Day: April 2, 2024

NPR News: 04-02-2024 6PM EDT

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Feds Back The Retooled Bribery Case Against Sen. Menendez  Law360

#Greece’s ambassador to #Armenia accompanies EU border monitoring mission along #Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan exclave border. Ambassadors are becoming a common sight accompanying the monitoring mission at times.

#Armenia reports #Azerbaijan opened fire on its military positions near Kut and and Tegh villages on 1 and 2 April, no losses reported. Source: mil.am/hy/news/12069

#Azerbaijan reports its positions along the Nakhichevan exclave with #Armenia came under fire during the evening of 1 April (1). Armenian defence authorities refuted this as misinformation. (2) 1.mod.gov.az/az/news/naxciv… 2.mil.am/hy/news/12069

We’ve been around for 8 years now, starting with the 2016 April clashes in Nagorno Karabakh. Want to thank all of our followers for sticking with us.

Now 8 years ago today… A lot has changed since then, but the threat of war continues to loom, with Nagorno Karabakh now captured, direct war between Armenia and Azerbaijan ever more possible.

The United States cautioned against hostilities along the Armenia-Azerbaijani border, highlighting the escalating rhetoric in the region.

On Sunday Azerbaijan alleged that Armenia was preparing for an attack by fortifying military positions along the border, a claim refuted by not only Armenia’s defense ministry but also the European Union’s mission in Armenia.

“We saw the statement from the Government of Azerbaijan over the weekend. I would note that the EU monitoring mission said yesterday that the Armenia-Azerbaijan border was calm and quiet, with no unusual military troop or artillery movements, despite those statements,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on Monday.

Miller added that the U.S. continues to encourage the creation of conditions for a just and dignified peace in the region.

“We caution and will continue to caution against escalating rhetoric or hostilities along the border. We continue to encourage the creation of conditions for a just and dignified peace in the region, where the rights of all are respected. And as you’ve heard me say from this podium many times, the only way to ensure a sustainable peace is at the negotiating table,” Miller added.

Miller’s warning came hours before Azerbaijani forces fired at Armenian positions in the Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces later Monday and early Tuesday.

The State Department spokesperson went on to reiterate that an upcoming meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will not focus on the ongoing peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Baku last week accused the U.S. and EU of destabilizing the region by scheduling the meeting, which is scheduled to take place Friday in Brussels.

“The peace process is not the focus of this meeting; it’s a meeting between the U.S., EU, and Armenia to discuss economic diversification, humanitarian assistance, support for refugees, and supporting Armenia’s political reforms in areas such as democracy and the rule of law. It is not a regionally focused meeting,” Miller explained.