Author: Boris Nahapetian

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received Bulgarian Ambassador to Armenia Maria Pavlova Tzotzorkova-Kaymaktchieva.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Armenia is interested in the furtherance of bilateral relations. Highlighting the development of economic cooperation and business ties, Karen Karapetyan stressed the need for reinvigorating the activities of the Armenian-Bulgarian Intergovernmental Commission.

Noting that Bulgarian investors may consider Armenia as an appropriate platform for entering the Eurasian and Iranian markets, the Premier said that the Bulgarian capital has the opportunity to engage in the free economic zone of Meghri. Karen Karapetyan went on to note that he could see good prospects of cooperation in the transport sector in terms of implementing multimodal transportations via the Black Sea-Persian Gulf transport corridor. The Prime Minister conveyed his greetings and congratulations to newly elected Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov.

Maria Pavlova Tzotzorkova-Kaymaktchieva said Bulgaria keen to strengthen relations with Armenia, noting that they could be bolstered by centuries of bilateral ties. Stressing the importance of developing economic cooperation, she considered it necessary to boost trade turnover mediating business forums, promoting new business ties and implementing investment programs. The Ambassador added that Bulgaria is ready to share its experience in different fields, including public administration and the agrarian reform.

The interlocutors concurred in that cultural and educational cooperation might serve as a milestone on the way to strengthening contacts between the two peoples by means of cultural and educational exchange programs.

Members of the  Armenian community of Fresno will turn out this weekend to show their support for “The Promise,” the first major motion picture that looks at the Armenian Genocide as the production starring Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac opens Friday, April 21, the reports.

They are showing support because the movie depicts the events in the early part of the 20th century that resulted in the death of 2.5 million Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks. Past efforts to make a movie based on the tragic events have been stalled because of political pressure from the Turkish government that continues to deny the genocide happened.

Nayiri Saghdejian and her father Abraham Saghdejian have been a driving force behind the Armenian National Committee of America Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program. The organization, which assists young professionals and recent college graduates in public policy opportunities in Washington, DC., is sponsoring a private screening on Friday and one on Saturday of the film at the Manchester Stadium 16 that will be attended by local youth groups, members of the Armenian community and local officials.

Saghdejian has been looking forward to the release of the film because the Armenian Genocide “is the biggest wound for any Armenian in the world.” She added that the movie also has a special connection to Fresno because it is one of the last projects completed by Fresno’s Kirk Kerkorian, a businessman and philanthropist who died in 2015. The film was made through his Survival Pictures. All proceeds will be donated to charities.

“He is one of the greatest Armenians to ever live and gave back so much to the Armenian community. This film is a real tribute to him,” Saghdejian said.

Armenia’s Simon Martirosyan claimed gold in the 2017 European Weightlifting Championships held in Split, Croatia.

The Olympic bronze medalist snatched 184 kg and lifted 230 kg in the clean & jerk.

 

 

 

 

The April session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe promises heated debates with President Pedro Agramunt expected to be in the spotlight. The spring session that kicks off on April 24 may even be the last one for the Spanish lawmaker.

“Pedro Agramunt’s recent visit to Syria has stirred outrage among legislators at PACE. Axel Fischer, who heads the German delegation and the European People’s Party (EPP) group, the largest faction in PACE, has drafted a resolution condemning Agramunt’s steps. This can be called nothing but crisis at PACE,” says Samvel Farmanyan, member of the Armenian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly.

The reaction has been ambiguous first of all because Agramunt’s visit to Syria had not been sanctioned by the Assembly or any of its structures.

“The draft resolution makes it clear that the President’s recent actions amid the corruption row at PACE strike yet another blow to the reputation of the organization and cast doubt on its impartiality,” Farmanyan said in an interview with Public Radio of Armenia.

Samvel Farmanyan sees Pedro Agramunt’s resignation as the only civilized way out of the crisis, especially considering that the criticism comes from the faction that has enabled him to take the post.

The new scandal comes amid serious allegations of corruption at PACE.

Money laundering scandal has tainted the organization with allegations of shady money transfers and votes for cash.

