Author: Karagyozian Lena

Hungarian FM hopes Eastern Partnership will strengthen Armenia-EU ties

Karagyozian Lena

 14:29,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has expressed hope that the EU Eastern Partnership program will expedite the cooperation between Armenia and the EU and strengthen relations.

He made the remarks when asked whether Hungary supports Armenia’s involvement in the Black Sea Electricity Cable project.

A joint statement by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen released on October 5 said that the European Commission will support Armenia’s participation in regional projects such as the Black Sea Electricity Cable.

In terms of EU-Armenia cooperation, the Hungarian FM said that they are interested in the EU expansion.

“We’ve endorsed the development of foreign relations. Now, when the competitiveness of the EU is decreasing, we find foreign collegial relations to become more significant in such situations. The more countries the EU is able to support the more chances it will have to stop the tragic decrease of the EU competitiveness,” the Hungarian FM said, adding that that’s why they’ve always supported Eastern Partnership. “We want the EU to make maximum financial investments in that project. And we hope that the Eastern Partnership project will expedite your cooperation and strengthen your relations with the EU,” the Hungarian FM said at a joint press conference with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan.

EU’s foreign policy chief Borrell backs pause in Israel-Hamas war

Karagyozian Lena

 19:56,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has backed calls for a pause in the Israel-Hamas war, describing the limited supply of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip as “not enough”, reports AlJazeera.

Borrell said on Monday that the “most important thing” was to get more humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, home to more than two million people.

Armenpress: Armenia vows to organize ‘unprecedented’ World Sambo Championships 2023

Karagyozian Lena

 09:40,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS. As Yerevan gears up to host the World Sambo Championships in November, organizers say they want the event to be “unprecedented” in the history of the martial art.

Karen Giloyan, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, told Armenpress that the number of invited countries could surpass 100.

“I think the World Sambo Championships will be unprecedented. We will try to make it become the biggest championships ever. We will try to invite over 100 countries. We are now in discussions with international and the Armenian federations. We also have an intergovernmental commission that is regularly holding discussions around the championships. I’m sure we will host the event on the highest level,” Giloyan said.

He said that hosting international championships in Armenia is of “vital importance” for the country. By doing so, he said, the country is “promoting itself and demonstrating that it is capable of hosting high level championships.”

“Besides, we are giving our athletes the chance to compete here at home, and enabling the fans to be part of the global sports,” Giloyan added.

The deputy minister said Armenia was chosen as the host of the World Sambo Championships 2023 due to having flawlessly organized the 2021 World Cadet, Youth and Junior Sambo Championships.

Furthermore, without revealing any details Giloyan said Armenia will host other international championships in 2024.

The World Sambo Championships (M&W, Combat Sambo) will take place November 10-12 in Yerevan.

Armenpress: Martiros Saryan House-Museum has new director

Karagyozian Lena

 21:31,

YEREVAN, 16 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. Bella Isahakyan has been elected to the position of director of the Martiros Saryan House-Museum. As Armenpress reports, this was posted in the official Facebook page of the house-museum.

“Bella Isahakyan has started working at the Martiros Saryan House-Museum since 2005, first as a senior researcher, then as head of the department of popularization and organization of exhibitions,'' reads the statement.

Since 2004, Martiros Saryan's granddaughter Ruzan Saryan has been performing the duties of the director of the house-museum.




Hamazkayin urges UNESCO to save the cultural monuments of Artsakh

Karagyozian Lena
 Guest Contributor Open Letters, Diaspora 0

The following open letter was sent by the Central Executive of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society to UNESCO Director General Audry Azoulay on October 2, 2023. The letter asks for UNESCO’s “immediate intervention” to protect Armenian heritage, cultural history, artifacts and monuments in Artsakh. The full text of the letter appears below.

Dear Ms. Azoulay,

We, the Central Executive Board of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society are writing to you on behalf of our several thousand members and followers; the faculty and students of our educational institutions; our art groups; music and folk dance ensembles; publishing houses, as well as our numerous chapters across the globe.

Our international organization was established 95 years ago in the Armenian diaspora, to perpetuate the Armenian cultural, literary and artistic heritage for the consecutive generations of survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. You can find further information on our organization’s website at https://hamazkayin.com/en/.

We hereby seek the immediate intervention of UNESCO in protection of the cultural and religious sites and monuments; ancient artifacts and other evidence of Armenian heritage in Artsakh (also known as Nagorno Karabakh).

Furthermore, we call upon UNESCO to hold Azerbaijan – a signatory to the World Heritage Convention – accountable to the fullest level, for the perpetration of the cultural and human Genocide of Armenians in Artsakh.

