(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By Vugar Khalilov
South Caucasus Weekly Review: 12-18 Sep 22
This project of Azernews is designed to cover major
weekly developments in the South Caucasus nations.
HIGHLIGHTS
Large-scale clashes erupt on Armenian-Azerbaijan
border
CSTO monitoring task force arrives in Armenia
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives in
Armenia
Georgian PM, US senior representative negotiations discuss
regional, global security
Georgia's ruling party to hold elections electronically from
2024
Georgian, German premiers mull regional security, co-op
prospects
Baku condemns Yerevan for fresh provocations, deadly clashes
on state border
Pelosi's visit to Armenia undermines regional peace -
Turkish Speaker
Baku, Washington mull fresh Armenian border provocation,
military co-op
ARMENIA
Large-scale clashes erupt on Armenian-Azerbaijan
border
Large-scale clashes broke out on the Armenia-Azerbaijani border
around 0005 hours on September 13, Azernews reports, citing the
Armenian media.
Intense artillery and large-caliber gunfire were used by the
Azerbaijani Armed Forces to shell Armenian positions in the area of
Goris, Sotk, and Jermuk. According to the Armenian Defense
Ministry, the Azerbaijani forces also used unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs) in the assault.
Following the resumption of border confrontations between
Armenia and Azerbaijan, the international community urged both
parties to immediately halt hostilities and return to the
negotiating table.
In a phone call on September 13, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinyan briefed European Council President Charles Michel, one of
the key mediators in the peace talks between the sides, on the
situation on the border. Michel stressed that there is no
alternative to peace and stability in the region and expressed
readiness to make efforts to prevent further escalation.
Furthermore, the Armenian government appealed to Russia, the
United Nations Security Council, and the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) regarding the“aggression against the territory
of Armenia”, the Armenian prime minister's office said.
The United States expressed“deep concern” about the
confrontations urging the sides to put an end to any military
hostilities immediately.
Pashinyan gave extensive details on the battles that began
around midnight, which were followed by artillery shelling and
firing from large-caliber firearms, during a phone call with
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The international community applauded the parties' agreement to
a cease-fire on September 15. The UN welcomed the cease-fire deal
on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and voiced optimism about its
long-term viability.
“This underscores that the normalization process between Armenia
and Azerbaijan continues to face serious obstruction. This
escalation also underscores the urgent need to move forward in the
delimitation and demarcation process within the framework of the
mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the
parties. We call on the parties to make use of this important
mechanism as a necessary step to de-escalate tension on the border.
The developments of this week are also a reminder that the tension
between Armenia and Azerbaijan has the potential to destabilize the
region. They underscore the need for all actors in and outside the
region to act constructively and exert pressure on the parties to
work for a peaceful resolution,” Assistant Secretary-General for
Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the United Nations Department
of Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca said at the UN Security Council
meeting convened after the Azerbaijani attack on Armenia.
Toivo Klaar, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
and the crisis in Georgia, commented on the situation emphasizing
the necessity of resuming of talks. He added that the EU remains
actively involved in helping Armenia and Azerbaijan to achieve a
comprehensive deal that will guarantee a stable, secure, and
prosperous South Caucasus.
CSTO monitoring task force arrives in
Armenia
The tactical team of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) Joint Staff led by the Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff
Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov arrived in Armenia in on September
15 to conduct a monitoring mission, Armenian Minister of Defense
Suren Papikyan said in a statement.
“I held a meeting with Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov the same
day. I briefed him on the situation resulting from the large-scale
aggression of Azerbaijan on September 13 and assigned the
objectives of the upcoming monitoring. I expressed hope that the
group will conduct effective work and will present to the CSTO
Collective Security Council a detailed and accurate report on the
situation,” Papikyan said, adding that the CSTO team will work with
the general staff of the Armenian armed forces and in combat action
regions.
Sidorov met with Lt-Gen Roman Golubitsky, the Head of the
Russian FSS Border Guards in Armenia. A comprehensive discussion of
the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the measures
aimed at resolving it took place.
“The situation in the responsibility zone of the Russian Border
Guard Department in Armenia is stable but tense. As of today, of
course, the calmest sections are the Armenian-Turkish and the
Armenian-Iranian borders”, he said, adding that they are seeking to
ensure border security in all directions in cooperation with the
Armenian Armed Forces and local authorities.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives
in Armenia
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi
arrived in Armenia on an official visit on September 17, Azernews
reports, citing the Armenian media.
Speaker of Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan welcomed and had a
private conversation with Nancy Pelosi in Yerevan's Zvartnots
Airport, the parliament's press service said.
