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

AEF Hosts Armenian and English Language Writing Competition

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 June 5, 2023

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

The AEF’s 3rd annual Armenian and English Language Writing Competition graphic


The Armenian Educational Foundation’s 3rd annual Armenian and English Language Writing Competition drew participants from Armenian high schools, immersion programs and middle schools across the country.

Students from four Armenian high schools and immersive programs and seven middle schools and immersive programs participated in the Armenian and English language writing competition. The participating schools included:

High Schools:

  • AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School;
  • Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School;
  • Armenian Mesrobian School;
  • Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School.

Middle Schools:

  • AGBU MDS;
  • Armenian Sisters’ Academy;
  • Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School;
  • Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Middle School;
  • C & E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School Armenian Mesrobian School;
  • Woodrow Wilson Middle School, Armenian Immersion Program.

The topic for this year’s essays related to the use of Artificial Intelligence in today’s society. Students were asked to reflect on two industries they felt were most impacted by AI, and discuss the positive and negative impacts of AI on society.

The panel of judges encompassed scholars of the Armenian and English languages with a variety of professional experience, including journalists, advanced placement high school educators and graduate students.

First place winners received a $500 prize, second place received $250 and third place received $125.

Armenian Language High School Winners and Essays:

  • First Place: Daniella Agojian (11th grade), Armenian Mesrobian School. Daniella’s essay can be read online.
  • Second Place: Vincent Hovsepian (11th grade), Rose & Pilibos Armenian School. Vincent’s essay can be read online.
  • Third Place: Davit Gevorgyan (10th grade), AGBU MDS. Davit’s essay can be read online.

English Language High School Winners:

  • First Place: Keghon Kasparian (12th grade), Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School. Keghon’s essay can be read online.
  • Second Place: Alana Papazian (11th grade), Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School. Alana’s essay can be read online.
  • Third Place: Narod Ekmekjian (10th grade), Armenian Mesrobian School. Narod’s essay can be read online.

Armenian Language Middle School Winners:

  • First Place: Elen Harutyunyan (7th grade), Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Elen’s essay can be read online.
  • Second Place: Anna Aghajanyan (7th grade), AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School. Anna’s essay can be read online.
  • Third Place: Mary Hovakimyan (8th grade), Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School. Mary’s essay can be read online.

English Language Middle School Winners:

  • First Place: Lia Kargodorian (8th grade), Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School. Lia’s essay can be read online.
  • Second Place: Ashley Keshishian (6th grade), Armenian Sisters’ Academy. Ashley’s essay can be found online.
  • Third Place: Stephanie Mazmanian (8th grade), Armenian Mesrobian School. Stephanie’s essay can be read online.

AEF’s purpose in hosting the Writing Competition is to promote writing skills for students with the hope of encouraging and shaping a future generation of leaders, motivators and influencers who can become a positive force and promote progress within their community.

For more information on the Armenian Educational Foundation or to donate online, visit the AEF website.

GLOBSEC 2023 Bratislava Forum:Armenia top security official to participate in panel discussion with Azerbaijan’s Hajiyev

Emil Lazarian

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 16:23, 29 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 29, ARMENPRESS. The AC Milan Junior Camp is holding an International Camp in Yerevan, with 160 boys and girls aged 11-15 from various provinces of Armenia in attendance.

Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan

The Milan Junior Camp is held at the Football Academy in Avan, Yerevan.

The camp offers the opportunity for all participants to share a unique experience where they will meet new friends, have fun and play lots of football in complete safety under the supervision of the highly qualified AC Milan staff led by Milan International Academy Head Coach Claudio Zola.

AL2 Sport founder Luca Amadessi, coordinator and organizer of the Milan Junior Camp, praised the venue.

“I can say that the academy and fields are high standard. Our main goal is to give participants the opportunity to play, to learn and make new friends,” Amadessi said.

“Given my experience of many years, I can say that you have wonderful fields and academy. Our goal is to convey AC Milan’s approaches and methodology to the young people. We really enjoy working with them,” Claudio Zola said.

The Milan Academy Junior Camp is a charity initiative by Ameriabank, together with Team Telecom Armenia, Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine and Tashir Group of Companies.

