Statue of a Dictator (Aliyev Clan)

[Yervant1]

1- Despite His Denials, Aliyev is Upset

By International Criticism of Azerbaijan

By Harut Sassounian

Publisher, The California Courier

www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

Pres. Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan repeatedly states that he ignores all international criticisms regarding his violations of the human rights of his own citizens, war crimes by his soldiers, and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh Armenians. Aliyev tries to cover up these violations and crimes through ‘Caviar diplomacy,’ by providing billions of dollars in bribes to various European officials.

Anytime Azerbaijan has a problem with a foreign country, Europeans institutions or international courts, he puts on a brave face and acts like nothing has happened. He repeatedly says, “I don’t care who says what, I will do what I want.”

I would like to cite a recent example of Aliyev being so bothered by such issues that, rather than ignoring them, has gone to unusual lengths to resolve them.

This example has to do with France. In recent months, Aliyev has been quite outspoken with his harsh criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron for supporting Armenia. Aliyev has refused to meet with Pres. Macron and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss the Artsakh conflict. Aliyev also complained about France selling a number of armored personnel carriers to Armenia. While spending billions of dollars to arm Azerbaijan with the latest Israeli and Turkish drones and missiles, Aliyev dares to complain about Armenia procuring a limited number of arms to defend itself.

Late last year, the Azerbaijan-France confrontation got more heated when Azerbaijan expelled two French embassy officials from Baku and in return France expelled two Azeri embassy officials from Paris.

The Intelligence Online website reported that, according to its confidential sources, Azerbaijan’s intelligence services asked Mossad, Israel’s Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, to intervene with France to resolve their outstanding conflicts.

According to confidential Mossad sources, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Intelligence Service (XKX), led by General Orkhan Sultanov, asked his counterpart in Israel to intervene with the General Directorate of External Security (DGSE) of France to deescalate the tension between Baku and Paris. Azerbaijan indicated that it would not want to worsen the existing dispute.

However, the Azeri effort failed, as Mossad did not transmit the Azeri request to France, according to Intelligence Online sources. This was a delicate issue for Israel as it wanted on one hand to preserve its good relations with Azerbaijan, while on the other hand Israel’s intelligence agency did not want to attempt such mediation at a time when it was preoccupied with the conflict in Gaza and other Middle Eastern hot spots.

Intelligence Online reported that Mossad enjoys a high degree of influence over Baku, since Israel uses the Azeri territory for its operations in Iran. When Mossad stole Iran’s nuclear documents from Tehran in 2018, Israel’s agents used Azerbaijan’s border to flee from Iran. In return, Mossad greatly facilitated Azerbaijan’s acquisition of sophisticated weapons from Israel, which aided Baku, the second largest buyer of Israeli arms, to score victories in 2020 and 2023 in Artsakh. Just before the attack on Artsakh in September 2023, Azerbaijan’s security services informed the experts of Mossad and Unit 8200 (Aman) of Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate of their plans and sought their advice.

According to Intelligence Online, Mossad has in recent years brought its cooperation with the French External Security Directorate to a higher operational level, notably on Iran. The French Agency has also been mobilized over the situation in Gaza.

The new director of French Intelligence Agency, Nicolas Lerner, met with David Barnea, the director of Mossad when the latter came to Paris in the last week of January. Attending the closed-door meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian issue were Abbas Kamel, head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate (Mukhabarat el-amma); Ronen Bar, head of Shin Bet, Israel’s Internal Security Agency; William Barnes, head of the CIA; and Qatari officials.

Intelligence Online importantly reported that the CIA let Baku know that it was not pleased with Azerbaijan’s conflict with French Intelligence, while France is trying to hinder Moscow in the Caucasus and needs Azerbaijan’s platform.

Having exposed Aliyev’s deception about ignoring international pressure on Azerbaijan, my advice to the international community is to continue pressuring Aliyev to stop his unacceptable behavior. Otherwise, he will go on with his multitude of ever-increasing violations and crimes, causing great harm to Azeris and Armenians alike.

Next week, I will expose another one of Aliyev’s efforts to counter international pressures on Azerbaijan, despite his denials of not paying any attention to them.

[Yervant1]

Panorama, Armenia

Feb 24 2024

Azerbaijani armed forces units discharged fire against Armenian combat positions near Verin Shorzha

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia refutes the statement by the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan, which claimed that on February 24th, around 12:45 p.m., Armenian Armed Forces units had allegedly fired toward Azerbaijani positions in the eastern part of the border. This claim does not align with reality.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia informs that on February 24th, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Azerbaijani armed forces units discharged fire against Armenian combat positions near Verin Shorzha in the Gegharkunik region. The fire was directed towards the Armenian positions from the Azerbaijani position located at the following coordinates:

40 °05'31.68" N,
45 °52'51.44" E.

https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2024/02/24/Azerbaijani-armed/2968948

[Yervant1]

The Stream

Feb 26 2024

Is a New Armenian Genocide on the Horizon?

By RAYMOND IBRAHIM Published on February 26, 2024

Turkic genocidal bloodlust against its ancient victim, Armenia, is on the verge of flaring out again, though the world fails to see.

On Feb. 13, 2024, Azerbaijan opened fire on and killed four Armenian soldiers in bordering Syunik, Armenia. Two days later, on Feb. 15, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned that Azerbaijan is planning a “full-scale war” on Armenia.

Such a war would certainly be in keeping with Azerbaijan’s behavior in recent months and years.

A Pattern of Genocide Aimed at Christians

Modern day hostilities between Armenia, an ancient nation and the first to adopt Christianity, and Azerbaijan, a Muslim nation that was created in 1918, began in September 2020. That’s when Azerbaijan launched a war to claim Artsakh, more commonly known as Nagorno-Karabakh. Although it had been Armenian for over two thousand years, and 90% of its inhabitants were Armenian, after the dissolution of the USSR, the “border makers” had granted it to Azerbaijan, hence the constant warring over this region. (See “15 Artsakh War Myths Perpetuated By Mainstream Media.”)

Once the September 2020 war began, Turkey quickly joined its Azerbaijani co-religionists against Armenia, though the dispute clearly did not concern it. It dispatched sharia-enforcing “jihadist groups” from Syria and Libya — including the pro-Muslim Brotherhood Hamza Division, which once kept naked women chained and imprisoned — to terrorize and slaughter the Armenians.

One of these captured mercenaries later confessed that he was “promised a monthly $2,000 payment for fighting against ‘kafirs’ in Artsakh, and an extra 100 dollars for each beheaded kafir.” (Kafir, often translated as “infidel,” is Arabic for any non-Muslim who fails to submit to Islam, which makes them de facto enemies.)

The Turkic Version of ISIS

Among other ISIS-like crimes committed by the Islamic coalition of mercenaries, Turks, and Azerbaijanis that waged war on Armenia in late 2020, they “tortured beyond recognition” an intellectually disabled Armenian woman by sadistically hacking off her ears, hands, and feet, before finally executing her.

Similarly, video footage showed camouflaged soldiers overpowering and forcing down an elderly Armenian man, who cries and implores them for mercy, as they casually try to carve at his throat with a knife. Azerbaijani soldiers also raped an Armenian female soldier and mother-of-three, before hacking off all four of her limbs, gouging her eyes, and mockingly sticking one of her severed fingers inside her private parts.

Such unbridled sadism is par for the course, said Arman Tatoyan, an Armenian human rights activist:

The President of Azerbaijan and the country’s authorities have been implementing a policy of hatred, enmity, ethnic cleansing and genocide against Armenia, citizens of Armenia and the Armenian people for years. The Turkish authorities have done the same or have openly encouraged the same policy.

At any rate, the war ended in November 2020, with Azerbaijan claiming a significant portion of Artsakh.

Bulldozing Ancient Churches

Almost immediately, and as if to underscore the religious aspect of the conflict, Muslim Azerbaijan began to systematically erase Artsakh’s ancient Christian heritage — destroying churches, crosses, Christian cemeteries, and other cultural landmarks. In one instance, an Azerbaijani stood atop an Armenian church, after its cross had been broken off, triumphantly crying “Allahu Akbar!”

Then, on December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan sealed off the Lachin Corridor — the only route between Artsakh and the outside world, prompting a months’ long humanitarian crisis.

On August 7, 2023, Luis Moreno Ocampo, the former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, summarized the situation well:

There is an ongoing Genocide against 120,000 Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh.

The blockade of the Lachin Corridor by the Azerbaijani security forces impeding access to any food, medical supplies, and other essentials should be considered a Genocide under Article II, © of the Genocide Convention: ‘Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.’

There are no crematories, and there are no machete attacks. Starvation is the invisible Genocide weapon. Without immediate dramatic change, this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks.

A New Armenian Genocide

This, of course, was not the first time that Turks starved Armenians to death (as a picture of a Turkish administrator taunting emaciated Armenian children with a piece of bread in 1915 makes clear).

