Daily News Summary

Daily News Summary [04.04.2022]

No major clashes in Karabakh at the moment. Armenian deputy defense minister The recent events in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the trend of steady tension being maintained are a cause for concern. Deputy Defense Minister Arman Sargsyan told this to reporters Monday in the National Assembly of Armenia. To the remark that a proposal was made by Artsakh to increase the number of Russian peacekeepers there, he said: "If in response to that there were any proposal from Russia to increase the number, to conduct an investigation, everything is provided at the level of information. Information is perhaps disseminating faster than we can talk about it here." As for the Armenian foreign ministry statement which spoke about conducting an investigation and finding out how the Azerbaijanis invaded the area of Artsakh overseen by the Russian peacekeeping forces, the deputy minister said: "We are talking about sensitive topics...the relevant bodies should talk about it." Asked whether he confirms that it happened through Russian mediation, Arman Sargsyan responded: "I respond in a way that security be ensured. An investigation will be carried out, you will be informed about it. When the Russian peacekeepers do, you will be informed about it." According to him, the overall situation remains the same in Parukh village of Artsakh. "At the moment, there are no major clashes in Artsakh. But the wave of escalation may increase at any moment because our peace is fragile. Due to the events happening in the world right now, it is not ruled out that any state will attempt to destabilize the situation," the Armenian deputy defense minister stressed. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia informed that the statement spread by the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan that on the evening of April 3 the units of the RA Armed Forces shelled the Azerbaijani positions located in the north-eastern border of the Republic of Armenia does not correspond to reality. Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia Arman Sargsyan assures that the reforms in the Armed Forces have already started and are in process. During a session of the parliamentary standing committee on defense and security affairs, one of the lawmakers from the opposition “Armenia” faction said that there has regularly been a promise in the committee to present a concept of armed forces reforms. “So far, no legislative package, that would amend the concept of that reforms, has been presented during the sessions of the defense committee”, the MP said. In response the deputy defense minister said that they had a discussion in the Parliament about the changes to be made in laws. “Moreover, proposals were submitted to the defense ministry also by the “Armenia” faction. The other parliamentary factions have also presented. The reforms have started”, the deputy defense minister said, adding that if they are not visible for some political forces, it is a matter of a political assessment. “But these reforms have launched. They are now in process both in legislative and other terms”, he noted. Delegation of the Armenia-UK Parliamentary Friendship Group met with Armenian PM and FM Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by Tim Loughton, the head of the Great Britain -Armenia Friendship Group of the UK Parliament. Tim Loughton expressed confidence that the cooperation at the parliamentary level will continue to further strengthen, and they will make every effort to contribute to the deepening of bilateral political and economic ties. He stressed the importance of the democratic reforms in our country and expressed confidence that their effective implementation will contribute to the further progress of Armenia. The situation in the South Caucasus, in particular, around Nagorno Karabakh was touched upon. Prime Minister Pashinyan presented his observations on the processes taking place around Nagorno Karabakh, stressed the importance of an adequate response of the international community to the un-constructive actions carried out by Azerbaijan. The Prime Minister touched upon the humanitarian issues arising from the Azerbaijani actions in Artsakh, the steps taken to destroy the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories that have passed under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces, the opportunities for demarcation and delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, unblocking of the regional infrastructure, as well as the Armenian-Turkish dialogue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informs that the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received the delegation of the Armenia-Great Britain Parliamentary Friendship Group of the House of Commons, headed by the head of the group Tim Loughton. During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed further deepening and strengthening of relations between Armenia and the United Kingdom, highlighting the role of parliamentary diplomacy in this regard. The sides discussed the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and in the Armenia-Azerbaijan bordering area. Minister Mirzoyan presented in detail the incursion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the village of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh, the actions of targeting the civilian population and infrastructure and creating a humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, as well as issues related to the protection of Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories fallen under the Azerbaijani control. Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the efforts of British Parliamentarians towards condemning the human rights violations committed by Azerbaijani armed forces during the 44-day war and the aggressive actions of Azerbaijan in the bordering area of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as their humanitarian consequences, and supporting the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. The negotiations on a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan was touched upon. The Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed the need to launch negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, aimed at a comprehensive final settlement, including the clarification of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. At the request of the guests, Minister Mirzoyan also referred to the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations. Other News Armenia highly appreciates the continuous support of friendly France to our country and people. Hakob Arshakyan Levon Ter-Petrosyan met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Armenia Dozens of Armenian POWs are still held in Baku prisons. Arman Yeghoyan at the Francophonie Regional Conference |armenpress.am|

00:05 - 05 April, 2022

Daily News Summary [02.04.2022-03.04.2022]

Italian FM visits Armenia On April 3, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio, who is in Armenia on a working visit. Prime Minister Pashinyan presented his observations on the processes taking place around Nagorno Karabakh and stressed the need for an adequate reaction of the international community to the provocative actions carried out by Azerbaijan. Nikol Pashinyan stressed the need for a comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, emphasizing the importance of clarifying the status of Artsakh, ensuring security and protecting the fundamental rights of the Armenians of Artsakh. Luigi Di Maio expressed Italy's support for the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the President of the European Council Charles Michel, aimed at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, establishing stability and peace in the South Caucasus. The Italian Minister also welcomed the dialogue between Armenia and Turkey aimed at normalization of relations. President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received a delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Luigi Di Maio. President Khachaturyan stressed that the path leading to a long-term and stable peace in this region is dialogue and the formation of an atmosphere of trust. The President stressed the importance of clarifying the status of Artsakh, ensuring the safety of people living there and protecting fundamental rights. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy also noted the importance of establishing a constructive dialogue between the parties and building mutual trust. Luigi Di Maio welcomed the fact that Armenia is striving to move forward on the path of establishing peace. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan made a statement following the meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister. "Today we have touched in detail on the issues of international and regional security and stability. I presented the situation created as a result of the invasion of the Azerbaijani armed forces in the village of Parukh of Nagorno-Karabakh, periodic violations of the ceasefire regime in the conflict zone, steps to create a humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, Azerbaijan's policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and other manifestations. I think that the international community should give a proper and targeted response to these actions of the Azerbaijani side and contribute to efforts to establish peace in the South Caucasus. And in this regard, I want to note that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries have already clearly and specifically responded to the latest aggravation of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that this is a consequence of the movement of Azerbaijani troops. I reaffirmed Armenia's readiness to continue peace negotiations and, as a result, conclude a peace treaty under the mandate and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship. I informed that Azerbaijan had given us proposals that we considered acceptable, but incomplete, and supplemented them with our proposals and expressed our readiness to immediately start negotiations based on these principles," Mirzoyan said. Italy is aware of the suffering of the peaceful population of Nagorno-Karabakh, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio said after the meeting with the Armenian Foreign Minister. The Minister reaffirmed his country's deep solidarity with many victims of the conflict, stressing that Italy is ready to support the civilian population. "We have a positive attitude towards direct high-level contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan and will promote a peaceful, comprehensive and stable solution - a solution that guarantees the prospect of peace and stability in the entire Caucasus region, which is indeed a strategic crossroads for the whole of Europe," the Italian Foreign Minister said. OSCE calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve disputed issues through negotiations OSCE calls on both Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage in negotiations in good faith in order to come up with a comprehensive solution to all unresolved issues, the statement of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Poland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau, reads. "The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Poland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau, concluded his visit to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. The trip focused on existing security challenges and efforts towards sustainable peace as well as strengthening the co-operation between the OSCE and the three states in the South Caucasus region. During his visit to Azerbaijan, the OSCE Chairman met with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. The talks focused on the OSCE’s engagement towards lasting and sustainable peace, and finding solutions to outstanding issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "We hope to make headway, particularly in urgent humanitarian issues, such as the release of detainees, exchange of information about missing persons, demining, and protection of historical and cultural sites," he stressed. In Baku, as well as in Yerevan, Rau highlighted the role of his Personal Representative Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk and offered that his involvement could be enhanced: "His work can bring added value by promoting security, building trust, facilitating humanitarian access and contributing to other vital issues." In Armenia, Minister Rau met with President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. "Poland’s Chairmanship of the Organization strongly supports all initiatives aimed to facilitate dialogue, which is indispensable to deescalate the persisting tensions on the ground. We are calling on both Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage in negotiations in good faith in order to come up with a comprehensive solution to all unresolved issues," he stressed. Marina Kaljurand urges Azerbaijan to immediately withdraw troops |armenpress.am| Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus of the European Parliament for Affair with South Caucasus, MEP Marina Kaljurand held a video conference with Co-Chair of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Javanshir Feyziyev. “Yesterday, I held a videoconference meeting with the Co-Chair of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Mr Javanshir Feyziyev. I shared my concern about Azerbaijan’s unprovoked military intrusion into Nagorno- Karabakh last week, violating the ceasefire agreement of 9 November 2020. I urged the immediate withdrawal of forces back behind the line of contact, in line with calls from all three Minsk Group Co-Chair countries. I also recalled the European Parliament resolution of 10 March 2022 on the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh and stressed the need for Azerbaijan to urgently allow the planned UNESCO independent technical mission to access the region and perform its work unhindered. I welcomed the announcement of the meeting of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the President of the European Council on 6 April in Brussels and expressed hope that the EU will be able to contribute to the achievement of sustainable peace in the region. I urged Azerbaijan to refrain from any unilateral actions that might undermine such efforts. Last but not least, I raised my concerns and asked for additional information regarding the UK ruling on the seizure of a substantial amount of money, laundered through the so-called Azerbaijan laundromat scheme, from accounts of Mr Feyziyev’s close family members”, she said. Other News Levon Ter-Petrosyan met with President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan Armenia and Azerbaijan should recognize each other's territorial integrity. Hikmet Hajiyev "Meeting on April 6 is another opportunity"․ Bayramov on Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Brussels Azerbaijan destroys the Armenian cultural heritage in Parukh and Karaglukh and resorts to open falsifications April 2016 aggression became a touchstone. Artsakh MFA

