Author: Jhanna Virabian

UK congratulates Armenia on successful conduct of early elections

Jhanna Virabian

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 15:14,

YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the OSCE Neil Bush congratulated the Armenian people on the successful conduct of their early parliamentary elections and thanked ODIHR’s election observation mission for these elections and for their reports.

“We were pleased to read in the statement that the elections were competitive and generally well managed within the short time-frame. Voters were provided with a broad range of options, and fundamental rights and freedoms were generally respected, with contestants being able to campaign freely”, the Ambassador said.

Neil Bush shared concerns that the campaign period was characterized by intense polarization and marred by increasingly inflammatory rhetoric, and that women were side-lined throughout the campaign.

“We look forward to the Election Observation Mission’s final report which will contain valuable recommendations on how to make further improvements to the electoral process and address issues identified. These objective observations and recommendations from ODIHR are invaluable tools and we encourage the Government of Armenia to make full use of them, including by implementing these and previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations.

The UK will continue our close partnership with Armenia, including through cooperation on democratic and economic reforms”, the Ambassador added.

Analyst: Armenia, Azerbaijan authorities’ views on Artsakh issue coincide

Jhanna Virabian
News.am, Armenia
11:10, 26.06.2021

One of the questions most frequently asked to me during the [election] campaign, at various platforms, was: “How do you see the process of settlement of the Artsakh issue? From which point should start? On what basis?” etc. Analyst Tigran Abrahamyan, a former security adviser to the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President and an MP candidate from the opposition “I Have Honor” bloc of Armenia, wrote about this on Facebook.

“In fact, the current authorities [of Armenia] either do not speak or make some incoherent wording about this key issue for Armenia and Artsakh.

And there is no public demand, too, to make understand or find out what the authorities will do in connection with this process.

The authorities, of course, have a position in connection with this issue, which will not be made public.

The views of Armenia and Azerbaijan’s authorities coincide, with some detailed differences, on this matter: there is no Artsakh issue, the matter is closed.

Those who think that the Artsakh matter, or its settlement, refers only to Artsakh Armenians are grossly mistaken.

The Artsakh matter has a direct link with the personal security of Armenia and any Armenian living in Armenia, and such an inglorious closing of the topic is a direct threat to each of us,” Abrahamyan added, in particular.

ANCA Summer Academy to Jumpstart High School Engagement in the Armenian Cause

Jhanna Virabian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

The ANCA Summer Academy will provide a select group of 10 high school students a week-long intensive program in grassroots advocacy and opportunities to explore careers in policy, politics, and media. Successful applicants are high school students 17-19 years of age with a strong background and interest in community youth activism.

Inaugural Washington Week to Inspire Careers in Politics and Policy; Explore Best Practices in Grassroots Pro-Artsakh/Armenia Civic Participation

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America is expanding its youth advocacy and career development efforts to high schoolers, with the launch of the ANCA Summer Academy from August 9 to 14 in Washington.

The online application form for the competitive 10-person program is available at anca.org/summer.  The deadline to apply is July 9, 2021. Students accepted into the program will be notified by Monday, July 12.

“Karekin Njdeh famously said that to see the future of a nation, look to its youth.  Armenian American youth – through their efforts online and on the ground – are the engine of present-day pro-Artsakh/Armenia activism, as demonstrated during the most recent Turkey/Azerbaijan attacks against the Armenian homeland,” stated ANCA Program Director Alex Manoukian. “The ANCA Summer Academy seeks to foster and develop our youth leadership, expanding our federal advocacy at the high school level and providing ladders of opportunity for careers in public service.”

During its inaugural year, the one-week, intensive program will bring a select group of high school students 17-19 years of age with proven community leadership experience to Washington DC to learn more about the Armenian Cause and how our policy priorities are advanced within the framework of America’s federal government. The ANCA Summer Academy will focus on ongoing efforts with the Biden Administration and the 117th Congress to strengthen and improve U.S.-Armenia relations and to ensure that the U.S. Government’s policies with respect to Artsakh align with our nation’s own values with respect to freedom and democracy.

The ANCA Washington DC team of professionals will utilize modern tools, training, and skills to instruct and evaluate those who are selected to participate in the 2021 class of the ANCA Summer Academy. The program will involve direct engagement with federal policymakers, ANCA experts and a range of professionals who are involved in matters related to both the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh. The Academy will also benefit from presentations from both those who have worked on issues related to the Armenian Cause for decades and those who are currently working in Washington, DC on contemporary matters – such as securing much needed U.S. aid to the Republic of Artsakh’s citizens.  Throughout the program, ample opportunities will be provided to explore Washington, DC and make lasting friendships.

ANCA Summer Academy participants will be staying at the ANCA Aramian House, a landmark property in downtown Washington, DC which serves as the home and permanent headquarters of the ANCA’s signature youth programs.  The Aramian House is named in honor of the late community leader and philanthropist Martha Aramian of Providence, Rhode Island.

The ANCA Summer Academy is the latest in the series of youth empowerment and career development programs including the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Summer Fellowship, and the ANCA Rising Leaders Program.

The ANCA Summer Academy will provide a select group of 10 high school students a week-long intensive program in grassroots advocacy and opportunities to explore careers in policy, politics, and media.  Successful applicants are high school students 17-19 years of age with a strong background and interest in community youth activism.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 24-06-21

Jhanna Virabian

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 17:33,

YEREVAN, 24 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 24 June, USD exchange rate down by 4.11 drams to 507.90 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.70 drams to 606.64 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 7.03 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 5.59 drams to 709.23 drams.

