Skip to main content

Author: Liana Toganian

Japan calls on its citizens to immediately leave Ukraine

Liana Toganian

Save

Share

 19:00,

YEREVAN, 11 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan made a decision to increase the level of threat of being present in the territory of Ukraine to the maximum – the forth level, and called on its citizens to immediately leave that country, ARMENPRESS reports, citing “Izvestia”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced.

According to the classification of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the fourth level of threat of being present in this or that country means to immediately leave the country’s territory and suspend any trip to that country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan explained its decision by the continuing rise of tension at the Russian-Ukrainian border.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan emphasized that the further development of the situation remains unpredictable, despite the continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at the resolution of the crisis.

Iran, Armenia to develop scientific, technological co-op

Liana Toganian
Tehran Times
Feb 8 2022
  1. Society
February 8, 2022 – 17:29

TEHRAN – Iranian Minister of Science Mohammad Ali Zolfigol and his Armenian counterpart Vahram Dumanyan emphasized the need to develop scientific and technological cooperation in an online meeting on Monday.

Zolfigol expressed interest in strengthening scientific and technological cooperation with Armenia, helping each other to be on the path of scientific growth and development.

“Iran has made good progress scientific research and technological activities in the world, in addition to being one of the top 15 countries in the world in terms of scientific production, and currently about 49 science and technology parks are active in the country.

In the field of basic sciences, holding scientific competitions between Iranian and Armenian students in basic sciences such as mathematics can be a field of cooperation,” he stated.

Establishing university branches to utilize the capacity of the technical and vocational education, as well as establishing a joint science and technology park and awarding a number of scholarships to Armenian students in priority fields for this country are among the areas that can be mentioned in the joint cooperation memorandum, he further said.

Dumanyan for his part said that progressive and high-level relations with the Islamic Republic are very important for the Armenian government, because Iranian universities have a high position in terms of science, and universities such as the Sharif University of Technology are world-famous.

The presence of Armenian students in the form of student camps or study opportunities in Iran is one of the areas of cooperation, and the collaboration of professors and faculty members can also be considered in the context of scientific cooperation, he explained.

He further considered the world programming competition in Armenia as one of the examples that can increase scientific interactions and Iranian students can participate in these competitions.

Iran’s science diplomacy at highest level in 20 years

Data from the Scopus International Citation Database show that Iran’s scientific diplomacy has reached more than 34 percent since the beginning of 2021, the highest level in the past 20 years.

Science diplomacy is the use of scientific collaborations among nations to address common problems and to build constructive international partnerships. It is a form of new diplomacy and has become an umbrella term to describe a number of formal or informal technical, research-based, academic, or engineering exchanges, within the general field of international relations.

Comparing the rate of 2020 with 2019, Iran with a growth of 12.5 percent and with a slight difference with India has gained second place in the world in terms of the growth of world science diplomacy, Mohammad Javad Dehghani, head of the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC), said.

In 2011, the share of Iranian articles with international participation was about 16.5 percent, which increased to 19.7 percent in 2016 and gradually in the following years, so that in 2020 and 2021, reached up to 30.5 and 34.2 percent, respectively, he further stated.

The share of Iranian articles with international participation has had significant growth of 209 percent during an eight-year period (2013-2020), becoming the Islamic world’s leading country in science diplomacy, according to the Scopus International Citation Database.

FB/MG

Artsakh’s Tsovategh Village Celebrates Opening of Renovated Community Center and Clinic

Liana Toganian
by Contributor

 

 February 9, 2022

 

in Artsakh, Latest, News, Top Stories

Tsovategh’s renovated community center opened its doors on Feb. 8. (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

Project Funded by the Armenian Medical Fund, AGBU of Switzerland, and the Tufenkian Foundation; Tufenkian-AAMA Artsakh Healthcare Partnership Announced.

TSOVATEGH, Artsakh—The residents of Tsovategh, a village in Artsakh’s Martuni region, celebrated the opening of their new community center on February 8. The building, which includes a town hall and medical clinic (“buzhket”), was renovated thanks to a partnership between the Armenian Medical Fund (United States), the Armenian General Benevolent Union of Switzerland, and the Tufenkian Foundation.

The opening of the center was attended by the village mayor Samvel Abrahamyan, chief physician of the Martuni Regional Hospital Dr. Robert Baghdasaryan, Armenian American Medical Association representative Dr. Anush Sahakian, mayors and representatives from neighboring villages, as well as representatives of the Tufenkian Foundation’s Stepanakert and Yerevan offices.

