An Armenian trivia turn this week. This Caucasian nation has brought Eurovision some of the best in both ethnic and modern-looking pop to the contest and has often made sure we know we’re looking at an Armenian entry. So have a go at this week’s quiz!
With some weeks before we begin looking forward to Eurovision 2019, it’s that time in a Eurovision fan’s year to reflect on past years and all the good music and events they brought. And, if we may, some trivia.
So You Think You Know… is a new series that will arrive each Wednesday, each time focusing on a new active Eurovision country. We are continuing alphabetically. Armenia will be this week, and look out for the newest addition to the Eurovision family, Australia, next time.
France Denies Azeri Rumors, Says It Will Not Lift Arms Embargo
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French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacôte.
YEREVAN—French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacôte reiterated France’s commitment to not supplying weapons or ammunition to Azerbaijan which can be used to wage war against Artsakh. Lacôte’s statement was in response to Azerbaijani media outlets falsely reporting that France has lifted the arms embargo against Azerbaijan.
“When we found out about the fake rumors in the Azerbaijani press alleging that France has lifted the arms embargo on Azerbaijan, we immediately disseminated a denial,” Lacôte said. “This once again gave us a chance to confirm our stance. France respects its commitments stemming from international provisions to not supply weapons or ammunition which could be used to start war, in this case in Artsakh.”
Lacôte said that the French government supports the Armenian government’s exclusively peaceful stance toward resolving the conflict. He noted that the July 11 meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Brussels was a positive step in the negotiations process. France agrees with Armenia that the conflict cannot be solved through force.
Commenting on the Velvet Revolution, Lacôte said the French were in complete support of the new Armenian government.
“What happened in Armenia was perceived very positively in France,” Lacôte said. “The news media touched upon the political events with great sympathy. It is very important that the changes were taking place in an extremely peaceful atmosphere. I, too, have conveyed to my government that, during that time, no French citizens were in danger — French observers have recorded the same. It was the people who went out to the streets in Gyumri, Yerevan, Vanadzor and other cities. They were neither party nor political forces. Everything proceeded in accordance to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.”
According to Lacôte, the changes convey new dynamics to bilateral ties with France. He found the new government’s commitment to combating corruption and monopolies to be a very important message for Armenia’s partners, especially business partners.
“The creation of equal market conditions in Armenia is a very good signal for all business operators. In addition, a state of rule of law is being established, which reaffirms the ties between our two states,” he said.
Commenting on the upcoming La Francophonie summit in Yerevan, Lacôte said he expects positive reactions from attendees.
“During the La Francophonie summit in Armenia in the autumn, this country will surprise the participants of the Francophonie states with the achievements recorded in the IT field,” he said. “The Armenian leadership has also proposed to hold an economic forum on the sidelines of the summit. The French authorities welcome this proposal. I think this economic forum will contribute to creating a whole network of investors and businessmen which will adopt the priorities of the IT field.”
According to the ambassador, the economic forum will also be a unique opportunity for Armenian businessmen, as they will be able to closely communicate and become acquainted with the Francophonie states and the opportunities that exist there.
Lacôte informed that a TUMO Center is expected to open in Paris in September. After the summit, Lacôte expects that all Francophonie states will desire having TUMO centers in their own countries.
Les lois mémorielles ont leur place dans les programmes scolaires
L’enseignement du « génocide des Arméniens » prescrit par les programmes scolaires ne porte pas atteinte aux libertés d’_expression_, de conscience et d’opinion des élèves et ne méconnaît pas la neutralité du service public de l’éducation.
L’association pour la neutralité de l’enseignement de l’histoire turque dans les programmes scolaires avait demandé à la précédente ministre de l’Éducation nationale d’abroger deux arrêtés du 15 juillet 2008 et du 9 novembre 2015 fixant les programmes d’enseignement d’histoire au collège parce qu’ils évoquent le « génocide des Arméniens » dans les programmes scolaires de troisième. À la suite du refus implicite de la ministre de faire droit à cette demande, l’association a saisi le Conseil d’État. Elle avait déjà essuyé deux refus de renvoi de question prioritaire de constitutionnalité sur la très laconique loi du 29 janvier 2001 qui, en un seul article pour une seule phrase, dispose que « La France reconnaît le génocide arménien » (CE 19 oct. 2015, n° 392400, Association pour la neutralité de l’enseignement de l’histoire turque dans les programmes scolaires, Lebon ; Constitutions 2015. 588, chron. L. Domingo ; 13 janv. 2017, n° 404850). Elle soutenait cette fois que l’arrêté attaqué porte atteinte aux libertés d’_expression_, de conscience et d’opinion des élèves, ainsi qu’à la neutralité du service public de l’éducation.
Ses arguments sont rejetés, le Conseil d’État considérant, d’abord, que le choix d’inscrire cette question au programme n’est pas entaché d’erreur manifeste d’appréciation. Il juge ensuite que, « d’une part, la seule utilisation de ces termes, dont il ressort des pièces du dossier qu’ils se bornent à reprendre une formulation courante, notamment de la part d’historiens, et d’ailleurs reprise par la loi n° 2001-70 du 29 janvier 2001 relative à la reconnaissance du génocide Arménien, n’est pas, par elle-même, de nature à porter atteinte à ces principes ; que, d’autre part, l’objet même du programme d’histoire, tel que le fixe l’arrêté litigieux, est de faire enseigner aux élèves l’état des savoirs tel qu’il résulte de la recherche historique, laquelle repose sur une démarche critique, fondée sur la liberté de soumettre à débat toute connaissance ; que, par suite, la prescription d’un tel enseignement par l’arrêté attaqué est, en elle-même, insusceptible de porter atteinte aux libertés d’_expression_, de conscience et d’opinion des élèves, ou de méconnaître la neutralité du service public de l’éducation ».
Armenian military releases video of burning Azerbaijani post (video)
PanARMENIAN.Net – On the evening of June 30 and the morning of July 1, Azerbaijani forces attempted to carry out engineering work aimed at strengthening their positions near the Nakhijevan-Armenia border, a spokesman for the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a Facebook post.
According to Artsrun Hovhannisyan, the Armenian armed forces fired back and did not allow the rival to carry out the work.
“As a result of the fire of the Armenian side, one of the rival’s positions was completely destroyed and burnt down,” Hovhannisyan said.
“During the exchange of fire, contract serviceman of the Armenian Armed Forces Vahagn Baghdasaryan (b. 1974) received a minor injury.”
Below is a video of the burning Azerbaijani post, released by the Armenian Defense Ministry.
View video at
President has number of meetings in United States
- 14:31 | June 29,2018 | Official
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On June 28, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is in the United States on a working visit, met with and held a Q&A session with the Armenian students who pass probation period in the Congress, Senate, Smithsonian Institution and other institutions by the assistance of the Armenian Assembly of America.
On the same day the President held a luncheon with the executives of the Armenian Assembly of America, as well as the representatives of the Armenian Democratic Liberty Party (Ramgavar) in the Armenian Embassy in the US.
Arpine Hovhannisyan to Azeri authorities: We, as before, are unanimous in matters of national agenda, security and dignity
Yerevan June 27
Ani Mshetsyan. The head of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Vice-Speaker of the RA National Assembly Arpine Hovhannisyan from the PACE tribune responded to the accusations of the delegate of Azerbaijan Sevinj Fataliyeva, about what a year after elections recognized as democratic, velvet revolution happened in Armenia.
“What happened in Armenia, is unreachable for the mentality of alievists, you just cannot understand it, this could never happen in Azerbaijan,” – Hovhannisyan said stressing that in fact the parliamentary elections in Armenia were transparent and democratic, such assessments were officially made by all authoritative international organizations. “However, when it became clear that the political mood in the country is other and do not meet the expectations of the people, the head of state and the government resigned and handed over power to the opposition, and they did it on theiur own, without blood and violence, despite the fact that law enforcement officers could disperse protest actions, which demonstrates the maturity of democracy in Armenia,” Hovhannisyan said.
She again stressed that in Azerbaijan, where the rights and freedoms of citizens and other democratic values are totally undermined, they will never understand the processes in Armenia. Values are quite different in Azerbaijan. You are a unique country, not only because you were involved in many international scandals, but also because you managed to implement your “values” even in the European structures, which have a long-term strong traditions and customs. These are not my personal assessments, these are facts,” she said.
Touching upon the Karabakh conflict, Hovhannisyan stated that the goal of the Armenian side is to resolve the Karabakh conflict peacefully. “And I want to ask, why are you again concentrating military power to the contact line? Are you getting ready for war? And I want to emphasize – You should not pin hopes on the latest internal political processes in Armenia. We are, as always united on issues of national agenda, security and dignity, democracy and the rule of law,” concluded Hovhannisyan.
CivilNet: The Su-30 Selfie: Why Pashinyan’s Interest in Russian Fighter Aircraft Doesn’t Make Much Sense
June 21, 2018 2:15 p.m
Op-Ed by Emil Sanamyan, USC Institute of Armenian Studies
On June 17 prime minister Nikol Pashinyan published a photo on his facebook account captioned “SU-31SM (sic), inside one of the world’s best fighter aircraft. Already in Yerevan.”
Soon after an unnamed Armenian defense ministry source confirmed that Armenia had been in talks with Russia to buy fighter aircraft.
Information to that effect first leaked in January 2016, during Armenian-Russian defense talks. Seyran Ohanyan, defense minister at the time, avoided answering a question about the leak when asked at a press conference. All past Armenian governments typically kept weapons purchase plans secret until after they were completed.
Should a deal for Su-30SM fighters indeed go forward it would become the most expensive military item ever bought by Armenia. At $40-50 million a piece, depending on quantity (say 6 or 12), the value of the deal could climb beyond half a billion dollars, exceeding the current size of the annual military budget.
Almost certainly the deal would require further borrowing from Russia, from which Armenia had already borrowed $300 million for other military purchases. Maintenance costs, including pilot training, are another significant consideration. For a country that has not been able to expand its ground support military aircraft or afford a national airline, it seems a particularly odd choice to invest in fighter aircraft.
Beyond financial considerations, is also unclear if Armenia needs to buy this aircraft, considering other technological advances. The purpose of fighter aircraft is to dominate the skies, to shoot down other aircraft and to deliver precision strikes on ground targets. Increasingly, countries are phasing out fixed-winged manned aircraft, as Georgia is doing, replacing them with armed drones and ballistic missiles.
This is probably the reason why the deal, which according to Russian daily Kommersant had been signed in 2012, was never implemented. Instead, in 2015 Armenia purchased the advanced Iskander surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and used some of the new Russian loans to upgrade its air defenses and artillery systems. Since April 2016, Armenia has also stepped up work on development of armed drones.
It appears the talk of Su-30 purchase was revived during Pashinyan’s meeting with Vladimir Putin last week. As Kommersant sources had pointed out, it is in Russia’s interest to expedite the sale that the previous Armenian government managed to postpone to 2024 in order to avoid shutting down one of its Sukhoy production facilities. As an expert cited in the article points out, such a sale would also make it easier for Russia to sell more advanced aircraft to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan had sought to buy Russian aircraft in the past, but after Russia apparently refused to sell them, turned to Israel for advanced drone and air defense technology.
Incidentally, the Sukhoy concern – until early 2015 led by Russian Armenian Mikhail Poghosyan – had pitched its products to Armenia before. In 2011, Armavia airlines became the first buyer of Sukhoy’s civilian Superjet-100. The risky purchase likely contributed to Armavia’s bankruptcy in 2013. Russia has since not been able to sell the Superjet to any other foreign client.
The typo in Pashinyan’s photo caption (Su-31 instead of Su-30) is typical for people with superficial knowledge of military technology. The prime minister will need the right briefings to consider the pro’s and con’s of this deal, before locking Armenia into a potentially unnecessary financial obligations.
Emil Sanamyan lives in Washington DC, and specializes in the politics of the Caucasus.
https://www.civilnet.am/news/2018/06/21/The-Su-30-Selfie-Why-Pashinyan%E2%80%99s-Interest-in-Russian-Fighter-Aircraft-Doesn%E2%80%99t-Make-Much-Sense/339944
Western Prelacy News – 6/1/18
June 1, 2018 Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate 6252 Honolulu Avenue La Crescenta, CA 91214 Tel: (818) 248-7737 Fax: (818) 248-7745 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.westernprelacy.org PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO On Sunday, June 4, 2018, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello. Armenian Mesrobian School seniors will attend Divine Liturgy, receive Holy Communion, and hear the Prelate's message ahead of their high school graduation. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at the North Hollywood parish. *** CENTENNIAL OF THE FIRST REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA CELEBRATED WITHIN THE WESTERN PRELACY On Sunday, May 27, 2018, the centennial of the first Republic of Armenia was ceremoniously celebrated in all Prelacy Churches with Thanksgiving Prayers for the Republic and blessing of the Armenian flag. During requiem service, prayers were offered for the martyrs of Sardarabad, Pash Abaran, Gharakilise, and for all the heroes who have given their lives in defense of our nation. In addition, "Der Voghormya" prayers were offered for patients of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy, conducted the special ceremonies, delivered his message, and presided over requiem service at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian and deacons assisted at the altar. Congressman Brad Sherman, 45th State Assembly District candidate Jesse Gabriel, ARF Western Region Central Committee Political Chair Mr. Avedik Izmirlian, Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry President Dr. Frieda Jordan and members, representatives of the ARF "Rostom" and "Arshavir Shiragian" Gomidehs, ANCA West San Fernando Valley Chapter, ARS "Anahid" Chapter, Ferrahian School 9th grade students, Church Delegates, Board of Trustees members, and a large number of faithful were in attendance. The Thanksgiving Prayer ceremony began with Homenetmen "Massis" Chapter scouts carrying the flags of the United States and Armenia to the altar as the choir sang the hymn "Oorakh Ler." The ceremony featured prayers of thanksgiving for the resurrection of our nation and beseeching the Lord to guard and protect the Republic of Armenia, our Holy Church, leadership, armed forces, and citizenry, and to remember all the martyrs who gave their lives for the preservation of our nation. Afterward, the Prelate blessed the tricolor flag and delivered his message. His Eminence first greeted the special guests and thanked them for sharing in the celebration of the centennial. After briefly explaining the ceremony that was just conducted, the Prelate Spoke of the Armenian people's indomitable will and fighting spirit throughout our history, stating, "On May 28, 1918, during the darkest days of our history a mere three years into the Armenian Genocide, that fighting spirit brought about one of the brightest days of our history, the creation of the first Republic of Armenia. Inspired by that triumphant spirit and enduring legacy of the founders of the first Republic, just over 25 years ago the Armenian people fought for and secured the re-independence of Armenia and the liberation of Artsakh. And in recent weeks, we witnessed that trademark perseverant spirit once again as a new and bright chapter was opened in the form of a free, independent, and just Armenia." Given that the following day was Memorial Day, the Prelate paid tribute to the brave men and women in uniform who gave their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties we enjoy every day and prayed for the Lord to grant rest to the souls of all our heroes and safeguard the armed forces of the United States, Armenia, and Artsakh. During "Der Voghormya," prayers of healing were offered for all those seeking treatment from the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry and for the Lord to guide the members in their life-saving mission. Later on, requiem prayers were offered for the souls of all our martyrs. At the conclusion of the service, Congressman Brad Sherman and Dr. Frieda Jordan addressed the congregation. Congressman Sherman thanked the Prelate for the special day and stated that it was an honor to be with the community on this occasion. He noted that as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee for the past twenty-two years he has fought for recognition of the Armenian Genocide and increased aid to Armenia, and thanked Holy Martyrs Church for all that it does for the community. Dr. Jordan thanked the Prelate for the special prayer each year and for the opportunity for the organization to let the people know about its mission, which she stated is a global mission spanning 28 countries and helping Armenians as well as non-Armenians. The service concluded with "Cilicia." On the same day, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, celebrated Divine Liturgy, conducted Thanksgiving Prayers for the Republic and the blessing of the Armenian flag, and delivered the sermon at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood. A reception followed at "Yeghia Sarafian" Hall. Welcoming remarks were delivered by ANCA West San Fernando Valley Chairman Mr. Garo Kamarian. The Prelate once again welcomed Congressman Brad Sherman and Assembly candidate Jesse Gabriel, wishing them both success in their current and future endeavors. Mr. Kamarian introduced the special guests. Congressman Sherman discussed his efforts in support of Armenia and presented a flag to the Church. On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, District 5 Chief Deputy of Public Safety Mr. Greg Martayan presented certificates to Fr. Razmig and the Board of Trustees. In the afternoon, the Sunday School's year-end reception was held at "Dikranian" Hall under the auspices and with the presence of the Prelate. The program began with the Armenian national anthem and Sunday School anthem presented by the students. Fr. Razmig delivered the invocation. Welcoming remarks were delivered by the MC, Gassig Kejejian, who also gave a brief overview of the church's role in the battle for independence in 1918 and stated that the day's program was dedicated to the centennial to honor the memory of our forefathers and celebrate our faith, culture, and homeland. The students presented a play dedicated to the centennial. On behalf of the Sunday School faculty and parent-support committee, Director Mrs. Seta Kejejian thanked the Prelate for his presence and wished him continued success in his mission. Noting that the children are the future of our church and nation, she thanked the teachers for their dedicated service, the Parish Pastor and Board of Trustees for their moral and financial support, the parent-support committee for their service, and the parents for trusting the instruction of their children to the Sunday School. She commended all the students for their efforts and congratulated the graduating students. The Prelate, joined by Fr. Razmig, Mrs. Kejejian, and Board of Trustees member Mr. Khatchig Hairabedian, presented diplomas to the four graduates, after which he delivered his message. His Eminence fondly recalled his own time as a Sunday School student from the age of four and the influence it had on his life leading him to where he is today. He commended the Director, faculty, parents, and the church family for serving together with faith, love, sacrifice, and devotion. Addressing the students, he stated, "whatever you receive from your parents and teachers, know the value and appreciate it. Inspired by our forefathers' spirit of courage, zeal, and determination, become our capable leaders of tomorrow." The Prelate concluded by congratulating the graduates and expressing his pride toward all. An intimate luncheon followed in a family atmosphere. *** PRELATE DELIVERS INVOCATION AT THE SWEARING-IN OF GLENDALE POLICE CHIEF CARL POVILAITIS On Thursday, May 31, 2018, Carl Povilaitis was formally sworn in as the Chief of the Glendale Police Department. By the invitation of the City of Glendale Police Department, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended and delivered the invocation. He was accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Vazken Atmajian. City Manager Yasmin Beers welcomed the guests, after which His Eminence delivered the invocation. The Prelate prayed for the Lord to guide Chief Povilaitis as he now carries the weight of the community's safety and welfare on his shoulders, to grant him strength of will and prudence to fulfill the demands of his mighty duties and responsibilities, and grace him with divine wisdom as he leads the Glendale Police Department with honor and dignity, justice and fairness. His Eminence prayed for the Lord to watch over all police officers who bravely and selflessly put their lives on the line day in and day out to keep us safe, to grant them strength and courage to face the dangers of today's world, and to protect their families as well. Finally, the Prelate beseeched the Lord's blessings upon the honorable Mayor and City Council, all government officials, civil servants, members of service organizations, and residents, who work in accord as members of one family for the wellbeing and prosperity of the vibrant and beautiful Jewel City. He concluded by conveying his congratulations and best wishes to Chief Povilaitis. The swearing-in ceremony followed, administered by the City Manager. Members of the Glendale City Council and L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell conveyed their congratulatory remarks. Chief Povilaitis thanked all for their well wishes and outlined his priorities for the City. ***
Nikol Pashinyan to Armenians in Georgia: “There can’t be disappointment”
Photo: Press service of the Armenian government
Photo: Photolure
Photo: Press service of the Armenian government
“The victory that Armenians recorded in Yerevan is yours too. You are a full party and beneficiary to that victory, because it happened in your homeland.
Photo: Photolure
We call the revolution in Armenia the revolution of love and solidarity and I have come here today with a message of love and solidarity. I love you all, individually and as a community. I am proud of you, of your willpower and the pride of being Armenian that I see in your eyes. I am proud to witness the friendly relations between Armenia and Georgia and to be certain that they will expand and strengthen even more, that Armenians will feel better in Georgia and Georgians – in Armenia,” said Pashinyan.
The Prime Minister added, “Many say today and wish, hope with a bit of reservation that this process will bring new achievements and no disappointment.”
Photo: Press service of the Armenian government
“There can be no disappointment, because we have served, are serving and will always serve the Armenian people. I repeat that our most important mission is to become the firm ground under our nation’s feet so that the people can rely on us and lead the country to new victories. The Armenian people will never lose again, because we are a winning nation, we are a proud nation, and we are a nation that belongs to God. So long live the Republic of Armenia and long live the brotherhood between Armenia and Georgia!” said the Prime Minister.
On May 30, Pashinyan also visited Khojavank pantheon where he laid down flowers to the gravestones of prominent Armenian writers Hovhannes Tumanyan, Raffi, and Gabriel Sundukyan.
Today, MP Armen Ashotyan, Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), said at the briefing with journalists that the EU-Armenia agreement would come into force with the transitional provisions from June 1. “Therefore, I expect concrete steps from the new Government and urge the Government to synchronize it with the SEA agreement and to consider its provisions to be comparable. I think our proposal is constructive. ” Armen Ashotyan did not want to address the issue on whether he was not afraid that there would appear political prisoners from the republican party. And in general, he did not want to talk about any internal political issue. Only responded to the statement made by th Way Out (Yelk) MP Edmon Marukyan who had said that if Armen Ashotyan was subjected to political persecution, he should appeal to the Human Rights Defender, CC or Artur Sakunts, and those structures would defend him. “I have to say that at this moment many applications, concerning persecutions, have been received and their number is increasing. Let’s look at them later. proofs are being obtained. ” Then he joked. “Thank you Mr. Marukyan for such the piece of advice. I will still think and adress the institution where political preferences are not mixed with the profession.”Armen Ashotyan: I will still think and adress the institution where political preferences are not mixed with the profession (video)