Month: June 2022

AW: Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, marks 50th anniversary of priesthood

Bedik Zaminian
 Florence Avakian Community News 0

Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian

NEW YORK, NY—More than 175 people enthusiastically packed the sold-out Pashalian Hall of the St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral in New York on June 12 to congratulate Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, on the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

Eight priests from different parishes were also in attendance, taking seats with attendees at different tables.

As Anoushavan Srpazan humbly (his trademark) entered the hall following Holy Badarak, a long ovation erupted. It took some time before quiet was instituted for the Prelate to share the opening prayer and bless the food. 

Master of ceremonies Tamar Haroutunian, Esq. noted, “As a spiritual leader, he has led by inspiring example while also showing gentleness and comfort to the faithful whom he has served with humility that can only come from following the Lord.”  

On behalf of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral Board of Trustees, chairman Armen Morian, Esq., congratulated the Prelate on the celebration of this milestone in his life of service. “It’s an honor to host this particular event, at this particular time, and for this particular man,” he said. “We are with you, and we are grateful you are with us.” 

Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral

Several speakers enumerated Archbishop Anoushavan’s many remarkable gifts and qualities, as a humble shepherd, devoted teacher, passionate preacher and pastor. They noted his compassion and gentility, his giving of comfort, being a unifying voice and a ‘people person.’ He also has been an extraordinary advocate of issues to aid Armenia and Artsakh and a developer of numerous programs for the Prelacy and the Armenian Diaspora at large, especially the community of Lebanon in the last years. 

Who can forget his words inspired by the Lord, “I know my sheep, and my sheep know me”? 

The many speakers who extolled Srpazan’s deep faith and unique warmth included Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, Vicar; keynote speaker Archpriest Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Pastor Emeritus of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia, and Executive Council chairman Hagop Khatchadourian. 

Rev. Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manougian

Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian of St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston, NY) read messages from the Prelates of the Western and Canadian Prelacies. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral read a letter sent by writer Vehanoush Tekian. 

A group of young award-winning and musical talents, encouraged by the Prelate who has always supported young artists, presented numerous selections. They included violinist Arpi Bakhshian, whose offering of Sayat Nova’s “Chega Kizi Nman” was an appropriate tribute to Srpazan. Other performers included singers Siran Tchorbajian, Karina Vartanian and Anahit Indzhigulyan. They presented several songs by Gomidas: “Kele Kele,” “Bejingo” and “Chinar Es,” with accompaniment by St. Illuminator’s Church organist Ara Dinkjian. A rendition of Edgar Hovannisian’s “Erevan-Erebuni” was especially powerful, as was the violin selection “Azk Parabantz.” 

Ara Dinkjian, Arpi Bakhshian, Siran Tchorbajian, Karina Vartanian and Anahit Indzhigulyan

With narration in Armenian by Prelacy executive director Vartan Matiossian, the professionally prepared video, subtitled in English, enumerated the various chapters of Archbishop Anoushavan’s outstanding service. “A shy, quiet, 12-year-old youngster,” Torkom Tanielian, at the Forty Martyrs School in Beirut, inspired by future Prelacy leader Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, started his 50-year journey to become a dedicated priest, preacher, Vicar and Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy.

The sixth child of a religious family, his mother played a central role in introducing him to God. He was ordained a deacon in 1968 by Bishop Karekin Sarkissian, his most dynamic inspiration. Bishop Sarkissian later became Catholicos. On November 26, 1972, Archbishop Ardak Manougian, Prelate of Iran, ordained young Deacon Torkom a celibate priest and renamed him Anoushavan, meaning “sweet place.” 

Catholicos Khoren I bestowed on him the four ranks of Vartabed of the Armenian Church in 1974, which began a decade of the young priest translating into modern Armenian the works of Church Fathers. He also participated in an Armenian translation of legendary writer and philosopher Khalil Gibran’s masterpiece, “The Prophet.” 

During this time, Fr. Anoushavan also attended Haigazian College, earning a Master of Divinity degree from the Near East School of Theology. When the tragic civil war broke out in Lebanon from 1975 to 1990, he exclaimed: “During this time, I felt how mighty prayer is. Not only is it a daily necessity, but it is the main source of vitality.”  

