Azerbaijan president: They are trying to force us to recognize Karabakh

October 8, 2016 By administrator

aliyev-karabakh Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made a noteworthy statement with respect to the prospects for a resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

“Behind closed doors, we are pressured to force an agreement on the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence,” Aliyev stated at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. “We don’t disclose many details, since there are rules of diplomacy. [But] Azerbaijan will never agree to this.”

As per Haqqin.az news agency of Azerbaijan, he noted that an active campaign has begun against Azerbaijan on this matter.

“As long as we are in power, Azerbaijan will never give its consent to that,” Ilham Aliyev added, and pledged to “restore” Azerbaijan’s “territorial integrity.”

US city of Denver recognizes Karabakh independence

October 7, 2016 By administrator

denver-recognize-karabakh Mayor Michael B. Hancock of Denver, Colorado, USA has officially proclaimed September 21, 2016 as “Armenian Independence Day” for the “twin states of the Armenian homeland, Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic),” reports the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).

“Mayor Hancock’s celebration of the Armenian homeland and recognition of Artsakh’s ongoing struggle against aggression is a testament to the firm dedication of Armenian American grassroots in the Mile High City and the State of Colorado to raise awareness about human rights issues, including Azerbaijan’s April 2016 anti-Armenian war crimes,” remarked ANCA-WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan. “We thank the Hancock administration for their unwavering support of universal human rights, including recognizing Artsakh’s independence and ongoing struggle to preserve its ancient Christian heritage and protect its freedom-loving indigenous Armenian population against an army that wipes out medieval monuments and tortures civilians and soldiers alike.”

The proclamation notes that “the Denver Metro Area is home to thousands of productive and patriotic Armenian Americans who have enriched our city for many decades,” and that “Artsakh continues the monumental struggle to maintain its indigenous Armenian identity, preserve medieval monuments and secure its borders against war crimes.” Mayor Hancock’s Proclamation also “congratulates the Armenian community on their commitment to their heritage, their engagement in their new homeland and their ability to survive and thrive despite the challenges.”

Karabakh seeks to attract Iranian tourists with Persian cultural heritage

October 5, 2016 By administrator

Nagorno Karabakh is keen to attract tourists from Iran using the Persian cultural heritage in its territory, Karabakhs’ Deputy Minister of Economy Sergey Shahverdyan said Tuesday, October 5.

“Iranian cultural heritage is constantly in the center of Karabakh authorities’ attention, and we take steps for the preservation of the Persian heritage, including mosques, tombs and other cultural relics,” Shahverdyan said.

Also, he reminded that an Iranian organizations was to implement a restoration project at the Upper Mosque in Shushi.

Citizens of Armenia and the CIS member states can travel to Karabakh without visas, while those of other countries will have to get corresponding passes right on the border, as well as at Karabakh representative offices in Yerevan, Warsaw, Paris, Moscow and elsewhere.

Foreign Minister: It’s time to recognize free and democratic Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

September 28, 2016 By administrator

free-karabakh Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Karen Mirzoyan met with the leadership of the EU-Armenia Friendship Group headed by the President of the group Eleni Theocharous during his visit to Belgium.

During the meeting on Tuesday, a range of issues related to Artsakh-Europe relations, settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and regional processes were discussed.

On the same day Karen Mirzoyan met with the President of the Friendship group with Artsakh in the European Parliament Frank Engel and other members of the group. During the meeting, a number of issues related to the activity of the friendship group were discussed. The sides highlighted the importance of deepening ties with various European structures, including the European Parliament.

Later in the day, Karen Mirzoyan, as a keynote speaker, delivered a speech at a round-table organized by Frank Engel entitled “Nagorno Karabakh Republic: 25 years of state-building in a volatile region” at the premises of the European Parliament.

In his speech, the NKR Foreign Minister stated, in particular, that 25 years ago the people of Nagorno Karabakh voted for independence on a nation-wide referendum which became the logical continuation of Artsakh liberation struggle in response to decades of discrimination and oppression by Azerbaijan.

“In spite of the peaceful and legitimate nature of the Karabakh movement, from the very beginning Azerbaijan rejected any dialogue and resorted to the language of threats and intimidation which led to a large-scale war against Nagorno Karabakh and its peaceful population”, Karen Mirzoyan said.

The NKR Foreign Minister stressed that even today the people of Artsakh literally have to defend the young democracy in the conditions of constant attempts of Azerbaijan to return Nagorno Karabakh to the past. Karen Mirzoyan noted that the NKR had repeatedly spoken out publicly about Azerbaijan openly preparing for the resumption of war by, however, the international community did not react to these warnings. The impunity enjoyed by Azerbaijan led to the resumption of hostilities against Nagorno Karabakh on April 2б, 2016.

Karen Mirzoyan stressed that the people of Artsakh cannot remain hostage to the destructive policy of Azerbaijan and will continue to develop even in the conditions of the unresolved Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict. In this regard the Foreign Minister mentioned that the NKR authorities attach great importance to the expansion and deepening of foreign relations of the NKR at all levels, its integration into the international processes.

Karen Mirzoyan expressed confidence that expansion of the international cooperation will be an important contribution to strengthening peace and security in the region.

“We believe that the time has come for the international community to support our struggle. It’s time to recognize and support the reality – existence and consistent development of the free and democratic Nagorno Karabakh Republic”, Karen Mirzoyan concluded.

The NKR Foreign Minister answered questions of participants.

Members of the NKR National Assembly delegation, members of the European Parliament and experts attended the discussion.

Solemn awarding ceremony held on the occasion of 25th anniversary of the NKR proclamation

September 15, 2016 By administrator

karabakh-25th-independent Solemn awarding ceremony took place on September 15 at the Artsakh Republic President’s residence in connection with the 25th anniversary of the NKR proclamation, information department of Artsakh President’s Office reported.

President Sahakyan congratulated all the awardees noting that a number of awarding ceremonies would take place in this jubilee year.

The Head of the State underlined that an independent, strong and sovereign state is an exclusive value and the most reliable guarantee of our people’s security and its survival. “I am confident that we will have new successes and achievements. I am sure because our people has an unshakable spirit, steadfast will, great diligence and optimism that are displayed both in the battlefield and peacetime”, noted Bako Sahakyan.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, NKR National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, prime minister Arayik Haroutyunyan and other officials partook at the event.

Archaeologists Trace Artsakh’s Origins to 7th Century BC

September 15, 2016 By administrator

The archaeological excavation site at Karmir Blur

Archaeological excavations started at Karmir Blur site in 2015, and 281 mausoleums have already been discovered in a short period of time. What do the new findings reveal?

YEREVAN (ArmRadio,am)—Armenians have had four viceroy seats, one of them in Artsakh. Archaeologists have discovered four viceroy bronze wands during excavations at Karmir Blur, archaeologist Hakob Simonyan, Deputy Head of the Research Center of Historical-Cultural Legacy under the Ministry of Culture, told reporters Thursday. He said the findings unearthed from the site shed light on the pages of Armenian history that others want to dispute.

The excavations that resumed in 2015 have revealed that back in the Urartian period Armenia was divided into provinces, each ruled by a viceroy. After the death of the latter the highest symbol of power – the scepter– has also been laid at the mausoleum.

“What’s most important is that it’s now proven that Artsakh was part of the United Kingdom of Van in the 8th to 7th centuries BC. The excavations come to refute all assertions that Artsakh has never been part of Armenia,” the archeologist said.

According to him, another importance of the findings is that they come to disperse the uncertainty regarding the origin of Urartians. “The Urartians were natives of the Ararat Valley,” he noted.

“I’m deeply confident that Urartu is an Armenian kingdom with its multi-layer population, where the Armenian element has been dominant,” Hakob Simonyan said.

A number of different interesting items have been unearthed during the expedition. These include jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks, buttons), also as a whole arsenal of weapons.

The findings comprise a huge material for anthropological research. With DNA tests it’s possible to reveal the illnesses the locals suffered from, calculate their life expectancy, study their beliefs and rituals.

Toronto Armenian community renovates school in Karabakh

September 15, 2016 By administrator

karabakh-school With the support of its Toronto affiliate, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is implementing a number of renovations at the secondary school of Mataghis, a community in Artsakh’s (Nagorno Karabakh) Martakert region.

The three-story campus was built in 2005-2006 with the financial support of Toronto’s Armenian community.

“During a donor visit to the school, our delegation realized that the campus needed a makeover,” said Migirdic Migirdician, chairman of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s Toronto affiliate.

“The renovations are nearing completion, and have not disrupted the educational process.”

Within the framework of the project, the school’s roof and restrooms have been repaired and upgraded, doors and windows have been replaced, and granite flooring has been installed throughout the hallways and the auditorium. The exterior of the campus has also been refreshed.

“To our community, these renovations are much more than a routine series of repairs,” said Gegham Aghajanyan, the school’s young principal. “Every time I remember the small building where I went to school, the same building that now houses our kindergarten, I delight in the knowledge that these renovations are a wonderful gift to our students.”

Armenia ready to fight for every inch of land in Nagorno-Karabakh – minister

September 10, 2016 By administrator

Armenia’s minister of defense ruled out the return of any inch of land to Azerbaijan in the wake of the upcoming processes over Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).
Speaking to Tert.am, Seyran Ohanyan said that Armenia expects only a peaceful settlement plan from the international mediators’ upcoming meeting in Moscow.
Asked to comment on the final outcome of the discussions spearheaded by the OSCE Minsk Group, the minister replied, “I think the responsibility for our diplomacy lies upon the competent [government] agencies, which are profoundly informed of the negotiation process. We have only one expectation: implementation of our proposal to achieve only a peaceful political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, relying on a dialogue, mutual agreements, and, last but not least, confidence-building.”
Addresssing rumors on returning regions, Ohanyan stressed the importance of comprehensive decisions stemming from the negotiation process.

“In the existing reality when it is so difficult find common ground with the adversary – especially after the four-day war and in the wake of increased provocations – [the mechanisms promoting] confidence-building on the frontline keep being rejected. That allows us to say that without an atmosphere of trust, mutual agreements will be out of the question. Should anything happen to Artsakh or its people, we will fight for every inch of land.”
Ohanyan said they have observed no tensions over the recent period, with the recently reached agreements being “more or less respected”. He added that Nagorno-Karabakh’s Defense Army uses no heavy equipment, relying only on preventive measures when necessary.

Tigranuhi Martirosyan

President Sahakyan attended the inauguration of a memorial to Armenians of Artsakh fighters in the village of Kedavan (Nagorno-Karabakh)

September 8, 2016 By administrator

Bako Sahakyan President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh participated Wednesday, September 7 at the inauguration of a memorial to the Armenian fighters in the village of Kedavan (Nagorno-Karabakh). Bako Sahakyan in his speech, stressed the importance of keeping the memory of those who sacrificed themselves for the Armenian nation.

He also stressed the important role of transmitting the memory of heroes who died for their country, to younger generations. The same day the President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh was the monastery of Kantsassar for a Mass celebrated by Catholicos Karekin II. Parliament Speaker Stepanakert, Ashot Ghoulyan and many officials were also present at the inauguration of Kedavan Memorial and the religious ceremony in Kantsassar.

Krikor Amirzayan

Karabakh army: If needed, we will force adversary to recognize Artsakh independence

September 5, 2016 By administrator

karabakh comandor We were prepared for matters of another nature, during the war in April.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) Minister of Defense and Defense Army Commander, Levon Mnatsakanyan, noted the abovementioned during an interview in an Armenian TV program.

“Being a subject of international policy, also a conflicting party, supporting a pacific resolution of the [Karabakh] issue, [and] considering the reality that the NKR Defense Army carried out the tasks that were set before it [during the four-day war which Azerbaijan had unleashed against Artsakh, in early April], we gave our consent to the establishment of this [post-April-war] ceasefire,” added Mnatsakanyan. “[But] if needed, we will re-establish all [of our lost military] positions; we have this capability.

“We follow what weapons the Azerbaijan armed forces are acquiring (…). Accordingly, we are taking measures, carrying out certain changes in the readiness of the troops.

“As the [NKR] Defense Army commander, I am called to defend those liberated territories that have been obtained at the expense of the blood of the hundreds of our freedom fighters, hundreds of friends. The [NKR Defense Army] officers, all military servicemen stand ready to defend the security of their homeland (…). We will do everything to protect our borders. [And] if needed,

we will force the adversary to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence.”