Author: Antonian Lara

Relatives of missing soldiers achieve meeting with Pashinyan

Antonian Lara
Caucasian Knot, EU
Nov 4 2021

Yerevan protesters from among relatives of the dead and missing Armenian soldiers have achieved a meeting with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. They said that at the meeting appointed for October 6, they would demand to reveal the exact number of prisoners of war (POWs), and a report on the progress of the investigation.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on November 3, relatives of the dead servicemen went out to a protest action in Yerevan. They blocked traffic in one of the streets and threatened with more radical protests, if Pashinyan failed to appoint the date for the meeting.

Relatives of the dead and missing soldiers have repeatedly held protests, at which they claimed that authorities were hiding the real number of soldiers who were captured as POWs in Azerbaijan. On September 14, relatives of the dead soldiers called on to cancel the celebrations of the Independence Day of Armenia.

In the evening on November 3, relatives of the killed soldiers stopped their protest after Pashinyan agreed to meet them later this week. “We insist on our demands; we have the right to voice them out, so that the relevant structures have to react,” the “Panorama.am” has quoted Garik Mkhitaryan, one of the protesters, as saying.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 4, 2021 at 07:55 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

Relatives of soldiers missing in action demand a meeting with Pashinyan, Relatives of Armenian POWs demand a meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, Terms for giving out POWs from Azerbaijan spark criticism in Armenia.

Source: CK correspondent

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

Asbarez: AEF’s Newly Renovated Akhpradzor School in Armenia Officially Opens

Antonian Lara
 by Contributor

 

 November 5, 2021

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Community, Latest, News, Top Stories
 0
The Akhperadzor School in Armenia’s Gegharkunik Province was renovated by the AEF

Students, teachers, community members and officials of the village of Akhpradzor, located in Armenia’s Gegharkunik Province, celebrated the opening of their newly renovated school on October 12 alongside Armenian Educational Foundation representatives.

The large-scale renovation carried out by AEF was made possible through the support of Anita Quinonez Gabrielian and her daughters, who donated $30,000 toward the project in memory of their husband and father, Levon Gabrielian.

Neshan Peroomian, who is in charge of AEF’s school renovation projects in Armenia, described the dilapidated condition of the school before renovation as having “a crumbling roof, as well as cracked doors and windows that would let the cold of the winter and rain in.” He thanked Nanor Balabanian for her long years of volunteer work at Akhpradzor and for introducing the school to AEF as a school renovation project.

The school, located in the highlands of Sevan and only two miles away from the new Armenian-Azeri contact line after the 44-day war, has been upgraded with new metal roofing, doors and windows, flooring, patching and painting for the entire building, a brand-new electric heating system and renovated classrooms and gymnasium. New interior restrooms were also added at the school. The school features an ROTC classroom which was dedicated to the memory of one of the school’s former students, Hamlet Aghabekyan, a martyr of the 44-day war.

“The villages of Armenia have great significance for the Armenian nation and for the Armenian people. These villages hold the key to Armenian traditions and customs; hence, their preservation is imperative. The cost of renovation of the Akhpradzor school was $100,000. We thank Mrs. Anita Quinonez Gabrielian and her daughters for donation,” said AEF president, Al Cabraloff.

Recognizing the importance of the village, AEF has focused its renovation program on village schools throughout Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk. For 71 years AEF has been providing financial assistance to students and educational institutions, including the allocation of funds for student scholarships, school grants and renovations of over 200 schools. This could not have been possible without the generous support of benefactors and AEF members.

Ex-President Kocharyan will deliver comprehensive speech at November 8 rally, says opposition ‘Armenia’ Bloc MP

Antonian Lara
News.am, Armenia
Nov 6 2021
17:51, 06.11.2021

This is the first rally to  be convened by the “Armenia” Bloc since the parliamentary elections [on June 20], and it is natural that the leader of the bloc, the second President Robert Kocharyan, will not only be present at the rally, but will also deliver a comprehensive speech reflecting on the accumulated issues. Opposition “Armenia” Bloc MP Agnesa Khamoyan stated this to Armenian News-NEWS.am—and referring to our question as to whether Kocharyan will also make a speech at the November 8 rally in Yerevan.

At the same time, the lawmaker emphasized that neither the objectives of their bloc have changed, nor ex-president Kocharyan has backed down from the struggle—that is, to get rid of the incumbent Armenian authorities as soon as possible.

“After the elections, various assessments are made on our actions, there are opinions that we have been content with the parliamentary struggle alone, the fate of our country remains in danger, the geopolitical chain is being tightened around us. And in these conditions, I believe, the citizens who are worried about the fate of our country will surely get—at the November 8 rally—the answers to the questions that concern them,” the opposition MP stated, emphasizing that the start of the pan-Armenian resistance will be given on November 8.

No talks with Turkey at the moment, Armenian FM says

Antonian Lara
Public Radio of Armenia
Nov 3 2021
November 3, 2021, 21:44

 1 minute read

There are currently no negotiations between Armenia and Turkey, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in an interview with Nouvelles d’Armenie.

He noted that the government’s program stipulates that Armenia is ready to normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions.

“The lack of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, the closed borders, as well as Turkey’s open involvement in the 44-day war, the recent statements from Turkey about the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” have a negative impact on stability in the region,” the Foreign Minister stated.

Nevertheless, he said, “Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in his public speeches has voiced the view of the Armenian side that in case of Turkey’s readiness to normalize relations and appropriate actions, Armenia is ready to discuss the possibilities of building bilateral relations.”

At the same time, he stressed that that no negotiations with Turkey are underway at the moment.

Asbarez: Azerbaijani Forces Open Sporadic Fire in Artsakh’s Martuni Region

Antonian Lara
by Asbarez Staff

 

 November 2, 2021

 

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

Artsakh’s Karmir Shuka was targeted by Azerbaijani forces

Azerbaijani forces opened sporadic fire directed at the Karmir Shuka village in Artsakh’s Martuni region, Suren Sargsyan, a spokesperson for Artsakh’s Defense Ministry told Artsakhpress on Tuesday.

“According to preliminary data, no casualties have been reported,” Sargsyan said, adding that the Russian Peacekeeping command had been notified.

It was in the Karmir Shuka region that on Tuesday, Azerbaijani forces, accompanied by Russian peacekeepers, returned the remains of 11 people who were killed during last year’s Artsakh War.

The remains will be identified through forensic examinations, according to Artsakh’s Emergency Situations State Services.

Remains of 1,697 Armenians—including civilians—have been confirmed as a result of search operations and exchange of dead bodies since November 13, 2020.

Armenia’s minister of territorial administration and infrastructures plans to visit Iran

Antonian Lara

Save

Share

 15:28, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan received today Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, the ministry said in a news release.

The minister welcomed the Ambassador and highlighted the reliable partnering relations between Armenia and Iran, as well as the bilateral cooperation in different sectors, stating that the two countries have a big agenda of bilateral relations.

In his remarks the Iranian Ambassador said that there is a good cooperation with the Armenian ministry of territorial administration and infrastructures, expressing confidence that it will continue also in the future. He said that the deep historical-cultural ties between Armenia and Iran contribute to the development of bilateral relations in various directions.

The meeting also touched upon the regional developments. The Ambassador highlighted the situation in the region and stated that the Syunik province is important also for them and informed that mutual visits of various delegations are expected soon which will be able to take part in different programs being implemented in the province.

The minister attached importance to the role of infrastructures in Syunik, stating that active road construction works are being held in the province.

The officials also exchanged ideas about the prospects of expanding the cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as on Iran’s entry to the EAEU market via Armenia as a member of the Union.

Some details of the upcoming visit of minister Sanosyan to Iran were also discussed.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian books, products on display at UN Bazar in Geneva

Antonian Lara
Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 27 2021
, 13:25

 Less than a minute

Armenian books and products are on display at the UN Bazar in Geneva, the Armenian Embassy to Switzerland informs.

“Armenia’s stall is in full swing at the UN Bazar at Geneva. Souvenirs and books, reprocessed food products, wine and cognac are displayed and presented to the attention of the UN community,” the Embassy said in a Facebook post.

The UN Bazar creates an outstanding and inducing environment for intercultural dialogue

‘Baku’s Road Toll on Iranian Truckers Against Karabakh Truce Deal’

Antonian Lara
Iran Frontpage
Oct 25 2021
By

 IFP Editorial Staff

 –

Iran’s ambassador to Armenia says the toll imposed by the Azerbaijan Republic on Iranian trucks, travelling through Nagorno Karabakh, goes against the three-sided truce agreement among Moscow, Yerevan and Baku that ended last year’s conflict in the region.

The truce deal handed control over part of the region, previously held by Armenia, to the Azerbaijan Republic. That includes a 21-kilometer length of road Iranian truckers use.

Abbas Badakhshan Zohoori said based on the deal, the Azerbaijan Republic should have waited for an alternative road through Armenia to be completed before charging Iranian truckers.

He said Baku’s failure to fulfill the agreement means Iranian truckers have to pay a road toll upon entry into Armenia and pay another road toll for the short length of road, which is now controlled by the Azerbaijan Republic. 

He said Tehran and Yerevan are both pushing to fast track the construction of the new alternative road that connects Kajaran to Sisian, in southern Armenia to clear up the problem created by Baku’s move.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Roger Gracie meets President Sarkissian ahead of Armenian Summit of Minds

Antonian Lara

Save

Share

 15:45,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with the renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and retired MMA fighter Roger Gracie who’s arrived in Armenia to take part in the Armenian Summit of Minds as a speaker due October 23-24 in Dilijan.

The ten-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and founder of the London-based Roger Gracie Academy shared his impressions of Armenia with the President and said that he wants to discover the country.

“I’m very happy to be invited to talk in the summit,” Gracie said. “And also to do a Jiu-Jitsu seminar. When I arrived here I realized there’s a Jiu-Jitsu school, so I’m gonna pay them a visit to do a seminar.”

He said he’s also looking forward to do some sightseeing to get to know Yerevan and other parts of the country.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll come back again,” he concluded.

Editing by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenia SRC Chairman, US Ambassador discuss cooperation in customs, tax administration sectors

Antonian Lara

Save

Share

 09:59,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Chairman of the State Revenue Committee Rustam Badasyan hosted US Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy, the Committee said in a news release.  

The SRC Chairman introduced the Ambassador on the Committee’s agenda of reforms of the coming year, highlighting the upgrading of border customs checkpoints, the commitment of making the customs formulation procedures completely electronic, as well as the training of customs officers, etc.

Rustam Badasyan highlighted the constant support provided by the US government for the customs and tax administration sectors.

The US Ambassador expressed readiness to provide practical support for the implementation of reforms of mutual interest.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan