2016-04-02

23:53

Armenia must provide the security of the Artsakh people: E. Sharmazanov

Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of the security of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as being the guarantor of the security of the Artsakh people is ready to sign an agreement on military assistance with Nagorno Karabakh.

Vice-President of the RA National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov said during the interview with Tert.am, referring to the statement, made by the RA President Serzh Sargsyan during the session of the National Security Council, that it is necessary to cooperate and work with the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and work in the direction of signing a military cooperation agreement with the NKR.

“I think that after the respective work of the foreign ministers when the draft will be sent to the National Assembly, we will be ready to fulfill the assignment of the President in the limit of all our powers. Certainly, there is a need for it, because Azerbaijan, being urged by his elder brother Turkey, has chosen the way of terrorism,” - said Eduard Sharmazanov, stressing that Azerbaijan’s actions directly threaten the physical security of the Karabakh people.

RA NA Vice-President stressed that Armenia has to provide the security of the Artsakh people, and a legal framework is necessary for its implementation, ratified by the national assemblies of the Nagorno-Karabakh and RA.

Mr. Sharmazanov noted that all of the political forces, present in the RA National Assembly, regardless of political views, opposition or government, are united and willing to join efforts to ensure the physical security of the people of Artsakh.

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Under the conditions of increased tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic need to collaborate effectively to sign a mutual defense agreement, President Serzh Sargsyan said today as he chaired a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).

The president called for intensive efforts to strengthen the defense, stressing the need of the Armed Forces adequate reaction to future possible offensives.

“The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia act in accordance with an earlier plan, so they must, without any fusss or tension, intensify their efforts towards strengthening the service as outlined in our program.

“They have tekan measures to ensure the border regions’ defense. I think they are absolutely enough to ensure the population’s security in those regions, but I propose further efforts,” said Mr Sargsyan, who is also the NSC secretary. “I think the Foreign Ministry [of Armenia] should collaborate with Nagorno-Karabakh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conclude a mutual defense agreement. Will will further need to make the agreement’s text available to hold debates and submit [the bill] to the National Assembly. The Republic of Armenia will be in full charge for its commitments to ensure the security of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. We have that legal right as a party to the 1994 ceasefire agreement,” the president added.

21:14

France calls for respecting truce on Nagorno-Karabakh frontline - official

The French authorities urge the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to strictly observe the ceasefire over Nagorno-Karabakh, asking them to embark on renewed negotiations to re-establish peace, Romen Nadale, a representative of the country's Foreign Ministry Ministry and International Development, said today.

“France is concerned over the incidents along the Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact. We express our regret for the losses suffered, especially the civilian casualties, and call upon all the sides to respect the ceasefire regime,” reads a statement on the Ministry’s website.

The French official reiterated the country’s support to the OSCE Minsk Group-mediated negotiations which he said are the only effective way to reach a breakthrough.

“France in that way is calling for a return to the negotiating table,” Mr Nadal said.

20:13

Armenia needs tangible intn’l efforts to silence Azerbaijan – MP

The international community’s reaction to Azerbaijan’s continuing aggression on the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline will be satisfactory for Armenia if and when it is powerful enough to produce tangible a outcome, says Tevan Poghosyan, an opposition MP from the Heritage party.

“It is really very good that the international mediators express their evaluation, condemning [the incident], but they put an equal sign between the [conflicting] parties. Concerned, they are condemning [the violence], and understandably, we really commend that. But those statements have no specific addressee. So unless there are specifically addressed statements, not only requesting [the sides] to avoid escalation and ease the tension but also warning of possible outcomes in case they continue, the situation will not change,” he told our correspondent today, commenting on the recent armed incidents along the Line of Contact.

Poghosyan called for a proper understanding of the fact that the Ceasefire Agreement signed in 1994 has not practically worked to date to uproot the hostilities. “This time, the [military] operations assumed large scales to an unprecedented degree. Yet, we pin our hopes on our army and our young men who discharge their duties with honor on the frontline, defending their Fatherland.”

The only effective mechanism to restrain Azerbaijan could be the international community’s influential opinion, Poghosyan added.

19:10

Azerbaijan’s military suffers over 200 losses as frontline clashes continue

In a statement released Saturday evening, Nagorno-Karabakh’s Ministry of Defense said that Azerbaijan’s armed forces suffered more than 200 losses in the heavy fighting along the Line of Contact.

