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