00:22 - 04 April, 2022

Daily News Summary [01.04.2022]

OSCE Chairman-in-Office met with Armenian FM, PM and Artsakh Human Rights Defender Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau. The Prime Minister attached importance to the cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the OSCE, emphasizing the role of the organization in ensuring security and stability in the European region. Nikol Pashinyan and Zbigniew Rau referred to the situation around Nagorno Karabakh and on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. The parties highlighted the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, noting the importance of protecting the fundamental rights of the people of Artsakh. Zbigniew Rau added that the OSCE will continue its efforts to contribute to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and to ensure stability and peace in the South Caucasus. The sides also exchanged views on the processes taking place in the international arena. Assuming the presidency of the OSCE by Poland coincided with the serious security crisis in the European region – the ongoing military operations in Ukraine, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said during a joint press conference with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Poland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in Yerevan. “It’s understandable that it takes most of the attention of the OSCE, but we expect that the issue of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will remain in the OSCE agenda. This is important especially these days when Azerbaijan is using the geopolitical developments to continue its policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh. The vivid evidence of this is the March 24 incursion of Azerbaijan into the village of Parukh, located in the responsibility zone of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh. This incursion and provocation of military operations were preceded by regular shots in the direction of Armenian settlements and civilian infrastructure. Azerbaijan disrupted the operation of the main gas pipeline of Nagorno Karabakh and the gas supply in the strong weather conditions”, the FM said. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan said this incursion is a pre-planned aggression by Azerbaijan, which openly ignores the commitments assumed by the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement. According to him, in such situation the clear response by the OSCE Chairmen-in-Office and the international community is an imperative, and the unhindered engagement of international humanitarian organizations in Nagorno Karabakh is urgent for preventing the humanitarian crisis. “We praise the fact that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries have already given a clear assessment to the latest escalation of the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, stating that it is a consequence of the movement of Azerbaijani troops”, Ararat Mirzoyan said. On April 1, the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan met in Yerevan with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Zbigniew Rau. The Ombudsman presented the coordinated, systematic, and consistent ethnic-cleansing policy conducted by Azerbaijan aimed at the deprivation of the homeland of the people of Artsakh, as well as the manifestations of destruction and vandalism of Armenian cultural heritage in the occupied territories, malicious trials of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives, other violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Gegham Stepanyan referred to the current humanitarian situation in Artsakh, widespread violations of the rights of the people of Artsakh because of the anti-Armenian policy pursued by Azerbaijan, pointing out the problems caused by the deliberate disruption of gas supply and Azerbaijani military aggression in recent days. The Ombudsman expressed regret over the lack of a clear and targeted response of the OSCE to the violations of human rights and fundamental principles of international law, emphasizing that in the current situation the international community shall act not only as a mediator but also as a guarantor of the protection of the rights of the people of Artsakh. Some important hills of Karaglukh are under the control of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. President of Artsakh A regular sitting of the Security Council under the chairmanship of President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan was held in an expanded format, the Central Information Department of the Office of the President of the Republic of Artsakh reports. In his opening remarks, the President first and foremost noted that the frequent holding of Security Council sittings recently is conditioned by the military-political situation in the republic, especially by the developments in the eastern part of Artsakh. Touching upon the carried out actions and future plans, President Harutyunyan expressed his appreciation to the Defense Army, other power structures and the volunteers, who managed to fulfill the set tasks in a short period of time, suspending the enemy's advance. "We understand that their goal was to capture the whole of Karaglukh. We should state that the main height of Karaglukh, the highest point, is under our control, but as of today some important hills are under the control of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Our goal is to withdraw the Azerbaijanis to their original positions. Our demand and request to the peacekeeping troops was that the status quo stemming from the trilateral statement should be restored. "We will never change this claim," President Harutyunyan said. Arayik Harutyunyan expressed confidence that the purpose of the provocation fomented by Azerbaijan was first of all aimed at discretization of the role of the Russian peacekeeping forces. "We consider that the Russian peacekeeping forces continue to carry out their mission, notwithstanding that episode," A. Harutyunyan said. However, the Artsakh Republic President stressed that vigilance should be maintained at a high level until it is clear that Azerbaijan will not resort to such provocations again. "For that very reason, we will take radical and decisive steps in terms of our self-defense in the future," President Harutyunyan said. Minister of Defense Kamo Vardanyan delivered a report on the current operative-tactical situation on the line of contact. During the discussion of the issues on the agenda, President Harutyunyan gave a number of instructions to the responsible officials of the relevant structures. Nikol Pashinyan holds phone talk with Vladimir Putin Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a phone talk with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The sides discussed issues related to the steps being taken aimed at ensuring security and stability in Nagorno Karabakh, the tense situation caused by the invasion of the Azerbaijani units into the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh. The need for full implementation of the agreements reached by the trilateral statements signed by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021 was reaffirmed. Other News "Pashinyan's words may be manipulations to promote the "peace agenda" ". Seyran Ohanyan RA NA President Alen Simonyan Receives Delegation Led by Head of Great Britain-Armenia Friendship Group of UK Parliament Adoption of the resolution initiated by Armenia at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council

00:05 - 02 April, 2022

Daily News Summary [31.03.2022]

Pashinyan talks about Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and the situation in Artsakh Azerbaijan is trying to annihilate all Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, thus consider the issue closed. If we are wrong, then let Azerbaijan demonstrate concrete interest in discussing the rights and security guarantees of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh - an issue is raised not only by Armenia but also by the entire international community, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Government session. According to Pashinyan, this is a problem that is put forward not only by Armenia, but also by the international community. "But official Baku is moving in the opposite direction, claiming that there is no Nagorno-Karabakh. This is also the reason why the official circles of Azerbaijan react quite aggressively to all the cases when the international community uses the name Nagorno-Karabakh. However, the use of this name is unequivocally legitimate, logical, because, among other reasons, the trilateral declaration of November 9 clearly states the terms Nagorno-Karabakh, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. That declaration is also signed by the President of Azerbaijan." He noted that the fact that Azerbaijan has adopted and is implementing a policy of "Nagorno Karabakh without Armenians" is also substantiated by arbitrary interpretations of the November 9 trilateral declaration. "Among them is, for example, Azerbaijan's persistent claims that a November 9 trilateral declaration pledged the withdrawal the Defense Army from Nagorno-Karabakh. This is more than an arbitrary comment, because the November 9 declaration clearly states which areas the Armenian units should leave and where they should stay. I should also say that the earlier statements of the President of Azerbaijan testify to the fact that this provision put forward by Azerbaijan is imaginary. During our trilateral meeting mediated by the President of the Russian Federation on November 26, 2021, he himself publicly stated that practically all the provisions of the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020 have been implemented, except for the point of opening communications. I would like to emphasize that from our point of view, the provision on the return of prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees has obviously not been fully implemented so far, and we are, of course, continuing the work on that. But we must state that the withdrawal of the Defense Army of Nagorno Karabakh means the withdrawal of the Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh, and in fact this is the demand that Azerbaijan is formulating," Pashinyan said. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recalled the statement of the Armenian Security Council from March 28 at today's government session․ "The statement, issued following the discussions in expanded format, emphasizes the aspiration of Azerbaijan to launch new provocations and attacks in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh. We underlined that there is quite a high probability of such developments on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as well. This statement, naturally, raised additional questions and I want to come up with a number of clarifications and justifications to make the situation in the region clearer for both the Armenian and the international community." Pashinyan said that like before, during and after the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan pursues a policy of formatulating the wording for justifying the military attack on Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. "They first bring forward theses, proposals or comments on the diplomatic and public platform, then accuse Armenia of not responding to those theses, proposals or comments or reacting in an unconstructive way or rejecting them, then attributes some promises to Armenia, fabricates some types of arrangements. Then, in the context of this discourse, they attribute to Armenia none-constructiveness, denial, the practice of not fulfilling promises, not adhering to the agreements, and build aggressive rhetoric based on this accusation, followed by aggressive actions, which are justified by the discourse and content already described above," Pashinyan said adding that Azerbaijan is trying to legitimize a large-scale attack on Nagorno-Karabakh and the Republic of Armenia. "In the above context, by the way, sometimes dissinformation plays a significant role, as it is now commonly said, fake news. Now, for example, the false information circulated by Azerbaijani sources is widely spread in the Western world, as if Armenia has provided 4 of its Su-30SM multifunctional jets to Russia for use in Ukraine. This, of course, is outrageous disinformation and our SUs have never left the borders of our country since the day they were imported to Armenia. In the same way, the false news that terrorists are being transferred to Ukraine through the territory of Armenia is presented as truth. Every more or less informed one knows that Armenia, which suffered from the involvement of mercenary-terrorists in the war against it two years ago, can never contribute to their involvement in other places, this is completely absurd information," Pashinyan said. Çavuşoğlu wanted to hold a trilateral meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Antalya, but there was no opportunity It is important that Azerbaijan supports the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said in an interview with the Turkish TV channel A Haber. "Aliyev strongly supported this during our consultations. Without consultations with Azerbaijan, it is impossible for us to take steps on radical issues," Turkish FM said. Çavuşoğlu stressed that the war is over, lessons need to be learned from it․ "It is necessary to take steps for stability in the Caucasus: Both we and Azerbaijan are opening our borders. Relations with Armenia are also improving. In addition to positive messages, we also appointed special representatives. They met face to face twice, are constantly talking on the phone", Çavuşoğlu said noting that they have taken steps to increase confidence, in particular, emphasizing the resumption of flights. Çavuşoğlu also touched upon the existence of political contacts. "The Armenian Foreign Minister arrived at the diplomatic forum in Antalya. I wanted the three of us to have a meeting (the Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey- ed.), it was impossible in Antalya. Armenia was isolated because of its attitude towards Turkey and Azerbaijan. It is impossible for everything to normalize in one day," Çavuşoğlu said. Referring to the statement of the Turkish Foreign Minister, the spokesperson of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vahan Hunanyan said that the issue of organizing a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan is not on the agenda. "Yes, there was a proposal in Antalya, but, as you know, there was no such meeting, and now there is no such issue on the agenda," said Hunanyan. Putin discussed the situation in Artsakh with Pashinyan and Aliyev Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. "The development of the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh was discussed with an emphasis on solving practical tasks aimed at ensuring security and stability in the region. The importance of consistent implementation of all the provisions of the trilateral statements from November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021 was confirmed," the Kremlin reports. The office of the Prime Minister reports that Pashinyan presented to the Russian President the situation after the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into the responsibility zone of the Russian peacekeeping force in Nagorno-Karabakh and noted with regret that the situation has not been resolved, moreover, according to some information, new provocations by Azerbaijani units are possible in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping force. Prime Minister Pashinyan provided details on the actions of Azerbaijan to intimidate the residents of the villages of Nagorno Karabakh with loudspeakers and to exert psychological pressure. Nikol Pashinyan reiterated that these actions and the incursion of Azerbaijani units into the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping force in Nagorno Karabakh in the presence of peacekeepers raise questions and thanked the Russian President for a positive attitude to the issue of carrying out investigation of the situation. The Prime Minister presented to the Russian President the expectations of the Armenian side that the Russian peacekeeping contingent will take measures to withdraw the invading Azerbaijani units from the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. The leaders of the two countries agreed to take measures to urgently resolve the situation. They both highlighted the full implementation of the trilateral statements signed by the President of the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020 January 11 and November 26, 2021. Other News Օperative-tactical situation along the entire frontline of Artsakh did not change, remaining tense. NKR InfoCenter Erdogan called for "withdrawal of Armenian armed groups from the territory of Artsakh" Mutual recognition of territorial integrity and international borders, delimitation: according to Aliyev, all this will lead to peace in the Caucasus President Vahagn Khachaturyan received the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Iraq

00:37 - 01 April, 2022

Daily News Summary [30.03.2022]

The Azerbaijani armed forces remain in the same strongholds on Karaglukh, no positional changes have taken place In the night of March 29 to 30 and as of 10 AM no significant ceasefire violations were registered along the line of contact of Artsakh and operative-tactical situation did not change remaining tense, NKR InfoCenter reports. The Azerbaijani armed forces remain in the same strongholds on Karaglukh, no positional changes have taken place. The authorities of the Artsakh Republic together with the command staff of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and through various diplomatic means continue the consistent work to withdraw the Azerbaijani troops to their original positions and to stabilize the military-political situation. In parallel, the Artsakh Armed Forces are carrying out their functions, continuously improving the defensive fortifications and mechanisms of the republic. Representatives of the Human Rights Defender visited persons temporarily residing in Stepanakert, displaced from the Khramort village of the Askeran region, Human Rights Defender of Artsakh reports. As a result of the criminal actions of Azerbaijan, the normal life of Khramort and Parukh villages was disrupted, as a result of which more than 400 people, including women, children, and the elderly, suffered. Some of the displaced persons have been temporarily accommodated in the apartments of relatives and friends, while others have been provided with temporary housing by the Government. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, reported that five wounded, who received injuries of varying severity as a result of the criminal actions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, carried out on March 25 near the village of Parukh and the height of Karaglukh, are receiving inpatient treatment in hospitals of the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Republic. The condition of all five is assessed as satisfactory. They are in the recovery phase and will be discharged soon. The condition of one of the two persons transported to Yerevan is assessed as mild, his life is not in danger. The condition of the second wounded is assessed as critical. Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan said that the Russian peacekeepers stationed in Artsakh were not sent to Ukraine The Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov said at a press conference that Russian peacekeepers temporarily stationed in Artsakh have not left the region, haqqin.az reports. "The information that the Russian peacekeepers stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh have moved to Ukraine is false," he said. Russia aims to further develop relations with Azerbaijan, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov said at a press conference, TASS reports. "The signing of the declaration on allied cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan leads to a new stable level. Russia aims to further develop allied relations between the countries," the Russian diplomat said. Russian State Duma deputy Mikhail Delyagin stated that he has not called for the bombing Azerbaijan, he made a note about this on his "Telegram" page. "I have not called for the bombing of Azerbaijan with conventional or nuclear weapons," he said. He expressed the opinion that the information about him being declared internationally wanted by the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan "is either fake or a journalistic mistake." "Otherwise, we must admit that there is no one left in the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan who understands Russian or can use the services of a translator. If we assume that this news is true, it is very sad, because the people, whose legal system has nothing to do with reality, are waiting for very interesting revelations, which will not always be pleasant," he wrote. Mikhail Delyagin had called on Russian peacekeepers to strike at Azerbaijan's oil fields for disobeying.In response to that statement, the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan filed a criminal case against him. Mikhail Delyagin was declared internationally wanted through Interpol. Other News Charles Michel to hold a joint meeting with Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan was arrested Edmon Marukyan discussed a range of issues related to the security in the region with the Swedish Ambassador

00:06 - 31 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [29.03.2022]

00:11 - 30 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [28.03.2022]

The incursion of Azerbaijani units into Nagorno-Karabakh in the area of responsibility of the Russian Federation’s peacekeeping contingent is ongoing The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia states with satisfaction that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries have delivered a clear assessment of the last escalation of the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, acknowledging that it is a consequence of the movement of Azerbaijani troops. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation stated that it urged the Azerbaijani side to withdraw its armed units. On March 27, the Russian Defence Ministry issued a press-release stating that the Azerbaijani side had withdrawn its units from the Parukh settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh. Nevertheless, we are compelled to note that the incursion of Azerbaijani units into Nagorno-Karabakh in the area of responsibility of the Russian Federation’s peacekeeping contingent is ongoing, as shown in the attached maps. We expect that the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation in Nagorno Karabakh will take concrete measures to stem the incursion of Azerbaijani units into the area of peacekeepers’ responsibility and to withdraw the Azerbaijani armed forces. We consider it important to conduct a proper investigation into the actions of the peacekeeping contingent during this entire period of the incursion of Azerbaijani units, and answer a number of questions. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia considers it necessary for all parties to observe the previously reached agreements over Nagorno Karabakh, and the question about the possibility of sending an additional contingent of peacekeepers amid growing tensions in the region must be addressed to the Russian defense ministry. “That question must be addressed to our military. They are in contact with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides. Now the main thing is to ensure that all sides continue implementing the terms of the respective agreements”, the Kremlin spokesperson said. Later Russian Defense Ministry reported that as of March 28, no violations were registered of the ceasefire regime in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh. FM Mirzoyan receives Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE MG, Ambassadors of Russia, France, U.S. and Director-General of International Commission on Missing On March 28, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan received Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia reports. During the meeting, Ararat Mirzoyan and Sergey Kopyrkin discussed the situation in the area of responsibility of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation, near the village of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh, as a result of the invasion of the Azerbaijani armed forces that began on March 24. The Minister stressed the adoption by the Russian peacekeeping contingent of concrete measures to stop the invasion of Azerbaijani units into the area of responsibility of peacekeepers and the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan received French Ambassador to Armenia Anne Louyot. The discussion focused on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the invasion of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Ararat Mirzoyan considered unacceptable the provocations and aggressive actions of Azerbaijan against the peaceful population of Nagorno-Karabakh, attempts to deliberately disrupt the normal operation of vital infrastructures. Minister Mirzoyan stressed the importance of a proper and targeted reaction of the international community to the current situation, aimed at the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and de-escalation of the situation. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan received U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy. During the meeting the sides touched upon the situation that has developed as a result of the invasion of the Azerbaijani armed forces units in the village of Parukh of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as provocations of Azerbaijan against the peaceful population of Artsakh and the deliberate disruption of the normal operation of vital infrastructures. Assessing the US assessments of Azerbaijan's aggressive actions, Minister Mirzoyan stressed the need for effective steps towards de-escalation of the situation, noted the importance of consistent addressing of the problem by the international community. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received the Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons Kathryne Bomberger. The interlocutors commended the effective cooperation established between the relevant state institutions of Armenia and the Commission. In this context, Minister Mirzoyan expressed gratitude to Kathryne Bomberger for her contribution to the process of DNA identification of the remains of the Armenian victims of the 44-day war. The sides discussed the prospects of expanding and deepening the cooperation, including in terms of technical equipment of relevant laboratories in Armenia and increasing their capacity. The Foreign Minister noted that Armenia greatly emphasizes the need for clarification of the fate of the missing persons resulting from the war, as well as the circumstances of their disappearance, highlighting the prospects of cooperation with the Commission in this regard. Ararat Mirzoyan presented to his interlocutor the humanitarian consequences of Azerbaijan's military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, particularly, emphasizing the need for immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages illegally held in Azerbaijan. The Foreign Minister of Armenia also presented the situation resulting from the incursion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into Parukh village of Nagorno-Karabakh. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan received the Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovaev. The sides discussed the situation resulting from Azerbaijan’s violation of the line of contact with Nagorno-Karabakh and the incursion near the village of Parukh in the area of responsibility of the Russian Federation peacekeeping contingent, which started on March 24. They touched upon other actions of the Azerbaijani side aimed at creating a humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, targeting the civilian population and subjecting them to ethnic cleansing. The need for the return of the units of the Azerbaijani armed forces to their starting positions of March 23 was stressed. Minister Mirzoyan presented the position of the Armenian side on launching negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a peace agreement within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. The importance of the full-fledged work of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship was reaffirmed. Armenia offers Azerbaijan to immediately start negotiations on a comprehensive peace treaty. Security Council of Armenia issues statement The security situation around Nagorno Karabakh was discussed at today's sitting of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia, assessing it as extremely tense. The analysis of the situation shows that the Republic of Azerbaijan, trying to find imaginary justifications, is paving the way for new provocations and attacks in the direction of Nagorno Karabakh, including accusing the Republic of Armenia of un-constructive actions in the issue of the peace treaty. In the current situation, the Security Council considers it necessary to reaffirm the earlier position of the Republic of Armenia and offers the Republic of Azerbaijan to immediately start negotiations on a comprehensive peace treaty. The Security Council, drawing the attention of the international community on the chances for armed clashes in Nagorno Karabakh and on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, considers it necessary to launch international containment mechanisms to prevent further military escalation and ethnic cleansing in the region. Other News The Ministry of Defense of Armenia denies rumors that Armenia transferred aircrafts to Russia for use against Ukraine. RA MoD Gas supply is being restored in Artsakh |news.am| Suren Papikyan and Kathryne Bomberger discussed a number of issues related to the coordination of work aimed at finding out the fate of the missing persons as a result of the two Artsakh wars. RA MoD Bad peace is preferable from any war: Speaker of Parliament of Kyrgyzstan to RA NA President

00:02 - 29 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [27.03.2022]

Russian MoD reports on the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Parukh. Azerbaijani MoD denies that The Russian Defense Ministry reported that following the results of the negotiations, the Azerbaijani side withdrew its units from the territory of the settlement of Parukh. "Two cases of violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have been registered in the Askeran district: as a result of the shootout, two people were wounded on each side. The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent has stabilized the situation cooperating with representatives of the conflicting parties," the Russian peacekeeping contingent reports. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has issued a statement, refuting the statement of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. "The positions of the Azerbaijani Army in the village of Parukh and the surrounding areas have not changed. The information about the withdrawal of Azerbaijani army units from these positions is incorrect," the official statement reads. The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh reports that one of the soldiers wounded by UAV is still in critical condition. Two of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Defense Army servicemen, who were wounded in an Azerbaijani provocation in Artsakh on Friday, have been taken to Yerevan in critical condition, Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am. "The condition of one of them is still critical at the moment, the condition of the other is assessed as moderate, with positive dynamics. At the moment, seven of the wounded are receiving inpatient treatment, their condition is assessed as good, [and] five people have been discharged after receiving corresponding medical assistance," the Artsakh human rights defender added. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan visited the Khramort and Khnapat communities of the Askeran region, Central Information Department of the Artsakh Republic President's Office reports. President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan visited the town of Askeran and held a consultation with the participation of responsible officials of the region, dedicated to the situation created in the aftermath of the recent aggression by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The Head of the State assured that all efforts are being exerted to stabilize the situation and to withdraw the enemy to their starting positions through the efforts of the Russian side. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan presented in the National Assembly the latest developments in the military-political situation, Central Information Department of the Artsakh Republic President's Office reports. The President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan met with the deputies in the National Assembly and presented the latest developments in the military-political situation of the country. The Head of State noted that intensive work is being carried out at all levels to suspend the aggressive military, humanitarian and psychological actions carried out by Azerbaijan, and to restore normal life in Artsakh. Former Armenian FM criticized the UN and the EU Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan made critical posts on Twitter to UN and EU officials. "Significant escalation in the east of Nagorno-Karabakh yesterday & today. Azerbaijan violates ceasefire with the use of firearms and drones, including Bayraktars. 3 dead and 14 wounded in Artsakh," Mnatsakanyan wrote. "For over 2 weeks Artsakh is without gas in freezing weather. Conditions border humanitarian catastrophe. Azerbaijan deliberately delays repairs of only pipeline to Artsakh under its control. The world is charmingly blind. Nothing new here. These latest events attest the ongoing existential threat to the people of Artsakh. Their struggle has always been about survival and security on their land. Artsakh under Azerbaijani jurisdiction is Nagorno-Karabakh without Armenians. Baku has never concealed this objective." "Meanwhile, the UN office in Azerbaijan and Vladanka Andreeva [UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan - ed.] were partying in Shushi with their hosts, while a few kilometers down the hill Armenians in Stepanakert were in dire conditions. The message is impressive, UN staff celebrating humanitarian terrorism and ethnic cleansing. Sickening," Former Armenian FM wrote. "Seriously? Like urging which particular sides? Like urging Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh not to inflict humanitarian catastrophe upon themselves? Like urging them not to use fire and drones against themselves? It is at such moments that one appreciates the value of silence..." Other News Speculations that the aggression of the Azerbaijani side in recent days is the result of certain agreements with the Artsakh authorities, is provocative and divisive. President of Artsakh The statement of "Azerigaz" about the restoration of gas supply in Artsakh is false and provocative misinformation. "Artsakhgaz" Peacekeeping contingent should have all the necessary levers to efficiently guarantee the security of the population of Artsakh. Artak Beglaryan

23:38 - 27 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [27.03.2022]

00:38 - 27 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [25.03.2022]

