Politics 12:38 24/09/2022 Armenia

Armenian MP: Council of Europe's silence encourages more aggression by Azerbaijan

Opposition Hayastan bloc MP Armen Gevorgyan, a member of the Armenian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), delivered remarks at the meeting of the PACE Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development held in Izmir, Turkey, on Friday. Below is his full statement publicized by the Armenian parliament’s press office.

"Madam Chair,

Dear Committee Members,

I would like to brief the Committee Members about the recent developments in our region.

On midnight of September 13 Azerbaijan began an unprovoked and unjustified armed incursion into the territory of Armenia. As a result of this massive aggression that continued a few days, more than 200 Armenian servicemen were killed, including some of them in captivity. Around two dozen are still held in captivity. Three servicewomen were not only killed, but their bodies were mutilated in ways that were once a signature by ISIS militants. Huge damage has been done to the nature of the popular resort of Jermuk, famous for its healing mineral waters.

Azerbaijan occupied more territories inside Armenia, on top of the acquisitions since May 2021.

This war was launched in breach to the ongoing negotiations held by mediation of Russia, the European Union and the United States. On September 15 almost all members of the UN Security Council in their individual capacities had strongly criticized this breach of peace and urged to return to negotiations. Some members did not even hide behind diplomatic language, and clearly identified the aggressor state. The discussion in the UN Security Council reaffirms that the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is not resolved, as the Azerbaijani authorities are trying to present.

Colleagues,

Yet we face a difficult choice in the Council of Europe. One Member State periodically attacks another Member, while the Council fails to act proactively. This organisation, in contrast to many others, chooses to limit itself to unclear statements, avoids any objective assessments and any sanctions against a disloyal state.

The silence of our organisation and our voluntary disengagement essentially encourage more aggression by states like Azerbaijan - which see no punishment for its aggression against a neighbour, but only sees a revalidation of its own narratives.

My compatriots refuse to believe that the promise of access to the Caspian’s gas and oil can overshadow the minds inside our organization. Do we not want to see the global plans of Turkic states to physically unite separate parts of their states through the occupation or annexation of the sovereign territory of Armenia and the lives of hundreds of innocent citizens?

In fact, we are witnessing double standards and geopolitics. Otherwise, what is the explanation that even the wars in our organization receive different attitude and responses? Objectively, there can be no good and bad, right and wrong wars. Yet we often detect it in our resolutions and actions.

Dear Committee Members,

A few days ago, on September 21, Armenia celebrated Independence Day. And even though Armenians in Armenia and in Nagorno Karabakh have been laboring to overcome a truly massive challenges, our nation will continue to strive and live in dignity. This deep sense of dignity is rooted in the historical heritage that in this part of the world the Armenian civilisation has built and created over the past millenniums. We have always built and created wherever we had lived - whether in homeland or scattered in the world.

This is true for modern-day Turkey as well, where a sizeable portion of the heritage has Armenian roots or Armenian touch, be that the Hagia Sophia or the Dolmabahce /Դոլմաբահչե/ palace in Istanbul. The same was in Baku, where a lot was built and created by the Armenians. It was the case in Izmir, where the rich Armenian cultural and historical heritage unfortunately was interrupted in 1922. By the way, many well-known political, state and public figures of different countries of Armenian origin come from ancient Smyrna. Among them are the late Prime Minister of France Édouard Ballaudur, the first Prime Minister of Egypt Nubar Pasha, the famous American businessman and philanthropist, the national hero of Armenia Alec Manoogian and others.

I thank you for your attention."