Similarly, after going on a fact-finding mission to Armenia, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback referred to the blockade as the latest attempt at “religious cleansing” of Christian Armenia:

Azerbaijan, with Turkey’s backing, is really slowly strangling Nagorno-Karabakh. They’re working to make it unlivable so that the region’s Armenian-Christian population is forced to leave, that’s what’s happening on the ground.

In his testimony, Brownback said that this latest genocide was being “perpetrated with U.S.-supplied weaponry and backed by Turkey, a member of NATO.” If the U.S. does not act, “we will see again another ancient Christian population forced out of its homeland.”

And so we did: on Sept. 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched another large scale military offensive against Artsakh, prompting an exodus of its beleaguered and emaciated Armenians.

Then, on Jan.1, 2024, the Armenian Republic of Artsakh was formally dissolved.

No Limits to the Blood Lust

Despite Azerbaijan’s total victory — which some international observers thought might put an end to hostilities between the two nations — six weeks later, an ever-expanding Azerbaijan opened fire on Armenia proper, killing the aforementioned four soldiers last week.

“Our analysis shows that Azerbaijan wants to launch military action in some parts of the border with the prospect of turning military escalation into a full-scale war against Armenia,” said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a government meeting last week. “This intention can be read in all statements and actions of Azerbaijan.”

The Armenian government is rightfully concerned that Azerbaijan, emboldened by its unimpeded successes, is preparing to invade more Armenian territory.

As should be clear by now, no amount of appeasement short of total capitulation will seemingly ever satisfy Armenia’s powerful Muslim neighbors, namely Azerbaijan and its “big brother,” Turkey.

Not One Square Inch for the “Infidels”

Appropriating Artsakh appears to be only the first step of a larger project. As Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, once proclaimed, “Yerevan [the capital of Armenia] is our historical land and we Azerbaijanis must return to these historical lands.” He has also referred to other ancient Armenian territories, including the Zangezur and Lake Sevan regions, as “our historic lands.” Taking over those territories “is our political and strategic goal,” Aliyev maintains, “and we need to work step-by-step to get closer to it.”

Back in the real world, Armenians founded Yereyan, their current capital, in 782 BC — exactly 2,700 years before Azerbaijan came into being in 1918. And yet, here is the president of Azerbaijan waging war because “Yerevan is our historical land and we Azerbaijanis must return to these historical lands.”

Armenia was also significantly larger, encompassing even modern day Azerbaijan within its borders, over two thousand years ago. Then the Turkic peoples came riding in from the east, slaughtering, enslaving, terrorizing and stealing the lands of Armenians and other Christians of the region in the name of jihad (as discussed here).

As Longtime Armenian-activist, Lucine Kasbarian, author of Armenia: A Rugged Land, an Enduring People, put it,

Dictator Ilham Aliyev’s belligerent stance towards Armenia is in keeping with Azerbaijan’s long “war of aggression” towards Armenia and its people. Aliyev’s agenda is to conquer what is left of sovereign Armenia all while claiming to be the victim rather than the victimizer. The Aliyev regime even goes so far as to refer to Armenia as “Western Azerbaijan,” even though Armenia has existed on ancient maps for thousands of years while Azerbaijan was first created in 1918.

There Is No Peace with Jihad

In short, all modern day pretexts and “territorial disputes” aside, true and permanent peace between Armenia and its Turkic neighbors will only be achieved when the Christian nation has either been conquered or ceded itself into nonexistence.

Nor would it be the first to do so. It is worth recalling that the heart of what is today called “the Muslim world” — the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) — was thoroughly Christian before the sword of Islam invaded. Bit by bit, century after century following the initial Muslim conquests and occupations, it lost its Christian identity, its peoples lost in the morass of Islam, so that few today even remember that Egypt, Iraq, Syria, etc., were among the first and oldest Christian nations.

Armenia—the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity — is a holdout, a thorn in Islam’s side, and, as such, will never know lasting peace from the Muslims surrounding it.

 

Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West and Sword and Scimitar, is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

https://stream.org/is-a-new-armenian-genocide-on-the-horizon/

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Armenpress.am

Ready to support Armenia and Azerbaijan in advancing the peace agenda: Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker

16:42, 27 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The issues of people displaced from Nagorno Karabakh and the cases of destruction of Armenian cultural heritage are of extreme concern and cannot be justified in any way.

Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, the chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, stated this during a press conference at the German embassy in Armenia on Tuesday. She noted that it is impossible to imagine similar violations of fundamental human rights in Germany and forced displacement of any ethnic group.

Addressing the crimes committed by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 and thereafter, Winkelmeier-Becker noted that the International Criminal Court should thoroughly examine all war crimes committed in different parts of the world and make clear assessments and judgments about them, especially since it has specific toolkit.

According to the German lawmaker, it also refers to the return of prisoners of war, which could be a key point for promoting the peace process, as well as a good basis for reaching a positive milestone as a result of the negotiations.

"We would be pleased if Germany contributes to establishing stability in the South Caucasus; therefore, we are ready to support both sides in advancing the peace agenda and negotiations. At this stage of the peace process, Germany should act as an honest partner and supporter between the conflicting parties, which is in the interests of Armenia," said Chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag.

 

The German lawmaker noted that the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia had informed the members of the German delegation that one of the important components for the Armenian side is the process of demarcation and delineation between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on Soviet maps.

"We hope that they will serve as the basis for a long-term status quo within the framework of the future agreement. The process of demarcation and delimitation is also at the center of attention of the EU civil mission. We hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan will reach a stage where the internationally defined and recognized territory of Armenia will no longer be subject to dispute and will be the basis for stable peace," said Winkelmeier-Becker.

Answering the question why Germany does not impose sanctions on Azerbaijan, the lawmaker noted that sanctions, in general, have limited success and that the application of sanctions at this stage can hinder the effective progress of the peace process.

Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker said that the German delegation had made a joint tour with the representatives of the EU civil mission in Yeraskh and emphasized that the aim of the EU civilian mission is to prevent possible border escalations and to help European partners with fact-finding activities.

Manvel Margaryan

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1131247.html?fbclid=IwAR3qjQqeVJPPgogxvU5EBXdlGlhj2MX-PfNTVIcVFjAnFoM8WkSj1e3iWU4

[Yervant1]

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.

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How many times did the fake sultan lie? A lot, nobody believes him!

DW - Deutsche Welle, Germany

Feb 28 2024

Germany hosts talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan and Armenia are engaged in peace talks in Berlin, months after Azerbaijan recaptured the Nagorno-Karabakh region. It follows earlier dialogue at the Munich Security Conference.

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan started peace talks in Berlin on Wednesday, five months after thousands of ethnic Armenians fled the Nagorno-Karabakh region following a lightning Azerbaijani offensive in September.

Germany is hosting the meeting to resolve a conflict between the Caucasus neighbors that has lasted for decades.

Why is the meeting taking place now?

The meeting of Armenia's Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijan's Jeyhun Bayramov follows a surprise direct meeting between the leaders of both countries on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference earlier this month.

The two countries had issued a joint statement in December saying they wanted to reach a peace deal.

"What we're seeing now are courageous steps by both countries to put the past behind and to work towards a durable peace for their people," said host of the talks, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

"We want you to be able to walk the path to durable peace," she told the two ministers as she opened the two-day meeting after the trio took a short stroll on the lush grounds of Villa Borsig, a Foreign Ministry retreat.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mediated the previous talks in Munich, where Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed to press ahead with the peace negotiations.

Scholz's spokesman said the leaders had pledged to resolve differences "exclusively through peaceful means and without the use of force."

Baerbock traveled to the two countries in November and called for new peace talks to take place.

Despite the apparent goodwill, the situation remains fraught, with Armenia reporting earlier this month that Azerbaijan's military killed four of its soldiers along the heavily guarded border between the two.

Azerbaijani leader says EU and France are 'demonizing' his country

It's been far from plain sailing, though, as Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev separately on Wednesday accused European Union and French leaders of "demonizing" his country and insisted Baku has no plans to attack arch-foe Armenia.

Yerevan is concerned that Azerbaijan, emboldened by its success in Karabakh, could invade Armenian territory in order to create a land bridge to its Nakhchivan enclave.

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrel said last month that "any violation of Armenia's territorial integrity will be unacceptable and will have severe consequences for our relations with Azerbaijan."

But Aliyev said Azerbaijan has no plans to attack Armenia and is committed to peace talks, denouncing Borrel's comments as a "covert threat towards Azerbaijan."

He also blasted French President Emmanuel Macron. "This is Macron's insinuation," he said. "This is part of the policy of Azerbaijan's demonisation."

What is the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh?

The Armenian-majority region broke away from Azerbaijan in a war in the 1990s, but its independence was not recognized by any country, including Armenia.

A Russian-brokered cease-fire after a war in 2020 saw Azerbaijan regain areas surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh that ethnic Armenian forces had held.

