2023 September 13

Daily news wrap-up

Pashinyan's Q&A in parliament & interview \\\ Lachin corridor \\\ Floating solar panel in Yerevan Lake \\\ Diplomatic wars \\\ Interview with mil. expert Vova Vartanov & others \\\ Wagnerites \\\ Zakharova is mad \\\ Dormitories
by ar_david_hh

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Russia to Azerbaijan: We have recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, it's your turn to recognize the annexed regions of Ukraine as part of Russia

BAKU: The elections in the [occupied regions] of Ukraine are illegitimate. We recognize the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

MOSCOW: That's unacceptable and goes against the allied nature of our relations with Baku. Azerbaijan should respect Russia's territorial integrity if they expect Russia's respect towards Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOVSc80jxns?t=1151)

Pashinyan about opening the regional communication routes

MP: Turkey wants to establish a trade corridor with Azerbaijan through Armenia. Any update on the unblocking of communications in the region?

PASHINYAN: We believe the launch of the Horadiz-Meghri-Ordubad-Yeraskh railway will be beneficial and very important for Armenia. We support the unblocking of regional communication routes. We support the presence of international gas pipes and power lines passing through Armenia.

All these projects can happen if they respect Armenia's sovereignty and law. We don't just *support* these projects, we *want* these projects. But any statement that questions Armenia's sovereignty over our territories is unacceptable.

The Nov. 9 agreement mentions only one "corridor": Lachin. There is no mention of a "corridor" passing through Armenia.

Let's clarify the word "corridor" because in the West they use the term "corridor" interchangeably with a "route". Certain Azerbaijani circles use this fact to manipulate the topic and make unacceptable demands against Armenia's sovereignty.

It's not like we don't make this mistake ourselves. We also use the term "corridor" while describing our own North-South route passing through Armenia.

Armenia is ready to take steps to open the trade routes tomorrow. We have already proposed a resolution to establish 3 border checkpoints on the AM-AZ border. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4MPE3EJKKI?t=2045)

Pashinyan lists the chronology of Russia recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, refusing to promote the idea of delaying status talks, then blaming the blockade on Armenia

PASHINYAN: Let's remember the chronology of Russia's stance towards Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

(1) 1991: Russia signs the Alma-Ata agreement, recognizing the territorial integrity of ex-Soviet republics including Azerbaijan.

(2) 1993: Russia votes in favor of all [anti-Armenian] UN Security Council resolutions about the *"Nagorny-Karabakh region of the Azerbaijani Republic"*. The resolutions call it unacceptable to legitimize whatever was achieved through force.

(3) 1996: Lisbon summit states that Nagorno-Karabakh has the right to self-determination only if the autonomy is within Azerbaijan. Russia also supported this, forcing Armenia to veto it. Russia also authorized the summit's president to release that statement.

(4) Nov 2020: Russia declares that Nagorno-Karabakh is an internationally recognized part of Azerbaijan.

(5) Feb 2022: Russia signs an agreement with Azerbaijan on a strategic alliance while recognizing Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

(6) July 2022: Russia's representative proposes a plan to delay negotiations around the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia accepts it. Azerbaijan rejects the proposal in September and attacks Armenia a day after the Russian diplomat's departure from the region. Russia and CSTO ignore Armenia's written request for help [and no longer pursue the policy of delaying the status talks].

(7) October 2022: Armenia and Azerbaijan agree to recognize each other's territorial integrity based on Alma-Ata. This was necessary to protect Armenia's territorial integrity. Under those conditions, when Azerbaijan was attacking and invading Armenian lands with the complete inaction of Russia and CSTO, Armenia was required to participate in the negotiations during which the parties mutually recognized each other's territorial integrity. Those who are against that meeting are against Armenia's sovereignty.

Alma-Ata and Nov. 9 agreements do not cancel each other. No party has canceled the Nov. 9 agreement. *[Under the Nov. 9 agreement, Russian peacekeepers must control the Lachin corridor to ensure unobstructed movement. Pashinyan says Russia is just looking for excuses not to follow through on its obligations.]*

Opposition MP: Why aren't you bringing points that support Armenia's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? You often speak about the pro-Azeri UN resolutions and other things.