As a result of the use of Bayraktar TB-2 strike UAVs by the enemy, 3 Armenian servicemen were killed. Artsakh Defense Army On March 24, the units of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, grossly violating the November 10 trilateral statement of 2020 invaded the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping troops in the Artsakh Republic, taking control of the village of Parukh of Askeran region and adjacent positions, and then tried to advance on the eastern border of the Artsakh Republic, Press service of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army reports. The hours-long negotiations held by the Russian peacekeeping troops and relevant structures of Artsakh did not have tangible effect, the enemy did not return to the starting positions. Moreover, the Azerbaijani military units opened fire on the Defense Army units using both firearms of various calibers and a strike UAV. At least 5 servicemen of the enemy were killed as a result of the skirmish. There is one wounded from the Armenian side. NKR InforCenter reported that the authorities of the Artsakh Republic are in active dialogue with the command staff of the Russian peacekeeping troops deployed in the republic. No effort is spared for the Russian party to take relevant measures at all levels within its mission to return the Azeri troops that invaded the village of Parukh of Askeran region on March 24, to their starting positions. At the same time, the Artsakh Armed Forces are taking additional measures to ensure the security of nearby villages. We anticipate that as a result of the sustainable work, the Russian peacekeeping mission will be able to resolve the issues that have arisen in its sphere of control. After the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani troops, the civilian population will return to their homes with additional security guarantees." As the Artsakh Republic Ministry of Defense has already reported, today, March 25, the Armenian side suffered 2 casualties and a number of servicemen were wounded (5 more servicemen were wounded last night) as a result of the attacks of Bayraktar UAV used by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Hence, Azerbaijan is grossly violating the provisions of the November 9 trilateral statement in the form of invasion and ceasefire violations, NKR InfoCenter reports. "Despite the high-level talks, we note that the Russian peacekeeping force deployed in Artsakh managed only to stop the advance of the Azerbaijani armed forces in the Parukh community of Askeran region at this stage, and firing from different caliber weapons. However, at the same time, we emphasize that the Russian peacekeeping forces have not been able to solve the main problem within their mission, as the Azerbaijani troops that invaded the village of Parukh of Askeran region and the adjacent areas on March 24, remain on the ground. The Artsakh authorities, however, hope that due to the decisive efforts of the Russian side, the Azeri troops will return to their starting positions, and the civilian population of Artsakh will be able to return to their homes, otherwise the security guarantees given to the civilian population in Artsakh are in serious doubt." The Press Service of the Artsakh Republic Defense Ministry reports that on March 25, in the result of provocative actions of the enemy, in particular, the use of Bayraktar TB-2 strike UAVs, Defense Army servicemen David Mirzoyan (born in 1978), Ishkhan Ohanyan (born in 1994) and Ararat Tevosyan (born in 1990) were fatally wounded. The Defense Ministry of the Artsakh Republic shares the grief of the loss and expresses support to relatives and comrades-in-arms of the perished servicemen. Armenian MFA has issued a statement, saying that Azerbaijan continues its infiltration into the area of responsibility of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation in Parukh village of Askeran region of Nagorno-Karabakh that started on March 24. The infiltrated units of the Azerbaijani armed forces attacked the bases of the Defense Army last night. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains tense․ We expect the peacekeeping force of the Russian Federation to undertake measures to ensure the immediate withdrawal of the infiltrated units of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, which should imply the return of the Azerbaijani armed forces to the starting position of March 23. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, informed that in the Stepanakert Military Hospital, he got acquainted with the health condition of the people injured as a result of the March 25 criminal acts committed by Azerbaijan. At this moment, according to the verified information, 14 people received various degrees of injuries. The condition of 10 people is assessed by doctors as mild, 1 - moderate, 1 - severe, the condition of 2 people is extremely severe. Almost all cases of injuries were registered due to the use of drones by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Armenian PM and FM held telephone conversations about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The situation created after the invasion of Azerbaijani units into the responsibility zone of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation in Nagorno Karabakh was discussed, which Prime Minister Pashinyan assessed as tense. PM Pashinyan raised the need to investigate the actions of Russian peacekeepers in the given situation and stressed the need for returning the Azerbaijani armed forces to their initial positions with the efforts of the Russian peacekeepers. The leaders of the two countries agreed to make efforts to resolve the crisis situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a phone conversation with the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried. The Foreign Minister of Armenia briefed on the situation created as a result of Azerbaijan's violation of the Nagorno Karabakh contact line and the infiltration to the Parukh village of Artsakh. The Minister stressed that Azerbaijan grossly violates its obligations of the Trilateral Statements, endangering regional stability and peace. Ararat Mirzoyan also touched upon the actions of Azerbaijan towards targeting civilian population and exerting psychological pressure, deliberately disrupting the normal operation of vital infrastructure in order to create a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh. Minister Mirzoyan stressed that the above-mentioned actions are vivid manifestations of Azerbaijan's policy of ethnic cleansing and Armenophobia. In this regard, the Minister stressed the need for a targeted and clear response from the international community, including the United States. Both sides highlighted the importance of undertaking steps aimed at de-escalation of the situation. During the phone conversation, the Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the position of the Armenian side regarding the launch of negotiations on the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On March 25, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan received the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan touched upon the Azerbaijani invasion of the village of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh, which began on March 24 in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. The need for Azerbaijani units to return to their initial positions was stressed. Ararat Mirzoyan presented the position of the Armenian side on the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the peace treaty, emphasizing in this context the mediation role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned about reports of new hostilities in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson of the UN Secretary General, told journalists during briefing on Friday. "The Secretary-General urges the parties to refrain from any actions or statements that could aggravate the situation and to resolve all issues, including those of a humanitarian nature, through direct dialogue within the existing platforms," Dujarric said. The U.S. is deeply concerned about gas disruptions and Azerbaijan’s troop movements, the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs posted on Twitter. "Armenia and Azerbaijan need to use direct communications channels to immediately de-escalate." Armenian MPs referred to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh The Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Armenian Parliament Eduard Aghajanyan announced that the territories which went under Azerbaijani control as a result of the March 24-25 events were in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping forces. He said that they expect clear answers from Russian colleagues on how these events happened. Speaking at a press conference, Aghajanyan emphasized that Azerbaijan is consistently carrying out a policy of depriving the Armenians of Artsakh from the right to live in their own homeland and that the latest events are yet another manifestation of ethnic cleansing against the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh which is happening since the conflict began. “In the recent period, in the post-war period, this process took a unique and practical shape, about which the Armenian government has numerously alarmed and informed the international community. An assessment to this process was numerously given by the Armenian foreign ministry, the prime minister, and Members of Parliament, particularly the members of the foreign relations committee,” Aghajanyan said. Aghajanyan accused Azerbaijan in again violating the November 9 trilateral agreement. “In this given case it is the violation of the clause under which the sides are obliged to stop hostilities, remain in their positions, and Russian peacekeepers were to be deployed on that borderline, who were deployed,” he added. Aghajanyan said the area where the events happened is in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers. “Here our main question and work is with our Russian colleagues. We must understand under what circumstances this advance happened, because as a result of the advance the Azerbaijani military appeared in the rear of the Russian peacekeepers, meaning they bypassed them. I repeat, this, according to the respective clause of the November 9 trilateral statement, is the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers, therefore we expect to receive clear answers from our Russian colleagues on how this happened. We expect that this issue will be solved in the shortest period of time and that the Azerbaijani armed forces will return to their initial positions from where the advance took place,” Aghajanyan said. Arman Yeghoyan, MP of the parliamentary faction "Civil Contract" wrote on Facebook: "This situation reminds of the well-known events in December 2020 in Khtsaberd, which, according to the logic of the trilateral statement of November 9, was also the area of responsibility of peacekeepers. But so far we also have no answers to the actions or inaction of the peacekeepers in this area. At the moment, we can say that actions are more eloquent than words, because we don’t see that the peacekeeping contingent of Russia is carrying out operations to oust Azerbaijani units that have invaded its zone of responsibility." Other News Sergey Shoygu discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh with Zakir Hasanov The problem with gas supplies is related to bad weather conditions. Azerbaijani MFA Human Rights Defender of Armenia presented to Resident Representative of UNDP in Armenia current situation in Artsakh in connection with the provocations initiated by the Azerbaijani side Provocative actions of Azerbaijan endanger the regional stability and peace: Eduard Aghajanyan

23:46 - 25 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [24.03.2022]

