Yervant1 Posted October 20 Report Share Posted October 20 IRI - International Republican Institute Oct 18 2024 IRI Armenia Poll Finds Majorities Support EU Membership, Peace Treaty with Azerbaijan October 18, 2024 Yerevan, Armenia – A new nationwide poll conducted in Armenia by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) found that majorities support joining the European Union (EU) and striking a peace deal with Azerbaijan. When asked how they would vote in a referendum on EU membership, 58% said they would vote to join the European alliance. “This poll shows that most Armenians see their prospects for a bright future with Europe,” said Stephen Nix, Senior Director for Eurasia at IRI. Moreover, the people of Armenia understand that moving further away from Russia and towards the West is important to enhancing peace and prosperity.” The survey also found that 56% of Armenians strongly support or somewhat support a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. The two countries have been engaged in an ethnic and territorial conflict for decades where thousands of civilians have been displaced. “A clear majority of Armenians would like to see their government engaged in negotiations with Azeri authorities for the purposes of reaching a lasting peace deal,” said Nix. Read the full report at https://www.iri.org/resources/public-opinion-survey-residents-of-armenia/ https://www.iri.org/news/iri-armenia-poll-finds-majorities-support-eu-membership-peace-treaty-with-azerbaijan/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 23 Report Share Posted October 23 Azatutyun.am Biden Offers ‘Bold’ Steps For Armenia-Azerbaijan Settlement Հոկտեմբեր 22, 2024 Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets with Michael Carpenter, a senior U.S. National Security Council official, Yerevan, October 22, 2024. The United States is ready to take “bold initiatives” to help Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a peace deal, President Joe Biden said in a letter to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian publicized on Tuesday. Michael Carpenter, Biden’s a special assistant and a senior official at the U.S. National Security Council, handed the letter to Pashinian during a meeting in Yerevan held the day after his talks in Baku with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. In a separate message on Monday also delivered by Carpenter, Biden urged Aliyev to conclude a peace agreement with Armenia before the end of this year. “As you know, finalizing the remaining articles of the peace agreement will require persistence, ingenuity, and compromise,” read the letter to Pashinian released by the latter’s office. “But putting patriotism above politics, you have courageously and consistently chosen the path of peace - and I encourage you to finalize an agreement this year.” “As you do, my administration is prepared to take bold initiatives that would help pave the way for peace. I have asked my Senior Director for Europe, Michael Carpenter, to brief you on some of the steps we would be willing to take and get your feedback on discussions with Azerbaijan,” added Biden. An official Armenian readout of Pashinian’s meeting with Carpenter made no mention of those steps or the results of the U.S. official’s trip to Baku. It said the Armenian premier again repeated his proposal to sign an Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement that would contain most of the 16 articles of a draft peace treaty that have already been agreed upon by the two sides. Baku has repeatedly rejected the proposal as unserious. It has also made clear that any peace deal is conditional on a change of the Armenian constitution which it says contains territorial claims to Azerbaijan. Aliyev reportedly reiterated this precondition during his meeting with Carpenter. Biden’s letter to Aliyev fully or partly publicized by the Azerbaijani presidential office apparently did not mention the “bold initiatives” offered to Pashinian. The U.S. president cited the COP29 global climate summit that it will begin its work in Baku on November 11. He described the summit as a “unique opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to peace in front of a global audience.” Armenian officials have expressed concern that Azerbaijan could invade Armenia after COP29. Earlier this month, Aliyev made fresh threats of military action, accusing Yerevan of playing “dangerous games.” https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33168394.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGFJQtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdS2nXabZdliQqMfJu3qf_SapKBxf4iVWZ8QmOmL2sv2xhIyd8xdsMx2iA_aem_tfMP9boSZehjh1IbgEoy8A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 24 Report Share Posted October 24 Armenpress.am Politics10:50, 23 October 2024 Armenian parliament ratifies Azerbaijan border delimitation regulation Read the article in: العربيةEspañolفارسیFrançaisՀայերենРусскийTürkçe简体中文 YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian parliament has ratified the regulation on joint activity of the Armenia-Azerbaijan commissions on delimitation and border security. The regulation was signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan in late August 2024. The regulation was ratified by the Armenian parliament during the plenary session on Wednesday with 67 votes in favor. Only the ruling Civil Contract faction participated in the vote. The two opposition factions, Hayastan and Pativ Unem, boycotted the debates and vote. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1202976?fbclid=IwY2xjawGG2yJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQHhhbzptmx6556jQPM8LTEnT_PcF_gJOK0GfkrMD3B-7DCaEjuet1G9ew_aem_k4_ZjPDIIMaSx5ozqMpwtg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 24 Report Share Posted October 24 Azatutyun.am Yerevan Rejects Another Russian Mediation Offer Հոկտեմբեր 23, 2024 Shoghik Galstian Armenia - Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan speaks at a news conference in Yerevan, September 9, 2024. Armenia is not interested in having Russia, Iran and Turkey mediate its further peace talks with Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Wednesday, dismissing a relevant offer from his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Lavrov publicized the offer right after a meeting in Istanbul on October 18 of the foreign ministers of the five states making up the so-called “Consultative Regional Platform 3+3.” He accused the West of meddling in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict for ulterior purposes. “We, the Turks and the Iranians offered our colleagues, Yerevan and Baku, to use the 3+3 platform to complete the work on a peace treaty,” Lavrov said, adding that Russian-brokered understandings reached by Yerevan and Baku in 2021 and 2022 should serve as the “groundwork” for delimiting the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, opening it to commerce and settling other contentious issues. “That proposal [cited by Lavrov] is not really on the table,” Mirzoyan told the Armenian parliament. “But even if it is, we do not find it expedient to respond positively to it.” “We have a format of bilateral negotiations with Azerbaijan in all directions, both on border demarcation and on the peace treaty,” he said, answering a question from a parliament deputy. Amid its mounting tensions with Moscow, Yerevan already declined earlier this year similar Russian offers to help resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. It has been far more open to peace talks with Baku mediated or arranged by Western powers. U.S. Secretary of State Antony hosted such talks between Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in New York late last month. The two ministers met again on the sidelines of the Istanbul gathering. Baku has since continued to reject an Armenian proposal to sign an initial peace deal and to link any settlement with a change of Armenia’s constitution. Mirzoyan criticized its “unconstructive approach.” “But this does not distract us from our strategy: to make the signing of the peace agreement a reality as soon as possible,” added the minister. Michael Carpenter, a senior official at the U.S. National Security Council, conveyed letters from U.S. President Joe Biden to the leaders of the two South Caucasus states during his visits to Baku and Yerevan earlier this week. In his message to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, Biden said Washington is ready to take “bold initiatives” to help broker an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33170769.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGG6QBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZNbkVD_khD9V1HoHqbUcui7UxtPL7vkhMl35uIWP_3EY-XfHe83eY5WTA_aem_NYeVJLjCWRFnQz98u2TneA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 25 Report Share Posted October 25 From one liar to another, both parties did f*ck all for Armenians period. Quote Armenpress.am Politics09:52, 24 October 2024 Trump vows to restore Armenia-Azerbaijan peace if elected, slams Harris for doing ‘nothing’ during NK ethnic cleansing Read the article in: العربيةفارسیՀայերենРусскийTürkçe YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump has accused his rival and Vice President Kamala Harris of doing “nothing” when the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) was forcibly displaced in 2023. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump vowed to “restore peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan” if elected President again. “Kamala Harris did NOTHING as 120,000 Armenian Christians were horrifically persecuted and forcibly displaced in Artsakh. Christians around the World will not be safe if Kamala Harris is President of the United States. When I am President, I will protect persecuted Christians, I will work to stop the violence and ethnic cleansing, and we will restore PEACE between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Trump said. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1203077?fbclid=IwY2xjawGHl3VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSKlEtdCu3UJVxZ9wayIuGIKvC8hSICWEfbayppTsC0i_LxRSB_eWRhLHg_aem_msk34trF-tk-xKuhyCvReg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 26 Report Share Posted October 26 Armenpress.am Politics14:52, 25 October 2024 Aliyev approves Armenia-Azerbaijan regulation on border delimitation - Azeri media reports Read the article in: فارسیFrançaisՀայերենРусский简体中文 YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the regulation on joint activities of the Armenia-Azerbaijan commissions on border delimitation and border security, the Azeri Trend news agency reported. The approval comes after the Armenian parliament ratified the regulation on October 23. Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed the bill into law on ratifying the regulation on October 24. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1203220?fbclid=IwY2xjawGI-RpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQVXaEwHhSxVenuAP2sdCZNWMXzKS4hoqIswcUl3RZvsdOIiJlQOkso6nA_aem_PZDK2oeYhhegBOcULEJHzw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 26 Report Share Posted October 26 Armenpress.am Press centre17:05, 25 October 2024 Soaring citizenship applications prompt Armenia to digitize procedure Read the article in: Հայերեն YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The government plans to make changes in the citizenship application procedures. The services will be digitized and the fees for applying for/or revoking citizenship will be revised. According to Armen Ghazaryan, the Director of the Migration and Citizenship Service, the move will significantly improve the efficiency of the processes. Speaking with Armenpress, Ghazaryan presented data showing the overloaded process. “In the 2000s there were about three to four thousand citizenship request applications, since 2010 the number was five to six thousand annually, and since 2018 the number of applications for Armenian citizenship has abruptly increased. This indicator reached its highest point in 2022, surpassing 25,000. In 