Arayik Harutyunyan and the mayor of Marseille discussed issues related to decentralized cooperation with Artsakh regions and communities

Within the framework of the working visit, the delegation led by the President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan held a number of meetings with the local leadership in Marseille on December 9.

The head of state had a private conversation with Martine Vassal, chairman of the Council of the Department of Bouches du Rhône, then the meeting continued in a wide format with the participation of representatives of the Council of the Department.

Harutyunyan expressed his gratitude to those present in 2020. for the resolution on providing urgent international humanitarian aid to the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, adopted on October 23 at the height of the war unleashed against Artsakh.

Arayik Harutyunyan highlighted the fact that even today they continue to actively protect the interests of the people of Artsakh.

Then there was a meeting with the President of the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur Region, Renaud Muselier.

Arayik Harutyunyan emphasized the need to expand and deepen cooperation with the administrative regions of France. In that context, the President of Artsakh thanked the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regional Council for 2020. for adopting a resolution on the international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh on December 17, noting that it was a very important and encouraging step from both political and moral perspectives.

During the meeting, the parties signed a joint declaration condemning Azerbaijan's aggression towards Artsakh and Armenia, and supporting the inalienable rights of the people of Artsakh, especially the right to self-determination.

The document emphasizes that only a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict respecting the interests of all parties can open a new page of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. At the same time, the international community is called to condemn Azerbaijan for war crimes, violation of human rights, as well as imprisonment of political prisoners and prisoners of war in Azerbaijan.

The next meeting of the delegation headed by President Harutyunyan was with the mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan.

Issues related to decentralized cooperation with Artsakh regions and communities were discussed. Mayor Payan assured that he will continue to make all possible efforts to increase the humanitarian assistance programs directed to Artsakh.

RA Consul General, and philanthropist Vardan Sirmakesh also participated in the meetings.

We see one way for relations with Azerbaijan. If they accept that Artsakh will be an independent country from Azerbaijan - Ruben Vardanyan 

After the 44-day war, Azerbaijan has adopted the strategy of regular provocations against Artsakh, which is aimed at disappointing the Artsakh Armenians. Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan said this in an interview with Artsakh Public Television.

Ruben Vardanyan was not surprised by the Azerbaijani provocation of December 3, keeping the Lachin corridor closed for three hours.

"For Azerbaijanis, it was surprising that 35-40 thousand people could come out to the square. My appointment was also unexpected for them. Interest in Artsakh was created in the world's press, changes took place in Artsakh. They responded to all this. Azerbaijan wants to do everything so that very few people live in Artsakh, have no faith in the future, do not believe in success, and leave. These provocations are not related to my name, although it is their president who is talking about me, these are the reasons why I came here. Because I think that it will be possible to destroy the Azerbaijani provocations if people unite, both in Artsakh and in Armenia," said Vardanyan.

I think Turkey has a lot to offer to support the comprehensive settlement of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan - Toivo Klaar

As part of the TRT World Forum 2022, Toivo Klaar, the EU's special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, had a short meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavushoglu and, as he noted, a number of other officials in Istanbul, he announced on Twitter. 

"I think Turkey has a lot to offer to support a comprehensive settlement of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Klaar wrote.

Earlier today, we reported that the EU official once again stated that the European Union is actively working with Armenia and Azerbaijan to strengthen trust between the two countries.

It should be reminded that Toivo Klaar left for Istanbul after his visit to Yerevan. In Armenia, he had meetings with RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

Employees and residents blocked the entry of the Azerbaijani group to the Artsakh mines on the spot. the tour was not agreed upon with the authorities

On December 10 of this year, the Azerbaijani side, taking as a basis the letter sent to the command of the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in Artsakh in advance to observe the mines of the Martakert region, planned to visit the Drmbon and Kashen mines.

"The command of the peacekeeping troops, in accordance with the instructions of their superior bodies, allowed a one-time visual visit to the mines mentioned above.

Taking into account that the proposed plan was not agreed upon with the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh and the organization operating the mines, on the spot, the employees of the mining organization and the residents of the surrounding communities spontaneously blocked the entry of the above -mentioned group to the territory of the mines.

In order to solve the created situation, the representatives of the authorities of the Artsakh Republic went to the meeting places. As a result of the negotiations, a decision was made to stop the planned tour of the mines and address the issue after additional discussions.

We call on the citizens of the Artsakh Republic to refrain from spreading unverified news and follow only official information. We assure you that the authorities are taking all steps to avoid unnecessary tension and to settle all issues in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Artsakh," the statement issued by Artsakh Information Center stated.

Azerbaijan sent a diplomatic note to Russia due to the ban on visiting mines in Nagorno-Karabakh

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan sent a diplomatic note to the Russian side. Aykhan Hajizade, the head of the press service of the Azerbaijani MFA, told reporters that the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly appealed to the command of the peacekeeping military unit to prevent the "illegal exploitation" of natural resources in their locations, as well as to eliminate the consequences of its negative impact on the environment.

It is noted that in many cases these calls from the Azerbaijani side were not answered, and no measures were taken by the peacekeeping troops "to prevent the illegal exploitation of Azerbaijan's natural resources".

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