attack

09:49, 28 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) has released the names of the fallen troops of the June 28 Azerbaijani bombardment.

The Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army troops who were killed in action are Armo Abgaryan, Samvel Torosyan, Yervand Tadevosyan and Gagik Balayan.

In a statement, the ministry extended condolences to the families and friends of the fallen troops.

Azerbaijani forces bombarded Nagorno Karabakh positions with artillery and drone strikes in the early hours of Wednesday.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1114285.html?fbclid=IwAR0m_q1jqvwRsVJRh41v9BPRpWjx_B6K1LDZowwgx5iZ91dW6wwjsUYtP8U

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

‘We don’t pose a threat to anyone’,Artsakh appeals to ‘civilized world’ for help amid risk of annihilation by Azerbaijan

13:04, 28 June 2023

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan is not only deliberately starving the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) to death, but has also brought the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the brink of annihilation, the Speaker of Parliament of Nagorno Karabakh Artur Tovmasyan has said.

“The OSCE Co-Chairs and the leaders of these countries must realize that an Azeri annexation of Artsakh would lead to an exodus of Armenians [from Artsakh],” Tovmasyan said at a parliament session in Stepanakert. “We cannot change the world order. The small Artsakh doesn’t pose a threat, but our people’s right to live safely and fully is threatened. Regrettably, this is happening with tacit consent of the international community,” he added, stating that the ‘civilized world’ has the required levers to impose relevant sanctions against the Azerbaijani regime, which is not only ignoring but also disregarding the rulings of the ECHR and the ICJ.

Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since December 2022.

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has so far ignored the order. Furthermore, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1114303.html?fbclid=IwAR3nF4UFkFA7Mg17U1jiFv4bY3HifIDqQtAX9EHNzgwljU7XfUDRFzCJ5cI

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

just in case if i forgot Aliev %#$$# %#$#^$ %$#$@$$ !

[Yervant1]

OpenDemocracy.net

It’s make or break time for Nagorno-Karabakh’s future

Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks in Washington DC. It’s a critical moment for Nagorno-Karabakh

Olesya Vartanyan

27 June 2023, 10.06am

December 2022: Armenian residents of Nagorno-Karabakh protest against an Azerbaijani blockade of the enclave - now in its sixth month | © DAVIT GHAHRAMANYAN/AFP via Getty Images. All rights reserved

 

The year-long negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a peace agreement have reached a critical moment. Since May, leaders and their representatives have regularly convened in various capitals worldwide. And today, delegates are due to begin several days of talks in Washington DC.

While some of those involved acknowledge progress, stating that almost half of the document has already been agreed, the path to a successful end remains distant. The main point of disagreement remains the lack of compromise on the key and most difficult issue – the fate of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

This issue has been a central element in the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict, which has remained unresolved since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nagorno-Karabakh is a small enclave populated by Armenians located within the territory of Azerbaijan. Following the war in the 1990s, the Armenian side emerged victorious and controlled territories extending more than twice the size of Soviet era boundaries of the region for over 25 years. After the defeat in the 2020 war, around 120,000 local Armenians reside in a much smaller territory patrolled by Russian peacekeepers. All the territories around the enclave are now controlled by Azerbaijan.

Over the past year, the Armenian leadership has made significant concessions, such as officially recognising Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, including Nagorno-Karabakh. But in order to proceed with the peace treaty Armenia is insisting it includes special rights and ensures the security of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population. International mediators also want special measures due to decades of conflict and the recent 2020 war that claimed over 7,000 lives in just six weeks. The de facto leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh itself continues to assert its independence, even though the entity remains unrecognised by any state in the world.

The outcome of the talks largely hinges on what stance Azerbaijan will take. For Baku, any options considered must align with the objective of securing complete control over the Armenian-populated territory. It rejects reopening discussions on the enclave’s status, which persisted for almost 30 years without results.

International mediators see a way out by giving Baku and Stepanakert a chance to start talks on ways to continue living next to each other. The proposal was first put forward by European mediators a year ago and was promptly supported by their American counterparts. In April, the Russian foreign minister also spoke in support, but there have been no signs yet that Moscow is ready to push for the process to move forward.

Those involved in this week’s Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks say if direct dialogue does begin between Baku and Sepanakert, Yerevan and Baku will be able to proceed with signing the peace deal in the near future.

What could Baku-Stepanakert talks look like?

Both the president of Azerbaijan and the de facto leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh have spoken about their readiness to consider such negotiations. But many elements of the future process still remain unclear, including the format, agenda, location of the meetings and role of outside mediators. These factors can significantly influence not only the prospect of a deal but also its effectiveness and potential success.

Stepanakert is probably the party most interested in launching these talks. The last seven months have been particularly difficult for the local population. It started with the Baku-backed activists that blockaded the only road that connects the enclave with Armenia. That halted the movement of people and led to shortages of food products and medical supplies. In April, the situation deteriorated further, when Baku installed a checkpoint on this road.

In June, following a brief exchange of fire, Azerbaijan closed the checkpoint even for humanitarian cargo such as food and medication, which was being delivered to Nagorno-Karabakh by Russian peacekeepers and the International Red Cross (ICRC). On top of this, for over four months the local Armenians have faced a shortage of electricity supply and no natural gas due to the damage of the supply routes from Armenia that cross over the Azerbaijani-controlled territory in the conflict zone. As of Sunday, the ICRC is now able to conduct medical evacuations, though deliveries of food and medicine are still cut off.

The only road that links Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh has been blocked since mid-December | Image: Marut Vanyan

When similar problems emerged in the past, Stepanakert would address them through the Russian peacekeepers or use its own contacts on the Azerbaijani side. None of these channels function anymore. Since the EU and US started pushing for the launch of Baku-Stepanakert talks, all parties have become particularly wary of not conceding on the format and content of the future talks even before they start.

Azerbaijan now refuses to have either formal or informal talks with the de facto officials of Nagorno-Karabakh. Instead, it invites them to Baku to demonstrate that the talks can be only about incorporating the enclave to its direct rule.

“All we hear is that each and every problem will be resolved when we agree to ‘integrate’ to Azerbaijan on their terms,” one de facto official said. “But we do not need a meeting just for the sake of meeting. We must show our people that this dialogue with Baku will be genuine.”

Mediation comes with more presence on the ground

Another crucial aspect of any Baku-Stepanakert talks is whether they would involve foreign mediators. Azerbaijan advocates for direct negotiations, similar to communication that is in place between Baku and its provinces. Conversely, Stepanakert believes that the participation of international actors is indispensable for ensuring the sustainability of any future agreements.

The knock-on effect of the war in Ukraine has complicated matters.

In previous decades, the OSCE Minsk Group, led by co-chairs from Russia, France, and the US, played a prominent role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Communication between Western and Russian envoys came to a standstill following the onset of the Ukraine war. Western diplomats say that despite formal assurances of willingness to separate the Nagorno-Karabakh issue from the Ukraine confrontation, Russia is reluctant to engage.

Much now depends on whether Baku would be willing to give the talks with Stepanakert a chance. Azerbaijan’s leadership harbours mistrust towards counterparts in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

“None of us desires another war in this region,” a Western diplomat told me last autumn. But in Moscow, officials are deeply suspicious of the West’s intentions. “We will not aid them in ousting Russia from the South Caucasus ourselves,” a Russian diplomat remarked this spring. As a result, Russia, the US, and the EU are all independently pursuing negotiation processes between Yerevan and Baku.

In theory, Russia could have been best suited to lead Baku-Stepanakert talks, if not for its waning influence in the area. Vladimir Putin played a pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire during the 2020 war and deployed peacekeepers. Russia then bolstered its military presence and increased the number of border guards along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border following the conflict. But the invasion of Ukraine significantly eroded the effectiveness of the Russian presence.

The blockade started as an environmental protest by Azerbaijani activists |

© Tofik Babayev / Getty Images. All rights reserved

In 2022, three escalations occurred in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, each surpassing the previous in intensity and casualties. Azerbaijan gained a more advantageous military position along the front lines. The blockage of the Lachin road leading to Nagorno-Karabakh served as a stark demonstration of Russia's declining power. When the Azerbaijani military constructed a checkpoint adjacent to the Russian peacekeepers' observation point on that road, even the de facto officials openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Russia's inability to maintain the post-2020-war order in the region.

