Breaking
- Calls for the EU to provide support to the Armenian military.
- Notes that over the last 10 years, the volume of Armenia- EU bilateral trade has been increasing.
- Calls for the EU and its Member States to substantially increase their humanitarian and financial assistance to Armenia.
- Calls on Azerbaijan to release all Armenian prisoners of war.
- Urges Azerbaijan to refrain from further destroying or altering the origins of cultural, religious, or historical heritage in the region.
- Notes that targeted sanctions should be immediately adopted by the EU against Azerbaijani decision-makers.
Artsakh Сultural Heritage Program Canceled in Berlin After Azerbaijani Campaign
Azerbaijan: Campaign of Intimidation Against Independent Media Continues with Raid on Toplum TV
Read the Statement by the US State Department
Azerbaijani Regime’s Cultural Genocide in Nagorno- Karabakh: Sculptures Demolished
Azerbaijan Demolishes Statue of Hero of the USSR, Hovhannes Baghramyan
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh
MEP Condemns Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, Warns Azerbaijan Against Violations of Armenia’s Territory
“Wedged between brutal autocracies, Armenia stands as a beacon of democracy that we must cherish and protect. Unfortunately, in a region where bloodshed is the norm, Armenia’s survival is not guaranteed. As expected, Russia backstabbed Armenia by giving the green light to the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. We must make it clear to the President of Azerbaijan that any violation of Armenia’s territory will have the harshest consequences,” Viola von Cramon-Taubadel stated.
Spanish MP Condemns Azerbaijan’s Actions in Nagorno- Karabakh, Calls for Release of Armenian POWs
“Despite these worrying developments, the European Union has refrained from imposing sanctions against Azerbaijan or its leadership. Failure to address these violations not only encourages further aggression but also creates a dangerous precedent that threatens the peace and security of the entire region,’’ Jon Iñarritu said.
European Parliament to Host Conference on Armenian POWs
Ambassador of France to Armenia Condemns Azerbaijani Offensive, Alleges Turkish and Russian Complicity in Nagorno-Karabakh War
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Center for Truth and Justice Submits Shadow Report to UN Committee Against Torture, Condemns Azerbaijan’s Treatment of Armenian POWs
The Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ) submitted a comprehensive report to the United Nations Committee against Torture, shedding light on Azerbaijan’s serious and persistent breaches of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. This submission serves as a shadow report to Azerbaijan’s Fifth Periodic Report, which will be reviewed by the Committee in April 2024.
The report, based on eyewitness testimonies, focuses on the treatment of individuals of Armenian ethnic or national origin, particularly prisoners of war (POWs), during and after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Testimonies from Nagorno-Karabakh that Went Unnoticed by the World
“The children, the people were crowded together, everyone was crying, hungry, thirsty. The food was given one by one, some days it arrived, some days we remained hungry,” states Arevik Martirosyan, who left Nakhrjevanik village on September 19, 2023, and never had the opportunity to return to her home.
UK House of Commons to Host Debate on International Support for Armenian Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenian Women Facing Conflict and Natural Disasters
At age 26, Mary Hambardzumyan has already faced three wars (in 2008, 2020 and 2023). A native of Noragyugh in Nagorno Karabakh, Mary fled with her husband and 2-year-old daughter Adriana after Azerbaijan’s military attack in September 2023.
“We barely found shelter before having to leave the city. While leaving Nagorno-Karabakh, the pouring rain felt like even God was shedding tears,” recounts Mary, her voice trembling with emotion.
Photos of the week
Armenian demonstrators gather in front of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) building in Berlin, expressing their frustration and disappointment over the cancellation of an event dedicated to cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Photo Courtesy of Voleemor.
An astronaut engages in a simulation of a Mars mission as part of the AMADEE-24 Analog Modeling program in Armenia, jointly organized by the Austrian Space Forum and the Armenian Space Agency.
Photo Courtesy of Armenian Space Agency.
Security
2024 US Intelligence Community’s Annual Threat Assessment Highlights Armenia-Azerbaijan Relations
In the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community, the report released by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) illuminates the diminishing influence of Russia in the post-Soviet space, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Notably, the report explains how the conflict has undercut Moscow’s position as a security arbiter, evident in its hands-off approach during Azerbaijan’s military offensive to reclaim Nagorno-Karabakh. The report also underscores intensifying Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and Azerbaijan’s use of its military superiority as leverage in peace negotiations with Armenia.
The report underestimates Azerbaijan’s threat to Armenia and its alignment with Putin. Azerbaijan has a documented pattern of continuously reneging on commitments to the U.S. to refrain from using military aggression. Azerbaijan lied to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that they would not attack and ethnically cleanse Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian peacekeepers stepped aside allowing Azerbaijan to ethnically cleanse Nagorno-Karabakh.