PASHINYAN: Because self-deception is not a solution. For decades we formed Armenian arguments and attempted to use them to resolve the conflict, without realizing that international arguments have always been more important in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

There were binding international arguments but we've always thought we could weaken and defeat them by using our Armenian arguments. I used to be just as loyal to those Armenian arguments as you are today. The problem is, it has never worked and will never work. You couldn't do it while in charge, and I couldn't do it.

You suggested that my administration should have given Azerbaijan hope that it could resolve the conflict peacefully so they didn't have to start a war. The problem is, you had made so many concessions that by the time I entered the office, there was no longer room for that and it was already time to *deliver the hopes* that you had given them. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4MPE3EJKKI?t=6090)

"Putin is trying to use the conflict to topple Armenia’s democratically elected president" || U.S. State Department press briefing

REPORTER: Putin is into blame game, blaming Pashinyan over everything is going on right now in the region. There’s conventional wisdom that he is trying to use the conflict to topple Armenia’s democratically elected president. As you know, there have been some reports about Wagner mercenaries being sent to Armenia to engage in that kind of activity. Do you have any concerns?

STATE DEPARTMENT: I’m not going to respond to that comment. I’ll just say that we continue to work to resolve the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Secretary Blinken has been personally involved in this, with multiple conversations just in the past week. In the last 24 hours one shipment of humanitarian supplies passed through the Aghdam route into Nagorno-Karabakh, and so we will reiterate our call on the specific question about the importance of opening both corridors into Nagorno-Karabakh and as a more – as a short-term matter, and as a more long-term matter, the two countries coming to an ultimate agreement.

[source,](https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-september-12-2023/)

military industry expert Gor Amatuni: I've seen several Wagner fighters in a Goris hotel

AMATUNI: Yes, they are present in Armenia. I saw them in a hotel in Goris during our recent trip there. There were several Wagnerites. Their commander was an ethnic Armenian from Russia. We later spotted them in other parts of Goris.

The NSS and police must be vigilant. Perhaps we must control the inflow of Russian nationals as Georgia does. Why are the Russians allowed to walk on the street with rifles, unlike the locals?

The situation is tense amid Pashinyan's statements against Russia. Putin doesn't forgive stuff like this. Be prepared for provocations. Russia has already banned carrot seeds from Armenia *[Factcheck: True. For "sanitary reasons", a common occurrence.]*. It's the beginning. Start diversifying our exports now. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbM9PHewv40)

Russia denies sending Wagner fighters to overthrow Pashinyan administration

ZAKHAROVA, MFA of Russia: These rumors are nonsense. Show me where they are. Armenia is a small country, you can't hide thousands of fighters.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etNTQELO3t0)

Azerbaijan has responded to Armenia's recent proposals towards a peace agreement

The sides have been sending proposals back and forth in an attempt to come to an agreement. Azerbaijan has responded to the most recent Armenian proposals. FM Mirzoyan says there is still no agreement around the most pressing issues. FM Bayramov said the process is stagnating.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4MPE3EJKKI?t=8128) [source,](https://factor.am/687358.html)

EU, US, UK, and FR remind Azerbaijan that the Lachin corridor must be unblocked

EU: We reiterate our strong belief that the Lachin corridor must be unblocked, in line with past agreements and the World Court Order, and underline our belief in the usefulness also of other supply routes, for the benefit of the local population. //

The US, FR, and UK called for the unblocking of the Lachin corridor during the OSCE meeting summoned by Armenia.

[source,](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/09/13/statement-by-the-spokesperson-of-charles-michel-president-of-the-european-council-regarding-armenia-and-azerbaijan-12-september-2023) [source,](https://factor.am/687294.html) [source,](https://factor.am/687333.html)

Defense Minister of Uruguay: Armenian people are suffering due to a humanitarian crisis and human rights violations in Nagorno-Karabakh caused by the closure of the Lachin corridor

Javier Garcia made the statement during a conference relating to the UN's peacekeeping operations.

