Day: July 2, 2024

Der Torhüter Giorgi #Mamardashvili @giorgimamarda ist eine der prägenden Figuren der Europameisterschaft. Mit seinen Reflexen überzeugt er Fans und die Sportschau-Expertin. Von Simon Wenzel https://t.co/Qi4DUlaLLF via @sportschau

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) July 2, 2024

While continuing to emphasize the need for a new Armenian Constitution as a precondition to the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan put forth new approaches to the process, by suggesting an initial agreement on the “main principles,” in what seems to be another stall tactic by Baku.

“I believe we can finalize the text of the peace agreement, or at least its main principles, within a few months,” Aliyev said at a meeting with Canada’s new ambassador to Azerbaijan Kevin Hamilton on Monday, according to the Turan news agency.

He put forth this new option, saying that if the principles are agreed on, then the actual text can be developed, mimicking the pattern adopted under the OSCE Minsk Group conflict resolution process where the sides agreed to the so-called Madrid Principles, without fleshing out their actual specifics.

“Reaching an agreement on the basic principles, initializing them, and then working on the text” can be an option, Aliyev said emphasizing that such an approach may be pursued “if Armenia amends its constitution.”

The main condition for the peace agreement, Aliyev told the newly-appointed Canadian ambassador, is the amendment of the Armenian Constitution, reasserting his threat and precondition for advancing the process.

He said Armenia’s Constitution “contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan, and until this is addressed, a peace agreement will not be signed. This is a known fact.”

Armenia’s foreign ministry accused Aliyev of torpedoing the talks, saying that the amending of the constitution is Armenia’s domestic concern.

Aliyev countered, and said that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is Azerbaijan’s domestic matter, telling the new Canadian ambassador that Armenia wanted to include Nagorno-Karabakh in the peace agreement, which he said, “was unacceptable.”

The Azerbaijani leader claimed that peace negotiations with Armenia began in earnest in December, saying anything before that did not matter.

Aliyev complained to the newly-appointed diplomat that for 28 years, Armenia refused to comply with the fundamental principles of international law.

“They violated all humanitarian laws and ignored the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. No one held them accountable in the slightest. A number of countries discussing the conflict did not declare their support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,” Aliyev added.

“Now, after we have defeated Armenia’s occupying forces on the battlefield and expelled them from our lands, we hear statements supporting our territorial integrity. But we have already secured it ourselves. Whether someone recognizes our territorial integrity or not is irrelevant,” the Azerbaijani leader said.

He also criticized the Armenian Diaspora communities, in certain Western countries, that are attempting to advance “pro-Armenian sentiments.”

The post In Latest Stall Tactic, Aliyev Advances New Approaches to Peace Treaty appeared first on Asbarez.com.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there exists a unique opportunity to reach a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“There is a unique opportunity to implement a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan that will end years of conflict,” the State Department press service quoted Blinken as saying during a speech at the Brookings Institute in Washington.

America’s top diplomat said that such an agreement will “create tremendous opportunities for economic engagement and economic growth in the region, connecting countries both East and West, and North and South. Azerbaijan plays a critical role in this issue.”

The U.S. has been touting the economic benefits of such a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing the role American companies may have in contributing to this effort.

Blinken emphasized the U.S. has been actively pursuing this effort through diplomacy and “trying to help Azerbaijan and Armenia move closer to a peace agreement.”

He said that Washington carried out this work in very close cooperation and coordination with the European Union, and expressed the opinion that Yerevan and Baku can indeed achieve peace.

“I spoke this about a week ago during a conversation with President Aliyev. I think it is feasible and fully consistent with the interests of the people of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the entire region,” Blinken added.

In a related matter, the State Department announced that it will continue high-level contacts with Baku without securing the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

“This is a long process and it requires us to have continued engagement, and it’s something that I would expect both the Secretary [of State Antony Blinken] and Assistant Secretary [James] O’Brien and others to continue to be focused on,” State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a press briefing on Monday.

The post Blinken Says ‘Unique Opportunity’ Exists for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan appeared first on Asbarez.com.

Western Prelate Archbishop Kegham Khacherian visited the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and met with Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian on June 26.

“The meeting focused on dialogue among the spiritual leaders regarding the significance of promoting, enhancing and further advancing public programs and initiatives in the Western region,” an announcement by the Prelacy stated.


The spiritual leaders, based on their experiences, reflected on global challenges and difficulties encountered by Armenian families and the Armenian Church, shared constructive observations and exchanged their insights and opinions.

The two church leaders decided to establish a joint special committee, which will focus on coordinating various mutually beneficial programs and initiatives.

Prelate Khacherian was accompanied on the visit by Very Rev. Muron Aznikian and Very Rev. Zareh Sarkissian.

The post Prelate Khacherian Visits Diocese, Meets with Arch. Derderian appeared first on Asbarez.com.