Author: Andranik Taslakhchian

Pashinyan considers establishment of normal relations with all neighbors as the main goal of Armenia’s foreign policy

Andranik Taslakhchian

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 20:03,

YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan believes that the main goal of Armenia’s foreign policy should be the establishment of normal relations with all neighbors, ARMENPRESS reports, Pashinyan said in an interview with the Czech “Respekt” magazine, answering the question about what lessons Armenia has learned in the last 15 months.

“Because of our complicated history, we have learned not to have normal relations with some of our neighbors. Changing that is vitally important to our country. It seems very simple, but its implementation is connected with dozens of problems. there are some psychological and practical problems. Such a message is not easy for the Armenian society to digest,” said the Prime Minister.

He said that he recently spoke in the National Assembly about establishing diplomatic relations with Armenia’s neighbors, and an opposition member objected, saying that the Prime Minister is speaking as if Armenia’s neighbor is Sweden.

“I replied, it would be good if we study the history of Scandinavia and Europe. If we think that Scandinavia has always been as peaceful as it is now, we are wrong. At that time, I was opposed, they said that unlike in our case, there was no genocide in Scandinavia. Yes, there are many differences between us and Scandinavia, but I think the essence is clear: people make history,” Nikol Pashinyan emphasized and added that Armenia has good relations with Georgia and Iran and should continue to improve those relations.

According to him, Armenia now has almost no relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, which should not remain like that.

FlyONE Armenia’s Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flight delayed until May 14 due to technical malfunction of the aircraft

Andranik Taslakhchian

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 13:12,

YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flight scheduled for May 13 of this year was postponed until May 14 at 00:20 due to a technical malfunction of the aircraft, ARMENPRESS was informed from FlyONE Armenia.

“As of now, the malfunction has been eliminated, the flight will take place according to the newly announced schedule,” FlyONE Armenia informed.

In response to inquiries, FlyONE Armenia also reports that the airline could not use another aircraft to operate the flight, since the Turkish aviation authorities have given permission for only a limited number of aircrafts.

“According to the aviation rules, the passengers were provided with water after 3 hours. The airline accommodated all passengers who needed to stay in both Yerevan and Istanbul in hotels until the flight will take place.

The airline is studying the videos on social networks about the flight, from which it will draw appropriate conclusions.

The airline apologizes to passengers for the caused inconvenience.

For all questions related to the delayed flight, the airline asks passengers to contact . E-mail or phone +37412400003″, FlyONE Armenia said.

A Celebration of Church Builders at the 2023 Diocesan Assembly Awards Banquet

Andranik Taslakhchian
PRESS OFFICE 

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) 

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016 

Contact: Chris Zakian 

Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558 

E-mail: [email protected] 

Website: www.armenianchurch.us 


May 11, 2023

__________________ 


ATTENTION EDITOR: Two photos attached with captions below. Additional photos can be downloaded here:

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/EasternDiocese/Diocesan-Assembly-Gala-Banquet-Dallas-TX-May-5-2023/


HEADLINE:

 

The 2023 Diocesan Assembly Awards Banquet, like the other events throughout the weekend, combined a warm “family reunion” feel with a forward-looking optimism for the future.

 

Gathering in the magnificent “Hall of Lights” of St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, the banquet provided an elegant stage on which to honor church leaders for their contributions to the life of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

 

Following a prayer service in the church sanctuary, and a social hour on its expansive outdoor pavilion, guests took their places in the beautifully appointed hall, whose West-facing glass wall framed a beautiful Texas sunset.

 

Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian delivered the invocation. Warm words of welcome and encouragement were offered by master of ceremonies Jeff Andonian, parish council chair Arlen Haruthunian, and host parish executive committee co-chairs Sylva Dayian and Daron Bolat.

 

Among the artists performing for the evening were vocalists Sona Tashjian, Sarkis Altunian, and Lucy Grimes; pianists Hasmik Virabyan and Satenik Muradyan Raphael; and saxophonist Holy Lee.

 

Diocesan Council chair Fr. Krikor Sabounjian introduced the evening’s honorees, before Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan presented each award and invited the award winners to offer remarks.

 

“One has very few opportunities to work on a project like this,” said architect David Hotson as he received the “Friend of the Armenians” award. As the designer of Dallas’ St. Sarkis Church, he said that “the building has a deep respect for the remarkable history of the Armenian people—which is something Americans need to know about.”

 

In the year since the consecration, he said, “The church does seem to be raising awareness and recognition of Armenia, its story, and its tenacious people. Also, it is raising awareness of Armenia’s imperiled history, that is still going on.” He expressed sorrow that the church’s façade, which dramatically commemorates the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, “was being installed at the exact moment that the Genocide was being resumed in Artsakh.”

 

“If this building could contribute to bringing greater world attention to these things, I would be immensely gratified,” he concluded.

 

Elie Akilian, speaking on behalf of his wife Ela as the couple received the “Armenian Church Members of the Year” award, spoke passionately about the origins of the new Dallas edifice. “When we embarked on the project,” he recalled, “we wanted to create a place where people could come to pray, and children could come to play. A place where people could come together.”

 

“This church with its extensive campus of facilities embodies these goals,” he said.

 

Mr. Akilian credited the parish community for showing the will to move forward by undertaking the initial fundraising for the project. “It showed their commitment to building the new church,” he said, as he acknowledged a number of individuals who had supported the effort throughout the process.

 

With the new St. Sarkis Church now a vital and visible part of the Diocese and its surrounding city of Dallas, Elie Akilian said, “We want this place to be a model for the future—a model for what can be, for Armenian churches throughout the world.”

 

Parish pastor Fr. Ghevond Ajamian affirmed that the church had become a model in other ways, as well. “Since winning the World-Architects Best Building Award, St. Sarkis has become a place of pilgrimage for architects from around the world,” he said. “They visit to study the structure; but they leave studying the Armenian story.”

 

Fr. Ajamian applauded the honorees whose “collaboration has made this Armenian story known to greater numbers of people: people of influence in the larger world.”

 

Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, presiding over the Assembly Banquet for the first time as Primate, concluded the program with reflections of his own. 

 

He thanked Dallas pastor Fr. Ghevond and Yeretzgin Hasmik Ajamian; the host parish co-chairs Sylva Dayian and Daron Bolat, and the committee they led; parish council chair Arlen Haruthunian, and the people of the Dallas community. “The hospitality and warmth, the commitment and dedication all of you have shown this weekend, has been remarkable,” he said.

 

He also thanked the chairmen and officers of the Clergy Conference, the Diocesan Assembly, and the Women’s Guild Assembly, before addressing the evening’s honored guests.

 

“Armenians hold architecture very close to our hearts,” he said with reference to honoree David Hotson. “It’s an important part of our identity. Of course, for many of the architects of our monuments, their names are lost to history. But those that we do know are precious to us, and inspire pride in our hearts. And now David is part of that tradition. He has joined that very elite company…. And I want him to know that not just this Armenian Church, but everyArmenian church, is now his home.”

 

Directing his thoughts to the Akilians, the Primate said: “Elie and Ela are not merely dreamers of a vision: they are practical, detail-oriented, hands-on workers—who know the effort it takes to realize a vision in the community. Their generosity to our church has been very impressive: St. Sarkis is a magnificent _expression_ of that. But their philanthropy has extended in many directions, embracing our Diocese, our homeland, and individual children in Armenia.”

 

He added: “Above all, their efforts always speak to the heart of the church: with confidence, imagination, and sense of unified purpose…. And in these troubling days, when the elder monuments of our history are in danger, are threatened with destruction, building a new church—and cherishing our existing ones—is one of the most powerful statements we can make, as a people.”

 

Click here to view photos of the Diocesan Assembly Award Banquet.

 

 

* Meet the 2023 Diocesan Award Winners

 

Every year the Eastern Diocese bestows its “Friend of the Armenians” and “Armenian Church Member of the Year” awards to express gratitude to people who have profoundly benefitted the church; to deepen existing relationships with important figures in the community; and to strengthen the honorees in their continuing efforts.

 

The 2023 honorees are people of extraordinary creative vision and determination, motivated by a belief in something greater, and a responsibility to share the fruits of their accomplishment with others.

 

“Friend of the Armenians” David Hotson is a celebrated architect, whose work has been featured in every major publication and forum in the field, and has received international honor and recognition.

 

Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Colorado and Ontario, after receiving a Masters Degree in Architecture from Yale University, David established his own architectural firm in 1991, based in New York. His office has produced many award-winning projects, including one that received a “Design of the Decade” award from Interior Design Magazine.

