Author: Boshkezenian Garik

Armenian Opposition Calls For Rally On April 5 To Discuss National Security Issues

Boshkezenian Garik
April 1 2022

 Mohammad Ali

Vice President of Armenian parliament from the Armenia Alliance opposition bloc, Ishkhan Saghatelyan, on Friday called on citizens to join a rally on April 5 to discuss the country’s security issues

YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 01st April, 2022) Vice President of Armenian parliament from the Armenia Alliance opposition bloc, Ishkhan Saghatelyan, on Friday called on citizens to join a rally on April 5 to discuss the country’s security issues.

“I call on the Armenian citizens to take to the streets, to gather at the Freedom Square on April 5 at 6:30 p.m. (14:30 GMT) to discuss how we can preserve Artsakh (the Armenian toponym for Nagorno-Karabakh) and protect Armenia,” Saghatelyan said at a parliament meeting.

Saghatelyan accused the ruling party of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of abusing the extraordinary parliament meeting, which was expected to discuss the security threats in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, but instead pushed for amendments to local governance law that would expand its power.

Hostilities flared up in Nagorno-Karabakh in late September 2020 after a relative lull in the long-standing conflict between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. A declaration of ceasefire was mediated by Russia on November 9 and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region to monitor the truce.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/armenian-opposition-calls-for-rally-on-april-1491237.html


Things Travelers Should Know Before Visiting Armenia

Boshkezenian Garik
THE TRAVEL

From the language and climate to the unique natural scenery, here are 10 things you need to know as a first-time visitor to Armenia!

BY RAJENDER BHATIAPUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO

Armenia is a mountainous Caucasus area of the region. In the year 301, it became the world’s earliest country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. Nowadays, travelers may visit several magnificent monasteries scattered around the land, many of which are century old and provide an excellent history lesson. Armenia has a hard but lovely scenery. Furthermore, travelers will learn a great deal concerning Armenia from pleasant residents who are quite passionate about their country. Here are some ideas for first-time visitors to Armenia.

Armenia is not a tourist destination, but that’s certainly what makes it so intriguing. That’s not to imply that visitors are not welcome, as they have always been welcomed in Armenia. However, the nation currently lacks key infrastructures that would allow it to accept large numbers of tourists. In addition, locals hardly communicate English in Armenia; solely Armenian and Russian are spoken. This may be the least English-speaking place visitors have visited since then, but it is doable and will surely enjoy their stay in this incredibly beautiful country.

Armenia’s climate is noticeably continental, with the south of the nation being in the subtropical region. Over 80% of Armenia’s area is located at an altitude of 1000 meters beyond sea level. Spring, which lasts from mid-March through June, is generally wet. Summer lasts from June until mid-September and thus is humid, warm, and lengthy. Autumn is known for its moderate as well as decent weather, vibrant landscape hues, and plenty of autumn foods. Ultimately, winter is brief, with a decent snowpack from mid-December until the end of February.

For such a tiny nation, Armenia possesses a remarkably diversified natural environment. There is something for everyone from enthralling verdant valleys and gorges towards parched and vibrant mountains. Armenia also has the largest lake within the Caucasus. Lake Sevan is known as the region’s “blue gem.” It is known for its beautiful highlands, small beaches, and charming settlements. Furthermore, notwithstanding its modest size, Armenia is among the most mountainous place in the world, with mountains covering about 90% of the territory.

Armenia is among the few countries that have miraculously survived despite having a history dating back over centuries. Many nations have vanished throughout the centuries, yet many people are surprised that Armenia has survived to preserve its cultural legacy via customs that still currently exist. In the current hypothesis of Armenia, there seems to be a variety of archeological data that shows existent cultures in the past. Due to the obvious quantity of stones in the nation, Armenians have long been known for making artworks off it, and this is likely to be the greatest option for travelers that love history.

Armenia is an old nation, and its legacy from various points in history is distinctive and rather well-known across the world. The little country contains several attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and there are still unexplored spots that are piquing the attention of archaeologists. The mountain Ararat is among the most mythical and iconic mountains for all Armenians, and it is officially located in modern-day Turkey. On a good, bright day, travelers may view Ararat out from the town, Yerevan, and appreciate its majesty, strength, and serenity.