Azerbaijan retook Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, and most of the territory's residents fled to Armenia. Yerevan has accused Baku of "ethnic cleansing," while Azerbaijan argues that ethnic Armenians left voluntarily.

rc/wd (Reuters, AFP)

https://www.dw.com/en/germany-hosts-talks-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan/a-68394267?maca=en-Facebook-sharing&fbclid=IwAR3UlD-dlUHf5QuAW8NgvJ1f9ZFG3TOWv0WBvFoogQ6QjZd1pG2TrDuSpD8

 

[Yervant1]

Is this another provocation, or just got lost?

 

Armenpress.am

Armed Azerbaijani soldier crosses the Armenian-Azerbaijani contact line, NSS provides details

12:24, 28 February 2024

YEREVAN, 28 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. An Azerbaijani armed forces soldier crossed the Armenian-Azerbaijani contact line in the border area of Tegh community, Syunik Province at around 05:15 today. The soldier was armed with an AKM-type assault rifle and a magazine of bullets.

Armenia’s National Security Service press office reported the incident, stating that Ministry of Defense servicemen neutralized the Azerbaijani soldier, Armenpress reports.

Following the incident, Armenia’s Investigative Committee has launched criminal proceedings under the relevant articles of the RA Criminal Code. The investigation remains ongoing.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1131313.html?fbclid=IwAR2kJDY8ulW4ORUFNxFzKzvvMEnMGdmTFSIg8HuZ5-fZMGFxmy7q3z2szMA

 

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Feb 29 2024

 

EU Parliament Advocates Sanctions on Azerbaijan for Armenia Aggression, Mulls Oil Import Suspension

 

The European Parliament adopts a report calling for sanctions against Azerbaijan to support Armenia, marking a significant move in South Caucasus geopolitics.

In a significant development, the European Parliament has taken a bold stance against Azerbaijan's aggression towards Armenia by adopting an annual report on the common security and defense policy. This report underscores the necessity of implementing purposeful and targeted sanctions against Azerbaijan, potentially altering the geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus.

 

Call for Immediate Action

The European Parliament's report, adopted on February 28, represents a critical voice in the international community, urging the European Union to take decisive measures against Azerbaijan. It emphasizes the importance of readiness to apply targeted and individual sanctions against those responsible for aggression, extending beyond political and military figures associated with President Aliyev. In a move to exert economic pressure, the report also advocates for the suspension of oil and natural gas imports from Azerbaijan in the event of military aggression, a step that could have far-reaching consequences on energy dynamics within the region.

 

Strengthening Peace Efforts

Amid the concerns of a potential resumption of military operations, the report calls on the EU's European External Action Service (EEAS) to play an active role in assisting Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach a historic peace agreement. The establishment of the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia (EUMA) has been welcomed as a step towards enhancing security and reducing incidents in conflict-affected regions. The Parliament's call to extend the mandate of the EUMA and deploy monitors along Armenia's border with Türkiye signals a commitment to a peaceful resolution and stability in the area.

 

Implications for Regional Security

The European Parliament's report carries significant implications for the South Caucasus region's future, emphasizing the need for vigilance and rejection of any outside provocations. It highlights the fragile nature of normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, urging the EU to support both nations towards achieving a stable peace agreement. With the potential suspension of strategic partnerships and questioning Azerbaijan's eligibility to host international events like COP29, the report sends a strong message about the consequences of aggression and the importance of adhering to international norms.

The European Parliament's stance represents a pivotal moment in the EU's engagement with the South Caucasus, underscoring the necessity of a concerted and principled approach to conflict resolution and regional security. As the situation develops, the international community's response will be crucial in shaping the path towards lasting peace and stability in the region.

https://bnnbreaking.com/politics/eu-parliament-advocates-sanctions-on-azerbaijan-for-armenia-aggression-mulls-oil-import-suspension

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Armenpress.am

European Parliament report calls for suspension of oil, gas imports from Azerbaijan in the event of military aggression

14:47, 29 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. The European Union annual report on the common security and defense policy adopted by the European Parliament on February 28, highlights the need to apply purposeful and targeted sanctions against Azerbaijan in case of its aggression against Armenia.

According to the Armenpress Brussels correspondent, the report calls for readiness to apply targeted and individual sanctions against the perpetrators of aggression, without necessarily limiting these sanctions solely to the political and military circles associated with President Aliyev. Additionally, it suggests suspending the import of oil and natural gas from Azerbaijan in the event of any military aggression.

The MEPs with the adopted report, call on the EU to immediately apply sanctions against Azerbaijan and suspend the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership in the energy sector. They also call into question Azerbaijan's eligibility to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in 2024, while the country plans to increase its fossil fuel production by a third over the next decade.

According to the members of the European Parliament, the risks of a resumption of military operations in the South Caucasus are a cause for serious concern and underscore the need for more active engagement by the EU in the region.

The report calls on the EU's European External Action Service (EEAS) to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan in reaching a historic peace agreement. It also urges the two parties and the international community to remain vigilant and reject any attempts or provocations from outside aimed at preventing the two countries from achieving a stable peace agreement.

The European Parliament expresses concern that the prospects for normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain fragile. Therefore, the EU should assist and encourage both parties toward this goal, including by offering the prospect of closer integration with the EU if they decide to pursue it.

The report welcomes the establishment of the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia (EUMA), which aims to contribute to increased security in the region by reducing the number of incidents in Armenia's conflict-affected and border regions, thereby decreasing the level of risk to the population.

The adopted reports call not only to strengthen and extend the mandate of the EUMA, but also to deploy monitors along Armenia’s border with Türkiye.

The EEAS is called upon to be ready to provide the necessary technical assistance to Armenia through the European Peace Facility so that Armenia reviews its current military alliances, as this will strengthen the country's resilience in the context of ensuring security, independence and sovereignty.

Lilit Gasparyan

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1131443.html?fbclid=IwAR2c4gNOnk96WsphZKK0getoKu9cRCK_o4vv2dH7tTMSxdZ_EIVvJWHpJ4o

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DAILY SABAH

Turkey - March 3 2024

Azerbaijan's FM hails Armenia meeting for better 'understanding'

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, who was in Türkiye to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, lauded a recent meeting with his Armenian counterpart. He stated that while specific solutions were not achieved for both parties during the discussions between him and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, the meeting proved valuable in enhancing the understanding of the situation and establishing a foundation for future engagements.

"The parties agreed that the contacts should be continued," Bayramov stated at the forum.

Highlighting the importance of face-to-face meetings in peace negotiations, Bayramov said: "I believe that the two-day negotiations were generally beneficial. Unlike previous negotiations, we did not discuss draft texts or specific articles. There are a few open issues and approaches on which the parties did not reach an agreement. We dedicated our two days to the negotiation of these issues." Bayramov mentioned that in previous negotiations, Armenia emphasized the rights of Armenians in Karabakh and had a special expectation in this regard.

Azerbaijan, on the other hand, argued that the peace agreement should regulate the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and that issues related to Armenians in Azerbaijani territories are a domestic matter. Azerbaijan demanded the withdrawal of illegal Armenian forces from its territory, which Armenia claimed it couldn't control. Bayramov stated that this issue is no longer on the negotiation table after the counterterrorism operation on Sept. 19, which ended the presence of illegal armed forces and dissolved the illegal regime. Armenia does not bring up this issue in the negotiations.

Bayramov expressed the desire to sign an agreement with Armenia within the framework of international legal rules. "Such an agreement should be signed that is sustainable and does not leave any open issues in the future," Bayramov said. He also said that establishing a friendship relationship based on the principle of not interfering in each other's internal affairs and mutual respect is a priority in Azerbaijani diplomacy.

"However, it is not possible to establish relations with every state at the same level. There are states with which every state has better relations. The relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan are unprecedented in the world. Today, we witness the increasing cooperation among member countries of the Turkic Council in the broader Turkish geography," he said.

Bayramov also touched upon the military and defense industry cooperation between Ankara and Baku. "The Azerbaijani army is being restructured in accordance with the Turkish army model. Concrete reforms and changes are being made in this regard. The two countries conduct numerous joint exercises every year. Defense is a matter of national security for every state. Ensuring independence in terms of weapons and ammunition is crucial for every state. There are very few countries in the world that fully meet their defense needs with their own production. Türkiye's success in this regard is exemplary worldwide. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that they increased the domesticity rate in the defense industry from 20% to 80%. This is a significant indicator. Very few countries can achieve this. Azerbaijan is also taking concrete steps to meet its military needs. There are various methods of cooperation and integration, such as purchasing weapons from Türkiye, joint production with Turkish companies in Azerbaijan, and the participation of Azerbaijani companies and experts in projects of Turkish companies in Türkiye," he said.

https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/azerbaijans-fm-hails-armenia-meeting-for-better-understanding

[Yervant1]

The Jewish Press

March 10 2024

Azerbaijan Buys Israeli Advanced High-Altitude System to Detect Iranian, Armenian Missiles and Aircraft

By

David Israel

Azerbaijan has purchased the Sky Dew high-altitude aerostat from Israel, equipped with a state-of-the-art long-range missile and aircraft detection system, the official news agency AZE.media reported last week.