He traveled to India, Canada and South Korea, participating in assemblies of the World Council of Churches. He also made many visits to Armenia, where he was a guest of Catholicos Vazken I during the preparation of the catalog of manuscripts of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. “During my repeated visits to Armenia, I came closer and closer to my roots. Every monastery that I visited brought me the living memory of past generations who had lived and created our history.”   

In 1984, he attended Princeton University, receiving a Master of Theology degree. He earned another master’s degree in philosophy from Columbia University in 1992 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, also from Columbia in 2003, graduating with “high distinction.” 

During his studies, he served at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in PA and Sts. Vartanantz Church in NJ as preacher, and at St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, NY, as pastor. While serving at these churches, he organized Bible studies, youth seminars, lecture series and choir conferences. He also started the St. Gregory of Datev Institute and the Lenten Lecture series. His focus has always been on programs for the youth and senior citizens. 

On June 4, 2006, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, performed the Episcopal consecration of Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian in Antelias. On September 8, 2018 at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York, he was elected as the fifth Prelate of the Eastern United States. He was elevated to the rank of Archbishop by Catholicos Aram I on November 4, 2018 and was re-elected Prelate for a second term on May 14, 2022.  

Following the video, Archbishop Anoushavan strode to the front, leaping onto the two-foot-high stage with one leg to a thunderous ovation, displaying his healthy physical condition.  

Jumping back down to be close to the people, he presented a contemporaneous conversation with the adoring crowd, interspersed with large doses of humor, delighting all present. 

The musicians led the crowd in a spiritual rendition of “Giligia,” which brought the special event to a close.   

Hardworking and dedicated members of the 50th anniversary committee included the Prelate, the Vicar, Rev. Frs. Nareg Terterian and Mesrob Lakissian, Mireille Babikian-Hanna, Seta Balmanoukian, Maral Doghramadjian, Lilit Indzhigulyan, Sophie Khachatryan, Yn. Ojeen Lakissian, Tamar Lakissian, Nanor Matiossian, Sitta Oranjian and Nayda Voskerijian. Booklet and video production was by Greg Dosttur; printing of the booklet and program by Delta Printing; and food preparation by Anahid Krichian. 

Legendary Armenian folk singer Onnik Dinkjian, in voicing the feelings of many said, “In the 93 years of my life, I have known many Prelates, but I feel honored to be here for one of the greatest Srpazans, Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian for his down-to-earth qualities, his honesty, his humanity.” Becoming emotional, Dinkjian added, “Srpazan is truly an exceptional human being.” 

Srpazan Anoushavan has said, “My choice to become a priest was not the result of a whim, but rather it was a long process of fertilization of a call beginning with the early childhood impact and example of my parents’ life, along with the call to monastic life, the inspirational teachings of the instructors, and an inner urge to imitate Christ, followed by a conscious decision to serve.”

Priests, members of the anniversary committee and family members surround Archbishop Anoushavan at the cake cutting

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CivilNet: Armenia’s FlyOne airline launches flights to Beirut

Hovhannisian John
CIVILNET.AM

20 Jun, 2022 10:06

  • EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar has been criticized after welcoming Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s speech, which included threats against Armenia.
  • The ruling Civil Contract party has nominated Anna Vardapetyan, Pashinyan’s assistant, to the post of Prosecutor General.
  • Armenian private airline FlyOne Armenia has launched direct flights between Yerevan and Beirut.

CivilNet: A new road connecting Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh

Emil Lazarian
CIVILNET.AM

14 Jun, 2022 09:06

The Lachin corridor is the only connection between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Before the Second Karabakh War, three main roads connected Armenia and Karabakh. But, one in the south, running along the Iranian border, was lost after an Azerbaijani military offensive. The second was handed over to Azerbaijan in line with the November 9, 2020 agreement. In the end-of-war agreement, Armenia also agreed to eventually hand over the Lachin corridor to Azerbaijan. Now, a second alternative route is being constructed. However, what do local residents think of all this? Will this benefit the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh? And, what will happen to the Armenians currently living in communities within the Lachin corridor.

CivilNet: Pashinyan speaks about Karabakh on Al Jazeera

Mary Lazarian
CIVILNET.AM

14 Jun, 2022 10:06

  • Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reiterated that the Karabakh conflict is not resolved in an interview with Qatari media conglomerate Al Jazeera.
  • Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to discuss efforts to deepen cooperation between Armenia and Bulgaria.
  • The Anti-Corruption Committee has opened a criminal case into alleged embezzlement and misuse of funds at the Ministry of Health during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • CivilNet paid a visit to a festival in Gyumri organized by Move2Armenia, an organization that provides information and resources on how to relocate to Armenia.

Asbarez: Opposition Charts New Approach to Protests, Vows to Continue Fighting for Armenia, Artsakh

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 June 14, 2022

 

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

Opposition “Resistance” Movement march through the streets of Yerevan on June 14


The leader of the opposition “Resistance” movement, Ishkhan Saghatelyan, told thousands of supporters gathered at Yerevan’s French Square on Tuesday, that the protests and rallies that have been going on since May 1 have had a positive result in their efforts to oust Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

In a speech delivered ahead of a march through Yerevan streets, Saghatelyan, who is a deputy speaker of parliament representing the opposition Armenia Alliance, said that the unimpeded daily rallies and protests have had a groundswell of support and have proven that there is voice in the country that will fight for Armenia and Artsakh.

The “Resistance” movement protests have been marred by brutal police response. At one point hundreds of protesters were being arrested on daily basis, with law enforcement response escalating recently to include beating and dragging of protesters on the street.

The police violence was criticized by the United States Embassy in Yerevan, the European Union’s representation there as well as Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s office.

Saghatelyan said that moving forward, the movement will seek to establish more focused subdivisions and committees to better get the message across, and will include professional workshops, visits to the various regions of Armenia and public meetings. He explained that local committees will also be formed in Artsakh and in various communities in the Diaspora.

The new course charted by Saghatelyan also envisions one large rally a week—a departure from the daily gatherings—as well as one weekly march. He announced that a march would take place on Thursday, followed by a rally at the French Square on Saturday.

Saghatelyan also announced that tents erected at French Square, where hundreds stayed overnight, would be dismantled on Wednesday, vowing, however, that tents can go up when needed.

“At the rally, we will talk exclusively about what kind of Armenia we will represent. We will present our ideas in all directions,” said Saghatelyan, who also the chairman of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia.

AW: Zoryan Institute’s oral history testimony of 1915 Armenian Genocide survivor comes to life through animated documentary

Antonian Lara
June 14, 2022 Guest Contributor Film 0

“Aurora’s Sunrise” is a historical animated documentary film about the life of Aurora Mardiganian. At only 14 years old, in 1915, Mardiganian faced the horrors of the Armenian Genocide. Within a year, witnessing the deaths of everyone in her family, she lost everything and was sold into a Turkish harem. With extraordinary courage and luck, Mardiganian escaped to America, where her story became a sensation. The Zoryan Institute’s objective with this film is to bring its oral history testimonies to life on the big screen, through animated documentary films, to relay the stories of the Genocide survivors to the younger generations, and to empower young women and girls to represent their communities in the face of great adversity and violence. 

In 2015, during the year of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Zoryan Institute, signed a partnership agreement with Bars Media of Armenia to produce the animated documentary based on Mardiganian’s testimony. This film is directed by Inna Sahakyan, and produced by Bars Media. The film is led by Vardan Hovhannisyan, Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion and Artbox Laisvalaikio Klubas with the financial partnership of Eurimages, the Zoryan Institute Armenia and the National Cinema Center of Armenia. Contributions were made by the Lithuanian Film Center, ZDF/ARTE, Public TV Armenia and LRT. “Aurora’s Sunrise” was made possible with the academic contribution of the Zoryan Institute Armenia, based on its oral history archives (filmed by the Zoryan Institute on January 29, 1984). 

The Zoryan Institute is thrilled that 40 years after the launch of the Armenian Genocide Oral History Project, which collected testimonies across four continents, the great-grandchildren of survivors can now experience life before, during and after the Genocide through a film that seamlessly blends footage from the Zoryan Institute’s original live interview with Mardiganian and the brilliant animation of Bars Media and their German and Lithuanian co-producers, along with scenes from the 1919 silent film “Auction of Souls” (film starring Mardiganian, prepared by Near East Relief). 

Great credit goes to the Zoryan Institute’s founders and staff at the time (early 1980s), who contextualized and carried out the Armenian Genocide Oral History Project, collecting over 3,000 hours of oral history testimony from over 780 survivors in their 70s to 90s. The project was a significant financial undertaking, with the audiovisual equipment alone costing the equivalent to nearly half a million USD in today’s dollars and employing a workforce to conduct interviews, in cities across Europe, the Middle East and North America. A questionnaire with over 100 standardized questions was utilized, developed by a multidisciplinary ZI team of experts, that allowed the Institute to extract information on social, economic, political and cultural practices before, during and after the Genocide to capture commonalities and patterns across the testimonies. Since launching the Armenian Genocide Oral History Project, the Institute has worked continuously and systematically to protect, digitize and index its archival collection to ensure the quality of the footage is maintained and usable for films like “Aurora’s Sunrise.”

Now, 40 years later, the Institute’s dream of utilizing the enormous power of film to connect future generations with their universal history and raise awareness about the phenomenon of genocide has become a reality with the generous support of the Friends of the Zoryan Institute. In addition to the initial cost of the Oral History testimonies, ”Aurora’s Sunrise” film had a budget of over one million dollars. 

This is only the beginning of making these invaluable stories of Armenian Genocide survivors known. Ongoing transcription and translation efforts currently underway in partnership with the American University of Armenia will make these stories more accessible to scholars, filmmakers, authors, institutions and schools around the globe who wish to use these stories as source materials for education in edifying the tolerance and understanding needed in today’s world now more than ever.

The world premiere of “Aurora’s Sunrise” is taking place at the prestigious Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France this week. Annecy is a week-long global festival that brings together the biggest names in animation to celebrate creative and diverse animation styles and techniques.




Dr. Mouradian to offer online seminar on the science of denial and false beliefs

Maral Takmazian
June 14, 2022 Guest Contributor Announcements 0

Dr. Khatchig Mouradian will offer an online seminar in July on the science of denial. The four-week multimedia seminar, titled “Grey Wolves and Pink Elephants: The Science of Denial and False Beliefs,” will be held every Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in July. 

Relying on scientific research in various fields of study, each session will survey research on aspects of false beliefs and their propagation, and then delve into case studies, primarily from the United States, Turkey and Armenia.

The course is open to adults and high school students alike.

Class time is 90 minutes. Tuition is $75 donation per household to St. Leon Armenian Church. For questions, call Ara N. Araz at 917-837-1297 or email [email protected].

This is the fourth in a series of online seminars offered by Prof. Mouradian since the beginning of the pandemic. In July 2020, more than 50 people from across the US and a few from Europe attended the online course titled “Monuments, Names, and Racism.” Participants included artists, authors, journalists, professors, members of the clergy, PhD, undergraduate and high school students and professionals from all walks of life. The success prompted two courses in subsequent months: “Apologies, Non-Apologies, and Reparations: A Global Perspective” (August 2020) and “Artsakh: History, Culture, and Conflict” (November 2020).

Dr. Mouradian is a lecturer in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies at Columbia University. He also serves as co-principal investigator of the project on Armenian Genocide Denial at the Global Institute for Advanced Studies, New York University.




AW: Michigan’s Armenian community rejects Zareh Sinanyan’s visit

Emil Lazarian
June 14, 2022 Guest Contributor Statements 1

Republic of Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan during his working visit to Michigan

Last week, the Republic of Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan publicized an official visit to Michigan that was not announced to the entire community. Instead, we learned of Sinanyan’s Michigan public relations efforts in our state through various social media posts and press releases issued by Sinanyan’s office. Those press releases falsely stated that he met with “community leaders from various Armenian churches, educational and cultural organizations in the Greater Detroit area.” In fact, the press statements from Sinanyan’s official office do not reflect the reality of what really occurred while Sinanyan was in Michigan. 

We are a strong community with many organizations and four Armenian churches. However, during his Michigan visit, Sinanyan only visited one church, where he met with a handful of selected community members. No official announcements from Sinanyan’s office nor any formal invitation to meet was extended to Michigan’s three other Armenian churches and community organizations. 

