Author: Adrine Hakobian

Armen and his ‘Aqua World’ in Stepanakert

Adrine Hakobian
JAM News



    Hayk Makiyan

For the last five years, Armen Hakobyan’s life has been dedicated to the business of his dreams. Armen runs and constantly strives to improve his Aqua World store in the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), where he sells fish and aquarium accessories.

At the Sunday market in Yerevan, located in an area called ‘Third Section’, he is known as ‘Armen from Artsakh’.

Here he makes the main wholesale purchases for his store in Stepanakert [in Azerbaijan the city is called Khankendi].

The mysterious words “danio”, “gourami”, “neon”, “thornsia”, “scalar” all have a special meaning for him.

“I know everything about aquarium fish. Well, almost at a scientific level”, says Armen.

For a new consignment of goods, Armen has to come to Yerevan often, on average three times a month. Usually, he chooses Saturday for the trip, so that literally at dawn he will already be at the pet market.

He needs to finish his business by noon in order to get to Stepanakert by the evening. The new occupants of his store must be immediately delivered to the site, sorted and arranged.

The next morning he has very different things to do. Armen needs to be in Malybeyli (Stepanakert district, now called Ajapnyak) to drive the cows to graze. The store is not Armen’s only business.

He is 27 years old, and he had to start working to provide for his family at the age of 18, after the death of his father. However, he started an animal-related business long before that.

“At the age of 16, I secretly bought chickens for my family using the money I had saved and kept them in a secret place. I would be scolded at home if someone found out, they saw a different future for me”.

He collected the money by working various jobs. At first he worked in a bakery, then he also began delivering orders to the house and also worked part-time as a night watchman.

After leaving school, he continued his business with cows and chickens and at the same time studied at the Stepanakert branch of the Agrarian University of Armenia.

“Working with aquarium fish united my interests: love for nature and animals, as well as a desire to study and explore them. Not to mention the fact that it became the implementation of my long-standing decision – to start my own business”, says Armen.

His shop of aquarium fish, pets, and various accessories for them has been operating for five years.

“From the first days of the second Karabakh war [September 27-November 10, 2020] my brother, my cousins, all went to the front ․ And I stayed in Stepanakert to help provide shelters for those in need, to solve their nutritional problems. It was very difficult here during the war, but it was here that I was needed”, says Armen.

He managed to regularly come to the store and feed the fish. The building, which contained the aquariums, was bombed, but the fish survived.

Before the war, Armen also kept a herd of cows in Karvachar [Azerbaijani name for Kelbajar]. He managed to save several, overtaking them on foot to Stepanakert. Now in Ajapnyak he has more than ten cows.

Armen’s girlfriend Lusin is helping him as well. She works at his shop when Armen is busy with cows or travels to Yerevan.

“I wouldn’t leave at all. I don’t like it there (in Yerevan), I just suffocate in the hustle and bustle of this city”, says Armen. When asked what will happen next, he replies: “You have to be optimistic and work hard”.

“You have to be optimistic and work hard” – Armen and Lusin

This story is part of the Trajectory media project about people whose lives have been affected by the conflicts in the South Caucasus. The project works with authors and editors from all over the South Caucasus and does not support either side in any conflict. The authors are responsible for publications on this page. In most cases, toponyms are used as is customary in the author’s society. The project is implemented by GoGroup Media and  with the support of the European Union.

Azerbaijan lodges new interim measure request against Armenia with ECtHR

Adrine Hakobian
Public Radio of Armenia
June 4 2021
Azerbaijan lodges new interim measure request against Armenia with ECtHR 

The Armenian Government has been notified about a new interim measure request lodged by Azerbaijan with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Representative of Armenia before the ECtHR informs.

The Armenian Government is requested to provide the maps of the locations of alleged landmines.

The European Court has found that the said application should be treated as integral part of the Inter-state application submitted by Azerbaijan in January 2021 and has attached to it. Thus, the European Court has not accepted this application as a new and separate case.

In May 2021 the Armenian Government submitted an addition to their Inter-State application lodged with the European Court on 1 February 2021 providing the Court with additional evidence and making additional claims.

As to the interim-measure request submitted by Azerbaijan, the European Court has informed the Azerbaijani Government that back on 5 March 2021 the Court had already adopted a decision on the same matter rejecting the Azerbaijani request for being out of scope of Rule 39 of the Rules of Court. The European Court noted that its decision of 5 March 2021 still stands and there is no necessity to reconsider it.

State budget expenditures increased 16.3%: macro-economic stability ensured according to CBA

Adrine Hakobian

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 13:55, 1 June, 2021

YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenia managed to ensure a macro-economic stability in 2020 thanks to the combination of expansionary fiscal and monetary-credit policies, President of the Central Bank Martin Galstyan said while presenting the CBA conclusion over the 2020 state budget performance report.

