Author: Babken Chilingarian

There are many children in Nagorno-Karabakh who have problems with access to food – Anna Hakobyan

Babken Chilingarian

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 20:21,

YEREVAN, MAY 10, ARMENPRESS. Anna Hakobyan, the wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia, is on a two-day visit to the Republic of Croatia. She is participating in the “Summit of Spouses of European Leaders”.

On May 9, at the invitation of Croatian President Zoran Milanović, Anna Hakobyan participated in the welcoming dinner served in honor of the high-ranking guests who arrived in the country, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of Anna Hakobyan.

First ladies and gentlemen from around 10 countries attended the dinner. Together with Anna Hakobyan, Queen Letizia of Spain, Mrs. Linda Rama, wife of the Prime Minister of Albania, Mrs. Aigul Zhaparova, wife of the President of Kyrgyzstan, First Lady of Latvia Andra Levite, Mrs. Lydia Abela, wife of the Prime Minister of Malta, Husband of the President of Hungary István Veres, Husband of the President of Slovenia Aleš Musar, First Lady of Serbia Tamara Đukanović, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the World Health Organization and other senior officials attended the dinner.

During the dinner, Prime Minister’s wife Anna Hakobyan had a series of short conversations with those present.

On the second day of her visit to the Republic of Croatia, Prime Minister’s wife Anna Hakobyan participated in the “Summit of Spouses of European Leaders”.

After the portrait ceremony, the summit started with the participation of Armenian Prime Minister’s wife Anna Hakobyan, Croatia’s First Lady Sanja Milanović, Queen Letizia of Spain and spouses of more than a dozen countries’ leaders.

One of the topics of discussion was the issue of preventing and combating childhood obesity, during which first ladies of different countries made statements, presenting their country’s experience, innovative solutions and established priorities.

The participants of the discussion noted that every third school-aged child in the European region has a tendency to obesity. They noted that obesity, especially at an early age, is a challenge for all countries, and the fight against it is possible only with joint efforts.

During the discussion, Armenian Prime Minister’s wife Anna Hakobyan gave a brief speech.

“I must honestly say that this topic was not in the center of my attention, perhaps for objective reasons, due to such important issues as the war, the blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. There are many children in Nagorno-Karabakh who have problems with access to food. But I attach great importance to this topic, thank you for the invitation to be here. The government of the Republic of Armenia is making efforts to prevent the problems discussed here, from now on the issue will be in the center of my attention as well. We have to fight against the problem in the early stage, so that it doesn’t get more complicated later,” said Mrs. Hakobyan.

At the end of the discussion, the Zagreb Declaration was adopted, according to which the representatives of the countries participating in the summit declare and accept the need for joint work in the fight against childhood obesity, undertake to provide the necessary environment for healthy food and physical activity for children.

A cultural visit to the Croatian National Theater, as well as vocal and ballet performances, were also organized for the first ladies who arrived in Zagreb.

China threatens EU with countermeasures over possible sanctions against its companies

Babken Chilingarian

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 12:35, 8 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. China will protect its interests in the event of EU sanctions against seven Chinese technology companies due to their supply of equipment to Russia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Wang Wenbin announced on Monday.

“If media reports turn out to be true, such actions by the European side will seriously undermine mutual trust and cooperation between the EU and China,” TASS quoted Wenbin as saying at a press briefing.

When asked to comment on the information that seven Chinese companies could soon come under EU sanctions due to the supply of equipment to Russia he replied: “The European side should not make a mistake, otherwise Beijing will be forced to resolutely protect its rationally justified legal rights.”.

The Financial Times earlier reported that Brussels has proposed sanctions on Chinese companies for supporting Russia for the first time since the war in Ukraine began.

Seven Chinese businesses accused of selling equipment that could be used in weapons have been listed in a new package of sanctions to be discussed by EU member states this week, according to FT.

Pashinyan sums up the official visit at the meeting with the representatives of Armenian community in the Czech Republic

Babken Chilingarian

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 18:20, 5 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS. The visit to the Czech Republic was quite productive and meaningful, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in a meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community in the Czech Republic, summing up his official visit to the Czech Republic.

“The official visit ends. I must say that we had very meaningful meetings. I think that we were able to make our views more understandable to our Czech partners. We were able to understand their understandings and perceptions about us, about the developments in our region. Meetings with Armenians, direct questions and answers with representatives of the community are among the important components of my visits. They are very useful,” ARMENPRESS reports, Nikol Pashinyan said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is on a two-day official visit to the Czech Republic. Nikol Pashinyan met with the Head of the Czech Government Petr Fiala. First, a private conversation between the Prime Ministers of the two countries took place, and then the negotiations continued in an extended format. Then, Nikol Pashinyan and Peter Fiala made statements for mass media representatives. The leaders of the two countries discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest: regional, security, economic issues.

Next, the Prime Minister had meetings with the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, and the President of the Senate, Miloš Vistarčil.




‘Whatever it takes’ – Wrestling star Artur Aleksanyan aims for Paris 2024 gold

Babken Chilingarian

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 14:03, 3 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Greco-Roman wrestling star Artur Aleksanyan has said that he aims to take gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

“I’ve started preparing for Paris 2024 immediately after the Tokyo games,” Aleksanyan said at a press conference.

Aleksanyan won gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, silver at Tokyo 2020 and bronze at London 2012. He has won multiple European and World championships.

“I have one goal, to realize what I failed to do in Tokyo in Paris, to become a two-time Olympic champion. I will do whatever it takes,” Aleksanyan said.

Speaking about the upcoming world championships, he said: “Our national team is one of the best teams in the world. We will do everything to ensure best performance at the upcoming world championship.”

Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict: Accepted India’s advice! Armenia and Azerbaijan will stop the bloody conflict!

Babken Chilingarian
BY BHAGYASHREEAPRIL 29, 2023

Armenia-Azerbaijan border dispute

Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict: Armenia and Azerbaijan Tension is rising again on the border between This tension is regarding the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Now both the countries are trying to normalize their relations. Armenia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman has said that Armenia and Azerbaijan will hold a new round of talks tomorrow in the US capital Washington. The great thing is that last year India had advised both the countries to negotiate a solution to the military conflict.

Russian troops were deployed in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in the year 2020 to end the war. The region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but is predominantly populated by Armenians.

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan wrote on Facebook, “From April 30, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will be in Washington DC. Here the next round of meeting will be held to improve relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, this meeting was not immediately confirmed by Azerbaijan.

Mediation efforts have been going on between Armenia and Azerbaijan for many years, but the two countries have not reached any peace agreement yet. Issues like demarcation of borders and return of prisoners are major causes of disputes between the two countries. Azerbaijan set up a new post on the Karabakh-Lachin corridor road last Sunday, which Armenia has called a violation of the 2020 ceasefire.

Also read- PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat will be telecast live in UN as well

Let us tell you that last year India had advised both the countries to improve relations through dialogue. Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi had said that no military solution can be found through war. He had said that we appeal to the attacking side to stop the attack immediately and advise both the sides to reach a peaceful solution.

https://www.newsdayexpress.com/world/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-accepted-indias-advice-armenia-and-azerbaijan-will-stop-the-bloody-conflict/

Frontline Therapists offers mental health services in border villages of Armenia

Babken Chilingarian
 Guest Contributor Non-Profit 0

Frontline Therapists, a nonprofit created in the wake of the 2020 Artsakh War, is providing sustainable emergency mental health services to areas of need in Armenia. In 2022 alone, Frontline Therapists treated 83 individuals and hosted 30 psychological training workshops across seven cities in Armenia, reaching a total of more than 700 individuals through various events. With ongoing continued aggression and acts of violence taking place against Armenia, these services continue to be of the utmost importance. 

Frontline Therapists has established a newly-developed partnership with the Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation to launch its 2023 Armenian Border Population Mental Health Research Initiative. This project is focused on understanding the mental health and safety aspects of border villages as well as providing mental health treatment to these areas that are now impacted by conflict.

The project goals are:

  1. To assess the mental health, social and physical needs of border villages that are now in conflict zones
  2. To understand what safety and security risks may have developed since the September 2020 attacks
  3. To provide various treatments including group therapy, psycho-education and psychological first aid training
  4. To develop sustainable programs and treatment models that will improve the overall mental state of bordering villages

This six-month project, focusing on four regions, will improve the livelihood of border villages that have been in conflict areas due to the Azeri aggression. The first phase of the project just concluded; the Frontline team conducted its initial mental health assessments in each village. The participants all expressed their gratitude and the need for such support and are eager to continue their collaboration with the organization as Frontline Therapists make repeated visits to conduct mental health interventions and psychoeducation.

The leader of the Yeraskh village shared his gratitude for Frontline’s support. As a village situated right on the border of Azerbaijan, Yerasskh sees a great need for mental health support. The village is often overlooked and is sorely lacking the resources necessary for the residents to thrive. By providing mental health services, the local government is hopeful that more attention is directed toward this area which will hopefully increase support, needed resources and overall improve the well-being of the citizens.

This project is allowing Frontline Therapists to understand how to effectively customize mental health support and modes of therapy to best meet their needs for physical safety and positive well-being. Frontline Therapists plan to use the project outcomes in powerful ways by partnering with other NGOs who are pursuing legal action against Azerbaijan for war crimes and human rights violations.




RFE/RL Armenian Report – 04/23/2023

Babken Chilingarian 
                                                Sunday, 
Armenia Calls Azerbaijani Roadblock ‘Illegal’
The Armenian Foreign Ministry building in Yerevan
Official Yerevan has denounced the installation by Azerbaijan of a checkpoint on 
the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia as “illegal” and 
“unacceptable”, calling on Russia to live up to its commitments to provide the 
security of the mostly Armenian-populated region.
In a statement issued on Sunday Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 
the roadblock that Azerbaijan said was set up at the border with Armenia near 
the Hakari river bridge “grossly violated” the terms of the Moscow-brokered 2020 
ceasefire under which Russian peacekeepers are to control a five-kilometer-wide 
corridor between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
“It is really a flagrant violation of one of the fundamental provisions of the 
November 9, 2020 trilateral statement that is aimed at the consistent 
implementation of Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh 
and the complete annihilation of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh,” the Armenian 
ministry said.
The trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan 
in 2020 put an end to a six-week Armenian-Azerbaijani war over Nagorno-Karabakh 
in which nearly 7,000 soldiers were killed on both sides.
The war in which Azerbaijan regained all of the Armenian-controlled areas 
outside Nagorno-Karabakh as well as chunks of territory inside the Soviet-era 
autonomous oblast proper was followed by international efforts to broker a peace 
deal between Yerevan and Baku.
In its statement today Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “the 
installation by Azerbaijan of a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor as well as 
previous similar actions combined with continuous Armeniophobic and threatening 
rhetoric are aimed at scuttling the negotiations on a document for the 
normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
“We call on the Russian Federation to finally fulfil its obligation under 
provision 6 of the trilateral statement by eliminating the illegal blockade of 
the Lachin corridor and ensuring the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the 
entire security zone of the corridor,” the Armenian ministry underscored.
In substantiating its decision to set up the checkpoint, Azerbaijan’s State 
Border Service cited the need to curb further “military supplies” from Armenia 
to Nagorno-Karabakh, a claim repeatedly denied in both Yerevan and Stepanakert.
A bridge over the Hakari river, .
On April 22, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian peacekeepers 
controlling the area again helped Armenians transport “military cargoes” from 
Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin road.
It also reported an incident in which three Azerbaijani soldiers were injured 
when their vehicle was blown up on a mine allegedly supplied from Armenia.
Azerbaijan’s State Border Service also said that the opening of its checkpoint 
followed a similar unilateral step by Armenia made on April 22. Authorities in 
Yerevan have not yet commented on this.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued today Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
pledged that “necessary conditions” will be created for “a transparent and 
orderly passage of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of 
Azerbaijan” through the checkpoint in both directions.
It stressed that the control mechanism will be carried out in cooperation with 
the Russian peacekeeping force.
According to a local leader in Armenia’s southern Syunik region that borders on 
the Lachin corridor, as of Sunday afternoon negotiations were underway between 
Russian peacekeepers and Azerbaijan’s representatives regarding the checkpoint.
Meanwhile, a United States Department of State representative said on April 23 
that Washington is “deeply concerned that Azerbaijan’s establishment of a 
checkpoint on the Lachin corridor undermines efforts to establish confidence in 
the peace process.”
“We reiterate that there should be free and open movement of people and commerce 
on the Lachin corridor and call on the parties to resume peace talks and refrain 
from provocations and hostile actions along the border,” said Vedant Patel, 
principal deputy spokesperson, in a press statement.
The only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia has effectively been 
blockaded by Azerbaijan since December when a group of Azerbaijanis calling 
themselves environmental activists blocked traffic at a junction near the 
Azerbaijani-controlled Karabakh city of Shushi (Susa).
Azerbaijan has denied blockading the mostly Armenian-populated region, citing 
the fact that vehicles of Russian peacekeepers as well as representatives of the 
International Committee of the Red Cross have not been prevented from carrying 
humanitarian supplies to the region and transporting people needing medical care 
to Armenia.
Speaking in parliament earlier this week, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian stressed that Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity 
and is ready to sign a relevant peace treaty with Baku.
“The peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will become realistic if the 
two countries recognize clearly, without ambiguities and pitfalls, each other’s 
territorial integrity and undertake not to ever submit territorial claims to 
each other,” Pashinian said on April 18.
“I now want to reaffirm that Armenia fully recognizes the territorial integrity 
of Azerbaijan, and we expect Azerbaijan to do the same by recognizing the entire 
territory of the Armenian [Soviet Socialist Republic] as the [modern-day] 
Republic of Armenia,” he added.
Pashinian’s remarks drew criticism from Armenian opposition figures as well as 
political leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh, who claimed that they were “consistent 
with the position of official Baku.”
Azerbaijan Sets Up Checkpoint On Karabakh Road
A bridge over the Hakari river, .
In a move condemned by Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani authorities on 
Sunday set up a checkpoint on the only road connecting the mostly 
Armenian-populated region with Armenia.
In doing so, Azerbaijan’s State Border Service cited “continuing military 
supplies from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh,” a claim repeatedly denied in both 
Yerevan and Stepanakert.
The Armenian side has, for its part, accused Azerbaijan of seeking a pretext for 
isolating Karabakh Armenians.
De facto ethnic Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh have also accused Baku 
of violating the terms of the Moscow-brokered 2020 ceasefire agreement under 
which the road passing through a five-kilometer-wide area known as the Lachin 
corridor should be under the control of Russian peacekeepers.
In a statement disseminated by the region’s Information Center on Sunday the 
ethnic Armenian authorities of the region stressed that Nagorno-Karabakh 
considers the closure of the bridge over the Hakari river by Azerbaijan to be “a 
criminal step aimed at strengthening the blockade of Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh – 
ed.] and ethnic cleansing.”
According to the Information Center, Nagorno-Karabakh’s leader has called an 
emergency meeting of the region’s Security Council to discuss “the latest 
developments and relevant actions of the authorities.”
Baku’s decision to set up a border checkpoint at the beginning of the road from 
Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh comes a day after a report by Azerbaijan’s Ministry 
of Defense about an incident in which three Azerbaijani servicemen were 
reportedly injured when their vehicle was blown up on a mine allegedly supplied 
from Armenia. In another statement the ministry claimed that Russian 
peacekeepers controlling the area again helped Armenians transport “military 
cargoes” from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin road. The Armenian side 
has denied both accusations.
The only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia has effectively been 
blockaded by Azerbaijan since December when a group of Azerbaijanis calling 
themselves environmental activists blocked traffic at a junction near the 
Azerbaijani-controlled Karabakh city of Shushi (Susa).
Azerbaijan has denied blockading the mostly Armenian-populated region, citing 
the fact that vehicles of Russian peacekeepers as well as representatives of the 
International Committee of the Red Cross have not been prevented from carrying 
humanitarian supplies to the region and transporting people needing medical care 
to Armenia.
In setting up the border checkpoint at the Lachin road Azerbaijan’s State Border 
Service also said that it followed a similar unilateral step by Armenia made on 
April 22.
Authorities in Yerevan have not yet commented on the development.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued today Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
pledged that “necessary conditions will be created for the transparent and 
orderly passage of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of 
Azerbaijan from this checkpoint to Armenia and Azerbaijan in both directions.”
It stressed that the control mechanism will be carried out in cooperation with 
the Russian peacekeeping force.
Speaking in parliament earlier this week, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian stressed that Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity 
and is ready to sign a relevant peace treaty with Baku.
“The peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will become realistic if the 
two countries recognize clearly, without ambiguities and pitfalls, each other’s 
territorial integrity and undertake not to ever submit territorial claims to 
each other,” Pashinian said on April 18.
“I now want to reaffirm that Armenia fully recognizes the territorial integrity 
of Azerbaijan, and we expect Azerbaijan to do the same by recognizing the entire 
territory of the Armenian [Soviet Socialist Republic] as the [modern-day] 
Republic of Armenia,” he added.
Armenian opposition leaders portrayed the statement as further proof of their 
claims that Pashinian is helping Baku regain full control over Nagorno-Karabakh. 
Political leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh also denounced the Armenian prime 
minister’s remarks, saying that they are “consistent with the position of 
official Baku.”
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Armenian PM congratulates Iranian Leader and president on Eid al-Fitr

Babken Chilingarian
 TEHRAN TIMES 
Iran –

TEHRAN – Armenian Prime Minister Vikol Pashinyan has sent separate messages to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi congratulating them on Eid al-Fitr and called for deepening ties between Yerevan and Tehran, ISNA reported.

“I sincerely congratulate the arrival of Eid al-Fitr that symbolizes self-purification and end of fasting to you and the friendly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Pashinyan stated.

Elsewhere in his message, the prime minister said “the government of the Republic of Armenia and the nation of Armenia highly value” the centuries-old “warm relationship between Armenia and Iran”.

Pashinyan went on to say that the manifestations of these centuries-old interactions are clearly evident in “effective dialogue between Christianity and Islam and this will open new horizons in favor of our nations and regional stability in the near future.” 

In his message to the Iranian president, Prime Minister Pashinyan also said, “I sincerely congratulate the auspicious Eid al-Fitr.”

He also wished the “neighboring and friendly nation of Iran” would benefit from the blessings of this holy month.

The Armenian prime minister also said there exist all the prerequisites to strengthen bilateral ties and “I sincerely hope that through the political and durable partnership we will witness expansion of cooperation” between Armenia and Iran.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/483924/Armenian-PM-congratulates-Iranian-Leader-and-president-on-Eid

Azerbaijan sends note of protest to Russia over lawmaker’s remarks

Babken Chilingarian
 TASS 
Russia –
The Baku embassy regarded the statements of Oleg Matveychev as aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region, the diplomatic mission said in a statement

BAKU, April 21. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s embassy in Russia has submitted a note of protest to the Russian Foreign Ministry over State Duma (the lower house of parliament) member Oleg Matveichev’s remarks to Armenia’s RusArmInfo media outlet, the embassy said on Thursday.

The embassy noted that the lawmaker’s remarks were unacceptable as they were aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region and “inciting revanchist forces in Armenian society to revive the conflict that is already a thing of the past.”.

Armenpress: Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire in the direction of the Armenian combat positions located in the Verin Shorzha

Babken Chilingarian

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 23:39,

On April 20, between 3:40 p.m. and 7p.m. the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from different caliber firearms in the direction of the Armenian combat positions located in the Verin Shorzha, also targeting the engineering works.

No losses from the Armenian side.

As of 11 p.m., the situation on the front line is relatively stable.