Month: June 2022

CivilNet: 2,735 new companies were registered in Armenia in April and May

Varazdat Torgomian
CIVILNET.AM

09 Jun, 2022 10:06

  • The future rail routes between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been agreed on, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
  • The Armenian government has adopted a decision to make the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces subordinate to the Defense Minister.
  • 2,735 new companies were registered in Armenia in April and May of this year, according to the country’s Statistical Committee.

Credits: Ruplty

Asbarez: 2022 ANCA-WR Hye Tahd Weekend Set for September 24-25

Jane Topchian
 by Contributor

 

 June 9, 2022

 

in Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories
 0

Grassroots Conference and Annual Gala Banquet Are Back!

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America–Western Region announced that it will hold its 2022 Hye Tahd Weekend on September 24 and 25. The weekend of activities will include the ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference on Artsakh, which will take place on Saturday, September 24, and the ANCA-WR Annual Gala Banquet set to take place on Sunday, September 25, 2022.

“The global pandemic and the 2020 Artsakh Conflict prompted us to cancel several of our major events in the past two years to protect our community from COVID-19 and streamline our community’s resources towards the defense and security of our homeland (Armenia and Artsakh) but we are back,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “Instead of just hosting the much anticipated ANCA-WR Annual Gala Banquet, we are also celebrating the 11th anniversary of the ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference by featuring some of the most prominent legal, academic, and policy experts on Artsakh.”

The 2022 ANCA-WR Hye Tahd Weekend marks the return of the ANCA-WR Annual Gala Banquet, the premier event for the Armenian-American community, where over 1,000 supporters, community leaders, public officials, and coalition partners come together annually to acknowledge and encourage the work of the organization and to pay homage to honorees whose contribution to the Armenian Cause is recognized each year.

As the largest event of its kind, the annual ANCA-WR Gala serves as a catalyst to unify the community around the Armenian Cause in all its facets, highlighting the many accomplishments of the most effective and well-organized grassroots advocacy organization in the Armenian Diaspora.

More details about the outstanding panelists of the 2022 Grassroots Conference and the Honorees of the 2022 Annual Gala Banquet will be released in the coming weeks.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

‘There Can Be No Ambiguity About Armenia’s Sovereignty,’ Lavrov Says in Yerevan

Emma Jilavian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 June 9, 2022

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

Foreign ministers of Russia and Armenia, Sergei Lavrov (left) and Ararat Mirzoyan during a joint press conference in Yerevan on June 9


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday in Yerevan that the mechanism that will be introduced for the opening of transit routes between Armenia and Azerbaijan are based on the absolute sovereignty of the territory of Armenia.

“As you know, the railway route has been agreed upon, now the agreement on the automobile route is being completed, as well as an agreement over the mechanism that will be instituted is being completed. It will be based absolutely on the sovereignty of the territory of Armenia. There could not be any ambiguity here,” Lavrov said, speaking at a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan.

Lavrov is in Armenia to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of Collective Security Treaty Organization, know as the CSTO. Ahead of that meeting on Friday, Lavrov met with Mirzoyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Vahagn Khachatryan. The top Russian diplomat also visited the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.

During the joint press conference, Lavrov said that a final agreement on relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be forthcoming, adding that Yerevan and Moscow have similar approaches to the issue.

“In my view, we have a common perception that the process moves forward. Perhaps, it would be desirable for the process to be faster, nevertheless, it is moving forward with substantive, positive, albeit still intermediate results being achieved,” said Lavrov.

“But there is no doubt that there will also be final agreements. We try to contribute to it in every way. Of course, the sides have their own visions, which do not always correspond to one another, especially on how to proceed in the upcoming stage. In any case our partners and us agree that the three agreements are very simple roadmaps that should guide us all,” added Lavrov.

Lavrov said the activities of the Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan deputy prime ministerial working group dealing with the unblocking of transportation and economic communications in the region have also greatly moved forward. He also added that the commission tasked with addressing the opening of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border will meet in Moscow in the near future.

“Therefore, I am sure that there is no other way than the complete normalization of the relations,” Lavrov said.

The Russian leader also praised efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey, saying that this process will greatly enhance stability in the region.
“In this context, in our common opinion, it is necessary to ensure the dynamic work of the ‘3 + 3’ regional platform with the participation of the three countries of the South Caucasus and their three neighbors. This is an important additional channel for the formation of dialogue and development of multilateral cooperation between the countries of the region and their neighbors,” Lavrov added.

While welcoming official Ankara’s statements about normalizing relations with Armenia, that include establishing diplomatic relations and opening the border, Mirzoyan, in his turn, voiced concern that Turkish authorities’ attempt to correlate the Turkey-Armenia and Armenia-Azerbaijan issues were not constructive.

“We are seeing differences in approaches in the sense that Turkey constantly announces that this normalization process must take place without any precondition, but we regularly see connection between the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the Armenia-Azerbaijan processes. A connection that the representatives of Turkey’s leadership are trying to find or highlight on every occasion,” said Mirzoyan. “We do not think that this is constructive.”

Mirzoyan also said that there are also difference in approach as Yerevan has a more nuanced approach toward the pace of the talks. Nevertheless, he said, Armenia welcomes sentiments by Turkey about opening the border with Armenia.

Asbarez: Moscow, Baku Disagree on Artsakh’s Parukh Situation

Alex Jidarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 June 9, 2022

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

The village of Parukh in Artsakh's Askeran region


 disagreement on approaches between Russia and Azerbaijan surfaced regarding the Parukh village in Artsakh’s Askeran region, where Azerbaijani forces in March breached the line-of-contact and advanced their positions in the Armenian-controlled portion of Artsakh.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is visiting Yerevan, told reporters Thursday that stabilizing the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is among the priorities of the Russian peacekeepers stationed in Artsakh since the 2020 war.

Lavrov, who was speaking at a press conference with his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, was specifically asked what the Russian peacekeepers were doing to de-occupy Parukh and push Azerbaijani forces back to their initial positions, since 400 residents of the area are unable to return to their homes because of Azerbaijan’s continued aggression.

“As for the situation [in Parukh], it is one of the priorities of the Russian servicemen, and our Armenian friends are very well informed about that,” said Lavrov. “There are also some results in terms of easing of tension on the ground, and we view that these issues will be observed and will be definitely solved within the launching substantive border delimitation efforts.”

Mirzoyan told reporters that Russia was instrumental in stopping the aggression and the further escalation of the issue. He also said that Yerevan continues to believe that the Russian peacekeepers are able to restore the status quo in the region.

“The deployment of peacekeeping forces in Nagorno Karabakh as a factor to prevent provocations and ensure the security of the people of Artsakh is aimed at creating conditions for restoring the normal life and ensuring stability and security in our region,” Mirzoyan said.

Official Baku was quick to counter Lavrov’s statements, insisting that the Parukh region “has no connection with the border demarcation issues with Armenia” since it is located in Azerbaijan’s Khojalu region,

“The commissions created by Azerbaijan and Armenia are aimed at delimitating and demarcating of borders between the two countries,” Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Leyla Abdulayeva said in a statement.

Abdulayeva emphasized that it is not envisioned that the border process will address areas outside of the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, including those areas where Russian peacekeeping forces are temporarily being stationed.

AW: A Vision that Became a Multi-Generational Legacy

Emil Lazarian
June 8, 2022 Stepan Piligian In Sight, Columns 0

Mary Mooradian

The actual beginning was in 1971. A new Central Executive (CE) of the Armenian Youth Federation had been elected during a summertime national convention in Chicago. During the summer months prior to the Olympics, the CE was very focused on the implementation of the resolutions passed by the delegates. There were four major areas of focus: athletics, political activities, education and the juniors. I was honored to serve that year with an incredibly committed young woman named Mary Mooradian. She had a vision for the juniors that she presented in the fall of 1971. The Olympics in Boston had concluded, and the work for the coming year was in front of us. Many of the members on that CE were young college students with little experience but possessed a boatload of passion. I still remember the meeting where Mary told us to imagine a long weekend of education, socialization and identity building for our juniors. It was a new idea, and she named it the National Juniors Seminar. When you are blazing a new trail, it is not always clear whether the concept will survive, and the idea will simply have run its course in a few years. Mary operated with such conviction about this idea that she galvanized the followers and the silent skeptics together. A superb organizer, she addressed every possible detail as she articulated a plan for the seminar. It would be held on Memorial Day weekend. The weather was acceptable to use Camp Haiastan, and it would be held before the start of the camping season. Mary was astute at “connecting the dots” by creating a bridge between regional Winter Olympics and the Camp Haiastan season. There was some concern about the impact on the midwest region by holding it in the northeast, but proof of concept would best be managed at the Camp. In those days, the Camp could handle less than 100 people between juniors and staff. The updates from Mary on the seminar were the highlights of our CE meetings over the winter and the early spring. This was an exciting time in the AYF with our well-established athletic programs and the development of AYF-sponsored political activism. The AYF has always done an excellent job of empowering young people to take on significant responsibilities. The result has been the maturing of our youth and acquisition of life skills such as project management, interpersonal relations and problem solving. The planning and implementation of that first seminar was a case study of these attributes.

