Author: Antranik Varosian

Iran emphasizes crucial significance of guaranteeing traffic via Goris-Kapan road

Antranik Varosian

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 13:24, 25 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The need for guaranteeing traffic via the Kapan-Goris road and efforts for regulating transport shipments as a result of agreements on new demarcations in Syunik province have become of double importance for both Iran and Armenia, the Iranian embassy in Armenia said in response to an inquiry of ARMENPRESS, referring to the obstacles facing Iranian cargo truck drivers on the Kapan-Goris road caused by the Azerbaijani authorities in areas under their control, such as checkpoints and charging of duties.

The Iranian embassy added that clarifications made by Armenian government officials give great hopes around the swift development of the alternative bypass through Tatev, and that Iran is hopeful that in the nearest future they will witness the opening of a road with safe infrastructure. At the same time, the Iranian side expects that before the opening of the alternative road, traffic via the current road will resume normally.

ARMENPRESS – According to the official press release, on September 22 during a meeting with the Secretary of Security Council Armen Grigoryan, the Iranian Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri addressed the obstacles caused by Azerbaijan in the Kapan-Goris section of the interstate road, expressing concern over the problems around the use of infrastructures linking Iran with Armenia. What information can you convey over the course of actions in direction of resolving these problems and around the discussions over this issue with the Armenian and especially Azerbaijani sides? Does the Azerbaijani side continue to cause obstacles for Iranian motorists on the Kapan-Goris road?

Iranian Embassy – In the recent months, while communicating with relevant authorities of Armenia, the [Iranian] embassy tried to evaluate the unique condition of the Goris-Kapan road, the prospects of its exploitation and various sides related to the transit of goods and passengers from this and other possible roads. Undoubtedly, until the present phase of this road it was the main route of trade continuation and movement of citizens of the two countries. Nevertheless, as a result of the latest agreements on new demarcations in the Syunik province, the need to guarantee traffic and efforts for settling transport shipments have become of double importance for both the Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia.

We believe that the security of Armenia’s land road, in addition to the positive effect it will have on the current communication, can present the stable picture of the region to the businessmen and investors of the two countries and the region and guide them to plan their economic activity and raise the level of mutual interactions. The security of this two-way road, in addition, can show Armenia’s reliable position for advancing major infrastructure projects in the region.

Undoubtedly, what was being proposed in the recent months as a goal – to unblock regional transportation communications, is again in this format, which is becoming actual.

ARMENPRESS – In your opinion, how can in principle the problem of the road linking Iran with Armenia be solved? Do you have any offered formula in this regard?

Iranian Embassy – During the latest meeting of the Iranian Ambassador and Mr. Armen Grigoryan the unique condition of the Goris-Kapan road and the unusual move implemented in direction of charging only Iranian cargo trucks with duties, and current programs and initiatives were discussed. The clarifications coming from Armenian government officials inspire great hopes around the swift development of the alternative route through Tatev, and we are hopeful that soon we will witness the opening of a road with safe infrastructure.

Certainly, the Islamic Republic of Iran expects that before the opening of the alternative road, the traffic via the current road will continue normally. These concerns have been communicated to Armenian government officials on various occasions. At the same time, this issue, besides proper attention and consultation of the Armenian government with its colleagues, requires also the efforts of other sides. Therefore, parallel to expressing Iran’s expectations to Armenian authorities, separate contacts are underway with other sides, including with Azerbaijani government officials.

ARMENPRESS – Do you see political subtexts in Azerbaijan’s actions given the recent Azerbaijani media reports saying that Iranians are conducting cargo shipments to Artsakh Republic?

Iranian Embassy – In the bilateral dimension, with the purpose of further advancing cooperation projects, an agreement was reached to hold a joint forum of economic cooperation between the two countries, which we are hopeful will be implemented soon. Fortunately, as part of the Dushanbe summit constructive negotiations of the two presidents took place, and there is a comprehensive program of joint cooperation.

