Author: Hunanian Jack

Russia, Armenia Agree Not To Provide Territories For Use Against Each Other’s Interests

Hunanian Jack

 Mohammad Ali

Russia and Armenia will not provide their territories to third countries for use against each other’s interests in the field of biological security, according to a joint statement following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 19th April, 2022) Russia and Armenia will not provide their territories to third countries for use against each other’s interests in the field of biological security, according to a joint statement following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“The leaders stressed the importance of further implementation of the agreements reached between Moscow and Yerevan in the field of ensuring biological security, including on the basis of a memorandum of understanding on issues of ensuring biological security dated May 6, 2021. It was confirmed that the territories of both states will not be provided for the use of third countries in order to carry out activities directed against each other’s interests in the field of biosecurity,” the statement says.

Artsakh Human Rights Defender to headline keynote in livestream Australian National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide

Hunanian Jack
Public Radio of Armenia
, 14:01

 

Australia’s National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, which will be livestreamed on Tuesday 26th April 2022, 8pm (AEST), will include a special keynote feature highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Republic of Artsakh as a result of the genocidal policies unleashed by Azerbaijan and Turkey, reported the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee.

Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh, Mr. Gegham Stepanyan will star in the keynote feature, providing from-the-ground insight into the ongoing military and humanitarian tactics of the brutal Azerbaijani regime, with the intention of ethnically cleansing the Republic of Artsakh of its indigenous Armenian population.

Stepanyan graduated from Yerevan State University in 2014 completing a Bachelor of International Relations and completed his Master’s program in Political Science and International Affairs at the American University of Armenia in 2016.

From September 2020 – March 2021, Stepanyan was the Chief of Staff to the former Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman, Artak Beglaryan and was elected by the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh to replace Beglaryan on 25th March 2021 as Beglaryan’s successor.

Stepanyan has been a vocal critic of Azerbaijan’s most recent human rights violations against the peaceful citizens of Artsakh, and is working with governmental and non-governmental human rights agencies to bring awareness to the clear human rights violation under international law by the Azerbaijani regime.

Stepanyan will highlight the fighting spirit of the people of Artsakh and their determination to counter any attempts at ethnic cleansing, which is a policy that draws stark parallels with Azerbaijan and Turkey’s Ottoman predecessors, who remain unpunished for committing the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

The livestream will premiere on Tuesday 26th April 2022 at 8:00pm (AEST) via the Facebook and YouTube channels of Armenia Media and other leading Armenian-Australian organisations.

The member organisations of the organising Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee are the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Missionary Association of Australia Hamazkaine, Nor Serount, Homenetmen, Tekeyan, Armenian Relief Society, Dkhrouni, AGBU Youth and the Armenian Youth Federation, in addition to Sahagian Sporting Club in Victoria and the Armenian National Committee of Australia Head Office and Branches in Melbourne, Perth and Canberra.

Opposition MP says there has never been peace under current Armenian government

Hunanian Jack
Panorama
Armenia,

The Armenian authorities are trying to convince the people that the “era of peace” propagated by them is vital, while the other political forces would lead the country to war, according to MP Tigran Abrahamyan from the opposition With Honor faction.

“This is announced by the political force, during whose rule in 2020 the devastating 44-day war took place,” he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

He recalled that the Azerbaijani troops invaded Armenia’s sovereign territory in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces in May and November 2021.

The MP also pointed to the advancement of Azerbaijani forces into Artsakh’s Parukh village and Karaghluh heights in violation of the trilateral statement signed with the Armenian authorities.

“While those from the [ruling] political group are intimidating the public, saying, “Do you know that if we leave, there will be no peace? But when has there been peace under your government?” Abrahamyan said.

Sports: Republic of Ireland to open Nations League campaign away to Armenia

Hunanian Jack
The Irish Times
about 4 hours ago Updated: about 3 hours ago

Gavin Cummiskey

The Republic of Ireland’s revised June fixtures for the Nations League group that includes Ukraine have been confirmed, and despite the Russian invasion Uefa have slated two matches in six days against Oleksandr Petrakov’s side.

Ireland will host Ukraine at the Aviva stadium on June 8th with the return leg, previously suggested to take place in Poland, happening on Tuesday June 14th. The venue has yet to be decided.

This follows the rescheduling of the World Cup playoff between Scotland and Ukraine at Hampden Park to June 1st with the winner facing Wales in Cardiff four days later. The victor of that playoff final lands into Group B alongside England, USA and Iran at the first ever winter World Cup in November.

Either Ukraine or Scotland will be using competitive matches against a Stephen Kenny squad that is expected to be without injured duo Matt Doherty and Adam Idah, as preparation for the tournament in Qatar as Scotland also comes to Dublin on June 11th.

The rejigged fixture list sees Ireland off to Yerevan for their opening Nations League B1 games, now against Armenia on June 4th. All told Kenny’s improving young side will play four important ties in just 10 days this summer with taxing trips either end of the schedule.

The final two matches of a competition Kenny is on record stating Ireland can win outright, are away to Scotland and home to Armenia in September.

The FAI will expect to sell out the Aviva stadium for Ukraine and Scotland games in June despite there only being a three-day gap between each visit. Kick-off times for all matches have yet to be agreed by broadcasters and associations.

“We held very productive and amicable talks with Uefa, Fifa and our fellow associations this week and we are delighted to accommodate our colleagues in Ukraine with this rescheduling,” said FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill. “The FAI and European football stand with the people of Ukraine and we look forward to welcoming them to Dublin on June 8th.”

Earlier this week, FAI president Gerry McAnaney wrote to all member clubs and leagues with details of the Government’s request to use of sports halls and clubhouses as temporary accommodation for Ukrainian refugees over the next two months.

“The situation is quite drastic for the next eight weeks or so until other State bodies and various institutions can release accommodation spaces,” said McAnaney. “As an association we acknowledge that [this request] from Government will not be feasible for many of our clubs but there are so many other ways that Irish football can help.

“Members may consider acting as host families for our visitors from Ukraine in this period, members may have access to residential or non-residential units that can help with this short-term crisis or they may know somebody who can help with accommodation. Every little bit will make a difference in this situation.

“We are due to play Ukraine in the Uefa Nations League in June so let’s continue to show solidarity with our friends from Ukraine between now and then.”

Saturday, June 4th: Armenia v Republic of Ireland

Wednesday, June 8th: Republic of Ireland v Ukraine

Saturday, June 11th: Republic of Ireland v Scotland

Tuesday, June 14th: Ukraine v Republic of Ireland

Saturday, September 24th: Scotland v Republic of Ireland

Tuesday, September 27th: Republic of Ireland v Armenia

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/republic-of-ireland-to-open-nations-league-campaign-away-to-armenia-1.4852808
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https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/republic-of-ireland-to-open-nations-league-campaign-away-to-armenia-1.4852808

Asbarez: After Pashinyan, Aliyev Talks, EU Says Committed to Deepening Cooperation with Yerevan, Baku

Hunanian Jack
by Asbarez Staff

 

 April 6, 2022

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (left) and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan flank President of European Council Charles Michel on April 6 in Brussels

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan met in Brussels on Wednesday in talks mediated by the President of the European Council Charles Michel. This was the second meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders that was facilitated by the European Union.

After the meeting, Michel released the following statement, summing up his perspective on the talks.

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, hosted the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, for a continuation of their discussions on the situation in the South Caucasus region and the development of EU relations with both countries.

President Michel reiterated the EU’s commitment to deepen its cooperation with Armenia and Azerbaijan to work closely in overcoming tensions and promote a South Caucasus that is secure, stable, peaceful and prosperous for the benefit of all people living in the region.

The leaders took stock of developments since their last meeting in Brussels in December 2021 and their videoconference, together with President Macron, in February 2022. They reviewed progress on the implementation of undertaken commitments. They discussed the recent reported tensions and reiterated the necessity of adhering fully to the provisions of the 9/10 November 2020 trilateral statement. They welcomed the meeting of senior representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan on 30 March 2022 under EU auspices in Brussels and agreed on the necessity to continue this engagement to ensure adequate follow-up to agreements reached at leaders’ level.

President Michel emphasized the importance of humanitarian gestures by both sides to promote confidence and peaceful coexistence. He stressed the need for the full and speedy resolution of all outstanding humanitarian issues, including the release of remaining detainees and comprehensively addressing the issue of missing persons, and stated that the EU is ready to support this endeavor. The EU will likewise continue to support confidence building measures between Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as humanitarian de-mining efforts, including by continuing to provide expert advice and stepping up financial assistance, and assistance to conflict-affected populations, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

President Michel noted both President Aliyev’s and Prime Minister Pashinyan’s stated desire to move rapidly towards a peace agreement between their countries. To this end, it was agreed to instruct Ministers of Foreign Affairs to work on the preparation of a future peace treaty, which would address all necessary issues.

The delimitation and demarcation of their bilateral border will be essential; to this end, in line with the Sochi Statement of 26 November 2021, it was also agreed to convene a Joint Border Commission by the end of April. The mandate of the Joint Border Commission will be to:

delimit the bilateral border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and
ensure a stable security situation along, and in the vicinity of, the borderline.

President Michel also stressed that ensuring the appropriate distancing of forces is an essential element of incident prevention and tensions reduction. President Michel reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to provide advice and support.

The leaders also discussed the restoration of communications/connectivity infrastructure between Armenia and Azerbaijan in particular and in the South Caucasus more broadly. President Michel welcomed the steps towards the restoration of railway lines, while encouraging Armenia and Azerbaijan to also find effective solutions for the restoration of road links. The EU is ready to support the development of connectivity links, including in line with its Economic and Investment Plan and by utilizing the proposed economic advisory forum to identify common projects.

The leaders agreed to follow-up on outcomes of their meeting and to stay engaged.

Asbarez: Dr. Souzy Ohanian Named Principal of C. & E. Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School

Hunanian Jack
 by Contributor

 

 April 7, 2022

 

in Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories
 0
Dr. Souzy Ohanian

Dr. Souzy Ohanian, a lifelong educator with more than 30 years of experience in administrative leadership and elementary and middle school instruction, has been appointed to the position of Principal of C. & E. Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School.

“At this pivotal moment in preschool, elementary, and middle school education, the Merdinian Board of Directors is thrilled to announce that Dr. Souzy Ohanian has agreed to serve as the next principal of Merdinian,” said Tzoler Oukayan, Chair of the Merdinian Board of Directors. “Throughout her decades-long career in educational leadership, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to students’ high academic achievement and personal growth and has prioritized faculty and staff development with remarkable success. We are eager to welcome Dr. Ohanian to the Merdinian community and work together to implement her guiding vision as we write the next chapter of the Merdinian story.”

In her most recent role as Assistant Principal of Elementary at Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School, Dr. Ohanian was instrumental in directing school operations, including program planning and implementation, staff hiring and evaluation, strategic planning, and community outreach. In the last 10 years, she contributed to the school’s enrollment growth and provided instructional leadership to staff in the areas of curriculum design, review, and implementation.

Dedicated to the mentorship and development of faculty members, Dr. Ohanian supported and coached teachers to ensure that teaching and learning frameworks were maintained in classrooms. She also developed and presented professional development workshops for staff members and was involved in observing teaching methods and techniques to determine areas for improvement.

In her previous roles at Pilibos as Dean of Curriculum and Instruction and Elementary Academic Director, Dr. Ohanian administered lesson plans and pacing plans for each classroom, designed new programs to implement educational strategies, and conducted both formal and informal school-wide assessments.

Prior to Pilibos, Dr. Ohanian served in the classroom as a first-grade lead teacher and sixth and seventh-grade social studies teacher at Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, where she planned and scheduled curricula for multiple grade levels. Dr. Ohanian earned a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from California State University, Northridge. After serving in the classroom for more than a decade in first-grade instruction, she furthered her academic pursuits and earned her first Master of Fine Arts in K–12 education/teacher education and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She later earned her second Master of Fine Arts in K–12 educational leadership and politics followed by a Doctor of Education in K–12 curriculum and instruction.

Dr. Ohanian and her husband, Raffi, have two children, Aram and Shant.

Armenpress: Armenian FM meets with CSTO Secretary General in Moscow

Hunanian Jack

Armenian FM meets with CSTO Secretary General in Moscow

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 01:23, 9 April, 2022

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas in Moscow, the foreign ministry said.

The sides discussed the current activity of the CSTO, the implementation of the decisions of the Collective Security Council and the timetable of upcoming events.

The importance of implementing Armenia’s chairmanship priorities in the context of developing the Organization’s potential was emphasized.

Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the necessity for the continuation of efforts aimed at improving the CSTO’s crisis response mechanisms.

The Armenian FM also touched upon the current situation caused by the latest incursion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into Parukh village and adjacent territories under the responsibility zone of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno Karabakh.

During the meeting Stanislav Zas presented the security situation and the current challenges in the CSTO zone and informed about the course of agreeing on the documents being negotiated within the CTSO.

The sides also discussed other regional and international issues of key significance for the CSTO member states.

OUT NOW | The Aznavoorian Duo’s New CD: "Gems From Armenia"

Hunanian Jack
April 8 2022

Released on the Chicago-based Cedille Records label, Armenian-American sisters Ani and Marta make their recording debut

The Aznavoorian Duo, Chicago-raised sisters cellist Ani Aznavoorian and pianist Marta Aznavoorian, join together to create this debut.

The album presents works by Komitas Vartabed, Aram Khachaturian, Arno Babajanian, Avet Terterian, and Armenian contemporary composers Serouj Kradjian, Alexander Arutiunian, and Vache Sharafyan. It will also feature a world premiere recording of a new piece by Peter Boyer.

The Aznavoorian Duo comments, “The idea for this CD sprung out of gratitude to the proud and soulful people of Armenia and our homage to the historical challenges they have overcome and continue to engage with.”

Celebrating the sounds of their homeland, the Armenian-American duo will be returning to the Chicago area to perform a recital featuring works from the album on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Nichols Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston.

To purchase the album, click here. You can watch the album trailer below:


Sos Hakobyan deplores peace deal plans amid unsettled Artsakh issue

Hunanian Jack
Panorama
Armenia – April 9 2022

The spokesman of the opposition Homeland party, Sos Hakobyan, expressed concerns over the outcome of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s latest talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels.

“There is no mention of the self-determination and security of the Artsakh people in the statement of European Council President Charles Michel following the trilateral meeting with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Brussels on April 6,” he told a program aired on the Public TV Company.

“Let us remember the war, thirty years of negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. What are we negotiating now? What are we making a peace deal for if we don’t address the main problem and don’t take steps to resolve it fairly?” Hakobyan said.

The spokesman says an attempt is apparently being made to create a new format in order to sign the so-called “peace treaty” between Armenia and Azerbaijan or to promote the process.

“Some time ago the Armenian authorities said that they had asked the OSCE Minsk Group to arrange these talks under the auspices of the mediators, which would lead to the signing of a treaty. From the very beginning it was a very bad idea in a sense that there is an attempt to remove some mechanisms, elements and principles that have been developed over the 30 years of the Karabakh conflict, and fill the void with a vague peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But we see a retreat even from this too; it seems that there is an attempt to move it to the field of mediation of the European Union,” Hakobyan said.

Discussions on Parukh didn’t lead to common assessment – PM on Brussels meeting

Hunanian Jack

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 15:25, 7 April, 2022

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS. During the Brussels meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and European Council President Charles Michel the worsening of the security environment in Nagorno Karabakh was also addressed, particularly the incidents in Parukh, however these discussions didn’t lead to a common assessment of the situation.

“Naturally there was a discussion around the worsening of the security environment in Nagorno Karabakh, particularly the incidents in Parukh,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting. “But these discussions didn’t lead to a common assessment of the situation. I myself didn’t find the further discussion of this topic to be appropriate in the Brussels platform because nevertheless this is about the Azerbaijani military invasion into the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh, and this issue ought to be discussed with participation of our Russian colleagues, which we are doing and will continue to do.”

Reiterating the Armenian side’s stance over this issue, the PM added: “Therefore we expect that the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh will take steps to ensure the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani military units from their zone of responsibility. We also attach importance to holding an investigation into the adequateness or potential inaction of the Russian peacekeeping troops’ actions during the course of development of the events and in the theater of operations.”

The PM said he spoke about this during his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.