Author: Ani Tigranian

THE WELCOMING REMARKS OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II,
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS TO THE
PONTIFF, POPE FRANCIS OF ROME,
DURING THE HRASHAPAR (GLORIOUS GOD) WELCOMING SERVICE IN THE CATHEDRAL OF THE MOTHER SEE
(June 24, 2016, Holy Etchmiadzin)

Your Holiness, beloved brother in Christ,

We give glory and thanks to God, as we welcome you, and the delegation accompanying you today, with brotherly love and prayer in this holy cathedral, where the Only-Begotten Son descended. We are deeply touched that per Our invitation You have visited Armenia, to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This ancient cathedral is the testimony of the covenant set between our people and God.  It is on this sacred site that Jesus Christ descended and with His venerable Holy Right Hand established Holy Etchmiadzin which is the Holy of Holies of the entire Armenian nation.

By divine providence, through the vision and zealous efforts of the second Enlightener of the Armenians, Catholicos Gregory; the lanterns of faith that were lit in the hearts of our people through the preaching of St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew, were renewed.

Since that day the light that is emanating from Holy Etchmiadzin binds our people with their history, sacred treasures and homeland – spread around Ark-bearing Mount Ararat.

We are immensely delighted that today in this holy cathedral of Etchmiadzin the prayers of the two pontiffs of the Sees of  St. Peter and Sts. Thaddeus and Bartholomew, are united in the glory of God, pleading peace for our faithful and for all the world, calling for a strong spirit of love and brotherhood and fruitful cooperation.

At this moment it is with warm feelings, that we remember the visit of St. John Paul II to Armenia in 2001, on the occasion of the 1700^th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the State religion in Armenia.

That was the first visit of a Pontiff of the See of St. Peter to our land, which became a new incentive for cooperation in the brotherly relationship between our Churches.

You also have made notable impact in strengthening the brotherly relationships between our Churches, by showing particular kindness towards the Armenian Church and our people on various occasions throughout your ministry.

The visit of Your Holiness is a renewed testament to the brotherly relationships and collaboration of our Churches and is mutually empowering for the faithful of both the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic churches. Your visit also fills us with optimism that our testimonies of faith, reinforced with Christian love, will be felt more strongly in our lives.

Our people remember with gratitude your solemn Mass celebrated in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Basilica of St. Peter, with your historic sermon condemning the genocide.

We give thanks to God that today together with Your Holiness, the sons and daughters of the Catholic Church, with our faithful Armenians, including those who have come to Armenia on the occasion of Your visit, can pray and beseech the intercession of the canonized martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, whose bloodshed is a testimonial of victory not only for the Armenians but also for the Christian faith as a whole. As the apostle says, abundance of grace is multiplied through the Glory of God by the thankfulness of many, (2 Corinthians 4:15).

After the destruction caused by the Armenian Genocide and the Godless years of the Soviet era, our church is living a new spiritual awakening by freely realizing the Christ-bestowed mission in the lives of our people in conditions of independent statehood in our Homeland. Our church is also engaging in a greater participation in the life of pan-Christian relations, strongly believing that at a time when the world is filled with deepening spiritual, political, economic, and humanitarian crisis, it is important more than ever for the Sister Churches to jointly pray and cooperate for the fruitfulness of the mission of Christ’s holy Church, for keeping and cherishing Christian ethical values in the world, for strengthening love towards mankind, through which true results of security and prosperity can be actualized.

We extend our prayer for the stability and prosperity of the Holy Church of Christ, for the spread of the spirit of love and favor of our Lord, and for increasing peace and life in solidarity in the world.

We call on the Lord to support Your Holiness, and wish you a long and healthy reign, for the sake of prosperity of the Roman Catholic Church and for consolation of the faithful.

Welcome to the Biblical land of Armenia and to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Let the mercy, grace and blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ remain with us all, evermore. Amen.

Armenian Mirror-Spectator – “Travelscope’s” archaeology special, “Digging Into The Future: Armenia,” won a Silver Telly Award in the Cultural Programing category. The show also received a 2016 Emmy nomination for directing.

Directed and Hosted and by Joseph Rosendo, “Digging Into The Future” was produced by the Emmy-winning team behind the PBS series, “Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope.”

Rosendo joined archaeologists from UCLA’s Cotsen Institute of Archaeology on a journey through Armenia. During this adventure he crisscrossed Armenia to ancient sites where some of the world’s oldest artifacts have been discovered. In keeping with the show’s focus on cultural connections, Rosendo talked to the locals in roadside fruit stands, riverside wine stalls and bustling markets. He was welcomed into their homes to witness traditional artisans at work and join in religious and communal celebrations that inspire, enlighten and reveal the Armenian heart and soul.