Roles were identified: lecturers, counselors and kitchen volunteers were plentiful. The breakout groups focused on modern history, Hai Tahd and identity in the diaspora. There was ample opportunity for athletics and socializing. It would be an understatement to call the first seminar a success. It was a life-changing event. The impact on the lives of the juniors and seniors was off the charts. Participants came from a variety of geographies and added to the relationship base that is a hallmark of the AYF. I would hear juniors say they “would see you at camp” and “couldn’t wait for the next seminar.” The decision on continuity had been made by the participants.

I have always admired those with the “idea” and the passion to implement. Mary was unique in her idea creation and her relentless ability to deliver that vision. Waiting in the wings on the depth chart was Mike Najarian to embrace the concept, expand it and complete its institutionalization. With the leadership of Michael came the ever-present support of his brothers and dear parents. The Najarian homestead in Waltham during the 70s was the AYF version of a visitors center and hostel. We must never forget the impact of our parents and their commitment to their children and hospitality. After a few years, the seminar had outgrown the capacity of Camp. Mike had wisely been working with the midwest chapters to introduce the necessity of travel toward the east in order to make national events successful. He convinced them that their participation was essential to the national seminar concept. At the same time, he encouraged the New Englanders that we all have to travel to keep the program fair and balanced. As a result, the seminar spent a few years in Ohio and later in Pennsylvania at rented summer camps to meet the geographic and capacity needs of this major program. This was when the seminar exploded to the 300+ participant level that we have become accustomed to. I remember as staff members, we would try to arrive before the juniors to tend to some of the organizing. There was no better sight to witness than numerous buses rolling in from the midwest and New England with hundreds of juniors on-board. When working in the midst of all these wonderful kids, it was the first time we may have said that Turkey completely failed. This was before the independence of Armenia and Artsakh in 1991. Political programming in the AYF was significant, and the seminar has contributed to the anticipated strong future of our journey for justice. Some of those early participants are now in their 60s and have gone on to a life of service to the Armenian nation. They have served our church and our organizations, worked for the Hai Tahd and raised children to continue the process. Seeing those young juniors absorb the experience like a sponge was proof that the AYF and the Seminar have the correct recipe. Most of what we do in our communities is intended to motivate individuals to seek out additional knowledge and participation. In a three- to four-day weekend, many of these juniors return with a new level of identity as they are emotionally inspired. The seminar creates a “little Armenia” where all aspects of your ethnic identity in the diaspora can be explored. It is a powerful formula. The last 20-plus years have had the additional opportunity to integrate the homeland into the teachings and experience. This makes it an even more complete encounter.

I have had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with some of the AYF leadership in the last few years. Anyone of my generation would be proud to know these young people. Their level of knowledge, maturity and commitment is very impressive. They are adding important value with the organization’s work in Armenia, activism and use of social media to expand the base. The National Junior Seminar passed the tests of survival in its early days in the 70s with ease. The reason is simple; it is a concept that adds value to the AYF mission and to individual participants. There are very few ideas that overcome the test of time unless they can identify with that generation and satisfy some needs. When one thinks of the AYF, there are iconic institutions with the Olympics and Camp Haiastan. The Junior Seminar, which just marked its 50th year, has joined its two older sisters in creating a trifecta of excellence.