It is disgraceful that the Government of Armenia, through Sinanyan’s official office, falsified the truth of Sinanyan’s Michigan visit and the pretenses under which it was made. It is clear that the reason Sinanyan’s visit was handled in the above manner was to use Michigan’s Armenian community to present the appearance that the Pashinyan regime’s agenda was advanced here. Sinanyan operated in secrecy in a failed effort to isolate and divide our community, following the usual blueprint of the Pashinyan regime and its divisive strategies and policies. The Armenian Diaspora is an essential pillar of the Armenian nation. We will not allow anyone – including any representative of the Pashinyan regime – to intrude on our community and attempt to divide our unity.

Contrary to the picture presented by the press releases from Sinanyan’s office, Sinanyan failed to advance Nikol Pashinyan’s agenda in Michigan to gain supporters for his traitorous agenda which gives away Artsakh, normalizes relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan at the expense of the security and sovereignty of Armenia and Artsakh and jeopardizes the fight for full justice for the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. 

Sinanyan does not represent the Armenian Diaspora, and he certainly does not represent the Armenian community of Michigan.

—

St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church
St. Vartan Catholic Church
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Azadamard Gomideh Detroit
AYF Detroit “Kopernik Tandourjian” Junior and Senior Chapters
Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Tzolig, Maro, Shake, Sybille and Zabel Chapters
Hamazkayin Armenian Educational & Cultural Society of Detroit
Homenetmen of Detroit
Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Michigan
Friends of Artsakh