Azerbaijani Armed Forces violated the line of contact in Askeran region. Women and children have been evacuated NKR InfoCenter reported that on March 24, at 16.00, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces violated the line of contact in the direction of Parukh village of Askeran region. Representatives of the Defense Army and Russian peacekeeping troops deployed in the Artsakh Republic are trying to stop the enemy's further advance through negotiations, and return them to their starting positions. For security reasons the women and children of Khramort village of Askeran region have been evacuated. Khramort mayor Zorik Abrahamian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service in the late afternoon that the situation in the village was “very serious.” He declined to elaborate. Vardan Mikayelyan, the head of the village of Parukh of the Askeran district of Artsakh, said: "We can't get close to the village to understand what is happening, we are 3-4 km away from the village. They only captured the village, there were no shots, everyone was evacuated." According to him, he doesn’t know whether the Azerbaijanis are advancing or not. Women and children of the Khramort community of Askeran district were also evacuated. The head of the Khramort community, Zorik Abrahamyan, only said: "the situation is not good". NKR InfoCentre reported that the protection of the line of contact in the direction of Parukh-Khramort settlements of Askeran region, and ensuring the security of the civilian population living in those communities is within the mission of the Russian peacekeeping troops deployed in the Artsakh Republic. In Khramort, the soldiers of the Defense Army are ready to resist possible provocations of Azerbaijan, local residents have also created a self-defense unit, the correspondent of Civilnet Hayk Ghazaryan reports from Khramort. According to Ghazaryan, the Azerbaijanis have advanced in the direction of the village of Parukh. "If they take heights, they have a priority position in relation to neighboring villages -Noragyugh, Khnabad." Later NKR InfoCenter informed that the situation in the direction of Parukh-Khramort settlements of Askeran region is under the control of the Russian peacekeeping troops deployed in the Artsakh Republic. As a result of the negotiations and additional security measures, the advance of the Azerbaijani armed forces in our territory is currently suspended, but the enemy has not yet returned to the starting positions. The Azerbaijani authorities are implementing ethnic cleansings against Artsakh through terrorist acts, Arman Tatoyan, former Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia wrote on Facebook. "This is a genocidal policy (on ethnic and religious grounds) against over 100,000 population of Artsakh: shootings at villages, civilian houses; the entire population (hospitals, schools, etc.) is deprived of gas [heating and hot water]; through incursions and psychological intimidation, threats with force they force people to leave their houses, etc. It is of absolute urgency to pay close international attention to what is happening in Artsakh, to not allow isolation from the outside world. Human rights and security of people must not be ignored. The Azerbaijani authorities pursue their genocidal policies by isolating Artsakh. I have already contacted a number of international journalists today to keep the issue in the spotlight." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia has issued a statement, saying that aggressive actions of Azerbaijan once again demonstrate that official Baku continues to grossly violate the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, according to which the hostilities were ceased, the sides stopped in their positions and peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation were deployed along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh. "We expect that the Russian peacekeeping forces in whose area of responsibility the provocation takes place will undertake measures to ensure that the Azerbaijani troops immediately return to their initial positions and adhere to the commitments undertaken under the November 9 Trilateral Statement. We call on the international community to make a clear assessment of Azerbaijan's provocative actions aimed at undermining the peace process and to support efforts for establishing peace in the South Caucasus and achieving a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict." Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, has addressed a statement to the international community, saying: "Azerbaijan is openly, publicly giving a "master class on the destruction and deportation of a concrete ethnic group" to the world, which even fails to make a condemning statements. That is why Azerbaijan is developing its arsenal of tools and means of committing crimes almost every day, that is why the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, openly violating the provisions of the Trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, dare to occupy civilian communities, to leave more than 120,000 people without heating and hot water, forcibly displace them. It can be listed endlessly. Dear representatives of the international community, the facts and evidence are more than enough to enforce the principle of "responsibility to protect" adopted to prevent genocide, crimes against humanity, and mass crimes, to recognize the Artsakh Republic and save the Armenians of Artsakh from ethnic cleansing and genocide." Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan discussed the situation in the region and the situation in the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh where Russian peacekeepers are performing tasks, as well as other issues of mutual interest. Artsakh is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe: Nikol Pashinyan For 3 days, the citizens of the Republic of Artsakh have been deprived of natural gas supplies, which happened as a result of Azerbaijan's intervention, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a government session. "In these weather conditions, Artsakh deliberately lost the supply of natural gas needed for heating houses, kindergartens, schools, and hospitals. This is enough to understand that as a result of Azerbaijan's actions, Artsakh is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. I have no doubt that the heroic people of Artsakh will overcome this, but I must say that Azerbaijan is also doing a service to the people of Artsakh by its actions, because for the international community this episode is an apt description of the issue of Artsakh," Pashinyan said. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that the policy adopted by Armenia on opening an era of peaceful development for the region has no alternative. “Quite the contrary, with its actions, numerous provocations Azerbaijan is trying to divert us from our agenda of peace, to deligitimize that agenda in order to implement its policy of provoking new escalations, new wars in the region. But we must not give in to these and such kind of provocations. I have stated that for implementing the peace agenda we need firm nerves and we must not deviate from our declared strategy in any way. Strategy is a strategy that should guide us in all situations”, the PM said. He reminded that after the first explosion of the gas pipeline, on March 10, a 5-point proposal on the settlement of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan was handed over to Armenia. “We have responded to these proposals in writing very quickly, on March 14, and have applied to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, requesting to assist in organizing the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan. And on March 21, 2022, the Foreign Minister of Armenia voiced Armenia’s overall assessment to the proposals presented by Azerbaijan, and that assessment is the following: “There is nothing unacceptable for us in the proposals submitted by Azerbaijan. It’s another thing that these proposals do not address all issues on he Armenia-Azerbaijan comprehensive peace agenda. With our response, submitted to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, we have amended that agenda and thus, we are ready for the launch of peace talks on this base”. Pashinyan also touched upon the situation in the world and in the region, saying: "The situation in the world and the region is tense, and we consider ourselves responsible for reducing this tension and finding fundamental solutions." "In this regard, we believe that peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan should begin as soon as possible. At the same time, it's also necessary to state the need to start work on the demarcation and delimitation of border to increase the level of security and stability at the border," he said. The Prime Minister recalled that the Armenian side made a proposal of mirror withdrawal of troops from the border. "In addition to the full withdrawal, we has also made proposals for the local withdrawal of troops, and are waiting for Azerbaijan's response here as well. In particular, at the Yeraskh section, we proposed that they withdraw several positions from our territory, and we withdraw several positions from their territory. Thus, we will resolve the issue of one of the hottest spots over the past year and a half. We are waiting for Azerbaijan's response," Pashinyan said. Protests in Armenia and Artsakh for international community to intervene as Azeri gas cut-off causes humanitarian disaster Women in Artsakh held a peaceful rally in Stepanakert to make their voices heard by the international community, drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis which occurred after Azerbaijan deliberately cut off gas supply. “….All international organizations should take clear actions pursuant to humanitarian principles, instead of making calls,” said of the women. The demonstrators said that right now there is a humanitarian disaster in Artsakh and the whole world knows that Azerbaijan is the perpetrator. They warned that Azerbaijan could exploit the situation and aggravate it even more. The women said that the residents of Artsakh, the citizens of Artsakh are equally entitled to all the rights that citizens of other countries have. A number of citizens held a protest in front of the UN office in Armenia, demanding to pay attention to the humanitarian situation in Artsakh. They noted that the protest is not political, and both citizens who support the authorities and the opposition can join. Mariam Hayriyan, one of the organizers, noted that their main goal is to convey their message to the international community: "We see what kind of terrorist act Azerbaijan is committing in Artsakh. This is a humanitarian disaster. We condemn the actions of the UN that the 30th anniversary of membership is being celebrated in Shoushi, a city occupied by Azerbaijan, despite what is happening in Stepanakert." The participants of the protest also handed over a letter to the UN office. Other News Armenia and Azerbaijan can get observer status in Shanghai Cooperation Organization. SCO Secretary General Ararat Mirzoyan briefed Georgian FM on Azerbaijan’s actions towards exerting psychological pressure against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. RA MFA It's unacceptable to aggravate the already difficult humanitarian situation. Maria Zakharova on the situation in Artsakh

23:22 - 24 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [23.03.2022]

We are confident that Armenia and Turkey can and should normalize relations. FM Mirzoyan "We are confident that Armenia and Turkey can and should normalize relations, that is, establish relations and open borders," Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during the Q&A session with the Government in the National Assembly. According to him, in the context of this process, the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey also had a positive impact. On March 12, within the framework of the diplomatic forum in Antalya, Ararat Mirzoyan met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. According to him, the decision to take part in the forum in Antalya was the right decision․ "Of course, no tangible, concrete agreement was reached, but both sides confirmed that we are continuing the dialogue, the process without preconditions, with the goal of opening the borders." According to the Armenian Foreign Minister, there are certain differences between the two sides in terms of pace, but in general, at least verbally, both sides confirmed that the end result is the opening of borders․ MP of the "Civil Contract" faction Tatevik Gasparyan asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan what kind of work the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is doing in the international arena to present the situation in Artsakh as a result of the termination of gas supply. "Both the first time when the gas supply failed, and the second time, we immediately used all our efforts, all possible diplomatic efforts. First of all, of course, we are in close, periodic contact with our Russian colleagues, because the accident, or in this case it is no longer clear what to call it, is not an accident, in fact. In any case, the damaged or closed area is in the area of responsibility of the peacekeepers, and our primary communication, of course, is with our Russian partners, but also with the rest of the civilized world," Mirzoyan said. FM Mirzoyan also referred to the proposals of Azerbaijan saying that there is nothing unacceptable for Armenia in Azerbaijan's proposals. "Another thing is that these proposals didn’t fully address the entire agenda of possible negotiations. For a comprehensive peace, we have added proposals from our agenda and handed them over to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. I was informed from the Co-Chairs that these proposals were transmitted to official Baku. We don't have a response from Baku yet," Mirzoyan said. According to Mirzoyan, one of the main goals of Armenia's proposals is that the issue of the rights and status of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh continues to be a matter of principle for the Armenian side․ "it’s impossible to call any agenda integral until this issue is also addressed." "The declaration of Shushi contains anti-Armenian provisions encroaching on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. Surprisingly, the declaration also began to be ratified by parliaments, including Turkey. What was the response to that? Besides the announcement of the foreign ministry on June, 2021, when it was not yet ratified. Was there any response from the foreign ministry after all of this?" Aram Vardevanyan, the Deputy of “Hayastan” party asked. “Not only Armenia, but also the international community refers to this. It is appropriate to mention the decision of the Hague court on interim measures, where very clearly the Azerbaijani high-ranking officials were called on ceasing that policy. There are many examples like this, such as cultural monuments, such as these days when there is a humanitarian crisis over gas. The situation and possible developments are at the core of all our international contacts”, Mirzoyan said. Armenian President receives the Ambassadors of Iran and UK On March 23, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri. Armenian President and the Ambassador of Iran mutually stressed the importance of the consistent deepening and strengthening of the Armenian-Iranian relations. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on issues related to various spheres of Armenian-Iranian cooperation and regional developments. President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Armenia John Gallagher. The sides exchanged views on the issues of bilateral Armenian-British relations and regional security. Armenian Defense Ministry Confirms Direct Communication Link with Azerbaijani Counterpart |hetq.am| Armenia’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that it has established a direct communication link with the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry to prevent incidents along the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact. Responding to a Hetq inquiry on the matter, Secretary General of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Hamlet Batikyan wrote that a link had been established but that no specifics could be provided due to security concerns. On November 19, 2021, European Council President Charles Michel spoke, by telephone, with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia as a follow up to discussions held earlier that week about the situation in the region. The European Council, in a statement after the talks, said that the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders had agreed to establish a direct communication line, at the level of respective Ministers of Defense, to serve as an incident prevention mechanism. Given recent tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Hetq wrote to the Armenian Defense Ministry, requesting clarification on the mater. Batikyan, in his response to Hetq, did not specify what type of link has been established between the Armenian and Azerbaijani defense ministries (telephone, video). The official did not say when such a link had been used the last time or if he believed it could effectively prevent border clashes in the future. According to the Armenian Ministry of Defense: "The situation on Armenia’s state border is stable," and "Joint work with the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Artsakh is constantly carried out to prevent and resolve incidents in the border areas of Artsakh." To Hetq’s question whether the Republic of Armenia continues to be the guarantor of Artsakh's security, the Ministry of Defense noted: "Armenia’s Ministry of Defense and Armenia’s Armed Forces are the guarantors of Armenia’s national security doctrine as set by the December 25, 2007 Presidential Decision and the July 10, 2020 decision of the Armenian Security Council. Other News We recommend Armenia to fulfill its obligations. Azerbaijani MFA's response to Armenian MFA Suren Papikyan presented the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and in Nagorno-Karabakh to Lynne Tracy The possibility of paying for Russian gas in rubles being discussed - Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia |armenpress.am|

