Month: June 2022

IBA to probe controversial Manasyan vs. Reyes UD decision as President admits mistakes

Garnik Tadevosian

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 15:32, 30 May 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. International Boxing Association President Umar Kremlev praised the organizers of the Yerevan EUBC Men’s Elite European Boxing Championships.

“The European Boxing Championship is taking place on a high level. I want to say thank you to the Armenian people, thank you the government for such a wonderful championship. I see that Armenians love boxing, this year Armenia became the capital of European boxing,” Kremlev told ARMENPRESS.

Speaking about the controversial Narek Manasyan vs. Emmanuel Reyes semifinal bout that ended in the judges giving a UD 5:0 win to Spain’s Reyes, which prompted boxing fans accusing the judges in robbing Manasyan of the victory and Manasyan himself refusing to leave the ring in a sign of protest, Kremlev said that the judges have made mistakes.

“A special commission is carrying out an investigation. As of this moment it is obvious that the judges were wrong. The commission will investigate,” he said.

When Manasyan was protesting the decision, Team Ukraine representatives joined him on the ring, claiming that their athletes were also robbed in the bout against Great Britain's boxers.

South Caucasus Railway starts passenger transportation on route Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan

Talar Tumanian

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 15:43, 30 May 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. The South Caucasus Railway CJSC will start carrying out summer passenger transportation on route Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan from June 14, the company said in a statement.

The season of summer passenger transportation will last until September 30, it added.

The passenger transportation on this route will be carried out twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays from Yerevan, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Batumi.

On the other days the passenger transportation will be carried out on the route Yerevan-Tbilisi-Yerevan: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays from Yerevan and on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from Tbilisi.

Both international trains include modern, comfortable wagons, which were acquired by the South Caucasus Railway in 2021. The wagons are equipped with modern air conditioners, Wi-Fi and amenities for persons with disabilities.

Defense Minister chairs Board session discussing issues on raising attractiveness of military service

Alex Nanijanian

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 15:55, 30 May 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan chaired today a meeting of the Board at the ministry, discussing a number of issues relating to raising the attractiveness of the military service, the ministry said in a news release.

The session was held in a videoconference format, attended by commanders of army units.

In his remarks the Minister of Defense said that the issue is highly important for strengthening the combat preparedness of the Armed Forces, adding that it is under the spotlight of the country’s military-political leadership. Suren Papikyan assured that several steps will be taken in the visible future that will significantly raise the attractiveness of the military, particularly, the officer service.

With the results of the meeting the Minister tasked the session participants to solve all the issues in a reasonable timetable.

Armenian President arrives in Georgia on official visit

Arsine Chaltikian

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 15:59, 30 May 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan arrived in Georgia on an official visit on May 30, the Presidential Office said.

The Armenian President was welcomed by Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili, Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia and other officials at the Tbilisi International Airport.

Georgian PM, Armenian President discuss cooperation, security matters

Alex Jidarian
AGENDA.GE
Georgia – May 31 2022
Agenda.ge, 31 May 2022 – 16:54, Tbilisi,Georgia

Bilateral cooperation and neighbourly relations between Armenia and Georgia were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Armenian President  Vahagn Khachaturyan.

The meeting focused on security matters concerning the South Caucasus region and the world, the Government Administration said.

The officials reviewed the Neighbourhood Peace Initiative in the South Caucasus, initiated by the Prime Minister and involving “establishment of a dialogue format between Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and cooperation in mutually beneficial areas.”

Garibashvili noted Georgia had “always” supported peaceful cooperation and coexistence in the South Caucasus and was “ready to facilitate” regional dialogue. 

The Armenian President thanked the Government head for his contribution to the dialogue process, with the meeting also discussing the development of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy and transport communications. 

Georgian Parliament Speaker, Armenian President discuss cooperation

Karlen Baghdasarian
AGENDA.GE
Georgia – May 31 2022

Cooperation in various fields between Georgia and Armenia was discussed on Tuesday between Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, and  Vahagn Khachaturyan, the Armenian President, as part of the latter’s visit to the country. 