“After producing nine seasons of ‘Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope,’ it’s particularly gratifying that ‘Digging Into the Future’ has received this recognition,” states Rosendo. “Winning the Silver Telly for Digging in the Cultural category confirms our belief that no matter the subject featuring people and their culture touches the hearts and minds of our viewers.”

He also announced that, “In order to expand the show’s initial reach, the one-hour special will air as two half-hour episodes in Season 9 of “Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope” scheduled for release this November on PBS throughout the United States and Canada.

The Travelscope Team thanked the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and Kazanjian Foundation for their support of the initial national broadcast of “Digging Into the Future: Armenia.”

The Telly Awards honor the finest film and video productions, groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films, and outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs – receiving nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries. Since 1979, their mission has been to strengthen the visual arts community by inspiring, promoting and supporting creativity.

In addition to three 2016 Telly Awards, “Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope” has been previously honored with 34 Tellys. “Travelscope” has also won four National Emmys and received 14 Emmy.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to reject Borussia Dortmund’s offer of a contract extension, with agent Mino Raiola saying in : “Why should we prolong it now?”

Dortmund have been trying to tie Mkhitaryan to a new deal since the turn of the year but, going into the summer break, the 27-year-old has yet to put pen to paper and is about to enter the final 12 months of his current Borussia contract.

However, German tabloid Bild said on Tuesday that the Armenia international is set to reject club’s latest offer, and Raiola told the paper: “Why should we prolong it now? ‘Micki’ is under contract until 2017, and we continue to think about his future.”

Raiola, who also represents the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, reportedly wanted to include a release clause in Mkhitaryan’s contract that would allow the midfielder to switch clubs should current BVB coach Thomas Tuchel leave the Westfalenstadion in the future, according to ESPN.

However, Dortmund have said in the past they will no longer allow players to insert release clauses into their contracts.

“I won’t comment on this,” Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Bild when asked about the breakdown in negotiations.

Mkhitaryan, the club’s record signing when he joined from Shaktar Donetsk for €27.5 million in 2013, has excelled under Tuchel and was by his Bundesliga colleagues in the prestigious annual kicker player poll.

Bild also reports that Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in signing the skillful midfielder, but it’s unlikely that Dortmund are prepared to sell considering the club have already sold Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich and İlkay Gündoğan could also be set to move on.

Today, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Republic of Armenia Peter Tesch (residence in Moscow) presented his credentials to the President of Armenia.

President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the Ambassador on assuming his position and expressed hope that during his tenure he will spare no effort to develop friendly relations between Armenia and Australia. Wishing Ambassador Tesch all the best, Serzh Sargsyan assured that the state structures of Armenia will provide comprehensive support to the activities of the Ambassador aimed at the strengthening of the Armenian-Australian relations.

In the context of making the bilateral relations more substantial and elevating them to a qualitatively new level, the two parties stressed the importance of high-level reciprocal visits and regular contacts at different levels, including in the interparliamentary format, close and efficient cooperation in the framework of international and regional organizations as well as the development of economic relations in the mutually attractive areas.

Ambassador Peter Tesch spoke with esteem about the large Armenian community of Australia and stressed that in his country the Armenians have fully integrated into the social and political life of Australia and bring their input to the development of different areas and at the same time promote the strengthening of the Armenian-Australian friendship.

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon has resigned, saying he lacked trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the BBC reports.

It comes amid moves by Mr Netanyahu to bring hardliner Avigdor Lieberman and his party into the ruling coalition, likely offering him the defence post.

Announcing his decision on Twitter, Mr Yaalon said: “I informed the PM that after his conduct and recent developments, and given the lack of faith in him, I am resigning from the government and parliament and taking a break from political life.”

It also follows a public disagreement between the two men after Mr Yaalon backed a senior military figure, who made controversial remarks about Israeli society on Holocaust Day earlier this month.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Canada Armen Yeganian unveiled a monument to Armenian Genocide victims in the city of St. Catharines.

Attending the event were representatives of the federal, regional and municipal authorities of Canada, diplomats accredited to Canada, religious leaders, political and public figures, representatives of the Armenian community and journalists.

The opening ceremony was followed by an official reception. Addressing the attendees, Ambassador Yeganian noted that the unveiling of the monument to Armenian Genocide victims in St. Catherines is of particular importance, considering that  the city is where the first Armenian community of Canada was formed.

The Ambassador thanked the Canadian authorities and the local Armenians for their role in the development of Armenian-Canadian relations.