I have also found the AYF of today interested in its history and the environment of its earlier days. This is a sign of the respect they have for the organization and for those who came before them. We should never underestimate the importance of that level of maturity. Tradition simply for the sake of tradition can lead to stagnation. When a tradition contains multi-generational value, it can become a pillar to an institution. This is the position the Junior Seminar holds in the AYF today. It has a magnetic appeal that attracts hundreds of our children towards building a solid identity with their heritage. In the diaspora, establishing a sustained Armenian identity is eventually a choice that we all make. The role of our community and organization structure is to influence that decision with education, emotional ties and socialization. We fill their minds with knowledge and their hearts with identity with the hope that they become a functioning participant in the global Armenian nation.

The generations of leaders in the AYF over the last 50 years should be congratulated for the amazing impact of the National Junior Seminar. It represents the best the AYF has to offer in terms of knowledge acquisition, emotional identity and a call to action. During this remarkable run, literally thousands of AYF juniors and seniors have experienced this life-changing weekend during Memorial Day. With a 50-year age range, the various gatekeepers share a common commitment to never rest on the past success. This is the major reason why Seminar has endured. It has adapted to the times to meet the changing needs of our youth. The goal remains the same, but the tactics change to maintain an effective way of communicating. One aspect of the seminar that should not be overlooked is the leadership development success with the attendance of senior members. These young adults take on substantial responsibility in organizing and implementing the food, transportation, programming and safety content of the weekend. It is a valuable experience that serves as a skills development program. Hundreds of these seniors have moved into blossoming professional careers and responsible roles in the Armenian community. For many, the AYF experience was the beginning of a solid foundation.

Mary Mooradian sadly passed away a few years ago. Most of our youth today probably didn’t know her or even her name. I would ask that each of you who have had great memories or experiences at Junior Seminar take a moment and pray for the soul of this AYF visionary. In her earthly life, she was all about giving. Like many of you, in her youth, the AYF was a major recipient of her talents. She went on to contribute to her heritage and faith in a variety of community organizations. She was a clear manifestation of the AYF leadership and participation model. For those who have been the beneficiaries of Junior Seminar, support our youth today. Bring your children into the light with the same drive of your parents and commit yourself to maintaining an important vehicle. A legacy is what we leave for the future. The AYF has become rich in its legacy through the enduring impact of the National Junior Seminar.

  •  Bio
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Columnist
Stepan was raised in the Armenian community of Indian Orchard, MA at the St. Gregory Parish. A former member of the AYF Central Executive and the Eastern Prelacy Executive Council, he also served many years as a delegate to the Eastern Diocesan Assembly. Currently , he serves as a member of the board and executive committee of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). He also serves on the board of the Armenian Heritage Foundation. Stepan is a retired executive in the computer storage industry and resides in the Boston area with his wife Susan. He has spent many years as a volunteer teacher of Armenian history and contemporary issues to the young generation and adults at schools, camps and churches. His interests include the Armenian diaspora, Armenia, sports and reading.


RFE/RL Armenian Report – 06/09/2022

Diana Dabaghian 
                                        Thursday, June 9, 2022


Authorities Probe ‘Misuse Of COVID-19 Funds’
June 09, 2022
        • Naira Bulghadarian

Armenia -- A healthcare worker clad in protective gear looks after COVID-19 
patients at the Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center, Yerevan, June 5, 2020.


An Armenian law-enforcement agency has pledged to investigate allegations that 
the Ministry of Health misused government funds provided to it in 2020 for the 
fight against COVID-19.

In a recent report, the Armenian parliament’s Audit Chamber suggested that 
ministry officials embezzled and/or wasted some of the 26 billion drams ($59 
million) in emergency funding allocated following the onset of the coronavirus 
pandemic.

In particular, the chamber said, the ministry inflated the number of 
hospitalized COVID-19 patients and channeled 900 million drams into hospitals 
that did not treat people infected with the respiratory disease. It also 
questioned the integrity of relevant state procurements, saying that many of 
them were administered without tenders.

Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) responded to the Audit Chamber report 
by opening a formal criminal case. The ACC said it is conducting an 
investigation into embezzlement, fraud and abuse of power. It has not yet 
identified any suspects in the case.

The alleged abuses were committed during former Health Minister Arsen Torosian’s 
tenure.

Torosian, who is now a parliament deputy representing the ruling Civil Contract 
party, has already ruled out any corrupt practices. He said earlier this week 
that he looks forward to cooperating with investigators.

“For me, it is very strange that the Audit Chamber does not understand 
elementary facts,” he told Factor.am. “Frankly, I see a bias in that report.”