Some Western and Armenian representatives say there is still no discussion of replacing Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, but they at least want an additional international presence on the ground. A Western diplomat voiced concerns, stating: “We cannot rely on a mission without a clear mandate.”

This highlights the absence of an established and internationally recognised modus operandi for the Russian peacekeeping mission. Following its deployment in 2020, Russia opted not to seek assistance from the international entities to support its mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. These days Baku frequently expresses its frustration with the Russian peacekeepers and speaks about its desire for their departure when their term expires in 2025. So whether Azerbaijan would agree to an international mission that would add to the Russian peacekeepers’ presence remains a big question, considering Baku’s historical opposition to foreign presence on its territory.

What any additional international presence could look like remains a major question. Will it take the form of an international organisation or a foreign state? Will it be civilian in nature or involve policing functions? Moreover, will it maintain a permanent presence or simply consist of periodic visits to the enclave and its surrounding areas?

Equally important is the question of how this international force would establish communication channels with the Russian peacekeepers. Some foreign diplomats have expressed a preference for having direct involvement in the conflict zone.

What’s next?

In May, after the last round of negotiations in Washington DC, US state secretary Anthony Blinken said a historic agreement was in sight with potential impact extending beyond Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“The last mile of any marathon is always the hardest, we know that,” Blinken said. But if the current negotiation process were to fail, few in the region would be surprised. Over the course of 30 years, on numerous occasions the parties have come close to cementing pivotal agreements with their signatures, only to withdraw from the negotiating table at the last moment.

The ongoing talks are already taking place amidst a deteriorating situation along the front lines. Both sides are reporting multiple daily incidents, some of which have resulted in casualties. Since the 2020 war, more than 1,200 people have already been killed or wounded on all sides, including civilians and military personnel who perished in military clashes or from mine explosions. This figure surpasses any comparable period prior to the 2020 conflict. With no comprehensive diplomatic process, the incidents will continue to fuel the situation along the frontlines and may lead to a new escalation, further complicating the negotiation process and hindering the search for solutions.

The stakes, including the threat of a new war and significant regional changes amid the events in Ukraine, are too high to now consider the possibility of abandoning the process

Much now depends on whether Baku would be willing to give the talks with Stepanakert a chance. Azerbaijan’s leadership harbours mistrust towards counterparts in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The negotiation process has seldom facilitated discussions on comprehensive approaches and solutions.

After three decades of conflict, it is time to give the real talks a chance. Azerbaijan is undoubtedly aware that a mass exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh driven by fear and uncertainty would result in substantial global repercussions, potentially impeding the country in various ways. It could have a detrimental impact on Baku's reputation as a dependable trading partner, thereby affecting its thriving economy, which has benefited from Western countries seeking alternative energy exporters in light of the conflict in Ukraine. By heeding international appeals and entering the talks with Stepanakert, Baku can reassure Armenians that they would have a chance to continue living in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The stakes, including the threat of a new war and significant regional changes amid the events in Ukraine, are too high to now consider the possibility of abandoning the process.

As one official, who was at the helm in the early 1990s, told me, it is now a time for creation and compromise, not for making the same mistakes these nations made when their states regained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“We should not resume killing each other while others strengthen their statehood and continue to develop,” the retired official said.

Right now, our coverage of Russia’s war against Ukraine needs your support. Your donations will pay journalists to report on the war as best, as honestly and as humanely as they can.

 

 

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-talks-washington/

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Nagorno Karabakh to publish evidence debunking Azerbaijan’s allegations on presence of Armenia troops

12:29, 1 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 1, ARMENPRESS. The Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Gegham Stepanyan has said that he has collected the necessary facts and documents once again debunking Azerbaijan’s allegations that two of the four Defense Army servicemen who were killed in the latest Azeri attack were members of the Armed Forces of Armenia.

The four Nagorno Karabakh troops were killed in an unprovoked Azeri artillery and drone strike on June 28.