 

David is also the architect of St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Dallas—also an award winner, thanks in part to the enthusiastic voting of Armenians around the world. In a field of 40 nominated structures, St. Sarkis received an amazing 64 percent of the votes cast, to become named as the “2022 U.S. Building of the Year” by the prestigious World-Architects forum.

 

But David Hotson’s involvement with Armenia goes back nearly 20 years, when he was tapped by the late philanthropist Gerald Cafesjian, of Minnesota, to work in Yerevan on the renovation of Tamanyan Park and the unforgettable Cascade, culminating in the opening of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts.

 

Armenia is a land of architectural wonders; and its spirit clearly entered into David when he was engaged to work on the design of St. Sarkis Church and Community Center, working with patron Elie Akilian and fellow architect Stepan Terzyan. One can recognize in its design the harmonious lines of Armenia’s great St. Hripsime cathedral—a “family resemblance” that St. Sarkis shares with the Diocesan cathedral of St. Vartan.

 

Also like St. Vartan Cathedral, the Dallas church stands as a memorial to the Genocide, with 1.5 million unique engravings etched into the façade of St. Sarkis: a remarkable testimony to the Armenian martyrs who perished more than a century ago. The Dallas Morning News called the effect “the most emotionally moving work of architecture produced in North Texas in a generation.”

 

Creating an emotional impact was part of David Hotson’s intention in designing the church. And he has brought the same sense of moral responsibility to his advocacy for Genocide recognition and, more recently, for the plight of Armenia and Artsakh.

 

In naming David Hotson as the 2023 “Friend of the Armenians” the Eastern Diocese honors a man of great artistic vision and deep moral conviction.

 

* * *

 

“Armenian Church Members of the Year” Mr. and Mrs. Elie and Ela Akilian are a married couple beloved at St. Sarkis Church, and admired throughout the Diocese.

 

Their story is an international one. It began in Beirut, where Elie Akilian was born and raised. In 1975, while still a teenager, he moved to the United States, to study electrical engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. After graduating he started his career in Dallas, working in the defense industry. But he had dreams of striking out on his own, and building his own business ventures.

 

On a trip to Poland, Elie met the person who would become his partner and inspiration in every undertaking of life: his wife, Ela. Eventually they were married in Warsaw, and the Akilians returned to Texas to start a family. The local Armenian church was in its earliest phase at the time, with Elie and Ela an active part of its life from the very beginning. Their children Natalie and Michael—now adults—grew up in the community, and Michael has the distinction of receiving the first baptism in the old sanctuary.

 

Elie’s career took a vital turn in 1989, when he became co-founder of Inet Technologies. As the computer age took off, the company attracted customers from around the globe, and after a decade Elie took the Inet public. He sold it in 2005, and started a new company producing video games, including the successful Wizard-101. Having sold that company in 2020, Elie now leads his third start-up, this time in the emerging field of virtual reality gaming.

 

Even as the Akilians’ success grew, they remained deeply committee to the Armenian community that had been their home, a source of strength, and the stage for many loving friendships. Elie and Ela had joined the parish when it was small, and they had seen it grow, and contributed to that growth. They dreamed of giving something to the community that would match its vitality, and inspire further expansion.

 

Their dream started to become a reality when Elie and Ela decided to become the main benefactors for a new church. They envisioned a distinctively Armenian structure, supported by a complete complex to serve the community’s needs. They sought out a brilliant architect who could give shape to this vision. They rallied the community, alongside pastor Fr. Ghevond Ajamian and other bold parish leaders. They made their personal generosity an example for others to emulate, and to give confidence to the Armenian community—not just in Dallas, but across the Diocese.

 

Elie has spent the last seven years intimately involved with the construction project—and not even a worldwide pandemic could divert him from seeing it to completion. The church was consecrated on April 24, 2022, in the name of St. Sarkis the Brave by the hands of two former Primates—Bishop Daniel Findikyan and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian—as well as Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian: all great friends of the Dallas community, with deep connections to its people.

 

As the Eastern Diocese’s 2023 “Armenian Church Members of the Year,” Elie and Ela Akilian embody not only the high aspirations of the Armenian-American community, but also its tender values of faith and family.

 

—5/11/23

 

* * *

 

PHOTO CAPTION 1:

Diocesan Primate Fr Mesrop Parsamyan with Mr. and Mrs. Elie and Ela Akilian, of Dallas, TX, honored as the “Armenian Church Members of the Year” for 2023, at the Diocese Assembly Gala Banquet on May 5, at St. Sarkis Church in Dallas.

 

PHOTO CAPTION 2:

This year’s “Friend of the Armenians” honoree, award-winning architect David Hotson, with (left) Diocesan Council chair Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, and (right) Diocesan Primate Fr Mesrop Parsamyan, during the Diocese Assembly Gala Banquet on May 5, at St. Sarkis Church in Dallas, TX.

 

# # #

Fremont Signs Letter of Intent on Vardenis Cu-Au Property in Armenia; Stakes Prospective Lithium Targets in Nevada

Andranik Taslakhchian
May 9 2023

Mr. Dennis Moore reports:

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – May 9, 2023) – Fremont Gold Ltd. (TSXV: FRE) (OTCQB: FRERF) (FSE: FR20) (“Fremont” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent pursuant to which it has been granted an option to acquire up to 100% interest in Mendia Resources Corp. (“Mendia“), an Armenian corporation, by Mendia’s sole shareholder (the “Optionor“). Mendia holds the exploration license over the Vardenis copper-gold project in central Armenia.

Additionally, the company is pleased to announce the filing of 133 new claims in Nevada for the purpose of potentially advancing a world class Lithium resource. Initial geochemical results are expected before mid-year. Staking of other potential lithium prospects is ongoing.

Vardenis Cu-Au Property

The Vardenis copper-gold property is a high-sulfidation, possible Cu-porphyry mineralized system formerly held by Dundee Precious Metals Inc. between 2015 and 2018. It occurs 25 kilometers along strike and in the same Eocene volcanic sequences which host the 3-million-ounce Amulsar gold deposit being developed by Orion Mine Finance, Osisko Gold Royalties and Resource Capital Fund.

The terms set out in the letter of intent provide Fremont with the exclusive option to acquire up to 100% of Mendia via staged option payments over 4.5 years. The staged payments are as follows:

  • On completion of the definitive agreement (“Closing“), the Company shall pay US$100,000 in cash and issue 500,000 Fremont common shares to the Optionor, and initiate specified exploration work on the Vardenis property, including a minimum of 2,500 meters of diamond drilling within 18 months; completion of which will earn the Company a 51% equity ownership interest in Mendia;
  • 18 months following Closing, the Company shall pay an additional US$150,000 in cash, issue 700,000 Fremont common shares to the Optionor, and initiate further exploration work on the Vardenis property, including an additional 5000 meters of drilling within 3 years following Closing; completion of which will earn the Company an additional 29% equity ownership interest in Mendia (for a total of an 80% equity ownership interest);
  • 36 months following Closing, the Company shall pay an additional US$100,000 in cash, issue 1,000,000 Fremont common shares to the Optionor, and initiate additional exploration work including a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) level study within 4.5 years following Closing; completion of which will earn the Company an additional 10% equity ownership interest in Mendia (for a total of a 90% equity ownership interest);
  • Subsequent to the Company’s acquisition of a 90% interest in Mendia, the Optionor has the right to retain a 10% interest in Mendia by contributing 10% of costs moving forward; If the Optionor declines this right, the Company has the option to purchase the remaining 10% equity in Mendia for $US3,500,000 in either cash or equivalent in Fremont shares. If this option to purchase the remaining 10% is not exercised by the Company, and the Optionor does not meet their contribution commitments, the Optionor’s residual interest in Mendia will be converted to a 1.0% net smelter return royalty once their interest falls below 5%.

Closing is subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence and the execution of a definitive option agreement with the Optionor on or before June 20, 2023. The definitive agreement will include customary provisions, representations, covenants and conditions which are typical for a transaction of this nature as well as provisions relating to dilution, governance and the terms of the net smelter return royalty. Fremont as the optionee, has the right to withdraw from the agreement at any time, with 30 day’s written notice.

