Author: Badalian Vardan

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov who has arrived to Armenia on official visit.

At the meeting discussed were issues pertinent to the Armenian-Russian relations and situation resulting from the military offensive unleashed by Azerbaijan on April 2-5 in the NK conflict zone.

Welcoming the RF Minister of Foreign Affairs to Armenia, President Sargsyan noted that the agenda of the Armenian-Russian relations is pretty full and that at different, including high-level meetings, the parties discuss a wide range of issues. “As it happens, the visit of the Chairman of the RF Government Dmitry Medvedev and your visit are taking place at the moment when the situation in our region is rather tense. It is no secret that the situation has been created by the irresponsible actions of Azerbaijan. By unleashing large-scale military actions against Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan has proved once again that Karabakh and Azerbaijan have nothing in common. Azerbaijan, which utilized its entire military force, certainly received a worthy counterblow. However, in my opinion, the actions of Azerbaijan have thrown the process of negotiations far from its track. In that process, we were always constructive, were always confident that eventually the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group would present their vision for the resolution of the problem, and would spell out the name of the party which rejects the proposals. Unfortunately, the Azeris decided that they could violate with impunity the agreement signed in 1994-95 as well as the commitments which were reached in the course of these lengthy negotiations. We started this phase in 2007. Nine years in a row, we were an active participant and witness to the process, trying to find mutually acceptable solutions; we were trying to be constructive. We were convinced that the problem could be solved exclusively based on compromise, through peaceful means, however today we have what we have. For that very reason, your point of view is very important to me: why did it happen? We certainly have our own ideas, however you are much more informed and we would appreciate if you present us your point of view,” said President Serzh Sargsyan.

The RF Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov thanked the President of Armenia for the opportunity to meet with him and presented the results of the negotiations conducted prior to his meeting with the President of Armenia. “We have already had good negotiations; have observed the course of implementation of the bilateral agreements which you have reached with President Putin. In some instances we are having delays; however adherence to all principled agreements is there. It is our main objective – to work on the tasks issued by the Presidents. We have also discussed the situation with the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh issue, and we are deeply concerned with what has happened. As you know, from the very beginning, the Russian side, the President personally has been working to stop the breach of the agreements signed in 94-95 which are of permanent nature. Today we have reiterated that and called to under no circumstance disregard these most important documents. The bloodshed was stopped. Nevertheless, as you understand, the situation has not entirely stabilized, and we believe that at this stage it is extremely important to call to life agreements between you and the President of Azerbaijan reached five years ago with the Russian mediation – about the mechanisms for the investigation of the incidents, prevention of incidents and confidence building measures, so that any threat of confrontation is reduced even if through simple technical steps. Corresponding instructions have been given to the OSCE, and now we want the German presidency engage in it actively. I understand what you mean, Mr. President, of course, that at the moment it is difficult to come back to the table of negotiations. The situation should calm down a little, people should calm down a little. We once again express our condolences for the victims of this conflict, but I agree with you that there is no military solution to the conflict, which means we need to make efforts for its political resolution.

As for why the situation has reached such a critical point, I cannot speak for Armenia, Azerbaijan, or Karabakh, but I think if we were able to move forward in the political process, even a little, if we were able to preset the general principles which could have been accepted by the sides at least as a basis for the creation of the legally binding documents, it would certainly played an important role for resuming the negotiations and would also become a constraint against the outbreak of hostilities. But I repeat that only the parties themselves can find solutions. We have been trying and will continue to try to help the Co-Chairs together with Americans and French. We have a consolidated position, and as I understand, Armenia supports the position that the triumvirate of the Co-Chairs together with the OSCE should continue its work as the main coordinator in accordance with the mandate which the parties agreed to provide to that mechanism. We do not welcome a search for other, parallel avenues, or attempts to create mechanisms which are not endorsed by all parties. It will only deviate from the main problem, i.e. to ensure security, to prevent new loss of lives, but at the same time conditions for the political process should be created,” said the RF Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.

Russia will continue its arms sales to both Azerbaijan and Armenia despite the latest flare-up of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview broadcast on Saturday.

Medvedev, who travelled to both Armenia and Azerbaijan this week, said Russia had no intention to halt its arms sales to any side of the conflict.

“If we imagine for a minute that Russia has given up this role (of arms seller), we well understand that this place will not stay vacant,” Medvedev told the weekly “Vesti on Saturday” programme on Russian state TV.

“They will buy weapons in other countries, and the degree of their deadliness won’t change in any way,” he said. “But at the same time, this could … destroy the existing balance of forces (in the region).”

Moscow believes the possible involvement of other major arms exporters to the region “will most likely complicate the situation further”.

