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

Annual service to be held in Van’s Akdamar Armenian Church

Emil Lazarian
TOYS MATRIX
Sept 3 2021

By Kemal Pasha On Sep 3, 2021

The Armenian Church on Akdamar Island in Turkey’s eastern province of Van will host the faithful from around the world for annual religious service.

The preparations were completed for the once-a-year ritual, which was held for the first time in 2010 after a 95-year hiatus with the special permission of the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

The ceremony, normally attended by hundreds of people, will be held this year with a limited number of participants as part of the COVID-19 measures.

The visitors will be taken to the Akdamar island on boats from Gevaş and Edremit districts of Van on Sept. 5 and will participate in the ceremony after having their temperatures measured.

The Armenian church, also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Aghtamar and Surp Haç, was built between 915 and 921 by architect Bishop Manuel under the sponsorship of Gagik I Artsruni of the Kingdom of Vaspurakan.

After the 1915 incidents during World War I when the Armenian community in the area was relocated, the church was abandoned. The building’s restoration began in 2005 and it opened as a museum two years later after a comprehensive reconstruction carried out by the state at a cost of about $1.4 million.

The church is open to visitors as a museum, while the Armenian Orthodox community is allowed to hold an annual religious service.

Read original article here

Nagorno-Karabakh reacts to news of shootout near Shushi

Emil Lazarian
Caucasian Knot, EU
Sept 3 2021

Soldiers of the Defence Army were not involved in a shelling attack on the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces near Shushi, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Nagorno-Karabakh reported.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on September 3, the Azerbaijani side claimed the shelling attack on its positions near the city of Shushi (the Azerbaijani name is Shusha, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”).

The armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh did not shell the positions of Azerbaijani soldiers near Shushi, the MoD of Nagorno-Karabakh claims. “The message disseminated by the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan claiming that allegedly from 1:00 to 2:15 a.m. on September 3, the Armenian side fired at one of the positions in Shushi <...> is a new piece of disinformation,” reported the MoD of Nagorno-Karabakh as quoted by the “Armenpress” news agency today.

“The [Nagorno-Karabakh] Ministry of Defence declares that units of the Defence Army are strictly observing the ceasefire,” the “News.am” quotes today the MoD of Nagorno-Karabakh as announcing.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 3, 2021 at 12:44 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

Azerbaijan reports shootout near Shusha, Baku rejects accusations of death of Armenian soldier, Armenian contract soldier killed at border with Azerbaijan.

Author: The Caucasian Knot;

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

​US encourages reengagement in substantive negotiations on Karabakh: Blinken congratulates Mirzoyan on appointment

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 4 2021

US encourages reengagement in substantive negotiations on Karabakh: Blinken congratulates Mirzoyan on appointment

 September 4, 2021, 11:34 1 minute read

The US encourages reengagement in substantive negotiations under the auspices of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs as soon as possible, US Secretary of State Antony Blinkern said in a congratulatory message to Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

“I warmly congratulate you on your appointment as foreign minister.  The United States has a longstanding commitment to supporting the Armenian people’s democratic aspirations, and we look forward to cooperating with you to forge stronger bilateral ties based on our shared democratic values,” Secretary Blinken said.                                

“As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, we remain committed to working with  you to support a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  We encourage reengagement in substantive negotiations under the auspices of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs as soon as possible,” he added.

“The United States is a partner in your government’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law, combat corruption, and bolster democratic institutions, while respecting human rights and fundamental  freedoms.  The U.S. Embassy team in Yerevan is ready to assist you and your government maintain robust ties between our two countries.  Together, we can advance our joint interests in Armenia’s sovereign,  democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future,” the Secretary of State said.  

US encourages reengagement in substantive negotiations on Karabakh: Blinken congratulates Mirzoyan on appointment – Public Radio of Armenia ()

Hysteria brewing in Azerbaijan media: Russia MOD making purchases to send to ‘Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 3 2021
17:30, 03.09.2021

There is a major hysteria brewing in the Azerbaijani media over a wording on the website of the Russian state procurement.

Accordingly, the Russian Ministry of Defense is holding a closed tender “for the organization and implementation of comprehensive service of the barracks-housing funds of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation military camps located in the territory of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.”

The aforesaid tender was announced on August 13, the deadline for submitting respective applications is September 16.

The aforesaid hysteria in the Azerbaijani media, naturally, arose because of the word “Republic.”

Grape growers block road in Armenia’s Ararat Province

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 4 2021
11:55, 04.09.2021

The residents of several villages of Armenia’s Ararat Province on Saturday closed off the Pokr Vedi village section of the Yerevan-Yeraskh motorway—and again in protest in connection with grape procurement, shamshyan.com reported.

A large number of police officers arrived at the scene.

These grape growers demand a meeting with the governor of Ararat and a representative of the government.

During the last Cabinet session of the government, Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikyan announced that there would be no more cases when the grape growers would block roads without justifications.

Political analyst: It is decided in Moscow who will or will not visit Artsakh

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 4 2021
17:55, 04.09.2021

YEREVAN. – After the Second Artsakh War, Armenia actually handed over to Moscow the keys to guaranteeing Artsakh’s security. Political analyst Argishti Kiviryan said this at a press conference on Saturday.

