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

Russian MFA: The West wishes to “embroil” Armenia and Russia

Emil Lazarian

Armenia – March 20 2023

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Moscow attaches great importance to the upcoming talks today between the Russian and Armenian foreign ministers "against the backdrop of shameless attempts by Western countries to embroil our states and undermine the security architecture that is being built in the region.”

This is stated in the news release issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry ahead of the visit of the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to Moscow today.

 

The document states that “one of Russia’s foreign policy priorities in the South Caucasus is to promote the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in accordance with trilateral agreements at the highest level.”

 

“The most important direction of Russian efforts is the unblocking of transport communications in the region. Together with the Armenian and Azerbaijani partners, within the framework of the trilateral working group co-chaired by the vice-premiers, a package of specific infrastructure projects is being agreed upon, which will allow establishing rail and road communications and will also contribute to the resumption of economic ties.

 

We stand for the continuation of the work of the bilateral commission on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border. The launch of the delimitation process is intended to contribute to the cessation of border incidents. Russia will provide the necessary advisory assistance at the request of the parties.

 

The preparation of a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku is designed to reinforce the basic principles of relations, lay the foundations for mutually beneficial cooperation in the long term. Moscow is ready to contribute in every possible way to this extremely important process in the interests of regional stability,” the news release reads.

Armenia counting on Russia’s role to ensure safety of Karabakh population — top diplomat

Emil Lazarian
 TASS 
Russia – March 20 2023
Earlier, an EU civilian monitoring mission began its work in the border areas at Yerevan’s invitation

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Armenia is counting on Russia’s participation in ensuring the security of the Nagorno-Karabakh population, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said at a news conference with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow on Monday.

"Without in any way downplaying the role of our Russian partners in the process of establishing a ceasefire in 2020, as well as the role of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, including in preventing a humanitarian disaster after the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the emerging situation demonstrates the need for mechanisms to guarantee the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, and for international participation in them," the top diplomat said.

"It is necessary to employ international mechanisms for the prevention of genocide, as well as to dispatch an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh. We are hoping for cooperation with the Russian side on this issue," he added.

Earlier, an EU civilian monitoring mission began its work in the border areas at Yerevan’s invitation. At that time, the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Yerevan preferred to opt for the EU, without allowing the work being done on the track pursued by the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s mission in the region to come to its logical conclusion. On February 20, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that Moscow saw the EU civilian mission in Armenia as having exclusively geopolitical motives, far removed from the interests of normalization in the South Caucasus, and as an attempt to squeeze Russia out of the region.

Later, Yerevan came out in favor of dispatching an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Valley’s Armenia: Telethon for Syria

Emil Lazarian
Your Central Valley, CA
March 28 2023


by: Dom McAndrew


FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE) – A multi-year medical mission to Armenia has been providing free medical care to poverty-stricken families in the country, care that families can’t afford and would not otherwise receive.

Later this month, the mission will shift course to the Lebanese capital Beirut: home to more than 2 million people including approximately 150,000 Armenians.

On Friday, 24 members of the medical mission team of local doctors will leave Fresno for Beirut. Thousands of dollars of essential medical supplies and medications will accompany them – with a portion to be delivered to the Syrian border for survivors of last month’s powerful earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

To help them achieve that goal, you can donate to the cause by clicking here or using your cell phone to open the QR code above.

A telethon organized by KSEE24 will be taking place throughout the day on Tuesday, hosted by evening anchor Stefani Booroojian.

 

Armenian PM felicitates Nowruz to Ayatollah Khamenei, Raeisi

Emil Lazarian
Mehr News Agency
Iran – March 21 2023

TEHRAN, Mar. 21 (MNA) – Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi on the occasion of Nowruz.

The message addressed to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution reads as follows,

"Your Eminence,

I warmly congratulate you and the friendly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the occasion of the Iranian New Year, Nowruz. I wish the coming year to be marked by unique success and peace for our neighbor and friend Iran.

The Armenian-Iranian relations, shaped in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect dating back millennia ago, are of special importance for the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people.

I sincerely hope that in the near future we will witness the expansion of the bilateral multi-layered agenda, which will become a stimulus for the further deepening and growth of our friendly relations, for the benefit of the well-being of the Armenian and Iranian peoples and regional peace.

Taking the opportunity, I wish you plenty of sunshine and lasting prosperity to the people of Iran."

According to Armen Press, the message addressed to the President of Iran reads as follows,

"Your Excellency,

I send my warm and sincere congratulations to you and the friendly people of Iran on the occasion of Nowruz, the beautiful holiday of the awakening of nature. I wish the New Year to be a year of unshakable peace and lasting achievements for the neighboring Islamic Republic of Iran.

The centuries-old rich historical and cultural background of Armenian-Iranian relations is a unique basis for the current friendly atmosphere, multifaceted interaction and warm contacts between Armenian and Iranian friendly peoples.

I can say without hesitation that by continuing the steady path of cooperation, we will give a new rise to the Armenian-Iranian multi-layered agenda in the current year for the benefit of the well-being of our two peoples and states.

Taking the opportunity, I wish you new success and good health, and prosperity and peace to the friendly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

MP/PR

Armenia: AMPTV Launch Eurovision Documentary Series ‘Menk’ Yevratesilum’

Emil Lazarian
EuroVoix
March 21 2023

AMPTV has announced a documentary series launching this week looking back at Armenia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

As Armenia looks ahead to the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, AMPTV has announced a new series looking back at Armenian participation in the competition. ‘Menk’ Yevratesilum‘ will be broadcast every Thursday on Channel One and was filmed in Armenia, Russia and the USA.

Brunette is set to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with “Future Lover”. Brunette is an up-and-coming singer who in 2022 had a hit with “Bac kapuyt achqerd” which has been watched nearly 5 million times on YouTube. The song is among the most played already of the songs competing in Eurovision 2023, with the music video watched over 2 million times in one week.

Armenia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 and has participated every year since, excluding 2012 and 2021. Armenia’s best results came in 2008 and 2014 when they finished 4th in the final. They have failed to qualify for the final on three occasions. The first time was in 2011 when Emmy finished in 12th with “Boom Boom”, she was 1 point away from qualifying for the final. In 2019, Srbuk finished 16th in her semi-final with “Walking Out”, bringing Armenia their worst result to date in the contest.

Rostelecom abandons plans to sell Armenian business unit

Emil Lazarian
Data Center Dynamics
March 21 2023

Instead plans to invest in the subsidiary

March 21, 2023 

By

 

Paul Lipscombe

Instead, Rostelecom plans to invest further in the company.ts Armenian business unit, Rostelecom Armenia (formerly GNC-ALFA).

Instead, Rostelecom plans to invest further in the company.

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It represents a U-turn from the company, which as recently as January had looked likely to sell its subsidiary to Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) in a deal estimated to be worth $25 million.

“There is no issue of selling it anymore, we have decided to develop it actively," said Rostelecom president, Mikhail Oseevsky, as reported by Intel.am.

Rostelecom acquired GNC-Alpha shares back in 2012, taking a 75 percent stake in the company, which was founded in 2007, and provides Internet access, fixed telephony, IP TV, and other services in the country.

In October of last year, Rostelecom revealed it's considering the development of a new data center in Armenia, although there were no further details around location, specifications, or timelines, shared.

The company operates Russian data centers in Moscow, Novosibirsk, St. Petersburg, Udomlya, Yekaterinburg, and Chita. Further facilities are planned in Murmansk.

https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/rostelecom-abandons-plans-to-sell-armenian-business-unit/

IRGC threatens Azerbaijani President for ‘Zionist aggression’ against Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Israel – March 21 2023

Ariel KoganMarch 21, 2023

Such threats to Ilham Aliyev personally are unprecedented

On March 21st, two official IRGC Telegram-channels, Sepah_pasdaran and IRGCQODS Niru-ye Qods channel, posted direct threats to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

According to the posts, the developments in Iran’s northern frontier are very much against Iranian interests, as they indicate that the intentions of Baku – puppeteered of course by the “Zionist regime” – are “for a hostile action against Armenia.” The post says that “the message of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Baku and its supporters is clear: Mr. Aliyev, it will cost you a lot.”

The threatening message begins with an ad hominem argument against Aliyev, claiming his mental state is declining due to “illusions caused by indiscriminate consumption of psychedelics.” The post continues to explain how the Azerbaijani president’s judgment, clouded by the aforementioned illusions, is flawed, and his belief “that by attacking the border areas of Iran and Armenia, it can take control of these areas and by closing the communication route between Iran, Russia and Europe, it will receive concessions from Iran and turned to blackmail.”

The IRGC statement ends with a warning – “In case of (your) stupidity in the Caucasus, even if the whole world calls you brother and all the nuclear states support you, the arrows of the archers of this separated piece of land will sew this land back to the homeland.” This final clear-cut threat is aimed at the whole of Azerbaijan, ensuring the IRGC will personally be overseeing the annexation of Azerbaijani territory in case of a war.

Niru-ye Qods channel adds that “for any Baku's action to change the geopolitical borders, Iran will seek a military response,” while Israel might attack targets in Iran “in defense of its minor adopted son – Baku.”

Such threats to Aliyev personally are unprecedented: never before has any official Iranian body dared to address the Azerbaijani leader like this, especially pointing out his connection to Israel. Several times anti-Semitic caricatures, depicting Aliyev as a stereotypical Jew with a huge hooked nose, were published in the media. This kind of a threat is, naturally, another step towards serious military escalation.

A curious detail to mention is how this IRGC statements puts Armenia on the forefront of the issue. An attack on Armenia is enough of a casus belli for Iran, as both countries have extensive diplomatic and military ties.

“Iran considers the security of Armenia and the region as its own security, and the decision to open the consulate-general in the town of Gafan is the important manifestation that Iran is displaying of the millennia-old relations with the Armenian people,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during the inauguration of the Iranian consulate-general in Gafan in October 2022.

Additionally, Iran sees Armenia as its only trade route to the EU, so it is willing to go to war in order to preserve its land connection and Armenian territorial integrity, including the Armenian-populated enclave in the territory of Azerbaijan itself. 

According to the New Eastern Europe Journal, Iran’s support for the Russian war against Ukraine is being undertaken with the help of Armenia, which is allowing Moscow to evade sanctions through the supply of Iranian drones and missiles via Armenian air space and airports. Iran Air Cargo, a subsidiary of Iran Air, used Yerevan’s Zvartnots International, a civilian airport, for that purpose.

Armenian Church urges UN, EU and world leaders to achieve Azerbaijani compliance with ICJ ruling

Emil Lazarian

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 13:50, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Church has asked the UN, the European Union and world leaders to take action to achieve Azerbaijan’s compliance with the World Court ruling ordering it to open the Lachin Corridor on the 100th day of the blockade.

The Supreme Spiritual Council issued a statement on the 100th day of the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor Blockade:

“It is with deep sadness that we state it is already the 100th day that the authorities of Azerbaijan, with the intensifying manifestations of anti-Armenian policy, have blocked the Berdzor (Lachin) corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia.

The physical and psychological pressures, violence and terrorist acts carried out regularly by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of the Republic of Artsakh deepen the catastrophic humanitarian situation. Contrary to the efforts of the peacekeeping personnel stationed in Artsakh, as a result of the criminal actions of the Azerbaijani authorities, the rights to life, treatment, movement and other fundamental rights of the people – children, women and elderly – are being violated.

We highly appreciate the decision of the International Court of Justice of the United Nations regarding the removal of the blockade of the Berdzor (Lachin) corridor by Azerbaijan. We welcome the urge of the Assembly of the European Parliament urging the authorities of Azerbaijan to implement the decision of the International Court of Justice of the United Nations.

We express our confusion that despite the strong demands of the international community and its competent and influential structures to open the road, the blockade continues to this day. We urge the structures of the UN, the European Parliament and the European Union, heads of state and religious leaders, to achieve the execution of the judgment of the International Court by Azerbaijan with consistent efforts and ensure the safe and normal life of the Artsakh population.

Toleration of such a blatantly disrespectful approach by Azerbaijan to the decision of the International Court of Justice will intensify the humanitarian crisis, will create new dangers for the lives of more than 120,000 people of Artsakh, will create an unforgivable precedent of grossly circumventing the resolution of international courts, at the same time causing a deep disillusionment with international justice.

Our Holy Apostolic Church, having priority over the salvation and safety of human lives, will consistently protect the realization of the right of self-determination of the people of Artsakh, based on the principle of independence for the sake of salvation and safety,” the statement reads.

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. The Lachin Corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022.

The Prime Minister receives the delegation of Germany-South Caucasus Friendship Group

Emil Lazarian

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 19:44, 21 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Today, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the members of the Germany-South Caucasus Friendship Group of the German Bundestag, led by the vice-president of the group Tabea Rößner, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister noted that Armenia attaches importance to the partnership with Germany, and the visit of the Bundestag delegation to Armenia shortly after his visit to Germany on March 2-3 proves that the relations between the two countries are developing dynamically. Referring to his visit to Germany, Nikol Pashinyan assessed it as effective and noted that he returned from Berlin with warm impressions.

According to Tabea Rößner, the visit of the parliamentarians of the Bundestag to Armenia is a manifestation of the continuation of the effective dialogue, within the framework of which they have already had meetings with their parliamentary partners and representatives of the government.

The interlocutors emphasized the role of inter-parliamentary ties in the development of Armenia-Germany cooperation and discussed issues on bilateral agenda.

The Prime Minister referred to the reforms implemented in our country, the recorded high economic indicators and highlighted the importance of the support of the European Union and Germany to the democratic agenda of Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the protection of human rights, the establishment of an independent judicial system, the fight against corruption, and ensuring transparency are priorities for the Government, and our country is moving forward on the way to set a high bar. Tabea Rößner noted that Germany will accompany Armenia on that path. Issues related to the promotion of women's involvement, cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and the environment were also discussed.

The parties exchanged ideas on the regional situation, security challenges, peace agenda. In this context, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of the long-term observation mission of the EU.

The crisis created in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor was addressed. In terms of settlement of the problem, the consistent and addressed response of the international community, the implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice published on February 22 of this year by Azerbaijan were emphasized.

Asbarez: Vatican to Commemorate St. Nerses Shnorhali

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 March 21, 2023

 

in Armenia, Arts & Culture, Latest, News, Top Stories

A special event marking the 850th anniversary of St. Nerses Shnorhali’s passing will take place at the Vatican.

A committee formed to organize the event met on Tuesday in Rome to make the preliminary preparations and announce the events, slated to take place in the fall of this year.

The organizing committee meets in Rome on Mar. 21

The organizing committee is comprised of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, representing the Catholicosate of All Armenians, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, representing the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and Bishop Vartan Boghosian of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Cilicia, along with a representative of the Vatican.

The events marking the anniversary include an ecumenical prayer at the St. Peter Basilica, and international conference at the Pontifical Oriental Institute dedicated to the legacy of St. Nerses Shnorhali’s legacy and a concert featuring his hymns and liturgical music at the Sistine Chapel.

The committee will provide more information as it becomes available.