RFE/RL Armenian Report – 06/14/2022

Chmshkian Vicken 
                                        Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Armenian Opposition Scales Back Protests
June 14, 2022
Armenia - Opposition supporters demonstrate in Yerevan, June 14, 2022.
More than six weeks after the start of their “resistance movement,” Armenia’s 
main opposition groups announced late on Tuesday their decision to scale back 
virtually daily demonstrations aimed at toppling Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
In what they called a change of tactics, they said they will dismantle tents 
pitched in the center of Yerevan, switch to weekly rallies and try to attract a 
larger following.
Ishkhan Saghatelian, one of the opposition leaders, admitted that many Armenians 
unhappy with Pashinian’s government have avoided participating in the protests.
“We have not yet managed to get all those people to the streets and to bring 
them to this square. There are still people who think this is s fight for power, 
for the return of former rulers to power,” Saghatelian told thousands of 
supporters rallying in Yerevan’s France Square, the site of the opposition tent 
camp.
Armenia - Opposition leader Ishkhan Saghatelian speaks at a rally in Yerevan, 
June 14, 2022.
The two opposition alliances represented in the Armenian parliament launched 
their campaign there on May 1 two weeks after Pashinian signaled his readiness 
to recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and “lower the bar” on the 
status of Nagorno-Karabakh acceptable to the Armenian side. They accused 
Pashinian of helping Baku regain full control of Karabakh.
Opposition supporters have since regularly marched through the city center, 
closed roads and blocked the entrances to government buildings, repeatedly 
clashing with riot police. The most serious of those clashes, which broke out on 
June 3, left dozens of protesters and police officers seriously injured.
Pashinian and his political allies have dismissed the opposition demands for his 
resignation. They say that the opposition has failed to attract popular support 
for regime change.
Armenia - Former Armenian President Robert Kocharian (center) participates in an 
opposition rally in Yerevan, June 14, 2022.
Saghatelian, who has been the main speaker at the protests, put a brave face on 
the failure to unseat the prime minister. He claimed that the opposition has 
managed to “awaken the society” and scuttle a “new capitulation agreement” with 
Azerbaijan. The protests have showed that Pashinian lacks a popular “mandate to 
lead Armenia to vital concessions” to Baku, he said.
“We will definitely oust Nikol but we will do that bloodlessly,” Saghatelian 
told the crowd.
The opposition forces, he went on, have to “change the structure and tactic of 
our resistance movement in a way that will allow us to give it new impetus.” 
They will now hold major rallies on a weekly basis and set up, in the meantime, 
new structures in and outside Yerevan, he said.
Saghatelian said they will also keep fighting for the release of over three 
dozen opposition activists and supporters arrested during the protest movement.
The vast majority of them were charged with assaulting police officers or 
government loyalists. Opposition leaders reject the accusations as politically 
motivated.
Russia Set For Key Role In Azeri Transit Through Armenia
June 14, 2022
• Sargis Harutyunyan
Armenia - Russian border guards stationed in Syunik province are inspected by 
Russian Ambassador Sergei Kopyrkin, May 24, 2022.
Russian border guards are expected to carry out border checks on Azerbaijani 
travellers and goods that will transit Armenia’s territory as part of 
Armenian-Azerbaijani transport links facilitated by Moscow.
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. The agreement specifically 
commits Yerevan to opening rail and road rinks that will connect Azerbaijan to 
its Nakhichevan exclave.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said last week that the Armenian side has agreed 
to simplify border crossing procedures for those who will use the planned 
transit routes. He did not elaborate.
The Armenian government has still not commented on the arrangement announced by 
Lavrov.
Sources familiar with the arrangement divulged some of its details to RFE/RL’s 
Armenian Service. According to them, Azerbaijani cargos and travellers will be 
checked by Russian border guards and then Armenian customs officers when 
crossing the Armenian border.
Armenian security personnel will then escort them to the nearest Azerbaijani 
border checkpoint. A Russian officer will be embedded with each armed escort, 
the sources said.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in December that passage through that 
“corridor” must be exempt from Armenian border controls. Yerevan rejected his 
demands.
In an interview with the Al Jazeera TV channel aired on Tuesday, Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian insisted that the Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements call for only 
conventional transport links between two countries.
“We have only one corridor in our region,” Pashinian said. “It’s the Lachin 
corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia.”
Areg Kochinian, a Yerevan-based political analyst, suggested that the 
“simplified” border control regime would compromise Armenia’s full control over 
the transit road and railway leading to Nakhichevan.
“If Russian border guards, escorts are deployed there and the whole thing has a 
special status, it will function as a corridor,” Kochinian told RFE/RL’s 
Armenian Service. “Especially if no such arrangement is put in place for our 
passenger and cargo traffic through Azerbaijani territory.”
A Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani commission discussing practical modalities of the 
transport links met in Moscow earlier this month. A Russian government statement 
said its Armenian and Azerbaijani members “brought closer their positions on 
issues of border, customs and other types of control.”
Armenian Central Bank Ups 2022 Growth Forecast
June 14, 2022
Armenia - Martin Galtsian, the chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia, speaks 
at a news conference in Yerevan, June 3, 2021.
The Central Bank significantly upgraded its 2022 growth forecast for Armenia on 
Tuesday, saying that Russia’s economy is doing better than expected after 
crippling sanctions imposed by the West.
It also made clear that it will not intervene to reverse or stop a sharp 
appreciation of the national currency, the dram, which began a few weeks after 
Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24.
The bank predicted in mid-March that economic growth in Armenia will slow down 
to 1.6 percent this year due to anticipated fallout from the conflict. The 
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank forecast even lower growth rates, 
pointing to the South Caucasus state’s close economic ties with Russia.
The Central Bank governor, Martin Galstian, said the Armenian economy is now on 
course to expand by 4.9 percent in 2022.
“This has mainly to with the presence of foreign visitors in Armenia and the 
Russian economy’s short-term performance which is not as bad as we expected 
earlier,” Galstian told a news conference.
Armenia - Russian nationals are seen in downtown Yerevan, March 7, 2022.
The visitors mentioned by him presumably include thousands of Russians who moved 
to Armenia and/or opened bank accounts there following the outbreak of the war 
in Ukraine.
About 27,000 foreigners, most of them Russian citizens, opened Armenian bank 
accounts from February 24 through the end of March. This seems to explain why 
hard currency inflows to Armenia doubled, according to the Central Bank, in 
April.
Armenian government data shows that GDP growth accelerated to 8.6 percent in the 
first quarter of this year and continued unabated in April on the back of sharp 
gains in the services and construction sectors.
“A considerable influx of foreign visitors and rising internal private spending 
are helping to boost the services sector and overall consumer demand,” said 
Galstian.
He also cautioned: “The Central Bank Board reckons that macroeconomic prospects 
remain highly uncertain due to geopolitical developments.”
RUSSIA - An oil pumpjack is seen near the village of Yamashi in the Republic of 
Tatarstan, April 5, 2020:
Armenia is also very dependent on multimillion-dollar remittances from hundreds 
of thousands of its citizens working in Russia. The Russian ruble is now 
stronger than it was before the war, having more than regained its value lost in 
late February and early March.
The Armenian dram has similarly strengthened against the U.S. dollar by almost 
24 percent since the middle of March. Its continuing appreciation is prompting 
growing concerns from Armenian export-oriented firms and fuelling calls for 
Central Bank intervention.
Galstian said that the bank will not cut interest rates or intervene in the 
domestic currency market to cut the dram’s value. He argued that the stronger 
dram is somewhat easing external inflationary pressures aggravated by the 
Ukraine war.
“By artificially weakening the dram we would create an even worse inflationary 
situation which would hit all citizens, including exporters,” said Galstian.
Earlier in the day, the Central Bank board decided to keep its benchmark 
interest rate unchanged at 9.25 percent. According to the bank, consumer price 
inflation in Armenia continued to rise in May, reaching an annual rate of 9 
percent.
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.