“The economic crisis caused by the pandemic had its negative effect on the tax revenues. The tax revenues declined by nearly 5.4% in 2020 compared to 2019, however, with the revised program of tax revenues the envisaged figure has been ensured”, he said.

The decline in tax revenues was also connected with the fundamental changes being made in the profit tax in the second quarter.

“In 2020 the state budget expenditures have increased by 16.3% compared to the previous year, mainly connected with the increase in expenses of the coronavirus pandemic, the social benefits connected with the martial law, other expenditures, grants, non-financial assets and pensions”, he said.

The budget deficit has been higher than the capital expenditures. The state budget deficit has increased, reaching 5.4% of the GDP.

“Thanks to the effective combination of expansionary fiscal and monetary-credit policies in 2020, it has been possible to ensure the macro-economic stability, which is a very important achievement given the challenges of the year and their influence. At the same time, the fiscal policy, like in the whole world, immediately responding to the solution of the socio-economic issues caused by the pandemic, has been carried out through the major increase in the debt, deviating from the medium-term and long-term programs”, Martin Galstyan said.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

‘Issues must be resolved peacefully through negotiation’- OSCE CiO on Armenia-Azerbaijan border crisis

Adrine Hakobian

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 09:54,

YEREVAN, MAY 28, ARMENPRESS. OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde has expressed her concerns over the current situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

“Concerned about repeated reports of incidents on Armenia/Azerbaijan border. All outstanding issues must be resolved peacefully through negotiation. OSCE stands ready to assist and implement confidence-building measures to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue”, she said on Twitter.

 

Editing by Aneta Harutyunyan

Caucasian Knot | European Parliament calls on Turkey to recognize Armenian Genocide

Adrine Hakobian
Caucasian Knot
May 20 2021
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With the aim of further reconciliation of the two nations, the European Parliament has urged Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

So far, over 20 states, including Russia, have recognized the events of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire as Armenian Genocide.

The European Parliament believes that the Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide will pave the road towards reconciliation of the two nations.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on May 6, 2021, the Latvian Parliament adopted a declaration condemning the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, the Armenian Genocide was recognized by US President, Joe Biden, which caused an international resonance. Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian Premier, regards Biden’s statement to be restoration of historical justice. In their turn, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has called the US President’s statement on the genocide to be pure populism, and Baku accused Biden of distorting the historical truth.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 19, 2021 at 10:04 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source:
© Caucasian Knot

Blinken, Lavrov discuss issue of finding long-term political solution to conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Adrine Hakobian
Panorama, Armenia
May 20 2021

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the margins of the Arctic Council Ministerial. He noted that the United States sought a more stable and predictable relationship with Moscow. To that end, Blinken and Lavrov discussed Russia’s Arctic Council Chairmanship and the importance of cooperation given our shared stake in the region, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

“The Secretary also reiterated President Biden’s resolve to protect U.S. citizens and act firmly in defense of U.S. interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us or our allies. The Secretary made clear that Russia should release American citizens Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed so they can return home to their families.

“Secretary Blinken raised our deep concerns regarding Russia’s continued military deployments in and near Ukraine, its actions against VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and the health of Aleksey Navalny and the repression of opposition organizations, among other issues.

“The Secretary underscored the imperative of ensuring humanitarian access for the people of Syria, while they also discussed regional issues, including finding a long-term political solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. They also discussed areas in which both of our peoples could benefit from sustained and enhanced cooperation, including Afghanistan, strategic stability, and curbing Iran and the DPRK’s nuclear programs. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister committed to continued discussions going forward,” reads the statement.

Save Armenian Monuments launches in New York

Adrine Hakobian
Panorama, Armenia
Culture 12:11 17/05/2021Region

Following Azerbaijan’s acquisition of approximately 1,500 antique and medieval Armenian cultural sites and monuments as a result of its late 2020 military offensive on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), a group of concerned Armenian American community leaders and specialists have launched Save Armenian Monuments, which will operate under the auspices of the Eastern Prelacy, The Armenian Prelacy reported.

“Given Azerbaijan’s record in eradicating the entire Armenian heritage of the region of Nakhichevan in 1997-2006, there are credible fears for the erasure of the medieval Armenian cultural heritage of Artsakh under Azerbaijan’s control,” remarked Dr. Virginia Davies, founding president of Save Armenian Monuments. “In order to safeguard the in-situ indigenous Armenian material heritage of Artsakh, Save Armenian Monuments will liaison with relevant stakeholders to document, raise awareness about and preserve the physical existence of the monuments, to advocate for Armenians’ right to worship at these religious sites, and to teach Armenian communities, particularly our diasporan youth, about these sacred sites through pilgrimages and other educational tools,” continued Davies.