The frontline subdivisions of the Defense Army continue the retaliatory attacks, inflicting heavy losses and damages on the adversary.

As many as 30 Azerbaijani special squad soldiers were killed in defense operations targeting the village Talish. Heavier clashes are reported in the south-eastern section of the frontline.

Using heavy machine guns and artillery, the adversary targeted not only military objectives but also civilian objects. Nagorno-Karabakh’s army also suffered losses in the battles.

18:52

EU commissioner condemns heavy fighting on Karabakh frontline

Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has condemned the recent heavy fighting on the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline.

“Reports of heavy fighting along the line of contact are deeply worrying.

“I call on the parties to stop the fighting immediately and observe the cease-fire. The sides must show restraint and avoid any further actions or statements that could result in escalation.

“The European Union deplores the loss of life, in particular the reports of civilian casualties and deaths.

“The European Union fully supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and the three Co-Chairs. We expect both sides to respect strictly the ceasefire, refrain from the use of force and resume efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” reads the statement issued by the European official.

18:41

Azerbaijan violates humanitarian laws by targeting Karabakh civilians - ombudsman

The Armenian ombudsman has expressed his concerns over the escalated tension on the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline, condemning the use of force against the civilian population.

Describing the continuing violence as a grave international crime deserving unconditional punishment, Arman Tatoyan says that it deserves punishment in all strictness of the law. “The exceptional ban on civilian settlements and population is the pillar of the international humanitarian law. All civilians, especially women and children, must be under special protection,” reads the Ombudsman’s statement.

In a press release earlier today, the Ombudsman’s office says that they collaborate with international organizations to address the situation in Karabakh.

18:25

Nagorno-Karabakh vows to fight Azerbaijani agression

Nagorno-Karabakh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement condemning the recent frontline clashes and promising to retaliate against Azerbaijan’s violence that caused human and material losses.

“In the early hours of April 2, Azerbaijan has initiated an unprecedented and explosive escalation of tension along the line of contact between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic with the use of heavy armor, artillery and combat aircraft. Azerbaijani armed forces shelled by artillery not only advanced positions of the NKR Defense Army, but also the civilian settlements that resulted in casualties, including among the civilian population.

"Such an escalation of tension by Azerbaijan is fraught with unexpected consequences. In this situation, the NKR Defense Army is taking all necessary measures to force Azerbaijan to cease hostilities. Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for possible consequences, a country which once again has initiated irresponsible and senseless adventurism.

“We urge the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-office publicly and strongly condemn Azerbaijan for the systematic escalation of the situation, violation of peace and stability in the region,” reads the statement issued by the Ministry press office.

17:59

Armenian hackers say Azerbaijani government's site under cyber attack

A group of Armenian hackers, identifying themselves as “Monte Melkonyan Cyber Army”, say they have launched a cyber attack against the Azerbaijani Government’s website (Gov.az).

The hacktivists have made the statement in a message on Twitter.

The group’s website is inaccessible at the moment.

17:46

Azerbaijan reports losses in military

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense has issued a statement reporting the human and technical losses in its military in the wake of the recent clashes on the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline.

According to the statement, Azerbaijan lost 12 servicemen, as well as a MI-24 helicopter and one tank.

The press service of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Ministry of Defense reported earlier today that their armed forces neutralized three tanks, two military helicopters and two drones.

17:30

Minsk Group mediators concerned over truce violations on Karaabkh frontline

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have expressed their concerns over the escalating violence along the Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the mediators also condemn the use of force, expressing their regret over the losses suffered.

“The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France) express grave concern over the reported large-scale ceasefire violations that are taking place along the Line of Contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. We strongly condemn the use of force and regret the senseless loss of life, including civilians.

“The Co-Chairs call upon the sides to stop shooting and take all necessary measures to stabilize the situation on the ground. They reiterate that there is no alternative to a peaceful negotiated solution of the conflict and that war is not an option,” reads the statement posted on the OSCE’s official website.

17:21

Situation remains tense on Nagorno-Karabakh frontline – spokesperson

The situation continues to remain tense along the Line of Contact between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, with the heavy fighting continuing in all the directions, says a spokesperson for Armenia’s Ministry of Defense.

In a post on Facebook, Artsrun Hovhannisyan expresses his concerns over the escalation, meantime warning against attempts to spread disinformation. “The reports about our heavy losses, displacements and mobilizations across the republic are untrue,” reads his status.