Torosian was sacked by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in January 2021. 
Throughout his tenure he was criticized not only by opposition groups but also 
some pro-government parliamentarians.

The criticism intensified during the pandemic which hit Armenia hard. Torosian 
repeatedly defended his and other government officials’ response to the 
unprecedented health crisis.


Minister Wants Action Against Opposition ‘Hooliganism’
June 09, 2022
        • Nane Sahakian

Armenia - Health Minister Anahit Avanesian speaks during a cabinet meeting in 
Yerevan, November 4, 2021.


Health Minister Anahit Avanesian has asked the Armenian parliament to take 
disciplinary action against its opposition members who staged an angry protest 
in her office after she praised riot police using force against anti-government 
protesters.

The three female parliamentarians burst into the office on Wednesday as 
Avanesian met there with other officials from the Armenian Ministry of Health. 
They brandished photographs of the remains of Armenian soldiers killed in the 
2020 Karabakh war that were kept in degrading conditions at a morgue outside 
Yerevan.

“Shame on you!” one of the lawmakers, Kristine Vartanian, shouted during the 
incident caught on a mobile phone camera.

It was a stark reminder of Avanesian’s perceived role in a scandal that erupted 
one year ago. Photographs circulated on social media showed plastic bags filled 
with human remains lying on the ground in the morgue’s basement, which was not 
refrigerated to prevent their decomposition. They caused uproar in the country, 
with many accusing the authorities of dishonoring the soldiers.

Avanesian publicly apologized to soldiers’ families at the time amid opposition 
calls for her resignation. The minister retained her post, unlike the morgue’s 
director and two other employees fired as a result.

Avanesian condemned the intrusion as an act of “hooliganism” and “ugly show.” 
She called for a parliamentary ethics inquiry into Vartanian and the two other 
lawmakers.

Vartanian scoffed at the demand on Thursday, saying that it is part of the 
Armenian authorities’ efforts to intimidate leaders and participants of more 
than month-long protests organized by the country’s main opposition forces.

Armenia - Riot police clash with opposition protesters in Yerevan, June 3, 2022.

The incident occurred the day after Avanesian praised security forces’ response 
to the virtually daily rallies in Yerevan demanding Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian’s resignation. She specifically defended the use of force against 
opposition supporters who tried to march towards the parliament building on June 
3.

The police fired stun grenades during the violent clashes with protesters which 
left dozens of people from both sides injured. Amateur videos posted on social 
media showed some police officers kicking and punching protesters arrested by 
their colleagues. None of those officers is facing criminal proceedings.

Law-enforcement authorities have instead pressed assault charges against 15 
opposition supporters. Opposition leaders reject the accusations as politically 
motivated.

“I am sometimes surprised by the patience of our police officers, their strong 
nerves,” Avanesian told reporters on Tuesday. “They are doing a great job. I 
want to thank them.”



Opposition Leaders Appeal To Russia’s Lavrov
June 09, 2022
        • Robert Zargarian

Armenia - An opposition demonstration in Yerevan, June 9, 2022.


Armenian opposition leaders on Thursday urged Moscow to stop doing business with 
Armenia’s government as they rallied supporters during Russian Foreign Minister 
Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Yerevan.

The demonstrators marched towards the Armenian Foreign Ministry building in the 
morning shortly before the start of Lavrov’s talks with his Armenian counterpart 
Ararat Mirzoyan held there. The authorities deployed scores of riot police and 
other security forces to keep them from approaching the building.

The crowd did not attempt to break through the massive police cordon, with 
opposition leaders addressing it outside Armenian prosecutors’ headquarters 
close to the Foreign Ministry. They all welcomed Lavrov’s trip.

“We are here to communicate a very clear message,” said Ishkhan Saghatelian, the 
main speaker at continuing anti-government protests in Yerevan. “The people who 
present themselves as Armenia’s authorities and with whom you negotiate have 
nothing to do with the will and position of the Armenian people. Any agreement 
reached with them is null and void.”

Another opposition leader, Hayk Mamijanian, urged Moscow to do more to ensure 
the release of Armenian prisoners remaining in Azerbaijan and the withdrawal of 
Azerbaijani forces from an area in Karabakh seized by them in March.

Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets with Russian Foreign Minister 
Sergei Lavrov, Yerevan, June 9, 2022

The Armenian opposition staged similar protests during recent official visits to 
the country by the presidents of Lithuania and Montenegro. The protests were 
part of a “civil disobedience” campaign which the opposition launched on May 1 
in a bid to force Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to resign.

Opposition leaders accuse Pashinian of helping Azerbaijan regain full control 
over Nagorno-Karabakh. They also claim that he is ready to cede Armenian 
territory to Baku as a result of a planned demarcation of the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Mirzoyan downplayed the significance of the protests at a joint news conference 
with Lavrov. He said the opposition drive to topple the government has not 
attracted popular support. Echoing statements by other Armenian officials, the 
foreign minister also said that Pashinian’s political team won a mandate to run 
the country for the next five years in the 2021 general elections.

Moscow reacted cautiously to the protests on May 5. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry 
Peskov expressed hope that political stability in Armenia will be restored soon.



Russia Backs Armenian Control Over Transit Routes For Azerbaijan
June 09, 2022
        • Sargis Harutyunyan

Armenia - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Russian counterpart 
Sergei Lavrov meet in Yerevan, June 9, 2022.


Armenia will control a road and a railway that will connect Azerbaijan with its 
Nakhichevan exclave through an Armenian region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei 
Lavrov said during a visit to Yerevan on Thursday.

Lavrov revealed at the same time that the Armenian government has agreed to 
simplify border crossing procedures for Azerbaijani cargo and travellers that 
will use the planned transit routes.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are to reopen their border to commercial and passenger 
traffic under the terms of a Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped their 
six-week war for Nagorno-Karabakh in November 2020.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly claimed that the deal calls 
for a permanent land corridor for Nakhichevan passing through Armenia’s Syunik 
province that also borders Iran. Aliyev said in December that passage through 
the corridor must be exempt from Armenian border controls. Yerevan rejected his 
demands.

The disagreements effectively suspended the work of a 
Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani commission dealing with practical modalities of the 
transport links.

The commission met in Moscow late last week for the first time in five months. 
The Russian government said its Armenian and Azerbaijani members “brought closer 
their positions on issues of border, customs and other types of control.”

Speaking after talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Lavrov said 
that Baku, Moscow and Yerevan are now finalizing a deal on a “simplified” border 
control regime for the road to Nakhichevan.

“It will be simplified but it will precisely be based on the recognition of the 
sovereignty of Armenian territory,” Lavrov told a joint news conference with 
Mirzoyan. “There can be no ambiguities here.”

“We have a sense that our Armenian and Azerbaijani colleagues proceed from 
this,” he said.

Lavrov did not specify whether people and cargo using the Syunik roads will be 
checked by Armenian customs and immigration officers. It is also unclear if the 
same simplified regime will be put in place for the transit of Armenian goods 
through Azerbaijan.

Mirzoyan stressed that “all roads that will be opened or reopened will remain 
under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the country through which they pass.” 
He said Baku and Yerevan have yet to work out “many details” of the transport 
links.

“But discussions are continuing and I think that we will have mutually 
acceptable solutions,” added the Armenian minister.

Neighboring Iran has repeatedly voiced support for full Armenian control over 
all roads passing through Armenia. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reaffirmed 
Tehran’s stance in a June 1 phone call with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

The issue was high on the agenda of Pashinian’s last meeting with Aliyev held in 
Brussels on May 22. European Council President Charles Michel, who hosted the 
meeting, said the two leaders agreed on “principles of border administration, 
security, land fees but also customs in the context of international transport.” 
He did not elaborate.


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2022 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Beatifications of martyred priests lift Lebanese mired in poverty

Emil Karabekian
June 7 2022
JUN 7, 2022 VOICES

 

BY DOREEN ABI RAAD
Capuchin Fathers Leonard Melki, top left, and Thomas Saleh, bottom right, are Lebanese priests who were martyred by the Ottoman Turks in 1915 and 1917 respectively. The were beatified in Lebanon June 4, 2022. (CNS photo/Archives of the Vice Province of the Capuchins in the Middle East, Mteyleb, Lebanon)

Like a light piercing through the darkness of despair in beleaguered Lebanon, two martyred Lebanese Capuchin priests were beatified on the eve of Pentecost.