From left: Tufenkian Foundation director of programming (Artsakh office) Edvin Grigoryan; Tufenkian Foundation director Greg Bedian; AAMA representative Dr. Anush Sahakian; Martuni Regional Hospital chief physician Dr. Robert Baghdasaryan; Herher Mayor Arman Aleksanyan; and Tsovategh nurse Gayane Baghryan at the opening of the center. (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation) Tufenkian Foundation director Greg Bedian addresses guests and dignitaries at the opening of the center (Photo: ArtsakhPress)

“The center is home to the Tsovategh town hall, the village’s community center, as well as the buzhket (clinic) since the early nineties,” explained Mayor Abrahamyan. Buzhkets, or community medical clinics, are often the only places that villagers across Artsakh have access to immediate medical care. “The building needed substantial repairs and renovations to meet the needs of our citizens. We are thankful for the support of our diasporan compatriots for their generosity and willingness to help the people here,” he added. The renovated clinic was also outfitted with new equipment and other necessities thanks to the partnership.

The residents of Tsovategh and its surrounding villages came under heavy bombardment during the 44-day war against Azerbaijan in 2020. Early in 2021, thousands of families who had fled the region during the intense battles returned to their homes, many of which had sustained substantial damage. Many of these villages are now only a few kilometers from the Azerbaijani border.

Tsovategh Mayor Samvel Abrahamyan is interviewed by the local press (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation) A part of the new buzhket (Photo: Amaras newspaper)

Last year, following comprehensive consultations with the Artsakh authorities, the Tufenkian Foundation assembled an integrated plan composed of complementary initiatives that contribute to meet the educational, health, economic and other needs of several villages in the Martuni region, including Tsovategh and the adjacent villages of Kherkhan and Herher.  Various aspects of the plan also include the nearby villages of Sos and Machkalashen. The Foundation partnered with the Los Angeles-based JHM Foundation (John and Hasmik Mgrdichian Foundation) last year, to construct a similar center in nearby Herher village.

“About a year ago, we visited Tsovategh—this storied village—to pass out desperately needed food assistance packages. Today, we are happy to see that the village and its people are able to support themselves and live and work on their land,” said Tufenkian Foundation director Greg Bedian. In early 2021, the Foundation distributed packages, which included flour, rice, buckwheat, pasta, oil, and other staples, to more than 400 families across Martuni’s various villages.

“We will continue to invest in these often-overlooked villages, and in other parts of Artsakh, by rebuilding and renovating homes, clinics, and schools; by implementing educational programs; and by carrying out targeted health and economic development programs. This is how we can ensure a vibrant future for generations of Armenians in Artsakh,” Bedian commented.

As part of its 2022 development program, the Tufenkian Foundation will work in partnership with the Boston-based AAMA on a program to strengthen primary health care in Artsakh. Addressing guests and dignitaries at the Feb. 8 opening, Dr. Sahakian explained that the program will start its work in the villages of Martuni. “Our program will bring highly qualified physicians from the diaspora to provide practical training and continuing medical education to the local medical staff, while also providing care to patients in the region on a continuous basis,” Dr. Sahakian said.

Established in 1999, the Tufenkian Foundation addresses the most pressing social, economic, cultural, and environmental challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh). Since its inception, the Tufenkian Foundation has supported various community initiatives as well as civic activism and public advocacy campaigns to help improve life in Armenia, while providing housing, education, social, health, and livelihood support for the Armenians of Artsakh.

Putin likely to visit Turkey, but no specific dates agreed yet — Kremlin spokesman

Liana Toganian

Save

Share

 15:20, 8 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. Moscow and Ankara have agreed on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Turkey, but no specific dates have been reported so far, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, reports TASS.

“Indeed, such a visit will likely take place in the future. As we have repeatedly stated, President Putin and [his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip] Erdogan agreed <…> that this visit would take place as soon as the president’s schedules and epidemiological situation allowed. There are no exact dates yet, but they will be agreed through diplomatic channels in a timely manner”, the Kremlin spokesman noted.

On Monday, Turkish Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin revealed that the date of Putin’s visit to Turkey would likely be announced in the next few days.

Yerevan citizen found guilty in first ever “grave insult” verdict

Liana Toganian

Save

Share

 14:44, 3 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. A citizen of Armenia was found guilty of making “grave insults” by a Yerevan court, the first verdict under the new paragraph 137,1 of the Criminal Code since it took effect.

The Armenian parliament criminalized “Grave Insults” in 2021.

The person who was found guilty was charged on November 5,2021, after calling the Yerevan Police Department and verbally abusing and voicing grave insults towards Prime Minister Pashinyan and the Minister of High-Tech Industry and their families over “improper organizing the public transport’s operations of Yerevan”.

The caller confessed in making the insults during questioning.

Under the verdict the defendant is fined 500,000 drams.

The prosecution further said that a total of 263 criminal cases were opened by 2022 under the same article, with 25 being dropped, 5 being suspended and 11 others merging into other criminal cases.

214 other criminal cases are being probed and 31 persons face criminal charges.

Ruling Civil Contract faction nominates high-tech minister for President

Liana Toganian

Save

Share

 16:56, 1 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. The ruling Civil Contract party of the Armenian parliament nominated the candidacy of Vahagn Khachaturyan, the current Minister of High Technological Industry, for the President of the Republic, Speaker of Parliament, Acting President of Armenia, Alen Simonyan said.

“The discussion about the nomination of a candidate for president was held in the format of the Board of the Civil Contract party. Later it was also discussed with the faction, other candidacies were also considered. The discussion lasted too long, and very different facts were presented. After long discussions we made that decision”, Simonyan said.

Armenpress: Armenia, Germany celebrate 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations

Liana Toganian

Armenia, Germany celebrate 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations

Save

Share

 21:42,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Germany are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

On this occasion the foreign ministry of Armenia shared a post on Twitter, which says: “On this day 30 years ago Armenia and Germany established diplomatic relations, continuously evolving and expanding close cooperation in the spheres of mutual interest. We are keen to further promote our friendly relations based on common values and historic ties”.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Federal Republic of Germany were established on January 31,1992.

Germany is a key partner for Armenia both in bilateral relations and in the formats of multilateral cooperation, such as within the frames of the UN, OSCE, etc.

43 agreements and contracts, 5 protocols, 9 memorandums have been signed and two joint statements have been adopted by Armenia and Germany during the past 30 years.

Armenia ex-President about PM: This man has poor understanding of negotiation process

Liana Toganian
  News.am  
Armenia – Jan 31 2022
22:53, 31.01.2022

Exactly what you said proves the fact that this man has a poor understanding of the negotiation process and does not know the details of the negotiation process nor the essence, said Armenia’s third President Serzh Sargsyan in an exclusive interview.

He referred to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statements that the issue of Nagorno Karabakh was delegated to the UN Security Council after the April War, while recalling the UNSC resolutions of 1993, and also speaking about the possibility of the UNSC to adopt or not to adopt a document.

“First, what do the UNSC resolutions of 1993 have to do with this? Those were about a completely different issue. All those resolutions adopted in 1993 were calling for cessation of armed hostilities. Those were meant to decide neither on the status, nor anything else for that matter. And the claim that the [new] UN Security Council resolution would not be adopted raises a question: exactly what line of argumentation does he rely on to yield such a conclusion ?” said Serzh Sargsyan.

“I am saying that the [new] UN Security Council resolution would no doubt be adopted, based on the fact three out of five Permanent Members of the Security Council – United States, Russia and France – were those proposing the draft. Can you at all imagine a situation when, if I must repeat myself, three out of five Permanent Members (United States, Russia and France) table a draft resolution, and even if [it were not adopted] – what would happen? Even if they decided to go to extreme measure and one of the Permanent Members used the veto power, what would we lose? The co-chairs simply could not make certain proposals and then in the course of their discussions turn 180 degrees and suddenly adopt a different decision? That’s impossible,” Sargsyan said.

In response to the remark that if such a thing had happened, the responsibility for the non-resolution would have fallen on the international community, the third president of Armenia said that not even the international community but a particular member of it would have become responsible. “This [document] was not ‘a catastrophe’. For us that was, of course, not the document of our dreams, neither the Kazan document was the embodiment of our dreams, but it was an acceptable document for us. It was an implementable one on the ground too. That is obvious,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

Azerbaijani press: Baku, Tehran to construct new bridge over Astarachay [PHOTO]

Liana Toganian
25 January 2022 17:56 (UTC+04:00)
648

By Ayya Lmahamad

Baku and Tehran have signed a protocol on the construction of a new bridge over the Astarachay River on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border, Trend has reported.

