Author: Antonian Lara

 14:14, 9 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport has offered the owner of the carpet collection from the Shushi Carpet Museum to display the collection at the best available museums in Armenia.

When asked to clarify, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Ara Khzmalyan told MP Elinar Vardanyan in parliament that the ministry is now working with the owner of the collection.

Around 170 carpets were saved from the museum when Shushi was under heavy Azeri bombardment during the 2020 war before its fall.

The carpets were temporarily stored at the National Museum-Institute of Architecture in Yerevan, but the administration of the institute notified the ministry officials that the carpets must be moved elsewhere.

Khzmalyan said he’s met several times with the collection’s owner.

“We have the following picture: we have a policy of bringing together values, not allocating a new building for each value, because when the exhibits on display are rich and various there are more visitors. Realizing the necessity for displaying these carpets, its political importance, we offered to organize the display in the best, modern museums. Take into consideration that this is a private collection. I think there isn’t anything better to offer today. Otherwise we’ll have to build a new museum, perhaps this could be discussed, I don’t know,” Khzmalyan said.

US Congressman urges Azerbaijan to release the Armenian POWS and civilian captives immediately

 13:05, 5 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The ANCA and ANCA Eastern Region join with the Armenian National Committee of Illinois – ANC of IL and Armenian Americans across the Prairie State in thanking Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8th District) for condemning Azerbaijan’s brutal attacks against Armenian civilians in Sumgait, Baku, Kirovabad, and Maragha and demanding accountability for their crimes, ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Facebook page of the ANCA. In a powerful statement in the Congressional Record on February 3rd, Rep. Krishnamoorthi went on to “condemn Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression against Armenia, and call on the Azerbaijani government to immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian POWs and captive civilians.”

Rep. Krishnamoorthi’s statement runs as follows,

“Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to condemn the violence inflicted upon Armenians on the 34th anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms in Azerbaijan. I believe that condemning these actions today will help prevent renewed aggression against citizens of Armenian descent who continue to live in Azerbaijan, while bringing attention to efforts to erase these atrocities from our collective memory. Further, I reaffirm our nation’s commitment to an enduring, peaceful, and democratic resolution of the Artsakh conflict.

From 1988 to 1990, the Armenian population in Soviet Azerbaijan was the target of ethnically targeted pogroms in the cities of Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku. Beginning on February 27, 1988 in Sumgait, Armenian Christians were indiscriminately murdered, raped, and maimed by mobs of criminals and thugs. According to independent reporting, police in Baku allowed the pogroms to continue for 3 days, during which lime Armenians were burned alive and thrown from windows,

Despite vocal U.S. and international protests over the Sumgait Pogroms, renewed anti-Armenian pogroms were launched in Kirovabad on November 21, 1988 that lasted for seven days. Fourteen months later in the capital,Baku, another pogrom was launched against its Armenian minority. These vicious attacks killed hundreds of unarmed civilians and displaced tens of thousands of Armenians fleeing systematic violence as refugees.

These pogroms set the stage for decades of aggression by Azerbaijan. In September 2020, Azerbaijan bombed the Republic of Artsakh with Turkish support, targeting Armenian schools and religious sites, and killing innocent civilians. Over a year later, Azerbaijan still illegally holds and tortures Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) from 2020, despite signing a joint statement requiring all captives to be released.

Madam Speaker, on this 34th anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms, I want to emphasize the importance of remembering these crimes against humanity. I call on the Azerbaijani government to acknowledge that these atrocities occurred, and that it seeks justice for the victims by prosecuting those who committed these horrific acts of violence. I also call upon the government of Azerbaijan to take all appropriate action to prevent further tragedies of this nature, and to respect the rights of all minorities living within its borders. I condemn Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression against Armenia, and call on the Azerbaijani government to immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian POWs and captive civilians”.

Surp Sargis church in southeastern Diyarbakır province, Turkey, Feb. 6, 2022. (AA Photo)

 14:00, 4 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan received newly-appointed Ambassador of Germany to Armenia Viktor Richter, the government said in a news release.

At the beginning of the meeting deputy PM Grigoryan congratulated the Ambassador on appointment and wished him a productive work. He said the government of Armenia is ready to assist the Ambassador in the development of the Armenian-German relations.