16:40

Nalbandian discusses frontline tension with intn’l mediators

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has discussed the recent tensions on the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline with the international mediators and the Russian Foreign minister.

In post on his personal micropblog on Twitter, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Tigran Balayan says that Nalbandian had phone conversations with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Personal Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kaspyrzyk and EU Special Representative.

In a tweet earlier today, Balayan said that Azerbaijan intensified artillery shelling and truce violations along the line of contact with Nagorno-Karabakh.

16:17

Russia’s Lavrov holds talks Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has conducted talks with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Russian official particularly asked Ministers Edward Nalbandian and Elmar Mammadyarov to undertake the necessary measures to end the continuing violence, RIA Novosti reports, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry’s press service.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s Defense Ministry said in a statement earlier today that Azerbaijan’s military lost helicopters, tanks and drones in the retaliatory operations launched by the Defense Army’s military subdivisions.

16:00

US policy failure gave Aliyev green light – ANCA condemns Azerbaijani aggression

The Armenian National Committee of America has issued a statement condemning  Azerbaijan’s proactive steps to escalate the tension along the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline.

The full address, published on the organization’s official profile on Facebook, is provided below:

“Only hours after being warmly welcomed in Washington by the Obama Administration, Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev launched large-scale attacks along the entire Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. Several fatalities, including an Armenian child, have been reported.

“Vice President Biden, in personally meeting Azerbaijani President Aliyev in this manner - without any public challenge to his escalating regional aggression and worsening domestic repression - openly emboldened his belligerence while actively undermining American efforts to keep the peace and reach a negotiated settlement.

“Secretary Kerry in his public remarks with President Aliyev, regretfully, made no mention at all of any American concerns regarding President Aliyev's threats and acts of violence or his crackdown on domestic dissent. There has, as well, been been no mention, in the public record, of the life-saving Royce-Engel peace proposals that the State Department has publicly supported.

“The Obama Administration's failure, in Washington, to confront Azerbaijan's aggression gave Aliyev the green light to launch these attacks on Karabakh.”

15:44

Russian in touch with Armenian, Azerbaijani MFAs - official

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains permanent contact with the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan to keep up to date on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, RIA Novosti reports, citing an official representative.

Speaking to the agency, Maria Zakharova expressed the Russian authorities “extremely high concerns over the reports on escalated tension in the conflict zone.”

The Ministry has made calls for restraint and immediate end to the frontline clashes.

15:31

Situation relatively calm in Nagorno-Karabakh – presidential spokesman

The situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic is now relatively calm following the overnight tensions incited by Azerbaijan’s armed forces, a spokesperson for the NKR president said today, dismissing the reports on a rising panic.

“Artsakh supports a peaceful settlement [of the continuing Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict], but if Azerbaijan triggers a war, we will end up raising the Artsakh flag over the Azerbaijani Reichstag,” David Babayan told our correspondent.

He added that the country is not in a state of panic at the moment. “We feel, naturally, inquietude in a situation as this, but there isn’t any panic at all. We defend our fatherland, our future and our children. And what about Azerbaijan’s population? Are they expected to defend corrupt [President Iham] Aliyev?”

In a statement released earlier today, Nagorno-Karabakh's Ministry of Defense said that its armed forces neutralized two Azerbaijani tanks, two drones and two military helicopters while pushing back the adversary from their frontline military positions.

15:14

Armenian president calls Security Council meeting as tension remains high over Karabakh

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will chair a meeting of the National Security Council on Saturday evening to discuss recent tensions on the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline.

Speaking to Tert.am earlier today, a spokesperson for the president, Vladimir Hakobyan, said that the president, who is now on his way back from the United States (where he was attending the Nuclear Security Summit), was reported on the escalations in the zone of conflict.

14:58

Russian Defense Minister holds urgent talks with Armenian, Azerbaijani counterparts

In the wake of the increasing tension on the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline, the Russian defense minister has held urgent telephone talks with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts.

Citing the Russian Ministry of Defense, RIA Novosti reports that Sergey Shaygu’s conversation with Ministers Seyran Ohanyan and Zakir Hasanov addressed possible measures to urgently stabilize the situation along the Line of Contact.

14:44

Azerbaijan in breach of intn’l law – Nagorno-Karabakh lawmaker

By provoking skirmishes along the Line of Contact, Azerbaijan is violating international law and its commitments to international organizations, says Arzik Mkhitaryan, the head of the Nagorno-Karabakh National Assembly’s Standing Committee om Foreign Relations.

According to her, the authorities in the country are now working to the best of their efforts to prevent a panic following the recent tensions.

Speaking to Tert.am, Mkhitaryan admitted that the concerns were high especially over the border villages. “But the panic is calming down little by little after silencing the adversary,” she told our correspondent.

But she hesitated to comment on possible motives, calling instead on international organizations, including the OSCE Minsk Group, to be more specific in future statement. Mkhitaryan added that the National Assembly has already informed the Minsk Group of the increasing tension.

14:29

Tension over Karabakh coordinated with Turkey – Armenian analyst

Azerbaijan would not have independently decided to escalate the tension over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian political analyst said today, describing the recent frontline skirmishes as a coordinated step by the Turkish and Azerbaijani authorities.

“We see, as a matter of fact, that the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance is trying to create more destabilization hotbeds, meantime nourishing hopes to secure a positive outcome through its blackmail over a renewed war,” Hrant Melik Shahnazaryan told Tert.am.

In his words, Azerbaijan chose a perfect timing to destabilize the situation, considering the pre-election campaign in the United States. “What they are practically trying to do now is to call the international community’s attention to the situation,” he said.

Commenting on the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, the only international mission tasked with mediating the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Melik Shahnazaryan said, “Azerbaijan has actually rejected all the mediation efforts by the Minsk Group; they refused to host the co-chairs even on an official level. I think it is time for the Minsk Group leaders to take action to restrain Azerbaijan,” he said.

14:05

OSCE Minsk Group to discuss Karabakh frontline tension at Vienna meeting

At their upcoming meeting in Vienna next week, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group will discuss the recent escalations in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone

Citing a source from the organization, RIA Novosti reports that the participants are expected to consider possible ways and future efforts towards reaching a peaceful solution to the protracted land dispute.

13:50

Putin calls for end to hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called upon the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to cease the frontline military operations.

In a statement released earlier today, the Russian leader expressed his deep concerns over the increasing tension in the conflict zone, RIA Novosti reports.

“President Putin urges the conflicting sides to immediately cease the fire and demonstrate restraint,” Dmitry Peskov, a press secretary for Mr Putin, told the agency.

13:22

Nagorno-Karabakh president calls Security Council meeting amid frontline tension

President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan on Saturday chaired a meeting of the National Security Council to address the large-scale ceasefire violations along the Line of Contact.

In a report delivered at the event, Minister of Defense Levon Mnatsakanyan said that the NKR Defense Army exercises a firm control over the situation on the frontline, averting possible acts of aggression through deadly defense operations.

The president issued specific instructions to the Ministry officials and heads of all the corresponding bodies to ensure the inviolability of borders and strengthen state  security.

13:08

Azerbaijan loses tank, drone in retaliatory attacks - Armenian Defense Ministry spokesperson

Apart from its helicopter shot down by Nagorno-Karabakh’s Defense Army on Saturday morning, Azerbaijan’s military also lost a tank and a drone, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, a spokesperson for Armenia’s Ministry of Defense, says in a post on Facebook.

In a press release issued earlier today, Nagorno-Karabakh’s Ministry of Defense reported about large-scale offensive military operations launched by Azerbaijan along the Line of Contact. Armenian military units and defense positions, as well as peaceful towns and villages were under target.

The heavy fighting on the frontline continues, with the adversary using artillery vehicles and military aircrafts to shoot civilians.

12:49

Kids wounded in Azerbaijani armed raids in stable condition

The children hospitalized in the wake of the armed raid targeting Nagorno-Karabakh’s town of Martuni on Saturday morning are now in a stable condition, Tert.am has learned from Armen Arakelyan, Chief of Staff at the Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Health.

One child, identified as Vaghinak T Grigoryan, 12, was killed in the armed attack launched from a BM-12 “Grad” (Hail) vehicle.

One of the wounded children has been moved to the Stepanakert hospital after a surgery, Arakelyan said, adding that they intend to move also the other young patient to that medical center.

12:32

Nagorno-Karabakh army strikes deadly blow to Azerbaijani saboteurs

Nagorno-Karabak’s armed forces neutralized an Azerbaijani commando raid on Saturday morning, pushing back the adversary to its starting positions with losses.