2023 the pace decreased a little, amounting to 19,000. In 2024, in the nine months, we already have 16,060 applications. And these are only the numbers of the applications seeking to obtain citizenship, and in addition to this we have an average of three thousand applications on renouncing citizenship. This means that our service is studying up to 30,000 cases pertaining to citizenship every year,” Ghazaryan said, adding that the current instruments are insufficient to deal with such high number of cases. Thus, the authorities propose to introduce an electronic procedure for citizenship applications. Citizens will upload their documents in the system instead of in-person visitations to various agencies or departments. The applicants will make an appointment and visit the administrative body only once, after the application is approved and all necessary data uploaded. Ghazaryan said the changes will help to avoid the time-consuming correspondence between government agencies. The fee for applying for Armenian citizenship will be raised from the current 1000 drams to 50,000 drams, while the fee for renouncing citizenship will increase from the current 25,000 drams to 150,000 drams. The current fees have never been revised since 1997. The new fees will not cover refugees, including the forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh who have temporary protection status. After passing parliament the changes will take effect in ten months. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1203236?fbclid=IwY2xjawGI-VdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfbadODL9_jl2N2N0hY-9QutHmEDEqDu74R5NOGijBuLDVLmXZ8YRfTUIQ_aem_ro0blaZsVGDapDWe66KIQg -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 MEDYA News Oct 27 2024 Armenia says it’s ready to open border with Turkey, awaiting Ankara’s response Armenian Special Envoy Ruben Rubinyan has declared Armenia’s readiness to open the border with Turkey immediately, pending Ankara’s action. The normalisation process, he says, could play a key role in easing regional tensions. Armenia is ready to open its border with Turkey and establish diplomatic relations “as soon as tomorrow”, Armenian Special Envoy Ruben Rubinyan announced on Thursday, stressing the mutual benefits this could bring to regional peace. Speaking to reporters, Rubinyan confirmed that Armenia has completed all necessary preparations, restoring the Margara (Alican) checkpoint, and is awaiting action from Ankara. “We have taken the steps required, the checkpoint is fully operational on our side, and everything is ready for the agreement to be implemented. Now, we’re waiting for Turkey to follow through,” Rubinyan said. He explained that while the Armenia-Turkey normalisation process and the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations are related, they remain two separate diplomatic tracks. “Progress with Turkey could greatly contribute to our peace process with Azerbaijan,” he added. Rubinyan noted that while an agreement to allow third-country nationals to cross the border had been reached and reaffirmed, it has not yet been enacted. Responding to questions about the delay, he stated, “I can’t speak to the reason for the lack of action from Turkey, but we are clear on our commitment to this agreement and hope to see it fulfilled soon.” He also shared that officials from both Armenia and Turkey’s relevant ministries plan to meet to discuss the conditions for reopening the Gyumri-Kars railway—a significant step for regional connectivity. While no date has been set for this meeting, Rubinyan emphasised the importance of improving transport links for both countries and the wider region. https://medyanews.net/armenia-says-its-ready-to-open-border-with-turkey-awaiting-ankaras-response/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 31 Report Share Posted October 31 Armenpress.am Politics16:50, 30 October 2024 Azerbaijan has occupied sovereign Armenian territory in Syunik, acknowledges French envoy Read the article in: العربيةFrançaisՀայերենქართულიРусский简体中文 GORIS, OCTOBER 30, ARMENPRESS. French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies has recorded Azerbaijani occupation of sovereign Armenian territory in the Nerkin Hand section of Syunik Province. Speaking to reporters in Goris, the French Ambassador presented his impressions from his visit to Nerkin Hand. He said that a part of Nerkin Hand is occupied by Azerbaijan. “This situation creates great difficulties for the residents. They have a sense of danger, and that danger is real, because the strikes could start again. There are problems regarding everyday life, people even have problems with water, there is human drama here, people are unable to visit the graves of their relatives,” the ambassador said. Asked whether he acknowledges that Azerbaijan invaded from all four sides in that area into the sovereign Armenian territory, the ambassador said, “From three sides, because we went there from one side.” Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1203626?fbclid=IwY2xjawGPtPRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbBhGUKbGyZL2PQFDtkiIwJpg-SKKbav6bThg1PTXSbBUKDdbWXvDE0inQ_aem_jN-hVdpVfyUggyACZKf_-Q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 2 Report Share Posted November 2 Azatutyun.am Armenia To Host UN Biodiversity Conference In 2026 Նոյեմբեր 01, 2024 A poster about Armenia hosting the next UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) in 2026 Armenia will host the next United Nations biodiversity conference in 2026, according to the country’s environment minister. Hakob Simidian said on Friday that Armenia was selected as the host for the conference, also known as COP17, with 65 votes. The other candidate was Azerbaijan, which is set to host a UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) later this month. During his working visit to Colombia earlier this week, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian addressed the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, stating that holding COP17 in Armenia will be “an excellent opportunity to advance multilateral efforts to protect global biodiversity.” “Armenia will spear no effort to make sure that the CO17 will be another important milestone in our global efforts for biodiversity preservation and sustainable use of natural resources,” Khachaturian said. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33182914.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGSYNFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaFTMpJTgZ_mI--jm3Lyr4pcqdx6asXD72b0PwY97Hjar-CDnGucz7rVEQ_aem_91H2k8neIarAagb-8eUxDg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 3 Report Share Posted November 3 JAM News Nov 2 2024 "Armenia isn't militarizing but raising cost of attacking it": opinion JAMnews Yerevan Armenian experts are discussing the potential reasons and implications behind statements from Baku regarding Armenia’s alleged “militarization.” They believe these statements, made on various platforms, aim to portray Armenia’s arms purchases as a “threat to peace and stability in the region.” “The Azerbaijani narrative on Armenia’s militarization is intended as self-justification. When they decide to start a war, they will be able to claim this as their reason for initiating military action. They have similar narratives prepared for this scenario. For example, every two or three weeks, they also spread messages alleging that Armenian armed forces supposedly fired on Azerbaijani positions at the border,” said Leonid Nersisyan, a senior analyst at APRI Armenia and military expert, on a local television broadcast. He does not rule out the possibility that Azerbaijan might escalate the situation following COP 29. While winter weather conditions may not be favorable, Nersisyan believes the likelihood of escalation will increase in spring 2025. However, he notes factors that could accelerate the decision toward urgent military action. In his view, possible catalysts include the upcoming U.S. presidential elections and the further intensification of the Iran-Israel conflict. The expert believes that if tensions escalate, Armenia must be prepared to defend itself. To achieve this, it requires adequate weaponry that “raises the cost of attacking it.” “Baku wants Yerevan to acknowledge its hegemony” – Armenian political analyst “Blank shot”: Armenian political analyst on recent statements from Baku Yerevan proposes joint investigation of ceasefire violations, no response from Baku “Armenia holds potential for drone manufacturing” – Military expert Azerbaijan will not succeed in blocking Armenia’s arms purchases In response to whether Azerbaijan could prevent Armenia from purchasing weapons, a military analyst noted that this is unlikely to happen through diplomatic channels. However, Baku might attempt to obstruct Armenia’s efforts to forge new partnerships: “Take France, for example. I believe Azerbaijan miscalculated in its actions. It was actually their actions that helped us deepen our cooperation with France. I saw no signs that France had any strong desire to damage its relations with Azerbaijan. Baku damaged them itself. If the Azerbaijani side continues in the same way, it will achieve nothing.” “Baku cannot completely block all arms markets for Armenia. However, if Armenia makes significant arms purchases in certain important countries, and corruption factors are introduced into these deals, as happened with Serbia and Slovakia, then they might be able to hinder us to some degree.” “In 2025, the gap between Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s military budgets will be the smallest” There were years when Azerbaijan’s military budget exceeded Armenia’s by five or six times, says Leonid Nersisyan: “Next year, we will see the smallest gap in military budgets over the past 20 years. The difference will be less than twofold. We must work to ensure this gap continues to narrow each year.” The expert also reminds that as Armenia acquires weapons, Azerbaijan continues to build up its already powerful arsenal: “Baku has a serious arms supplier in Israel, which operates quite effectively. The country is strengthening its capabilities in various areas. For instance, they are now enhancing their aviation assets. We have four new fighter jets, while they have 20, plus 12 older ones.” "Unprecedented, but significantly inferior to Baku": expert on Armenia's military spending The Armenian government plans to increase military spending by approximately 20%. However, even with this increase, Azerbaijan’s military budget for 2025 remains nearly twice as large. Commentary from military expert Leonid Nersisyan. “Additional investment in air defense is essential” According to Nersisyan, current arms purchases remain insufficient due to market shortages, particularly in air defense systems. He points out that while Armenia has acquired a considerable number of Akash missile systems from India, these systems cover only one segment—medium-range defense. Indian media report that part of the order will be delivered to Armenia by the end of the year. He stresses the need for further investment in air defense capabilities. Following the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan has continued to expand its capabilities, says the expert. Azerbaijan is now purchasing a large number of drones, remotely operated weapons, and cruise missiles: “The addition of 250-km-range cruise missiles to Azerbaijan’s arsenal means we must adopt a different approach. Air defense needs to be managed very efficiently, utilizing the latest control networks. For instance, if your radar detects five small drones, two large drones, and one Su-25 approaching, your control network should semi-automatically decide that anti-aircraft artillery should target the small drones, the S-300 should engage the Su-25, and the Indian Akash should intercept the large drones. And all of this needs to happen within one or two minutes.” "Armenia needs to sign a trilateral agreement with France and India." Opinion The leader of the “Republic” party and former PM, Aram Sargsyan, believes that this