“In response to media inquires, I am hereby informing that the bodies of the two servicemen who were killed in action during the June 28 Azerbaijani attack – Yervand Tadevosyan and Samvel Torosyan – were transported today by the International Committee of the Red Cross to Armenia, to be buried in Yerablur as requested by their families. Azerbaijan, preparing ground for new attacks, continues false allegations that the fallen troops were members of the Armed Forces of Armenia. The Artsakh Human Rights Defender’s Office has already collected the required facts and documents which will be published soon to once again prove that Azerbaijan’s claims are fake and made up,” Stepanyan said in a statement.

Armenia does not maintain any military presence in Nagorno Karabakh but Azerbaijan is falsely accusing it of having troops there.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1114535.html?fbclid=IwAR3KEFIuYIuXvIr7xtRFQs7Kh5W2TQhyuPJ6-_N7vlJPNs1lPZDtScL6jCM

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Azerbaijan’s lies exposed: Nagorno Karabakh releases documents debunking Baku’s fake news

16:17, 1 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 1, ARMENPRESS. The Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan has published documents debunking the Azerbaijani claims alleging that Armenia has troops in Artsakh.

Armenia does not maintain any military presence in Nagorno Karabakh but Azerbaijan is falsely accusing it of having troops there.

The most recent false accusation happened after the June 28 Azeri attack in Nagorno Karabakh, which left four Nagorno Karabakh troops dead. Azerbaijan falsely claimed that two of the four fallen troops were members of the Armed Forces of Armenia.

Stepanyan published documents proving that the troops were Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army servicemen, and made the following post:

“The request of the parents to transport the bodies of Samvel Torosyan and Yervand Tadevosyan, two of the four soldiers who died as a result of Azerbaijan's aggression (օn the night of June 27-28, 2023) against Artsakh, to Armenia and bury them in Yerablur, and the circumstances of their transportation by the ICRC are used by the Azerbaijani propaganda machine to claim that Armed Forces of Armenia are allegedly deployed in Artsakh.

“With this claim, Azerbaijan is openly preparing an information ground for initiating new attacks against Artsakh, which is already being discussed in the Azerbaijani media․

“Azerbaijan’s claims are false and have nothing to do with reality. In order to prove it, with the permission of the relatives of the fallen servicemen, we are publishing the facts collected by the Human rights defender of Artsakh.

“Samvel Tigran Torosyan was born in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on December 16, 2003 (Picture 1: Samvel Torosyan's birth certificate).

He attended Stepanakert No. 7 primary school. He continued his education in the secondary vocational educational program (college) of the Shushi Technological University with the qualification of urban cadastre (Picture 2: Samvel Torosyan's diploma).

He was receiving higher education at the Faculty of Economics and Law of Mesrop Mashtots University in Stepanakert, majoring in information systems (Picture 3: Samvel Torosyan's student card).

Samvel Torosyan was a citizen of the Republic of Artsakh, registered in the city of Stepanakert (Picture 4: Samvel Torosyan's passport).

He was drafted into the army from the military commissariat of Stepanakert. The family and relatives permanently live in Stepanakert.

“Yervand Hovhannes Tadevosyan was born on May 27, 2003 in the city of Berdzor, Kashatagh region of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Picture 5: Yervand Tadevosyan's birth certificate).

He attended secondary school No. 2 named after V. Zatikyan of Berdzor. He completed primary education in 2018 (Picture 6: Yervand Tadevosyan's primary education certificate).

Yervand Tadevosyan was a citizen of the Republic of Artsakh, he was registered in the city of Berdzor (Picture 7: Yervand Tadevosyan's passport).

He was drafted to army from the military commissariat of Kashatagh. After the 2020 war, Yervand Tadevosyan's family, as a forcibly displaced family, found refuge in the Ararat province of the Republic of Armenia, continuing to maintain the citizenship of the Republic of Artsakh.

“To prevent possible speculations about the presented documents, we remind that the identity documents of all citizens of the Republic of Artsakh are issued by the Republic of Armenia, with the difference of their registration address. It is a well-known approach, which is used due to the non-recognition of Artsakh, so that Artsakh residents can travel and exercise their rights in other countries as well. This approach is applied to citizens of almost all unrecognized states in the world, taking into account the gaps in international law and international relations with regard to human rights protection.