Armenpress: Prime Minister Pashinyan meets with President Khachaturyan, refers to Azerbaijan’s behavior after Brussels talks

Emil Lazarian

 21:28, 29 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with the President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan – First of all, Mr. Prime Minister, I want to once again express my support to you and the Government regarding the policy that you implement together with the government, which is aimed at establishing peace in the region. In connection with this, last week was important for our political life, starting with the meeting in Brussels, after which you clearly expressed the view of the government of the Republic of Armenia, according to which we recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and expect the same from Azerbaijan.

I think this was a very important statement and it was also a proof that we are not just talking about peace, but we are committed to finally establishing peace in the region. I think our neighbor should also realize this and appreciate the steps you and the government are taking. In fact, what the government is doing today, I mean the steps that are being taken both domestically and in the field of foreign policy are aimed at this.

As you know, I was on a business trip and met with various officials and my colleagues in Qatar. One of the most important meetings was with the head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva. I was happy to hear her point of view, which I want to convey to you as well. They accept Armenia as a full partner that fulfills its agreements and obligations, a reliable partner in terms of financial stability and fulfillment of obligations. During our meeting, we also agreed that we will continue to work in the same manner. They are ready to make additional investments, provide additional financial support.

We recorded the same during the meetings with my colleagues, the Emir of Qatar, they are ready and waiting for our proposals. Qatar is a very dynamically developing country, it has achieved success in a surprisingly short time. It seems to all of us that it is only a resource-based country, but in fact, according to the logic of its development, Qatar is a country with a modern, high-tech, knowledge-based economy, and in the person of it, we have a willing partner for cooperation.

I want to assure you once again that I support and will support to the best of my ability all the programs that you implement, which are aimed at establishing peace in the region.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan – Thank you, honorable Mr. President, first of all, thank you for the words of support, as well as the invitation. Yes, we regularly have meetings in a public format, but, of course, we also have informal meetings much often: we discuss, consult, try to understand what are the best solutions for our country.

Of course, I agree with you that these public meetings are also important so that our people can see that there is institutional cooperation and interaction between different branches of power. On the other hand, it is very important that these mechanisms of government interaction work effectively.

In this regard, I can testify that a very constructive cooperation has been established between the president-parliament-government trio, which is very important especially in this period. I also consider it important that the policies of the government are discussed and consulted with the parliament and the president of the Republic, but of course this is not about responsibility at all. the government fully undertakes it and should undertake it, but knowing also the opinion of the most important institutions of the state on these issues is extremely essential.

I am also happy to report that in our meetings, in fact, such a trend has been formed: whenever we have met so far, we have recorded quite good economic indicators in our country. I want to express hope that this tradition of ours will not change in any way. In that sense, I also consider our cooperation with international economic and financial institutions to be important, because we are very zealous about Armenia’s reputation. It is really important because not everyone researches the country in every detail. In many cases, they ask the opinion of the international institutions, or get acquainted with their published opinions. So we try to show ourselves as a responsible partner.

Regarding the regional situation, of course, today I had the opportunity to say that, especially after our last meetings, after the Brussels agreements, the statements made by Azerbaijan at least raise questions, and I think we should try to find an answer to a clear question, whether these statements constitute a step back from the agreements reached. I also think that we should communicate this issue with our international partners, because in all cases the reliability of agreements is an important prerequisite, because when agreements are reached and they are not implemented, of course, this is a problem in all kinds of relations, including international and interstate ones.

Mr. President, I will also share my impressions, information from the recent discussions and negotiations. Of course, we managed to discuss one part, now the process is very intensive, but I will also inform you about the upcoming plans, what is planned in our international agenda.

Azerbaijani president gives ultimatum to Karabakh authorities

Emil Lazarian
May 30 2023
May 30, 2023

The president of Azerbaijan has delivered an ultimatum to de facto authorities in Nagorno Karabakh: disband your government or prepare for the consequences. 

He suggested Baku could easily end Armenian administration of the region through military action. 

Ilham Aliyev was delivering a speech on May 28 in the town of Lachin, near the breakaway region, which was under Armenian occupation for three decades and returned to Azerbaijan after the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

“I am telling them again from here, from the land of Lachin which they had been exploiting for many years and were engaged in illegal settlement, that their book is closed,” Aliyev said, addressing Armenian authorities of Karabakh. 

