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Author: Kalashian Nyrie

Armenia And Kyrgyzstan Remove Entry Requirements

Kalashian Nyrie
   
BY: AUTHORJENNIFER RICHARDSON

The nations of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan announced this week that they will be lifting all Covid-related entry requirements for all incoming travelers, effective May 1st, 2022.

Once the changes go into effect on Sunday, travelers won’t have to show any proof of a negative PCR test result or a vaccination certificate in order to enter either country.

According to a local report, Armenia’s Health Minister Anahat Avanesyan stated at a cabinet meeting on Thursday that the country would be scrapping all health-related requirements for international arrivals.

“Since the situation with coronavirus pandemic has been stabilized and the tempos of the spread of the pandemic reduced in world, we have decided to lift some restrictions. The requirement to submit a PCR rapid diagnostic test and vaccination certificate when entering the country through land border and checkpoints in airports has been removed.”

The Ministry of Health for the Kyrgyz Republic also announced that the nation would be removing its testing and proof of vaccination requirements put in place for the pandemic. According to local news, “Reports were heard on the epidemiological situation connected with coronavirus infection in the republic and on the progress of vaccination of the population against coronavirus infection.”

The announcements makes Armenia and Kyrgyzstan the 39th and 40th countries to remove all entry requirements for travelers that were put in place due to the pandemic.

As of May 1st, 2022, all international and domestic travelers arriving to Armenia and Kyrgyzstan won’t need to show any Covid tests or vaccination proof in order to enter the countries. Here’s a review:

  • No negative Covid test result (including PCR and rapid antigen) required at departure or on arrival to Armenia or Kyrgyzstan
  • Proof of vaccination not required for travel
  • No quarantine requirements for incoming travelers

Previously, both nations implemented testing and proof of vaccination requirements for incoming travelers in 2021. After being closed to foreign travelers for most of 2020, Armenia reopened for tourism in March 2021. In order to enter, travelers had to follow a 72-hour testing requirement, a health screening upon arrival, and abide by the local mask mandate in place.

The current proof of Covid vaccination requirement in place will also be scrapped as of May 1st.

Kyrgyzstan began slowly reopening to tourism in late 2020, allowing US and Canadian tourists to visit provided they follow all entry requirements, including testing and proof of vaccination. Non-vaccinated travelers had to show a negative PCR test for entry, and fully vaccinated travelers were exempt from that requirement.

The heart of the Caucasus and located somewhere between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Armenia is a beautiful travel destination not-to-be-missed.

From hiking the Caucasus mountains with unforgettable views, visiting centuries-old monasteries, an amazing food culture, and so much more, this little landlocked country will surprise you.

Start your trip in the capital city of Yerevan and get a sense of the local culture and history. The city has plenty of markets, museums, and other attractions to explore that will easily fill your travel itinerary before heading off to explore the mountains and lakes in the countryside.

US and UK travelers can enjoy visa-free travel to Armenia for 180 days in one calendar year. Canadians must apply for a tourist visa before travel to the nation. You can find more information on Armenia’s visa requirements for travelers here.

Due to an ongoing conflict, it is advised by officials to avoid the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the surrounding areas.

Persons from the US, Canada, the UK, and a number of other nations can visit Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days without a tourist visa. Just make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months prior to your arrival.

A landlocked nation in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful destination for travelers looking for outdoor adventures and getting a little off-the-grid. The main port of entry is Bishkek International Airport in the capital city. After spending a few days Bishkek enjoying the museums, a walkable town square, parks, markets, and restaurants, pack up your bags and hop on a marshuka (local bus) to start exploring the impeccable countryside.

Some of the most notable travel destinations in Kyrgyzstan include Song Kul, a crystal clear alpine lake located in the northern region of the country. The area is only accessible in the warmer months, so best to plan your trip here in the summer. Guests can stay with a local family near the lake and sleep in their own yurt, the traditional type of accommodation used by nomads.

The best way to organize your trip to Kyrgyzstan is through CBT (Community-based tourism). You can find more information here at this local tour agency.

Artsakh’s FM condemns terrorist attacks on state structures in a phone conversation with Pridnestrovian FM

Kalashian Nyrie

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 18:20,

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. On April 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan had an online  conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) Vitaly Ignatyev, ARMENPRESS was infomred from the press service of MFA Armenia.
 
Minister Babayan condemned the terrorist attacks on a number of PMR state structures committed the day before, expressing solidarity with the fraternal Pridnestrovian people on behalf of the authorities and people of Artsakh.

 
Issues related to regional and global geopolitical developments, as well as the relations between the foreign ministries of the two countries were discussed during the meeting too.




Azerbaijani press: Mythical "genocide" rhetoric and tentative reconciliation attempts

Kalashian Nyrie
17:55 (UTC+04:00)
512

By Orkhan Amashov 

In the wake of the new phase in the Turkish-Armenian normalisation process, which is riddled with uncertainties, reciprocal mistrust and accusations as to the preconditions, the date of 24 April remains a focal point around which emotions continue to swirl incessantly. 

This is a day on which Armenians at home and abroad throw a retrospective glance at their past, replete with genuine and imagined pain, contemplate the present and think of a future, filled with imaginary successes. This is also a day on which the chances for Turkish-Armenian normalisation pass through their annual test of emotional sustainability.

Armenia is nowhere near exorcising the so-called “genocide” demon from its body. The spirit and aspirations of the nation are still moulded and driven by a hopeless desire to make the whole human race accept that what happened to the Armenian population of Eastern Anatolia during the First World War was an act of ‘genocide’, deliberately perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire.  

When the first signs of the new phase of normalisation were imparted to the general public and media in December 2021, the initial reaction was one of clear optimism, grounded on the assumptions that the circumstances were auspicious for a fresh start. That initial optimism has by no means faded away, for the conditions underpinning it are still consequential.

The key feature of the situation, which has been in slow evolution since December, is that the Karabakh obstacle that was tied to the abortive Turkish-Armenian normalisation process in 2009, has been curtailed, if not completely removed. But there are some new circumstances, which have hitherto been out of the equation. 

After the Second Karabakh War, the Zangazur corridor emerged as one of Baku’s key projects, wholeheartedly supported by Ankara and opposed by Yerevan, which sees it as an encroachment into its sovereignty. Since Turkey has made it manifestly clear that all steps will be agreed with Azerbaijan, one could expect that the Zangazur element will be integral to the process.

However, on the whole, amongst other provisions, due to Baku’s warm reception of the reconciliation, one could assume that the current process is mostly on the Turkish-Armenian front. Two aspects loom large, both of which hinge on Armenian efforts to secure worldwide recognition for the events of 1915 as so-called “genocide”.

Firstly, it is Yerevan’s phantasmagorical foreign policy ambition to make all nations under the Sun, including Turkey, accept its reinterpretation of what was undoubtedly a tragic affair, yet the idea of compelling humanity to acquiesce on this has always appeared to be a mission impossible. Secondly, Yerevan believes it should be possible to achieve progress without renouncing its territorial claims on eastern Turkey.

When it comes to actual normalisation, Armenia’s oft-stated view is that the process regarding these two issues should be set in motion without “preconditions”.

Ankara views the entire matter through the prism of sheer pragmatism. In order for diplomatic relations between the two nations to be established, inter alia, there should be mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity. Once this stage is complete, contemplations on the possible legal consequences of the so-called “Armenian genocide” will become of lesser import. Yerevan knows this, and keeps emphasising the importance of avoiding preconditions.  

The alleged “genocide” rhetoric is still central to the story of modern Armenian nationhood. Imagined glories and tragedies of the past still feed today’s toxic ambition. This will undoubtedly continue for some time. But certain things may and should change.

Some elements of the Armenian establishment have come close to recognising that there is something deeply wrong with the national psyche. Being something akin to a tin-pot little Eurasian country, Armenia has long imagined itself within an unrealistically expansive dimension, focusing on the myth of “Great Armenia”. This normalisation may induce the healthy self-appraisal of the country’s true position within the grand scheme of life and the reappreciation of its ambition. 

Not all regional actors are genuinely interested in the Turkish-Armenian thaw. Driven by different interests and priorities, the so-called sceptics share one common trait:  they have benefited from the status quo. Over the past 30 years, for example, Georgia has become a critical transport hub and a new situation may cast aspersions on its uniquely advantageous position.

Iran and Russia may have circumstantially different, but substantively similar concerns. If the normalisation attempts reach a new phase, Tehran’s energy leverage on Yerevan may substantially decrease.

Although the current phase of the process is being deliberated under the Kremlin’s auspices, and its leverage both on the normalisation in general and Yerevan is considerably potent, the Russian attitude is far away from being straightforward. Moscow has also benefited from Yerevan’s isolation, and the new opening with Turkey may curb its sway over Armenia. 

In the final analysis, for all the challenges and some of the seemingly intractable blots, this is still the most opportune time for the thaw between Ankara and Yerevan. 

The promise is fragile. But the chances for real progress are considerably greater than ever before. Special envoys have been appointed, and the geopolitics of the present time is relatively conducive to positive developments.

Sofia: Catholics and Armenians in Bulgaria celebrate Easter

Kalashian Nyrie
published on 4/17/22 3:44 PM
Photo: BGNES

On April 17 Catholics and Armenians in Bulgaria celebrate Easter. There are more than 20,000 Catholics in Plovdiv district only. Many believers went to church in the town of Rakovski and the Municipality of Kaloyanovo, the BNR reported.

On the occasion of the Orthodox Palm Sunday and the Resurrection of Christ, celebrated by the Catholic and Armenian communities on April 17, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev wished all Bulgarians health, strength and faith. “Easter is a glorious victory of life over death, of light over darkness, or truth over injustice”, Bulgaria’s head of state noted in his address.

Los Angeles County Supervisors Lead Effort To Honor Armenian Culture

Kalashian Nyrie
April 8 2022

Authored by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn, a motion proclaiming the month of April as Armenian History Month was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. 

 “As we prepare to commemorate the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide later this month, it’s important to also take time to recognize the vibrant culture and contributions of our fellow Armenian neighbors, community members and leaders,” Barger said. “We are fortunate to have the Armenian spirit alive and thriving in Los Angeles County.”  

As the home to the greatest number of Armenians outside of Armenia, Los Angeles County and the Board annually commemorates the Armenian Genocide that began on April 24, 1915 and resulted in the tragic loss of 1.5 million innocent lives, according to the motion.

“Because Los Angeles County is home to the largest population of Armenians outside of Armenia, we have an opportunity and a duty to learn about and lift up Armenian history,” Hahn said. “This month, we will celebrate the rich culture of the Armenian people, highlight the many accomplishments of Armenian-Americans in our community, and join the local residents in the somber commemoration of the lives lost in the Armenian Genocide.”

In a separate motion, Barger named four honorees of Armenian heritage in recognition of their contributions and positive impact across Los Angeles County:

Sona Van was named an honoree for co-founding a non-profit medical group with various locations serving the indigent, while also writing poetry focusing on the Armenian Genocide. 

Al Cabraloff is a member of the Armenian Education Foundation, an avid supporter of Armenian educational institutions and students of Armenian culture. 

Ronald Altoon is an internationally renowned architect and board member of several higher education institutions. 

Mariam Kuregyan is a lawyer and dedicated volunteer who has supported many causes, including helping women affected by domestic violence.   

To learn more about the honorees, click here. 

 

Armenpress: Dozens of Armenian POWs are still held in Baku prisons. Arman Yeghoyan at the Francophonie Regional Conference

Kalashian Nyrie

Dozens of Armenian POWs are still held in Baku prisons. Arman Yeghoyan at the Francophonie Regional Conference

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 20:56, 4 April, 2022

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, ARMENPRESS. The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of Armenia on European Integration Arman Yeghoyan raised the issues related to the security and humanitarian crisis in Armenia and Artsakh at the Conference of the Heads of the European Region Delegations of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie.

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“On September 27, 2020, when the world was battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Azerbaijan, with the help of its allies and mercenaries, launched a large-scale offensive against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. And despite some humanitarian organizations, heads of a number of states very quickly gave an accurate assessment of what was happening, it seems that was not enough. One of the first to respond to the situation was French President Emmanuel Macron, who openly stated that Azerbaijan had transferred jihadist groups from Syria to Nagorno-Karabakh to fight against Armenians. (Quote) “According to our reliable information, 300 militants arrived in Baku from Syria via Gaziantep. They are known and identified, they originate from the jihadist groups operating in the Aleppo region.” Human Rights Watch has confirmed that Azerbaijan used cluster bombs during the war.” Genocide Watch warned that Azerbaijan intends to annihilate the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh. (Quote) “Azerbaijan has invaded the territory of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic or Artsakh, with the aim of annihilating the Armenian presence in the occupied territories.” Recently, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage of Nagorno Karabakh in the territories that have passed under the control of Azerbaijan,” Arman Yeghoyan said, as reported by Armenpress.

He reminded that in a flagrant violation of international law, Azerbaijan targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, bombed cities, used phosphorous bombs, and brutally executed the elderly who had not left their homes before the Azerbaijani advance. Arman Yeghoyan stressed that dozens of Armenian prisoners of war are still being held in Baku prisons, whom Azerbaijan refuses to return.

“And in these difficult days, the Armenian people, who had lived for thousands of years in their homeland, Nagorno Karabakh, did not receive the same support from the international community. Why? The question here was geopolitics or values? Even if we assume that the reason was geopolitics, even in that case, was the war in Nagorno Karabakh not connected in some way or another with what is happening in Ukraine today? I leave this as an open question that you can ponder over. And what do you think, how can any state, any government, expel any population from its hometown and village, what European state can do such a thing without receiving a European response? Nobody. But why was this possible in Nagorno Karabakh? This is another question that I leave open and suggest thinking about it”, Arman Yeghoyan concluded.