During her September 17-19 visit, Speaker Pelosi met with Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Speaker of the National Assembly Alen
Simonyan, and other senior Armenian officials to discuss
U.S.-Armenian relations and the current security situation. Pelosi
paid tribute to the memory of the“Armenian genocide” victims at
the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan.
“The US Congress strongly condemns the illegal and deadly
attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia,” Pelosi said during a joint
press conference with Simonyan in Yerevan.
In her remarks, Pelosi first thanked the Armenian speaker for
hosting the US Congressional delegation and for the commitment to
strengthen the cooperation between the two countries and the two
parliaments.
The US House Speaker said that their meetings always have a
particular focus on security.
“Our meeting again had particular importance to us because the
focus was on security following the illegal and deadly attacks by
Azerbaijan on the Armenian territory. The United States as an OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chair has clearly and has long stated that there can
be no military solution to the conflict. We continue to watch the
situation closely and we continue supporting a negotiated,
comprehensive and sustainable solution to all issues relating to
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict”, Pelosi said.
When asked what kind of support Armenia may anticipate from the
US, particularly in the military field, Pelosi responded:“The
value of our visit and the value of our discussions is to hear from
Armenia's perspective how we can be helpful. That has been a good
part of our discussions thus far,” Pelosi said.
“On the defense side, we are listening to. Rather than coming
here and saying this is what we are prepared to do we are listening
to what the needs are”, she added.
Asked whether the United States expects that Armenia should
leave the CSTO, and what the American government proposes Armenia,
whether it is ready to guarantee the security of Armenia's
sovereign territory and borders, Pelosi gave the floor to US
Congressman Frank Pallone to answer the question first.
“We understand that Armenia is part of this security arrangement
with Russia. We are not suggesting anything about that. What we are
saying is that the United States is very concerned about Armenia's
security. We want to do whatever we can to be more supportive of
Armenia's security”, Frank Pallone said.
On September 18, Pashinyan received the delegation led by
Pelosi, the PM's Office said.
The sides discussed a broad range of issues relating to the
Armenian-American partnership and the further development of
cooperation in different directions.
GEORGIA
Georgian PM, US senior representative negotiations
discuss regional, global security
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Philip Reeker,
Senior Adviser of the US Department of State for Caucasus
Negotiations discussed regional and global security issues in
Tbilisi on September 12.
Garibashvili congratulated Reeker on his appointment to a new
position and wished him success in his future endeavors. As the
Prime Minister noted, Georgia is a reliable partner and loyal ally
of the US in the region and beyond.
Garibashvili and Reeker discussed the war in Ukraine and the
difficult regional and global security situation. The conversation
also touched on the dire state of affairs in Georgia's occupied
territories. Garibashvili highlighted the critical importance of
peaceful conflict resolution. In this context, the significance of
the Geneva International Discussions was underlined.
Reeker reassured the Prime Minister of the strong support of the
United States for Georgia's territorial integrity and
sovereignty.
They also touched upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement,
achieved through Garibashvili's mediation and Reeker's engagement,
as a result of which Azerbaijan released Armenian POWs, while
Armenia handed over important maps to Azerbaijan.
Then the two men exchanged views on Georgia's European
integration. As Garibashvili noted, the European Council, by
granting the European perspective to Georgia, confirmed that the
country's future is in the EU, and Georgia remains committed to its
European path.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan and Foreign Minister Ilia
Darchiashvili also attended the meeting.
Georgia's ruling party to hold elections electronically
from 2024
Chairman of Georgian Dream Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the
ruling party made a decision on the large-scale introduction of
voter registration and voting with electronic equipment from
2024.
“Last year, the voting procedure was carried out using fully
electronic equipment in the Krtsanisi district of Tbilisi. This
year, with the use of electronic equipment, the interim elections
of the assembly were held in eight polling stations of Batumi
Municipality. The successful experience of voter registration and
voting with modern technologies will enable us to implement this
initiative on a large scale from 2024,” said Kobakhidze.
He said that electronic voting will ultimately boost public
trust in the voting process, address the problem of electoral
imbalance, and put an end to speculation forever.
Georgian, German premiers mull regional security, co-op
prospects
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and his German
counterpart Olaf Scholz discussed regional security issues, as well
as future cooperation in Berlin on September 14.
The discussion took place as part of Garibashvili's official
visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Georgia-Germany partnership, the regional security,
Georgia's integration into Europe, and the trade and economic
relations between the two countries were the key topics of the
meeting.