“Samvel Torosyan and Yervand Tadevosyan’s parents decided to bury their children in the "Yerablur" military memorial-pantheon of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with their rights. It is noteworthy that this is not a new approach, and in previous years, many servicemen of the Artsakh Republic were also buried in Yerablur, taking into account the nationwide importance of that pantheon.

“Regarding the false claims of Azerbaijan about the military service of RA citizens (residents) in the ranks of the Artsakh Defense Army, the continuous fact-finding efforts of the Human rights defender prove that since 2021, only citizens and residents of the Republic of Artsakh perform military service in Artsakh. Hence, we draw the attention of the responsible actors of the international community to the fact that the Azerbaijani side, encouraged by the impunity for the blockade of Artsakh and its military aggressions against it, is looking for new justifications to carry out new criminal actions against the people of Artsakh.”

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1114544.html?fbclid=IwAR2m8BVGBGtQ1oKwXdUEiYxIHLHQ7A6CCDUQ5wMw2GFaBqZzr712-aOWcW4

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Nagorno Karabakh eager to launch direct, real dialogue with Azerbaijan

12:46, 6 July 2023

STEPANAKERT, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) is most interested in dialogue with Azerbaijan, but this should meet some standards, the Nagorno Karabakh Foreign Minister Sergey Ghazaryan told reporters on July 6.

Negotiations conducted under pressure cannot be considered neither negotiations nor dialogue, he said.

There can be no dialogue as long as the Lachin Corridor is blocked, Ghazaryan added.

“We’ve been receiving various offers on organizing such meetings from representatives of various countries, and international organizations. But there are some elements that should be taken into account. Such meetings took place on February 24 and March 1 with mediation of Russian peacekeepers in their deployment base. Technical issues were discussed during that meetings, but the Azerbaijani side entirely distorted the meaning of the meetings, misrepresenting it as the launch of talks on reintegration,” Ghazaryan said, noting that this was followed by the March 5 ambush when Azeri troops shot dead three police officers in Nagorno Karabakh.

“We firmly believe that negotiations conducted under pressure cannot be called dialogue or negotiations. As long as the road is closed there won’t be dialogue in such conditions. The other side must also show that it is ready for dialogue, but if they block the road, how should we understand that the Azerbaijani side is ready for dialogue? Regular discussions are taking place on a new dialogue. The Artsakh side has numerously conveyed to the Azerbaijan side offers to meet through the Russian peacekeepers, but the offers were turned down by the Azeri side itself,” Ghazaryan said.

The Lachin Corridor must be completely unblocked and essential goods must be supplied in order to see a change in Azerbaijan’s approaches, he said.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1114815.html?fbclid=IwAR3e6B_cGanbHXXU_qKOjRPjxWqDPdhfzBQ9itpImCDrao-BRuXEgqgV7pE

[Yervant1]

July 6 2023

Zakharova: “People of Karabakh may be left without goods and medicine”

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said today that Moscow is extremely concerned about the increased violations of the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor.

“The humanitarian situation in the region is deteriorating. Regrettably, we have to state that due to the cessation of supply, the population of Karabakh may be left without stocks of food, essential goods and medicines,” the diplomat said.

“This goes against the trilateral agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. We call on Baku and Yerevan to resolve all issues exclusively through political and diplomatic means. We call on the Azerbaijani side to unblock the Lachin corridor, ensure the unhindered movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo along it for civilian purposes,” Zakharova said.

She also noted that Igor Khovaev, special representative of the Russian Foreign Minister on the issues of supporting the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan, will soon visit the region.

“Trilateral meetings are also possible,” Zakharova said.

The diplomat stressed that Russia “welcomes the progress made in the course of talks in the United States on the development of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

“We welcome all positive steps in this direction,” Maria Zakharova added.

https://mediamax.am/en/news/karabakh/51853/

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

High-level CoE delegation visits the starting point of the Lachin Corridor

18:23, 7 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. The high-level delegation of the Council of Europe visited the beginning of the Lachin Corridor, which has been blocked for 7 months, ARMENPRESS reports, the permanent representative of Armenia in the Council of Europe, Arman Khachatryan, wrote on his "Twitter" page.