Armenian National Institute Posts Database on Media Coverage of President Biden’s Recognition

Kalashian Nyrie

Washington, D.C. – As important as the 2021 international media coverage of President Biden’s remarkable acknowledgement of the WWI-era Armenian Genocide was, the lessons of this history were not sufficiently appreciated when Azerbaijan and Turkey launched a campaign in 2020 to eliminate Nagorno-Karabakh by eradicating its Armenian inhabitants. That attempted genocide has been documented by the Program on Peace-building and Human Rights (PBHR) at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR).


In advance of April 24, 2021, media sources began forecasting that the White House was likely to make an announcement, while newspaper editorials, once again, called on the President “to use honest and accurate terminology in describing the Ottoman Empire’s killing of more than 1 million Armenians a century ago,” as the April 5 Los Angeles Times editorial appealed.

The reporting by major media organizations following the official announcement by the White House relied extensively on information provided by ANI through its website, especially the documentation on the list of countries recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Further, several reports linked directly to the ANI site, including Time magazine, The Washington Post, Politico, Le Monde (French newspaper), L’agone Nuovo (Italian newspaper), La Razon (Spanish newspaper), Times of Israel, The Indian Express, and NBC News, among others.


Such significant coverage by international media of the Biden Administration’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide and its implications across a range of issues, including the Turkish government’s continued denials, the reassertion of human rights concerns in U.S. foreign policy, and the appreciation of the Armenian American community and Armenians around the world, is now reflected in the growing database of press stories available on the ANI website.


A selection of 360 major media articles can be found in the database, which is also organized into a number of categories to facilitate research into distinct aspects of the public understanding of the Armenian Genocide, and the long road to its recognition by 31 countries to date. The categories include: Book Review, Editorial, Education, Feature Story, Film Review, Memorials, Opinion, Recognition, Remembrance, Reporting, and Restitution. News from ANI can also be accessed through the database, which can be searched by author or source of publication.

Aware of the pace of coverage that was manifested by the change in U.S. policy, ANI also launched a Twitter profile to facilitate the sharing of information on current developments in the course of universal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, and for advising audiences about notable publications by researchers uncovering new sources and exploring new theories on the causes and consequences of the Armenian Genocide. While the Press Coverage database provides access to important journalistic contributions, the Twitter account allows interested followers to access current reporting and trends in the international response to issues surrounding the subject – or the threat – of genocide, in the hope of keeping audiences alert to potential outbreaks.
Representatives of the media were also directly in contact with ANI with inquiries on the importance of the policy change adopted by the Biden Administration. On April 24, following the release of the White House statement, ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian gave several interviews to national and international news services.
Dr. Adalian also appeared in a recently released documentary. Specifically, “The American Good Samaritans” tells the story of several important American humanitarians only some of whom have received the recognition that they deserve for rescuing survivors of the Armenian Genocide. The film was produced by Manvel Saribekyan, who released “The Map of Salvation” in 2015 that focused on European humanitarians. “The American Good Samaritans” features interviews with a number of scholars from the United States, Armenia, Lebanon, Greece, Turkey, and Iran, among them Dr. Levon Avdoyan of the Library of Congress, Dr. Antranik Dakessian of Haigazian University in Lebanon, Dr. Konstantinos Fotiadis of Greece, Dr. Sargon Donabed, an Assyrian-American specialist, Dominica Macios, a researcher from Poland, Karen Mkrdchyan, researcher from Iran, Dr. Paul Levine, attorney Garo Mardirossian, and Shant Mardirossian of the Near East Foundation – the successor organization to Near East Relief – the main U.S.-based charity that sponsored hundreds of volunteers to aid Armenian survivors of genocide.
For more information on ANI, please see the preceding March 21, 2022 announcement: “Armenian National Institute Website Now Includes 795 Official Records Affirming Armenian Genocide.”


Founded in 1997, the Armenian National Institute (ANI) is a 501(c)(3) educational charity based in Washington, D.C., and is dedicated to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. The ANI website can be consulted in English, Turkish, Spanish, and Arabic. ANI also maintains the online Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA).


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NR# 2022-02

Armenia National Football Team arrives in Oslo

Kalashian Nyrie

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 09:22, 28 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Football Team arrived in Oslo, capital of Norway, on March 27, where they will play a friendly match, the Football Federation of Armenia said.

The team will stay at Radisson Blu Hotel Nydalen in Oslo.

Norway-Armenia match will take place on March 29 at Ullevaal Stadion, 19:00 (local time).