“I believe weapons may and should be bought not only to be used one day, but to be a deterrent factor,” Medvedev said. “This aspect must be considered by both sides of the conflict.”

Iran hopes that ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh will allow to start negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusma.

“We are very happy to see an end to hostilities right now and cessation of hostilities or a ceasefire,” Zarif said. “We hope this would be the prelude to serious negotiations in order to resolve this issue. Our region requires cooperation between everybody,” he added.

“We believe Armenia as a neighbor and Azerbaijan as a close friend of Iran need to have good relations and we hope, we support all efforts aimed at resolving this problem,” the foreign minister noted.

He reminded that after the most recent outbreak of hostilities Iranian President Hassan Rouhani “called both presidents calling for an end to hostilities.”

The Armenian State Chamber Orchestra will perform the “Eternal Melodies” concert on April 2 with Italian saxophonist Federico Mondelci as soloist and Vahan Martirosyan as artistic director and conductor. The program includes works by Armenian composers – Komitas, Mansuryan, Harutyunyan, Babajanyan.

Federico Mondelci has performed as soloist with all the major orchestras in Italy, including the Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala at La Scala, Milan, conducted by Seiji Ozawa and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. During recent seasons, Mondelci has frequently performed in Russia and now enjoys a particularly close relationship with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.

The current visit to Armenia is not the first one for Mondelci. The saxophonist says he’s always glad to return to Armenia and play with Armenian musicians.

“Armenian melodies always have spiritual roots,” Mondelci told Public Radio of Armenia. Speaking about the peculiarities of Armenian composers’ works, the musician said “they are melancholic, but very kind, something that gives freedom to the soul,” he said.

The entertainment blog, The Playlist is predicting that much-anticipated Genocide-themed film, “The Promise,” with its lead actors Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale, will be on a short list for Academy Award consideration in 2017.

“Right now, ’The Promise,’ from ‘Hotel Rwanda’ director Terry George, is a little under the radar, but we don’t expect that to last. Firstly, it’s a lavish period love triangle set against the Armenian genocide in the last days of the Ottoman Empire, a subject matter rarely examined on film but is long overdue for the big-budget treatment. Secondly, it has a heavyweight cast, particularly when it comes to its two male leads Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac, and we think either one could end up registering with the Academy. It’ll depend on which actor ends up campaigning for lead (assuming it’s picked up in time for an awards season release), but both are deserving: Bale earned his third nomination last year for ‘The Big Short’ (having won for ‘The Fighter,’ his first nod), while Isaac has never been recognized but is much more familiar to voters now after ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and likely stands his best chance yet. Either could follow in the footsteps of George’s ‘Hotel Rwanda’ star Don Cheadle for a nod,” wrote Oliver Lyttelton of the Playlist Blog, published on the entertainment website,

Golden Globe-winner Issac and Oscar winner Bale were announced as leads of “The Promise” in June when Survivor Pictures, founded by late-billionaire Kirk Kerkorian revealed the long-rumored film project.

Longtime Kerkorian attorney and spokesperson , “Survival Pictures was born out of Kirk Kerkorian’s unwavering dedication to telling inspiring human stories for audiences around the world. ‘The Priomise’ will be a wonderful love story and will open the door to the championing of human rights. This film fulfills a longstanding dream for Mr. Kerkorian, who was thrilled to participate in the development and casting process.”

After shooting was completed on the film, Survival Pictures co-manager and a producer of the film, Eric Esrailian told  in an email that “Kirk will be proud,” referring to Kerkorian. “That makes all of the hard work even more special.”The film is slated for release in 2016.

A cross-stone dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims was unveiled in the French city of Aix-en-Provence on February 28.

The opening of the cross-stone became possible thanks to the joint efforts of the City Hall, the local Armenian community and the Hays Club with support from the Armenian Embassy in France and the Armenian Consulate General in Marseille.

Mayor of Aix-en-Provence Maryse Joissains-Masini noted in her opening remarks that the monument aims to honor the memory of the innocent victims and inform the future generations about the genocide perpetrated against Armenians in 1915.

President of the Hays Club organization Michele Der-Kevorkian thanked the Mayor for the installation of the khachkar and praised her pro-Armenian activity.

Armenian Ambassador to France Vigen Chitechyan referred to the friendly relations between the two countries, the cooperation between the Armenian community and the local authorities of Aix-en-Provence. He noted that the existence of any cross-stone or memorial shedding light on the pages of history is one of the best means to educate the coming generations.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has issued a message on the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust:

During the Second World War, six million Jews were systematically rounded up and exterminated.  The Nazis also murdered Sinti and Roma, political prisoners, homosexuals, persons with disabilities, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Soviet prisoners of war.

The Holocaust was a colossal crime.  No-one can deny the evidence that it happened.  By remembering the victims and honouring the courage of the survivors and those who assisted and liberated them, we annually renew our resolve to prevent such atrocities and reject the hateful mentality that allows them.

From the shadow of the Holocaust and the cruelties of the Second World War, the United Nations was established to reaffirm faith in the dignity and worth of every person and to uphold the rights of all to live in equality and free from discrimination.

These principles remain essential today. People worldwide – including millions fleeing war, persecution and deprivation – continue to suffer discrimination and attacks.We have a duty to remember the past – and to help those who need us now.

For more than a decade, the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme has worked to educate young people about the Holocaust.  Many partners – including Holocaust survivors – continue to contribute to this essential work.

The memory of the Holocaust is a powerful reminder of what can happen when we stop seeing our common humanity.  On this day of Holocaust remembrance, I urge everyone to denounce political and religious ideologies that set people against people.Let us all speak out against anti-Semitism and attacks against religious, ethnic or other groups.Let us create a world where dignity is respected, diversity is celebrated, and peace is permanent.

The murder of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 was “probably” approved by President Vladimir Putin, a public inquiry has concluded, the BBC reports.

Mr Litvinenko died aged 43 in London days after being poisoned with radioactive polonium-210, which he is believed to have drunk in a cup of tea.

Chairman Sir Robert Owen said it was likely Mr Putin signed off the killing following a long-running feud.

Mr Litvinenko’s widow Marina said she was “very pleased” with the report.

Speaking outside London’s High Court, she said: “The words my husband spoke on his deathbed when he accused Mr Putin have been proved by an English court.”

By Arin Mikailian

Opponents of a proposed Armenian American Museum in Glendale voiced concerns over the potential for traffic and parking impacts, while backers endorsed the idea of creating a cultural hub and community resource during a public forum earlier this week.

More than 100 people packed a meeting room at St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church for a forum organized by the museum development committee.

The contested site, a 1.37-acre, city-owned parking lot, is at Mountain Street and Verdugo Road, across from Glendale Community College and abutted by a residential neighborhood.

While concerned residents say they’re not against the idea of a 30,000-square-foot museum, they’re not a fan of the location.

“The museum should be in a central area of the city, where City Hall is, and there is a core civic center area,” resident Tom Searson said in a phone interview after the meeting. “I think that’s probably the best location; there’s an infrastructure there. There’s shopping, all these things that will attract pedestrian traffic.”

Adding a museum to the area could generate congestion that nearby streets can’t handle, he said.

Conceptual designs depict a two-story building with a façade resembling both local and Armenian mountains. Inside, a library with research facilities, exhibitions and a coffee shop are planned.

Teacher Taline Arsenian, who was among those at the meeting, called the location, which is within walking distance of the college, ideal.

“I’m looking forward to this museum opening, to students from our community and neighboring communities being exposed to all of the cultural awareness and education they’re going to get,” she said.

Berdj Karapetian, chairman of the museum’s project development committee, said half of the exhibits will be permanent, while the other half will be traveling collections that feature other cultures, including Korean and Indian.

He said the museum isn’t looking at other sites.

One resident asked why the design couldn’t reflect the architecture of nearby Spanish homes. Architect Aram Alajajian explained that differentiating the building was intentional, citing as examples the distinct designs of the Broad and Getty museums.

“A museum is an iconic project,” he said. “An iconic building needs to stand out.”

In response to concerns over potential activities, Tigranna Zakaryan, the museum’s outreach director, said the property would not host weddings or other events “completely unrelated to what the museum stands for.”

Several residents of the adjacent Rossmoyne neighborhood said they were worried about added traffic.

A traffic study is planned, as are future reviews by City Hall. The Glendale City Council eventually would have to give its approval for the project to move forward.

The traffic study likely will be conducted next month and take into account peak hours, especially when Glendale College students arrive in the morning, traffic engineer Jano Baghdanian said.

While data still has to be collected, some things already are known about museum traffic.

“One [factor] with museums is that they do not generate traffic during peak hours; they generate traffic during the day. … A majority of museum visits occur on Saturdays and Sundays,” Baghdanian said at the forum.

As for parking, the Verdugo and Mountain lot houses 176 spaces used by college students and visitors of the adjacent Glendale Civic Auditorium.

More than a year ago, the City Council granted an agreement with the museum’s committee not to lease the lot while a conceptual design was prepared.

While final details have a long way to go, the city already has stipulated that the museum’s construction must include an underground parking structure to replace the existing lot — accessible by students — in addition to spaces for visitors.

While there’s no price tag for the entire project, the first financial goal through fundraising is $10 million, Zakaryan said.

She declined to say how much has been raised.