The Region in Brief

Armenia

The national flag of the Republic of Artsakh, which was displayed in Yerevan’s French Square for two years, was reported stolen. The news was shared by MP Gegham Manukyan of the Armenia faction. While officials have denied any involvement in the theft, Manukyan asserted that the national flag of Artsakh would continue to fly prominently in the heart of Yerevan. He expressed confidence that the flag would be reinstated in its rightful place in the square within hours. Shortly after Manukyan’s declaration, Kristine Vardanyan, also a deputy of the Armenia faction, confirmed the restoration of the Artsakh flag in Yerevan’s French Square. 

Artsakh

Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan has taken to social media to condemn what he describes as another violation of international law by the Azerbaijani regime led by President Ilham Aliyev. Beglaryan’s remarks come in the wake of reports indicating that the Azerbaijani authorities have not only detained the leadership of Artsakh but have also obstructed their legal representation. According to Beglaryan, the former leaders of Artsakh are being coerced into giving interviews, raising alarms about the potential exploitation of hostages for propaganda purposes. He emphasized that the use of hostages for propaganda and mass humiliation is a crime.

Azerbaijan

The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has signed a “Cooperation agreement in the field of joint research, development and production” with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, according to Baykar Defense CEO Haluk Bayraktar. The agreement is a reflection of the strong cooperation and trust between our countries. Our brotherhood, which grows with the principle ‘One Nation, Two States,’ becomes even stronger with this sense of unity,” Bayraktar said.

Russia

Moscow has responded to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement about Armenia’s potential withdrawal from the CSTO, stressing the need for further clarification. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov highlighted the importance of continued dialogue to address the situation, both within the CSTO and through bilateral channels with Armenia. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced what she called Pashinyan’s “counterproductive and at times offensive rhetoric.” “Continuing Yerevan’s current course could ultimately cause irreparable damage to our allied relations,” she said.

Turkey

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that the upcoming municipal elections on March 31 will mark his final term. “This is the final for me. This election is my last election under the authority given by law. The work that must be done will be transferred to my brothers, who will come after me,” he declared. Erdogan’s victory in the 2023 election with 52.18-percent of the vote, against his rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who garnered 47.82-percent, came under scrutiny. The election saw a turnout of 85.71-percent, giving Erdogan, who has led the country for two decades, another five-year term.

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Hoory Minoyan

Hoory Minoyan was an active member of the Armenian community in Los Angeles until she moved to Armenia prior to the 44-day war. She graduated with a master's in International Affairs from Boston University, where she was also the recipient of the William R. Keylor Travel Grant. The research and interviews she conducted while in Armenia later became the foundation of her Master’s thesis, “Shaping Identity Through Conflict: The Armenian Experience.” Hoory continues to follow her passion for research and writing by contributing to the Armenian Weekly.

Latest posts by Hoory Minoyan (see all)

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