Author: Babken Chilingarian

Iraqi PM, Armenian President discuss investment opportunities in Iraq

Babken Chilingarian
IRAQI
Feb 28 2024
  • Amr Salem

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, said that Armenian companies can contribute to investment opportunities and important projects in Iraq, especially the Development Road and the Al-Faw Grand Port.

Al-Sudani’s remarks took place on Tuesday during his meeting with the Armenian President, Vahagn Khachaturyan, where he expressed appreciation for the Armenian government’s directions towards developing bilateral relations, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Khachaturyan, who was accompanied by a delegation of Armenian businessmen, confirmed that his visit to Iraq aims to explore the available opportunities and expand the economic partnership between the two countries.

The Armenian President also expressed his country’s eagerness to cooperate with Iraq in the fields of information technology, banking, and clean and renewable energy.

In a separate meeting with the Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, Khachaturyan discussed strategies to promote bilateral relations and collaboration in various fields, including the economy, trade, and investment.

During a visit to Armenia in late November, the Iraqi President indicated that Iraq had become an attractive country for foreign investments, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, tourism, and trade exchange.

The two leaders addressed the importance of regulating flights between Baghdad and the Armenian capital, Yerevan, as well as between Erbil and Yerevan, to boost tourism activities between the two countries.

Both sides also discussed the cancellation of entry visas between the two countries, in addition to operating direct flights between Iraq and Armenia.

Armenian Prime Minister awarded Gold Medal of Greek Parliament

Babken Chilingarian

 18:51,

YEREVAN, 27 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS.  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with the Speaker of the Greek Parliament Konstantinos Tasoulas in Athens.

The Speaker of the Greek Parliament welcomed the Prime Minister's visit to Greece and emphasized the centuries-old friendly relations between the two countries. Konstantinos Tasoulas expressed confidence that the visit of the Armenian Prime Minister would give a new impetus to the strengthening of bilateral multi-sector relations, the PM's office said.

According to the source, Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and noted that the historical ties between Armenia and Greece are also reflected in interstate relations.

The Prime Minister mentioned that they held important discussions with the Greek President and Prime Minister, covering a broad agenda of bilateral and multilateral relations. It is mentioned that Konstantinos Tasoulas awarded the Armenian Prime Minister the Gold Medal of the Greek Parliament. Nikol Pashinyan expressed appreciation for the honor.

According to the Prime Minister’s office, Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting with members of the Armenia-Greece parliamentary group. Hayk Konjoryan, head of the NA "Civil Contract" faction and the head of the Armenia-Greece friendship group, was also present at the meeting. 

The Greek MPs emphasized that they stand by Armenia and the Armenian people during this difficult period.

Azerbaijani FM heads to Germany

Babken Chilingarian

 18:26,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. According to the Azerbaijani media, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has left for a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Earlier, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan announced that the delegations of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet on February 28-29 in Berlin, in accordance with the agreement reached during the tripartite meeting held in Munich.




Ararat Mirzoyan, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights discuss the latest developments in the South Caucasus

Babken Chilingarian

 20:41,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS.  On February 26, in Geneva, on the sidelines of the high-level session of the UN Human Rights Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, the foreign ministry said.

The interlocutors discussed a number of issues on cooperation within the framework of the UN Human Rights system.

The steps and achievements taken towards the protection of human rights and strengthening the rule of law in Armenia were touched upon, thanks to which Armenia, according to the indexes of various authoritative international bodies, rose to leading positions in the region.

Touching upon the challenges in protection of human rights in different parts of the world, the importance of effective use of existing tools was emphasized, since the opposite leads to failure in preventing the most serious violations and the repetition of tragic outcomes.

Touching upon the ethnic cleansing carried out by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, Minister Mirzoyan briefed his counterpart on the steps taken to address the needs and rights of the Armenian population forcibly displaced from their homeland.

During the meeting, Ararat Mirzoyan and Volker Türk also exchanged views on the latest developments in the South Caucasus. Minister Mirzoyan briefed on the approaches of Armenia to key issues in the normalization process of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, based on unequivocal respect for the principles of territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, and sovereignty. Minister Mirzoyan stressed that with a clear commitment to these principles, as well as refraining from aggressive rhetoric and from steps aimed at escalating the situation on the ground, it will be possible to move forward in the peace process.

