Day: May 23, 2024

President Ilham Aliyev: Each country, depending on its financial capability and agenda, should do its part of the job

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by Euronews TV channel on the sidelines of the High-Level Segment of the 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue held in Berlin, Germany, on April 26, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac.

Correspondent: President Aliyev, it is a pleasure, as always, to be here talking with you. We are here in Berlin for the Petersberg Climate Dialogue. This really is the beginning of the road to COP29. You know, your team must be very excited. What can we expect from this year’s COP, and how much is going to be actionable, not just discussion?

President Ilham Aliyev: We want to create an environment, which will be comfortable for all the parties. We have great experience in building bridges in the Non-Aligned Movement. As you know, we’ve been chairing the Movement for four years with 120 members. Really, I think we’ve made a big progress. We’re actively working with countries of the European Union. We have signed and adopted strategic partnership declarations. So, in other words, the Global South and the West, and how to engage together in addressing issues of climate change, how to strengthen solidarity, share responsibility, and reduce a certain mistrust with respect to the issues of climate change, because, you know, different ideas, different views.

Correspondent: The idea of fossil fuels is something that dominated the headlines last year at COP28 in the UAE. I just wondered whether you think it is a positive development within the COP history to have a fossil fuel-producing country leading the way, making the changes and the transitions?

President Ilham Aliyev: That’s actually what we’re trying to achieve. One of my messages today at the conference was, “Don’t judge us by what we have. Judge us by how we treat what we have, by our agenda.” And also, one of the issues that is important to understand, is apart from what I said about our involvement in Europe, in the Non-Aligned Movement, but also with some members of OPEC+ countries. We are already working with many oil-producing countries in order to create a kind of solidarity package prior to COP. What can be additional? I think that oil-producing countries, especially when the price of oil is high, should pay more, should give more in order to tackle the problem. So, solidarity is an integral part of financing and how we will succeed.

Correspondent: What would you love to be the lasting legacy for COP29?

President Ilham Aliyev: If we can make additional steps towards a green world and tangible steps with a continuation, I think that will be the most important legacy. At the same time, as you know, one initiative which is new for COP was already put forward by us—the creation of a Troika of three countries. So, using the experience of the UAE, and now Azerbaijan and later Brazil, to create this trilateral format of cooperation because these three countries are involved in different regional, political, economic, etc. issues. So, a combination of efforts, solidarity. We should stop blaming each other. Those countries, which do not have oil should not point finger on those who have. Small, developing countries should not demand big countries saying that “you are responsible for climate disaster”. So, this is diplomacy, policy, finance. And, of course, as a host country, I think we can create a platform for that.

Correspondent: Mr. President, always a pleasure to talk to you. Thank you so much for your time today.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much.

The post President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by Euronews TV channel appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

Azerbaijan, which destroys monuments, urges UNESCO to “save” Kond – “Geghard” SAF  ARMENPRESS

In light of recent events, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been in the headlines for issuing arrest warrants for high-profile individuals. Understanding how these warrants work is crucial for grasping the implications of such international legal actions. 

The ICC, a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, operates under the Rome Statute. When the ICC Prosecutor believes there are reasonable grounds that a person has committed a crime within the jurisdiction of the court, they may request an arrest warrant from the Pre-Trial Chamber. 

Once issued, an ICC arrest warrant obligates all state parties to the Rome Statute to arrest and surrender the individual to the ICC for trial. However, the ICC lacks enforcement powers of its own, relying on member states to execute these warrants. This means that if a suspect resides in or flees to a country that is not a party to the Rome Statute or refuses to cooperate, the ICC cannot compel the arrest. 

The recent warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders have highlighted the challenges the ICC faces in enforcing its mandates.  

The process underscores the complex interplay between international law and global politics, where legal proceedings at the ICC can have far-reaching diplomatic consequences. As the situation unfolds, the world watches to see how these warrants will influence international relations and the pursuit of justice on the global stage. 

Armenia News  NEWS.am

The park near the Champs-Élysées avenue and the famous Concorde square was named after Charles Aznavour on the occasion of the singer’s 100th anniversary.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Armenia’s Ambassador to France Hasmik Tolmajyan, Mayor of the 8th arrondissement of Paris Jeanne d’Hauteserre, as well as Charles Aznavour’s family represented by his son Nicolas Aznavour, Chairman of the Board of the “Aznavour” Foundation, participated in the opening ceremony.

The ceremony was also attended by a number of parliamentarians, foreign diplomats accredited in Paris, representatives of organizations, famous French social, political and cultural figures, hundreds of French citizens and French-Armenians.

Ambassador Hasmik Tolmajian expressed gratitude to Mayor Anne Hidalgo for the beautiful initiative to open a park in the heart of Paris, bearing the name of the world-famous artist of Armenian origin, Charles Aznavour, and perpetuating his immortal memory.

The Ambassador emphasized that Aznavour has repeatedly glorified the city of Paris in his songs, considering it the symbolic starting point of the most important events of his life. With his unique voice and touching songs, Charles Azanvoor has managed to capture millions of hearts, becoming an immortal legend of world music.

The Ambassador referred to the great artist’s invaluable role in strengthening the thousand-year-old Armenian-French friendship and the privileged relations between his two homelands, Armenia and France. As Aznavour said, “I feel 100 percent Armenian and 100 percent French at the same time. Armenia is the dream of all Armenians. It is the tears and sorrow of our parents, a unique world that we cherish in a corner of our hearts.”

The Ambassador also emphasized Charles Aznavour’s important contribution to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and his unshakable faith in the rebirth of Armenia and the best future despite the difficult challenges faced by the Armenian people. Although the famous singer visited Armenia for the first time back in 1963, as the artist later admitted, “it was after the devastating earthquake of 1988 and the massacres against the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh that I truly realized that our people and our roots need us. It seemed that Armenia had already fully paid the price of the tragedy that happened in 1915, but our country again appeared under threats and pogroms, facing the endless repetition of history. At that time, I realized that I have a duty to think not only about my glory, but to use it to help my people.”

Ambassador Tolmajyan mentioned that the world-famous artist who embodies France and represents the entire Armenian people became a faithful companion of the Armenian statehood after the independence of Armenia, becoming its official ambassador and bringing his unfailing contribution to all initiatives carried out for the sake of Armenia.

In her speech, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo emphasized the importance of opening of a park in the heart of Paris, perpetuating the memory of the world-renowned Armenian artist, considering it a unique symbol of the solidarity of the city of Paris and Armenian-French friendship towards the Armenian people. Mayor Hidalgo also announced that soon a statue of Charles Aznavour will be placed in the park and the park will serve not only to perpetuate the memory of the Great Artist, but will also turn into a place where millions of people will be able to communicate with his great legacy.

Charles Aznavour’s on Nicolas expressed his gratitude to Mayor Hidalgo for the opening of the park bearing his name in the heart of Paris, so loved by the great singer, describing it as a special manifestation of commemorating the memory of the artist and glorifying his art, as well as the Armenian Embassy for its committed support to this important initiative.

Some of Charles Aznavour’s most famous songs were played during the ceremony. At the end of the event, the Armenian Ambassador, the Mayors of Paris and the 8th arrondissement of Paris and Nicolas Aznavour solemnly opened the plaque announcing the naming of the park after Charles Aznavour, French artist, National Hero of Armenia.

NPR News: 05-23-2024 6AM EDT

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

China-Iran ties to stay on course despite death of ‘good friend’ president Raisi  South China Morning Post