Sky Dew (Tal Shamayim in Hebrew), or High Availability Aerostat System (HAAS), is a high-altitude missile defense aerostat used by the IDF since 2022. It flies using a tethered blimp, developed by the US TCOM company. The Sky Dew system was developed by the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The system is deployed on Israel’s northern and southern borders.

The primary mission of Sky Dew is to detect cruise missiles, drones, and other advanced aerial threats flying at low altitudes, providing early warning. To achieve this, the aerostat is equipped with an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar capable of long-range detection.

Azerbaijan borders two countries that threaten its security: Armenia and Iran. It has engaged in two wars with Armenia since the 1990s, and has maintained a cool diplomatic relationship with Iran, which has been marred by provocations by Tehran.

The aerostat can maintain continuous surveillance for several days and is capable of tracking up to 500 targets with a detection range of over 250 km.

It is also able to avoid ground clutter interference, making the aerostat particularly useful for detecting low-flying threats. At the same time, its upper altitude limits far exceed those of ground-based radars, offering a much greater visibility range to the horizon.

https://www.jewishpress.com/news/middle-east/azerbaijan/azerbaijan-buys-israeli-advanced-high-altitude-system-to-detect-iranian-armenian-missiles-and-aircraft/2024/03/10/

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Spanish MP considers Azerbaijan's actions a gross violation of UN norms

17:35, 11 March 2024

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. According to the Spanish MP Jon Iñarritu, the actions taken by Azerbaijan are a gross violation of the international norms and principles of the United Nations Charter.

In response to the observation by the Armenpress correspondent regarding Azerbaijani violations of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia since 2021, the MP said: “Those norms definitely prohibit the use of force and the violation of the territorial integrity of sovereign nations. Persistent violations committed by Azerbaijan not only undermine regional stability but also erode the foundations of trust and cooperation between neighboring states.’’

“Despite these worrying developments, the European Union has refrained from imposing sanctions against Azerbaijan or its leadership. Failure to address these violations not only encourages further aggression but also creates a dangerous precedent that threatens the peace and security of the entire region,’’ Jon Iñarritu said.

Referring to the issue of Armenian prisoners of war held illegally by Azerbaijan, including former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Spanish MP stated that they should be released to reunite with their families.

The handling of Azerbaijani political prisoners, dissidents and journalists under the Aliyev regime is well-documented, characterized by systemic human rights abuses and a gross disregard for due process. Therefore, all Armenian prisoners held illegally in Baku should be released and allowed to reunite with their families. Such reunification with their families is not only a matter of moral imperative but also an important step for détente in the region," concluded the MP.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1132164.html?fbclid=IwAR1gX_btZZe4CE4tN85qaUWM3B3X5__Egna0lTxhjcX9l8Zqhwr4R8w6Wog

[Yervant1]

Hollywood Proposed to Make Propaganda Films on Aliyev and Erdogan for a Price

By Harut Sassounian

Publisher, The California Courier

www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

2- Pashinian’s Party Avoids Campaign Funding Probe

3- Former Turkish Prime Minister Urges Turkey to Acknowledge Historical Wrongs, Apologize to Armenians

4- Life and Legacy of Joseph D. Beglar in India: Grandson of the Last Armenian Prince of Karabakh

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

1- Hollywood Proposed to Make Propaganda Films on Aliyev and Erdogan for a Price

By Harut Sassounian

TheCaliforniaCourier.com

A team of investigative journalists from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed that a Hollywood producer planned to make propaganda films that would glorify several authoritarian leaders for a payment of millions of dollars.

Igor Lopatonok, a native of Ukraine who is now a US citizen, in collaboration with Oscar-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone, initially produced two documentaries on Ukraine which were described as “pro-Kremlin propaganda” and a highly flattering eight-part mini-series on Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

In addition, Lopatonok planned to make several propaganda documentaries casting a positive light on the autocratic leaders of Azerbaijan and Turkey, among others. However, it is not clear if Stone would have been involved in any of these proposed projects. None of these documentaries were made.

OCCRP stated that Aliyev, Putin and Lukashenko “have all been accused of horrific crimes against the citizens of the countries they rule…. But where the world sees brutal dictators, Igor Lopatonok sees opportunity [to make money].” Since these authoritarian leaders were to pay for their propaganda documentaries, no mention would have been made of their brutal rule.

“One of Lopatonok’s glossy pitches, ‘Untitled Oliver Stone Documentary’ or ‘About Ilham Aliyev and Azerbaijan’, promises that Stone would ‘sit face to face’ with the Azerbaijani strongman [Aliyev] and cover not only ‘emerging of leader to the head of state rank, but all questions of colorful and fascinating history of Azerbaijan,’” OCCRP reported.

“Lopatonok seemed to have hit upon a promising formula. He had assembled a small team of screenwriters and producers who churned out film ideas to pitch to dictators, making an enticing offer: copious screen time with a world-famous director [Oliver Stone]. The key to ‘monetizing’ the process was simple, said an insider who worked on the team, and agreed to speak with reporters on condition of anonymity. Lopatonok had figured out how to offer powerful people something they couldn’t resist: Legitimacy on the world stage,” OCCRP wrote.

“In his pitch to Aliyev for the ‘Oliver Stone documentary,’ Lopatonok underscores that the planned film would ‘have a unique positive impact on publicity of the president and Azerbaijan.’ Although it’s unclear if Aliyev ever engaged with the pitch, an expert on Eurasia said it would be in line with the strongman’s previous efforts to present his regime as a dynamic, modernizing influence in the region. ‘I do see it as in line with all of these potential vectors of image washing -- culture, sports, those are the big ones, and global events, global conferences,’ said Alexander Cooley, a political science professor at New York’s Barnard College and an expert on Eurasian transnational networks.”

It is obvious that a documentary made by Hollywood filmmakers touting the greatness of Aliyev would have much more credibility than the cheap propaganda produced in Azerbaijan.

“When authoritarian leaders get a Hollywood glow-up, it often comes at the expense of the people they rule over, said Casey Michel, head of the Human Rights Foundation’s Combating Kleptocracy Program. The foundation has spent years campaigning for Hollywood stars to stop working with dictatorial regimes. ‘I can’t imagine how dispiriting it must be for citizens in places like Kazakhstan … to watch this American director come and turn into a propaganda mouthpiece for their dictators,’ Michel said. These people know how horrific these regimes truly are -- and then they watch this American parachute in, and gobble up all of the dictators’ talking points, without even bothering to push back,” OCCRP stated.

The funding to produce these documentaries is to be provided by the dictators “or people close to them.” In 2019, when Stone and Lopatonok produced the documentary “Qazaq: History of the Golden Man,” about Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of Kazakhstan, a charitable foundation controlled by him paid the duo at least $5 million,” OCCRP reported.

Documents obtained by OCCRP reporters revealed that Lopatonok’s “team prepared synopses of potential films about at least six other authoritarian governments, including China, the United Arab Emirates, and the Russian republic of Tatarstan, alongside the pitches to Aliyev and Lukashenko, promising that Stone would interview their leaders and help tell their ‘true story.’”

Lopatonok’s team proposed that during his interview with Aliyev, Stone discuss “the country’s ‘success’ under the ‘dynastic rule’ of the Aliyev family, and its ongoing conflict with ‘an Armenia that is losing its stability and teetering on the edge of an abyss.’ A summary of the proposed film makes clear the tenor of Lopatonok’s approach: It describes Aliyev as a ‘true successor’ to his father, the previous president, who had taught him to be a ‘wise leader.’” The pitch asked: “Can you really call the existing state system in Azerbaijan a ‘Cult of Personality’? Or is it just a tribute of people’s respect to a leader who was able to turn the country from poverty into one of the developed, prosperous countries?” The film about Aliyev would cost $15 million, according to OCCRP.

Lopatonok told the Azeri media during his visit to Baku in 2021: “This country [Azerbaijan] has a very rich and colorful culture. When I was here in 2012-2013, I learned to distinguish the Karabakh carpets from all others, identifying [them] by their ornament. I would make a good film about Azerbaijan.”

There was another synopsis for a film on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “offering him a chance to tout his defense of Turkish interests.” Here is what the synopsis said: “Erdogan is a Turk and hardly needs to be basing his actions on the interests of other countries. But what interests does he have? Can he restore the Great Silk Road? And does he really have expansionist plans? What is Erdogan trying to achieve? He should answer these questions himself. And only himself. We should not try to divine [Erdogan’s plans] from coffee grounds, even if it is magnificent Turkish coffee that they know how to make only in Istanbul.”

“In a 2018 interview, Ibrahim Kalin, then the spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, confirmed that they had received a pitch for a documentary about Erdogan around the same time Stone was in Turkey. ‘We are looking at it, we are evaluating it,’ he said,” OCCRP reported.

