Author: Chakrian Hovsep

The IMF has approved the provision of a credit facility of 248.2 million dollars to Armenia

Chakrian Hovsep
  • 20.05.2019

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The IMF has approved the provision of 36-month “Stand-Buy” type of credit facilities to Armenia in the amount of about 248.2 million US dollars. The Armenian authorities have indicated that they will consider the BM as a preventive measure and are not going to use the new BM funds until the shocks cause balance of payments problems.

The Central Bank informs that the Ministry of Finance will aim at strengthening RA’s economic fundamentals and policies, as well as implementing structural reforms, particularly effective management and improving the business environment.

The authorities continue to pursue a sustainable fiscal policy, guided by the fiscal rule, while creating the conditions to promote infrastructure and social spending.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the granting of a loan to Armenia in the amount of 180 million SDR (Special Drawing Right) for a period of 36 months (about 248.2 million USD or about 139.75 percent of Armenia’s quota in the IMF).

The Council confirms that PKR 25.714 million (equivalent to approximately US$35.5 million) is being provided to Armenia immediately, with the remaining amount to be provided based on six semi-annual assessments.

The Armenian authorities have indicated that they will consider the BM as a preventive measure and are not going to use the new BM if balance of payments problems do not arise due to shocks. In addition to the goal of insuring against shocks, the WM will support the RA authorities’ efforts to strengthen economic fundamentals and implemented policies. It will also contribute to the effective implementation of structural reforms, particularly the improvement of governance and business environment.

After the Executive Board’s discussion, Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Deputy Managing Director and Acting President, made the following statement.

“In recent years, Armenia continues to record progress in implementing structural reforms to maintain macroeconomic and financial stability, as well as promote economic growth. Economic activity has picked up and public debt has begun to decline. Inflation is under control, the financial system remains stable, and international reserves are rated adequate. However, reform efforts need to continue to ensure more balanced and inclusive growth by reducing disparities, improving the business environment and governance, and further efforts to reduce poverty. and to reduce unemployment.

The three-year MOU will support the authorities’ transition to a more dynamic, sustainable and inclusive economy. The preventive nature of VM will serve the purpose of insurance against external shocks. The authorities continue to implement fiscal policy through the implementation of the fiscal rule, while creating the environment required to promote infrastructure and social spending. The implementation of these tasks should be accompanied by the improvement of tax administration and measures aimed at the modernization of property taxation.

Further tightening of monetary policy will help to increase the effectiveness of monetary policy and return inflation to the medium-term objective. Measures will also be taken to protect the financial system, further develop capital markets and facilitate access to finance.

Decisive implementation of the measures envisaged in the robust package of structural reforms will contribute to ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth, which can be achieved by developing the private sector, attracting more direct investments and promoting diversification. Steps to improve human capital and increase labor force participation may also be helpful.”

Sports: One more school in Armenia enjoying the perks of the CEV School Project

Chakrian Hovsep
European Volleyball Confederation
One more school in Armenia enjoying the perks of the CEV School Project


Yerevan, Armenia, . The CEV School Project and the accompanying ‘School Volley’ festival was organised earlier this week in the city of Stepanakert in Armenia as the kids of the local primary school No. 7 enjoyed their day with Volleyball. The president of the Armenian Volleyball federation Hrachya Muradyan was also present on this occasion.

A total of 38 children from the sixth grade took part in the festivities and educational sessions led by the coaches from the Stepanakert Sports School – Gayane Melqumyan and Melania Mnacakanyan. Everybody was keen to learn the rules of our game and get their hands on the practical sessions – trying out various technical elements of Volleyball. The day concluded with a Volleyball game and gifting of the sport’s equipment that the CEV is funding for all participants of the project to further develop the skills of the pupils.

Génocide: les Arméniens fâchés contre la Belgique

Chakrian Hovsep
Le Soir– Belgique
13 avr. 2019

Les Arméniens de Belgique ne décolèrent pas. Le 24 avril prochain, la Chambre va adopter une proposition de loi qui élargit la portée de l’article 20 de la loi contre le racisme et la xénophobie du 30 juillet 1981, dite loi Moureaux. Qui ne concerne pas le génocide arménien mais bien les génocides rwandais et de Srebrenica.

Par Frédéric Delepierre 


Le texte réprime toute dénégation, minimisation ou tentative de justification des génocides reconnus par une juridiction internationale. La future loi concerne donc les génocides rwandais et de Srebrenica, en ex-Yougoslavie. Depuis 1995, le négationnisme de l’Holocauste des juifs fait l’objet d’un texte spécifique. Rien donc concernant le génocide arménien. Ce à quoi Koen Geen, le ministre de la Justice, rétorque que « le génocide arménien ne relève pas du champ d’application de cette loi, car il ne fait pas l’objet d’une décision rendue par une juridiction internationale ».

Tel qu’il est formulé, le projet de loi est une transposition d’une décision-cadre de l’Union européenne et d’une Convention du Conseil de l’Europe. Président du Comité des Arméniens de Belgique, Nicolas Tavitian, estime que la Belgique aurait pu agir autrement. « Il est regrettable que la Belgique prenne en compte la limitation suggérée, mais pas imposée, par les textes européens au négationnisme des seuls génocides et crimes contre l’humanité qui ont été sanctionnés par une juridiction internationale. »

Armenia’s Lori Province governor rewards himself for "faithfully performing duties"

Chakrian Hovsep
News.am, Armenia
Armenia’s Lori Province governor rewards himself for “faithfully performing duties” Armenia’s Lori Province governor rewards himself for “faithfully performing duties”

16:05, 14.04.2019
                  

Lori Province is the second province of Armenia known for its high level of poverty and unemployment, but the governor continues the condemnable process of self-rewarding, wrote Facebook user Smbat Khanvelyan.

“The Lori Province is the second province of the Republic of Armenia known for its high level of poverty and unemployment, but the governor continues the condemnable process of self-rewarding. The governor has rewarded himself with nearly AMD 500,000 for his “titanic” work that nobody knows about. It is known that the man is building a new and costly clinic, and he has to scrape the money he spent from somewhere, and in this case, it is the money of taxpayers,” the Facebook post reads.

By an executive order dated 12 April, Governor of Lori Province Andrey Ghukasyan rewarded himself and the administration of the regional governor’s office once again. According to the executive order, the governor, the advisors and assistants to the governor, the deputy secretary general of the regional governor’s office, the heads of departments and the employees of the internal audit division shall be rewarded for faithfully performing special tasks and employment duties in the first quarter of the year 2019.

Harris, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Senate Resolution Affirming U.S. Recognition of Armenian Genocide

Chakrian Hovsep
Senate.gov – California Senator Kamala D. Harris
April 12 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), along with 13 of their colleagues, on Tuesday in introducing a Senate resolution to ensure the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning the Armenian Genocide. Carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, the Armenian Genocide resulted in the forced deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians, of whom 1.5 million were killed.

“We must always speak uncomfortable truths about the past, lest we repeat it,” said Senator Harris. “In recognizing the Armenian Genocide, one of humanity’s darkest chapters, we honor those who list their lives to hate and reaffirm our commitment to defending human rights wherever they are threatened.”

Joining Harris, Menendez and Cruz in introducing the Resolution were Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Tom Udall (D-NM).

A copy of the resolution can be found here. https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/armenia%20genocide%20res.pdf


Armenian Church commemorates the Raising of Lazarus

Chakrian Hovsep
Panorama, Armenia

On the 41st day of the period of Great Lent, the Armenian Church commemorates Lazarus being raised from the dead.

Qahana.am cites the Gospel according to St. John (Jn 11:11-46) saying Lazarus was from a family loved by Jesus Christ. He was the brother of Mary and Martha, who often received Jesus. Lazarus dies after succumbing to an illness. Upon hearing that His friend has died, Christ goes to visit the family, and says to Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies…” Christ asks Martha if she believes this, to which she replies, “Yes, Lord.  I do believe that you are the Messiah, who was to come into the world.” Christ, standing before the grave, commands Lazarus to come forth, and he appears, being restored to life. By doing so, Christ proves that He is, in fact “Life and Resurrection”.

The Gospel story telling about the raising of Lazarus contains the passage: “Jesus wept.” The Jews, seeing Jesus expressing grief, said: “See how much he loved him!”

The raising of Lazarus is an example of the coming resurrection of all those who have fallen asleep in Christ. The weeping of Jesus demonstrates His great love towards mankind.

Cyprus parliament to ratify Armenia-EU agreement as soon as possible

Chakrian Hovsep
News.am, Armenia
April 7 2019
Cyprus parliament to ratify Armenia-EU agreement as soon as possible Cyprus parliament to ratify Armenia-EU agreement as soon as possible

15:54, 07.04.2019
                  

Armenian Parliament Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan met with President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Demetris Syllouris on the sidelines of the 140th summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

During the meeting, Mirzoyan noted the strong ties between the friendly peoples of the two countries. He noted that Cyprus was the first country in Europe which recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide.

In turn, the Armenian parliament adopted a statement condemning the genocide of the Pontic Greeks and Assyrians in the Ottoman Empire.

Mirzoyan noted the importance of ratifying the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Expanded Partnership Agreement as soon as possible. Demetris Syllouris noted that the agreement had been sent to the Cyprus legislature last week, assuring that it would be ratified as soon as possible. He invited Ararat Mirzoyan to visit Cyprus. The invitation has been accepted.

The interlocutors discussed the trilateral format of Armenia-Cyprus-Greece parliamentary cooperation, expressing readiness to make efforts to implement this initiative.

Asbarez: Forest Lawn Celebrates Armenian Heritage with Armenian Movie Night

Chakrian Hovsep
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Armenian Movie Night at Forest Lawn

Free documentary film premiere, Q&A with acclaimed Armenian director Tsvetana Paskaleva, Armenian artifact displays, and music revive Armenian history and culture during Genocide Awareness Month
Sunday, April 7, 2:30 to 6 p.m. at Forest Lawn—Hollywood Hills

LOS ANGELES—In a debut cultural event, Forest Lawn—Hollywood Hills’s Armenian Movie Night will celebrate and revive Armenian history and culture as well as pay tribute to Genocide Awareness Month.

The free, one-night-only event includes the exclusive premiere of the documentary April War Heroes, followed by a Q&A between the film’s director, Tsvetana Paskaleva, who is one of the most celebrated Armenian filmmakers, and Hovsep “Joe” Hajibekyan of Forest Lawn—Hollywood Hills. After the screening, Armenian community partners will present artifacts, art, and embroidery that represent historic Armenian regions and recover and reintroduce aspects of Armenian culture that were largely eradicated during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The event also includes Armenian music performances by Ara Dabanjian from Element Band and Friends and traditional Armenian pastries from local Armenian bakeries.

The premiere screening of Tsvetana Paskaleva’s documentary April War Heroes commemorates the third anniversary of the April War or the Four-Day War, which took place over four days in April 2016 and resulted in the death of nearly 100 Armenian soldiers and civilians. The 30-minute film documents the heroic stories of Armenian soldiers who gave their lives during the intense fighting of this war, which began when Azerbaijan attacked the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and ended when the outnumbered Armenian servicemen pushed back the unexpected and overwhelming enemy attack within days. The screening and conversation with Paskaleva, who has been writing, directing, and filming for over 25 years, celebrate the power of Armenian film as a tool for remembering history.

“So much of Armenia’s rich history and beautiful culture was lost during the Genocide,” says Joe Hajibekyan. “But with the depth of culture incorporated into Forest Lawn’s Armenian Movie Night, with film, food, artistry, music, and community, we continue to revive and celebrate this legacy.”

“At Forest Lawn, we know how meaningful it is to honor and remember the culture that was important to those who have passed,” says Rodolfo Saenz, Forest Lawn’s Senior Vice President, Marketing. “With this event, we keep traditions alive while also inviting the community to learn about important aspects of Armenian culture.”

Armenian Movie Night will take place on Sunday, April 7, from 2:30 to 6 p.m., inside the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn—Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Doors open for a pre-show reception at 2 p.m. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Visit www.forestlawn.com for more information.

For more than a century, Forest Lawn has been an integral part of Southern California. Since its founding, Forest Lawn has committed itself to providing outstanding service and beautiful environments for family outings, remembering loved ones and commemorating holidays. Forest Lawn’s locations in the Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties serve all faiths and cultures, and offer a wide range of celebrations and special events with competitively priced cremation and traditional funeral services throughout Southern California. Glendale – FD 656

Tsvetana Paskaleva is a Bulgarian-Armenian director with degrees from the State Institute of Theater and the State Institute of Cinema in Moscow, Russia. She has worked as a freelance reporter in the United States and internationally and as a writer and presenter for Armenian National TV. She has written and directed numerous award-winning documentaries, and her awards include the Armenian Medal for Courage, the Movses Khorenatsi medal, and multiple Gratitude medals. In 1996, “Parmani” Student National Charity Fund founded a Tsvetana Paskaleva scholarship, which is given each year to the best woman student of the Philological Faculty of Yerevan State University.

Armenian Assembly Co-Chairman Van Krikorian Testifies Before Congress

Chakrian Hovsep

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:

Contact: Danielle Saroyan

Telephone: (202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

 

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CO-CHAIRMAN VAN KRIKORIAN TESTIFIES
BEFORE CONGRESS

 

Requests
$100 Million for Armenia in Democracy and Economic Assistance

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Testifying in person before the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on State Foreign Operations and Related Programs (Subcommittee),
on behalf of the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly), Board of Trustees
Co-Chairman Van Krikorian urged the Subcommittee to allocate $100 million in
democracy and economic assistance, and at least $10 million in Foreign Military
Financing (FMF) and International Military Education Training (IMET) to Armenia
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, with at least $25 million in assistance to Artsakh.

 

“Armenia
had a remarkable year. The Economist objectively named it the country of the
year because of the democratic changes – peaceful change in government,
extremely clean elections, rule of law, you name it – across the board. Time
Magazine named the current leader of Armenia ‘Crusader for Democracy,'”
Krikorian said.

 

Given this
watershed moment in history, Krikorian explained “that’s why we’re asking
for something substantially more. We’re asking for $100 million in economic and
democracy aid to Armenia; we’re asking for $10 million in FMF and IMET; we’re
asking for $20 million because Armenia has resettled [Christians at risk] from
Syria and the Middle East and given them a safe haven; and finally we are
asking for $25 million for the benefit of Nagorno Karabakh, just one of the
places where The Halo Trust works, but has also been a model of democracy in
the region,” he stated.

 

The
Assembly’s written testimony also discussed the need for aid given Turkey and
Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockades of Armenia and Artsakh, the need to fully
enforce Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, as well as targeted assistance
for economic development and job-creation programs in the Samtskhe-Javakheti
region of Georgia. The Armenian Assembly’s submitted testimony for FY 2020 is
available here.

 

In addition
to Krikorian, other witnesses who testified today included the American Bar
Association (ABA), the Asia Foundation, The HALO Trust, and the International
Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), among others. Krikorian picked up on a
question raised by Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL) about democracy
backsliding, what the United States can do about corruption, and how it can
help.

 

“First
of all, reward people who have made progress towards democracy. And second of
all, when it comes to corruption, I think the United States has to look at
whether examples are made of corrupt individuals. They targeted high profile
people who were corrupt and they went after them. The United States still uses
that philosophy successfully. The fact that we write and laws when judges
themselves can be corrupt is completely counterproductive,” Krikorian
said. “In our experience, going after people, even if it’s years later, to
say that ‘you cannot get away with this, there will be consequences, the Rule
of Law will apply’ is the best approach. And I would expect that if countries
were analyzed based on that – which it doesn’t always have to be punitive, it
can also be forms of a reconciliation type of process where people acknowledge
what they’ve taken and give it back – I think might be a good metric for this
Committee and the United States to start using,” he added.

 

Krikorian
welcomed the recent announcement that the Department of Justice is going to more
actively enforce the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA). He pointed out that
the last organization scheduled to testify has been clearly identified as one
that benefits from corrupt funds from a foreign government – Azerbaijan – and
has not reported it under the foreign agent registration act, nor has it
reported under Congress’ lobbying laws.

 

Krikorian’s
panel included The HALO Trust, whose humanitarian work in the South Caucasus
has saved lives from being lost needlessly, and especially considering the
pressure Azerbaijan has put to stop that demining work in Artsakh. Krikorian
began his testimony paying respects to The HALO Trust and its Board Chair
Anastasia Staten who lost three of its members last year while conducting
demining activities. He stated that the Armenian Assembly fully supports their
request for U.S. aid so they can continue the critical work they do in the
region, adding that the Assembly has also raised funds privately to help in
landmine clearance efforts.  “I
think this Committee can do a world of good if it removes restrictions on U.S.
aid to them, removing mines based on artificial Soviet borders,” Krikorian
said.

 

“We
applaud the Subcommittee for holding today’s important hearing, and greatly
appreciate Chairwoman Nita Lowey’s leadership and steadfast support for Armenia
and Artsakh,” Krikorian stated.

 

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of
America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting
public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

 

###

 

NR#
2019-010

 

Available here:

 

Photo
Caption 1: Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Van
Krikorian Testifying Before Congress



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thumbnail_Van Testimony 2.jpg
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Memorial service to be delivered at St. Gayane Church of Etchmiadzin for Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Mutafyan

Chakrian Hovsep

Memorial service to be delivered at St. Gayane Church of Etchmiadzin for Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Mutafyan

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10:48, 9 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II will deliver memorial service for Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Archbishop Mesrop Mutafyan at St. Gayane Church of Etchmiadzin on March 10, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Facebook page of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Memorial services will be held also in the principal Churches of the dioceses.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan