Author: Alex Nanijanian

AW: ATP and Greenlane NGO distribute vegetable seed boxes in Artsakh

Alex Nanijanian

 Armenia Tree Project Non-Profit 0

Participant of ATP’s Backyard Greenhouse Project plants vegetable seeds distributed by ATP in Artsakh

Armenia Tree Project (ATP), the leading environmental NGO dedicated to planting trees and providing meaningful economic opportunities for rural Armenians, in collaboration with Green Lane NGO, successfully distributed nearly 1,000 boxes of vegetable seeds to families, institutions and small (up to 1,000 square meters) and large farms across Artsakh this year.

During the first distribution in February of 2023, 51 of ATP’s Artsakh Backyard Greenhouse Project beneficiaries in the Askeran and Martuni districts received five varieties of hybrid cucumber and tomato seeds for their greenhouses. The second distribution, completed on April 1st, expanded the program to include over 120 small and large farmers in all 30 villages of Martuni and farmers from seven villages in Askeran. Seed varieties in the second distribution were cucumber, tomato, okra, beet and spinach and were mostly non-hybrid seeds, so that farmers can collect and replant them next season. Azerbaijan’s continued blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, has caused scarcity of fresh food and inflation in Artsakh. The Backyard Greenhouse Project and seed distributions aim to provide relief to this issue and promote food independence. 

“The people who have over one hectare of land in Martuni said it was salvation to receive so many seeds. Otherwise, they would not have been able to grow tomatoes this year” said Masis Zargaryan, the deputy head of the Martuni District Administration of Artsakh. “The impact of the project has been so powerful that the International Committee of the Red Cross has also decided to support people by sending more seeds this month. The good work is contagious.”  

“During this critical time for food supply in Artsakh, we are relieved to be able to continue supporting an ever-growing population of beneficiaries,” said ATP executive director Jeanmarie Papelian. “We continue to urge the international community to condemn Azerbaijan’s violent blockade of ethnic Armenians in Artsakh.”

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Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is a non-profit program based in Woburn and Yerevan conducting vitally important environmental projects in Armenia’s cities and villages and seeks support in advancing its reforestation mission. Since 1994, ATP has planted and restored more than 6,000,000 trees, and hundreds of jobs have been created for Armenians in seasonal tree-related programs.

Mirzoyan, Lavrov discuss bilateral agenda, emphasize importance of intensifying efforts in Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement

Alex Nanijanian

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 16:16,

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed relevant issues of the bilateral agenda and exchanged views on regional issues during their meeting in Uzbekistan, the Russian foreign ministry said.

According to a readout issued by the Russian foreign ministry, the two FMs “discussed a number of relevant issues of the bilateral agenda.”

“An exchange of views on regional issues took place. The importance of intensifying efforts in all direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement in accordance with the 2020-2022 agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan was noted.”

Mirzoyan and Lavrov agreed to continue diplomatic contacts.

Rhode Island designates April as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month

Alex Nanijanian
April 5, 2023 Weekly Staff Diaspora 0

Members of the Armenian community pictured with resolution co-sponsors (missing from photo is Sen. Joshua Miller). Pictured in front (l. to r.): Hrag Arakelian, Rep. Jennifer Boylan, Commissioner Kristine Donabedian, Michele Kazarian, Shahen Attarian, Sen. David Tikoian, Commission vice-chair Pauline Getzoyan, Anoush Arakelian, Steve Mesrobian, Ani Arakelian and Carol Mesrobian. Pictured in the back row (l. to r.): Levon Attarian, Steve Elmasian, Rep. Katherine Kazarian, Malcolm Varadian and Melkon Megerdichian.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Dozens of local community members helped the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission mark the inauguration of Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month. Held in the impressive State House Library on March 30, the program included remarks from members of the RI General Assembly who have been ardent supporters of genocide education legislation, including Rep. Katherine Kazarian and Sen. Joshua Miller, as well as Rep. Jennifer Boylan and Sen. David Tikoian, both newly elected and actively engaged with the work of the commission. Also present was longtime supporter Rep. Rebecca Kislak.

The crowd in the State House Library as Sen. David Tikoian offers remarks

The program focused on readily available resources and materials about genocides for students and the general public through local libraries across the state. In keeping with the theme, the commission displayed a wide selection of books related to various genocides, including the Native American, Cambodian, Rwandan and Armenian Genocides and the Holocaust. Copies of the book list were available for those in attendance and were distributed to public and school libraries across the state.

Commission chair Marty Cooper

Commission chair Marty Cooper opened the program with grateful acknowledgement to Governor Dan McKee and the General Assembly for their support of both the 2016 legislation requiring Holocaust and genocide education in the state’s secondary schools and the formal establishment of the commission in 2021. Cooper explained the commission’s purpose of supporting “school districts with development of curricula and professional development to enable the incorporation of genocide-related topics into their program of studies.” He noted that Rhode Island is one of the first states in the country to designate a full month to Holocaust and genocide awareness.

Cooper went on to discuss the reasons for an April genocide awareness month, including the need to remember and educate about these atrocities, to honor those who perished and those who survived, “to remember and to never forget” and to appropriately coincide with the commemoration days for Rwanda (April 7), Cambodia (April 17), the Holocaust (April 17-18) and Armenian Genocide (April 24).

“Today as we kick off April Holocaust and Genocide Awareness month in our great state, we will focus on what Rhode Island’s public libraries, including those in our schools have available to learn more about this issue,” stated Cooper. “That is why today we are meeting at the State House Library as a symbol of the state’s commitment to ‘Never Again.’”

Commission vice-chair Pauline Getzoyan

Commission vice-chair and Weekly editor Pauline Getzoyan read a special citation from Governor McKee, which reads in part: “In commemoration for your commitment and emphasis for the need of more Rhode Islanders to learn about the history of genocides, as well as discussion on how such atrocities can be greatly reduced or ended.” As a descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, Getzoyan said her work with the commission is inspired by her maternal grandmother—Margaret Garabedian DerManuelian. Getzoyan, who was recently elected as the next chair of the commission, said her grandmother’s story of resilience, resistance and survival motivates her commitment to expanding genocide education. “Her story is nothing short of miraculous…I know she would be very proud of the work that’s being done here in the state of Rhode Island, which became her home,” said Getzoyan. 

Sen. Joshua Miller

Sen. Miller offered his continuing commitment to Holocaust and genocide education in the state. He invited attendees to the introduction of the resolution, which he co-sponsored with Sen. Tikoian, in the Senate chamber designating April as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month. 

Rep. Katherine Kazarian

Rep. Kazarian also promised her continuing support for the work of the commission, remembering how she felt during the Armenian Genocide centennial commemoration events in 2015. “There was really a buzz about us reliving through our trauma the stories of our ancestors in order to hopefully get some type of recognition,” shared Kazarian. “I remember attending those events in 2015. I remember reliving the stories and the tragedies. And I remember there being no recognition and how gut-wrenching it was. It made me feel so hopeless.” But then she recalled one of her mother’s favorite Mister Rogers quotations about looking for the helpers. She said that the helpers in 2016 were members of the current commission and the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of RI, many of whom were in attendance. These dedicated individuals and the Rhode Island legislature realized that “there was something far more powerful than recognition and that was education,” said Kazarian. This realization ultimately led to the law requiring genocide education in the state.

Rep. Jennifer Boylan highlighting the House resolution designating April as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month

Rep. Boylan introduced a similar resolution in the House the previous day recognizing April as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month and presented an official copy of it to the commission. In keeping with the special designation of April, the resolution strongly encourages “Rhode Island’s history and social science educators to incorporate lessons on past and current genocide atrocities into their curriculum and classroom discussions in order to encourage and foster a new generation with insight and the pledge to work to eradicate bigotry, prejudice, brutality and injustice.” As a Jewish American, Boylan said she has spent her entire life learning about the Holocaust. She recalled the influence of a family friend Helen Sperling, who dedicated her life to teaching tens of thousands about the Holocaust. She explained how Sperling was transported by cattle train to Buchenwald concentration camp, where she worked for years before being liberated in 1945. She would tell her audiences, “Moses brought you Ten Commandments; I am going to give you the eleventh: Thou shall not be a bystander.” Rep. Boylan wears a bracelet with those words to honor her friend and the memory of those lost in the Holocaust. 

Sen. David Tikoian, Rep. Katherine Kazarian and Rep. Jennifer Boylan

“The work of the Holocaust and Genocide Commission is very personal to me,” began Sen. Tikoian, a grandson of Genocide survivors. “My grandparents Garabed Topalian and Tarvis Mesrobian arrived in America from Armenia in 1920. They arrived here as orphans – orphans because their entire family was massacred during the Armenian Genocide in 1915. It is because of their survival that I stand before you today,” he shared. Sen. Tikoian noted the forces of denial that continue to try and erase the Armenian Genocide from history, underscoring the need for education about past atrocities as the way to prevention and a more humane society. He concluded with gratitude and admiration for Cooper’s “many years of tireless advocacy on this education initiative” and his leadership of the commission. He also congratulated Getzoyan and highlighted her dedication to “carry on the important educational work and fine leadership of the commission.”

Coordinator of adult services at the Cranston Public Library Dave Bartos

Coordinator of adult services at the Cranston Public Library Dave Bartos brought the program to a fitting conclusion, highlighting the commission’s partnership with the state’s libraries. Bartos is a member of the RI Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee, which he said works to address “the rise in censorship and book challenges taking place across the nation.” He said  the American Library Association has “documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022,” the highest number since data compilation began more than 20 years ago and the forces against which Rhode Island has not been immune.

“The same forces that are gaining purchase elsewhere are also at work here, seeking to restrict what students can read, the history they can learn and the representation they can see,” said Bartos. “Frankly it’s becoming increasingly difficult not to feel the echoes of the past reverberating in our present.” He invoked genocide education as critical to be able to say “never again,” an active phrase. “It is not something that will just happen without building education, understanding and empathy in ourselves and our communities,” he said. Bartos expressed gratitude to the commission for its work with the libraries providing resources, including book lists and curriculum materials. He stressed the need to build community solidarity – “to commit to a society where everyone is afforded the freedom to be their authentic selves, without fear of persecution or violence.”

The Senate monitor as the resolution is introduced

Following the program in the library, attendees headed to the Senate gallery for the introduction of the Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month resolution mentioned by Sen. Miller, which he ensured was read on the floor. Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna Gallo, also a longtime supporter of genocide education legislation, introduced the members of the commission present on the Senate floor: Cooper, Getzoyan, Barbara Wahlberg and Anne Ejnes, as well as the commissioners in the gallery: Kristine Donabedian and Steve Flynn.

Introductions of Commission members (l. to r.) Marty Cooper, Pauline Getzoyan, Barbara Wahlberg and Anne Ejnes by Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna Gallo (pictured in front of the commissioners)

“Over the last 23 years, I have seen our Rhode Island Armenian community move from fighting for inclusion of the Armenian Genocide in a Genocide Education Curriculum Bill introduced by then State Rep. Aram Garabedian to having one of our own, Pauline Getzoyan, elected as the new chairperson of the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission,” shared Steve Mesrobian. “This welcome change underscores how far organizations like the ANC of Rhode Island have been able to advance our cause.”

Shahen Attarian, a student at the event, was happy to witness the passage of the Genocide curriculum. “Now I have a chance to teach my friends about the Armenian Genocide and talk about it at school,” he said. “Now people can learn about my history.”

A proud Rhode Islander, Hrag Arakelian brought his young family to the event. “It was a historic moment to witness the state I live in take such an important action towards educating our children on the worst acts of humanity, in order to stop the cycle of genocide.” 

A view of the Senate gallery during the reading of the resolution

Poland plans to expand involvement of observers in Armenia EU mission

Alex Nanijanian

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 15:24, 3 April 2023

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan held a meeting on Monday with the delegation led by Polish Member of Parliament, Head of the Poland-Armenia parliamentary friendship group Radosław Fogiel.

The dynamic development of relations between Armenia and Poland was noted during the meeting.

Speaker Simonyan said that inter-parliamentary cooperation is an important format in the Armenia-Poland interstate ties, pointing out the effective partnership between the parliamentary friendship groups, the parliament’s press service said in a read-out.

A number of issues relating to regional security were discussed. Speaking about the upcoming elections in Poland, the visiting MPs said that the elections will not impact the outlined cooperation and agenda items with Armenia. The Armenian-Polish cooperation especially within the Armenia-EU framework was highlighted.

The Polish delegation said that they consider Armenia to be a member of the European family and that they are following the steps taken in the country.

The sides emphasized the constructive partnership between parliamentary delegations of the two countries within the framework of international parliamentary assemblies.