A judge in Milan recently decided to try Luca Volontè, the former chair of the European People’s Party group in the Council of Europe and a former Italian MP, for money laundering.

Prosecutors allege that Volontè was paid almost €2.4 million by Azerbaijani officials in exchange for “his support of political positions of the state” at the Council, which also promotes democracy and rule of law.

The court hearing into the case, to take place in April, is likely to draw renewed attention to allegations of corruption and bribe-taking at an institution that has long sought to create better governance practices in countries such as Azerbaijan.

Perdo Agramunt was also summoned to the Spanish Senate to give explanations about his connections with Azerbaijan.

On 3 April President Bako Sahakyan received a large group of culture workers, among them famous musician and composer Serj Tankian, film director, screenwriter Atom Egoyan, philanthropists and representatives of the “Artsakh Fund” organization’s USA branch who arrived in Artsakh at the “Tufenkian” foundation initiative.

Various issues regarding the life in Artsakh, the state-building process, regional trends and the Motherland-Diaspora ties were touched upon during the meeting.

The Head of the State considered important such visits to Artsakh noting their positive impact on developing culture in the republic, introducing Artsakh to the outer world and strengthening the inter-Armenian ties.

Artsakh, Armenia and Diaspora managed to rebuff the aggression and ensure the security and independent statehood of Artsakh, and the Armenian statehood, at large, Spokesman for the Artsakh President David Babayan says one year after the Azeri aggression against Artsakh.

“Had Azerbaijan reached its inhumane goals, the aggression would not be restricted to Artsakh, official Baku would launch a large-scale attack at Armenia’s border,”Babayan said in an interview with .

He said the Armenian side has made several conclusions from last year’s aggression. “In the technical dimension we have applied changes to our defense systems and our strategy, considering the new challenges of war, the peculiarities of the weapons used.”

According to Babayan, the international community has also made conclusions. “The superpowers could not stay indifferent to outburst of violence and destabilization of situation in the South Caucasus, which has always been of strategic importance from geopolitical perspective. They now see that Artsakh is a factor, that the Armenian nation is united and is not ready to give in to a fascist enemy. It’s clear to everyone that Azerbaijan will suffer a final defeat should hostilities resume,” he said.

Referring to Aliyev’s claims that the Karabakh issue is “an internal affair of Azerbaijan,” David Babayan said: “This is a gross violation of international norms, a challenge to the civilized world and the international community, disrespect for the work of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and finally, a statement of a mentally ill man. Why is the Minsk Group working on the conflict, if it’s an internal affair of Azerbaijan?” Babayan said.

“The military doctrine of Artsakh and Armenia is based on pro-active defense,” he said. “That means we’ll never be an aggressor, but in case of assault from the Azeri side, we’ll do our best to have the military actions spread into the depth of the enemy’s territory. That means we’ll not just sit and wait for developments. Had the April war continued, the situation would be completely different, but Azerbaijan asked to cease the war, and we agreed to avoid a greater number of losses,” the Spokesman said.

“If Azerbaijan resumes military actions, all of its citizens will feel the consequences of it. We don’t want anyone to suffer. We do not feel hatred for the Azerbaijani people. It does not mean, however, that we’ll not protect our Motherland. Azerbaijan should understand that war directly leads to deadlock,” he said.

Speaking about international response to Azerbaijani aggression, David Babayan said “the lack of harsh criticism is worrisome.” He said “it’s impermissible for European organizations to stay indifferent or keep flattering Azerbaijan.”

– Less than a month before the 102nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Conductor Greg Hosharian will take to the stage with the American Pops Orchestra to perform “Sounds of the Diaspora” on Sunday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. at The Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. The concert will benefit the Edward Hosharian Scholarship Fund, which provides students of Armenian descent an opportunity to pursue their educational goals in music.

“Sounds of the Diaspora is a culmination of genres that I’m passionate about,” said Conductor Greg Hosharian. “Chamber music, jazz, Armenian classical – it’s music that I love. What better way to tell the story of the Armenian people than through music, a medium that transcends age, gender and culture.”

“Sounds of the Diaspora” chronicles the plight of the Armenian people who were forced to flee their homeland during the genocide. Survivors had to scatter to foreign lands with little money or belongings, and the music performed by the Armenian Pops Orchestra reflects their adopted cultures of Russia, the Middle East, Greece, South America, Georgia, the United States and, of course, their beloved Armenia.

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Edward Hosharian Scholarship Fund, named in honor of Hosharian’s father, the late composer and conductor, established to assist Armenian students in pursuit of their educational goals in music. Applicants must be of Armenian descent, a full-time student in need of financial assistance and attending an accredited college or university in the United States whose status is a sophomore or above and majoring in music performance or composition.

“My dad was an educator,” added Hosharian. “He taught music right here in Los Angeles at Roosevelt High and was director of the marching band. After immigrating to the United States at age nine from Kiev, Ukraine, he was able to fulfill his dream by writing a ballet version of the opera Anoush which premiered in New York in 1975. I know he’d be so proud of the work we are doing on his behalf.”

Greg Hosharian, who will premiere his original work, Castle, will also welcome to the stage vocalist Ayline Amirayan, pianist Siranush Sandaldjian Mudrek, and guest conductor Tigran Arakelyan, a 2015 Edward Hosharian Scholarship recipient, to perform works by Aram Khachaturian, Ara Gevorgyan, Edward Hosharian, Robert Amirkhanyan, Mikis Theodorakis, Boris Fomin and Arno Babajanyan.

About 30 bloggers from 11 countries came together in Artsakh for a forum initiated by “Artsakhakertum” NGO and the Atsakh Union of Journalists, Artsakhpress reports.

Attending the event were Anton Nossik (Russia), Anton Merkurov (Russia), Aleksandr Alimov (Latvia), Tarik Hafed (Algeria), Romain Mielcarek (France), Gilad Halpern (Israel), Aleksandr Hoishyk (Belarus), Irina Kovalchuk (Ukraine), Luciano Tirinnanzi (Italy), Petruška Šustrová (Czech Republic).

The forum focused on presenting conflicts on social media and ensuring freedom for bloggers and journalists.

The forum was chaired by co-president of “Artsakhakertum” NGO Artak Beglaryan and media expert Samvel Martirosyan.

Hrachya Arzumanyan, Director of the Ashkharh Center for Strategic Research, presented the reasons behind the Karabakh conflict.

“The Azerbaijani society needs to be cured from the illness called “Aliyev clan” with the help of the international court, which will condemn the upbringing that teaches generations to cut the heads and ears of Armenian women and children,” Arzumanyan said. He reminded that more than 100 Armenian soldiers were killed as a result of large-scale military actions waged by Azerbaijan in April 2016.

According to the expert, “they died because superpowers decided to play with the region.”

He believes that “under the conditions when the superpowers are unwilling to address the issue, bloggers can well  affect the situation.”

Artsakh’s Deputy Minister of Economy Sergey Shahverdyan presented the state of tourism in the country. He said about 15 thousand tourists from Russia, the US, Iran and European countries visit Artsakh annually.

“Tourism is a tool of intercultural dialogue, that’s why people must have freedom of movement,” he said.

He said teh Stepanakert airport doesn’t work because of Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior and the apathy of international organizations.

The voter turnout in the Artsakh Constitutional Referendum reached 46.82% (48 115 citizens) as of 2 p.m., the NKR Referendum Central Commission reports.

Artsakh is holding a referendum on a new draft Constitution. All 280 polling stations opened at 8 a.m. this morning. The number of eligible voters is 102 757.

The NKR Defense Ministry has refuted the reports of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, claiming that a military vehicle belonging to the Karabakh forces and its personnel had been destroyed on February 9.

The Ministry earlier reported intensive ceasefire violations by the Azerbaijani side overnight.

The rival used 60 and 82 mm mortars, grenades and firearms of different calibers as it fired over 1,000 shots in the direction of the Armenian positions.

More intensive firing was reported in the eastern, southern and northeastern directions of the line of contact.

The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army keep control of the operational-tactical situation at the lien of contact and resort to retaliatory measures, when necessary.