Closing will be subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Fig 1: project location

Previous work on the Vardenis Property

Historic work on the Vardenis copper-gold property comprises early Soviet-era trenching and pits from the 1960s followed by more recent exploration undertaken by Canadian-based companies during the past decade. This recent work includes 1,246 meters of diamond drilling in seven holes, over 4,000 geochemical samples (both soils and streams), alteration mapping and trenching. This work has defined a NW-SE somewhat ring-shaped, gold-in-soil anomaly approximately seven kilometers in length, as well as a separate 3.6 x 2.0-kilometer copper anomaly located 1.4 kilometers to the south of the gold anomaly.

The seven drill holes were confined to a relatively small area on the western end of the gold anomaly. Four of those holes are just outside, but right along the edge of Mendia’s current license area (due to watershed issues). The best results of this limited program returned 11.9 m @ 1.92 g/t Au and 18 m @ 0.58 g/t Au in holes 2 and 6, respectively; the latter hole occurs within Mendia’s current license. Additionally, 15 trenches were excavated in a gold-anomalous area named the Archuk target on east side of the license. All trenches returned values averaging a minimum of 0.5 to >1 g/t Au, with a best result of 26m @ 3.65 g/t Au. This area has not been drilled.

Fig 2. Looking east with alteration draped over the topography

.

Figure 4. Vardenis Copper soil geochemistry

Fremont’s President and CEO, Dennis Moore, commented, “After spending the better part of two years seeking opportunities in Armenia, Vardenis was chosen as one of the few projects that could create true shareholder value in a relatively short time frame. This project has decisive attributes which include:

  • A large-scale mineralized system;
  • Hosted in Armenia’s most prospective Eocene volcanics, along strike from the 3M oz Amulsar gold deposit which is currently being developed;
  • At-surface copper-gold mineralization within widespread high-sulfidation-style alteration;
  • A plethora of previous data which identify significant, sizeable copper and gold anomalies;
  • Only 1,246 meters of historical drilling.

These attributes make Vardenis a very attractive target indeed.”

Mr. Moore continues, “The historic exploration work undertaken at Vardenis provides Fremont with a strong head start to efficiently and effectively advance the project. Drill targeting will obviously be more straight forward than if starting from scratch. The current plan is to undertake detailed short-wave infrared (SWIR) alteration mapping to determine the hot-spots within the mineralized system, possibly conduct an IP survey over the circular copper-moly anomaly, then integrate this data with the results of historic soil geochemistry in order to identify the best targets. We expect to conduct the initial drill program within 18 months. A current National Instrument 43-101 technical report is in the process of being completed.”

Fremont is continuing to actively pursue additional projects in Armenia.

Lithium project in Nevada

The increased demand for lithium in the EV market has led to a rapid expansion of lithium exploration and attendant junior explorers in prospective jurisdictions such as Nevada, Argentina and Chile. This has led to the discovery of several world-class deposits in Nevada such as Rhyolite Ridge (Ioneer, INR-ASX) and the Thacker Pass deposit. The latter is owned by Lithium Americas Corp. (approx. $3.2 billion market cap), and is located within the McDermitt caldera of northern Nevada.

As the Company has significant gold projects in Nevada, administered by a very experienced Nevada-based team, management decided to exploit this in-house expertise to search for prospective lithium deposits. Fremont’s Nevada exploration group is headed by Vice President Dr. Clay Newton, a PhD structural geologist who has worked over 25 years in Nevada and explored for numerous commodities during his long career, including rare earths and lithium.

Dr. Newton explains, “In Nevada, there are two main types of lithium deposits – lithium brines and lithium-bearing clays. Lithium brines are found in closed evaporative basins in which there is ample water inflow into the basin but no outflow. Lithium, boron, and alkali elements are residually enriched as the playa lake water evaporates.

Lithium-bearing lake sediments, also common in arid evaporative basins, may also contain clays that are enriched in lithium and boron. The lithium may either be sourced from weathered and eroded felsic volcanic rocks surrounding the basin or from intra-basin ash and felsic tuffs”.

Dr. Newton continues, “Diamond Valley, in Eureka County, is a large completely enclosed basin, that in the past held large lakes as evidenced by terraces cut high into the surrounding hills. Surface water and shallow groundwater flows from south to north in the basin, converging in the northern end, where there is always a seasonal playa lake. The southern part of the valley has for generations provided ample fresh groundwater for farming irrigation. However, the northern end of the basin has been known for decades to host more caustic groundwater than the southern part. Water from the northern end of the basin exceeds safe drinking water standards for multiple chemical constituents and total dissolved solids (from Eureka County Water Resources Master Plan, 2016). Additionally, there are very abundant artesian springs in the northern part, bringing deeper water to the surface, and some of the springs are warm water, indicating geothermal heating, another important element for hydrothermal leaching of intra-basin ash.

The northern part of the basin has an enclosed gravity low anomaly (see figures below) suggesting a deep groundwater reservoir. Such depressions are known to host lithium brines, which because of their higher density than fresh water, sink into the depressions.”

Fremont has recorded 133 claims to date for lithium brines, covering the gravity low anomaly in the northern end of Diamond Valley, as shown in the figure above. Initial geochemical results are expected within four weeks.

Qualified person

The content of this news release was reviewed by Dennis Moore, Fremont’s President & CEO, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Fremont

Fremont’s mine-finding management team has assembled a portfolio of high-quality Nevada gold and lithium projects with the goal of making a new discovery. The Company has also been seeking world-class mineral opportunities within the central Tethyan belt of Armenia and Georgia. Besides Cobb Creek, Griffon, and Hurricane in Nevada, Fremont has applied for an exploration license over the Urasar area in northern Armenia.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

“Dennis Moore”

Dennis Moore
President and CEO, interim Chairman
Fremont Gold Ltd.

For further information, contact:

Corporate Information

Fremont Gold Ltd.
Dennis Moore, President and CEO, interim Chairman
Telephone: +351 9250 62196
www.fremontgold.net
https://twitter.com/GoldFremont
https://www.linkedin.com/company/fremont-gold/

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward looking statements

Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are based on several material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the completion of the Private Placement or the actual use of proceeds to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Fremont undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.


For all maps go to the link https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/2165-tsx-venture/fre/141093-fremont-signs-letter-of-intent-on-vardenis-cu-au-property-in-armenia-stakes-prospective-lithium-targets-in-nevada.html

Tourism in Armenia grows over 80% in Q1

Andranik Taslakhchian

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 11:37, 8 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. 451,850 tourists visited Armenia in the first three months of 2023 – 81,2% more than in 2022’s Q1, according to official data released by the Statistical Committee.

Most of the tourists – 237,040 – are citizens of Russia, followed by Armenian citizens living abroad – 74,186.

53,707 citizens of Georgia and 25,458 citizens of Iran also visited Armenia in the reporting period.

Furthermore, visits from Turkey grew more than twice – with 2,712 citizens of Turkey having visited Armenia in January-March (2,2 times more than last year).

Secretary Blinken at the Bilateral Peace Negotiation Closing Session with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov

Andranik Taslakhchian
U.S. Department of State
May 4 2023


REMARKS

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

GEORGE P. SHULTZ NATIONAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS TRAINING CENTER

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

MAY 4, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good afternoon, everyone. I want to start by thanking our colleagues, both foreign ministers, their delegations for traveling here and for spending the time here in – at the Foreign Service Institute, and especially for their commitment to dialogue, and I think a recognition on the part of both Armenia and Azerbaijan that the only path to a lasting, durable peace is through dialogue.  The United States is very happy to continue to offer its support, its engagement, its good offices to host this discussion and any future ones toward an enduring peace.  That is the objective.

The two sides have discussed some very tough issues over the last few days and they’ve made tangible progress on a durable peace agreement.  I hope that they see – and I believe that they do, as I do – that there is an agreement within sight, within reach.  And achieving that agreement would be, I think, not only historic, but would be profoundly in the interests of the people of Azerbaijan and Armenia, and would have very positive effects even beyond their two countries.

I think the pace of the negotiations and the foundation that our colleagues have built shows that we really are within reach of an agreement.  The last mile of any marathon is always the hardest; we know that.  But the United States is here to continue to help both of our friends cross the finish line.  And as I say, I think we’re very much within reach of that.

I have to say, finally, that the leadership that we’re seeing from both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and from my friends the foreign ministers, is inspiring.  None of this is easy, but the commitment, the determination to move forward, to deal with the remaining challenging issues is real.  And we feel, coming out of these few days, that, as I said, we’ve made very tangible progress.  A final agreement is within reach, and we’re determined to continue to help our friends achieve it.

So with thanks to both of you, to both of your delegations, as well as to Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev for sending you here.  I thank everyone, and we look forward to continuing.

https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-the-bilateral-peace-negotiation-closing-session-with-armenian-foreign-minister-ararat-mirzoyan-and-azerbaijani-foreign-minister-jeyhun-bayramov/

Armenia’s Pashinyan To Visit Moscow Next Week – Press Office

Andranik Taslakhchian
May 5 2023

 Faizan Hashmi  Published | 07:05 PM

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday in Prague announced his plans to visit Moscow next week, the press office of the Armenian government said

YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 05th May, 2023) Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday in Prague announced his plans to visit Moscow next week, the press office of the Armenian government said.

Pashinyan is in Prague for a two-day official visit to the Czech Republic to meet with the country’s top officials. The Armenian prime minister also attended the Prague Centre for Transatlantic Relations, a research center, where he announced his plans during the discussion on the topic of “Armenia’s democracy in the troubled region: Security and stability needs.

“

“The prime minister has just announced that he will visit Moscow next week,” the press office said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pashinyan discussed the situation in the conflict-torn Nagorno-Karabakh region during a phone conversation in late April. Then, the leaders confirmed the importance of strict compliance with the agreements of the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh and agreed to continue contacts.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/armenias-pashinyan-to-visit-moscow-next-week-1686986.html

Warlick: Final Armenia-Azerbaijan deal unrealistic without Karabakh settlement

Andranik Taslakhchian
Armenia – May 5 2023
May 5, 2023 – 15:45 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Former American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick believes a final agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is unrealistic at the current stage.

According to him, there are a number of outstanding issues, including communication, refugees, borders, natural resource management and other issues.

In a conversation with the Armenian service of the Voice of America, Warlick emphasized the issue of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, stressing that without a determination of the status that will satisfy all the parties, it is impossible to achieve lasting peace.

Warlick clarified that he wasn’t talking about independence for Nagorno-Karabakh, as he did not think the issue was on the negotiating table, especially from Azerbaijan’s point of view,

He added, however, that there might be a certain degree of self-determination that would be acceptable to Baku.

According to him, the recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan by Armenia has been a very difficult issue until now. Today, he said, Armenia is moving in that direction, but it is still unclear how the whole thing will be formulated.

https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/307117/Warlick_Final_ArmeniaAzerbaijan_deal_unrealistic_without_Karabakh_settlement

"The fatal mistake of Russian peacekeeper command in Karabakh." Comment from Baku

Andranik Taslakhchian


  • JAMnews
  • Baku

Change of Russian peacekeeper command

There has been a rotation of the commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh — Andrei Volkov was replaced by Alexander Lentsov. The new commander has already managed to hold several meetings. According to an Azerbaijani expert, these meetings predetermined the fate of the peacekeepers in the region.

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Immediately after arriving in Karabakh, Colonel-General Alexander Lentsov met with the president of the unrecognized NKR, Arayik Harutyunyan. A day later, the new head of the RMC went to Yerevan to meet with the Minister of Defense of Armenia.

Azerbaijani political commentator Haji Namazov commented on Lentsov’s first steps for JAMnews.

According to Namazov, Lentsov has made the same mistake as his predecessors.

Azerbaijan has installed a Checkpoint on the Lachin road — international and local response to the situation

“Immediately after arriving in Khojaly, where the headquarters of the peacekeepers is located, he met with the so-called President of the illegal regime in Khankendi, and after that he left for Armenia to meet with the Minister of Defense of Armenia.

Probably then he will meet with the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan. But it will be later. Why is this a mistake, even an unforgivable oversight by the RCC commanders?

“The Caucasus is the East, and as you know, this is a delicate matter. Here they pay attention to the subtleties that might go unnoticed in the same West.

Karabakh is a territory of Azerbaijan recognized by the entire international community. Previously it was de jure, but now it is quite de facto. It can be confidently said that after April 23, when Azerbaijan took control of the entire perimeter of its own state borders, Karabakh cannot be called some kind of special territory, over which there is no control of official Baku.

Farhad Mammadov gives his assessment of possible developments after the Azerbaijan checkpoint was established in the Lachin corridor

And the general appointed by Moscow is first of all obliged to meet and introduce himself to the owners of these territories, that is, to the government of Azerbaijan. But that’s the last thing he’ll do, if he’s allowed to. Apparently, such instruction was given to Lentsov and his predecessors from Moscow. Everyone knows that without the consent of the Kremlin, the commanders of the contingent do not allow themselves a single step in Karabakh.”

