Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

PRESS RELEASE-Dr. Bruce Boghosian Appointed AUA President

July 19, 2023March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

Dr. Bruce Boghosian Appointed AUA President

YEREVAN, Armenia — After a meticulous and intensive search process, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Bruce Boghosian as the next University President, effective September 1, 2023.

Dr. Bruce Boghosian was selected by the Board of Trustees from a deep, diverse, and excellent pool. Currently a professor in the Department of Mathematics at Tufts University with secondary appointments in the Departments of Computer Science and Physics, he previously served as President of AUA from 2010 to 2014, leading the University through rapid expansion, including the creation of undergraduate programs. He received the “Order of the Republic of Armenia,” awarded by the Prime Minister, for his service as president and continued to be involved in the AUA community following his departure, including attending graduation ceremonies, and collaborating with faculty on different projects and initiatives.

An award-winning teacher, Dr. Boghosian has been a professor at Tufts University since 2000. He has served in a variety of leadership roles at Tufts, including Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Co-Director of the Master of Arts Program in Data Analytics. He was elected to Fellowship in the American Physical Society in 2000 and named a Distinguished Scholar of Tufts University in 2010, a Fellow of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life in 2018, and a Fellow of Tufts’ Data Intensive Studies Center in 2019.

Dr. Boghosian earned his degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California, Davis, including a Bachelor of Science in physics, a Master of Science in nuclear engineering, and a Ph.D. in applied science and engineering. His research spans the areas of applied dynamical systems, applied probability theory, kinetic theory, mathematical models of the economy, and complex systems science, among others.

Chair of the AUA Board of Trustees Dr. Lawrence Pitts is delighted to welcome Dr. Boghosian back to AUA. “The University is expanding its facilities and student body to help Armenia meet its needs for growth and prosperity,” he said. “The AUA Board believes that Dr. Boghosian is ideally suited to help us achieve AUA’s expansion and to guide and enhance AUA’s excellent education of its students. There is much to do, and Dr. Boghosian’s love for and commitment to Armenia and his extensive background in higher education make him the right person for this position.”

Since December, the leadership has been occupied by Interim President Dr. Der Kiureghian, who graciously accepted the temporary role following the resignation of Dr. Karin Markides. His prior experience as AUA President from 2014 to 2019 allowed him to deftly steward the University through a critical period of transition, allowing the Board of Trustees the time and latitude necessary to successfully search for a new President.

“The AUA Board of Trustees and indeed the entire AUA community are endlessly grateful to Dr. Der Kiureghian for stepping in again as the University’s President on short notice,” said Dr. Pitts. “His experience and dedication has allowed AUA to continue to grow and function exceedingly well while we appointed Dr. Boghosian. Thank you, Armen, for your dedicated service to AUA.”

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

—

Narek Ghazaryan| Chief Communications Officer (CCO)

+374 60 612 513

narek.ghazaryan@

__________________________________________

40 Baghramyan Avenue, Yerevan 0019, Republic of Armenia

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Azerbaijan again falsely accuses Armenia of opening gunfire on border in ongoing disinformation campaign

July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 Emil Lazarian

09:19,

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has again falsely accused Armenia of opening cross-border gunfire at its military positions.

In a statement released on July 18, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia denied opening fire at Azerbaijani military positions overnight July 17-18 and said that the allegation is a disinformation.

The statement released by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan alleging that the units of the Armed Forces of Armenia opened gunfire overnight July 17-18 at Azerbaijani positions deployed in the eastern and south-western parts of the border line ‘does not correspond to reality’, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said in the statement.

Culture Moves Europe: applicants from Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine selected for individual mobility programme

July 19, 2023March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

One Armenian, 23 Georgian and 107 Ukrainian applicants have been selected in the first call for individual mobility to implement their cultural mobility projects travelling to another Creative Europe country. Four of the selected Ukrainian applicants are virtual projects.

A total of 1,800 applicants from 40 countries were selected in this call. The overall number of beneficiaries is relatively proportionate to the size of the countries’ population.

Beneficiaries selected 38 countries in which to implement their projects and the most popular mobility destinations were Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

The most popular sectors are visual (34.15%) and performing arts (24.72%), and music (20.97%).

The new rolling call for individual mobility of artists and cultural professionals will open in October 2023.

Culture Moves Europe provides mobility grants for artists and cultural professionals in all 40 Creative Europe countries. It covers the sectors of architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, literary translation, music, performing arts and visual arts. Funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, Culture Moves Europe is implemented by the Goethe-Institut.

Find out more

Press release

https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/culture-moves-europe-applicants-from-armenia-georgia-and-ukraine-selected-for-individual-mobility-programme/

Austria’s FM Schallenberg and his Armenian counterpart Mirzoyan discussed migration and regional security

July 19, 2023March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

European Interest

By European Interest

–

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Vienna on . The occasion of the meeting was the signing of the implementation protocol on the readmission agreement between Armenia and the EU. Additionally, the regional security situation in the South Caucasus was at the center of their discussions.

The signing of the implementation protocol on the readmission agreement is an important step that further underscores the already strong relations between the two countries. The changing migration routes and countries of origin in recent years have demonstrated the importance of establishing a solid framework for readmissions before issues arise.

“With this implementation protocol, we have a clear roadmap, clear guidelines, and standards for how we proceed. Not that there is a problem between Armenia and Austria, but it is a topic of great importance to us. Austria receives a high number of asylum seekers, and without readmissions, there can be no functioning European migration system,” explained FM Schallenberg, emphasizing the significance of the agreement.

During the working meeting, the two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional security, particularly the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Recently, there have been talks mediated by the EU and the United States between Armenia and Azerbaijan that have raised hopes for an easing of tensions. Austria has previously advocated strongly for a civilian EU mission in Armenia to support the path towards stability and security. Despite the rightful focus on Ukraine, other potential hotspots must not be overlooked.

“I am grateful for the strong commitment of the EU and the talks in Washington. It is going in the right direction and I hope that one day there will be a sustainable peace agreement. However, there are still many open questions that need to be discussed. Among them, there is a humanitarian concern that greatly worries us – the blockade of the Lachin corridor. This blockade must end!”, stated FM Schallenberg after the meeting.

Furthermore, the relations between Armenia and other neighbouring countries, particularly Russia and Turkey, were also addressed. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg expressed significant concern regarding Russia’s growing influence in Armenia. He also emphasized that Vienna is of course available as a venue for talks on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey. Vienna has proven itself in the past as a center for dialogue and diplomacy. Additionally, Foreign Minister Schallenberg highlighted the important role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), based in Vienna, in relation to security in the Caucasus and beyond.

https://www.europeaninterest.eu/article/austrias-fm-schallenberg-and-his-armenian-counterpart-mirzoyan-discussed-migration-and-regional-security/

Mirzoyan: Now it is time to continue Armenian-Turkish normalization process

July 19, 2023March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

Armenia –

Mirzoyan: Now it is time to continue Armenian-Turkish

normalization process

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that there was a pause in the Armenian-Turkish normalization process.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his Austrian counterpart in Vienna on July 18, Ararat Mirzoyan voiced opinion that this pause is due to the electoral campaign and elections in Turkey.

“Now it is time to continue the talks on the normalization, and there are very concrete steps that already can be implemented by both sides to make sure that we are on the right track and the things are moving towards the final, comprehensive and holistic normalization of relations, opening the border between the two countries and establishing diplomatic relations. And here, of course, I primarily speak about opening the border between Armenia and Turkey for third country nationals, but also Armenian and Turkish nationals with diplomatic passports, and there are some other projects which are being discussed as well,” Mirzoyan said.

Vardanyan: EU legitimizing Karabakh blockade

July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 Emil Lazarian

Armenia –

– 11:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian-Armenian billionaire Ruben Vardanyan believes that byy endorsing Azerbaijan’s proposal to utilize the road through Aghdam, President of the European Council Charles Michel lends legitimacy to the blockade of Artsakh.

“Consequently, rather than resolving the existing problems, the mediators may inadvertently contribute to the emergence of new ones,” Vardanyan said on Twitter on Tuesday, July 18.

“The adoption of Azerbaijani terminology by the EU could serve as a justification for Aliye’s regime to undertake additional criminal actions against the Armenians of Artsakh. Another significant concern arises when the EU, which prides itself on democratic values, supports autocratic Azerbaijan in its endeavors, thereby inadvertently endorsing a policy of ethnic cleansing and the forcible displacement of Artsakh Armenians from their ancestral lands.”

Azerbaijan has been speaking of using the Aghdam-Stepanakert road to provide supplies to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).

The matter was first raised by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, who said on July 15 that Azerbaijan was “willing” to supply humanitarian goods to Karabakh via said road.

https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/308643/Vardanyan_EU_legitimizing_Karabakh_blockade

Armenian TV regulator pulls six channels off air for missing broadcast fees

July 19, 2023March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

ByAni Avetisyan

US nuclear-armed submarine making port call in South Korea’s Busan for first time in decades

July 19, 2023March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

16:25,

YEREVAN, 18 JULY, ARMENPRESS: For the first time in decades, a US Navy nuclear-armed submarine has arrived in the port of Busan, South Korea, Kurt Campbell, coordinator for the Indo-Pacific at the US National Security Council, told reporters at a briefing in Seoul․

He noted that the move was intended to demonstrate Washington’s commitment to agreements with Seoul regarding extended Korean deterrence.

Campbell participated in the first session of the Korea-US nuclear planning advisory group in Seoul. The parties discussed intelligence sharing on North Korea and the topic of nuclear deterrence.

The President of the United States Joe Biden and the President of Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, adopted the Washington Declaration in April, which listed a number of steps to upgrade extended deterrence. Within its framework, regular visits of American nuclear ballistic missile submarine, aircraft carriers to the Republic of Korea, as well as flights of American bomber aircrafts are planned.

On June 16, an American nuclear submarine armed with “Tomahawk” cruise missiles arrived at the port of Busan.

US and South Korean navies have conducted special operations training exercises.

Russia Summons Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Discuss Lachin Corridor Issue

July 19, 2023March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

by Asbarez Staff

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Azerbaijan installed a concrete barrier on the Lachin Corridor on June 22

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Moscow Polad Bulbuloglu on Monday to discuss what the ministry called “the situation in South Caucasus, as well as the reconciliation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

“The Russian side reaffirmed the need for the complete and immediate unblocking of Lachin Corridor and restoration of transport connection in two directions, in accordance with the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement, as well as the need for creating conditions for the normal livelihood of Nagorno Karabakh,” read a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The parties also discussed Azerbaijan’s strong reaction to a recent statement by the Russian foreign ministry. Azerbaijan criticized Russia for what it described as associating its territorial integrity with the statements made by the Armenian Prime Minister on recognizing the Azerbaijani territorial integrity, which, according to Baku, contradicts the Moscow-Baku partnership agreement.

The Azerbaijani foreign ministry hit back at Moscow on Monday and refused to lift the now seven-month-old blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

“Regarding the inappropriate comments by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement on July 15, it was emphasized that the Russian Federation has always respected the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan and is fully committed to the spirit and letter of the bilateral statement on allied cooperation. At the same time, this doesn’t eliminate the issue of comprehensively promoting the Armenian-Azerbaijan normalization process and resolving all issues on the agenda, including the issues of ensuring the rights and security of the population of Nagorno Karabakh, with exclusively peaceful political-diplomatic methods,” the Russian foreign ministry said.

Moscow also expressed readiness to organize a trilateral foreign ministerial meeting to discuss the implementation of high-level agreements, the draft peace treaty, which will then be followed by “a summit of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan for signing the aforementioned document.”

Armenpress: Diversified cooperation, not a fundamental change of security system – analyst on Armenia-United States defense ties

July 19, 2023March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

09:16,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Armenia-United States military cooperation has a history of many years and isn’t a new thing in principle, and taking into account Defense Minister Suren Papikyan’s recent visit to France, it is obvious that Yerevan seeks to obtain guarantees from its Western partners regarding both its security system and deepening the cooperation and finding alternative options in the defense area in order to withstand existing challenges, according to military-political analyst Davit Harutyunov.

Harutyunov spoke to ARMENPRESS on the cooperation between Armenia and the United States in the defense area.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan visited Washington D.C., on July 17-18 and participated in the conference dedicated to the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program’s 30th Anniversary.
Throughout the event, meetings were held with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel R. Hokanson, the Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, United States European Command, Major General Daniel Lasica, and the Adjutant General, Commander of Kansas National Guard, Brigadier General Michael T. Venerdi.
During the meetings, the current status and prospects for the development of the Armenia-Kansas partnership within the framework of the program and a number of issues related to bilateral cooperation with the United States were discussed.

“It’s clear what Armenia seeks, because our security system is experiencing a certain crisis in terms of external guarantees due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and Russia’s preoccupation with it. Nonetheless, cooperation with the United States is still limited due to objective reasons. In general, it’s a difficult process, and thus far no guarantees that the West could provide are visible. This is more about a diversified cooperation and not a fundamental change of Armenia’s security system,” Harutyunov said.

According to the analyst, the cooperation basically relates to the modification of the security system, encompassing the working experience of the past 20-30 years. Despite the West’s increasing weight in the recent period, Armenia still doesn’t have the necessary resources for any fundamental changes, Harutyunov said.

“The United States clearly understands that Armenia is closely integrated with the CSTO and has more comprehensive ties with Russia in the security field, therefore changing something at once would be simply impossible. But on the other hand this is a secondary circumstance, because some of the other CSTO members are rather effectively cooperating with the United States itself, and being a member of the CSTO isn’t a disruptive factor at all. Nevertheless, South Caucasus isn’t a priority region for the United States, and Washington doesn’t view South Caucasian countries to be a constituent part of its security system,” he added.

Some believe that closer integration with the West could open a new front against Russia in our region, Harutyunov noted.

Furthermore, Harutyunov said that integration would require huge resources which are now scarce because of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and noted other factors such as East Asia and China. Moreover, closer cooperation with Armenia could cause Turkey’s discontent because Turkey is in a higher position than Armenia for the United States.

“In our case, changing the security system and the military arsenal would definitely imply rather serious resources and funds. In a best case scenario, we could speak about buying limited, individual elements of Western production and integrating them into our system, just like in the case of Indian-made armaments. Theoretically, the American side could provide us with a variety of armaments, but that equipment is very expensive. We don’t have the necessary resources for acquiring the kind of systems they have. And after all, the American military industrial complex is first of all supporting its allies,” Harutyunov said.

The analyst explained that the Armenian-American military cooperation is generally developing within the framework of the programs as part of NATO, as well as in the context of structural reforms in the Armenian Ministry of Defense, trainings of specialists, partnership between the two militaries, as well as involvement in peacekeeping missions.

Interview by Manvel Margaryan