 

“Erdogan’s statement is a confession of the fact that the mentality of the Turkish leadership has not changed even after 101 years after the Armenian Genocide,” Armenian Deputy Foreign Minster Shavarsh Kocharyan said.

The comments come after “Armenia is playing with fire”  and reminded about “more than 100,000 Armenians living in Turkey.”

“The Turkish President is trying to threaten Armenia, linking the dependence of the Armenians of Turkey on the country’s authorities to  his denialist statement released on April 24 this year,” Kocharyan said in comments to Tert.am.

“According to Erdogan, Azerbaijan is different from  neighboring countries and Ukraine. The only thing I have to add is that with its xenophobia, its mania of spreading a wave of instability and bloodshed, with its genocidal approaches, Azerbaijan is like and even identical with one country – Turkey,” the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

“Such convulsive statements coming from both Ankara and Baku are the expression of their horror of finding themselves intentionally isolated as a result of their racist policy,” Shavarsh Kocharyan concluded.

 

 

 

The aggravation of the situation in Karabakh conflict zone was quite predictable, Russian political scientist Sergey Markedonov told .

“What’s happening today could be expected. The increased number of incidents in Nagorno Karabakh and the aggravation of the situation have been taking place over the past few years, but the clashes of the past two days were the worst ever since the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement,” Markedonov said.

According to the political scientist, there are several reasons behind Azerbaijan’s decision to escalate the situation at this point. “First, Baku was trying to ‘test’ the military solution of the issue, after which they will resume the peace talks. The second option is more pessimistic – the negotiation process has failed and the military logic is starting to work,” he said.

Markedonov is confident that there are opportunities for a diplomatic solution, but the Co-Chairs should stop inaction as soon as possible.

He political scientist believes that Russia could take up a more decisive role in the conflict settlement and is confident that unlike Donbas or South Ossetia, the United States will not mind.

According to Segey Markedonov, the de-escalation of the Karabakh conflict  can be very dangerous for Russia, as well. He considers Russia should protect the interests of its strategic ally in the conflict, but Azerbaijan is an important partner for Moscow, and the latter will hardly opt for breaking ties with Baku.

The further development of events is hard to predict, the political scientist says. He does not link the current escalation to the Russian-Turkish relations, but does not rule out that the tension  creates some background.

With respect to the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said today in Berlin:

”I am very concerned about the military escalation along the Line of Contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and about the casualties, including among civilians. I call upon the sides to end hostilities immediately and to respect the ceasefire in full.

There is no military solution to the conflict. The sides must now show the necessary political will to return to the negotiations in the framework of the Minsk Group. The Minsk Group Co-Chairs enjoy my full support in their task.”

On March 30, President Serzh Sargsyan visited the Armenian Saint Hakop Church of Massachusetts. Accompanied by the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Father Khajak Archbishop Parsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the USA of the Greater House of Cilicia Father Oshakan Archbishop Choloyan, the founder of the Armenia Tree Project Caroline Mugar and representatives of the Armenian community, the President laid a wreath and paid tribute at the monument dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Later, the President of Armenia had a meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community of the East Coast and made a statement. At the conclusion of the meeting, the President awarded a group of community representatives with high state awards and letters of commendation. In particular, on the occasion of Armenia’s Independence Holiday and for a significant contribution to the strengthening of the Armenia-Diaspora relations, President of the Boston University Doctor Aram Chobanian was awarded the Mkhitar Gosh Medal; for the impressive organization and implementation of the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, members the US Boston area Coordinating Commission Anthony Barsamian, James Galustian, and Ara Nazarian received Presidential Letters of Commendation.

Remarks by the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the meeting with the representatives of the U.S. East Coast Armenian Community

Eminencies,
My fellow Armenians,

At the outset, I would like to extend to you my most heartfelt congratulations upon the miraculous and glorious Resurrection of our Savior Lord Jesus Christ, and wish you a Happy Easter. I am glad for this opportunity to meet with the representatives of this resilient and well-organized Armenian community and communicate with you in a warm and open environment. Such meetings provide us with an ample opportunity to directly confer with our sisters and brothers in diaspora, to discuss with them issues of their concern, and, most importantly, to present them with the approaches of the Armenian State on the challenges Armenia and Armenians face, to collaboratively look into the ways to respond to those challenges and to join our forces in addressing the issues that concern all Armenians.

“Wherever you go, yell ”Armenia”,” William Saroyan bequeathed. And you followed his behest and established here, in the United States, a dozen of little Armenias. In the course of these days I am indeed in “Little Armenia” of Boston. It is no coincidence since it is the home to one of the largest U.S. Armenian communities, which has made throughout its history a significant contribution to the cultural diversity and development of this nation. It was a matter of salient pride, when I saw the Armenian churches and centers, exhibition halls and museums, visited Armenian structures and organizations, the Armenian Heritage Park, as well as met here with the talented Armenian scientists and researchers. There was a warm and exciting meeting with the Armenian students attending the leading U.S. universities, who study here with the support of the “Luys” Foundation established in 2008. Boston is of special significance for the newest history of Armenia. Numerous young diplomats, political scientists, lawyers and experts in other areas of our newly independent State have been trained in the universities in this city. They brought back with them the best traditions of the Western culture, enriched with knowledge and skills, and currently they work for the empowerment and progress of our State.

I am grateful to the powerful Armenian-American community that has always been with the homeland at the critical junctures of our development, extending helping hand both in the aftermath of the Spitak earthquake and in the course of the Artsakh liberation war. You have greatly contributed to the establishment of the Republic of Armenia, to the social-economic advancement of Armenia and Artsakh by dedicating your time and resources to the settlement of the numerous issues that we face.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Upon the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide we united and consolidated our forces more than ever, and in a unified spirit we have been able to demonstrate to the world that Armenian will is strong and determined to continue its struggle to institute justice, to condemn the crimes perpetrated against humanity in order to prevent the crime of genocide from recurring anywhere in the world.

We have constantly been in touch and, thus, designed, coordinated and held remembrance events both in the U.S. and in a number of countries around the globe. We are grateful to the U.S. regional caucuses for the Centennial commemoration events, to all structures and organizations for their capable and excellent performance on that occasion. It was with your efforts that the Armenian Cause got high visibility in one of the most democratic countries of the world, where the human rights and freedoms are considered to be of a supreme value.

The struggle for survival of Artsakh launched 28 years ago came to prove our unity for national revival. Today the exercise of its right to self-determination by the Armenian people of Artsakh and security of Nagorno Karabakh remain important priorities for all Armenians. Unless Azerbaijan pursued maximalist positions and provocations it initiated, we, perhaps, should have already solved this issue and unlocked entirely new opportunities for these two nations. Our objective, of course, is the settlement of this dispute exclusively by peaceful means, but rest assured: we will not hesitate to take adequate measures in order to preempt and contain possible aggression of the adversary. Our views fully co-inside with the state motto of Massachusetts: “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”

It is an obvious fact that Artsakh today has established itself as a State with all necessary attributes, such as institutes and structures, and it is an irreversible process. I strongly believe that by coordinating our efforts we will be able to establish Artsakh as a fully-fledged subject of international law and relations. It suffices to note that due to the efforts by the U.S. Armenian lobbying structures, and Armenian members of the U.S. state legislatures and town councils 6 U.S. states, including Massachusetts and two cities, adopted resolutions and determinations on the recognition of the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. I strongly believe that by joining our efforts we will be able to secure new success stories in this direction.

My fellow Armenians,

We should be united and take coordinated steps both for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, just settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue and for the economic development and prosperity of our homeland. There are numerous actions that we need to take in this direction, and I expect you to be actively taking initiative on your own. You are, of course, aware that the global economic crisis and economic upheavals did not circumvent Armenia, and it further complicated the conditions we have found ourselves in. Meanwhile, I should also register that even under the recent upheavals that European nations and Russia have gone through, we still have been able to register economic growth of three per cent, while a number of countries in our region have reported economic decline.

The inflation rate remained as envisaged, and it was lower in comparison to the other countries of our region. Obviously, these data are a testimony to the decreasing influence of the external shocks on the Armenian economy, which resulted from the socio-economic policy pursued in our country.

Meanwhile, recent international and regional developments provide us with ample opportunities to increase the economic attractiveness of our country. In 2015 Armenia acceded to the Eurasian Economic Union, thus getting access to the 170-milion populated market. Last May Armenia and U.S. concluded Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which opens new horizons for the enlargement of the bilateral trade and economic cooperation. And lifting sanctions on Iran opens up a 77-milion populated market at the immediate vicinity of Armenia.

I highly value both the consistent work of the Armenian diplomats and active engagement of the Armenian communities in the process of the adequate presentation of Armenia’s investment and economic attractiveness. Taking advantage of your connections with the American business circles, you can give a significant impetus to the foreign direct investments in Armenia. We do not fully utilize the untapped potential of the Armenian Americans; I strongly believe that if they are purposefully engaged the success stories will follow.

I have said it on other occasions and reiterate it today: Come to Homeland, make investments, make profit and, thus, contribute to the state-building, create new employment opportunities and help us with the development of the country. Armenia has got an untapped potential to attract investments, especially in the areas of infrastructure, mining, agriculture, reprocessing agricultural products, information technologies and engineering. It is obvious that concurrent to the development new opportunities arise for large investment, especially in the areas of tourism, healthcare, financial markets.

There are free economic zones in Armenia that provide with tax and customs benefits, and the major objective for their establishment was to attract foreign investment, to contribute to the growth of export through the application of new technologies, to create new employment opportunities and guarantee sustainable economic growth.

The capability and significance of every single one of us is in direct relation to the capability and significance of our homeland. Indeed, it is the only formula for viability of the Armenian people, key to its eternity.

In this context we stand ready to discuss your investment projects, new ideas, creative proposals; we stand ready to establish favorable conditions and environment for their implementation; we stand ready to encourage you exercise your entrepreneurial skills in homeland.

Armenia today certainly needs financial investments, but for the development of our country it more needs talents, skills and invaluable expertise of our Diaspora fellows. If we tap the potential of our diaspora inasmuch as another Massachusetts community, such as Irish, does that would give a great impetus to the development of Armenia.

My fellow Armenians,

We are fully aware that inasmuch homeland expects from Diaspora, to that same extent it should be of help to Diaspora. In this context, we consider the subsistence provided to the Syrian Armenians not to be a goodwill gesture of our State, but a direct obligation of Armenia. It is indeed the duty of our State to extend a helping hand to fellow Armenians in trouble.

Unfortunately, impunity paves the way for new crimes against humanity, which we witness today in our immediate vicinity, in the Middle East. Today the Armenian community of Syria is on the verge of extinction; the Armenian historical and cultural heritage is being wiped out and plundered. It is an ordeal, which we should survive unified. There is a lot to be done both by the State and Diaspora communities. Rest assured that Armenian Government takes all possible measures in order to provide with dignified subsistence to the 20 thousand Syrian Armenians, who sought asylum in the homeland. We have immediately granted them citizenship, provided them with free education, addressed their needs in healthcare, supported their entrepreneurial endeavors and helped them to establish themselves in the homeland. I am glad that the Armenian American community periodically holds fundraising campaigns to assist Syrian Armenians, and those donations make possible alleviation of the plight for our fellow Armenians not only in Syria, but also for those who relocated to other countries. Let us join our forces to help most of them to settle down in our homeland. It is very painful to observe the destruction of that flourishing colony, and we shall take all possible measures in order to assist the resettlement of that community in Armenia.

My fellow Armenians,

This year our nation will solemnly celebrate the 25th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia. In the course of the past years we have registered victories and achievements in a number of areas and became a fully-fledged member of the international community. We have always relied on our own resources, believed in our future and never yield an inch to the difficulties we faced.

Today Armenia has already entered a new era. Large-scale legislative, structural reforms are being implemented in our country. Their continuity has been ensured by the constitutional amendments adopted last December, which, I believe, will improve the mechanisms to respond to the internal and external challenges the Armenian nation faces. We are going to cover this path together with you by joining our forces for the empowerment of our homeland.

There are still numerous issues to address and missions to accomplish; I think, today we are ready to turn the page of history of our State that bears the “newly-independent” headline and together enter a new era to pursue all-Armenian objectives. Armenia is a dream, and we make it happen true. Armenia is a home of ours and of our forthcoming generations, regardless of our current place of residence. Armenia is, indeed, the warmest and most native corner for every single Armenian, and it will remain as such forever.

The 25th anniversary celebrations of Independence will concentrate on youth and, especially, on the generation of independence. To this end, the Ministry of Diaspora, jointly with Armenian General Benevolent Union, Luys and Ayb Foundation, initiated annual youth gathering under the motto “Let us create together destination Armenia” that will take place from June 11 to June 16. Its objective is to consolidate and provide with a joint collaboration ground to the creative new generation of our independence, scientists both from our homeland and Diaspora, graduate and post-graduate students of the leading world universities, and let them invest their knowledge and skills into the projects empowering Armenia. You too are bright representatives of this generation; therefore, we invite you to take part in that gathering.

I thank you all, all organizations, structures and unions of the Armenian American community for your work for the benefit of our nation, for your readiness to stand for Armenia and Artsakh. Meanwhile, I highly appreciate that you do not spare efforts to remain Armenian and to bring up new generations as Armenians. And we jointly build our powerful Armenia.

Long live free and independent Armenia! Long live Armenian-American friendship!