[original](https://www.diarioarmenia.org.ar/el-ministro-de-defensa-de-uruguay-javier-garcia-advirtio-que-el-pueblo-armenio-sufre-en-artsaj-la-violacion-a-los-derechos-humanos-a-partir-del-cierre-del-corredor-de-lachin/) [Armenian,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268819) [UN press,](https://press.un.org/en/2023/db230912.doc.htm)

Russia reminds Armenia that the ratification of the Rome Statute will harm AM-RU relations

ZAKHAROVA: We have already said how we qualify this move. Yerevan will have to explain the motivations. They, by the way, have presented their explanations, but we consider such steps as unfriendly. //

Pashinyan said he made a decision, supported by his team, to ratify the agreement.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/russia_again_warns_armenia_against_ratification_of_rome_statute/)

heated exchange between an Armenian reporter and Russia's foreign ministry

REPORTER: You have expressed concerns about the AM-US joint military exercises in Armenia. Are you also concerned about the fact that Azerbaijan has invited a much larger number of troops from Turkey, a NATO member, to Azerbaijan? They are even integrating their armies.

ZAKHAROVA: *(gives a death stare while calculating one million ways not to criticize ally Turkey)*

REPORTER: Does Russia not view this as a threat?

ZAKHAROVA: Don't you know our position on that? You regularly attend our briefings.

REPORTER: You've made a statement about AM-US, so we'd like to hear about TR-AZ.

ZAKHAROVA: Ah, for the sake of maintaining balance? So the balance is more important than the facts?

REPORTER: As an Armenian it interests me a lot.

ZAKHAROVA: Are you an Armenian or a journalist? We don't separate each other by nationality here. Why are you doing that?

REPORTER: I asked a question that concerns the Armenian public.

ZAKHAROVA: The Armenian public regularly receives answers from me. We commented on the [AZ-TR events] at the time when they took place. Parties should refrain from taking steps that can destabilize the fragile peace in the region.

REPORTER: OK if you don't want to answer, I'll ask another one...

ZAKHAROVA: Wait, hold on. I did answer that question. I will repeat it specifically for you if you do not recall or do not have the ability to rewatch the video with our answer: We have used internal diplomatic channels to discuss the issue with Turkey. //

Zakharova went on to convince ethnic Armenians living in Russia that they should hate the U.S. because Ukraine is using U.S.-made weapons against them.

REPORTER: But Ukraine is using Turkish and Azerbaijani weapons against Russia, too.

ZAKHAROVA: Any weapon that's supplied to Ukraine is a concern for us. We don't care about the "nationality" of that weapon, whether it's French, Turkish, or American. We believe the supply of *any* weapon to Ukraine is unacceptable. But you're the one dividing it by nationality. Also, Armenia's "ally" France is supplying weapons that are being used against Russians of all ethnicities including Armenians.

REPORTER: In your briefings you always complain about American and French weapons but never mention the Turkish or Azerbaijani by name. Russian war bloggers have written a lot about their weapons. But for some reason, we don't hear your response on those.

ZAKHAROVA: How is there no response? [makes another generalized statement against the supply of any weapon by any country to Ukraine]. This will be on your conscience.

REPORTER: OK.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gE4eoJOWuc?t=12)

will Russia provide military support to Armenia in the event of invasion by Azerbaijan?

REPORTER (same dude): If Azerbaijan attacks Armenia again, will Russia provide military support to Armenia? So far only Iran, which doesn't even have a defense agreement with Armenia [unlike Russia], has stated that it won't allow any border changes in the region. Will Russia help Armenia?

ZAKHAROVA: That's why Russian peacekeepers are on the ground. We urge both sides to follow the agreements they've signed. //

• [Yes? No? The peacekeepers were there during the 2021 and 2022 invasions]*

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gE4eoJOWuc?t=897)

Pashinyan to POLITICO: We can’t rely on Russia to protect Armenia anymore

>Pashinyan’s unusually pointed criticism of Russia’s inability to act as a policeman in the Caucasus only compounds a sense the Kremlin is losing its influence

>Disillusion in Yerevan could represent a major turning point for the country of 2.8 million people as it has delegated much of the control of its railways, its energy sector and even its borders to Russia

>Now Russia is fully committed to fighting in Ukraine, fears are growing in Yerevan over whether President Vladimir Putin’s soldiers are willing or able to keep the peace in the Caucasus

PASHINYAN: Our strategy should be to maximally decrease our dependency on others. We want to have an independent country, a sovereign country, but we have to have ways to avoid ending up in the center of clashes between West and East. Armenia should not become a proxy. The model by which we have problems with our neighbors and we have to invite others to protect us — it doesn’t matter who these others are — is a very vulnerable model.

PASHINYAN: We are grateful for the Western border observers on the AM-AZ borders. The assistance we currently receive from the West, however, is not enough to meet all our defense needs. On the other hand, we are working on clarifying our position so we'll be able to receive more assistance.

QUESTION: Is Russia displaying inaction because they are physically incapable of helping, or they don't *want" to help because they don't want to anger Turkey and Azerbaijan?

PASHINYAN: Both. *[oof?]*

QUESTION: Your achievements in anti-corruption and the development of institutions are undeniable. There is also freedom of the press. Will Armenia try to join the EU or NATO? Which direction is your goal?

PASHINYAN: Peace is our goal. It will unlock many other opportunities.

QUESTION: Do you believe democracy will survive in Armenia, or do you believe your pro-Russian opposition will successfully convince the public that it's better to join the Russian Union under the promises of greater security?

PASHINYAN: *[a convoluted non-answer to a juicy question]*

[POLITICO article](https://www.politico.eu/article/we-cant-rely-russia-protect-us-anymore-nikol-pashinyan-armenia-pm/) [full text,](https://factor.am/687628.html) [full video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YXgVk0jdIs)

Iran's defense ministry rules out a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan amid border accumulations

MoD Mohammad Reza Ashtiani: We believe that no war will break out in the region. We won’t approve of any changes in the borders. The process we are observing indicates that no specific happening will occur. //

In a telephone conversation with PM Pashinyan, Iranian President Raisi assured Armenia of Iran’s opposition to any alteration to the regional borders. *"Tehran is prepared to play as a powerful neighbor to prevent regional clashes."*

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/iranian_defense_minister_rules_out_possibility_of_outbreak_of_war_between_armenia_and_azerbaijan/)

interview with military expert Vova Vartanov (VOMA)

REPORTER: The AM-US military training has begun. Moscow is concerned.

VOVA: When our peacekeeping brigade was stationed in locations without Armenian population, I was initially against it and considered it a waste of resources, but nevertheless it was a valuable experience for them.

Then our peacekeepers were deployed in Lebanon [with an Armenian population] under the Italian flag. That was great.

Had we deployed them in Kessab (Syria) as well, the Al-Nusra wouldn't have had the same successes which ended with the depopulation of Armenians and Syrian Turkmen gaining possession of Armenian properties.

Later we sent 80 peacekeepers to Syria under the Russian flag. We should have sent 800 instead, considering the activity levels of Al-Nusra. We could gain experience while defending the local Armenian population.

REPORTER: Russia complained about the AM-US exercises in Armenia.

VOVA: We don't need to ask permission to bring American soldiers. Did Russia ask Armenia's permission before inviting American soldiers to Ulyanovsk, Russia? *[Russia had allowed U.S. forces to use its base against Afghanistan]*. Seek mental therapy if you're jealous of U.S. forces being located in Armenia. Jealousy is unhealthy.

REPORTER: Russia is jealous also because Armenia refused to host CSTO exercises.

VOVA: CSTO was born dead, it has never helped Armenia, but it's a mistake not to hold exercises with CSTO.

REPORTER: Why?

VOVA: Announce CSTO military exercises in Armenia and invite each member state to bring 100 tanks for exercises. Entrap them in Armenia or at least plunder their components for use as spare parts. You get the point. Hold the exercises near Jermuk. When they arrive, show them the map and the position of Azeris sitting on Armenian lands. *"Do your duties now, we will back you up."*

The bottom line is, do not pin your hopes on Russia, Trump, or Biden. You only have God and your hard work. If you work hard and put up resistance, you will find allies along the way. Bashar al-Assad controlled only 10% of Syria but he fought like a lion until allies appeared. Zelensky fought until the summer 2022 when the allies began supplying serious weapons. We can always find someone who wants to take a shit on Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of whom are allies of Pakistan.

REPORTER: There are accumulations of Azerbaijani troops on AM-AZ and NK-AZ borders.

VOVA: Azerbaijan does not currently have permission from a bigger player to start a war. Turkey is facing economic hardship.

REPORTER: Is the accumulation of troops meant to have a psychological role?

VOVA: Wars often start by sergeants, not generals. There is a lot of tension and Armenophobic hatred in Azerbaijan injected in children from kindergarten age. They accuse Armenians of promoting ant-Azeri hatred but they have never read Armenian textbooks - none of them preach hatred. They accuse Armenia of what they themselves are guilty of. An Armenophobic Azeri sergeant can ignite clashes that can escalate into a war.

These accumulations give us the right to carry out preemptive strikes on Azerbaijan's assault units. We aren't doing this to prevent an escalation.

The accumulations are real, and they are located in areas where they invaded Armenia in 2021-2022. They could attempt something, but they have a problem now, our army has changed, our army has begun the process of standing up from its knees.

We still have some backward commanders and generals who deserve solitary confinement. However, the army as a whole is standing up. The events in Sotk/Zod in 2022 and 2023 are indicators that the army is no longer on both knees. This revival is slow because of our laziness.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd3OhQZoaf4?t=24)

apartment rent has gotten so expensive many students from provinces cannot afford to attend universities in Yerevan

MP: We've received numerous complaints from students studying in Yerevan. Some universities do not have dormitories. What short-term solutions do we have? We've been informed that the new Academic City [suburb of Yerevan] will provide a long-term solution to this issue with its modern dormitories.

MINISTER: As you've stated, the Academic City is the long-term solution. Students and professors will be able to live there. In the meantime, there is a construction project to double the current dorms to 400. We expect an inflow of more foreign students as well, so the Academic City is the long-term solution that can properly address this issue in the long run.

MP: Some universities currently don't have dorms at all.

MINISTER: Zeytun dormitory will house students from all universities. The expansion will begin next year.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4MPE3EJKKI)

students in Armenia are studying with new books; the government says they cost 40% less after ending print monopolies

MINISTER: When we initiated this process, the printing agencies informed us that for many years they couldn't compete by submitting their bids because certain companies were expected to win. Makes you wonder why the previous administrations spent so much more on the same process.

Students have been studying the same material for years. We are finally updating the books. It's a difficult process with hiccups but it's obvious based on trials that the final product will be better once the refining period is over.

MP: Many schools do not have the new books yet. Why did the distribution process fail?

MINISTER: The first batches were supplied on the first working day of September. The process continues right now and will conclude by the end of this month. It is within the law regulating situations when the book's content undergoes changes.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4MPE3EJKKI?t=1753)

soccer legend Luis Figo posts a photo from Armenia with Mt. Ararat in the background

Figo attended a training session of Yerevan FC Noah. The club was excited about meeting the legend and hearing his stories. Figo met ex-captain of the national team Robert Arzumanyan, who coaches FC Noah, and other soccer players.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268837) [source,](https://sport.news.am/eng/news/143662/luis-figo-posts-photo-from-yerevan-with-mount-ararat-in-background-photos.html)

first floating solar power plant is installed on Yerevanyan Lake: PHOTO/VIDEO

The French ambassador, Mayor Avinyan, and gov't officials took part in the opening ceremony of the 151 kW floating plant, reportedly the first in the region.

It was built by the French company NEPSEN with the financial support of France.

GOV'T: The capacity is small but it will help expand the prospects of renewable energy development in Armenia. We want to strengthen Armenia's energy security. //

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsvEtaILwDo) [photos,](https://factor.am/687295.html) [article,](https://arka.am/en/news/technology/first_floating_solar_photovoltaic_plant_installed_on_yerevan_lake/)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16i1bvh/pashinyans_qa_in_parliament_interview_lachin/