“The book ‘Miatsum’ is closed, the book of separatism is closed. The dream of independence follows the path of status. As for the status, we sent it to where it belongs during the Second Karabakh War,” he said, referring to the 1980s movement demanding Karabakh’s unification (“miatsum”) with Armenia and his own victory speech after the 2020 war in which he said Karabakh’s “status went to hell.”

He went on: “Therefore, there is only one option left – to obey the laws of Azerbaijan, be a loyal and normal citizen of Azerbaijan, throw the fake state attributes in the trash, and dissolve the ‘parliament’ – as if there is a ‘parliament’ there, as if there is a president, as if there is a minister, all this is funny. We are simply being patient. However, everyone knows perfectly well that we have all the opportunities to carry out any operation in that region today. Therefore, the ‘parliament’ should be dissolved, the element calling himself ‘president’ should surrender, all ‘ministers,’ ‘deputies’ and others should give up their positions. Only in that case can a concession be made to them. Only in that case can we talk of an amnesty.”

He added that officials who “put aside their false duties and apply for Azerbaijani citizenship” can expect “amnesty” from Baku.

The Armenian-populated region has effectively been under blockade since December last year when Azerbaijani government-backed activists staged a sit-in on the Stepanakert-Lachin road, which connects Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. The demonstrations ended after Azerbaijan set up a customs checkpoint on that road at the border with Armenia, but so far most Armenians have refused to enter through that checkpoint. 

Until early this year, there had been Russian-meditated meetings between representatives of Baku and the de facto Armenian administration of Nagorno-Karabakh. But since March there has been no progress on that front. And Aliyev’s latest remark makes it even harder to imagine any more such talks. 

It is a clear rebuff to the Western mediators seeking a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, who say Baku should develop a “positive agenda” to make the region’s Armenian population feel safe under its prospective rule. Armenia, meanwhile, has already said it’s ready to accede to Azerbaijan’s main demand of recognizing its sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. 

The de facto authorities of Karabakh immediately rejected Aliyev’s ultimatum and called on Baku to engage in “dialogue in an international format, based on the norms and principles of international law, especially on the principles of equality and self-determination of people, non-use of force and threat of force, peaceful settlement of disputes and principles of territorial integrity.” 

Karabakh presidential spokesperson Lusine Avanesyan said that since the 2020 war, “[W]e have seen and continue to see manifestations of aggression in the form of local combat operations, blockade, energy and other pressures. This time, the president of Azerbaijan has added illegal demands to the elected authorities of the people of Artsakh.”

Elsewhere in Aliyev’s speech, he praised his government’s determination to prepare Lachin and other Karabakh towns for resettlement following the Armenian occupation. The first 20 families arrived in Lachin on May 27, and many more are expected to resettle by the end of June, Aliyev announced. “[A]bout 4,000 people will live in Lachin, perhaps even more, at the first stage,” he said. 


Armenian Defense Minister, Kazakh ambassador and military attaché discuss cooperation

Emil Lazarian

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 12:34, 31 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan held a meeting on May 31 with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Armenia Bolat Imanbayev and the newly appointed military attaché of the Kazakh Embassy Colonel Yerulan Sapenov.

Papikyan congratulated the Colonel on his appointment , wishing him new successes in the responsible military-diplomatic mission, the defense ministry said in a readout.

The course of Armenian-Kazakh defense cooperation and directions for future expansion were also discussed.

A number of issues related to regional security were also discussed.

Pashinyan sold Putin out, gave all to Erdogan

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia – June 3 2023

Pashinyan sold Putin out, not just betrayed. To make it even clearer, I will put it this way – for euros.
The topic of betrayal is not up for discussion at all. It is obvious and has already been discussed multiple times. In the long-range view, there is nothing left to discuss, there is even nothing to predict and forecast.

What Pashinyan is doing has been clear for a long time. In 2008 some guy named Nikol Pashinyan stepped in when in the same year Turkey announced its plans for a Caucasus platform which would unite the Turkic states. For some reason Iran was not part of this platform, Georgia, once again cherishing its independence, rejected it, and the Caucasus platform apparently collapsed. Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent countries also ruined Erdogan’s dream, which in fact was not so much about the unification of Turkic states as about the formation of a new Turkish empire.

Once again, Armenia got in the way, and the orphan Azerbaijan further strengthened its position as Turkey’s younger brother by virtue of its usefulness.

Years of attempts to fraternize with Russia and squeeze it out of the South Caucasus went wrong: Georgia sought independence and, although it had a well-deserved hatred for Russia, the country also had diplomatic dexterity and enough wisdom not to lose its independence due to the conflict with Russia over South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Turkey waited for a while and found another way to put pressure on Russia, using the other two self-proclaimed republics and the non-Georgian mindset of Ukraine.

Armenia and Artsakh: A different leader was needed here, someone who, amazingly enough, wrote just in 2008 about a “corridor” connecting Turkey and Azerbaijan to serve the Turkish and U.S. interests… about the handover of parts of the Artsakh Republic to Azerbaijan. Yes, Pashinyan and Turkey found each other.

You all know very well that happened next: a war and a total shattering of the Armenian people’s hopes and goals

Now let’s get back to the present day.

May 27

“We are perfectly aware of the goals of the forces seeking to isolate our brother, Azerbaijan,” Turkish Minister Cavusoglu says and reiterates the importance of the Organization of Turkic States platform, “which gives strength and confidence to Turkic-speaking countries.”

Meanwhile, the Armenians are convincing the Armenians not to dream about Ararat and to give up what they have… Turks are pushing for their Turkish empire. The Armenians are ashamed of their liberated homeland and sow doubts, whereas the Turks are not ashamed to occupy the countries of others.

And, notably, they say, “the goals of the forces.” What forces are left? Armenia is defiantly not a force, the U.S. is a force, but it’s on the same side as Turkey, while Europe is “chaneling” the Azerbaijani gas… If anyone remains as a force, it’s Russia. Who else? China is far away and it also doesn’t need these games here yet.

May 28

Aliyev decides to spoil a national holiday in Armenia – the Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic in 1918. Incidentally, it was the Armenian that was among the allies that had defeated and imposed capitulation on Turkey.

Did the Civil Contract party say something about the First Republic? Well, Erdogan probably told Aliyev and Pashinyan to say some bad things.

So, Aliyev is encouraged to lay out new demands: “The delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border must be carried out exclusively on Baku’s terms, the road to Nakhichevan must be opened and the Armenian troops must withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The fact that there is a road linking Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan through Iran is constantly forgotten.

“We are the strong side, we are the ones who have a strong position at the negotiating table, we are the ones who have a strong position on the border. Even if the peace treaty is not signed, we will live comfortably and safely,” says the Baku dictator, (as Iran expert Vardan Voskanyan would refer to him).

See, it turns out that only Armenia needs this peace deal, does it? Do they think we really need the withdrawal of troops from Artsakh and its depopulation? What are they saying? This is all just aimed at intimidating people. And Pashinyan, who amazingly pretends to be law-abiding, saying he can’t speak on behalf of Artsakh because he wasn’t elected by them, renounces Artsakh at Europe and Asia trips.

That’s how a talented salesman should be. And you are saying it’s about Azerbaijani gas.

June 1

At the end of the five-sided meeting between the leaders of France, Germany and the European Council chief in Chisinau, Aliyev and Pashinyan reaffirmed their mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity.

Recognition is not a problem, but the recognition of Azerbaijan’s territory within some square kilometers amounts to Nikol’s final renunciation from Artsakh, as well as his responsivity for the deaths of the Armenian heroes.

June 2

It turns out later on that the French president’s statement following the Chisinau meeting was not to Aliyev’s liking: “The statement made unilaterally by the French president about the meeting does not reflect and distorts the position of the parties,” Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry spokesperson said.

So what actually happened that even Macron “distorted” the reality?

June 2

The Kremlin reacts to Pashinyan’s statement that he (it doesn’t feel right to subscribe to any “we” Pashinyan says) is not Russia’s ally in the war with Ukraine.

“We have taken note of it,” Peskov says.

Thus, Pashinyan fulfils Turkey’s dream, quietly forcing Russia out of the game, because the latter is busy fighting its own war, you might say, with its fellow people, and will have no desire to go above and beyond for the Armenians who renounce the country… and themselves. Slowly or rapidly, Turkey is heading towards the Caucasus platform – the Turkish empire.

The rest is as clear as it was a century ago.

Anahit Voskanyan



Russia says progress made between Armenia and Azerbaijan in transportation issue

Emil Lazarian
IRAN FRONT PAGE
June 3 2023

Moscow sees considerable progress on the path of agreeing the modalities of unblocking transport communications between Baku and Yerevan, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said.

“With satisfaction, considerable progress has been stated in agreeing the modalities of unblocking transport communications between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Thus, a general understanding has been reached concerning the implementation of concrete steps toward restoring and organizing railway communication along the route Yeraskh-Julfa-Megri-Goradiz,” he stated Friday after the meeting of trilateral working group in Moscow.

“The sides agreed to continue working within the trilateral working group,” he added.

The working group held its 12th meeting in Moscow on Friday. The meeting was co-chaired ny Deputy Prime Ministers Shakhin Mustafayev of Azerbaijan, Mger Grigoryan of Armenia and Alexey Overchuk of Russia.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union’s break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, 2020, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Later, the three leaders adopted several more joint statements on the situation in the region. Thus, on January 11, 2021, they agreed to set up a working group at a level of deputy foreign ministers to focus on establishing transport and economic ties in the region.

Russia takes into account Armenia’s position on Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

Emil Lazarian
 TASS 
Russia – June 2 2023
“Naturally, we continue to develop our conceptually allied relations with Armenia,” Dmitry Peskov stressed

MOSCOW, June 2. /TASS/. Moscow factors in Armenia’s position on the conflict around Ukraine but continues developing allied relations with it, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

“We have taken note of that,” he said, commenting on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that his country does not support Russia on the conflict in Ukraine. However, in his words, the West thinks otherwise and this causes concern for Yerevan.

“It is an important statement,” Peskov said. “We know that there are certain nuances in Armenia’s approach to the conflict around Ukraine and we take them into account.”

“Naturally, we continue to develop our conceptually allied relations with Armenia,” he stressed.

On Thursday, Armenia’s cabinet disclosed a transcript of Pashinyan’s interview with CNN Prima News in early May. The Armenian prime minister said that his country was not Russia’s ally in the conflict with Ukraine and this situation was directly affecting relations between the two countries.

15 schoolchildren face Gabriel Sargissian in open-air simultaneous display

Emil Lazarian

 11:40, 3 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS. On June 1, Byblos Bank Armenia held a unique event for kids and school students to celebrate the International Children’s Day.

During the event at the Charles Aznavour Square in Yerevan, three-time Chess Olympiad champion, grandmaster Gabriel Sargissian performed an open-air simultaneous exhibition against 15 schoolchildren.

“I am happy to be spending Children’s Day with smart and chess-loving kids. This holiday focuses on the happiness of children, their healthy growth and bright future, and chess has a long-term positive effect, it helps develop a creative mind and improves analytical thinking. I hope such contacts will contribute to spreading our love for chess even more,” said Gabriel Sargissian during the event.

The event was organized as part of the Bank’s 15th anniversary CSR projects. It aimed to once again highlight the importance of educational programs, giving children the opportunity to communicate and interact with a chess player who has achieved great success.

The young chess players approached the meeting with the grandmaster with great responsibility, each of them trying their hardest to display their abilities to the fullest. They had an important experience and went home in good spirits, as well as with a collection of late chess grandmaster Tigran Petrosyan’s lectures signed by Gabriel Sargissian.

The event, however, did not end there. The Bank had decorated the square with chess-themed accessories and photo booths, and organized an entertainment program with a reception, music and games.

The Bank had given high priority to the mission of making June 1 as fun as possible and, it seems, succeeded.

———————

Byblos Bank Armenia CJSC is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and will introduce a number of proposals and initiatives throughout the year.

The Bank was founded and opened the doors of its first branch in 2007. Today, the Bank has four branches in Yerevan where customers access various banking services and receive financial advice. The Bank provides its customers corporate-retail banking services that meet the highest international standards.