The beatification comes as Lebanon is drowning in a catastrophic economic meltdown in which poverty is now a reality for nearly 90% of the population.

The new blessed martyrs – Capuchin Fathers Leonard Melki and Thomas Saleh – were persecuted and killed in Turkey under the Ottoman Empire, in 1915 and 1917, respectively.

Thousands gathered for the June 4 beatification Mass presided by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, in the courtyard of the convent and psychiatric hospital complex of the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross in Jal El Dib, overlooking Beirut and the Mediterranean.

The order was founded by the blessed martyrs’ fellow Lebanese Capuchin – Blessed Abouna Yaccoub, who was beatified in Lebanon in 2008 – whose tomb lies in the adjoining Church.

Prelates participating on the altar included Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops; Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai, patriarch of Maronite Catholics; Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan; and Archbishop Joseph Spiteri, papal nuncio to Lebanon.

“Even today and in many parts of the world, injustice wounds humanity and causes great suffering,” Cardinal Semeraro said in his homily.

The two martyrs were “victims of a wave of hatred that repeatedly swept through the end of the Ottoman Empire and mingled with the tragic events of the persecution of the entire Armenian people and against the Christian faith,” he said.

“Humanly, they were victims, but from the perspective of the Christian faith they were victors,” the cardinal said, who noted that it was the Holy Spirit who gave them courage.

Attracted by the missionary example of friars from the Capuchin order serving in their village of Baabat, Lebanon, Father Melki was just 14 and Father Saleh was 16 when they left their homeland in 1895, entering the minor seminary of San Stefano, a district of Istanbul. In their mission, they served Christians of all rites, including Armenian, Syriac and Chaldean.

They were ordained in Turkey in 1904.

When Turkish soldiers raided Father Melki’s monastery in Mardin, he hid the Eucharist. Imprisoned and subjected to barbaric torture, he stood strong and remained faithful when offered mercy if he agreed to convert to Islam.

From Mardin, Turkey, where he served, Father Melki was forced to march to a desert with more than 400 Christian prisoners, including the Armenian Catholic bishop, Blessed Ignace Maloyan, who was beatified in 2001. All refused to convert to Islam. They were massacred on June 11, 1915, the feast of the Sacred Heart. Father Melki was stabbed with a dagger in the heart.

After sheltering an Armenian priest during the Armenian genocide carried out by Ottoman Turks in 1915-1918, Father Saleh was arrested, sentenced to death and deported in the middle of winter under the escort of a platoon of soldiers. He died Jan. 18, 1917 in Marash, repeating with courage: “I have full trust in God, I am not afraid of death.”

Danny Saleh, 67, traveled from Tyler, Texas, to attend the ceremony honoring his great-uncle, the martyred Father Saleh.

Saleh’s grandfather, who was the brother of Blessed Father Saleh, immigrated to the United States from Baabdat, Lebanon at the age of 14.

“I’ve always wanted to come to Lebanon,” he told Catholic News Service. “Now is the time. I couldn’t miss this important event. To die for your faith, that’s amazing to me. Faith has got to be the strongest thing you can have.”

“I’m just stunned, looking at how many people are here,” Saleh said smiling. “I thought it was going to be a couple hundred people, but everyone has come. This is huge.”

Lebanese from near and far also attended the ceremony. The Order of Capuchin Friars Minor provided 30 buses to allow people from throughout Lebanon to travel to the event.

For Fares Melki, 70, who resides in Baabdat, the village where his great-uncle Blessed Father Melki was born, “I was always sure that one day he would be a saint, in my lifetime,” he told CNS.

When people of Baabdat in particular express to him their pride about the future saints from their village, Melki said he tells them: “It’s not enough. You, too, must be a saint.”

To a chorus of bells from the two Churches on the convent grounds, the crowd erupted into cheers at the conclusion of the beatification Mass with many women ululating, a sign that their burdens of a difficult life had been removed – even if only temporary.

Dede Zghaib, from the nearby town of Biyaout, expressed the exuberance as she left. “I am very happy,” she said. “I hope our Lebanon will keep this joy we have today. This is Lebanon, the land of saints.”

THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AUSTRALIA GALSTAUN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM RETURNS

Kajoyan Gevork
Friday,

SYDNEY: Senior students enrolled at everyday school, Galstaun College are participating in the Armenian National Committee of Australia’s Galstaun Government program over the next three weeks, which is part of the #ANCAUOutreach initiatives offered to introduce young Armenian-Australians to politics.