Both sides emphasized the presence of potential in the bilateral commercial relations which is not fully utilized and discussed the possible ways of deepening the cooperation between Armenia and Germany. In this context deputy PM Grigoryan presented Armenia’s advantages as a member state of the Eurasian Economic Union, and the opportunities opening for the German business.

The German Ambassador said there is a good base for the mutual partnership based on which it’s possible to develop the partnership.

The officials also highlighted the activity of the GIZ and KfW in Armenia.

The Armenian government’s reforms in healthcare, education and social protection spheres were also discussed. In this respect the deputy PM highlighted the potential partnership with the German partners, particularly, the participation of expert potential to the processes.

Regional developments and the ongoing actions to unblock the transportation communications in the region were also touched upon during the meeting.

 16:18, 4 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. The UK government is currently engaging with the Armenian government to finalise a UK-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, encompassing the full breadth of bilateral issues, the UK Ambassador to Armenia H.E. John Gallagher said in an interview with ARMENPRESS.

“We hope to be able to make further announcements on this soon,” the ambassador added.

The full interview with Ambassador Gallagher, conducted on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the UK, will be published soon.

Armenian Armed Forces celebrate 30th anniversary of foundation

 08:35,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Armenia and Armenians around the world celebrate the 30th anniversary of foundation of the Armenian Armed Forces on January 28.

The formation of the Armenian Armed Forces coincides with 1992-1994, when the newly independent Republic of Armenia, along with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, being in undeclared but de facto war with Azerbaijan, simultaneously embarked on the creation of a national army. The Declaration of Independence of 1990, however, played a decisive role in the creation of the Armenian Army.

On January 28, 1992, the Government adopted the historic decision titled “On the Defense Ministry of Armenia”, heralding the formation of the Armenian Armed Forces. In May of 1992, the Defense Ministry carried out the first drafting.

The establishment of the Armenian Armed Forces passed through several stages. The first stage lasted from February 1988 to May 1992. In this period, ensuring the safety and security of the populations of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh was more than pressing, as the Karabakh Movement became active and the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations escalated.

The second stage, June 1992 – May 1994, when the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh were in the crosshairs of the Azerbaijani aggression.

The third stage began since June 1994 and continues to present day. During this period, significant works were carried out in the direction of improving the combat readiness of the troops, strengthening discipline, training of officers, Army-public relations etc.

In September of 1990, the special regiment of Yerevan was formed, while five companies were established in Ararat, Goris, Vardenis, Ijevan and Meghri. In 1991, the Government approved the formation of the State Committee of Defense.

Men aged 18-27 are subject to compulsory military service in Armenia for a two year period. Drafting is carried out twice a year – in winters and summers. In 2017 the Defense Ministry introduced “I am”, “I have honor” and “Outlook” service options.

Since its establishment, the Armenian Armed Forces have cooperated and continue cooperating with international organizations.

On May 15, 1992, Armenia became a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Military cooperation with Russia has a great role in the international cooperation field of the Armenian Armed Forces. Russia is Armenia’s strategic partner and the defense cooperation between the states is on a high level.

Cooperation with NATO is also expanding year by year.

The Armenian Armed Forces greatly focus on training and educating highly skilled personnel. With this purpose, the Military aviation college was formed, which later transformed into the Military-Aviation institute, the Defense Ministry’s Command College was established – currently the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Institute, and the military-medical faculty of the Yerevan State Medical University.

Graduates of the abovementioned institutions have continued trainings in foreign educational facilities. Namely, more than 1500 officers and cadets have trained and continue training in Russia and Greece.

Armenian peacekeepers have a significant role in the history of the Armenian Armed Forces. Due to the peacekeepers, various countries around the world saw and appreciated the highly skilled and professional Armenian soldiers.

On February 12, 2004, Armenia deployed a platoon-sized unit (three squads) to Kosovo to join the NATO peacekeeping mission as part of the Greek peacekeeping contingent.

In 2005, Armenia deployed peacekeeping forces consisting of sappers, engineers and doctors to Iraq. The mission was on duty until 2009.

Armenian servicemen are carrying out peacekeeping missions also in Afghanistan since 2010.

Since November 26, 2014, Armenian peacekeepers are deployed in Lebanon, within the UNIFIL.

In 2015, one peacekeeper was dispatched to Mali on a monitoring-peacekeeping mission.

The Armenian Army has been and will remain the guarantor of security and borders of Armenia.