“Council of Europe High-level delegation visited starting point of Lachin Corridor, blocked for 7 months.

The visit was an opportunity to have a better understanding of situation on the ground, with its serious human rights and humanitarian consequences for people of Nagorno Karabakh. It cannot be denied that Azerbaijan closed the only way of life connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia. Azerbaijan should ensure free and safe movement through the Lachin Corridor, fulfilling the judgments of the International Court of Justice and the ECHR and the recently adopted new resolution of the PACE," wrote Khachatryan.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1114929.html?fbclid=IwAR32dHCFDZJe2tR82SBYb_gNywZXR97V-26dU9NSLibpQhNuBR9Apov1evg

[Yervant1]

Asbarez.com

New Video Details What Happened When Azerbaijani Forces Attempted to Plant Flag in Armenia

by Asbarez Staff

July 7, 2023

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

Azerbaijani forces attempt to raise a flag on Armenian territory

 

A video released on Friday on the Russian Telegram channels details the events of June 15 when Azerbaijani forces attempted to plant their flag on Armenia’s sovereign territory, after which Baku tightened its blockade of Artsakh by banning any travel on the road.

On June 15, Armenia’s National Security Service reported that its units prevented Azerbaijani forces from planting their flag on Armenian territory by firing shots. At the time a short video clip was circulated, prompting Armenian government officials to conjecture that Russian peacekeeping force were abetting the Azerbaijani forces in their effort to breach Armenia’s borders.

This resulted in a standoff between Yerevan and Moscow, with Armenia’s foreign ministry reporting that it had summoned Russia’s Ambassador to Armenia, Sergey Kopyrkin, and questioned him about the incident on the Hakari bridge.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova did not deny the involvement of Russian peacekeepers in the incident, telling reporters shorty after that the Russian forces were fulfilling their duties. She also shrugged off the incident by blaming it on the yet un-demarcated borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The video released on Friday — three weeks after the incident — on pro-Kremlin media outlets’ Telegram channels chronicles the day’s event and shows that Azerbaijani forces made four attempts to raise or plant their flag on the Armenia-side of the Hakari bridge. Friday’s footage also shows that the Russian peacekeeping forces were attempting to deter the Azerbaijanis from advancing into Armenia’s territory.

The footage also shows that Armenian NSS units prevented Azerbaijani forces from planting the flag and after successfully downing the flagpole, they folded the flag and returned it to the Azerbaijani side, which would make three further attempts at planting its flag, with the final attempt resulting in the shooting down of the flag from the pole.

Officials from Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan have not commented about the video.

https://asbarez.com/new-video-details-what-happened-when-azerbaijani-forces-attempted-to-plant-flag-in-armenia/?fbclid=IwAR3s9t6bb3u9itPKMapxw2bfMU6pz6W2zzVva2J178g6sF-02B-tq2DldaY

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

There is the issue of security and rights of the Armenians of NK, which is everyone's issue. Ararat Mirzoyan

17:32, 8 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS. More international efforts are needed to prevent ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, ARMENPRESS reports, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said during the panel discussion held within the framework of the Dubrovnik Conference.

Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia is conducting negotiations with Azerbaijan in good faith, but in the negotiation process and on the ground, it still faces threats and real use of force. "We have a blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh. We need more international efforts to prevent ethnic cleansing," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that there is an issue of security and rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is everyone's issue. "The people of Nagorno-Karabakh are facing a real danger of ethnic cleansing. If the world order that we are talking about, that we dream about, is based on values, then humanity has a chance. Let me repeat once more: we are talking about human lives. Now we are talking about world unrest, violations of international law, but we have been talking about it since 2020, when Azerbaijan started an aggressive war in Nagorno-Karabakh, after which it invaded the sovereign territory of Armenia several times," said the Armenian FM.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1114997.html?fbclid=IwAR3I1y_O6av1YVaCdSEMuMMxZ1oxzZTdox8wqUhbbpP2CbSsUin3h0EobUI

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Artsakh NGOs send an open letter to the international community regarding Azerbaijan's policy of ethnic cleansing

19:27, 10 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 10, ARMENPRESS. The civil society of Artsakh sent an open letter to the international community regarding the ethnic cleansing and genocide policy carried out by Azerbaijan, and appealed to international human rights organizations and civil society to bring the voice of Artsakh to the international community and demand practical steps from their governments to prevent further crimes against humanity by Azerbaijan.