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

Gold price up by 35.70 drams to 29255.69 drams. Silver price down by 3.84 drams to 423.67 drams. Platinum price up by 399.20 drams to 17799.01 drams.

Russian MFA speaks of “the earliest start” of Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation

Jhanna Virabian
MediaMax, Armenia
June 17 2021

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said that “in recent weeks, it has been possible to reduce tension on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

“Consultations on the regulation of the border dispute will continue,” she said at a briefing in Moscow today.

According to Zakharova, Russia continues providing active mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation.

“Close coordination has been established with Baku and Yerevan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and border services. We consider the earliest start of delimitation of the border between the two countries with its subsequent demarcation to be the sustainable and long-term solution to the problem. We confirm our readiness to provide the most active assistance to this process,” Zakharova said.

Kocharyan assures their political force is capable to ensure Armenia’s security

Jhanna Virabian

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 17:28,

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS. 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, who is leading the “Armenia” alliance’s electoral list for the June 20 snap polls, considers the upcoming elections as “crucial”.

“Just several days have been left, and the election is crucial. This is an election between having dignified peace or continuing the life on one’s knees. This is an election between having a real drastic growth or increase in unemployment, poverty and migration”, he said during their alliance’s pre-election campaign in Maralik town.

He stated that over the past three years migration rate has been higher from that of the past 25 years.

The ex-President assures that they are the political force which can ensure the country’s security.

“We are the political force which can ensure the country’s security, drastic economic growth. We have done this once, it has been before your eyes, and it will happen for the second time”, he added.

Robert Kocharyan stated that they are holding such meetings being sure that they are coming to power, noting that they are trying to use such meetings for getting better acquainted with the local issues.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Russian, French and German FMs discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border and in Nagorno Karabakh

Jhanna Virabian

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 14:15, 8 June, 2021

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministers of Russia, France and Germany – Sergei Lavrov, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Heiko Maas, held a telephone conversation on June 7, during which, among many other issues, they also discussed the situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border and in Nagorno Karabakh, as well as the implementation of the statements by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

“They noted the importance of unfailingly complying with the ceasefire regime and the need to resolve any disagreements by political and diplomatic means. The ministers reaffirmed the role of the OSCE’s Minsk Group during the negotiating process between Azerbaijan and Armenia”, the statement says.

The Russian side noted that any involvement of international organizations to the process is only possible with the consent of Baku and Yerevan.

 

Editing by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia early elections: CEC calls on political forces to strongly observe law requirements during campaigning period

Jhanna Virabian

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 10:21, 7 June, 2021

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission calls on all political forces participating in the upcoming snap parliamentary elections to strongly observe all the requirements of the Electoral Code during the campaigning period, the CEC said in a statement.

“We call for ruling out insult, hatred, words and propaganda of violence or hatred in public and other speeches, on social media and during political events”, the CEC said, wishing a productive campaigning to all parties and party blocs.

The electoral campaign for the snap parliamentary elections officially launched in Armenia on June 7.

The campaign will last until June 18.

The snap parliamentary elections will take place on June 20, but the electronic voting will kick off on June 11 until June 13.

26 political forces – 22 parties and 4 blocs, are participating in the elections.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian Ombudsman, head of ICRC delegation discuss issues relates to the rights of POWs

Jhanna Virabian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 31 2021
 

Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan discussed issues related to the rights of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by the Azerbaijani armed forces on May 27 with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Armenia Caroline Douilliez.

Reference was made to the necessary steps already taken by the delegation, Arman Tatoyan said in a Facebook post, adding that they keep in touch with the families of the captured solders.

The Ombudsman said that issues related to the right of our compatriots captured before May 27 were also discussed.

 

Armenia’s caretaker economy minister invites Chinese companies to participate in expected new projects

Jhanna Virabian

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 12:52, 2 June, 2021

YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan received Ambassador of China to Armenia Yong Fan, the ministry told Armenpress.

In his remarks caretaker minister Kerobyan highlighted the activation and expansion of commercial cooperation between Armenia and China, taking into account the non-utilized potential of the existing cooperation.

He informed the Chinese Ambassador about several new initiatives and invited Chinese companies to participate in the implementation of these projects, in particular relating to the designing, construction and operation of an innovative city on Yerevan-Gyumri highway, as well as the construction and launch of industrial parks in Ararat, Meghri and Gyumri.

In the context of the expected reforms in agriculture sector, Vahan Kerobyan has touched upon the necessity of creating a single irrigation system in Armenia and discussed the opportunities of jointly implementing this project.

During the meeting the sides also discussed the possibilities of re-launching a chemical production and developing metallurgy in Armenia.

Both emphasized the necessity of opening direct flights between Armenia and China, which will facilitate the cargo transportation between the two countries and will boost tourism. Kerobyan expressed the readiness of the Armenian government over the matter, and if necessary such flights will be subsidized.

The Ambassador informed that in 2020 the Chinese side planned to send a group of specialists to Armenia to observe the possibilities of opening direct flights, however this plan didn’t take place because of COVID-19. He, however, added that the Chinese side is ready to resume the talks over this issue. The Ambassador as well highlighted deepening the economic ties and the mutually beneficial partnership, stating that the Chinese side is interested in participation to the aforementioned projects and asked to provide them with more-detailed information.

At the end of the meeting the sides expressed readiness to contribute to the development of the Armenian-Chinese trade-economic cooperation within their capacities.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan