On February 8, the observation mission of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) held a press conference on the results of the snap presidential election, Azernews reports.
Day: February 8, 2024
Despite a multitude of clearly detectable early warning signs and calls for intervention, the United Nations fell short of addressing the egregious violations committed in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Mher Margaryan said in an statement on the Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization.
“Not only does this failure constitute a breach of the fundamental principles, upon which this very Organization was established, but it also signifies, in no uncertain terms, a major departure from the internationally endorsed commitment of the Responsibility to Protect populations from atrocity crimes, including genocides and ethnic cleansings. As we address the annual report of the UN Secretary-General, we trust that, moving forward, the Organization will acknowledge the gravity of these violations and reflect on the failure to prevent them,” he said.
“The blockade and starvation of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, with the barbaric siege of its only transportation lifeline, which started in December 2022, and culminated in September 2023 with the use of deadly military action against innocent civilian population is one explicit example of pre-meditated ethnic cleansing, which was gradually perpetrated under the watch of international community. It has resulted in widespread forced displacement of the entire ethnic Armenian population, immense sufferings caused to the civilians, and, indeed, a most brazen and blatant violation of international law – including the very Charter of this Organization,” the Ambassador stated.
Margaryan reminded that in the period from 2021 to 2023, the International Court of Justice issued eight provisional measures against Azerbaijan, including the legally binding obligation to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions, as well as the obligation to ensure that persons who have been forced out of Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 are able to return in a safe and unimpeded manner.
“Compliance with the decisions of the ICJ is fundamental in ensuring that justice can be served and that breaches of international law can be essentially prevented in the future, whereas failure to do so only serves the interests of those who seek to undermine the viability of international law and to challenge the integrity and credibility of the international legal system. The United Nations, through its respective actions and mandates, has a distinct responsibility to ensure that the rule of law prevails over violence and aggression, and that justice and accountability remain essential in guiding the work of the Organization. Armenia is committed to promoting accountability and fighting impunity, as demonstrated by our recent accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, effective since 1 February 2024,” the Armenian envoy said.
“As ever, Armenia remains steadfast in supporting efforts for strengthening the efficiency of the Organization, its resilience and integrity in the face of the current and evolving challenges,” Mher Mararyan concluded.
President of the Football Federation of Armenia Armen Melikbekyan met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Paris. The potential for cooperation and ways to enhance infrastructure programs were discussed..
“I was pleased to meet Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) President, Armen Melikbekyan, in Paris. He has shown tremendous leadership and a determination to grow football in his country since he was first elected in 2019, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to congratulate him on his recent re-election,” Gianni Infantino said after the meeting.
“It was no surprise to see the FFA win the very first FIFA Forward Award last year for the work they have done in using allocated funds to provide greater opportunities for all to play football in the country. I have no doubt President Melikbekyan will keep Armenian football moving in a positive direction, and I’m looking forward to seeing the progress he and the FFA will make in the coming years,” the FIFA President said.
Natural disasters struck the Imereti and Adjara regions of Georgia, claiming the lives of at least eight people. One citizen reported dead was hit by an avalanche, and a landslide killed another in the Adjara region. Also, the bodies of six people were found in the landslide-affected area in the Imereti region, while three others remain missing, according to the interior ministry. Emergency response teams of the interior ministry continue search and rescue operations.
President Salome Zurabishvili, Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and Tbilisi City Mayor Kakha Kaladze expressed regrets over the loss of lives in western Georgia, expressing condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Speaking at a joint meeting of the United National Movement and other opposition political parties in parliament, PM candidate Irakli Kobakhidze stressed the importance of “political peace,” adding that harsh rhetoric is not in the government’s interests. According to Irakli Kobakhidze, the country’s political system needs more consensus and less radicalism.
The president’s “Unity Platform for Europe” seems to take off as representatives of the opposition parties start arriving at the president’s palace for talks on joining efforts to advance the country on the EU path. The leaders of opposition parties – “Lelo for Georgia,” “Girchi-More Freedom,” and “Droa” were the first to meet President Zurabishvili. Former Prime Minister Giori Gakharia’s “For Georgia” party refused to participate in the “Unity Platform for Europe,” saying the purpose of the platform was “unclear” and could be used by the United National Movement for pardoning the ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Parliamentary committees continued discussions around the new government program, focusing on foreign policy affairs, and held joint hearings of the minister candidate for foreign affairs, Ilia Darchiashvili. At the joint parliamentary hearing, Ilia Darchiashvili expressed the government’s commitment to continuing the country’s progress toward EU membership, saying the plans are to start accession negotiations this year. The candidate for foreign minister also spoke of the readiness to actively participate in the EU’s reform process.
Former Prime Minister and leader of the “For Georgia” party, Giorgi Gakharia, launched a new program on his YouTube channel, “Gakharia’s Week,” hosted by journalist Teona Gegelia. According to Teona Gegelia, the program will be aired at the end of each week, and the ex-prime minister, answering questions, will review the main political events of the week.
After five days of administrative detention, civic activist Nata Peradze was released from the detention facility. “I am not feeling safe,” said Peradze upon her release. The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Nata Peradze to five days of administrative detention for defacing the St. Matrona icon, also depicting Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in Tbilisi’s main cathedral. She was detained by police at her apartment on 2nd February in Tbilisi.
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The Daily Beat: 7 February
Natural disasters struck the Imereti and Adjara regions of Georgia, claiming the lives of at least eight people. One citizen reported dead was hit by an avalanche, and a landslide killed another in the Adjara region. Also, the bodies of six people were found in the landslide-affected area in the Imereti region, while three others remain missing, according to the interior ministry. Emergency response teams of the interior ministry continue search and rescue operations.
President Salome Zurabishvili, Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and Tbilisi City Mayor Kakha Kaladze expressed regrets over the loss of lives in western Georgia, expressing condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Speaking at a joint meeting of the United National Movement and other opposition political parties in parliament, PM candidate Irakli Kobakhidze stressed the importance of “political peace,” adding that harsh rhetoric is not in the government’s interests. According to Irakli Kobakhidze, the country’s political system needs more consensus and less radicalism.
The president’s “Unity Platform for Europe” seems to take off as representatives of the opposition parties start arriving at the president’s palace for talks on joining efforts to advance the country on the EU path. The leaders of opposition parties – “Lelo for Georgia,” “Girchi-More Freedom,” and “Droa” were the first to meet President Zurabishvili. Former Prime Minister Giori Gakharia’s “For Georgia” party refused to participate in the “Unity Platform for Europe,” saying the purpose of the platform was “unclear” and could be used by the United National Movement for pardoning the ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Parliamentary committees continued discussions around the new government program, focusing on foreign policy affairs, and held joint hearings of the minister candidate for foreign affairs, Ilia Darchiashvili. At the joint parliamentary hearing, Ilia Darchiashvili expressed the government’s commitment to continuing the country’s progress toward EU membership, saying the plans are to start accession negotiations this year. The candidate for foreign minister also spoke of the readiness to actively participate in the EU’s reform process.
Former Prime Minister and leader of the “For Georgia” party, Giorgi Gakharia, launched a new program on his YouTube channel, “Gakharia’s Week,” hosted by journalist Teona Gegelia. According to Teona Gegelia, the program will be aired at the end of each week, and the ex-prime minister, answering questions, will review the main political events of the week.
After five days of administrative detention, civic activist Nata Peradze was released from the detention facility. “I am not feeling safe,” said Peradze upon her release. The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Nata Peradze to five days of administrative detention for defacing the St. Matrona icon, also depicting Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in Tbilisi’s main cathedral. She was detained by police at her apartment on 2nd February in Tbilisi.