 

Aram Sargsyan

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan




Catholicos Karekin II: Our path to awakening requires high sense of responsibility from each of us, consolidation and joint efforts

Antranik Varosian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 27 2021

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, issued a message on the first anniversary of the 44-day war marked on September 27. The message reads:

“Dearly beloved  faithful,

Today, the pain in our souls, we remember the alarming days of the 44-day catastrophic war, the brave resistance of our army to the conspiratorial attack of the enemy. We remember the heroic deeds of our soldiers and military officers, who did not knee before the Turkish-Azerbaijani dominant forces.

The war was a great ordeal, and the calamity that it caused and the serious challenges facing our people, cannot be resolved in conditions of internal tension and division. Our path to awakening requires a high sense of responsibility and the spirit of patriotism from each of us, consolidation and joint efforts to protect the right of our people of Artsakh to live freely, the borders of Armenia, to overcome the social problems intensified due to the war.

With this vision, let us make efforts to unite the nation, to overcome intolerance and solidarity.

By being faithful to our Christian values, let us strengthen our statehood, our national-social life, holding the paths of hope, faith, love and justice strong.

We wish our people always be heard to the message of defending the homeland, of being united, left by our heroes who fell for the sake of Artsakh’s independent life, for the sake of our bright future.

From the bottom of our hearts we pray for our fallen heroes, the homeland defenders, ask for consolation to their relatives, wish healing to the wounded, return to the captives and the missing.

It is our request to God that the Lord’s constant blessing keep the children of our people in Armenia, Artsakh, the Diaspora, in peace, safe and secure life, always today. Amen!”

Yemenidjian Family Donates $10 Million for ‘TUMO Armenia’ Campaign

Antranik Varosian
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in Armenia, Artsakh, Latest, News, Top Stories

TUMO director Marie Lou Papazian announces new campaign

YEREVAN—Marking TUMO’s 10 year anniversary and the inauguration of the new TUMO Gyumri building, the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies last week announced a five year, $50 million initiative to make its leading edge educational program available to all teenagers throughout Armenia and Artsakh. With 110 satellite facilities called TUMO Boxes connected to 16 fully equipped TUMO Hubs in regional centers, the program will serve 80 thousand students and reach all young Armenians even in the most remote villages.

A $10 million seed fund donated by the Yemenidjian family will launch and support hubs in Vanadzor, Kapan and Koghb, along with TUMO Boxes that feed into these and three existing hubs. To raise the remaining $40 million, TUMO is kicking off an international fundraising campaign. The Armenian General Benevolent Union and Elie & Elzbieta Akilian have each pledged to match up to $10 million of funds raised in the first 2 years of the campaign. With $10 million in seed funding, a $20 million fundraising goal, and an additional $20 million in matching contributions, the deployment initiative is already underway.

The announcement was made during the anniversary celebration of the official opening of the new TUMO center in Gyumri in the presence of government representatives, partners and friends. TUMO founders Sam and Sylva Simonian joined via live video and gave opening remarks.

“Our vision has always been to empower all young Armenians to achieve their full potential,” said Sam Simonian. “And now we are setting out to fulfill that vision throughout Armenia and Artsakh.”

Also attending were Armen Yemenidjian, representing the Yemenidjian family, Vasken Yacoubian and Vera Setrakian on behalf of AGBU, Elie Akilian, on behalf of Elie & Elzbieta Akilian, via video feed, and TUMO CEO Marie Lou Papazian.

“My family is extremely excited and proud to be a part of this vital initiative to arm the next generation of Armenians with the tools necessary to compete in the global technology marketplace, no matter where they live in Armenia,” said Armen Yemenidjian. “We hope this initiative encourages our Armenian brothers and sisters in the diaspora to invest in the future leaders of our country and economy.”

“AGBU has supported the incredible mission and vision of TUMO since its expansion in Armenia and Artsakh, and this gift will solidify a partnership to benefit Armenian children for generations to come. It is an honor to be able to strengthen the relationship between TUMO, AGBU, and students and their families. I also wanted to thank the other generous donors who will be joining this important campaign,” said Dr. Eric Esrailian on behalf of the AGBU Council of Trustees and Central Board of Directors.

Donations in the United States are tax deductible, and can be made in the form of one time or recurring contributions to the general project or earmarked to specific hubs or boxes. 

TUMO Center for Creative Technologies is a free-of-charge education platform that puts teenagers in charge of their own learning. The TUMO program is made up of self-learning activities, workshops and project labs that cover a wide range of focus areas at the intersection of technology and design, including computer programming, animation, game development, music, robotics, 3D modeling, writing, filmmaking, graphic design and more. Over 20 thousand students currently attend TUMO centers in Armenia on a regular basis. In recent years, TUMO centers have also opened in Paris, Moscow, Tirana, Berlin and Beirut, with additional centers expected to open in Lyon, Los Angeles, Lisbon, Milan, Tashkent and Seoul. Licensing revenues from international locations contribute to the long term sustainability of TUMO in Armenia and Artsakh.

Opposition MP: Shushi’s Ghazanchetsots Cathedral to be named Ghazanchi in PACE resolution

Antranik Varosian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 28 2021

The Armenian authorities keep losing on the diplomatic front, Lilit Galstyan, a lawmaker from the opposition Armenia bloc, said in a Facebook post on Monday.

“As you know, by a recent decision of the Armenian authorities’ favorite judge Anna Danibekyan, Armenia faction MP Armen Gevorkyan has been banned from leaving Armenia. Armen Gevorgyan, who is a member of the PACE delegation, was thereby deprived of his opportunity to participate in the PACE autumn session in Strasbourg,” she wrote.

She called attention to that fact that the agenda of the PACE session included an extremely important debate for Armenia and Artsakh over a report on the humanitarian impact of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Only the members of the Armenian delegation, who represent the ruling Civil Contract party, took part in the session, Galstyan said.

In a resolution passed by the PACE at the proposal of the Azerbaijani delegation, the Holy Savior Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi, built in 1887 according to the plan of Simon Ter-Hakobyan, will be named Ghazanchi from now on, she noted.

“This is the destruction of our cultural identity in the presence of Armenian MPs.

“Ruben Rubinyan, head of the Armenian delegation to the PACE, how are you going to defend Armenia’s interests further if you are unable to defend the obvious realities and historical truth?” the MP said.

Turkish FM meets EU’s Borrell in US

Antranik Varosian

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 14:06,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Josep Borrell on the sidelines of the 76th UN General Assembly in New York.

In a Twitter post, the Turkish FM informed that they have discussed Turkey-EU relations, the situation in Afghanistan, Eastern Mediterranean and the regional stability.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

24th ARPA International Film Festival to be held Virtually

Antranik Varosian


The 24th ARPA International Film Festival will be held virtually from Nov. 21 to Dec. 5

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the Arpa International Film Festival, the signature event of the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art (AFFMA). The virtual festival is slated to run from November 21 to December 5.

It is important to stress that the focus of the festival is to support independent cinema, which has inspired and sustained the festival globally. The ongoing popularity of the Arpa International Film Festival has always depended on the selfless acts and generosity of the community, whose dedication has allowed the festival to thrive for the last 24 years.

The 2021 Arpa International Film Festival Team consists of an experienced and youthful group of professionals from a wide, cross-section of the film industry. Their ideas and creative force are what drives the festival’s production and programming, to give both the filmmakers and the audience the best festival experience possible.

The 24th Arpa International Film Festival is now accepting submissions for feature films, shorts, documentaries, music videos, and more.

We are committed to showcasing all the selected films during the online festival. Submit your film today.

Deadlines

* Regular Deadline: September 28

* Late Deadline: October 19

The AFFMA team during their first in-person meeting as they prepare for the festival. From left: Cammie Jones, Nick Talarico, Hrag Meguerditchian, Sylvia Minassian, Lorena Armine Dilanian, Lori Sinanian, Maral Kazazian, Carmen Libaridian, John Santos. Not pictured: Sonia Keshishian, Jacklin Boyadjian, Lilit Harutyunyan, Berge Kallibjian, Sossi Varbedian, Silva Karageozian, Nelly Harutyunyan, James Ananias, Aleen Khachatourian, Maria Elena Infantino, and Manvel Saribekyan

Subscribe to the Arpa International Film Festival Newsletter to receive the latest event updates.

Donations may be made online, or via mail by sending checks to AFFMA – Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art, 2919 Maxwell St, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art (AFFMA) is a charitable, non-profit, tax-deductible organization registered as a 501(c)(3), thereby making all sponsorships 100 percent tax-deductible.

Every effort is made for the repatriation of Armenian POWs – Pashinyan

Antranik Varosian

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 20:05,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Government is making all possible efforts for repatriating the Armenian war prisoners, ARMENPRESS reports PM Pashinyan announced at the National Assembly, answering the question of MP Elinar Vardanyan from ‘’Armenia’’ bloc.

‘’Practically, during all the international meetings with the participation of the representatives of Armenia, from parliamentary platforms to the government level, the issue of captives and missing in action is always the key topic. All possible efforts are taken, but this is not the issue that we should discuss here’’, Pashinyan said.

He added that the works done cannot be considered satisfactory unless all the Armenian POWs return home. ‘’I am also a citizen of the Republic of Armenia and maybe I am the most unsatisfied citizen over the results of the works in that direction’’, the PM said.

Court accepts Serzh Sargsyan’s lawsuit against MP Khachatur Sukiasyan for proceedings

Antranik Varosian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 11 2021

A defamation lawsuit filed by Armenia’s third President Serzh Sargsyan against ruling Civil Contract faction MP Khachatur Sukiasyan has been accepted for proceedings by the Yerevan First Instance Court, according to DataLex judicial portal.

In addition to Khachatur Sukiasyan, the respondents in the case include the Republic of Armenia, represented by the National Assembly staff.

The lawsuit demands that Sukiasyan publicly renounce his “slanderous” statements made in the parliament and compensate for the damage caused to Sargsyan’s honor and dignity.

The case has been assigned to judge Sergey Sahakyan.

It’s yet unclear when the trial will start.

In a speech delivered in the National Assembly on 25 August, Khachatur Sukiasyan claimed that the former president had “gambled away millions of dollars” at Baden-Baden casinos.

Speaking to reporters on 6 September, Sargsyan’s lawyer, Amram Makinyan, said the lawsuit was rather extensive, expressing confidence the court would satisfy their request and oblige the lawmaker to refute his statements.

Muradov: Decision will be made in future on extending Russia peacekeepers’ presence in Nagorno-Karabakh

Antranik Varosian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 10 2021
13:51, 10.09.2021

In the future, a decision will be made on extending the presence of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)], said Rustam Muradov, the now former commander of this contingent, TASS reported.

“I assess only positively the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. The civilian population gives an assessment on us. Today, life in Nagorno-Karabakh is in full swing. There are, of course, very difficult issues, but the process goes on: the return of people, the solution of problematic issues. I believe everything will be normal,” Muradov said.

He noted that the Russian peacekeepers will be in Artsakh for five years. “The first five years—with the agreement signed by the leaders of the three countries [i.e., Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan]. In the future, a decision will be made to extend the presence of the Russian peacekeeping contingent,” Muradov added.

Rustam Muradov on Monday concluded his mission as commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh; Mikhail Kosobokov is now the new commander of this contingent.


Armenian ex-MP: Armenia’s role in South Caucasus being reduced to a minimum

Antranik Varosian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 6 2021
Armenian ex-MP: Armenia’s role in South Caucasus being reduced to a minimum
17:44, 06.09.2021

The Civil Contract political party is gradually being led to ‘suicide’ since nobody is interested in the political party. Former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) MP and ex-deputy minister of defense Artak Zakaryan stated this at a press conference Monday.

Moreover, according to the member of the opposition, Armenia’s role in the South Caucasus is being reduced to a minimum in terms of security, communication, energy projects and in many other regards.

“Armenia lost the role after November 9, 2020, and it is no longer a country that can project security. Currently, Armenia doesn’t play any role in the political processes in the region. Citizens, the economy, as well as the society and culture are no longer safe,” the former MP added.