The Speaker of Parliament attached special importance to the deployment of the EU monitoring mission on the Armenian border with Azerbaijan, which is conducive to security, ensuring stability in the region and developing trust on the ground. “We are also aware that in mid-2023 Poland plans expansion of involvement of observers in the mission, which is highly commendable,” the Speaker said.

Speaker Simonyan said that Armenia is committed to the peace agenda in the South Caucasus and hopes that Azerbaijan will match its actions and rhetoric with its declared goal of peace and cooperation in the region. In this context, Speaker Simonyan mentioned the resolution adopted by the Senate of Poland that calls for an immediate, unconditional opening of the Lachin Corridor. “We expect condemnation of illegal and inhumane actions from our partners, up to imposing sanctions against Azerbaijan,” Simonyan said.

Radosław Fogiel conveyed Sejm Marshal Elzbieta Witek’s invitation to Simonyan to visit Poland on an official trip.

Turkiye, Armenia begin to lift physical and mental barriers

Alex Nanijanian
ARAB NEWS
March 31 2023
SINEM CENGIZ


For my two past visits to Armenia, I crossed into the country via the border of a third nation, Georgia, despite the fact that Armenia is one of Turkiye’s immediate neighbors. This was due to the fact that the border between the two countries was closed. While crossing the border, my Armenian colleague emphasized the importance of relations between the two nations and said that, even though there are land borders between countries, minds have no borders. He added: “Two nations can still be close, but before opening the closed border we have to open our mental borders.”

In 1993, during the first Nagorno-Karabakh war, Ankara closed the border and cut relations with Armenia out of support for Azerbaijan, Turkiye’s main ally in the Caucasus. The Turkish-Armenian border remained closed until the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit southern Turkiye and northern Syria last month.

The sole land border crossing linking the two countries opened for the first time in more than 30 years to allow Armenian aid and rescuers into the disaster zone. This exceptional opening of the border on Feb. 7 was symbolically very important because the two countries still do not have formal relations, although there is an ongoing normalization process. The same border crossing was also used in 1988, when a big earthquake hit Armenia and the Turkish Red Crescent Society moved aid to the affected areas. As part of the recent earthquake diplomacy, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan visited Turkiye to meet with the 27-member Armenian search and rescue team operating in Adiyaman.

However, Turkiye and Armenia now want to go beyond this disaster diplomacy and unlock the border between them permanently. Yerevan announced this week that Turkiye and Armenia plan to allow crossings between the two countries. Mirzoyan said the land border would open only for diplomats and citizens of third countries until the beginning of the tourist season. In early 2023, Turkiye lifted a ban on cargo flights between the two countries.

While both capitals agreed to open the land border, in the meantime there was “football diplomacy 2.0” taking place between Ankara and Yerevan. A UEFA Euro 2024 qualification match between the Armenian and Turkish national teams took place in Yerevan last Saturday. The Turkish sports minister went to Yerevan to attend the match, making him the first Turkish official to visit the Armenian capital in almost two decades.

The two countries want to go beyond disaster diplomacy and unlock the border between them permanently.

Sinem Cengiz

In 2008, ahead of Turkiye’s World Cup qualifier against Armenia, Turkish coach Fatih Terim said: “This is only a football game, it is not a war.” Indeed, it was just a football game, but not an ordinary one.

Back then, it was the first time the two neighboring countries, which have historical animosities toward each other, had come face to face. The Armenian and Turkish presidents visited each other’s capitals to watch the matches played between the two national teams. This move was later described as “football diplomacy,” which served as a bridge between Ankara and Yerevan at that time. This famous football diplomacy paved the way for the signing of the 2009 Zurich Protocols, which were aimed at improving diplomatic relations and reopening the border. However, those protocols were never ratified and they remained as one of the missed opportunities between the two countries.

On Saturday, Armenian football fans gathered at the Republican Stadium, years after the two countries first resorted to football diplomacy, to heal their historical bitterness. Citing security concerns, UEFA had banned Turkish fans from attending the qualifier in Yerevan. The Turkish national anthem was booed by the Armenian fans in the stadium right before the match kicked off. It was a saddening, yet significant, signal, showing that the society is still not ready for normalization, never mind reconciliation.

Normalization and reconciliation are two different processes, which are often confused. While normalization requires the opening of borders and establishment of diplomatic relations between states, reconciliation is a thorough process that requires the establishment of positive relations between two societies. This is tougher than just inking deals at the diplomatic table.