Papuashvili called the first visit of Khachaturyan “symbolic,” adding it “once again” emphasised the importance of the relations between the two states, along with an increase in the dynamics of high-level visits between the sides.

The officials also reviewed the current developments in the South Caucasus region and the steps taken to achieve regional peace and stability, expressing readiness for further development of relations.

The Armenian President on Monday also met with his Georgian counterpart Salome Zourabichvili in the framework of the visit.

CoE: Armenia: despite legislative reforms, survivors of human trafficking face uphill struggle to access justice

Garo Vardanian
May 31 2022
GROUP OF EXPERTS ON ACTION AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS (GRETA) STRASBOURG 31 MAY 2022

The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) have published a new report on Armenia focusing on human trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. GRETA acknowledges improvements in the legislative and policy framework but asks the authorities to strengthen the provision of information to victims, improve access to legal aid and psychological assistance, facilitate access to compensation from the perpetrators, as well as to effectively investigate offences of human trafficking for all forms of exploitation and promote reintegration of victims.

Since the previous evaluation in 2017, Armenia has continued to develop its anti-trafficking legislative and policy framework: in 2021 a new Criminal Code and a new Criminal Procedure Code were adopted and amendments to the Labour Code were being prepared. GRETA urges the authorities to ensure that access to legal assistance is guaranteed as soon as there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person is a victim of human trafficking and before the person concerned has to decide whether on co-operating with the authorities in a criminal investigation.

The report also examines progress made on the implementation of previous GRETA recommendations on selected topics. GRETA urges the Armenian authorities to continue reinforcing the capacity and skills of all relevant officials to detect and investigate cases of trafficking for labour exploitation. Further, the authorities should strengthen efforts to prevent child trafficking among vulnerable groups (children in rural areas and children placed in child-care institutions) and pay more attention to the link between child trafficking and the use of information and communication technologies.

The total number of victims of trafficking identified in the period 2017-2021 in Armenia was 68. Two thirds of identified victims were women and girls. The prevailing form of exploitation was sexual exploitation, followed by labour exploitation and forced begging. Almost all identified victims were Armenian nationals exploited inside Armenia. The real number of trafficking victims is probably higher, the report says, as self-identification by trafficking victims occurs only rarely due to the lack of awareness of their rights, stigma, the feeling of shame and distrust vis-à-vis the authorities.


https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/armenia-despite-legislative-reforms-survivors-of-human-trafficking-face-uphill-struggle-to-access-justice

Art from Many Major Artists to be Displayed at Armenian Museum in Watertown

Emil Lazarian
May 31 2022

The Armenian Museum of America will host an exhibition of artwork from some of the top artists of the late 20th Century called “On the Edge: Los Angeles Art 1970s – 1990s from the Joan and Jack Quinn Family. There will be a companion exhibition featuring Armenian artists.

The Armenian Museum provided the following information:

This exhibition, our largest in 50 years, features more than 75 artists including Lita Albuquerque, John Altoon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lynda Benglis, Vija Celmins, Gregory Wiley Edwards, Frank Gehry, Helmut Newton, Ed Ruscha, and Andy Warhol.

Curated by Rachel McCullah Wainwright.

The companion exhibition, “Discovering Takouhi: Portraits of Joan Agajanian Quinn,” will include Armenian artists such as Dahlia Elsayed, Jean Kazanjian, Silvina Der Meguerditchian, Ara Oshagan, Zaven Sarkissian, and Aram Saroyan.

Curated by Gina Grigorian and Natalie Varbedian.

Members Preview & Reception 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Non-Members Preview 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Exhibition sponsored by the JHM Charitable Foundation.

Joan Agajanian Quinn and her late husband Jack represent a key moment in the history of contemporary art, as Los Angeles came to symbolize an innovative and prolific brand of creative freedom. Few individuals have left such an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of Southern California than Joan and Jack Quinn. Joan found herself both muse and promoter of several Southern California artists, while Jack used his skills as a prominent and influential attorney to help an array of emerging artists and their dealers navigate the worlds of law and business.