The program, first piloted in 2018, seeks to engage young Armenian-Australians in politics, provide them with a better understanding of the Australian political system and highlight the significant impact politics has on the day to day lives of Australian citizens, through practical workshops.

The program includes mock parliamentary debates on contemporary issues, mock federal elections including a leaders debate and campaigning, media role-play and more.

Galstaun Government returned after a two year COVID-19 enforced hiatus, and comprises weekly workshops throughout the month of June, guided by ANC-AU Political Affairs Director, Michael Kolokossian and Administrative Assistants from the office of the peak public affairs organisation of the Armenian-Australian community.

In their first session, Year 8 was divided into two major and several minor parties, which they themselves named, democratically elected their respective Leaders and Deputy Leaders, and formulated their parties’ key policy issues.

In the coming week, students will participate in a mock parliamentary debate and discuss ‘Should Galstaun College Introduce a Four-Day School Week?’. The format will give students a sense of how motions are debated and adopted in the Australian House of Representatives.

To reflect the most recent results of the 2022 Australian Federal Election,  the ANC-AU has introduced minor parties and independents into the mix, who will ultimately play a large role in determining which way the debate will sway.

The Galstaun Government program is also run for Year 9 and 10 students, who have similarly formed and named two political parties, elected their parties’ Leaders and Deputy Leaders themselves.

Each political party has a team of researchers formulating key policies they believe are important to the College students and campaigners who will be tasked with promoting each political parties agenda ahead of a major leaders debate and an election in front of the College’s high school cohort.

The Armenian National Committee of Australia thanked Galstaun College Principal Mr Edward Demirjian for facilitating the success of this unique program.

“We are excited to be back at Galstaun College. The students were extremely engaged and enthusiastically participated in the first workshop of the Galstaun Government program and we are looking forward to the next stages of the program,” said ANC-AU Political Affairs Director Michael Kolokossian.

Political relations between Belarus, Armenia described as vibrant

Emil Lazarian
Belarus –

MINSK, 10 June (BelTA) – Political contacts between Belarus and Armenia have been developing very dynamically, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at a meeting of the CSTO Foreign Ministers Council in Yerevan, BelTA learned from the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.

"I would describe the level of our relations as very, very high and dynamic. Next year we will celebrate 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our states, but today we can state that political contacts between our countries have been developing very dynamically," Vladimir Makei said.

According to him, the Belarusian president regularly meets with the prime minister of Armenia on the sidelines of the meetings of the EAEU, the CSTO, the CIS. The parties discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations. The foreign ministries have just recently held ministerial consultations.

Inter-parliamentary relations have been vibrant too. The intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation convened for a meeting not so long ago.

Trade and economic relations between Belarus and Armenia also show very high dynamics, Vladimir Makei said. According to him, in 2021, the trade, despite the pandemic, surged by almost 20% to approach $100 million.

"This suggests that we still have the potential and we intend to work on advancing trade and economic ties between our states. I must say that our embassies contribute a lot in this regard. The framework of relations is solid. Our task is to further develop, first of all, trade and economic relations, political relations, humanitarian ties, interregional cooperation, which is very important," the foreign minister said.

Russia Supports Normalisation Of Armenia-Azerbaijan Ties: Lavrov

Emil Lazarian

Yerevan, June 10 (IANS) Russia will contribute to the normalisation of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

During a joint press conference on Thursday with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan after their meeting, Lavrov emphasised the need to further push forward the process of normalising Armenia-Azerbaijan ties, Xinhua news agency reported.

'In my view, we have a common perception that the process moves forward. Perhaps, it would be desirable for the process to be faster,' said the visiting Russian Foreign Minister, stressing that Russia will try to contribute to the process in every way.

He hailed the endeavour of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Commissions on border delimitation, saying Russia is ready to provide consulting support in this respect.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Minister guaranteed that any arrangement to facilitate the economic and transportation communications in South Caucasus will fully respect the sovereignty of the territory of Armenia.

For his part, Mirzoyan highly appreciated Russia's role in maintaining the stability in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenia is interested in activating the works of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, he said.

On Wednesday, Lavrov arrived in Armenia for a working visit.

–IANS

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