[Yervant1]

Asbarez.com

U.S. Warns that Baku’s Land Corridor Demand ‘Elevates Risks’ of Armed Conflict

by Asbarez Staff

March 12, 2024

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

A military post along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

The United States warned that Azerbaijan’s continued demand for a “land corridor” through Armenia to Nakhichevan will elevate the risk of armed conflict, saying that relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan will likely remain tense.

This assessment, made by the U.S. intelligence community, was made in the annual Worldwide Threat Assessment report presented to Congress on Monday by the leaders of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, FBI, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.

“Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan are likely to remain tense,” the report said.

“Nevertheless, the lack of a bilateral peace treaty, the proximity of their military forces, the lack of a cease-fire enforcement mechanism, and Azerbaijan’s readiness to use calibrated military pressure to advance its goals in talks with Armenia will remain,” the report added.

“The transition of N-K [Nagorno-Karabakh] governance from ethnic Armenians to Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan’s demand for access to a land corridor linking Azerbaijan to its exclave will elevate the risk of armed confrontation,” the report emphasized.

Azerbaijan’s attack on Artsakh in September, that forced the mass exodus of its Armenian population, was also addressed in the report, with the U.S. intelligence agencies saying that “the rapid exodus of most of the region’s ethnic Armenian population and the planned self-dissolution of the government allowed Baku to advance plans to integrate the region with Azerbaijan, effectively removing this longstanding issue from the bilateral peace agenda.”

“Azerbaijan’s retaking of Nagorno-Karabakh has reduced volatility, and a military confrontation probably would be limited in duration and intensity,” the report added.

The report also contained an assessment of Armenia as it relates to U.S. policy on Ukraine, saying that Russia’s position in the region has been weakened.

“The renewed efforts of Armenia, Moldova, and some Central Asian states to seek alternative partners highlight how the war has hurt Moscow’s influence, even in the post-Soviet space,” the report said.

“Russia’s unwillingness to expend the resources and political capital to prevent Azerbaijan from reacquiring Nagorno-Karabakh from ethnic Armenians through a military offensive in September 2023 underscores how Moscow’s war in Ukraine has weakened its role as a regional security arbiter,” the assessment added.

https://asbarez.com/u-s-warns-that-bakus-land-corridor-demand-elevates-risks-of-armed-conflict/?fbclid=IwAR0kk_ZSt_JpqBaszywFkjgBUPY9dCw_gPq_LAluTOc2KQnSWSpiezZ6rWk

[Yervant1]

March 15 2024

JF-17, Akinci Combo ‘Beats’ Su-35 For Baku’s Jet Deal; Azerbaijan Unhappy With French Backing Of Armenia

European Parliament’s resolution to forge closer ties with Armenia has angered Azerbaijan. Baku (Azerbaijan’s capital) said that the resolution contained “unfounded and biased” rhetoric.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada said the resolution served as a “clear example of a recurrent double-standards approach against Azerbaijan.” Asserting that the resolution is supported by multiple entities in the European Parliament influenced by the Armenian lobby, Hajizada declared it part of a “smear campaign” against Baku.

The resolution “condemns” Baku’s “military incursions into the internationally recognized territory of Armenia and contends Azerbaijan threatened the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia.

Meanwhile, Russia is likely to be stuck in a stalemate with Ukraine for the foreseeable future. Its erstwhile allies have ‘dumped’ it like a hot potato. Armenia and Azerbaijan have both abandoned Russia as the main source of their weapons and military platforms and are tapping other reliant defense suppliers.

Azerbaijan is opting for Turkish KAAN or Pakistan-Chinese JF-17 fighter jets over Russian Su-35s or the 5th-generation Su-75 ‘Checkmate’ jets. Armenia has also been gradually opting for Indian and French (a European superpower) weapons to boost its defenses.

Azerbaijan’s fighter jet fleet is predominantly Russian. In the late 2010s, Russia pitched Azerbaijan Su-30SM, Su-35, and MiG-35 fighters, all of which are 4.5-generation fighters.

But now, it isn’t likely that Baku will turn to Moscow for 4++ generation aircraft like the Su-35, and it is doubtful if Azerbaijan will invest in Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 or Su-75 “Checkmate” jets.

Azerbaijan formally enrolled in Turkey’s TF Kaan fifth-generation fighter program last July, indicating a substantial possibility of acquiring the aircraft. Since the aircraft has already made its maiden flight, a possible acquisition may be on the table.

In late February, unverified reports emerged in the Azerbaijan and Pakistan media, asserting that Azerbaijan had signed an agreement with Pakistan to purchase an unknown number of JF-17C Thunder fighter jets for a sum of $1.6 billion.

The reports revealed that the deal encompassed pilot training and armament acquisition. Rumors have been going on for some time, but Azernews said that the export of JF-17 to Baku would take place after the completion of 62 fighter jets for the Pakistan Air Force by 2024.

The agreement calls for the delivery of eight fighter jets in the first tranche, with an option to acquire an additional eight JF-17s later on. The JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft is jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corp.

If the report about the JF-17 acquisition is confirmed, Baku will eventually have a fourth-generation aircraft as well as the KAAN fifth-generation aircraft. Additionally, Azerbaijan also has the Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones (Turkish word for ‘raider’) acquired from Turkey that would plug the remaining gaps in its arsenal.

The TB2 drones have already proved their mettle against Armenia in the Nogorno-Karabakh conflict. The Bayraktar Akinci is a high-altitude, long-endurance drone that can be armed with weapons. It can fire various missiles, both air-to-air and air-to-ground, and is believed to exceed the capabilities of the TB2 UAV.

One thing that Armenia and Azerbaijan agree – they need to stay away from Russia. However, as Azerbaijan leans towards Turkey (Non-EU), Armenia is moving towards France (EU member). Both France and Turkey, however, are NATO members.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are preparing for further hostilities while holding fragile peace negotiations. The conflict has created two axes – one comprising Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan and another of Armenia, India, France, and Iran (Baku’s staunch and silent supporter). However, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have one thing in common: they have actively made efforts to wean themselves off their dependence on Russia.

In the latest ignominy, Armenia has asked Russia to move its forces from the Yerevan airport, which the Russian border guards have been protecting since 1992. The presence of Russian border guards at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan has been constant for decades and has reflected Armenia’s military and political alliance with Moscow.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced that Russian border guards were no longer welcome at Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport, putting to rest any doubts about the estrangement between the two countries.

He insisted that the country now possessed the institutional capacity to independently manage border guard services at the airport, and as such, the posting of Russian guards was a temporary measure to support Armenian independence.

Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan told the media, “Armenia has a clear position on this issue, and it informed Russia in an official letter.”

Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

The move comes amidst serious deterioration in relations between Yerevan and Moscow. Two weeks ago, Armenia suspended its membership in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia accused Russia of failing to ensure Armenia’s security during Azerbaijan’s military assault against Nagorno Karabakh in September 2023. The decision to remove Russian guards pertains specifically to the airport; those stationed at the Turkish and Iranian borders will remain unaffected.

Armenia has traditionally relied on Russia for the majority of its arms purchases spanning decades. However, in the wake of the Ukraine war, Russia failed to provide the country with ordered weapons worth US $400 million and did not return the money that Yerevan had already paid, triggering Armenia’s distrust in Moscow.

To build combat capability and effective deterrence against Azerbaijan, it has defied long-standing norms and turned to France and India as its major arms suppliers. A deal was reportedly signed between the Armenian Defense Ministry and the French defense group Thales for the purchase of three cutting-edge GM-200 radar systems in October 2023.

Later that same year, media reports indicated that France would also arm Armenia with 50 armored personnel carriers to bolster its ground forces. The carriers would provide Armenian armed forces with high-level protection and multi-mission capabilities. At least two dozen vehicles have allegedly been delivered to Yerevan.

Additionally, the three GM-200 radars and the night-vision equipment that the French Macron administration had promised to send to Armenia were reportedly slated for shipment on February 22. While the Armenian authorities have not acknowledged these claims, media watchers believe they may have received the delivery.

France, for one, has become Armenia’s quintessential arms supplier and is seen as dethroning Russia, once Armenia’s biggest exporter. However, it is not the only one.

Other than France, India has tapped into the South Caucasian market to sell arms. Armenia has inked several defense contracts worth at least $400 million with India since September 2022.

https://www.eurasiantimes.com/jf-17-akinci-combo-beats-su-35-for-bakus-je/

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Azerbaijan, Armenia very close to signing peace agreement - Turkish FM

18:48, 15 March 2024

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. We are now in a period where the global system is changing, according to the Azerbaijani media reports, the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during his speech at the 11th Global Forum in Baku.

“Azerbaijan and Armenia are now very close to signing a peace treaty. We fully support the peaceful progress of the negotiations,” he said.

"Azerbaijan has urged the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the Karabagh conflict for 30 years. But the OSCE, on the contrary, tried to prolong the conflict," he added.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1132529.html?fbclid=IwAR3rQcvHj9iMEmf8QrNyB5xYfYE-UusP_OkocXqVpsA4Y653bZtIHpjL8nM

[Yervant1]

What he (Fake sultan) says in Europe, is different than at home!

