Unfortunately, permanent closure of borders with Russia seems necessary until Russia gets a civilized government. https://t.co/xI0cJQ99Xc
— Anders Åslund (@anders_aslund) April 4, 2024
Day: April 4, 2024
Unfortunately, permanent closure of borders with Russia seems necessary until Russia gets a civilized government. https://t.co/xI0cJQ99Xc
— Anders Åslund (@anders_aslund) April 4, 2024
This protest statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey once again proves that actors of third countries not related to the region cannot interfere in #SouthCaucasus & the relations btw the countries there. It is better that these countries contribute to the 🇸🇰🇺🇦 war.
— MalahatIbrahimli (@MalahatIbrahim1) April 4, 2024
Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) sent a letter today to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the Department of State to prioritize the release of Armenian political leaders currently being held illegally by Azerbaijan as prisoners, including as a condition of any peace deal reached by Armenia and Azerbaijan, which the United States is helping to facilitate.
The letter also calls on Secretary Blinken to advocate for the right of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenians to return to their homes under international guarantees, as well as to impose sanctions against Azerbaijani officials responsible for the human rights violations perpetrated by Azerbaijan during its attack on the region in September 2023.
In the letter to Secretary Blinken, the Senators wrote, “In late September and early October, current and former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh’s government were detained, such as Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister; former Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; Davit Babayan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Davit Ishkhanyan, former Speaker of the Parliament, among others. Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev indicated that this was just the beginning, as criminal investigations had been opened against a total of 300 former Nagorno-Karabakh officials.”
The lawmakers also noted, “Denying their freedom and ability to participate in the peace process means that peace is being negotiated without the voice or perspective of those with key knowledge of those affected by Azerbaijan’s atrocities…Requiring the release of political prisoners and prisoners of war is a critical step to achieving a sustainable peace.”
This letter is cosigned by Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). After a nine-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor that prevented food, aid, medicine, and other critical goods from reaching Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians and caused over 100,000 ethnic Armenians in the region to flee for fear of further persecution and violence. Azerbaijan claimed the territory, declared the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh government, and arrested and imprisoned the former government’s political leaders.
In February 2024, Senators Markey and Dr. Cassidy introduced a bipartisan resolution to require that the Secretary of State provide a report on Azerbaijan’s human rights practices, with Representative Adam Schiff (CA-30) introducing a companion version of the resolution in the House of Representatives. In September 2022, Senator Markey and his colleagues led a letter calling for the U.S. to cease any security assistance to Azerbaijan until Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a permanent resolution that would ensure peace and stability in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia has joined the Juventus Academy initiative, the club informs on social media.
“Armenia joins the Juventus Academy initiative, kicking off on-field activities in the upcoming sports season,” reads a post on Juventus’s official Facebook page.
The Juventus Academy project was born to bring Juventus’ colors, methods and values to as many kids as possible.
With over 80 academies from all continents, it offers both the teaching and development of football skills and educational training, accompanying young players in their growth, from introduction to the game to maturity, and not exclusively within the sport.
All programs are available, regardless of the level of the participants, and the activities are based on respect for their mental and physical well-being. Fun is at the center of all the proposed activities.