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Bipartisan, Bicameral Congressional Delegation Visits Armenia
- The delegation was led by Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS). The delegation, comprised of three Senators and five House members, representing the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senate Armed Services Committee.
- The delegation met the Prime Minister and other senior Armenian officials and opposition lawmakers and inspected a section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
- Wicker said: “There are forces in the world and in this region that are trying to destroy democracy and freedoms. And Armenia is showing great determination and perseverance to prevent this from happening…it is clear that the government and people of Armenia want to see a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, they want it to be completed and signed, border delimitation and demarcation to be completed, and prisoners of war to be released.”
- Wicker told Azerbaijan to beware of an alliance with Vladimir Putin and advised Azerbaijan to try to understand the price and value of freedom.
- “We are here as friends and we want to strengthen our partnership,” stated Ben Cardin, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
- “We want to expand ties between our countries in the security, economic and political fields and we will try to find ways of building on the progress made by us,” Cardin said.
- “We will try to support the return of prisoners of war. We also talked about it with the Speaker of the National Assembly,” said Joe Wilson, Chairman of the Helsinki Commission.
- The lawmakers endorsed the Armenian government’s efforts to end the conflict with Azerbaijan. Cardin hit out at Russia in that context, saying that Moscow is “no friend to reaching the final agreements with Azerbaijan.”
U.S. Congressional Delegation Observes the Situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Border in Vayots Dzor
U.S.-Armenia to Hold Joint Exercise “EAGLE PARTNER 2024” in Armenia
Administrator Samantha Power Travels to Armenia to Affirm Strengthening Armenia-US Partnership
U.S. Congress
Global ARM-backed Security Provision Included in Senate Defense Bill
The Senate Armed Services Committee has included Global ARM-backed language strengthening U.S.-Armenia security ties in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Report language in the bill says:
“The committee notes that in the past year the U.S. military has moved expeditiously to strengthen its relationship with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, including conducting training exercises in Armenia for the first time in many years. The committee encourages the Department of Defense to continue to seek opportunities to strengthen engagement, including through bilateral training opportunities and other security cooperation activities, as appropriate.”
Reps. Eshoo and Chris Smith Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Azerbaijan for Ethnic Cleansing
“The Azerbaijani assault on Nagorno-Karabakh last year brought about the destruction of the Armenian community that has called the region home for centuries. Azerbaijan’s
actions meet every definition of ethnic cleansing and must be condemned as such,” said Rep. Eshoo.
- Condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the atrocities perpetrated by Azerbaijan against the 4 Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh;
- Recognizes that Azerbaijan’s blockade and subsequent military offensive against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh constitute acts of ethnic cleansing;
- Affirms the fundamental right of displaced Armenians to return to their homes in Nagorno11 Karabakh with strong protections in place to ensure their security; and
- Calls on the President and the relevant Federal agencies to take immediate action to impose targeted sanctions on Azerbaijani Government officials complicit in human rights abuses.
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Urge Accountability for Azerbaijan at NATO Summit
As the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan arrive in D.C. for this week’s NATO Summit, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chairs – Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Adam Schiff (CA-30), and David
Valadao (CA-21) – called for the Biden Administration to support Armenia’s sovereignty and withhold military aid to Azerbaijan.
“As leaders gather at the NATO Summit, the Biden Administration must ensure Azerbaijan follows international laws, including returning Armenian prisoners of war, protecting cultural heritage sites, upholding the right of Armenians to return to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh under international guarantees. Accountability is crucial for lasting peace in the South Caucasus,” the members concluded.
U.S. State Department
James O’Brien on Armenia’s Purchase of Arms from France: Every Country has the Right to Self-Defense
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
Freedom House: Why Are There No Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh?
- The fact-finding mission documented multiple cases of gross human rights violations and breaches of international law by Azerbaijani officials during the events spanning from 2020 to May 2024.
- There is substantial evidence of violations of the rights to life, health, food, freedom of movement, adequate standards of living, liberty and personal integrity, the right to be free from torture and other ill-treatment, right to a fair trial, education, property, as well as cultural rights.
An analysis of the actions and rhetoric of Azerbaijani authorities in conjunction with the lived experiences of the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh provides reasonable grounds to conclude that their forced displacement was intentional.
“This report is definitely worth to read for any western politician blinded by Azerbaijani sport-och culture-events, thinking that the country in any way can be a reliable partner,” commented Member of the Swedish Parliament, Erik Hellsborn.
Christian Solidarity International Calls for Azerbaijan Olympic Ban at UN Human Rights Council Over Nagorno-Karabakh Genocide
CoE Anti-Torture Committee Condemns Azerbaijan for Persistent Police Brutality and Non-Cooperation
The reason behind this exceptional decision to make a public statement is the outright refusal of the Azerbaijani authorities to cooperate with the CPT. The Committee made genuine attempts to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Azerbaijani authorities to address matters that lie at the heart of the CPT’s raison d’être. The CPT has detailed in its visit reports that it continues to receive allegations of severe acts of ill-treatment and even of torture by police officers.
CFTJ Urges Accountability on Human Rights Violations by Azerbaijan, Host of COP29, Calls for Release of Armenian POWs
HRC 56: Armenia Urges Accountability for Alleged Azerbaijani War Crimes in Nagorno-Karabakh
“Azerbaijan has repeatedly obstructed searches for and repatriation of the remains of the ethnic Armenians in the territories under its control. The plight of more than 1000 Armenian missing persons and enforced disappearances remain unknown,” stated Armenian Deputy Permanent Representative.
Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie Condemns Azerbaijan’s Actions in Nagorno-Karabakh, Backs Armenia’s Independence and Sovereignty
Armenia Ombudsperson: Torture of Armenians Kept in Azerbaijan is Unacceptable, and Should be Properly Assessed
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Freedom House: Interviews Highlight Azerbaijani Government’s Repeated Violations of International Law in Nagorno-Karabakh
“We were already tired of this life, living in constant fear…”
“Every time they passed by, [the Azerbaijani soldiers] would
show the gesture of cutting the throat or other aggressive gestures, particularly to the children whose road to school was the same [one as] they used.”
Photos of the week
Administrator Power joined Karabakh refugees in making jingyalov hats, a local NK bread filled with herbs.
Photo Courtesy of USAID Armenia.
People joyfully participate in the Vardavar tradition in Yerevan, Armenia, dousing each other with buckets of water as part of the festive celebrations.
Photo Courtesy of Wichita Lineman.
Members of the Congressional delegation representing the U.S. Helsinki Commission visited Noravank, a 13th-century Armenian monastery located in Vayots Dzor.
Photo Courtesy of US Embassy in Armenia.
Security
EU ‘to Approve’ €10 Million Non-Lethal Military Aid for Armenia
Armenia will receive €10 million ($11 million) in non-lethal military aid from the EU after Hungary withdrew its objections, reportedly in exchange for providing equal funds to Azerbaijan for demining.
MEPs Issue Statement on Armenia-France Military-Technical Cooperation
- Authoritarian countries like Azerbaijan and Russia have condemned EU Member States like France for allegedly exploiting disagreements and contradictions for their own gains.
- The EU finds such accusations unacceptable and condemns the statements from Baku and Moscow.
- Lawmakers urge the EU Commission and the EEAS to
impose sanctions on the Aliyev regime for its actions undermining regional peace, security, and human rights.
European Parliament MP Calls Orban’s Participation in the Summit of Turkic States in Shushi “a Shame”
Armenia Justice Minister, ICC President Discuss Possibility of Expanding Cooperation
EU CivCom Delegates Visit EU Mission in Armenia
The EU Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom) led by its Chair, Gabor Tothi, visited the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) between 24 and 27 June 2024. This was the first visit of the Committee to Armenia since EUMA was launched in February 2023.
EU Spokesperson: Armenia’s Sovereign Right to Choose its Security and Defense Partners
In response to the accusations and threats of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev against France and the Armenian-French military cooperation EU Spokesperson noted that the history of the EU shows that building trust between countries after a long conflict requires time, forgiveness and patience.
PACE Welcomes Electoral Reforms Implemented in Armenia, Regrets Excessive Polarization of Political Climate
Armenia May Hold Referendum on EU Membership ‘in Near Future’
Armenia’s Parliament Speaker and President of Latvia Discuss Armenia-EU Relations
Armenia’s Future Lies in Europe, Says Bundestag Deputy
Armenian Security Council Chief: Partnership with EU Increases Armenia’s Resilience
Armenian Foreign Minister to Travel to Washington for NATO Summit
EU Mission Backs Armenian Proposal On Truce Violation Claims
Economy
USAID Continues Two-Decade Support for Armenia’s High- Tech Sector, Strengthens Partnership with Synopsys and National Instruments
US Envoy to Armenia: This Important Event Underscores our Shared Commitment to Strengthening Border Security
US ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien led a ribbon-cutting event with State Revenue Committee Chairman to highlight the more than $13 million in US assistance of x-ray and scanning equipment to Armenia.
France to Provide €75 Million of Credit Funds to Armenia
The agreement has three main sections: bettering the public management finance system, improving the fiscal markets’ infrastructure and the framework of state securities, and creating new instruments that will be used for financing business activities and management.
OSCE Workshop Enhances Armenia’s Legal Landscape of Crypto Finance
Opinion
Ethnic Сleansing Сannot be the Price for Lasting Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace
By Michael Rubin
Peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is a noble goal, but its price cannot be ethnic cleansing. To whitewash Aliyev’s crimes represents neither sophisticated diplomacy nor a path to peace. Rather, it compounds a humanitarian tragedy whose price a new generation will pay in blood.
Azerbaijan’s Gamble to Rebrand a Green Nagorno- Karabakh at COP 29
By Stéphanie Fillion
Azerbaijan hopes to showcase its green ambitions by hosting COP 29, but its recent actions in Nagorno-Karabakh cast a shadow over the event.
Why Washington Must Push Forward the Fragile Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Plan
By Garo Paylan
On a recent visit to Yerevan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien talked about a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a trade route from Central Asia across to the Mediterranean that can only come if there is a peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” The United States needs to help push this agreement over the finish line.
President Aliyev Does not Intend to Sign a Peace Agreement with Armenia
By Benyamin Poghosyan
If the EU and the US want to decrease Russia’s influence in the area, they should reach out to Azerbaijan and Turkey and warn them about the consequences of such an agenda.
The Spies are Coming: Azerbaijan is Lobbying against Ruben Vardanyan Abroad
By Elisa Braun
Eyebrows were raised after POLITICO — and no doubt other media outlets — last week received an email from a PR firm about what it described as Russian influence operations in Europe. While this sounded very juicy, it focused exclusively on one man, my colleague Gabriel Gavin spotted: Russian-Armenian oligarch Ruben Vardanyan.
Journalists Refused Entry to Azerbaijan Energy Conference Ahead of Cop29
By Jillian Ambrose and Antonia Langford
Incident reignites concerns over crackdown on media before crucial UN climate talks in Baku later this year.
Israel Must Recognize the Armenian Genocide Now More than Ever
By Tamar Uriel-Beeri
The Broad Perspective: If Israel wants to be recognized on the international stage as a voice of sanity and of legitimate morality, it must put the ego aside and recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Azerbaijan Escalates Conflict With France in the Pacific Over Armenia Arms Supply
By Henry Meyer
Azerbaijan is escalating a conflict with France that’s playing out in French territories in the Pacific, Caribbean and Latin America over weapons the European nation has supplied to Armenia.