Author: Edgar Tavakalian

OSCE Special Representative in Armenia

Edgar Tavakalian
  • 17:42 | September 29,2017 | Official
  • Armenian:

On September 29, the RA NA Speaker Ara Babloyan received the OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus Kristian Vigenin.

Ara Babloyan welcomed Kristian Vigenin’s visit to Armenia, highlighting it within the framework of the visit to the South Caucasus countries. The RA NA Speaker expressed conviction that the OSCE representatives’ visits to the region would give an opportunity to get acquainted with the regional problems, and get an unbiased picture about them. In Ara Babloyan’s word, Armenia supports the OSCE position and called on his all colleagues to act according to the OSCE principles and international norms. The RA NA Speaker expressed regret that the OSCE Office terminated its activities in Yerevan, expressing hope that the organisation would find new ways for closely contacting and cooperating.

Touching upon the NK conflict settlement, the RA NA Speaker reaffirmed the position of Armenia, noting: “To us human being is a greatest value: everything is created around human being. The protection of human rights is also important. As a doctor, who has fought for saving the human lives, I am equally sorry for the young people from the both Armenian and Azerbaijani sides.”

The RA NA Speaker highlighted the right of the human beings to live secure and in peace, opining that the two peoples would like to establish peace and not to have victims on the line of contact. According to the RA NA Speaker, the NK conflict should be observed not only with respect of the regional, but also the human rights view, honouring Artsakh people’s right to self-determination and to live free.

Touching upon the ongoing reforms in Armenia, Ara Babloyan has noted that Armenia is the bearer of the European values, and ready to negotiate and have dialogues over the problems of the region.

The RA NA Speaker has noted that Armenia is ready to continue the cooperation with the OSCE and reopen the Office in Yerevan.

Kristian Vigenin thanked Ara Babloyan for the reception and also expressed regret with the relation to terminating the activities of the OSCE Offices. Mr Vigenin highly assessed the activities of the RA NA Delegation in the OSCE PA.

In the word of the OSCE PA Special Representative, the goal of his mission is to promote the dialogue between the countries of the region, the establishment and preservation of peace. He highlighted the role of the parliamentary diplomacy in the solution of the conflicts.

According to Mr Vigenin, the conflicts shall be solved through peaceful means, because not only the countries, but also the ordinary citizens pay high price for them.

Regarding the ongoing reforms in Armenia, Kristian Vigenin has noted that one of his goals must be to make Armenia recognizable not only by the NK conflict, but also as a country, where there is democratic progress, and constitutional reforms have been held.

At the end of the meeting Kristian Vigenin expressed hope that in the course of time it would be possible to restore the OSCE presence in Armenia, noting: “It will be fine to be created a situation, where it will not be necessary to have the OSCE presence in the region.”

The delegation of the All-Armenian Society of Architects and Engineers visited the Ministry of Diaspora

Edgar Tavakalian 
Please find the attached press release of the Ministry of Diaspora.
Sincerely,
Media and PR Department:
( 374 10) 585601, internal 805
----------------------
Sincerely
Department of Press and Public Relations
( 374 10) 585601, extension 805


351 RA Minister of Diaspora welcomed the delegation of the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers.docx
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Film: Jivan Avetisyan’s ‘The Last Inhabitant’ screened at Venice Film Festival

Edgar Tavakalian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 9 2017

Armenian filmmaker Jivan Avetisyan’s “The Last Inhabitant” was screened on September 5 at the Venice Production Bridge of the Venice International Film Festival in Italy.

As the Fish Eye Art Cultural Foundation reported in a release, the film screening was held at the initiative of the organization’s Italian partner Blue Knowledge Association and personally its Director Orietta Trevisanato Zampieri. The event was carried out under the high patronage and with the direct participation of Luca Zaia, Veneto Governor (Administrative center – Venice).

According to the source, film director Jivan Avetisyan, co-producer Kestutis Drazdauskas, Executive Producer Adrineh Mirzayan and lead actress Sandra Daukšaitė-Petrulėnė were present at the film presentation.

The film screening was attended by public, culture figures, representatives of the film industry, distributors and sale agents.

The screening was followed by a cocktail party, during which the attendees shared their impressions on the film, expressing highly positive views.

“The Venice Film Festival is one of the unique events which evaluates the arthouse films, accepts and attaches importance to the films telling about human destinies, and it is not accidental that “The Last Inhabitant” gained an opportunity to be shown on the sidelines of an Italian film festival, under the aegis of the Veneto Governor, Luca Zaia. The first emotions I experienced are incredible. I am happy that my film, which I also consider as the film of the entire Armenian nation, lives beyond the Armenian borders and successfully presents itself at such prestigious film festivals. I hope the film screening will prompt the continuity of the Armenian-Italian cooperation, with the film to be also screened at the Italian cinemas.  We have great expectations,” the foundation quoted Jivan Avetisyan as saying.

The film crew also highlighted “The Last Inhabitant” as an international production. Executive Producer Adrineh Mirzayan underscored the role of the Diaspora in supporting the production of such Armenian films.

To remind, the film depicts the life in an Armenian village, evicted in the result of the Karabakh conflict. Abgar, the main character, stays behind all alone in a gradually shrinking enemy ring. He is waiting for his daughter, who has become a witness to her husband’s murder by an angry mob and was hospitalized with a mental disorder. An Azerbaijani named Ibrahim, for finding and bringing Abgar’s daughter, suggest that he work on the construction of a mosque. A few days later, Ibrahim finds the girl, named Yurga, in one of the psychiatric hospitals of Baku and brings her to Abgar.

422 babies born in Yerevan in one week

Edgar Tavakalian
  • 17:37 | September 5,2017 | Social
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

Over 422 babies, including 224 boys and 198 girls, were born in Yerevan from 25 to 31 August.

Overall, 34747 people applied to medical institutions subordinated to the Yerevan Municipality during the reporting period.

Art: Polish culture program features works by Armenian photographer

Edgar Tavakalian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 4 2017

The Białystok city culture center hosted the solemn opening ceremony of personal photographer of the Armenian President Davit Hakobyan’s personal photo exhibition called “Memories of the Road”. The event was organized within the state program “The Culture of the East” initiated by the Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. 

Among the participants of the opening ceremony were Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Poland Edgar Ghazaryan and Deputy Mayor of Białystok Rafal Rudnitsky who delivered welcome speeches.

As the organizers of the exhibition inform, Ambassador Ghazaryan presented the professional career of the photographer, adding the exhibition, that showcases the photos taken during the foreign visits of the Armenian President as well as unique attractions of Armenia, has been organized in number of Polish cities. 

The Ambassador thanked the Białystok authorities for including the exhibition in the culture program and the opportunity for the city residents to get familiarized with the photographer’s works.

Taking the opportunity, the Ambassador has called on the guests to visit Armenia and admire beauties of Armenian nature and the warm hospitality of the Armenian people.

Public defender into case of “Sasna Dzrer” considers Judge’s decision illegal

Edgar Tavakalian
  • 15:45 | August 31,2017 | Politics
  • Armenian:

14:15 After the break members of “Sasna Dzrer” group were brought to the Courtroom. Artush Gabrielyan refused Sergey Kyureghyan’s mediation for the withdrawal of the judge.

Artush Gabrielyan asked Kyureghyan whether he agrees that his interests are presented in the Court by Liana Gasparyan. Kyureghyan claimed that he has several more mediations to be presented and refused to be present at the court hearing without presenting them. Sergey Kyureghyan was removed from the hall. Judge Artush Gabrielyan involved Liana Gasparyan into the case without the agreement of Kyureghyan. The latter considered the Judge’s decision to be illegal and announced that it is mandatory to take Kyureghyan’s opinion into account.

Liana Gasparyan was proposed also as a lawyer of Torosyan. The latter didn’t express viewpoint and was removed from the hall. Liana Gasparyan was involved into the case as Sergey Kyureghyan’s lawyer.

13:08 The court hearing into the case of 18 members of “Sasna Dzrer” group continues at the Court of General Jurisdiction of Avan and Nor Nork Administrative districts.

Members of “Sasna Dzrer” group were brought to the Court.

Judge Artush Gabrielyan asked Sergey Kyureghyan whether he wants public defender Liana Gasparyan be involved in the case.

Kyureghyan said, “I present the mediation for your withdrawal.”

Everybody joined Kyureghyan’s mediation.

Judge Gabrielyan went to the consultation room for making a decision.

Music: Listen To The Lebanese Parody And Mashup Of Mi Gna!

Edgar Tavakalian
The 961, Lebanon

Aug 13 2017


Grace H., 2:07 pm



A few weeks ago, Despacito was the hit song in Lebanon.

Just when the world agreed that we have had enough of it, a café/restaurant called Despacito opened in Sodeco.

Also, Fouad Yammine parodied the song. In the Lebanese version of Despacito, Yammine is complaining about a couple who always avoid paying the bill.

Now, there is another song that is taking Lebanon by storm, and that is Mi Gna. In fact, the Armenian song has reached over 77 million views on YouTube.

A Lebanese person named Samer Richa parodied Mi Gna and added a Lebanese touch to it!

A Lebanese singer named Rachelle Kiame performed an Arabic mashup of Mi Gna. The song is called “Mi Gna / Kif Badak 3ani Tghib”.

Watch the videos at class=”m_-8038815534769872717gmail-g1-row m_-8038815534769872717gmail-g1-row-layout-page”>

What is Russia’s next step?

Edgar Tavakalian
Aravot, Armenia

The consequences of 25-year-obedience

Bible says: in the beginning was the Word. That is the speech. That is the language. And if in the beginning were speech and language, then those are more powerful than anything else. This is the reason Russia, who stubbornly and gradually has been depriving Armenia of the sovereign state components of the Third Republic over the past 25 years, wants to deprive us from the most powerful components: the speech and the language.

The Armenian economy has long been controlled by Russia. And even if there are separate non-Russian economic units, anyway the energy system (gas, electricity) belongs to Russia, which implies a severe limit to the economic unit’s ability to make independent decisions.

Armenia’s levers of political decisions are also in the hands of Russia. Soon, after the compulsory procedures are over, Russia will have leverage to influence the RA Armed Forces as well. It is about the Armenian-Russian joint military unit. With the participation of Russian troops in the Armenian Army parades on the Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia, Russia has shown its influence in the Armenian army. The creation of a joint military unit gives a serious legal basis for that influence. So, this is a painful reality for Armenia: our economy is not ours, we do not decide for our policy, we are not the only ones who make decisions in our armed forces. There are only the speech and the language, that still belong to us on the state level, which is being distorted on TV, on billboards and signboards, but anyway it’s ours.

And Russia, who stubbornly and gradually has been depriving Armenia of the sovereign state components of the Third Republic over the past 25 years, has understood why Armenia still exists after all. Because the most powerful components still belong to Armenia: the speech and the language. And it is not surprising that Russia is trying to seize this powerful “weapon”. The surprising aspect is the pride of our authorities who claim that the proposal to make Russian as a state-official language is unacceptable. And no one says why we are so weak that they make such an obscure offer to us.

For example, in Australia there are communities where the immigrant receives additional points for residence certificate if, besides English, he is also fluent in Armenian, Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian and Estonian. But Russian officials do not think of proposing Australia to make Russian as official language. And such a proposal is made to Armenia, because today the officials who defend the last constituent of our sovereignty have done nothing, when Russia considered the rigged elections for 25 years as legitimate, has sold weapons for billion dollars to Azerbaijan, has seized the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, raised the price of Russian natural gas supplied to Armenia.

They do nothing even after becoming a member of EAEU by the compulsion of the Russian Federation and their silent obedience, whereas the provisions of the EAEU contract stipulate that Russia is obliged to reduce the price of gas supplied to Armenia by 30%.

Our officials did not do anything when the Russians sent the young man with suspicious behaviour to Gyumri to serve, and so on. For example, if some day Russia decides that in its interests Armenia should become a member of the “Islamic Cooperation” organization, should we again obey like in last 25 years? It is regrettable that the Armenian opposition forces are not always consistent in their opposition to Russia either, and in some cases, they are more pro-Russian than the authorities. Evidence is the opposition’s stance on ratifying the EAEU membership agreement. In this sense, the position of today’s parliamentary opposition is not encouraging either. The lack of a unified position of the parliamentary opposition on the EAEU is more than vivid.

Russia also sees this and increases its appetite. But unfortunately, our authorities “do not see” Russia’s growing appetite and do not make conclusions. Our chess-lover and chess-wise officials are not trying to understand what will the next step of Russia be.

Mushegh Ishkhan said, “The Armenian language is Armenians’ home”. The flourishing corruption and injustice in Armenia “sponsored” by Russia has given birth to emigration which is emptying the country. But not everyone leaves. And now the Russian state, seeing that there are still home keepers, tries to simply eliminate the main pillar of that house, the Armenian language.

Nelly GRIGORYAN


AGBU Armenia Launches EU-Funded BRIDGE4CSOs Program

Edgar Tavakalian 
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, 
AGBU ARMENIA LAUNCHES EU-FUNDED BRIDGE4CSOs PROGRAM
NEW PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY WILL ENGAGE DIASPORA EXPERTISE TO HELP 
ARMENIAN NON-PROFITS PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES
On June 26, AGBU Armenia officially launched its BRIDGE4CSOs program 
implemented in collaboration with the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and 
financed by the European Union. The three-year, 2.2 million euro program aims 
to help Armenian civil society organizations (CSOs) enhance their skills and 
deepen their knowledge by tapping into the expertise of the diaspora.
With more than 5,000 NGOs registered in Armenia, the lack of funding along with 
the lack of professional skills often hinder the sustainability of the 
non-profit sector, leaving many CSOs inactive. Charities, associations, CSOs, 
and foundations address the needs of the citizens in many different areas, 
ranging from education and youth and women empowerment to culture and health. 
BRIDGE's main goal is to strengthen the capacity of the Armenian nonprofit 
sector to effectively contribute to decision-making processes in Armenia and to 
better respond to citizen's needs. 
The program started by building a database of CSOs and conducting their needs 
assessments. The more than 200 Armenian non-profits and experts surveyed have 
stated that they are more and more willing to acquire new skills and better 
knowledge. This is where BRIDGE truly helps by providing funding and expertise, 
and finding the most relevant pro bono consultants from the diaspora to help 
local organizations on a specific project or task.
As the first step in the program's implementation, BRIDGE4CSOs conducted 
sector-related professional needs assessments of more than 200 Armenian 
non-profits and experts working in the fields of education, healthcare, art and 
culture, sports, youth and gender issues. The research findings revealed that 
Armenian CSOs are willing to become more professional, and believe that 
peer-to-peer trainings, on-site consultations and coaching are among the most 
efficient methods to improve their skills. Most of the CSOs also consider 
social entrepreneurship as key to self-sustainability and are looking for more 
opportunities to form networks and consortia to experience exchange and to 
build links with overseas organizations working in the same area.
Through the program, Armenian CSOs will have the opportunity to participate in 
thematic trainings and a university-based, non-profit management certificate 
program; benefit from free consultations; and apply for small grants. 
''Bringing the expertise of diaspora Armenians to Armenian CSOs is a win-win 
situation for all," said head of the EU Delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Piotr 
Świtalski.
 "As a global Armenian organization, AGBU is committed to strengthening civil 
society in Armenia by shaping its resilience, sustainability and impact," said 
Vasken Yacoubian, President of AGBU Armenia.
A unique component of the program is the engagement of diaspora talent and 
potential in the development of the Armenian non-profit sector. "Through our 
program, any qualified individual can be a consultant, become a board member of 
a local organization, conduct a specific training or workshop, become a 
supporter of a non-profit's projects and thus contribute to diaspora 
involvement in advancing Armenian civil society," said Arsen Stepanyan, the 
team leader of the BRIDGE4CSOs program.
A free, web-based Together4Armenia.am platform, jointly managed by AGBU Armenia 
and UNICEF in Armenia, will allow for the transfer of knowledge and skills from 
a network of experts based in the diaspora. Experts and CSOs can register on 
this platform, and the BRIDGE4CSOs team will then match them. BRIDGE4CSOs is 
not limited to three years as it intends to enact a new approach to linking 
Armenia and the diaspora. A tool for change-making in the long term, the 
program expects to turn a new page for the Armenian world at large with EU 
support.
For more information on BRIDGE4CSOs project, please visit 
 .
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest non-profit 
Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and 
promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and 
humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians 
around the world.
 
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit 
www.agbu.org.

Karabakh MOD: Defense army is ready to take offensive actions if needed

Edgar Tavakalian
news.am, Armenia

Karabakh MOD: Defense army is ready to take offensive actions if needed
13:43, 12.07.2017

STEPANAKERT. – The Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) Defense Minister and Defense Army Commander, Levon Mnatsakanyan, on Wednesday received a group of MPs from the National Assembly of Armenia.

At their request, he reflected on the military actions that occurred in April of the year past, and assessed them as Azerbaijan’s massive attack against Artsakh, the NKR Ministry of Defense informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Subsequently, Mnatsakanyan spoke about the activities being carried out since these hostilities.

And assessing the present-day situation at the frontline as stably controlled, he assured that the Artsakh defense army is capable of responding adequately to the adversary’s provocations and ready to also take offensive actions consistent with the situation.