Asbarez: ANCA Pasadena Endorses Rick Cole for City Council District 2

Babken Chilingarian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Latest, News, Top Stories
Rick Cole


PASADENA—The Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter on February 19 officially announced its endorsement of Rick Cole for the Pasadena City Council District 2 seat in the upcoming March 2024 Primary Election.

“Rick has had a longstanding appreciation, friendship, and understanding of what it is to be an Armenian in Pasadena, the issues that concern the Armenian American community in his district and the City, and with a keen approach on how to improve on those issues,” said ANCA Pasadena Chapter Board member, Marisa Sarian.

“My life has long been enriched by my Armenian-American friends, neighbors and colleagues, starting with my first job as the dishwasher for Kabakian’s restaurant when I was a student at Blair High,” said Rick Cole. “Armenian-Americans have long made an incalculable cultural, economic and civic contribution to our community, built on the values I share: faith, family, country, opportunity and hard work. I also draw inspiration from the resilience of a 3,000-year-old history of thriving in the face of challenge and adversity. It is a privilege to have the support of the Armenian National Committee of America’s Pasadena Chapter–an honor I hope to vindicate over the next four years of working together.”

Deeply rooted in Pasadena as a native and lifelong resident, Rick Cole brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record from his extensive career in public service. His journey has seen him in pivotal roles across several California cities, serving as a Councilmember and Mayor of Pasadena and extending his expertise as Deputy Mayor for the City of Los Angeles and as City Manager for Azusa, Ventura, and Santa Monica. His current role as Chief Deputy Controller for the City of Los Angeles underscores his adeptness in municipal governance and financial oversight.

Rick continues to be actively involved in numerous volunteer activities, namely serving as Lector in Saint Monica’s Church, participating in the faith-based non-profit Making Housing and Community Happen, Civitas, Pasadenans Organizing For Progress, Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association, as well as Pasadena Heritage and NAACP.

Rick’s priorities for Council District 2 are to ensure affordable housing for young families and seniors, help end homelessness, support public schools and businesses, and preserve Pasadena’s unique character.

Cole has dedicated more than forty years to public service and community empowerment, including leadership in various cities, as well as the League of California Cities, the International City/County Management Association, and the National League of Cities while teaching Urban Policy at Occidental College and Pepperdine University. His dedication and unwavering commitment to community service have garnered numerous awards and accolades. Considering his diverse and distinguished professional background, ANCA-Pasadena proudly endorses Rick Cole for Pasadena City Council District 2 in the upcoming Primary Election on March 5th, 2024.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter is the oldest, largest, and most influential non-partisan Armenian American grassroots organization of its kind within the City of Pasadena. Founded in 1979, the Pasadena ANCA advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s thriving Armenian American community and promotes increased civic service and participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

Armenia suspends its participation in the CSTO

Babken Chilingarian
Kursiv, Kazakhstan
Feb 23 2024
Published  19:25

Olesya Bassarova

The participation of Armenia in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has been ‘frozen’ while the issue of the presence of the Russian military base in Armenia is off the agenda, said Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in an interview with France 24.

The media outlet also reported, citing the politician, that Armenian participation in the CSTO has been frozen due to Russia’s «open call on Armenian people to overthrow the current government.»

«The Kremlin’s propaganda against me has never stopped,» Pashinyan highlighted.

He also accused the official Baku of considering Armenia as ‘Western Azerbaijan’ and preparing an invasion of Armenia.

«Ilham Aliyev doesn’t want a peace agreement based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity. He wants to take control over new territories in Armenia,» the prime minister stated.

He also noted that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the current moment is impossible.

In the middle of February, after a gunfight at the border Azerbaijan carried out a retaliatory military operation and destroyed a post of the Armenian military near the border. After the operation, Armenia reported the death of four members of its military personnel.

What do we know about the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh? The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan around Karabakh has lasted for 30 years.

In 2020, the long-lasting conflict rapidly escalated. After 45 days of fierce fighting, Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed the ceasefire agreement. The arrangement was also supported by Arayik Harutyunyan, head of self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh.

In May 2023, Pashinyan said that he would officially recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan including Karabakh if the security of ethnic Armenians is guaranteed. Later, the two leaders confirmed the official recognition of the current borders of each other.

On September 9, 2023, the parliament of Karabakh chose 45-year-old Samvel Shahramanyan as the new president of the republic. Kazakhstan along with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the EU, Turkey, Moldova, Ukraine, Pakistan and the UK didn’t recognize the results of this presidential election.

In the same month, Azerbaijan conducted the second military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh to liquidate “the Stepanakert regime.” The operation lasted for just one day. On September 20, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire. On September 28, Shakhramanyan signed an edict that effectively liquidated the self-proclaimed republic starting from January 1, 2024. On October 5, 2023, Pashinyan signed a declaration that recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. 


Armenia declared shortage of specialists for construction of new NPP

Babken Chilingarian
SB.BY
Belarus
Feb 13 2024

Armenia needs to build a new nuclear power plant, but this process is moving very slowly – as noted by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a government meeting, TASS reports

The PM noted that the country has set the task of building a new nuclear power plant, “However, tomorrow we will be faced with reality: there is money

The operation of the existing Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor will be extended thanks to the co-operation of the country’s government and Russia’s Rusatom Service company. Armenia has allocated $65m to implement the programme aiming to extend the life of the second power unit of the nuclear power plant until 2036.

https://www.sb.by/en/armenia-declared-shortage-of-specialists-for-construction-of-new-npp.html

Armenian Foreign Minister, EU’s Borrell discuss latest Azeri provocation

Babken Chilingarian

 16:06, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Vice President of the European Commission, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell held a meeting on February 13 in Brussels ahead of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council meeting.

Views were exchanged around Armenia-EU Partnership agenda issues, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

The course of implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), democratic developments in Armenia, as well as the joint steps implemented for developing partnership in new directions and the existing prospects were also discussed.

The security issues in the South Caucasus were discussed.

The February 13 Azerbaijani military provocation in Syunik Province, Armenia was also discussed. FM Mirzoyan emphasized that the provocation once again showcases that Azerbaijan is seeking pretexts to escalate the situation on the border and is continuously attempting to derail the efforts of the actors interested in stability and security in the South Caucasus aimed at resuming the talks. The suppression of further actions aimed at destabilization in the South Caucasus was highlighted.

4 Armenian soldiers were killed and 1 was wounded when Azerbaijani forces opened gunfire at an Armenian military post in Syunik province on February 13.

Kazakhstan-Armenia economic cooperation discussed in Yerevan

Babken Chilingarian
KazInform, Kazakhstan
Feb 16 2024

As part of further intensification of Kazakh-Armenian trade and economic cooperation, ambassador of Kazakhstan Bolat Imanbaev met with the leadership of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia, Kazinform News Agency cites the press service of the Kazakh MFA.

The Armenian side was informed about the large-scale political and socio-economic reforms being carried out in Kazakhstan, and the tasks set for the new government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral economic cooperation, as well as the schedule of joint events in 2024.

During the conversation with minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Imanbaev informed in detail about the achievements in the development of the IT industry of Kazakhstan and the activities of the largest international technology park of IT startups in Central Asia – Astana Hub. The parties exchanged views on further deepening the interaction in promising areas, in particular in the field of innovation and exchange of experience between technology parks and technology centers of the two countries. An invitation was sent to minister Hayrapetyan to participate in the Astana International Forum, which will be held in Kazakhstan in June of this year.

Issues of infrastructure and interregional cooperation were discussed at a meeting with minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan. Mutual interest in deepening cooperation in the areas of alternative energy, subsoil use and construction was noted. Particular attention was attached to the development of interregional cooperation.

Following the meetings, the readiness to further develop and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the economic sphere was confirmed.

https://en.inform.kz/news/kazakhstan-armenia-economic-cooperation-discussed-in-yerevan-41a07d/

Igor Khovaev, Jeyhun Bayramov discuss peace process present situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Babken Chilingarian

 18:16,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. On February 14, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and the Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan Igor Khovaev met in Baku.

 According to the Azerbaijani media, the meeting covered the current situation of the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, recent developments in the region, and other regional issues.