 

March 18 2024

Azerbaijan’s President foresees closer peace with Armenia than ever before

• The South Caucasus neighbors have conducted numerous talks, including two days of negotiations in Berlin in February.
• The initial war in 1988 between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988.
• Azerbaijan recaptured Karabakh in September, leading to a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians to neighboring Armenia.

On Sunday, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev declared that his country is “closer than ever” to reaching a peace deal with Armenia, half a year after Azerbaijan regained control of its Karabakh region from its ethnic Armenian majority, leading to a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians.

“Today, we are in an active phase of peace talks with Armenia,” Aliyev said in remarks after meeting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Baku, according to a transcript published on the Azeri leader’s website.

“We are now closer to peace than ever before.”

Stoltenberg expressed his welcome for the move toward peace between the two nations.

“I appreciate what you say about that you are closer to a peace agreement than ever before,” Stoltenberg said, according to a transcript published on NATO’s website.

“And I can just encourage you to seize this opportunity to reach a lasting peace agreement with Armenia.”

In December, the South Caucasus neighbors issued a joint statement declaring their intention to reach a peace deal and have since conducted numerous talks, including two days of negotiations in Berlin in February. Reuters’ request for comment on Aliyev’s statement was not immediately responded to by the press office of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

In 1988, Christian Armenia and mostly Muslim Azerbaijan initially engaged in war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. After decades of enmity, Azerbaijan recaptured Karabakh in September, despite its ethnic Armenian majority controlling it since the 1990s, despite international recognition as part of Azerbaijan.

The offensive led to most of the region’s 120,000 ethnic Armenians fleeing to neighboring Armenia. Armenia characterized the offensive as ethnic cleansing, while Azerbaijan refuted the claim, stating that those who fled had the option to stay and be integrated into Azerbaijan.

Key elements in securing a treaty include demarcating borders and establishing regional transport corridors through each other’s territory. Armenia has also brought up the issue of determining control of ethnic enclaves on both sides of the border.

https://www.bolnews.com/international/2024/03/azerbaijans-president-foresees-closer-peace-with-armenia-than-ever-before/

 

 

[Yervant1]

News.am, Armenia

March 20 2024

Arif Yunus: Ukraine supplied weapons to Azerbaijan during war with Armenian side

18:32, 20.03.2024

Azerbaijanis are fighting against Russia on the Ukrainian side, including Azerbaijani citizens who are part of the Georgian Legion. Azerbaijani historian Arif Yunus, Head of the Department of Conflictology and Migration at the Azerbaijan Institute for Peace and Democracy, stated this during a roundtable discussion Wednesday on the South Caucasus as well as the trends and prospects in the context of the Ukrainian war.

Azerbaijan, in agreement with Turkey and Moldova, also supplied Bayraktars and other weapons to Kyiv. So far, 150 Azerbaijanis have been killed in the battles on the Ukrainian side, and 70 more are considered missing, Yunus said.

According to him, Azerbaijan supports Ukraine, which supplied weapons to Baku during its war with the Armenian side.

There are serious anti-Russian sentiments in Azerbaijan regarding all this. Azerbaijan, in turn, supported Kyiv during the Russian-Ukrainian war, Yunus emphasized.

https://news.am/eng/news/813356.html#google_vignette

[Yervant1]

March 21 2024

British Parliament debates Armenian issues and Karabakh refugees

• JAMnews
  

• Yerevan
  

“On Ukraine, we say that self-determination is right and destruction is wrong, so why can we not apply the same principles consistently here? [to Nagorno-Karabakh]” said Rupa Huq, a member of the British Parliament from the Labour Party.

According to her, the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh “want to return to their land, to the places that they have lived in for millennia, even though we see attempts to wipe out territories such as Artsakh from the map”.

These statements were made in the British Parliament during a discussion titled “International Support for Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees.” Members of the British Parliament declared “the ethnic cleansing in September 2023 as a crime similar to the Armenian genocide of the last century.” Several members of parliament called for sanctions against Azerbaijan.

• “Armenia has retreated from its own principles in negotiations with Baku.” Opinion
  
• “Stoltenberg’s visit aims to assess escalation risks” – Opinion from Yerevan


• “Armenia must not refrain from filing lawsuits against Azerbaijan.” Opinion

“Our voice must be louder in Armenia”

Rupa Huq stated that Armenia is a country that has suffered from pogroms and destruction for many years:

“Yet we talk here of a European near neighbour—a democracy—that has a hostile neighbouring territory in Azerbaijan, with its aggressions and ethnically motivated crimes against Armenians.

The figures are grim, with 10 months of illegal blockading of food, fuel and electricity and the forced displacement of 100,000 people.”

She reported meeting them when she visited Armenia as part of an Inter-Parliamentary Union delegation in February this year:

“We heard harrowing stories of human suffering—really touching stuff about people who fled on foot in the absence of fuel and took days and days to get over the border[…..] In this country, our voice should be stronger. In this Chamber in 2020, we debated the blockade of the Lachin corridor, but our weak response emboldened those actions.”

“Armenian territories remain occupied by Azerbaijan”

John Whittingdale, a representative of the Conservative Party, spoke about unlocking regional communications in the South Caucasus. He supported Armenia’s stance on this issue: roads passing through the country should remain under its control. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani authorities claim that “people and goods from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan [referring to the road connecting Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan] should pass without any checks.”

“However, despite the apparent opportunity that now exists to obtain a peaceful settlement—we heard repeatedly from Armenians their desire to do so—in the last few hours the Prime Minister has issued a statement saying that Armenia could be at war by the end of the week, because Armenians believe that Azerbaijan continues to have territorial ambitions not just to take back control of Nagorno-Karabakh, as it has done, but for Armenia itself. So it is a very fragile situation,” believes Whittingdale.

He shared that he met with members of the Azerbaijani delegation at the OSCE in Vienna. They assured him that “they have no aggressive intentions towards Armenia; it is propaganda from Armenia.” However, after that, the British parliamentary representative “encountered a different reality” when he arrived in Armenia:

“Yet even while we were in Armenia, four Armenian soldiers were killed in the continuing conflict around the border. We were also taken up to see territory that is undoubtedly Armenia but is still under occupation by Azerbaijan.“

“If peace comes, it will be fragile”

Carol Monaghan of the Labour Party believes that despite discussions around a peace agreement, tension remains.

She criticized Russian peacekeepers for failing to intervene and protect the population during the military actions in September 2023. According to Monaghan, Russian peacekeepers “were at best observers, and at worst actively supported the oppression of the local Armenian population.”

“As an aside, non-intervention by Russian peacekeepers sets a dangerous precedent that international humanitarian law can be breached without repercussions, and opens up the risk of future Azerbaijani incursions into Armenia, for example to secure a path to its exclave of Nakhchivan,” she stated.

Monaghan also highlighted the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, which many see as reminiscent of the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923. She pointed out that about 34 countries, including the USA, Canada, and France, have recognized the historical genocide, but the UK has not. “ In denying formal acknowledgement of the historic atrocity, the UK Government continue to delegitimise the collective pain endured by the Armenian community,” Monaghan concluded.

“Impose sanctions against Baku”

Tim Loughton, a member of the Conservative Party and chair of the Britain-Armenia friendship group, also believes that “Azerbaijan conducted a large-scale ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.” As a result, he called on the British government to impose sanctions against Azerbaijan.

Loughton thinks Azerbaijan “is trying to erase the name, culture, history, and heritage of a people who have lived in Nagorno-Karabakh for centuries.”

The parliamentarian addressed Leo Docherty, the Minister for European Affairs of the UK, present in the chamber where the discussion was taking place, with questions:

“Will the Government investigate whether ethnic cleansing under the UN definitions has taken place? If so, what are the implications of that? Will the Government press for investigation in respect of both political and military prisoners who are still being held by the Azeris?

What will the Government do to put pressure on the Azerbaijanis to withdraw from the 4,400-square-kilometre territory within sovereign Armenian boundaries that they are still occupying—some 30 or so villages?”

Tim Loughton also mentioned that there are signals of a potential “military encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia” soon. He believes that “such violations of international law should be followed by sanctions.”

https://jam-news.net/discussion-of-armenian-issues-in-the-british-parliament/

[Yervant1]

March 23 2024

Statement on the Continued Imprisonment of Armenian Officials and Civilians of the Republic of the Artsakh by the Republic of Azerbaijan

The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (Lemkin Institute) energetically condemns the continued and unlawful imprisonment of Armenian officials and civilians of the Republic of Artsakh (Artsakh) by the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan). Given the high risk of serious violations of human rights against these individuals, including the loss of life, the need for a strong international presence has never been more urgent. Consequently, the Lemkin Institute calls on the international community to take necessary steps to secure the prompt and safe repatriation of all Armenian prisoners of war (POWs), officials, and civilians held hostage in Azerbaijan.

The Lemkin Institute recalls its 27 October 2023 “Statement on the Ongoing Imprisonment of Armenian Officials of the Republic of Artsakh by the Republic of Azerbaijan,” detailing the detention and prosecution of eight high-ranking officials, namely: Mr. Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Artsakh; Major General Davit Manukyan, former First Deputy Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army; Mr. Davit Babayan, former Adviser to the President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh; Mr. Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army; Mr. Arkadi Ghukasyan, the second President of Artsakh; Mr. Bako Sahakyan, the third President of Artsakh; Mr. Arayik Harutyunyan, the fourth President and former State Minister of Artsakh; and Mr. Davit Ishkhanyan, the last President of the National Assembly of Artsakh.

These arrests occurred after Azerbaijan’s military aggression against the Nagorno-Karabakh region on 19 September 2023, and during the ensuing genocide against its civilian population. Many of these officials were apprehended at the illegal Hakari Bridge checkpoint, constructed by Azerbaijan in the Lachin Corridor in April 2023. The establishment of this checkpoint came four months after Azerbaijan’s unlawful blockade of the same corridor on 12 December 2022. This situation resulted in the deprivation of essential goods and services for the then 120,000 inhabitants of Artsakh, constituting a clear case of genocide-by-attrition, as observed by the former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Luis Moreno Ocampo.

While the suffering of all Armenians currently detained by the dictatorial regime of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is deeply troubling, the Lemkin Institute is especially concerned about Mr. Vardanyan’s situation. The former State Minister, businessman, and philanthropist is particularly loathed in Azerbaijan due to his outspoken and unwavering support for Artsakh’s right to self-determination.

In this regard, the Lemkin Institute recalls its statements on “the Arrest and Detention of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan by Azerbaijan” and “the Sentencing of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan,” issued on 27 and 28 September 2023, respectively.

In its statement dated 27 September, the Lemkin Institute sternly warned that, “Vardanyan’s detention poses a very high risk of torture and extrajudicial execution or a show trial. As one of the most eloquent and outspoken advocates for the Republic of Artsakh, Vardanyan symbolizes to the regime of Azerbaijan President Aliyev the territory that it has long desired to annihilate. Vardanyan’s life and his body are therefore potent symbols of Armenian strength and sovereignty.” Additionally, it highlighted that, “[...] Concern for the life and safety of Vardanyan is especially warranted given the treatment that Armenian POWs have received in Azerbaijani captivity since 2020. They have been tortured, humiliated, murdered, disappeared, and subjected to show trials. This is well documented.” (Emphasis added)

In its statement dated 28 September, the Lemkin Institute protested against the sentencing of Mr. Vardanyan to four months of “preventive detention,” which was presumed to be followed by legal proceedings involving a variety of fabricated claims that could potentially lead to a 14-year prison sentence. According to the news outlet News.am, Azerbaijan accused Mr. Vardanyan of “financing terrorism, participating in the creation and activities of armed organizations or groups not provided for by the legislation of Azerbaijan, and organizing the illegal arrival of a foreigner or stateless person to Azerbaijan.”

On 10 November 2023, the Mayor of Paris, Mrs. Anne Hidalgo, together with Mr. Moreno Ocampo, European Parliament member Mr. François-Xavier Bellamy, and Co-President of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France, Mr. Mourad Papazian, demanded the “immediate” and “unconditional” release of 55 Armenian “political prisoners” from Nagorno-Karabakh, including the high-ranking officials from Artsakh. Moreover, they declared that all these individuals were being “held hostage” by Azerbaijan.

During the press conference held at Paris City Hall, Mr. Moreno Ocampo emphasized that, “these hostages need international protection because there is not a single Azerbaijani judge who would release them, no one can contradict President Aliyev.” According to the news outlet Le Point, the seasoned criminal lawyer was citing a 2022 report from the American State Department, mentioning that Azerbaijan lacked an independent judiciary system and “that prisoners are tortured and killed.”

On the other hand, Mr. Papazian denounced that these detainees “have had contact with their families twice, but nothing since.” “Thus, we do not know under what conditions of psychological [and] physical pressure they are currently being held,” he added.

In this context, the Lemkin Institute reflects on the recent passing of Mr. Alexei Navalny, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most formidable domestic opponents, on 16 February 2024. Mr. Navalny had been imprisoned since January 2021, following his return to Russia after recovering in Germany from Novichok poisoning – a potent nerve agent – which he attributed to the Kremlin. Since his apprehension by Russian authorities, President Putin had been resolute in making an example out of him, as noted by Mrs. Polina Polyakova, President and CEO at the Center for European Policy Analysis. The Lemkin Institute expresses its concerns regarding the possibility that President Aliyev’s regime could pursue a similar course of action with Mr. Vardanyan or any other of the high-ranking officials, given their symbolic and historic significance for Artsakh’s independence cause.

The Lemkin Institute recalls that irrespective of the existence of an armed conflict and, should its existence be confirmed, regardless of its legal character (international or non-international), States must, at all times, observe certain fundamental rights concerning the treatment of detained individuals under their jurisdiction, in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights law. This includes the fundamental guarantees of humane treatment, non-discrimination, and due process, as well as protection from murder, torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment; corporal punishments, enforced disappearance, and arbitrary deprivation of liberty, among others.

On 7 December 2023, Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia (Armenia) jointly announced a prisoner exchange agreement. Azerbaijan released 32 Armenian servicemen in exchange for Armenia freeing two Azerbaijani servicemen. According to the joint statement issued by both governments, this exchange took place as part of a series of “tangible steps towards building confidence between two countries.” Furthermore, it called on the international community to “support their efforts that will contribute to building mutual trust between two countries and will positively impact the entire South Caucasus region.” The exchange in question occurred on 13 December 2023 in the Ijevan-Gazakh border area and was celebrated as a significant breakthrough in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, including by European Council President Charles Michel. Despite this positive development, some observers remain cautious.

On 12 December 2023, over 100 prominent figures worldwide signed a letter demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the Armenian prisoners detained in Azerbaijan, including the high-ranking officials. According to the news outlet The Armenian Weekly, “While the December 7 release of 32 Armenian prisoners of war is a welcome first step, all of the others must be released. The failure of Baku to release the remaining eight political prisoners raises deep concerns over the motives by the Aliyev regime of their continued detention.” (Emphasis added).

At the time of publication of this statement, the letter has garnered over 3,500 signatures from more than 90 countries worldwide. Notable signatories include Mr. Frédéric Encell, writer; Mr. Simon Adams, President and CEO of The Center for Victims of Torture; Mr. Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and Vice Chair of the United Nations Global Compact, Mr. Serj Tankian, activist, poet, and lead singer and songwriter for System of a Down; and Mrs. Mary Robinson, first woman President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Right. According to The Armenian Weekly, Mrs. Robinson stated that, “The unjust detention of Ruben Vardanyan and so many others being held in Baku violates their basic human rights. For the government of Azerbaijan to be respected in the global community, it is critical they respect the rule of law, especially in light of the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh. They must release these detainees immediately.”

On 15 January 2024, an Azerbaijani court of appeals confirmed a lower court’s decision to sentence Mr. Vagif Khachatryan to 15 years in prison. As detailed in its 13 November 2023 “Statement on the Sentencing of Vagif Khachatryan in the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the 68-year-old ethnic Armenian was detained on 29 July 2023 at the Hakari Bridge checkpoint while he was being evacuated from Artsakh by the International Committee of the Red Cross for urgent medical treatment. “Upon his abduction, Mr. Khachatryan was immediately accused by Azerbaijani authorities of committing war crimes during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in the 1990s, charges he has repeatedly denied and for which Azerbaijan has offered no independent evidence,” the statement mentioned.

In this context, the Lemkin Institute recalls its 27 October statement, where it described that, “At the present time, [Mr. Khachatryan] is on trial in Azerbaijan’s infamous judicial system, where violations of the fundamental guarantee of due process have become alarmingly common. In fact, according to one observer, Mr. Khachatryan’s statements are intentionally being mistranslated for Azerbaijani and Turkish audiences. Additionally, photos of Mr. Khachatryan have raised concerns about his potential mistreatment and deteriorating health.”

Additionally, in its 13 November statement, the Lemkin Institute explained that, “According to the news outlet News.am, the prosecution explained that Azerbaijani law does not allow Mr. Khachatryan to be sentenced to life imprisonment, as he is over 65 years old. According to another news agency, Mr. Khachatryan is scheduled to spend the initial five years of his 15-year sentence in prison, followed by 10 years in a high-security correctional facility.”

Finally, the Lemkin Institute emphasized that, “The law often serves to legitimize those in power, particularly within dictatorial regimes like the one led by [President Aliyev]. Given Mr. Khachatryan’s advanced age and heart condition, the latter being the cause of his emergency evacuation from Artsakh on 29 July 2023, his 15-year prison sentence amounts to a death penalty [...].”

