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

Russia in talks to use Mir card with countries including Azerbaijan, China, and Egypt

Emil Lazarian
TASS, Russia
Aug 20 2022
Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Alexander Pankin called the blocking of all Russian clients by the largest international payment systems unreasonable

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russia is negotiating the use of Mir payment card with several countries, including Azerbaijan, China, and Egypt, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said in an interview with TASS.

“The unreasonable blocking of all Russian customers by the largest international card payment systems has increased the priority of expanding the geography of using Mir cards. We are actively working on it,” he said. “Negotiations with Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, India, China, Cuba, Myanmar, Nigeria, Thailand, and other countries are at different stages,” Pankin said.

He recalled that the Russian payment system currently can be used in such countries as Abkhazia, Armenia, Belarus, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, South Korea, and South Ossetia.

Interim measures against Azerbaijan is still in force – ECHR

Emil Lazarian
ARMINFO
Armenia – Aug 20 2022
Alexandr Avanesov

ArmInfo.The European Court of Human Rights reaffirms, that interim measure against Azerbaijan to protect the rights residents of a number of settlements in Artsakh is  still in force. 

As the office of the representative of the Republic of Armenia on  international legal matters reports on its facebook page:

“Upon the request of the Armenian Government to apply an interim  measure against Azerbaijan for the protection of the Convention  rights of the civilians of several settlements of the Republic of  Artsakh, on the European Court of Human Rights  reaffirmed that the interim measure applied on 29 September and later  enhanced on 3 November 2020 is still in force. The Court invited the  parties to comply fully with their engagements under the Convention  and to refrain from such actions that may lead to the violation of  the rights of the civilian population guaranteed under Articles 2, 3  and 8 the Convention. The Court has also held that its decision of 29  September 2020 which is still in force covers the incidents indicated  by the Armenian Government in the request, that is the Azerbaijani  armed attacks towards the peaceful settlements and the threat to  displace the population of Berdzor and Aghavno.”  

Infrastructure Minister: new bridge on Georgia-Armenia border “good example of friendship” between nations

Emil Lazarian

Aug 19 2022

Georgian Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Irakli Karseladze on Friday said the newly unveiled road bridge on the Georgia-Armenia border was a “good example of friendship” between the two nations.

In his remarks over the launch of the infrastructure piece, Karseladze noted the bridge would serve as the main border crossing checkpoint and promote the development of trade and economic ties.

This project is also unique in terms of its implementation, as it was built jointly by the two countries, and therefore is a good example of how our friendship and brotherhood develops historically”, Karseladze noted.

At the launch ceremony earlier today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said the Bridge of Friendship “symbolises the success of our cooperation and friendship”.

  • PM hails successful “cooperation and friendship” with Armenia in opening “bridge of friendship”

The head of the Georgian Government highlighted the joint infrastructure project would contribute to the further strengthening of trade and economic relations between the countries.

Cambodia: Armenian Ambassador vows relation and cooperation expansion with Cambodia

Emil Lazarian
Cambodia – Aug 19 2022
Khmer Times 
Vahram Kazhoyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia, has pledged to work for the expansion of bilateral relations and cooperation.

The pledge was made during the Ambassador’s meeting with Say Chhum, President of the Senate of Cambodia, this morning.

Kazhoyan praised the good relations and cooperation between the two countries. He also pledged to expand bilateral relations and cooperation between Cambodia and Armenia.

The Senate President, on behalf of the Senate, congratulated Ambassador Kazhoyan on his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Senate President Chhum is confident that within the period of the Ambassador’s diplomatic mission, he will strive to further develop relations and cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of the people and the two countries.

The President of the Senate stated that the Cambodian Senate is always ready to cooperate closely with the Ambassador and the Embassy of Armenia to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people and the country.

Turkish Press: Türkiye’s first ever Armenian district governor to assume office

Emil Lazarian

Turkey – Aug 18 2022

Türkiye’s first ever Armenian district governor to assume office

Ber Acar, 27, has been appointed as the district governor of Babadağ, Denizli.
İstanbul – BIA News Desk, Thursday 18:00

For the first time in the history of the republic, an ethnic Armenian has become a district governor, Agos reported.

Berk Acar, who has been appointed as the governor of the Babadağ district in the western Deniz province, is set to assume office in the coming days to replace Adem Karataş, the former governor.

Acar, 27, graduated from the Sahakyan Nunyan Armenian Middle School and Işık High School. In 2020, he graduated from Bilgi University’s Faculty of Law.

After completing his internship at the law office in İstanbul’s Şişli district, he entered 110th term district governor exam in July 2021. He ranked 72nd among 13,374 candidates and became of the of the 475 people who were interviewed for the position. (HA/VK)

Secretary of Nagorno-Karabakh Security Council demands ban on media activities in Russian peacekeepers` responsibility zone

Emil Lazarian
ARMINFO
Armenia – Aug 19 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. Secretary of the  Nagorno-Karabakh Security Council Vitaly Balasanyan demanded that the  commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent ban the activities  of Azerbaijani and other foreign journalists in the responsibility  zone without the consent of the Nagorno- Karabakh Security Council. 

Eynulla Fatullayev, Editor of haqquin.az, accompanied by Russian  peacekeepers, visited Berdzor and Aghavno, posing as a representative  of an international organization and talked to the Aghavno community  head and Armenia’s residents present there at the moment. 

The Security Council also accused the Azerbaijani side of  disseminating disinformation on a trip to Kashatagh.

"Prohibit the free sale of freeworks" – former Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Aug 18 2022
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Ban sale of fireworks to public

“The tragedy that occurred in the Surmalu shopping center was sobering and painful. It is time to take tougher measures so that we see fireworks only at state and community events,” Tigran Avinyan, a Civil Contract party board member and candidate for mayor from the ruling party, said. The fire at the shopping center in Yerevan on August 14 appears to have been caused by a fire at a fireworks warehouse there.

Tigran Avinyan served as Deputy Prime Minister in 2018-2020. In April 2022, it came out that that the ruling party intended to nominate him for mayor. Elections will be held next year.

According to a member of the ruling party, fireworks should not be permitted in private celebrations and reserved only for public holidays.

The former deputy PM told reporters that in fall the parliament would consider toughening restrictions on fireworks.

On August 14, an explosion and fire broke out in the Surmalu shopping center. Sixteen bodies have been found, two are still missing. Sixty-two were sent to area hospitals. The fire was extinguished on the evening of August 16. The search for survivors continues.

In memory of the dead, August 17 and 18 have been declared days of mourning in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Avinyan, who visited the shopping center on August 17, said a terrorist attack had been ruled out, and exact causes of the incident would become clear during future investigation.

All details about the incident at the shopping center, and comments from Armenians on social media

Tigran Avinyan was one of the first to respond to the mall incident. Even before visiting the ruins of the shopping center, he posted on his Facebook page that unrestricted sale of fireworks should be reconsidered.

“I call on our colleagues in the National Assembly to attend to this matter,” he wrote.

Avinyan considers the storage of large quantities of highly combustible material to be an unacceptable risk, and that even the best emergency system would be ineffective in this situation.

“Storage of four tons of explosives in one place is a huge danger. A small spark can lead to disaster.”

Iran scholar Emma Begijanyan believes that the strategic and national security interests of Armenia and Iran coincide

According to the former Deputy Prime Minister, what happened in the Surmalu shopping center should give us pause about fireworks in general.

He believes that fireworks at private parties should be avoided, as they pose a great danger and disturb neighbors:

“We must understand that citizens within a radius of 10 km should not have to participate in our private events, especially since there are elderly people and young children among them. Even if there are fireworks before 23:00, they will disturb the peace of these people. It’s time to get tougher on this.”

Avinyan said that in the fall it is planned to submit to the parliament a draft for tightening access to fireworks:

“In 2021, the government approved a project that practically restricted the use of pyrotechnics during private events. According to the project, the use of fireworks was allowed only during state and community holidays.”

The former Deputy Prime Minister believes that this step should be taken definitively, and the government should moreover deal with the issue of hazardous waste storage.

https://jam-news.net/prohibit-the-free-sale-of-fireworks-former-deputy-prime-minister-of-armenia/

Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed condolences to the leadership of Armenia in connection with the tragedy in Yerevan

Emil Lazarian
Turkmenistan – Aug 17 2022

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent deep condolences to the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturian and the Prime Minister of this country Nikol Pashinyan in connection with the loss of life as a result of the explosion in the territory of the “Surmalu” shopping center in Yerevan, announced the “Watan” news program of the Turkmen television today.

On behalf of the people and the Government of the country, and also on his own behalf, the head of Turkmenistan conveyed words of empathy and support at this difficult moment to the families and friends of the victims, and wishes for a speedy recovery to the victims.

On August 14, a warehouse of pyrotechnic materials exploded in the “Surmalu” shopping center. According to the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the explosion killed 16 people, injured more than 60, and 18 are considered missing, including a Russian citizen and an Iranian citizen.

Investigators completely ruled out the version of the attack. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia opened a criminal case on violation of the rules for storing flammable substances and fire safety rules.

https://turkmenportal.com/en/blog/50653/serdar-berdimuhamedov-expressed-condolences-to-the-leadership-of-armenia-in-connection-with-the-tragedy-in-yerevan

195th anniversary of Battle of Oshakan marked in Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Armenia – Aug 17 2022

The battle between Persian army and Russian detachment which included Armenian volunteers took place on August 17, 1827 and ended with the defeat of the Persian side.

 

Maxim Seleznyev, Charge d’Affaires of Russia in Armenia, first expressed condolences regarding the tragedy that happened in Yerevan on August 14.

 

“On this day of mourning, on behalf of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish the survivors soonest recovery. I also want to thank the rescuers and volunteers who work selflessly at the site of the tragedy.

 

It has been 195 years since the Battle of Oshakan ended here. Paying tribute to the heroes of this battle, we first of all remember the Russian General Afanasy Krasovsky, the courage of Russian officers, soldiers and Armenian volunteers who gave their lives to save the Armenian shrine. I think that besides having a historical context, this also became evidence of how two fraternal peoples can defend common values,” the diplomat said.

 

The event was attended by the Vice-Governor of the Armavir region Artak Avetisyan, Mayor of Etchmiadzin Diana Gasparyan, Commander of the Armenian-Russian Joint Group of Units Lieutenant-General Tigran Parvanyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Alfred Kocharyan, representatives of the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox churches.

 

The Vice-Governor of the Armavir region Artak Avetisyan noted in his speech:

 

“Because of the exploits of the Armenian and Russian soldiers, the troops managed to save Etchmiadzin from the enemy. The Battle of Oshakan was crucial for the people of Armenia, because as a result of this battle, Eastern Armenia was liberated from Persian rule and joined Russia.”