Namazov discussed possible further developments around the peacekeeping mission in Karabakh:

“Everyone in Azerbaijan sees this, observes what is happening and remembers it. And there is no reason to hope that after everything official Baku will be inclined to listen to Lentsov and try to find a common language with him.

Azerbaijan in 2020 and beyond proved that it is the master of the situation in the region, and no decision can be imposed on it against its will.

Now it only remains to watch how Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh will unsuccessfully seek at least some concessions from Baku. Taking into account all the experience of their stay in the region, it can be said with confidence that there will be no differences from what was before Lentsov. The mistake has already been made.”

https://jam-news.net/change-of-russian-peacekeeper-command/

AW: FOX LA to celebrate Armenian History Month with a TV special hosted by Araksya Karapetyan

Andranik Taslakhchian
 Guest Contributor Announcements 0

LOS ANGELES, Calif.— KTTV FOX 11 will broadcast a news special chronicling the Armenian-American experience as part of its month-long celebration of Armenian history. The special will air on Sunday, April 30 at 9:30 a.m. PDT, and it will be streamed and available worldwide through the station’s site.

FOX LA morning news anchor Araksya Karapetyan became the first broadcast journalist in 2012 to break into the extremely competitive and second-largest US media market, which serves more than 18 million viewers in several Southern California counties. In addition to covering breaking news, local, regional and national politics, Karapetyan’s serious yet charming personality helps millions of Los Angeles residents start their day with the latest news, weather and traffic reports during the five-hour “Good Day LA”  broadcasts.

While Karapetyan had occasionally reported about the Armenian-American community in Southern California, her focus on her people and her homeland intensified during the 2020 Artsakh War. After performing her daily assignments in the field and on the anchor desk, Karapetyan would continue working during her off-hours to interview newsmakers and find stories to keep viewers updated about the war on a daily basis. She not only summarized the headlines out of Armenia and Artsakh, but featured the local community’s involvement in humanitarian relief efforts and interviewed southern California residents who journeyed to their ancestral homeland to help in hospital emergency rooms, in soup kitchens and on the frontlines.

Prior to Karapetyan’s regular reports and specials about Armenia, the only Los Angeles TV station that used an entire newscast to report about Armenia and the Armenian experience was more than 30 years ago when Channel 2 sent journalist Bree Walker to report about the 1988 Spitak Earthquake — which Karapetyan experienced as a six-year-old and remembers vividly. A few years later, her family would leave Gyumri as the Soviet Union collapsed and Armenia went to war with Azerbaijan over the autonomy of the Republic of Artsakh.

“As an American-Armenian, born in Gyumri and who grew up in Palos Verdes, I’m humbled to have the opportunity to serve the Armenian-American community, to represent my people on the airwaves of Southern California,” says Karapetyan. “Not only is it a blessing, but I’m inspired by the people from our community we profile on a regular basis, be it innovators bringing state-of-the-art medicine to heal the world or rock stars and influencers promoting justice from their platforms.

Karapetyan has been a prominent figure in the Southern California Armenian community, regularly hosting special events including the Armenia Fund International Thanksgiving Day Telethon and fundraisers for the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF). This week, her work was recognized with a special honor from Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian. Karapetyan was the mistress of ceremonies at several Genocide commemorations events this past week and has also appeared on online community forums and panels to talk about her accomplishments and encourage young Armenians to pursue their dreams and never give up.

Karapetyan began her first job in Idaho Falls, a TV market so small that she had to shoot and edit her own stories and set up her own lights and live shots. Her hard work in the sleet and snow of Idaho paid off when she was offered to work in the 25th largest TV market in the US in Portland, Oregon. When colleagues and supervisors would suggest she change her name, she would courageously decline the advice.

When the opportunity came for her to decide whether she would move to New York and work in international news or return home to be with her immediate and extended family, Karapetyan chose home. “Having my grandparents be able to turn on the TV set in the mornings and watch me is what inspired me to return home,” she says.

Karapetyan has fans from Armenia and viewers from all parts of the US and says she’s committed to telling her people’s most important stories as long as she can.