Currently, the danger is imminent and immediate action by UNESCO is desperately needed.

Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, June 2018 (Wikimedia Commons) Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, Sept. 2022 (Wikimedia Commons)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of the Armenian churches, monuments, monasteries and other historical sites dating back to the 2nd century A.D. have already been deliberately and systematically desecrated and/or destroyed in Artsakh by Azerbaijan. Still more are under imminent threat of being permanently damaged as was the case starting September 27, 2020 when Azerbaijan, aided by Turkey, invaded Artsakh. The situation has deteriorated further after September 19, 2023, when Azerbaijan launched its final assault for annihilation of the Armenian population on their ancestral lands.

UNESCO is undoubtedly aware of the ethnic cleansing committed by the government of Azerbaijan against the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh, which is manifested in not only the brutal killing and torture of thousands of civilians and forced deportation of the local population, but also the systematic erasure of evidence of the Armenian presence in their ancestral land. Unfortunately, this anti humanitarian action is ongoing.

Endangered are, to name a few: Ghazanchetsots cathedral; Gandzasar, Dadivank, Amaras, Tzitzernavank monasteries; Askeran and Tigranakert fortresses, numerous khatchkars (carved cross stones); ancient lapidary inscriptions, fresco arts; manuscripts; carpets and rugs, and other expressions of Armenian arts, literature and crafts. At the moment, all of the above are in alarming danger. Notably, such historical creations hold importance for the world culture, certainly not solely for the Armenians.

Following its genocidal nine months of total blockade imposed on Artsakh’s population: military attacks of the peaceful civilian population and the ongoing forced deportation of the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan continues its atrocities by desecrating Armenian cemeteries (early Christian era), vandalizing national monuments and destroying all evidence of Armenian cultural, historical and religious creations.

Moreover, of a particular concern is the fact that Azerbaijan has prohibited the transfer to Armenia [of] the Armenian cultural and historical collections from the museums in Artsakh.

Please note that Azerbaijan has previously destroyed ancient Armenian monuments, including the medieval cross-stones of Julfa; the Saint Thomas cathedral of Agulis, one of the oldest churches in the world, among others. These actions have been amply documented.

As a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, Azerbaijan has a legal responsibility to protect and conserve within its boundaries the world’s cultural heritage.

We appeal to UNESCO to hold Azerbaijan responsible and accountable for blatantly ignoring its commitment and for perpetrating a cultural genocide, disregarding the World Heritage Convention.

Remaining indifferent vis-a-vis the erasure of the cultural heritage of the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh puts the safety of humanity’s collective culture at risk. Inaction permits Azerbaijan to continue its destructive behavior, as it has been demonstrated and continues even at this writing.

We urge UNESCO to act in accordance with its mission, to protect and safeguard a part of [the] world’s cultural heritage.

We will be glad to provide additional information, should you require any.

We have shared this appeal with certain media outlets around the world to inform the public and ascertain support.

Thanking you and your esteemed organization in advance, 

Central Executive Board
Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society




Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 10-10-23

Karagyozian Lena

 17:40,

YEREVAN, 10 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 10 October, USD exchange rate down by 6.58 drams to 397.52 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.51 drams to 420.93 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 3.99 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 4.67 drams to 487.12 drams.

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

Gold price down by 53.92 drams to 23586.53 drams. Silver price up by 2.37 drams to 276.70 drams.

Azerbaijan’s president refuses to attend EU talks with Armenia PM

Karagyozian Lena
FRANCE 24
Oct 4 2023

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has turned down a European meeting in Spain with Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan this week, because of European support for Yerevan, a government official told AFP on Wednesday.

Pashinyan later said he would still go to the summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Granada, saying it was a “shame” that the two leaders would not be able to sign a “turning point document” on the contested Karabakh region.

Two weeks ago, Aliyev launched a one-day offensive that saw his country regain control of Nagorno-Karabakh, the home of pro-Armenian separatists.

The talks were to take place on the sidelines of the European summit, under the mediation of France, Germany and the European Council.

“Azerbaijan did not consider it necessary to participate in negotiations in this format,” an Azerbaijani government official told AFP.

Aliyev would not attend because of “pro-Armenian statements by French officials… and statements on the supply of weapons and ammunition (to Yerevan), on military cooperation”, the official told AFP.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said in Yerevan on Tuesday that Paris had agreed to deliver military equipment to Armenia, without elaborating.

The official said Aliyev’s decision was also influenced by “accusations made yesterday by EU Council President Charles Michel”.

Michel, who has mediated several meetings between the foes in recent years, criticised Baku’s use of military force.

The official also cited an “anti-Azerbaijani atmosphere” and said Baku had wanted the meeting to take place in Turkey, its ally, which welcomed the Karabakh offensive.

In Yerevan, Pashinyan told parliament Wednesday that he would still travel to Spain.

“We are going to Granada with a delegation from the foreign ministry and the Security Council,” he said. 

“It is a shame that the meeting has not taken place,” he said.

“We were in a constructive and optimistic mood, because we thought that a turning point document could be signed,” he said. “Until this morning the likelihood of this was very high.”

Pashinyan said he hoped an agreement would be signed “at a good moment”. 

Most of the Armenian population of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh republic has fled since Azerbaijan’s offensive, and the separatist government has agreed to dissolve.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a dispute over the mountainous region since the final days of the Soviet Union, going to war twice: in the 1990s and in 2020. 

(AFP)


Japan to provide assistance to forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh

Karagyozian Lena

 13:36, 4 October 2023

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. The government of Japan will provide assistance to the forcibly displaced Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, Masaki Ikegami, Deputy Director-General / Deputy Assistant Minister of the European Affairs Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

The Japanese foreign ministry official announced the aid at a meeting with Sedrak Tevonyan, the Governor of Ararat Province of Armenia.

“We are now in the process of coordinating, but on October 5 the government of Japan will announce the official assistance program for the forcibly displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, which will be continuous in case of necessity. I will return to Tokyo tonight and I will immediately report on the situation,” Deputy Assistant Minister Masaki Ikegami said at the meeting.

He said that Japan was also shocked by what happened in Nagorno-Karabakh two weeks ago.

“In this regard the Japanese Foreign Minister responded immediately and emphasized in her statement that Azerbaijan must stop its aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh. She called on both sides to resolve all issues peacefully. Now, when the hostilities have stopped, we need to focus on and help the people who’ve survived the situation in the region,” Ikegami said.

The Japanese official said that Tokyo views the situation as a global issue, not just pertaining to the Caucasus region. Ikegami emphasized that Armenia and Japan have common values, where the most important ones are human rights and international values, and they seek to work together in the direction of preserving them.

Masaki Ikegami inquired about the needs of the forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh in order for the aid to be targeted, and Governor Tevonyan briefed on the situation.  He said that 15,569 of the 100,625 forcibly displaced persons who’ve arrived to Armenia have been accommodated in Ararat Province.

U.S. ‘quite serious’ about international mission to Nagorno-Karabakh – State Department spokesperson

Karagyozian Lena

 10:26,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The United States has once again emphasized the importance of sending an international mission to Nagorno-Karabakh, noting that it is ‘quite serious’ about it.

“We are quite serious about the international mission,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on September 28. 

“We think the international mission is important because it relates to all of the other questions about humanitarian assistance, about humanitarian needs in the region. We are so serious about the international mission that the Secretary raised it in his call with President Aliyev, pressed him to support an international mission. You may have seen that the Azerbaijani Government came out yesterday [September 27] and said that they do support an international mission, and in fact in their statement said one of the reasons they are supporting it is because they have been pushed to support it by the United States. So we are quite clear on it. We’re working with our allies and partners on what the best mechanism to effectuate that is. But we think it’s important to provide transparency and to assure that humanitarian needs are being addressed on the ground,” he added. 

Miller did not disclose specifics of the possible mission because the work is ongoing.

“I can’t preview specifics right now because it is a matter that is ongoing with a number of allies and partners in the region. Both under what auspices that mission would be launched, who would participate, what its scope would be, what it would look like – all those things are under discussion. So I don’t want to make any kind of announcement before we’ve nailed down the details. But it is a matter we are working on,” the State Department spokesperson said.

 

84,770 forcibly displaced persons have crossed into Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh as of Friday morning amid the ongoing mass exodus following the September 19-20 Azerbaijani attack which ended after Nagorno-Karabakh authorities agreed to Azerbaijan’s terms in a Russian-brokered ceasefire deal.

Armenpress: Azerbaijan generates more fake news on Nagorno-Karabakh

Karagyozian Lena

 09:44, 8 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has again falsely accused the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army of carrying out fortification works in the Askeran region. The Azeri authorities further falsely claimed to have thwarted the activities, the Defense Ministry of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) said Friday. It branded the Azeri accusations as the “usual kind of disinformation.”

“By generating fake news, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense continues the information preparations for its next provocation,” the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry added.