“After the signing of the [trilateral (Armenian, Russian, Azerbaijani)] statement on November 9, 10 when the Russian peacekeeping military were deployed in Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], Moscow is in fact the guarantor of Artsakh’s security; and globally, it is decided in Moscow who will or will not visit Artsakh. After November 9, this issue is not decided in Yerevan, it is decided in Moscow,” he added, in particular.

According to the analyst, the Armenia side in a very difficult situation today, and any irresponsible step can lead to new cataclysms for the Armenian people, especially now when the Armenian side does not have its security guarantor: the army.

“Well, it is clear that the lackeys of the [ruling] CC [Civil Contract Party of Armenia] who had gone [to Artsakh on the occasion of its Independence Day anniversary] would be greeted in that way by the Armenians of Artsakh. If the Armenians of Artsakh had greeted [them] even much more rudely, they would have done the right thing. Moreover, they were greeted rather mildly, since this catastrophe for the Armenians and the Armenian people happened as a result of the policy pursued by those people. Nobody says the previous [authorities] were right; but at that moment you were in power, you were not able to govern, hand over power,” said Kiviryan.

Chess: Armenia’s Aronian: I never wanted to play under flag of another country

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 4 2021

By Lusine Shahbazyan

YEREVAN. – I never wanted to play under the flag of another country. Three-time World Chess Olympiad champion, two-time World Cup winner, chess grandmaster (GM) Levon Aronian, who will leave for the US on September 6, said this in a conversation with chess players and reporters. The leading chess player of Armenia is moving to the US and will represent that country from now on.

But before leaving, the grandmaster met with the students at his and GM Gabriel Sargissian’s chess school. During the talk, one of the students of the school asked Aronian if he had ever wanted to play under the flag of any other country but Armenia. “I never wanted to play under another flag. There is no sweeter flag for me than our flag. Unfortunately, it will happen; but I cannot say that it happens by my wish,” Aronian responded.

And during the briefing with the reporters, the grandmaster stated that he was leaving Armenia, but was not saying goodbye to anyone.

“The get-together with the children was not a farewell. It is not that I am leaving for the US and I will not come [back] to Armenia, I will not visit the school anymore.

In 2018, the rather strong school was shut. Prior to that, the school operated with state funding. During that time we had losses among the coaches. Many left the country, a very good coach died.

After a long break, the school reopened, for which I am very happy. (…). Very strong coaches, my two personal coaches with whom I have worked for many years work here. This is the best opportunity for children to work with the strongest coaches in the world for free because there are very few such precedents.

I really want the girls to [also] play chess, achieve success. (…). We, understanding the importance of chess for the development of the Armenian nation’s mind, must use every chance. At this moment we are given the opportunity, and our school is functioning.

We all need human treatment; us, chess players, do not need anything else. I am always in touch with young people, I try to follow their progress. It will be so also after leaving for the US. I will do everything to pass on my knowledge to our children.

I am leaving for the US on September 6 at 3:50am. I still do not know whether I will represent Armenia at the [Chess] World Cup or not; but probably not. I am sad about that fact,” said Levon Aronian.

Photos by Emma Asatryan


Turkish press: Ancient Akdamar Church to hold 9th holy mass

Emil Lazarian
  • 07:00:00

The Akdamar Church in Turkey’s eastern province of Van will host its ninth special mass on Sept. 5 since reopening in 2010 after a hiatus of 95 years.

Previously attended in the hundreds before the novel coronavirus pandemic struck last year, participation in the annual mass will once again be subject to limitations as part of efforts to prevent infection.

A team of 25 people will perform the ritual, said Van Governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez, who added that Akdamar Island, near the southern shores of Lake Van, and the 1,100-year-old church built on it have become a major center of religious tourism.

“This church was built at a time when Islamic civilization was dominant and has been standing upright in these lands for about 1,000 years. This is the most beautiful indicator of Anatolian civilization,” said Bilmez.

Located on Akdamar Island in Lake Van, the church was built between 915 A.D. and 921 A.D. by architect Bishop Manuel, under the supervision of Gagik I Artsruni, an Armenian king.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 03-09-21

Emil Lazarian

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 18:33, 3 September, 2021

YEREVAN, 3 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 3 September, USD exchange rate is up by 0.11 drams to 493.65 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 1.17 drams to 586.06 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 6.78 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 2.32 drams to 683.06 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is up by 18.31 drams to 28767.37 drams. Silver price is up by 3.98 drams to 383.53 drams. Platinum price is down by 186.88 drams to 15871.21 drams.

The agreement on common gas market in EEU may be signed in 2022

Emil Lazarian

The agreement on common gas market in EԱEU may be signed in 2022

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 19:04, 3 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The agreement on the common gas market of the Eurasian Economic Union may be signed in 2022, ARMENPRESS reports, citing TASS,  Iya Malkina, assistant to Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission said.

“It will be possible to purchase this fuel at the stock exchange in the sidelines of the common gas market. To that end, gas trade procedure will be adopted, which is already being developed jointly with the governments and national stock exchanges of the participating countries”, Iya Malkina said.

Earlier it was reported that the EAEU countries have launched the process of the establishment of common markets for gas, oil and oil products.