This exhibition highlights the couple’s collection primarily amassed from the 1970s to 1990s, a period rich in significance and defined by a unique spirit of anti-conformity, a play of new materials and a celebration of light and the California cool ethos. Much of the work was collected directly from the artists and has never changed hands or been shown publicly. Works in the exhibition will explore themes such as Ferus Group “Cool School,” Light and Space, Minimalism, Chicano Art, Pop Art, and international artists and influences.

For more information click here: https://www.armenianmuseum.org/on-the-edge.

HGTV launches in Armenia

Albert Nalbandian
Broadband TV News
May 31 2022

MAY 31, 2022 09.55 EUROPE/LONDON BY CHRIS DZIADUL

The Warner Bros. Discovery channel HGTV has made its debut in Armenia.

Starting this month, UCOM Armenia and Telecom Armenia subscribers can watch exclusive HGTV content in the Unity and Cosmo packages respectively.

Commenting on the development, Alexander Florea, distribution & digital business development manager NEE for Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “HGTV is one of the flagship TV channels at Warner Bros. Discovery and we are delighted to extend its reach in the region even more. The launch in the Armenian market allows viewers to have access to exclusive and quality content, offering them inspiration and ideas for home decoration, renovations, real estate, tips and tricks for home projects and many more. Through our strong partners UCOM Armenia and Telecom Armenia, we trust that viewers will get to know and enjoy the new, exciting content on HGTV”.

‘Trips to this part of the world have been enjoyable’ – Irish football fans face lengthy journey to Armenia

George Mamian
May 31 2022
by Tom Byrne

31 May 2022 4:33 PM

The Republic of Ireland are gearing up to play their UEFA Nations League opener against Armenia on Saturday. The Boys in Green face four Nations League fixtures in the space of 10 days, which includes two away trips – Yerevan in Armenia and Lodz in Poland to play Ukraine.

Stephen Kenny's side, along with the most dedicated of Irish supporters, will travel over 4,000 kilometres to the Armenian capital to support their country this weekend. The Irish fans are regarded as some of the most passionate international football supporters worldwide and this Saturday will be no different when they descend on a scorching Armenia – with temperatures potentially hitting as high as 34°C.

There have been protests in Yerevan in recent weeks due to their government’s approach to their relationship with Azerbaijan, which appears unresolved since the six-week war in 2020. The Armenian police clashed with protesters in the city on Monday which prompted the FAI to send a security delegation to Armenia ahead of the Irish team travelling east on Wednesday.

The recent protests have caught the attention of Irish supporters travelling to the game but it won't put a stop to those who booked the lengthy trip.

The Hegarty family, who are part of the Wexford Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Club, are looking forward to the journey across Europe albeit having a bit of bother rebooking and rescheduling cancelled flights.

Irish fan Robbie Hegarty, who lives in Enniscorthy, explained that he had to rebook different flights a few times due to complications and cancelled flights with airline Wizz Air.

Now sorted, the Hegarty family will fly from Dublin to Poznan, Poland on Wednesday and spend a night in the Polish city. They will then travel to the Polish capital Warsaw on Thursday before they fly to Yerevan that night. After a three and half hour journey, they will arrive in Yerevan in the early hours of Friday morning.

"I am going for a 2-0 win for the Boys in Green on Saturday!" Robbie said ahead of his flight to Poznan.

Another Irish supporter, Ronan Coleman from Galway city, said: "I am travelling to Yerevan via Warsaw with four other supporters from Galway, Donegal and Limerick.

"At the moment, the leg of the journey I am most worried about is getting through security at Dublin Airport!

"This will be my fifth Ireland away match in the Caucasus region, previously I have visited Georgia three times and also Azerbaijan in October 2021.

"My trips to this part of the world have been enjoyable, and the people were very friendly to us. Armenia and Azerbaijan have effectively been at war for over thirty years. Anyone with an Azeri stamp on their passports, as many of us have, will expect an interrogation at Yerevan airport."

He added: "High temperatures are anticipated, and the media tell us there are anti-government demonstrations in Yerevan. The priority will be to get in and out safely, hopefully with three points. I expect a small travelling support, maybe 200-300.

"Onwards and upwards to Lodz then!"