The current phase of normalization between the two countries began with the appointment of special envoys to carry out negotiations, not diplomatic envoys. This itself was a clear indication that normalization will take time. A sincere dialogue based on mutual trust and the necessary confidence-building measures will eventually accelerate the normalization phase, which will be followed by a reconciliation phase. Even if, one day, Turkiye and Armenia do establish diplomatic relations, the tougher task will be the reconciliation of the two nations. While Ankara and Yerevan gradually and reciprocally approach normalization, both leaderships need to pursue successful public diplomacy to consolidate their efforts.

Turkish-Armenian relations are considered to be a “history of missed opportunities.” Both sides should benefit from the ongoing positive climate that has been created, so that history will not repeat itself and the two neighbors can consign their record of missed opportunities to the dusty pages of history.

Although a challenging road lies ahead, a new era appears to be dawning. The change of heart of the two sides could be key to not only unlocking the closed land border, but also the closed mental borders between the two nations.

  • Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s relations with the Middle East. Twitter: @SinemCngz
Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News’ point of view

Russian Deputy FM and Ambassador of Azerbaijan discuss the prospects of normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations

Alex Nanijanian

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 19:44,

YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. On March 31, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloghlu, ARMENPRESS reports, Russian MFA informed.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that during the meeting, among other issues, a number of regional issues were discussed, including the prospects for the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations according to the trilateral agreements reached between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Asbarez: U.S. Voices Concern Over Increased Tensions in Caucasus

Alex Nanijanian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

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

Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried spoke to Azatutyun.am on June 18


United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried on Monday voiced concern over the increased tensions in the Caucasus region, after Azerbaijani forces on Saturday breached the line of contact with Artsakh and advanced their positions along the Stepanakert-Ghaibalishen-Lisagor road, occupying heights in the area.

Russia called Saturday’s attack a violation of the November 9, 2020 agreement, with its peacekeeping forces in Artsakh urging Azerbaijani forces to retreat to their original positions.

During a telephone conversation with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Donfried discussed the importance of normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan for peace and development of the region.

She called for resolving all issues through negotiations and expressed the U.S.’ readiness to assist in the peace process.

According to the Azerbaijani foreign ministry, Bayrmov against advanced the unsubstantiated claim that Armenia is transporting arms and weapons through the Stepanakert-Ghaibalishen-Lisagor road and complained about Armenia’s “non-constructive” steps that he said are impeding the peace process.

Bayramov also advanced Baku’s long-held position of establishing a checkpoint on the Lachin Corridor, an issue that has been rejected by Armenia and Russia.

“Azerbaijan is ready to start negotiations on a peace agreement at any moment,” Bayramov told Donfried, according to the Azerbaijani foreign ministry.

Opposition accuses Armenian authorities of hiding details of talks with Azerbaijan

Alex Nanijanian
Panorama
Armenia –

The Armenian leadership refuses to share with the opposition details of the ongoing negotiations with Azerbaijan on a peace treaty, Artsvik Minasyan, the secretary of the opposition Hayastan faction, said on Thursday.

Speaking at a parliament briefing, he claimed the incumbent authorities have repeatedly turned down the requests of the Hayastan MPs to familiarize themselves with Armenia’s version of the document in violation of the law.

“There were numerus cases when we asked the government for information, but it either did not respond to the requests or rejected them,” the MP said, accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration of unlawful conduct.

“The authorities are trampling on Armenia’s national interests, but are now talking about evading responsibility,” Minasyan said, referring to ruling Civil Contract MP Artur Hovhannisyan’s statements.

Hovhannisyan stated earlier on Thursday that opposition MPs had previously turned down Pashinyan’s offers to meet with them behind the closed doors and discuss details of the negotiating process, accusing them of thus evading any responsibility for it.

Armenian Defense Minister presents to CSTO Gen-Sec the expectations from implementation of collective defense mechanisms

Alex Nanijanian

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 18:13,

YERERVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. On March 16, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan received the delegation led by CSTO General Secretary Imangali Tasmagambetov, who has arrived in Armenia on a working visit.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Defense Ministry of Armenia, the sides exchanged opinions on a number of international and regional security issues, including the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the military-political situation around Armenia.

Speaking about the border situation, Suren Papikyan presented the long-standing problems regarding the implementation of CSTO collective defense mechanisms and the expectations of the Armenian Ministry of Defense.