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:07
Winter military draft starts in Armenia on November 25
The winter conscription for compulsory military service starts in Armenia on November 25 to run through January 31, 2025. The...
16:45
Russian spokeswoman told not to comment on ballistic missile strike live on air
Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova received a phone call during a live press briefing on Thursday telling her not to...
16:33
Belgian politicians call for immediate release of all Armenian prisoners held in Baku
In the backdrop of the COP29 currently taking place in Baku 20 members of the Belgian Federal Parliament, the Flemish Parliament, the Walloon...
16:06
Armenia thwarts large-scale drug smuggling attempt
Officers of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee (SRC) have foiled an attempt to smuggle some 1,600 grams of cocaine into the country as part...
15:33
Armenian government reduces financial aid for Artsakh refugees
The Armenian government on Thursday approved a decision to reduce financial aid for the displaced Artsakh Armenians. Starting from...
14:45
Percival Everett wins National Book Award
Percival Everett has won the $10,000 National Book Award for fiction, one of the US’s most prestigious literary prizes, for James, his...
14:35
Pyunik v West Armenia match canceled
An Armenian Premier League match between FC Pyunik and West Armenia has been canceled. The 17th round match was scheduled for November 21....
14:06
Armenian Foreign Ministry denies cooperation with Azerbaijan on water management
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has denied claims of cooperation with Azerbaijan on transboundary water resources management. In a social...
13:36
No rain in sight for rest of the week
Clear weather is expected in Armenia's regions from Thursday to Sunday.  Rain and snow are forecast for most parts of the country...
13:06
Pashinyan thanks dismissed officials for cooperation
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude to the dismissed top government officials for joint work and wished good luck to...
12:36
Armenian church marks Presentation of Virgin Mary
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, November 21. According to tradition,...
12:15
Luxembourg's parliament demands immediate release of all unlawfully imprisoned persons in Azerbaijan
Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies has adopted a resolution condemning the Azerbaijani government’s sanctions against the freedom of...
12:00
Davit Khudatyan appointed minister of territorial administration
Armavir Governor Davit Khudatyan has been appointed Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Armenian President Vahagn...
11:45
Australia launches bill to ban social media for children under 16
Australia's centre-left government on Thursday introduced a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and...
11:30
Armenia's Andranik Avetisyan wins gold at World Military Wrestling Championships
The 37th World Military Wrestling Championships kicked off in Yerevan, Armenia, on Wednesday, bringing together 400 participants...
11:10
Leopard missing for two years spotted in Armenia's Tavush
A leopard, that lost its front paw and disappered from Armenia's Vayots Dzor Province in December 2022, has been spotted in...
17:09
Armenian political analyst warns of risk of nuclear war
Political scientist Stepan Danielyan has warned of an imminent threat of nuclear war after the Russian nuclear doctrine change. President...
16:45
Rain, snow expected in parts of Armenia
Rain and snow are forecast for some parts of Armenia on Wednesday, overnight Thursday, late on Sunday and next Monday. Clear weather is...
16:22
GM Robert Hovhannisyan qualifies for FIDE World Cup
The European Individual Chess Championship 2024 has concluded. GM Aleksandar Indjic from Serbia became the champion, scoring 9 points...
15:46
Cher reveals she lost her virginity at 14 to get revenge on boyfriend
Cher has revealed she lost her virginity at age 14 as an act of revenge against her teenage boyfriend, The Independent reports. In part...
15:32
Political analyst: Azerbaijan transported weapons to Nakhichevan 5 times in 4 days
Political analyst Sergei Melkonian, a research fellow at the Applied Policy Research Institute (APRI Armenia), says Azerbaijani planes carrying...
15:04
Azerbaijan attempts to distort Energy Charter goals in lawsuit against Armenia
Azerbaijan is attempting to distort the content and goals of the Energy Charter Treaty by trying to link it to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,...
14:32
Armenian MP calls for tough response to destruction of Artsakh heritage
Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan calls for a tough international response to Azerbaijan’s destruction and desecration of Armenian...
13:52
Arpine Sargsyan appointed Armenian interior minister
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan on Wednesday signed a decree to appoint Arpine Sargsyan as Armenia’s new interior minister....
13:30
November 20 is World COPD Day
World Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) Day is marked annually on November 20. World COPD Day is organized by the Global...
13:06
Yerevan to spend some 549.7 million drams on New Year celebrations
The Yerevan Municipality will spend 549.7 million drams on the upcoming New Year celebrations in the Armenian capital, Deputy Yerevan Mayor...
12:34
Pashinyan names pick for new minister of territorial administration
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has named Davit Khudatyan as his pick for Armenia's new minister of territorial administration and...
12:15
Amnesty International urges Georgia to respect right to peaceful assembly
Reacting to the news that police in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, have violently dismantled a protesters’ tent camp, Denis Krivosheev,...
12:05
'Dictators release political prisoners only when they face consequences,' lawyer says
Azerbaijan, a country often criticized for its authoritarian governance and human rights abuses, is hosting the 29th United Nations Climate...
11:30
Armenia blocks Artsakh movie from nomination for Oscars
By Harut Sassounian TheCaliforniaCourier.com In my last week’s article I criticized the government of Jordan for buckling under...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}