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

Armenpress: Number of tourists visiting Armenia increased by more than 48 percent compared to last year

Emil Lazarian

 21:03, 6 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS.  According to the information provided by the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, in January-September of the current year, 1 million 839 thousand 4 foreign tourists visited Armenia, compared to 1 million 239 thousand 394 people last year.

'The rise amounted to 48.4%, according to the National Statistical Committee.

The bulk were from Russia (931 thousand 695 people or 50 7% of the total), Georgia (185 thousand 82 people or 10.1%,) and Iran (116 thousand 62 people or 6.3%).

Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem cancels controversial land deal with Israeli developer

Emil Lazarian
Nov 2 2023


“The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem announces that a letter was sent on October 26, 2023 to Xana Gardens Ltd. whereby the Patriarchate informed Xana Gardens of the cancellation of the agreement signed on 8/7/2021 regarding the Armenian Gardens in the Old City, Jerusalem,” the Chancellery of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a press release, cited by Armen Press.

A deal had earlier been signed by the Armenian Patriarchate that would hand up to 25% of the quarter to a commercial entity for a 99-year lease. The reported intention was to build a luxury hotel on some of the land that is currently a parking lot, but is on prime real estate nestled just within the Old City walls.

The deal in question was supposedly a 99-year lease to a Jewish developer who will build a luxury hotel on the land.

Though signed in 2021, the deal became reality in April when Xana Capital took over the parking lot and placed signs announcing its ownership, sparking protests in the Armenian Quarter against the Patriarchate.

Land transfers in Jerusalem are sensitive because they can upset the status quo and final status arrangements of the city.

Both the Palestinian Authority and Jordan noted that the patriarch’s “dealings constituted a clear violation of relevant international covenants and decisions, which aim to preserve the status quo in Jerusalem and protect the authentic Jerusalemite Armenian heritage.”

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/11/02/armenian-patriarchate-in-jerusalem/

Maestro Sergey Smbatyan acquitted: Charges dropped in Armenian fraud case

Emil Lazarian
Nov 2 2023
By

 Jurgen Balzan

Maestro Sergey Smbatyan, the former Principal Conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), has been acquitted and relieved of criminal charges.

The decision, made by the Prosecutor of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Armenia on 27 October 2023, was based on the assertion that Smbatyan was not involved in any criminal wrongdoing.

Smbatyan, together with his father, faced allegations of large-scale fraud in Armenia, leading to their arrest earlier this year.

However, following a thorough investigation and legal proceedings, the charges against Maestro Smbatyan were dropped. It should be noted that the decision can still be appealed within a 15-day window.

The case also involved Smbatyan’s father, a former ambassador of Armenia to Israel, who had been accused of abuse of power and money laundering in a separate matter.

The most recent charges were related to the sale and construction of the ‘Book World’ complex, intended to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing and Yerevan’s designation as the world book capital in 2012. The property was sold to a company known as ‘Sochocenter,’ allegedly owned by the Smbatyan family.

The General Prosecutor’s Office claimed that Smbatyan’s involvement in the transaction resulted in substantial financial losses for the state, estimated at one billion drams, and the transfer of a plot of land belonging to the Yerevan Tchaikovsky Music School.

During the course of the investigation, businessman Arman Petrosyan was also arrested in connection with the case, and the two Smbatyans were held in custody for two months. Additionally, Hasmik Poghosyan, the former Armenian Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs, was under investigation in relation to the same matter.

Sergey Smbatyan assumed his role as the conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in January 2022 and has been a prominent figure in the world of classical music.

His suspension by the MPO, which occurred shortly after his arrest in July, is set to be reviewed in light of his acquittal.

The MPO released a statement at the time, expressing its decision to suspend Smbatyan’s working relationship, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. The orchestra has been closely monitoring the case and will make a final determination regarding Smbatyan’s status once all facts have been ascertained.

Questions have been sent to the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

Government to continue increasing salary of scientists

Emil Lazarian

 11:11, 2 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The salary of scientists will be ‘significantly increased’ in 2024, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said.

The first increase was made in 2022.

In 2024, a chief researcher will start receiving 500,000 drams per month compared to the previous salary of only 138,100 drams.

German FM praises Armenia’s effective integration of forcibly displaced population of NK

Emil Lazarian

 15:11, 4 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s delegation was impressed to see how Armenia has been able to take in over 100,000 forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh in a matter of days, Artashat Mayor Karlen Mkrtchyan has said.

Mkrtchyan was among other officials who accompanied Baerbock during her visit to Vostan, a village within Artashat Municipality in Ararat Province.

Ararat Province has taken in 22,000 of the more than 100,000 forcibly displaced persons. 5,300 of them have been accommodated in Artashat.

After her meetings in Ararat Province, the German FM was heard comparing the accommodation of the displaced persons with the situation in Ukraine, noting that Armenia has been able to integrate the forcibly displaced persons from NK more effectively than Ukraine its IDPs, particularly children. “Even in Ukraine it hasn’t been possible to ensure normal living conditions for persons, especially children [IDPs] and swiftly integrate them to a new environment, whereas in Armenia there’s a better picture in this regard,” the German FM told local officials.

Artashat Mayor Karlen Mkrtchyan told Armenpress that he talked with the German delegation during the trip.

The members of the German delegation were surprised how Armenia has been able to receive over 100,000 forcibly displaced persons in a few days, the Artashat Mayor said.

“Mrs. Baerbock was really surprised that we were able to resolve essential organizational issues in a very short period of time. Everyone, children and adults, have harmoniously integrated into the new conditions and they have no problems of coexistence with the locals. We’ve accepted everyone like family,” Mkrtchyan said when asked to comment on the German FM’s statement.

Armenian FM optimistic on implementation of border opening agreement with Türkiye soon

Emil Lazarian

 10:47, 3 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan has said that the agreement with Türkiye on opening the land border for citizens of third countries and diplomatic passport holders could be implemented in the ‘nearest future.’

Mirzoyan expressed optimism on the matter during a parliamentary committee hearing on the 2024 state budget draft.

“The Armenia-Türkiye normalization process is highly important for us,” Mirzoyan told lawmakers, mentioning his previous meetings with his Turkish counterpart and the contacts of the special representatives. 

“And there’s a conversation about the Armenia-Türkiye normalization,” the FM said.

Speaking about the agreement on opening the land border for citizens of third countries and diplomatic passport holders, the Armenian FM said: ‘I’d like to express optimism that perhaps we’ll have good news here in the nearest future.’

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan said that Armenia is interested in having at least normalized relations with all four neighboring countries.

Armenian government’s Crossroads of Peace project presented to German Foreign Minister

Emil Lazarian

 11:36, 4 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan has presented the Crossroads of Peace project to his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan has said.

“At meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan presented project of “Crossroads of Peace” elaborated by Armenia as initiative that can bring economic benefits not only to our region, immediate neighbours, but also to wider world & will become a unique guarantee for peace,” Badalyan said in a post on X.

FM Mirzoyan met with FM Baerbock in Yerevan on November 3.

Germany’s Foreign Minister meets with forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh

Emil Lazarian

 12:05, 4 November 2023

VOSTAN, NOVEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock has met with forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh who’ve found shelter in the village of Vostan, Ararat Province, Armenia.

Baerbock visited Vostan after traveling to the village of Yeraskh to meet EUMA observers during the second day of her visit to Armenia.

In Vostan, Baerbock talked with the forcibly displaced persons and became acquainted with their living conditions.

On November 3, Baerbock met with Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan and announced that Germany will provide €9,3 million in humanitarian aid to Armenia to support the forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Russia’s decision to open consulate in Kapan contains political component – Armenian Deputy FM

Emil Lazarian

 13:47, 3 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Russia’s decision to open a consulate-general in Kapan, Syunik province contains a political component, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan has said.

“The message is the same from all countries, to be represented given various circumstances,” he said when asked on the message of Russia’s move. “Countries open consulates taking into account the town, economic interests and political interests. It’s the same circumstances as with Iran,” Hovhannisyan said, referring to the opening of the Iranian consulate in Syunik.

France has made a similar announcement.

“The establishment of a consulate-general also contains a political component. But this is about de-centralized cooperation, economic interests, relevant possible energy and transport programs. The political component is definitely there. It means that there is interest towards any given region, with all its consequences. This is a sign of interest,” Hovhannisyan said.