On 25 January 2024, an Azerbaijani court extended the pre-trial detention of the high-ranking officials by four months. The Lemkin Institute notes that pre-trial detention can sometimes be exploited to unlawfully prolong an individual’s eventual prison sentence beyond the duration prescribed by domestic law. While the Lemkin Institute could not independently verify whether Azerbaijani authorities are utilizing this legal mechanism inconsistently with their obligations under international human rights law, it recalls that these individuals are being prosecuted within the notoriously corrupt Azerbaijani judicial system.

On 11 March 2024, Mr. Artak Beglaryan, former Minister of State and Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh, denounced that the officials imprisoned by Azerbaijan were being forced to give interviews. “Using hostages for propaganda [and] humiliation purposes is also a crime,” he added. Similarly, the “We Exist” initiative decried these acts of public exposure, as reported by the news outlet Panorama.am. In a statement issued on 12 March 2024, the entity emphasized that the interview “was yet another display of the egregious violation of human rights and a demonstration of power.” Moreover, it argued that these detainees should not be interviewed as they were being coerced and unable to express themselves genuinely. Finally, it argued that this situation contravened “the provisions of numerous international conventions and agreements,” and urged various international organizations “to take the necessary steps to safeguard the internationally guaranteed rights of detained persons.”

Lastly, the Lemkin Institute recalls the European Parliament's resolution on the “Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s Attack and The Continuing Threats Against Armenia,” issued on 5 October 2023. Among other things, the resolution called “[...] on Azerbaijan to release and commit to a broad amnesty for all the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh who have been arrested since 19 September 2023, including former officials from the region, and for all others who were arrested before and after 19 September 2023.”

Azerbaijan has consistently demonstrated its complete disregard for a law-based international order, including its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. With the threat of an all-out war in the South Caucasus, the need for a robust international presence in the region has never been more urgent.

In conclusion, the Lemkin Institute once again calls the international community to persuade President Aliyev’s regime into promptly releasing all Armenian civilians and POWs under its jurisdiction. Additionally, it exhorts the international community to refrain from providing any kind of assistance that could worsen the suffering of the victims of the Artsakh genocide or embolden Azerbaijan to perpetrate any unlawful act of aggression against Armenian territory. In this context, the Lemkin Institute welcomes the European Parliament’s February reports on “Common Foreign and Security Policy” and “Common Security and Defense Policy,” which, among other things, condemn “the pre-planned and unjustified attack by Azerbaijan against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and the people who have remained in the region.”

https://www.lemkininstitute.com/statements-new-page/statement-on-the-continued-imprisonment-of-armenian-officials-and-civilians-of-the-republic-of-the-artsakh-by-the-republic-of-azerbaijan?fbclid=IwAR3DQFwnmRcrmUejopuYV9CnVIoutnz3oqgPvm5aSAg0UDdWQ-ulJxg7Mpw_aem_AR9ogwycFhmQlwDYlMwuGdYlj6VC4cPAf_A5nVl1Zj2KLnMtb1ojj0I4OZ-BPLww-bT9IkacoK6sUmnIFPyRGDmi

[Yervant1]

Mediamax, Armenia
March 30 2024

Bayramov concerned about upcoming US-EU-Armenia meeting


Yerevan /Mediamax/. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed concern over the upcoming April 5 meeting between the President of the European Commission, U.S. Secretary of State and Armenian Prime Minister.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reports that the minister said this at a meeting with ambassador on special assignments of the Russian Foreign Ministry Pavel Knyazev.

Bayramov stated that “countries far from the region are hindering Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization.”

“Bayramov expressed Baku’s concern regarding the US-EU-Armenia conference scheduled for April 5 in Brussels,” the news release reads.

Baku believes that such initiatives may encourage Yerevan for new provocations, Bayramov added.

https://mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/54368/

[Yervant1]

The fake accusations started again!

 

March 31 2024

Azerbaijan raises alarm over Armenian military buildup on border

World |

Editor : Selin Atay

2024-03-31 18:06:14 | Last update : 2024-03-31 18:44:10

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry cautions of heightened Armenian military activity along the border, pledging a firm response to any provocation

Azerbaijan issued a stark warning regarding Armenia's alleged significant military buildup along the border, stating that any provocative actions will be met with "resolute suppression."

The Defense Ministry highlighted that recent intense movements and military escalations were observed within the Armenian army.

According to the statement, there has been a notable concentration of manpower, armored vehicles, artillery installations and other heavy firepower along various points of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The statement further underscored a recent surge in aggressive rhetoric and provocative actions by "revanchist forces."

“Most recently, there has been a further activation of revanchist forces threatening Azerbaijan with war, the rise of aggressive rhetoric against Azerbaijan to a high level, and an increase of the number of provocative information focused on aggravating the situation in the information environment in preparation for sabotage attempts," the ministry added.

Azerbaijan warns of decisive response to Armenian military provocation

The ministry explicitly cautioned against any attempt at military provocation by the Armenian armed forces against Azerbaijan.

“In case of any attempt of military provocation by the Armenian armed forces against Azerbaijan, it will be resolutely suppressed by the Azerbaijan Army," the ministry warned.

"We once again declare that Armenia and its supporters will bear full responsibility for any escalation of tensions and any potential provocation," the ministry asserted.

Azerbaijan-Armenia tensions persist

Tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted since 1991 when Armenian forces occupied Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, territories internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

Although Azerbaijan reclaimed much of the territory during the 2020 war, tensions remain high with sporadic incidents of violence and ongoing border disputes.

Azerbaijan solidified its sovereignty over Karabakh following an "anti-terrorism operation" last September, leading to the surrender of separatist forces in the region.

https://www.turkiyenewspaper.com/world/21300

 

 

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

EUMA denies Baku’s accusations about the military movements of Armenian armed forces

18:35, 31 March 2024

YEREVAN, 31 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) has also denied Baku’s false accusations about the military movements of Armenian armed forces.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan disseminated information about the military movements of the Armenian armed forces on the border with Azerbaijan, which was immediately denied by the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

"EUMA patrolled along the AM-AZ border all day long, everything is calm and quiet, no unusual movements observed. EUMA wishes everybody a peaceful Easter" wrote EUMA on X:

Toivo Klaar, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, also responded to the post of the EU observation mission. " Good to have confirmation from @EUmARMENIA that no unusual military movements have been observed. That is what the purpose of the mission is: to provide greater transparency and build confidence. It remains open to more engagement also with the authorities of Azerbaijan" wrote Klaar on X.

Later, the Mission made another post on X: " On 31 March, EUMA dispatched patrols on Armenian side of-border to monitor & report on any out of the ordinary military movements in the border area. All patrols reported that the situation has been calm & quiet & that no such movements have been observed" EUMA said.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1133699.html?fbclid=IwAR0EYxQnQ-7h-GF9XIeZu81wciH1s8kmlp4Eff6JhFI2xmTsrqQLk5ti6eQ_aem_AZ63JM6e3KmAMJKPnW8q-0Vl23xa3S2rlQm8S0NkYaby_Z8Me_tfRMNrSm97Sv5DcV_nNtGgarBuU62kmfNK4zlg

[Yervant1]

Mediamax, Armenia
April 2 2024

Azerbaijan fires in the direction of Armenian positions

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Ministry of Defense reports that Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire in the direction of Armenian positions on April 1 at 10:00 pm in Kut (Gegharkunik region) and on April 2 at 00:40 am in Tegh (Syunik region).

“The news release of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan that allegedly on April 1, between 22:00 and 22:10 pm, the units of the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions located in the southwestern part of the border zone, does not correspond to reality.

No violations were recorded in the directions mentioned in the news release of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense,” Armenia’s Defense Ministry said in a news release.

https://mediamax.am/en/news/armypolice/54379/

[Yervant1]

Al-Arabiya, UAE

April 3 2024

US calls on Azerbaijan to ease Armenia tensions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Wednesday on Azerbaijan’s leader to ease tensions that have flared again with Armenia, ahead of a US-EU bid to support Yerevan economically.

In a phone call with President Ilham Aliyev ahead of the Armenia talks in Brussels, Blinken backed ongoing peace talks between the Caucasus adversaries which he said could bring “economic benefits to the entire region.”

Blinken “underscored that there is no justification for increased tension on the border and cautioned that aggressive actions and rhetoric from any side would undermine prospects for peace,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The top US diplomat also pressed Aliyev to respect human rights at home and discussed climate change, Miller said. Azerbaijan, despite being a major fossil fuel extractor, is the host of this year’s UN climate summit.

Armenia and Azerbaijan on Tuesday traded accusations of opening fire across their border, renewing fears of conflict.

Azerbaijan last year seized the Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian separatists in a lightning military offensive.

But since then, Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have voiced hope for a comprehensive peace agreement.

Pashinyan will meet jointly in Brussels on Friday with Blinken and European Union leaders, with the West looking to solidify ties and economic support with Armenia as it seeks to shift from reliance on Russia

Armenia has a longstanding alliance with Moscow and was infuriated when Russia -- consumed by the Ukraine war and annoyed by Pashinyan’s overtures to the West -- failed to stop Azerbaijan’s military victory last year.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2024/04/03/us-calls-on-azerbaijan-to-ease-armenia-tensions