Armenia is an old nation, and its legacy from various points in history is distinctive and rather well-known across the world. The little country contains several attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and there are still unexplored spots that are piquing the attention of archaeologists. The mountain Ararat is among the most mythical and iconic mountains for all Armenians, and it is officially located in modern-day Turkey. On a good, bright day, travelers may view Ararat out from the town, Yerevan, and appreciate its majesty, strength, and serenity.

Armenia’s present area is barely 30 percent of what it was historically. Throughout centuries, the regions and jurisdictions have evolved considerably. Western Armenia was formerly one of the region’s most important cultural and economic hubs, and towns like Ani and Kars have resulted from Armenians’ outstanding architecture and design, and entrepreneurial skills. Currently, there are several ancient ruins, cathedrals, and towns that demonstrate why Armenians believe Western Armenia to be their medieval motherland.

One intriguing statistic regarding the Armenian race and community is that more Armenians resided beyond Armenia than within. Armenia is among the world’s largest diasporas, with significant populations in Russia, France, and the United States. Nowadays, there is still a diaspora of approximately 10,000,000 people, which may be traced all the way primarily to the Armenian Genocide, as previously stated. Notable diaspora Armenians include the Kardashians, System of a Down, and others.

The public transport system in Armenia is still in its early phases, and new modes of transportation are all being introduced into the service. Mini Buses are commonly used to link Armenian communities. These may not be the most pleasant modes of transportation. Thus, many visitors choose to use cabs or hire a vehicle while in Armenia. Trains are another alternative, but the upgraded trains will only transport visitors from Yerevan to Gyumri for the time being. Moreover, the ancient Soviet trains are another alternative.

The Armenian monetary system is known as the dram and otherwise AMD, and it is symbolized by the symbol ֏. The value changes slightly, but $1 presently equals 500 AMD. Every traveler’s money may also be exchanged almost everywhere in Yerevan. Furthermore, there will be more monetary system exchangers in the region than maybe elsewhere travelers can travel. Currency exchanges are occasionally available at shoe stores, and they are also almost available in food stores.


Zakharova refers to issue of violating contact line by Azerbaijan in Artsakh

Boshkezenian Garik

Save

Share

 19:39,

YEREVAN, 24 MARCH, ARMENPERSS. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova touched upon the issue of the recent provocation of the Azerbaijani armed forces in the direction of the village of Parukh in the Askeran region of Artakh.

ARMENPRESS reports during the briefing, the journalist reminded that on March 24, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces violated the line of contact in the direction of the village of Parukh in the Askeran region and asked how she would assess such a violation of the trilateral statement.

Zakharova first mentioned that it should be assessed by the peacekeeping forces there.

“I repeat what has been said today: the already tense situation should not be aggravated by any action,” she said.

The Azerbaijani armed forces violated the line of contact in the direction of the village of Parukh in Artsakh’s Askeran region.The government of Artsakh said representatives of the Artsakh Defense Army and the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh are attempting to prevent through negotiations the further advance of the Azerbaijani troops and return them to their original positions.

As a safety precaution, women and children in the village of Khramort in Askeran region have been evacuated.




Vardan Voskanyan: Russia started to counter anti-Russian propaganda machine of Baku dictator

Boshkezenian Garik
Panorama
Armenia –

Russia has started to counter the anti-Russian propaganda of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev by blocking Azerbaijani state-run media outlet Haqqin-az in the country, Armenian expert on Iran Vardan Voskanyan said on Friday.

“Russia has begun striking blows against the Baku dictator’s anti-Russian propaganda machine by blocking one of its most infamous Russian-language news websites, Haqqin-az, across the country,” he wrote on Telegram.

“It is no secret that the propaganda tool is directly coordinated and controlled by the Baku dictator’s office and, in fact, spreads the anti-Russian views which the top officials of the Baku ruling regime and its ringleader are afraid to express personally,” Voskanyan said.

The expert states Russia’s move is equal to a “missile strike on the Consulate of the Baku dictatorial regime” in Kharkov.

“But all this will remain only ‘consolation’ for us, unless from today we fix our minds and hearts on the sacred covenant and the program stemming from it, according to which the missiles, the fruit of Armenian just revenge, must inevitably destroy the enemy military infrastructure in order to demilitarize the barbaric Baku regime and the artificial formation ruled by it,” he noted.

More than 3.2 million people have left Ukraine – UN

Boshkezenian Garik

Save

Share

 18:25,

YEREVAN, 18 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The number of refugees from Ukraine since February 24 is 3.2 million, 185 thousand of which crossed the border of Russia, ARMENPRESS reports citing “RIA Novosti”, UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo informed.

2 million people crossed the border of Poland.

Officials from the International Organization of Migration inform that 162 thousand who have left Ukraine Ukraine are foreigners.

Armenians can build a sovereign state even amid present geopolitical shocks, politician says

Boshkezenian Garik
David Stepanyan

ArmInfo. In the context of the Ukraine crisis, Armenia should think of building a sovereign state rather than of the threats of losing sovereignty in case the Allied  State’s borders extend as far as Armenia, Garegin Miskaryan, Director  of the Democratic Platform foundation, said in an interview with  ArmInfo.  

“I would dare to state that, historically, Armenia has nearly always  had serious problems with its nationhood and sovereignty. And we have  hardly ever been sovereign. At best, our country enjoyed certain,  insignificant elements of sovereignty during short historical  periods. So at present we should not think of the threats of losing  what we have hardly ever had. Rather, we should try to create it,” he  said. 

According to Mr Miskaryan, present-day Republic of Armenia could be  described as a sovereign state, “only with great reserve.” And this  is not the only problem of our country and society. First of all, for  lack of not only democratic government institutes, but also, which is  much more important, democratic society.  That is why, being a  formally transitional democracy, Armenia and its society are, in  fact, far from being democratic, primarily because of  “inferior  social thinking” and the values cherished by this society. 

Amid all this, a democratic state is impossible to build by building  its institutes alone. On the other hand, Armenia has no resources to  afford a luxury of retaining a conventional authoritarian government  model. In this context, there is a yawning gulf between Armenia, with  humans as its only resource, and Middle-East monarchies and some  authoritarian CIS-members, the so-called petrostates. 

“In petrostates the authorities are capable of ruling societies with  an extremely low level of education and, consequently, low efficiency  and productivity, mainly due to profits from energy resources. But  Armenia has not such a potential. Therefore, Armenia has no  alternative to democratic progress, with the human being in the  center,” Mr Miskaryan said.   

According to him, even amid the present global shocks, the Armenian  people and society have opportunities to start and successfully  complete the process of building a sovereign state. And the major  obstacle to it is in “the heads of Armenians themselves” rather than  of their enemies or allies. 

“It is our own heads that contain the answer to the question: are we,  the Armenian political thought, mature for the idea of our own  nationhood? And if we are close to it, are we capable of building a  viable state or are we going to serve other states’ interests again?  I think that, before starting, we should put this question to  ourselves and find an answer to it,” Mr Miskaryan said. 

President Harutyunyan, members of Union of Artsakh Reserve Officers NGO discuss current situation

Boshkezenian Garik

Save

Share

 17:08,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan received today several members of the Union of Artsakh Reserve Officers NGO, the Presidential Office said.

The current security and humanitarian problems and the ways of overcoming them were discussed at the meeting.

The meeting participants also discussed issues relating to solving the social and housing problems of officers of the military reserve and their families.

President Harutyunyan assured that all the issues and problems will be properly solved within the existing opportunities.

New Ambassador of Serbia presents credentials to Acting President of Armenia

Boshkezenian Garik

Save

Share

 13:54,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. First resident Ambassador of Serbia to Armenia Tatjana Panajotovic Cvetkovic presented her credentials today to Acting President of Armenia Alen Simonyan, the Presidential Office said.

Alen Simonyan congratulated the Ambassador on assuming office and wished success to her mission in Armenia. He expressed hope that during the Ambassador’s tenure the further development of the current and new programs with Serbia will deeply contribute to the cooperation between the two countries.

Talking about the existing political dialogue between Armenia and Serbia, Alen Simonyan highlighted making consistent and additional efforts to give a new content and impetus to the Armenian-Serbian bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda.

Zelensky says people who elected him aren’t ready for capitulation

Boshkezenian Garik

Save

Share

 13:11, 8 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said the people who elected him president are not ready for capitulation or ultimatums.

“The people who elected me aren’t ready for capitulation, we are not ready for ultimatums,” Zelensky told the American ABC in an interview.

According to Zelensky, they are heavily outnumbered. He said that 10 Russian soldiers are fighting against 1 Ukrainian soldier, while 50 Russian tanks are fighting against 1 Ukrainian tank. Despite this difference, he said, the Ukrainian forces are fighting but the question is how long they will be able to withstand.  In this context Zelensky again raised the issue of a no-fly zone over Ukraine and more active military support from the West.

“Establishing a no-fly zone in Ukraine is necessary for downing Russian missiles, I’ve said this to Biden. I think the US President can do more,” the Ukrainian president  said.

Rep. Pallone calls on US to recognize and denounce Azerbaijani violent assaults against Armenians

Boshkezenian Garik

Save

Share

 10:06, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. US Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. honored the memory of the victims of Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian pogroms in Sumgait (1988), the Armenian National Committee of America reported.

Rep. Pallone’s full statement below:

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom and the 32nd anniversary of the Baku pogrom.

Hundreds of Armenian civilians living in the city of Sumgait in Azerbaijan suffered horrific acts of violence when they were indiscriminately killed, raped, maimed, and burned alive in a pogrom that started on February 27, 1988. Almost two years later, a seven-day pogrom broke out in Baku during which Armenians were beaten, murdered, and expelled from the city beginning January 12, 1990. Over 90 Armenian civilians were killed, over 700 were injured, and countless other victims were permanently displaced by the ethnic violence that followed.

The Azerbaijani Government was complicit in each of these atrocities by using violent rhetoric in rallies leading up to the pogrom and by doing nothing to halt the ensuing violence against Armenian citizens.

Azerbaijan has taken steps over the last two decades to cover up these crimes against humanity and dismiss the atrocities committed in Sumgait and Baku. Even more disturbing, the Azeri Government lauded the perpetrators of this event and similar violent attacks.

President Aliyev’s regime continues to use hateful rhetoric against Armenians to this day, including in the build up to Azerbaijan’s deadly attacks on Artsakh in the fall of 2020. Azeri forces, Turkish drones, and Turkish-backed foreign terrorists conducted a premeditated attack that violated international law. The resulting indiscriminate bombing campaigns against large population centers killed thousands of Armenians and displaced tens of thousands more. It also included appalling war crimes against Armenians at the hands of Azerbaijani forces and foreign mercenaries that included beheadings, torture, and other abhorrent acts of violence.

I continue to stand with the Armenian people in condemning the horrific pogroms and in mourning the loss of those who were senselessly killed in Artsakh and subsequent Azeri attacks on Armenian soil. It is critical for the United States to recognize and denounce violent assaults against all civilians. If we do not condemn or punish crimes against humanity and ethnic violence, we become passive bystanders, failing to live up to the lessons of the 20th century and our pledge to uphold human rights and democratic values all over the world. If we do not take a firm stand against those who commit atrocities, it will embolden them and encourage others to commit heinous acts in the future. These lessons are especially important as we prepare to commemorate the 107th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April.

I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus to honor the victims of the Baku and Sumgait pogroms and the victims of Azerbaijani aggressions in Artsakh, I will also continue to condemn all acts of violence against people who are targeted simply because of who they are. I hope my colleagues will join me in rejecting violent rhetoric, intimidation and outright violations of human rights. In doing so, we renew our commitment to achieving a lasting peace in the Caucasus”.