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Articles by Onnik James Krikorian

From banker to hunger striker: Ruben Vardanyan faces charges in Baku

13/03/2025 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Having made a fortune in Russia, Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan moved to the then disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh where he became de facto State Minister. Arrested by Azerbaijan in 2023, he is now on trial in Baku. After going on hunger strike last month, Vardanyan issued an audio statement last week, creating further headaches for the Pashinyan government in Armenia

Pashinyan's 'Real Armenia’ ideological address sparks debate

27/02/2025 -  Onnik James Krikorian

As Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations appeared to have stalled over points of disagreement, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has implied that the matter of a controversial preamble to the country’s constitution could be resolved

Pashinyan Pushes for New Narrative Amid Armenia-Turkiye Efforts

12/02/2025 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended last month’s World Economic Forum in Davos. So too did Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev but there have so far not been any reports that the two met. Instead, during his visit, Pashinyan made headlines in another area: the relations with Turkiye

EU extends Armenia border mission amid membership hopes

03/02/2025 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Armenia has entered the pre-election year with all to play for. Yet, despite constantly declining ratings, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan could benefit from a new inadvertent supporter – the European Union

Armenia, EU accession plans and economic struggles

22/01/2025 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Armenia has announced its intention to become a member of the European Union, however close relations with Moscow, particularly in the economic and energy spheres, complicate the possibility of Yerevan taking the European path

Georgia’s Dark New Year

12/12/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Protests in Georgia, which erupted after the October elections and the decision to suspend negotiations with the EU, are not abating. Georgia is deeply divided on two fronts. Another critical moment is expected on Saturday: the election of the new president

After elections, Georgia on the brink

03/12/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

A complex geopolitical web has entangled Georgia in another wave of protests. Following controversial elections held in October, thousands have taken to the streets in response to what many see as the government turning away from the European Union and moving closer to Russia

COP 29: hope for breakthrough with Azerbaijan dims as Armenia a no-show

20/11/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Armenia’s absence from this year’s Climate Conference in Azerbaijan underscores the ongoing tensions between Yerevan and Baku. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg surprised many by visiting Tbilisi and Yerevan to support protesters

Armenia-Azerbaijan talks in the balance as COP29 deadline approaches

18/10/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

With less than a month left before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, the clock is ticking down on any potential document to be signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan to end over three decades of conflict

3MesiDi: Armenia, la difficile pace con l’Azerbaijan

30/09/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Caduto l’ex Nagorno Karabakh dopo il recente conflitto tra Armenia e Azerbaijan, resta da costruire la pace tra i due paesi. I mesi scorsi hanno fatto ben sperare, ma numerose sono state le battute di arresto

ESCLUSIVA

Yerevan and Baku at a crossroads as Russia flexes its muscles

24/09/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Though there had been hopes that some kind of agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan could be initialled or signed by November this year, the situation looks increasingly uncertain as Russia once again enters the fray

The One Caucasus Festival promotes regional unity

13/09/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian Tbilisi

Last August, the One Caucasus Festival brought together Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia through music, culture and educational and participatory projects. An example of how communities can build a peaceful future together

Armenia’s nuclear dilemma

02/09/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Armenia wants to close the Metsamor nuclear power plant, obsolete and built in seismic territory, and build a new plant by 2036. To achieve this, Yerevan is negotiating with Russia, France and the United States: a contest that touches on energy but also geopolitical issues

Russian border guards leave Yerevan airport in symbolic break from Moscow

08/08/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

After thirty-two years, on July 31, Armenians and Russians signed a protocol to end the presence of Russian border guards at Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport. This does not signify Moscow’s withdrawal from Armenia, but nevertheless has symbolic value

Armenia and Turkey meet on closed border

01/08/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

On 30 July, the Armenian and Turkish special envoys for normalising relations between the two countries met on their shared border. Though encouraging, however, the process appears to remain linked to normalising relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Baku insists on Constitutional change for Armenia peace accord

02/07/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian Yerevan

The dispute over the modifications to the Armenian Constitution requested by Azerbaijan continues to hinder the normalization of relations between the two countries and the achievement of peace agreements

Armenia, church and state battle it out at Sardarapat

31/05/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Though protests against border delimitation and demarcation had started to wane in recent weeks, smaller acts of civil disobedience this week might well have rejuvenated the movement led by a renegade archbishop calling for the Prime Minister’s resignation

Armenia, Pashinyan hails border delimitation as protests set to continue

21/05/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Following a landmark decision by Yerevan and Baku to delimit part of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, efforts towards an agreement to normalise relations move forward despite anti-Pashinyan protests in Yerevan

Armenia, clergy-led protests in Yerevan call for Pashinyan's resignation

14/05/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Between 20 and 30 thousand demonstrators, led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, protested in the Armenian capital to oppose the current demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, following the Nagorno Karabakh war, and to demand the resignation of the prime minister

Armenia pushes ahead with demarcation, Azerbaijani village return

29/04/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Armenia moves forward with the demarcation and restitution of Azerbaijani villages. Despite the exultation of the leaders of the respective countries for a closer peace, the ongoing process is certainly not without problems