ARMENPRESS reports, the letter is posted on the Facebook page of the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh.

“The people of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), facing the threat of genocide, appeal to all countries and peoples of the world, as well as to international organisations designed to ensure proper implementation of international law.

Since June 15, 2023, having resorted to a provocation on the Hakari Bridge, Azerbaijan has tightened the blockade of Artsakh, which lasts for almost 7 months, starting from December 12, 2022, and has blocked the humanitarian transportation carried out by the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping contingent, including transportation of patients to medical institutions of the Republic of Armenia, supplies of food, medicines, essential goods, fuel, thereby sharply aggravating the humanitarian crisis in the country. A week later, on June 22, 2023, the Azerbaijani side installed concrete blocks on the bridge where an illegal checkpoint had been installed on April 23, 2023, literally blocking the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world. Since June 25, 2023, the transportation of patients to medical institutions in Armenia accompanied by the ICRC has been restored, however, knowing the destructive pattern of Azerbaijan, which uses humanitarian issues as a lever of pressure on Artsakh, there are no guarantees that it will not be interrupted yet again. These actions of Azerbaijan should not be considered as separate acts of aggression, but as a part of the consistent and systematic policy of ethnic cleansing against Artsakh and its indigenous Armenian population. On the night of June 28, 2023, Azerbaijan resorted to another military provocation against Artsakh using long-range artillery and a drone, resulting in the death of four Artsakh servicemen defending their Homeland and the peaceful population from the Azerbaijani aggression.

Ignoring the adopted resolutions of the European Parliament of January 19, 2023 and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) of June 22, 2023, the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) of December 21, 2022, the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the United Nations (UN) of February 22, 2023, Azerbaijan, as if mocking the authority of these organisations, stubbornly continues to conduct the policy of genocide and patriacide against the people of Artsakh, demonstrating criminal self-will, thereby opposing itself to the civilized world. In addition, the President of Azerbaijan openly allows himself to threaten representatives of the international community who do not share his approach to resolving the Artsakh issue, while believing that international law is entirely on the side of Azerbaijan.

Official Baku rejects the demand to provide guarantees for the security of the people of Artsakh and constantly insists that this is an internal problem of Azerbaijan, which it intends to solve at its discretion. Against the background of blatant Armenophobia, which has become part of the state policy of the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan and completely permeates the Azerbaijani society. As there is plenty of evidence, it is not difficult to imagine what this "solution" might be if the people of Artsakh suddenly find themselves under the rule of Baku.

We welcome the growing international understanding that the people of Artsakh need firm international guarantees of protection. We thank the congressmen who spoke on this matter in the US Congress on June 21, 2023, calling a spade a spade and giving an objective assessment of Azerbaijan's policy, as well as all other international actors who have the courage to speak out loud about the existential threats posed by Azerbaijan and looming over the people of Artsakh.

We express our hope that more and more people in the world will understand the genuine causes of this conflict and understand why the people of Nagorno-Karabakh made a legitimate request to withdraw from the Azerbaijani SSR and join Armenia in 1988, which led to the beginning of Azerbaijani aggression and a bloody war in which Artsakh people were forced to defend themselves.

Now, when there are calls from various international platforms for a peaceful resolution of the conflict by including Artsakh in Azerbaijan, we suggest recalling the history of the Second World War and trying to imagine: would it be possible to call Jews to live under Hitler's Nazi government? Modern Azerbaijan is also a Nazi state in relation to the Armenians, and it is not difficult to make sure of that – in case of an objective look at this issue without unilateral consumption of the Azerbaijani propaganda.

Having survived the horrors of the three wars unleashed by Azerbaijan, pogroms, exile, psychological terror, human and material losses, continuing to live with the looming existential threat, the people of Artsakh are demanding to use all existing international mechanisms to prevent ethnic cleansing and genocide carried out by Azerbaijan.

In view of the current situation, we demand the presence of representatives of all relevant international organizations in Artsakh. Taking into account the violations of the agreements reflected in Point 6 of the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, according to which free and safe passage through the Lachin corridor should be ensured, we call on the international organizations, namely the UN, to send an international mission to the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Artsakh, strengthen and improve the functioning of the peacekeeping institute.

Also, due to the fact that Azerbaijan openly ignores the implementation of the decisions of the ECHR and the ICJ of the UN issued during the blockade, we appeal to the international community to impose sanctions against this country.

On behalf of the civil society of Artsakh, we appeal to the international human rights and civil society to help bring the voice of Artsakh to the wider international community and demand that their governments take real preventive measures in order to prevent Azerbaijan's next crimes against humanity.

While expressing our gratitude for being concerned about the fate of the people of Artsakh, we emphasize that the only reliable guarantee of our rights and security is the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, which is based on the right of the people to self-determination, enshrined in international law, and the free will of the people of Artsakh.

Artsakh is not a “territory” inherited by someone by the right of the strong, but our Homeland, where we have a full and inalienable right to a safe life. Artsakh is not just a handful of 120,000 people, not counting about 30,000 forcibly displaced Artsakh residents, who were expelled from their homes as a result of Azerbaijan's military aggression in 2020. Today Artsakh is a test of the values declared by the democratic world and a litmus test of the world order. The essence of the value system of the changing world order will be defined by the choice made between lies, discrimination, violence, terrorism, authoritarianism on one hand or freedom, democracy and respect for human rights on the other”.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1115102.html?fbclid=IwAR3uW2OMEDXLrK3v3qTxu_lY3Al8OKo-VGxPEgO6G4DbrrulxEyJIBwCzxo

[Yervant1]

Asbarez.com

EU Rep.’s Elation Ends in Disappointment

by ara-asbarez

July 10, 2023

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

Toivo Klaar, the EU’s special representative to the South Caucasus

 

The European Union’s representative to the Caucasus Toivo Klaar saw a promising moment turn into “disappointment and frustration” almost immediately as Azerbaijan briefly allowed natural gas to flow to Artsakh from Armenia, only to shut it down again as its continues its stranglehold on Artsakh residents.

Klaar, who is tasked with pushing the EU’s policies in the region especially the notion of direct dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, on Sunday welcomed the news of the gas flow resumption.

Artsakhgas announced on Sunday morning that the gas supply was restored to Artsakh, but shortly thereafter, the company reported that Azerbaijan turned off the valve, as was indicated by the falling pressure of the pipeline.

“It was nice to read this morning that the gas supply to Stepanakert has been restored,” Klaar was quick to write in a Twitter post.

The EU diplomat was forced to walk back his elation.

“A day that began with promise again ended in disappointment and frustration. As reiterated many times by the EU, it is crucial that the flow of energy supplies be restored without restrictions, as well as the movement of people and goods via the Lachin corridor,” Klaar wrote on Twitter soon after the gas shutoff.

Despite this, Klaar continued to push for direct dialogue between Artsakh and the very regime that has been blockading it for almost seven months.

“A genuine Baku-Stepanakert dialogue should start with the aim of providing alternatives to violence, build much-needed confidence and ensure dignity,” Klaar added, saying that the “European Union looks forward to upcoming trilateral Brussels meeting with Armenia and Azerbaijan leaders,” referring to talks scheduled on July 21.

In March, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry criticized Klaar for non-constructive statements he made in Baku to both Azerbaijani officials and during an interview with the APA news agency.

In Baku, Klaar seemed to echo Baku’s insistence on installing checkpoints along the Lachin Corridor, saying that transparency would lend to a more beneficial settlement. Not only have Artsakh and Armenian officials opposed such checkpoints, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov also told Azerbaijani officials that such mechanism go against the provisions of the November 9, 2020 agreement.

The EU envoy also made his own interpretations of the agreement, saying that Azerbaijan’s insistence to carve a pathway through Armenia to Nakhichevan was included in the language of the statement, which it is not.

Azerbaijan opened installed and began operating the checkpoint in April and last month halted all traffic along the Lachin Corridor.

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