Lord McInnes Calls for UK Support to Counter Russian Expansionism, Emphasizes Importance of Backing Armenia
“Armenia is an essential potential ally in the region but, perhaps more importantly, a country that we can help remove from the jeopardy of Putin’s longing for full control of the former Soviet Union,” stated Lord McInnes.
Survey Finds Russia Among Top Three Threats to Armenia, Alongside Azerbaijan and Turkey
The International Republican Institute published the data of a public opinion poll conducted in December 2023.
- Positive perception of relations with the US among Armenians has surged. In 2021, 65% of respondents viewed relations with the US positively, jumping to 89% by December 2023.
- Perception of the European Union has seen a significant rise. The indicator rose from 54% in 2021 to 87% by December 2023, showcasing a substantial increase in favorability towards the EU among the Armenian public.
- Russia, traditionally viewed as an ally, has emerged among the top three perceived threats to Armenia. Alongside Azerbaijan and Turkey, Russia’s inclusion underscores shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Israel’s Role in Azerbaijan’s Aggression Against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian Quarter Crisis in Jerusalem Featured on Counter Points with Ryan and Emily
Armenia Orders Russian Border Guards out of Yerevan Airport
Armenia has said it has informed Russia that its border guards should leave the Yerevan Zvartnots Airport, where they have been stationed since the country’s independence.
“Armenia’s border control service gained enough experience to control Zvartnots without Russia’s support,” stated the Armenian PM.
Read More Here
Russian Lawmakers Condemn Yerevan’s Airport Order
Danish Parliamentary Delegation Joins EUMA Patrol in Armenia
EUMA Ijevan FOB Team Hosts Austrian Ambassador and Defence Attaché
Economy
U.S. and Armenia Hold Trade & Investment Talks in Washington
On March 7-8, the U.S. and Armenia held talks in Washington to increase bilateral trade and investment. The discussions were held as part of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between the two countries.
U.S. government participation included the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, the State Department and other U.S. agencies. Armenia’s Ministry of
Economy, Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Washington participated in the talks.
Several private sector companies participated in the TIFA discussions including Coca-Cola, KPMG and AMD.
Among the issues discussed were a double taxation treaty, export controls and greater investment in Armenia’s healthcare, IT, energy, critical infrastructure and telecommunications sectors.
Matthew Miller: US Administration Proposes $52M in Aid to Armenia in 2025
The President’s FY25 budget request is noteworthy for its specific
inclusion of Armenia, allocating $45.0 million in the AEECA account to
foster democratic reforms, tackle corruption, and strengthen economic
development. This targeted support aims to bolster Armenia’s resilience
against the economic impacts of regional conflicts, including Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and aids Armenia’s peace negotiations and regional relations. The budget also sets aside funds for Armenia for military education and law enforcement training, underscoring the U.S. commitment to deepening ties with Armenia. In an election year, this initial allocation falls short but conveys an important political message underscoring Armenia’s growing pivot towards the West.
TUMO To Transform Historic Gyumri Market Into A World- Class International Culinary School With EU Support
TUMO will reconstruct the historic Gyumri market to establish an international culinary school and implement a project aimed at long- term economic development with a 2.5 million euro grant provided by the EU.
Opinion
Is U.S. Military Assistance Subsidizing Turkey’s Occupation of Cyprus, Syria, and Iraq?
By Michael Rubin
Biden will have blood on his hands for the F-16 deal, as Erdogan is much more likely to use the warplanes against Yezidis and Kurds in Syria and Iraq, or against Armenians.
COP29: Azerbaijan’s Quest for International Legitimacy and Funding
By Sonja Schiffers
As the host country of COP29, authoritarian Azerbaijan wants to improve its international reputation and secure financing for the modernization of its energy sector. How should democratic states and international civil society approach the next COP?
A Cry for the Refugees of Emptied Nagorno-Karabakh: ‘We are Nobody’
By David Ignatius
“I’m heartbroken and outraged for the thousands of Armenians who were isolated, starved, and then forced to flee their homes under assault from the Azerbaijani government. It’s imperative that we provide support to these refugees during this difficult time, and that we find a path to lasting peace between these two nations,” Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) told me.
New Wave of Arrests Targets Journalists and Activists in Azerbaijan
By Arzu Geybulla
At least six journalists were detained on March 6 in Baku after authorities searched the office of an online news platform, Toplum TV, as part of a major crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan in recent months.
It is Not Just Ukraine and Gaza: Joe Biden’s Wars are Just Beginning
By Michael Rubin
Forcing concessions from democratic Armenia and allowing Aliyev to avoid demarcating the Azerbaijan-Armenia border while he
undertakes a multibillion-dollar military build-up guarantees
renewed conflict and may lead Aliyev to believe he can overrun Armenia.