22:54 - 23 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [22.03.2022]

Closed session on humanitarian situation in Artsakh to be held in the National Assembly of Armenia The Parliament will hold a closed session on "the humanitarian situation in the Republic of Artsakh, threats and urgent actions". Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and the Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan will participate in session. Nothing new was heard at the closed session, except for one or two small episodes, MP of the "Hayastan" (Armenia) faction Gegham Manukyan told journalists. About the negotiation process, in response to Azerbaijan's 5 points, nothing was said about any comment or proposal from the Armenian side. "What was said yesterday during the Q&A session by Ararat Mirzoyan was repeated at the closed session. There were no real explanations from the authorities about the possible negotiation process," Manukyan said. The humanitarian crisis in Artsakh is ongoing, it is beyond doubt for us that the Azerbaijani side is deliberately continuing the state policy of terrorizing and pressuring the population of Artsakh The Human Rights Defenders of Armenia and Artsakh have issued a joint statement, which runs as follows. "An instrument of "petty revenge" has been discovered for the Azerbaijani policy of ethnic cleansing of Armenians of Artsakh. Yesterday at night, yet again the Azerbaijani side deliberately stopped the operation of the only gas pipeline supplying gas from Armenia to Artsakh. The gas supply of Artsakh was disrupted for the first time on March 8, due to an alleged accident, Afterwards, the Azerbaijani side did not allow experts from Artsakh to approach the area of the “accident”, which was located under their (Azerbaijani) control. From that moment on it has become obvious that the state policy of Armenophobia of Azerbaijan had discovered yet another method to pressure the Armenians of Artsakh. The analysis of reliable facts reveals that during the reconstruction works or under their guise, the Azerbaijani side has installed a valve on the gas pipeline to terrorize the peaceful population of Artsakh and to leave them without heating, hot water, and other basic conditions necessary especially during cold weather conditions, by closing it at any given time. The gas supply that was restored on March 18 lasted less than 3 days. In these severe winter weather conditions, children, older persons, the sick and displaced persons of Artsakh are deprived of heating. People are facing undefinable difficulties. The humanitarian crisis in Artsakh is ongoing. It is beyond doubt for us that the Azerbaijani side is deliberately continuing the state policy of terrorizing and pressuring the population of Artsakh. The goal is the same - annihilation and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh from its indigenous Armenian population. This shameful "revenge" towards more than 100,000 Armenians is unacceptable. This state policy best describes the false and empty essence of the theses of “tolerance” declared by Azerbaijan. We strongly condemn this ongoing practice of ethnic hatred and revenge by Azerbaijan towards the people of Artsakh. We call on international human rights organizations and actors to put pressure on the Azerbaijani side in order to eliminate this gross and continuous human rights violation." Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan applied to Toivo Klaar, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Dunja Mijatović, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, drawing their attention to the cessation of gas supplies in Artsakh by Azerbaijan. "Mr.Toivo Klaar with the "active engagement" of the Azerbaijani leadership Nagorno-Karabakh is again deprived of gas supply. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Ms. Dunja Mijatovic, are you still interested in human rights?”, Stepanyan posted on his Twitter account. Negotiations are underway with Azerbaijan to restore gas supply, Seyran Mikayelyan, Executive Director of "Artsakhgas" CJSC said. "During the repair work, a valve was installed. We reported that to the Russian peacekeepers." Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh has issued a statement condemning the policy of Azerbaijan: "Azerbaijan's behavior is humanitarian terrorism. It grossly violates the human rights, the norms and principles of international humanitarian law and does not fit into the norms of morality in any way. This heinous act is another demonstration of hatred and nationalism. The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh strongly condemns the policy of Azerbaijan and appeals to the international community with an urgent request to give an adequate assessment of the situation. Azerbaijan's misanthropic steps cannot affect the will and determination of the people of Artsakh. We will continue to live and create in our historical homeland, develop and strengthen our independent statehood." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia considers unacceptable the outrageous policy of systematic violence against the Armenians of Artsakh unacceptable. "In addition to its ongoing efforts aimed at exerting psychological pressure on the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and preventing the entry of international humanitarian organizations into Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan is deliberately disrupting the proper operation of critical infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh, obviously leading to humanitarian crisis. We consider this outrageous policy of systematic violence against the Armenians of Artsakh unacceptable. The current situation emphasizes the urgency of clear response of the international community towards preventing the humanitarian crisis, as well as the immediate and unimpeded involvement of international humanitarian organizations in Nagorno-Karabakh." Armenian President received the Ambassadors of France, China and Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Today, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Armenia Fan Yong. Ambassador Fan Yong congratulated President Vahagn Khachaturyan on assuming office and wished him fruitful joint work to strengthen and deepen the Armenian-Chinese relations. During the meeting, President Khachaturyan and the Ambassador touched upon the agenda of bilateral relations, the perspective directions of cooperation, and the opportunities for expanding cooperation in various spheres. President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with the Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin. Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin congratulated Vahagn Khachaturyan on assuming office as the President of the Republic of Armenia and wished him success. The interlocutors exchanged views on expanding relations and deepening cooperation between Armenia and the European Union in various spheres. They also discussed issues related to regional security. President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia Anne Louyot. The current agenda of the Armenian-French relations was touched upon at the meeting. There was also an exchange of views on regional and international issues. Other News Both in 1920 and 2020, Azerbaijan sought not only to annihilate the Armenian population of the town of Shoushi and Artsakh as a whole, but also to erase its history, culture and spirit. Azerbaijan continues to adhere to this strategy to this day. MFA of Artsakh The Deputy Minister didn't come to report. Rubinyan instructed to contact the government Secretary of the Security Council met with State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany and Foreign and Security policy Adviser to Chancellor of Germany

23:56 - 22 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [21.03.2022]

Russian FM holds telephone conversations with Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs On March 21, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia reports. Ararat Mirzoyan and Sergey Lavrov touched upon the implementation of the agreements reached in the trilateral statements from November 9, 2020, January 11, 2021 and November 26, 2021. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan presented the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has developed as a result of Azerbaijan's provocations and violations of the ceasefire regime. Mirzoyan also presented the position of the Armenian side regarding the start of negotiations on a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in this context, the importance of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship was noted. The sides touched upon the process of settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations. The sides exchanged views on regional and international security issues. On March 21, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov held a telephone conversation, Russian Foreign Ministry reports. The sides exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues. The Ministers discussed the implementation of key provisions of the trilateral agreements from November 9, 2020, January 11, 2021 and November 26, 2021, as well as the issue of signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The process of further work of the regional "3+3" platform has been discussed. At the meeting with Çavuşoğlu, we expressed our readiness to advance the process of the establishment of relations and the opening of borders. Ararat Mirzoyan At the meeting with Çavuşoğlu, we expressed our readiness to advance the process of the establishment of relations and the opening of borders, FM Ararat Mirzoyan said. "At our meeting with Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the importance of further normalization and settlement was mutually noted, and during the meeting both sides confirmed their readiness to advance this process without preconditions and, in the end, to establish relations and open the borders between the countries," Mirzoyan said. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said today that Azerbaijan is holding in captivity 38 persons, 3 of whom are civilians. "Armenian prisoners of war and civilians are still illegally held in Azerbaijan. And Armenia continues raising the issue of the immediate return of Armenian POWs, hostages and other persons held in Azerbaijan at different international formats. Azerbaijan is still holding 38 persons – POW, hostage and persons held in another status. 3 out of 38 are civilians. It’s worth noting that 2 out of these 38 have been captured before the November 16 escalation," the FM said at the session of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs. The issue has been included to the agenda of the PACE autumn session on 2021 April 19, as well as the decision on applying ECHR interim measures in Azerbaijan is still in force. On May 20, 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the immediate release and return of Armenian captives. The FM also recalled the 2021 December 7 decisions of the UN’s International Court of Justice, where through the use of urgent measures the Court obliged Azerbaijan to prevent inciting racial hatred and discrimination targeting ethnic Armenians, to take necessary measures to prevent and punish the acts of vandalism and desecration directed against the Armenian cultural heritage. The minister said the statement of the Azerbaijani culture minister that a commission must be set up to deal with the “restoration of Aghvan cultural monuments” makes urgent sending a UNESCO mission to Nagorno Karabakh. And the Armenian side is now holding negotiations on this direction. The Government of the Republic of Armenia adopted a state strategy to create a security environment around Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and to open an era of peaceful and sustainable development for our country and the region. Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan said this today during the sitting of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations. “In 2021, all our actions were aimed at implementing this strategy. In order to achieve our goals, the full restoration of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs was a priority, with the primary emphasis on the status of Artsakh and the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh,” said Ararat Mirzoyan. According to Mirzoyan, certain successes have been registered in this regard in 2021, as two meetings of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan took place under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group. “At the suggestion of the Co-Chairs, those further discussions should have focused on the so-called 'small steps' strategy, the solution of other humanitarian issues, and then, as we asserted, the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains on the agenda," Mirzoyan said. : The Foreign Minister reminded that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the Co-Chairing states adopted 11 statements in 2021, in which it was clearly stated that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has not been resolved yet, it should be settled on the basis of elements known to the parties. “I would like to single out the joint statement of the three foreign ministers of the chairing countries on December 7. This statement was made public after the Azerbaijani side refused to participate in the meeting in Stockholm. I believe this is an essential nuance,” Mirzoyan said. While Armenia considers the latest five-point proposal by Azerbaijan for starting peace talks to be acceptable, it still believes that it fails to fully address the possible peace agenda, the country’s foreign minister has said. “Ultimately, there is nothing inadmissible in Azerbaijan’s proposal that was passed to Yerevan on March 10 except that these issues do not fully address the possible agenda of comprehensive peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and our answers were aimed at completing that agenda,” Ararat Mirzoyan said in the National Assembly on Monday. Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said on March 14 that it had applied to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs (the United States, Russia and France) requesting that they organize Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations on a peace treaty “on the basis of the UN Charter, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Helsinki Final Act.” It followed a statement by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov that Baku had submitted a five-point proposal to Yerevan to normalize relations. Baku insists that a future peace treaty with Yerevan should be based on five fundamental principles, including mutual recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual reaffirmation of the absence of territorial claims to each other and a legally binding obligation not to make such claims in the future, abstaining from threatening each other’s security, delimitation and demarcation of the border with the establishment of diplomatic relations and unblocking of transport links. “We consider the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and the addressing of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh to be key and fundamental. We are ready to start negotiations on this complete basis and it is with this proposal that we applied to the OSCE Minsk Group,” the minister said, answering questions of lawmakers. As a result of the direct intervention of the Azerbaijani side, the gas supply to the Republic of Artsakh has been stopped As a result of the direct intervention of the Azerbaijani side, the gas supply to the Republic of Artsakh has been stopped again, NKR InfoCenter reports. We have sufficient grounds to assume that during the repair of the gas pipeline, the Azerbaijani side installed a valve through which it stopped gas supply a few hours ago. The situation was immediately reported to the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Artsakh, together with which the authorities of Artsakh are making appropriate efforts to restore gas supply. Other News Armenian President receives Russian and U.S. Ambassadors Hakob Abrahamyan appointed Assistant to the Prime Minister 5 so-called principles presented by Azerbaijan are about the rejection of Artsakh, the final closure of the Artsakh issue. Vanetsyan Opposition wants higher oversight on PM, FM with bill seeking regular classified security reports to lawmakers |armenpress.am|

23:43 - 21 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [19.03.2022-20.03.2022]

Armenian MFA sends note of protest to Acting UN Resident Coordinator On March 19, Lila Pieters Yahia, the Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, was invited to the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia reports. During the meeting, the Acting UN Resident Coordinator was informed that the Foreign Ministry of Armenia strongly condemns the involvement of the UN Office in Azerbaijan in the event organised in Shushi on March 18 and, in this regard, the note of protest was submitted by the Foreign Ministry of Armenia. The Foreign Ministry demanded that the United Nations take steps to restore the neutral position of the UN in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Leyla Abdullayeva, head of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Service, responded to the protest note of the Armenian Foreign Ministry in connection with the involvement of the UN office in the event in Shoushi. "The organization of any event on the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan and the participation of international representatives in that event is not within the competence of Armenia," Abdullayeva said, Azerbaijani MFA reports. "Armenia's interference in the internal affairs of another state is unjustified and unacceptable," Abdullayeva added. "Stop war"։ a rally and a march was held in Yerevan in support of Ukraine Many Ukrainians, Armenians and Russians held an anti-war rally and march in support of Ukraine in the streets of Yerevan today. "Stop Putin's war", "Stop wars" - the participants held such signs. Other News The President of Artsakh held a sitting of the Security Council PM Pashinyan sends congratulatory messages to the Supreme Leader of Iran and the President of Iran on the occasion of Nowruz

00:16 - 21 March, 2022

Daily News Summary [18.03.2022]

French FM holds phone calls with Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that on March 18, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a telephone conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Ararat Mirzoyan and Jean-Yves Le Drian exchanged views on the issues of the Armenian-French cooperation agenda, in particular, touching upon the implementation of the Armenian-French economic cooperation roadmap. The interlocutors discussed a number of issues of regional and international security. Ararat Mirzoyan presented to his colleague the situation that has developed as a result of provocations by Azerbaijan on the border with Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ongoing violations of the ceasefire regime, the facts of targeting the civilian population, exerting psychological pressure. Trend agency reports that on March 17, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a telephone conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Jeyhun Bayramov and Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed the situation in the region. "During the telephone conversation, the ministers touched upon the five proposals presented by Azerbaijan. Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed France's support for efforts to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia," the message reads. Participation of UN representatives in the event organized in Shoushi will be undoubtedly used by Azerbaijan to legitimize its inhumane and aggressive policy. Artsakh MFA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh has issued a statement on the occasion of holding an event in Shoushi dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan's membership to the UN, which runs as follows. "Official Baku, in line with its style, continues to wage a destructive policy aimed at legitimizing the results of its aggression against Artsakh, trying to involve and exploit the international community and various structures in that process. The organization in Artsakh’s occupied town of Shoushi of a solemn ceremony dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan's membership to the United Nations and the participation of representatives of the UN and its structures in this event is another manifestation of this policy. The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh strongly condemns the holding of such an event in Shoushi. The participation of the UN representatives in the event organized in the town, which has been one of the main targets of Azerbaijan's aggression and Armenophobia, contradicts the principles of activities, ideology and mission of this influential international organization, and will be undoubtedly used by Azerbaijan to legitimize its inhumane and aggressive policy. This is also a serious blow to the reputation of the UN, which will have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the organization’s activities." Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh has published a trilingual interim report on "The Violations of the Rights of the People of Artsakh by Azerbaijan in February – March, 2022" The human Rights Ombudsman’s Staff has published a trilingual (Armenian, Russian, English) interim report on "The Violations of the Rights of the People of Artsakh by Azerbaijan in February – March, 2022," which was sent to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, organizations with a primary human rights protection mandate and international human rights organizations. The report briefs on the violations committed by Azerbaijan against the life, health, physical and psychological integrity of the people of Artsakh after the adoption of the trilateral statement on November 9, 2020. The first section presents facts about the Azerbaijani criminal actions in the direction of the border settlements of the Republic of Artsakh in February – March, 2022. From March 7 to 12, 2022, the Azerbaijani side used a 60 mm grenade launcher, a total of 57 shells were fired at various regions of Artsakh. During that time, the ceasefire regime was continuously violated by firearms targeting residential houses and other civilian infrastructures. One civilian was injured. The second section presents the humanitarian consequences of the disruption of gas supply by Azerbaijan in the territory of Artsakh. 65% of the schools in the country where 60% of the total number of students receive education are heated with gas. Due to the lack of proper heating, classes in all secondary schools have been suspended. The attendance of children in kindergartens is 22%. 12 kindergartens have ceased their activities at all, and some of them are working for a half day.90% of secondary vocational education institutions, art schools, medical and music collages, children’s creative centers heated by the use of gas which have completely ceased their activities. 70% of health organizations and hospitals are heated by the use of gas, where 419 citizens are currently receiving inpatient treatment, including 46 children in the children’s hospital, and 51 newborns and mothers in the maternity hospital. Hundreds of entrepreneurs also suffer great losses as a result of the gas supply disruption. Gas stations were particularly hard-hit causing personnel downtime, greenhouses operating with gas supply were also affected. The third section presents the manifestations of psychological terrorism and information attacks carried out by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh which are aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear, despair among the civilian population under the threat of use of force and compelling the people to leave their homes. The report was prepared on the basis of studies conducted by the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Staff, visits to various communities, educational and health institutions, settlements, private conversations with citizens, as well as information received from state authorized bodies. The report aims to document the cases of violations of rights of the people of Artsakh by Azerbaijan and their various manifestations, to draw the attention of international structures and human rights organizations to the situation in Artsakh. Other News Armenia is a sovereign, democratic, social state governed by the rule of law: there is no discussion on the membership of the Union State on the agenda. RA MFA ICRC continues the cash assistance program for people displaced following the 44-day war Armenian-Italian cooperation is characterized by a high-level political dialogue. Ararat Mirzoyan

23:27 - 18 March, 2022