The document was signed by Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rahman Hummatov and Iranian Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Kheirollah Khademi.

Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev stated that the construction of a new road bridge will be completed by the end of the year.

“Today the laying of the foundation of the bridge will take place, which will be built and put into operation in a short time, namely by the end of this year,” he said.

Cooperation in liberated lands reconstruction

Moreover, Iranian Roads and Urban Development Minister Rostam Ghasemi noted that Iran, within the framework of cooperation with Azerbaijan, will contribute to the reconstruction of the country’s liberated territories.

“I am confident that relations between the people of our countries will continue to develop. Iran is interested in strengthening ties with neighboring countries, in particular with friendly Azerbaijan,” he said.

In this context, Mustafayev also stated that Iranian companies are planning to be involved in the restoration of Azerbaijani liberated lands.

Industrial parks

Mustafayev added that the branch of the Iranian Tractor Manufacturing Plant based in Tabriz city may become a resident of the Araz Valley Economic Zone industrial park in Azerbaijan.

He added that bilateral cooperation in the transport field opens up new opportunities for Azerbaijan.

“We have launched a new format of cooperation in the new geopolitical realities created after the Azerbaijani territories’ liberation. The Azerbaijani government, despite that our territories were completely destroyed, is pursuing a policy of peace and development of relations with all neighbors,” he said.

During the meeting, it was noted the next meeting of the Iranian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission is planned to be held in early March this year.

After liberating its lands from Armenian occupation in the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan regained control over a 132-km section of the Azerbaijan-Iran border. The re-establishment of control over the state border opened up new prospects for deeper cooperation between the two countries.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan and Iran’s trade turnover in 2020 was $339.1 million. In the first 11 months of 2021, this figure was $390.4 million.

Top Iranian Armenian clergy: Martyr Soleimani an example of a freedom-loving man

Liana Toganian
ABNA, Iran
Jan 27 2022
January 27, 2022 – 12:43 PM News Code : 1223029 Source : ICROLink: 

Chairman of the Council of the Armenian Catholic Caliphate of Iran, Archbishop Davidian, in a meeting with the head of the Center for the Dialogue of Religions and Cultures of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, said “Martyr Soleimani is an example of a freedom-loving man.”

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Chairman of the Council of the Armenian Catholic Caliphate of Iran, Archbishop Davidian, in a meeting with the head of the Center for the Dialogue of Religions and Cultures of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, said “Martyr Soleimani is an example of a freedom-loving man.”

Ghahraman Soleimani, head of the Center for Inter-religion and Cultures Dialog of ICRO, met with His Eminence, Archbishop Sarkis Davidian, Chairman of the Armenian Catholic Caliphate Council of Iran.

While congratulating the Christian New Year and expressing satisfaction with this meeting, Soleimani said: “We read the report of the commemoration ceremony on occasion of the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Sardar Soleimani, which was held by the Armenian Catholic Caliphate in Mazandaran Province, and we had a good feeling about it and appreciate his valuable action.

Archbishop Davidian, in his comments, while explaining the activities of the caliphate, said one of the constant principles of Pope Francis, which he always mentions in his sermons, is to pay attention to the displaced and the suffering of those who have been forced out from their homeland and have migrated to other countries.

The Armenian top clergy added: “I am a native of Syria and therefore I am familiar with the life-giving actions of Martyr Soleimani and his comrades against extremism in the region and the services they provided to all human beings, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.” Martyr Soleimani is an example of a freedom-loving man, and Pope Francis also prays for the suffering people, believing in the principle of freedom.

Soleimani said: “We appreciate the presence of your Excellency as a man of familiar pain in the region and believe that Islam and Christianity have many commonalities, the most valuable of which is the effort for brotherhood and according to the Qur”an, the human path, is peace and friendship and unity between human.

He continued: “The government of Iran is religious system. In recent years, in many places a number churches or synagogues have been destroyed, but Iranian Government considers its duty to protect such places of worships based on the duty and human rights of the people.”

Soleimani added: “The Center for the Dialogue of Religions and Cultures has a long history of holding dialog with the Vatican and considers the meeting of religious leaders including Pope Francis, Sheikh Al-Azhar and Ayatollah Sistani to promote the culture of brotherhood and coexistence and cooperation of followers of religions.