The border infiltrators were found in the vicinities of the village Levonarch, says a press release issued by the country’s Ministry of Defense.

The Ministry says that it maintains permanent contact with the international organizations and military-diplomatic representations to exchange the necessary information.

It comes after Azerbaijan’s armed troops launched heavy raids along the Line of Contact on the night of Saturday, releasing fire from tanks, artillery and military aircrafts. Nagorno-Karabakh’s Defense Army later shot down an Azerbaijani helicopter. On Saturday morning, the armed raids, targeting also the civilian population, left a 12-year-old child killed in Nagorno-Karabakh’s town of Martuni.

12:18

Armenian president’s plane to land in Yerevan in few hours - spokesman

On his way back from the United States, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was reported on the increased tension on the Nagorno-Karabakh frontline.

Speaking to Tert.am, a spokesperson for the president, Vladimir Hakobyan, said that the presidential airplane will land in Yerevan in just a few hours.

12:12

It’s time for OSCE Minsk Group to take sober approach to Karabakh peace – Armenian lawmaker

It’s high time for the OSCE Minsk Group to abandon the parity principle, taking a sober approach to the developments around Nagorno-Karabakh, Artak Zakaryan, the head of the Armenian National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, said in a post on Facebook.

“The Russian, US and French co-chairmanship have to officially state that despite the international mediators’ efforts, Azerbaijan is blatantly trying to [exacerbate] the situation in an attempt to turn the repeated violations of ceasefire into an undeclared war.

“Baku in that way demonstrates its contempt (in most likelihood, under Ankara’s influence) for the OSCE Minsk Group, i.e. – the official positions of Moscow, Washington and Paris. In such a situation, the preventive actions by the Armenian Armed Forces must unconditionally receive the co-chairs’ unconditional support as a real guarantee supporting the international format and the peace efforts.

“The Azerbaijani authorities’ obscene conduct in relation to the [Nagorno]-Karabakh issue must be evaluated adequately,” reads Mr Zakaryan’s message.

11:56

Baku rising tension amid international criticism – Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman

A spokesperson for Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commented upon the recent escalations along the Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact.

“Apparently Baku is rising tensions amidst increasing international criticism on poor human rights record and destructive attitude on Nagorno-Karabakh peace,” Tigran Balayan wrote in a post on Twitter.

In a tweet shared earlier, the spokesperson cited the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry's statement saying that Azerbaijan intensified artillery shelling overnight, violating the truce on the frontline.

11:47

Russian Foreign Ministry investigating reports on Karabakh frontline

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating the reports on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh in the wake of the recent frontline skirmishes, the news agency TASS reports, citing an official.

“We are closely studying the information received,” Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Ministry, is quoted as saying.

It comes after Azerbaijan’s armed forces launched heavy raids along the Line of Contact overnight, targeting not only frontline military posts and units, but also peaceful towns and villages.

A 12-year old child, Vaghinak T Grigoryan, was reported dead in a BM-12 grad raid on Saturday morning.

The heavy fighting along the entire Line of Contact continues. Earlier on Saturday, the Nagorno-Karabakh armed forces shot down an Azerbaijani helicopter.

11:26

One child killed, two wounded in intensive Azerbaijani armed raids

Nagorno-Karabakh’s Ministry of Defense reports that the recent Azerbaijani heavy raids, targeting also towns and villages of Nagorno-Karabakh, have caused damages also to civilians, leaving one child dead and another two injured.

The deceased is reported to be Vaghinak T Grigoryan, 12; he was killed in a BM-21"Grad" raid targeting the town of Martuni. The incident was reported on Saturday morning.

The heated clashes along the Line of Contact continue. The adversary uses heavy weapons, including artillery and military aircrafts to shoot civilians. Earlier today, Nagorno-Karabakh’s Defense Army shot down an Azerbaijani helicopter.

11:13

Azerbaijan’s aggressive conduct amounts to terrorism – Armenian parliament official

Vice President of the Armenian National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov has condemned the Azerbaijan’s recent military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, describing the offensive policies as an act of terror against the country’s population, as well as the international mediators.

“This is terrorism against both the people in Karabakh, and the negotiation process and each country involved in the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the United States. [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev’s obscene conduct is due also to the international community’s [reaction], and statements which are at times not specifically addressed,” he told our correspondent today, calling for an urgent reaction by the Minsk Group.

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