Armenian News – NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 10.02.22:

During the program dedicated to the ban on the export of Armenian dairy product matsun through Georgia the TV showed pictures of the product with the containers that read: “Karabakh is Azerbaijan” and “Dolma is also Azerbaijani.”

The Armenian Embassy in Georgia contacted Imedi TV immediately after the program was aired and requested clarification.

Later, Imedi has released a statement and said they 'regret and apologize for the mistake'

According to them, it was a technical issue and the photo displayed during the program does not match the original one.

There were over two dozen Armenian citizens engaged in this spy network, including Armenian Armed Forces employees. These people were offered to collaborate with the foreign special services, and provide them with the information about the Armenian military.

During the investigation, 19 people were detained on suspicion of high treason, and some of them have confessed.

  • In a new interview to TRT Haber TV channel, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke about relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ukrainian crisis development and meeting on Syria.

The FM noted that after the 44-day war, which 'put an end to the long-term Karabakh conflict', the South Caucasus faced 'new realities, opening the way for long-term peace and stability in the region.'

The FM added that the future and destiny of Turkey and Azerbaijan are closely linked.

"Azerbaijan also stands for long-term peace with Armenia,” Cavusoglu said.

Armenia should 'seize chance' and 'reconsider its positions,' said Mevlut Cavusoglu, reminding that the special representatives of Turkey and Armenia will meet in Vienna on February 24.

Touching upon the issue of meeting on Syria in Antalya, Cavusoglu noted that Russian FM Sergei Lavrov may join the FMs of Iran and Turkey in March.

In his interview Cavusoglu also noted that 'Western diplomacy harms Ukraine'.

"The excitement fanned by the West around fears of an imminent Russian aggression in Ukraine is dealing a blow to Ukraine, including its economy," he noted.

According to the FM, steps are important to reduce the level of escalation and create an atmosphere of trust.

Turkey's efforts to normalize relations with Armenia and Israel represent a tactical shift in diplomacy rather than a value-based commitment to cordial relations, Aykan Erdemir added.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog may visit Ankara next month after Israel cautiously welcomed Turkey's calls to repair relations torn apart by disagreements in regional politics and the Palestinian issue.

  • Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan had a press briefing Thursday and touched upon the controversial statement made by Belarusian president Alexnader Lukashenko.

Earlier, Lukashenko spoke about creating Union State —comprising Russia Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states.

Asked whether the prospect of joining the Union State was being discussed by Armenia, Grigoryan noted that "there is not such agenda for Armenia."

"Armenia is a sovereign, democratic state—and it should remain so," Grigoryan added.

By the way, Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan said they assured the Belarusian Ambassador that statements of Yerevan and Minsk must be based on mutual respect and the principle of sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Grigoryan was also asked to comment on the recent "attack" by the Azerbaijani MFA on Armenia with respect to some conditions proposed by the Armenian side on border demarcation and delimitation.

However, according to Grigoryan, Armenia has only demanded to fulfill all the obligations reached in Russia last year to take steps to increase security.

Azerbaijan said that after the first Karabakh war they have about 4,000 missing people. However, the Armenian PM noted that there are only 777 of them. 

He noted that 108 bodies have already been handed over without any preconditions, since Armenia considers it wrong to bargain in such humanitarian issues.

Referring to the Armenian side losses in the second Karabakh war, the PM said that as of February 9, 2022, there are 3,812 people, including 3,736 soldiers and 76 civilians.

During his speech, Pashinyan also noted that "Yerevan and Baku should first take steps to improve security and stability on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border."

According to him, the conclusion of a peace agreement with Azerbaijan and the normalization of relations with Turkey is one of the goals of the current Armenian government.

It was created on the initiative of the MPs from the ruling majority “Civil Contract” Faction of the parliament, Arusyak Julhakyan, a lawmaker from this faction, wrote on the Facebook.

Lavrov made the comments immediately after talks between the two leaders. In talks, Truss warned any Russian invasion of Ukraine would have “massive consequences”.

“The reality is we cannot ignore the build-up of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and the attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Truss told the FM.

  • The Winter Olympics are in full swing!

American men’s figure skater Nathan Chen shattered the world record for a figure skating short program. 

In the men’s short team program, Chen scored 113.97 points, nearly two more than the previous world record set by rival Yuzuru Hanyu, and six points clear of second-place Yuma Kagiyama headed into Thursday’s free skate. 

Chen is coached by Armenians Rafael Arutyunyan and Vera Arutyunyan.

Meanwhile, in the overall medal count, the US team rose to fourth place with 3 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze medal. The leader is Germany with 5 gold and 3 silver medals.

The Norwegians are in the second place with 4 gold and bronze medals, 2 silver medals. Sweden closes the top three with 4 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.