Sports: Stuart Armstrong double helps Scotland hit back to beat nine-man Armenia 4-1

Markos Nalchajian
UK – June 15 2022

Stuart Armstrong hit a double as Scotland overcame a difficult start to beat nine-man Armenia 4-1.

Scotland fell behind early on in Yerevan and endured some anxious moments after Armstrong’s quickfire equaliser. But the midfielder scored in first-half stoppage time, moments after Arman Hovhannisyan had committed two yellow-card offences in the space of five seconds, and Scotland made the most of their advantage.

John McGinn and Ché Adams were on target early in the second half as Scotland sealed six points from their opening three Nations League games before the hosts had another man sent off in stoppage time.

Steve Clarke, the Scotland manager, had been left scratching his head over his side’s 3-0 defeat in Dublin on Saturday and three of his defenders did not make the 2,500-mile journey – the captain, Andy Robertson, John Souttar and Scott McKenna.

Scott McTominay was restored to the back three beside Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry, who lined up on the left, while wing-backs Nathan Patterson and Greg Taylor came in along with Billy Gilmour and Armstrong.

Ireland had struggled in the Yerevan heat when they went down to Armenia in the Group B1 opener but conditions were fine for Scotland in the Republican Stadium thanks to the 8pm local kick-off time, a breeze and a pre-match downpour.

Armenia rarely ventured forward in their 2-0 defeat at Hampden last week but they showed much more attacking ambition in the opening stages and went ahead inside six minutes.

Hanley looked favourite to win the ball out wide but he misjudged his challenge and fell over to leave Tigran Barseghyan to race to the byline and cut it back for Vahan Bichakhchyan to finish at the near post.

Gilmour soon had a shot pushed over after a short corner and Scotland were level in the 14th minute when Armstrong quickly followed up to slot home after Adams had failed to get an ambitious shot away.

The goal did not settle Scotland down though and Armenia twice nearly scored from balls over the top with the visitors being rescued by an offside flag and then a recovery tackle from the grounded Hendry.

Ché Adams (left) is challenged by Armenia’s Hrayr Mkoyan. Photograph: Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure/Reuters


The key passage of play started with Hovhannisyan’s late challenge on Patterson. McGinn squared up to the defender and was floored by a headbutt before Montenegrin referee Nikola Dabanovic flashed two yellow cards and a red.Craig Gordon soon saved from Eduard Spertsyan and Scotland continued to look vulnerable at the back when Armenia ran at them. Clarke’s side began to get to grips with the game around the half-hour mark and Adams twice threatened from long range before Patterson sliced well off target following Taylor’s low cross.

Scotland gave the hosts no time to reorganise as Armstrong latched on to McGinn’s pass in the box and beat a defender before steering the ball home brilliantly despite losing his footing.

The Scots hammered home their numerical superiority after the interval. McGinn turned and fired home from six yards in the 50th minute after Patterson had cushioned Taylor’s deep cross into him. Five minutes later, Armstrong did superbly to send Southampton teammate Adams away on the counter-attack and the forward curled home.

Scotland could have had more. Armstrong twice threatened his hat-trick and both Adams and Taylor forced saves.

David Turnbull, Lewis Ferguson, Anthony Ralston and Jacob Brown were given run-outs and Allan Campbell was handed a debut as Scotland continued to dominate possession, although the hosts missed some late chances and Gordon pulled off two good second-half stops.

Kamo Hovhannisyan was shown a straight red card following a wild challenge on Ferguson and Campbell saw a shot deflected wide. Scotland round off their Nations League campaign in late September with a double-header against Ukraine and Ireland.