Launched in 2020 in New York as an initiative of The Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Inc. (Eastern Prelacy), Save Armenian Monuments is comprised of officers, consultants, and advisors, including entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Davies, Tufenkian Foundation director Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, Denver-based researcher Simon Maghakyan, Boston-based Professor Christina Maranci, Manhattan-based lawyer Chris Parnagian, London-based entrepreneur Raffi Tanielian, as well as liaisons in Armenia.

“I was pleased last year to discuss with Dr. Davies her creative ideas in respect to preserving our sacred Christian landmarks which are in harm’s way,” remarked Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy. “Today more than ever — in light of ongoing reports of the confiscation and destruction of Armenian sacred sites in Artsakh — this initiative is critical to preserving the Armenian nation’s legacy for future generations.”

The Eastern Prelacy, Archbishop Anoushavan added, “is pleased to embark on the noble mission of Save Armenian Monuments.”

Currently, Save Armenian Monuments is pursuing four projects: organizing an Artsakh pilgrimage in 2021; producing educational Artsakh church puzzles for children; supporting Research on Armenian Architecture (RAA), a Yerevan-based NGO that has meticulously documented Artsakh’s heritage, to update its technological infrastructure; and exploring mechanisms for the enforcement of Armenians’ religious rights to worship at sacred sites.

“We are excited to learn of the launch of Save Armenian Monuments and appreciate its proactive leadership in supporting documentation efforts of Artsakh’s heritage,” remarked Raffi Kortoshian, Co-Director of RAA. “Given the monumental threat facing Artsakh’s heritage, we need all Armenians to unite in fighting for the preservation of our churches and cross-stones,” continued Kortoshian. “A special thank you to Dr. Virginia Davies for her continuous involvement in preserving Artsakh’s past.”

Save Armenian Monuments is currently supporting the modernization of RAA’s visual archiving practices.

“I am encouraged and excited by the launch of Save Armenian Monuments,” remarked London-based entrepreneur Raffi Tanielian. “Our threatened cultural heritage needs documentation, up to date monitoring, ongoing awareness and protection by a multitude of stakeholders, and Save Armenian Monuments is the answer to filling the void in this critical effort to preserve our millennia-old past. I am thrilled to be a part of this work and I look forward to measurably impactful different projects to save our monuments,” concluded Tanielian.

On November 17, 2020, days before it came under the control of Azerbaijan, a final pilgrimage was made to St. Minas church in Hak village, Northern Kashatagh. The 17th-century church was restored in 2009 by the Tufenkian Foundation through a generous donation from Dr. Davies.  She was among the pilgrims who gathered in St. Minas in November, where she shared her thoughts with the pilgrims and local and international journalists, expressing a deep concern about the possible desecration, destruction and erasure of Armenian cultural heritage at the hands of Azerbaijan, as had been done by Turkey in the aftermath of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Upon her return to New York City, together with Dr. Kasbarian and Mr. Parnagian and with the Eastern Prelacy, Save Armenian Monuments was launched.

“Historic Armenian monuments are not just stones:  they are history, faith, identity — the very fabric of our culture, and our past, present, and future,” remarked Prof. Maranci. “Scholars, foremost among them the RAA, dedicate their lives to preserving the life and health of this precious archive,” Prof. Maranci said. “Supporting this endeavor is crucial to the preservation and scholarly interpretation of Armenian monuments.”

Founded in 2020, Save Armenian Monuments LLC, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and subsidiary of the Eastern Prelacy, pursues the sustained safeguarding of in situ Armenian Christian heritage at risk, in particular protection and awareness-building of at-risk churches, monasteries, gravesites, stone crosses, and other sacred sites and structures located in Artsakh and Azerbaijan, through activities including monitoring and education. Based in New York, Save Armenian Monuments operates in collaboration with relevant institutional and individual stakeholders. For additional information, visit .

Pashinyan made arrangement with Aliyev to return POWs, raise his popularity rating, says Armenia ex-official

Adrine Hakobian
News.am, Armenia
May 8 2021
14:47, 08.05.2021

YEREVAN. – I believe [acting PM] Nikol Pashinyan has made an arrangement with [Azerbaijani president] Aliyev to return a few more captives and raise his popularity rating in the [snap parliamentary] elections [slated for June 20]. Tatul Petrosyan, former head of the General Department of Supervision of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, told this to a press conference Saturday.

According to him, the actions of the current Armenian regime are based on lies, and now they are trying to extend their power and carry out the orders of their “clients.”

As per Petrosyan, Pashinyan’s recent remarks show that he has psychological problems; he began to attribute labels—such as “traitor” and “capitulator”—to the second and third presidents of Armenia, although such assessments are addressed to him. “Speaking about the fact that Shushi [town] and Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] were handed over [to the Azerbaijanis] a long time ago, Pashinyan seems to be forgetting his words about starting negotiations from scratch, which led to a deadlock and disaster. In conditions when many Armenians are still in Azerbaijani captivity, he speaks of unblocking communications and peaceful coexistence with the Turks. During his last visit to Armenia, [Russian FM] Lavrov confirmed that there was and there is no pressure or demand on the issue of unblocking; that is, it is Pashinyan’s free _expression_ of will,” Petrosyan emphasized.

He added that the incumbent Armenian authorities managed to destroy almost the entire state system, except for the courts and the human rights defender.

Biden’s Declaration On Armenian Genocide Resonates In DelVal Communities

Adrine Hakobian
PATCH, Pennsylvania
April 28 2021

  • Delaware Valley Journal, News Partner

When President Joe Biden used the word “genocide” on Saturday to describe the 1915 killings of over one million Armenians as genocide, some in the U.S. might have wondered what the big deal was about the use of a single word. It was an event from over a century ago after all, and many wondered what it has to do with them as Americans. They can hardly be blamed for not finding a long-ago tragedy as relevant to the American experience. Turkey’s state-sponsored and aggressive denial campaign has attempted to keep it obscure and forgotten.

However, beyond the need as a leading world power to condemn genocides whenever and wherever they may occur, especially by a Biden administration that has declared human rights as a cornerstone of American foreign policy, it is important to recall that the legacy of the Armenian Genocide is intricately linked to the American experience, including in our region.

The Delaware Valley was a place of refuge for Armenians since at least the Civil War. The birth of the first known Armenian in Pennsylvania goes back to 1871, when carpet merchant Hagop Capamagian’s daughter Adella was born in Chester. During the Hamidian Massacres — a wave of mass atrocities of Ottoman Armenians between 1894-1896 which foreshadowed the genocide to come – -Armenian Americans organized relief efforts and helped survivors settle here.

That scene was repeated 20 years later during the genocide. Numerous local residents joined Armenians in raising money for those suffering, while some doctors and humanitarians even traveled to Armenia after the war to help save lives. Reverend Haig Yardumian of Philadelphia’s Armenian Martyrs Congregational Church, a 114-year old church now located in Havertown, organized the “American Committee for Armenian Independence” in 1915. It raised over $300,000. Rev. Yardumian also secured a White House meeting with President Woodrow Wilson to advocate for Armenians. Wilson, in turn, envisioned an independent homeland for Armenians as one of his famous “Fourteen Points,” although an isolationist Congress infamously prevented his Arbitral Award for Armenians from happening.

In the decades to come, a modern Turkey grew into a strategic U.S. ally and sought to deny the killings. Turkey demanded silence on the killings, which had once been widely known throughout the U.S., adding to the already traumatic and unresolved pain of the survivors and their descendants, the very thing which brought them to these shores invalidated by their own country. What followed was years of scholarship, advocacy, and an extremely hard-fought struggle for proper recognition of a historic truth over geopolitical convenience which finally came to fruition this weekend.

As America helped survivors rebuild their lives here – they, in turn, repaid their debt of gratitude to their adopted communities by enriching them in numerous ways. For example, we can look to Rev. Yardumian’s son Richard, who became composer-in-residence of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Harry Kuljian, who arrived here with little money speaking almost no English only to become a world-famous engineer who designed the airfield of the Philadelphia International Airport and built the Broad Street Subway extension. Many of these survivors persevered through unthinkable horrors, losing their entire family. But they had the strength to start anew, becoming American veterans, business owners, and productive community members. The legacy of this once-denied and mostly forgotten genocide has made the Delaware Valley a more vibrant and special place for all of us.

Failing to recognize the Armenian Genocide was a failure to recognize our own history as Americans, one which shaped our region and country for the better. The U.S. is a mosaic of people, culture, religions, which at its best stands for the guiding principles of democracy and human rights. Biden has made it clear he wants to restore those values, and affirming the Armenian Genocide as a genocide was an important step in that process. Biden has been a staunch supporter of Armenian Genocide recognition, with a 30-year documented record as senator from Delaware. By officially affirming the Armenian Genocide, Biden honored the memory of the victims, as well as these survivors who gave their heart and soul to the nation that saved them.

Paul Vartan Sookiasian is a writer and editor based in the Delaware Valley and Yerevan, Armenia, where he has worked in English-language journalism and international development.