is good for Armenia’s security “New partnerships are needed” Military analyst Nersisyan highlighted that in recent years, Armenia has been acquiring defensive weapons from India and France. However, he believes that it is essential to explore other promising directions as well: “South Korea is currently one of the largest manufacturers. Looking at what Poland has ordered from South Korea, it’s clear that it has far outpaced Germany in this field.” Nersisyan noted that South Korea has invested heavily in its military industry over recent decades and, unlike many European countries, can take on and fulfill large orders. At the same time, he points out that while South Korean weapons are high-quality, they are also among the most expensive in the world: “For instance, the K2 tank is considered the most technologically advanced in the world, but a single tank cost over $12–15 million a few years ago.” “Collaboration with European countries is also essential” The analyst urges defense policymakers to remember that weaponry and ammunition are not limited to tanks and anti-aircraft systems: “There are also smaller components that should be considered. In the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, it’s important that any country Armenia wants to partner with not only shows interest in cooperating with Yerevan but also views Armenia as a priority alongside Ukraine. France has shown that it can do this, but we cannot say the same for other countries.” Nersisyan believes that Armenia’s Ministry of Defense should also collaborate with other European nations, such as Poland, “whose role in the military sphere has been growing recently.” https://jam-news.net/armenias-defense-sector-reforms-expert-opinion/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 8 Report Share Posted November 8 Azatutyun.am Yerevan Signals Lingering Differences Over Peace Treaty With Azerbaijan Նոյեմբեր 07, 2024 Shoghik Galstian Ruzanna Stepanian Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahan Kostanian (file photo) Armenia has signaled that differences remain with Azerbaijan over the draft text of a peace treaty following the latest exchange of proposals earlier this week. On Tuesday, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had received a response from Baku to its most recent proposals on the draft treaty, marking the 11th version of the document exchanged between the two sides in over two years of negotiations. Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on Thursday that there were still disagreements on “one or two issues,” though he did not specify which points remained unresolved. “The parties do not yet share a common position on these issues, and naturally, discussions with official Baku will continue,” Kostanian said. Farid Shafiyev, head of a government-funded think tank in Azerbaijan, has disclosed three controversial points in the peace agreement with Armenia. He wrote on X that one of these issues concerns Azerbaijan’s demand that Armenia change its Constitution, which Baku claims contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. The second point, according to Shafiyev, is the exclusion of “legal and diplomatic disputes” by Yerevan, and the third one is the absence of foreign forces along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Kostanian denied that the demand for changing the Constitution is part of the draft peace treaty. However, he was vague on the other two purported points. “Since the negotiations are ongoing at the moment, I don’t think it’s right to fully disclose what the discussions are about. But yes, as I mentioned, there are points that have not been agreed upon, and discussions will continue on them,” the Armenian diplomat said. Asked whether Armenia would accept the withdrawal of the EU border-monitoring mission if a peace agreement with Azerbaijan is signed, Kostanian responded: “At the moment, since we do not have a delimited border with the Republic of Azerbaijan, and as long as there are problems, the Republic of Armenia believes that the involvement of European Union monitors on the Armenia-Azerbaijan interstate border plays an important role in terms of security and stability.” Commenting on the issue of “legal and diplomatic disputes”, the deputy foreign minister said: “One must look at the general process and general logic. For the Republic of Armenia, there are also many important issues beyond this agreement, including humanitarian issues, which need to be addressed.” The latest exchange of proposals between Yerevan and Baku took place on November 5. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan earlier stated that the two sides were working through “one or two wordings” of the text. Mirzoyan suggested that once these issues were addressed, the treaty could be finalized and be ready for signing. He, however, did not provide specific details on the issues still under discussion. When asked by RFE/RL’s Armenian Service whether the issue of withdrawing international legal claims against Azerbaijan had been addressed or was still on the table, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry effectively declined to offer a concrete answer. “The public is properly informed about the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Armenia’s positions, including on the articles of the peace treaty,” the ministry responded vaguely. In response to a follow-up question about whether Azerbaijan would also withdraw its lawsuits against Armenia if that matter was part of the discussions, the ministry said: “The articles of the peace treaty will be based on the principle of reciprocity.” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian had previously proposed that Armenia and Azerbaijan move forward with signing the peace agreement based on the parts of the draft text that both sides had already agreed upon, which he estimated at roughly 80 percent of the document. Pashinian suggested that any remaining issues could be addressed later. However, Baku rejected this approach. Expectations for a breakthrough on the peace treaty have risen since a meeting between Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on October 24, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. While few details of that meeting were officially disclosed, Pashinian and Mirzoyan reportedly spoke about progress achieved at those talks when they discussed their results with members of their political team in Yerevan. Armenia and Azerbaijan embarked on their current peace process after a deadly 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh that saw Baku’s regaining control of much of the breakaway region as well as a series of subsequent border clashes Azerbaijan completed its takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 when more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled hostilities and resettled in Armenia. Armenia continues to accuse Azerbaijan of occupying parts of its sovereign territory following cross-border incursions in 2021-2022. The United States and other Western partners of Armenia and Azerbaijan have repeatedly expressed their support for a peace treaty between the two South Caucasus nations, encouraging them to finalize it already this year. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33191852.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGam5xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbtQDey-cUhzSaGq-UcEGLT9o7p8jkkB-I36DcUZOQKKyJ4wg7D8v9dpeg_aem_It7qQSMVzvDwtKKwYyIFoA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 14 Report Share Posted November 14 Azatutyun.am Pashinian Rejects Key Azeri Condition For Peace Deal Նոյեմբեր 13, 2024 Russia - Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attend the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 24, 2024. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Wednesday rejected continuing Azerbaijan demands for a change of Armenia’s constitution which Baku says contains territorial claims to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani President Aliyev has repeatedly described such a change as a precondition for signing a peace deal with Armenia. Aliyev reiterated it during talks with foreign leaders held in recent days. Baku points to the constitution’s preamble that mentions a 1990 declaration of Armenia’s independence. The declaration in turn cites a 1989 unification act adopted by the legislative bodies of Soviet Armenia and the then Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. Echoing a recent ruling by the Armenian Constitutional Court, Pashinian downplayed the legal significance of the preamble. Articles of the constitution take precedence over it, he said, adding that it is the Azerbaijani constitution that lays claim to Armenian territory. “Armenia, however, does not raise the issue of changing the Azerbaijani constitution for two reasons,” Pashinian told the Armenian parliament. “First, such a demand would deadlock the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process. And second, there is an article in the agreed part of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan which states that the parties cannot refer to their domestic legislation to justify their failure to implement this treaty.” “By the same logic, we believe that there is no need to amend the Armenian constitution in this context,” he said. Pashinian himself declared in January that Armenia needs a new constitution reflecting the “new geopolitical environment” in the region. He denied critics’ claims that he wants to scrap the current constitution at the behest of Baku. Still, Pashinian said at the time that peace with Azerbaijan will be impossible as long as the constitutional reference to the 1990 declaration remains in place. In May, the Armenian premier ordered an ad hoc government body to draft the new constitution by the end of 2026. The head of the body said afterwards that it will likely be put on a referendum in 2027. Pashinian said on Wednesday that he could “initiate constitutional changes” in the unlikely event of Armenia’s Constitutional Court refusing to validate the possible peace treaty. Last month, Pashinian reportedly proposed to Aliyev that their foreign ministers hold two-day intensive talks to iron out their remaining differences and sign the peace treaty before the COP29 climate summit that began in Baku on Monday. No such talks took place. A senior Armenian diplomat admitted on Monday that the two sides still disagree on some provisions of the would-be treaty after exchanging fresh peace proposals last week. Aliyev’s top foreign policy aide, Hikmet Hajiyev, told the Russian TASS news agency on Wednesday that Baku and Yerevan will likely resume their discussions of the sticking points next month. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33200882.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGiVcBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeIJ6ffVOB3EvueOTu8ppzzc2drkDtfu6ID0EX88s1mkRWznxYqusDwRUQ_aem_G_9YuVvSZip3LAWhfVhn-w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 19 Report Share Posted November 19 Nov 18 2024 Political Shake-Up in Armenia Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced a request for several high-ranking officials to resign, citing systemic reasons rather than personal ones. Additionally, reports indicate that Interior Minister Vahe Ghazaryan has stepped down, as confirmed by a spokesperson and Russia's TASS news agency. Armenia's political landscape is witnessing significant changes as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan calls for the resignation of several key officials. The move, described by Pashinyan as driven by systemic issues rather than personal grievances, was communicated via a Facebook post. Simultaneously, Russia's TASS state news agency confirmed the resignation of Interior Minister Vahe Ghazaryan. His departure was verified by his spokesperson, signaling a broader reshuffle within the Armenian government. These developments mark a potential shift in Armenia's internal political structure as the government addresses underlying issues publicly acknowledged by Pashinyan himself. (With inputs from agencies.) https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3161455-political-shake-up-in-armenia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted November 19 Author Report Share Posted November 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 22 Report Share Posted November 22 Azatutyun.am Official Explains Armenian Boycott Of COP29 Նոյեմբեր 21, 2024 Astghik Bedevian AZERBAIJAN - Pedestrian walk in front of the venue for COP 29 Summit in Baku on November 10, 2024. Armenia has not participated in the COP29 climate summit in Baku because of Azerbaijan’s failure to free any of at least 23 Armenian prisoners held by it, a senior official in Yerevan indicated on Thursday. The Armenian government still did not rule out that participation just as the annual UN summit on climate change kicked off on November 11. None of its representatives eventually flew to the Azerbaijani capital for the two-week event. “As regards the event held in Baku, something had to take place so that Armenia could participate,” said Sargis Khandanian, the chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on foreign relations. “And given that Armenian prisoners are being held in Baku, it is logical that Armenian and Azerbaijan should have achieved some result on this issue, that Azerbaijan should have freed and repatriated prisoners. But that didn’t happen.” “In my personal view, without that [release] it was very hard to imagine Armenia’s participation in the event,” Khandanian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. Armenian press reports said late last month that Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is ready to attend COP29 if the Azerbaijani side agrees to release some captives. Yerevan had dropped its objections to Baku’s bid to host the global summit last December as part of a deal that led to the release of 32 other Armenian soldiers and civilians held in Azerbaijani captivity. Khandanian revealed earlier that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian proposed to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev last month that their foreign ministers hold two-day intensive talks to iron out their remaining differences and sign a bilateral peace treaty before COP29. The senior lawmaker allied to Pashinian suggested on Thursday that Baku lacks the “political will” to strike such a deal. “Armenia does have the political will to finalize and sign the peace treaty within days or weeks,” he said. Baku makes the signing of the treaty conditional on a change of Armenia’s constitution which it says contains territorial claims to Azerbaijan. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33211122.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGtEbhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUkQh6erJuF1n-87q7IBVdaQI0Rr69pv69dG65nphT15KaO4OB0s8hnU8w_aem_2x63QULZkJZz5nKHMthTYg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted November 25 Author Report Share Posted November 25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted Friday at 03:07 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 03:07 PM Jamestown Foundation Nov 27 2024 Pashinyan’s Fresh-Faced Populism Signals Start of Armenian Election Cycle Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 21 Issue: 171 By: Onnik James Krikorian November 27, 2024 03:46 PM Executive Summary: As Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ratings continue to decline, a viral video of him shaving has been interpreted as the start of the government’s preparations for the next parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for mid-June 2026 at the latest. The resignation of key officials has strengthened this opinion, instructed to do so by messages sent to them by Pashinyan. Many believe the prime minister is attempting to shirk responsibility for his flagging ratings by blaming others within his team. Armenia’s opposition echoes this view and links the move to the need to regain political legitimacy in Armenia through elections to sign an agreement to normalize relations with Azerbaijan and eventually hold a referendum on changing the constitution. On November 14, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan lambasted the country’s 1990 Declaration of Independence, equating the historical document to the non-existence of the current Republic (Azatutyun, November 14). The issue of the declaration, which contains claims to what is considered sovereign Azerbaijani territory in the form of the former Soviet-era “Mountainous Region of Karabakh,” then an autonomous district, has proven to be the main obstacle to Yerevan and Baku finally concluding a long-anticipated peace agreement (see EDM, January 31, June 25, September 11). The outcry about these comments was significant but soon diminished, perhaps by design, when Pashinyan later the same evening posted a video on social media shaving off his now trademark beard (Facebook.com/surenyants;News.am; Instagram.com/nikolpashinyan_official, November 14). Although unshaven for his career prior to the 2018 street protests that brought him to power, Pashinyan has sported a beard ever since and created a new post-revolutionary image (see EDM, May 3, 2018, April 26, 2019). While some media took a light-hearted approach to the change, others were more sarcastic, with one regional analyst asking if this was “the end of the revolution” (X.com/Tigartsakh, November 14; OC Media, November 15). Pashinyan has long been a populist ready to distract attention from controversial decisions (AIR Center, September 7, 2020; Nikoghosyan, Ter-Matevosyan, “From ‘revolution’ to war: deciphering Armenia’s populist foreign policy-making process, ” August 25, 2022; Commonspace, April 11). Adding to this speculation that political intent was behind the move, many noticed that Pashinyan appeared to wink at the camera at the end (Hraparak, November 26). In an interview aired on November 22, Pashinyan finally spoke about the new image, claiming it was done to celebrate one of his daughter’s birthdays (News.am, November 23). Nonetheless, his critics maintain that along with his regularly posted social media videos, including resuming bicycling at home and on official visits abroad, the real reason was “political puppetry” ahead of elections due to be held no later than June 2026 (Euasianet, October 2, 2018; News.am, November 18). Critics also pointed to high-profile changes in his government when a rumor started to circulate on November 17, a Sunday, that he had instructed key officials to submit their resignations the following day. The instructions were sent via WhatsApp messenger or short message service (SMS) (Hraparak, November 18; News.am, November 22). Many analysts saw the dismissal as marking the start of the pre-election cycle in Armenia (Hraparak; Facebook.com/surenyants, November 18). Media pointed out that the extent of the dismissals was unprecedented, especially as they were proceeded by a much-publicized tirade of criticism against members of his own government (EVN Report, November 20). Some also noted, however, that many of the replacements were women, leading one Azerbaijani analyst to suggest that the changes were made to appease the European Union who consider higher gender diversity in government as a sign of democratization (Facebook.com/farhad.mammadov.35, November 21). While the observation may be correct, Armenian analysts rule this out as the change’s primary motivation (Youtube.com/civilnet, November 21). The dismissals followed Pashinyan’s harsh criticism of his government the previous week. Among those messaged were the heads of the Supreme Judicial Council, the Investigative Committee, the Anti-Corruption Committee, the State Revenue Committee, and the Ministers of Interior and Infrastructure. Media speculated that the demand was rooted in Pashinyan’s desire to reverse his diminishing popularity ahead of the 2026 vote amid widespread public apathy (Eurasianet, October 24). Some consider that the vote might even be called earlier next year (Azatutyun, November 18). Similar to the opposition, most analysts consider that the move marks the start of preparing for the next elections, especially by removing others whom he can blame for failing to trust the government among the population (Azatutyun, November 18). Pashinyan maintains that the removals were not “personal, but systemic,” as more allegations have surfaced that he was guided only by salvaging his reputation by sacrificing the officials (Eurasianet, November 18). In October, in a survey by the International Republican Institute, only 16 percent of respondents expressed trust in his leadership (International Republican Institute, October 18). Further, only 20 percent of respondents said they would vote for Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party if parliamentary elections were held that Sunday. The symbolism of both shaving his beard and instructing subordinates to resign was not lost on many veteran commentators on local politics. There has also been much focus on how Civil Contract has applied pressure to increase its influence and standing in rural communities (Civilnet.am, November 27). The failed appearance of a pro-opposition cleric attempting to force Pashinyan’s resignation earlier this year was a further sign that the government would have to act, they opine (see EDM, May 14, June 5; Aliq Media, November 18). Adding to the speculation, Pashinyan has further explained the dismissals and replacements as part of a new strategy to distinguish between officials who had served in the governments of his unpopular predecessors and those who took part in or eventually supported his much-touted 2018 revolution (Azatutyun, November 26). Some, however, are refusing to leave their positions. According to press reports, two Civil Contract members of parliament initially ignored the message to resign their parliamentary mandates. One did so, while the other refused to (Azatutyun, November 19, 20). The Anti-Corruption Committee summoned the renegade deputy (Azatutyun, November 22). The opposition claims that ideological differences could also be the reason for removing the deputies (Hraparak, November 26). The General Prosecutor’s Office has also reportedly opened cases against the dismissed head of the Supreme Judicial Council and Minister of Justice, though it denies the claims (Azatutyun, November 26). On November 24, there was an interview with Pashinyan in which he spent one hour discussing the changes until dedicating the remaining 30 minutes to outlining Armenia’s position in ongoing talks to normalize relations with Azerbaijan. Some speculate that Pashinyan might be addressing both issues at the same time. Even though nothing indicates this, the opposition maintains that the embattled prime minister seeks re-election by mid-2026 as a prerequisite to holding a controversial referendum to change the constitution in 2027 (Hraparak, November 21). In one video discussion, two Armenian political commentators linked the shaving of his beard, the high-profile dismissals via resignation, and preparing for new elections. They further maintain that Pashinyan seeks assured control over power structures to prevent any challenge to his leadership within his own party structure. They also compare such a possibility to the palace coup that deposed Armenia’s first president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, when he too was ready to sign a compromise peace agreement with Azerbaijan in 1998 amid a weak government, weaker opposition, and widespread public apathy and precarious legitimacy (Youtube.com/civilnet, November 21). Pashinyan’s recent actions point to a potential effort to consolidate power, bolster public confidence, and navigate the precarious road to potential re-election, all while balancing the delicate and contentious issue of peace with Azerbaijan. https://jamestown.org/program/pashinyans-fresh-faced-populism-signals-start-of-armenian-election-cycle/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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