The parties underlined the close partnership between Georgia and
Germany, expressing readiness to channel efforts toward further
developing strategic cooperation.
The two men overviewed regional and global challenges. The
conversation touched on Russia's military aggression against
Ukraine, also reiterating the importance of the international
community's efforts toward de-escalating the situation and ensuring
peace.
Garibashvili underlined the Russian invasion and occupation of
Georgia in 2008, which pose threat to regional security and
stability.
The importance of German support to Georgia's sovereignty and
territorial integrity, as well as to the peaceful resolution of the
Russia-Georgia conflict, was emphasized. Germany's exceptional
contribution to the Monitoring Mission in Georgia was
highlighted.
The sides also discussed the European Council's decision to
grant the European perspective to Georgia and its importance.
Garibashvili thanked his German colleague for supporting this
historic decision and for Germany's political and practical
assistance to Georgia in the process of European integration. In
light of regional and global challenges, special attention was paid
to the support of Western partners for Georgia.
AZERBAIJAN
Baku condemns Yerevan for fresh provocations, deadly
clashes on state border
Baku condemned Yerevan for the provocations and deadly clashes
that erupted on September 12 on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state
border, Azernews reports, citing the Foreign Ministry.
“Responsibility for the provocation, clashes, and losses lies
with the military-political leadership of Armenia. Any actions
against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic
of Azerbaijan will be resolutely prevented,” the ministry said in a
statement.
It added that on September 12, 2022, starting late at night, the
units of the Armenian armed forces launched large-scale
provocations in the directions of Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin
on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border.
In conformity with the information provided by the Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry, sabotage groups of the Armenian armed forces
planted landmines between the positions of Azerbaijan's army units
and the supply roads in different directions, taking advantage of
the mountainous terrain area and existing valley gaps.
Furthermore, Armenian military forces used a variety of
weaponry, including mortars, to attack Azerbaijani army positions
in Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions, causing casualties
among the Azerbaijani military personnel, as well as inflicting
damage on the military infrastructure, the ministry detailed.
The Armenian attack against Azerbaijan is a flagrant breach of
international law, as well as the requirements of the trilateral
declarations made by the Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders
and the agreements established between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it
added.
In the same vein, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry condemned the
Armenian military-political leadership over the deadly clashes that
erupted on the state border over the night of September 12-13,
Azernews reports, citing the ministry.
“We declare once again that the military-political leadership of
Armenia bears the entire responsibility for the provocations,
confrontation, and losses,” the ministry said in a statement.
The clashes between the sides ensued as a result of the urgent
efforts made by the Azerbaijani armed forces to quell these
activities. As a result, 79 armed forces personnel were killed, the
ministry detailed.
So far, the Armenian government reported 207 losses among its
own military personnel.
Pelosi's visit to Armenia undermines regional peace -
Turkish Speaker
Turkiye's Grand National Assembly Speaker Mustafa Sentop has
said that the US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's
visit to Armenia undermines the regional peace, Azernews reports,
citing the Turkish media.
Sentop made the remarks at the opening of the Cerkezkoy
Industrial Fair, jointly organized by the Cerkezkoy Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and Cerkezkoy Municipality on September
18.
Commenting on Pelosi's visit to Armenia, Sentop said that the
same person made a controversial visit to Taiwan last month,
too.
Sentop emphasized that it is common for a country's speaker of
parliament to visit another country, but this visit 'has the
potential to be provocative and aggravate the situation,' in
contrast to recent progress toward normalization achieved by
Armenia and Azerbaijan. He went on to say that Turkiye has always
shown its support for Azerbaijan in this process.
Sentop recalled that Armenia invaded Azerbaijani territory 28
years ago, and the Minsk Group, which was created by the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to
resolve the conflict between the two countries, was not
effective.
Baku, Washington mull fresh Armenian border provocation,
military co-op
Azerbaijani Defense Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov and US
Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl have discussed the
latest flare-up on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as well as
bilateral military cooperation, Azernews reports, citing the
ministry.
In a telephone conversation on September 15 at the initiative of
the opposite side, the officials exchanged views on issues of
bilateral military cooperation, as well as the confrontation on the
Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, and the current situation in the
region, the ministry said.
In the same vein, the US has hailed the truce between Azerbaijan
and Armenia, Azernews reports, citing US Secretary of State Antony
Blinken.
'We welcome the cessation of hostilities between Azerbaijan and
Armenia and will continue to work with the parties to seek to
cement it. The United States remains committed to promoting a
peaceful and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region'
Blinken tweeted.
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