Author: Maral Chavushian

Artsakh authorities must think of Aghavno and Berdzor residents – Gegham Stepanyan

Maral Chavushian
ARMINFO
Armenia – July 1 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. The Artsakh authorities must think of the fate of the Aghavno and Berdzor residents, Gegham Stepanyan, Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, said. 

According to the information at his disposal, the Aghavno residents  will be resettled in Hin Shen and Mets Shen, Nagorno-Karabakh, if the  alternative highway is put into operation. 

“Berdzor residents will be involved in the same programmes as other  displaced persons. They will be provided with housing in Armenia,” Mr  Stepanyan said. No evacuation of the local residents is taking place  now. 

At a recent online conference, Armenia’s Premier Nikol Pashinyan  stated that new road that would be an alternative to the Lachin  corridor is under construction. Under the trilateral agreement of  November 9, 2020, during three years, with the parties consent, the  corridor  route is to be changed. As a result, the territories beyond  the boundaries of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region will  become part of Azerbaijan. The route will be changed to ensure more  reliable highway service between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. 

“We are solving the Berdzor residents’ problems by means of  government decisions. Of course, the population must be provided with  housing. As regards Ahavno, the Artsakh government can resolve the  villagers’ problems,” the premier said. The route will be changed  after Russian troops establish control over the new route. The  corridor must be under Russian peacekeepers’ full control, Mr   Pashinyan said.  

Asbarez: Armenia, Turkey Agree on Land Border Crossing

Maral Chavushian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 July 1, 2022

 

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

Special envoys on normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, Ruben Rubinyan (left) and Serdar Kilic meet in Vienna on July 1


Special Representatives for the normalization process between Armenia and Turkey, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan and Ambassador Serdar Kılıç held their fourth meeting in Vienna.

They agreed to enable the crossing of the land border between Armenia and Turkey by third-country citizens visiting Armenia and Turkey respectively at the earliest date possible and decided to initiate the necessary process to that end.

They also agreed on commencing direct air cargo trade between Armenia and Turkey at the earliest possible date and decided to initiate the necessary process to that effect.

Furthermore, they discussed other possible concrete steps that can be undertaken towards achieving the ultimate goal of full normalization between their respective countries.

Finally, they reemphasized their agreement to continue the normalization process without preconditions.

The Special Representatives previously held three meetings in Moscow and Vienna.

On Thursday, Rubinyan told reporters that Yerevan did not see much progress in the negotiation process with Ankara.

“Since the beginning of the process, Armenia has been very constructive, Armenia has the political will, and the success of this process depends on the political will of Turkey. As you can see, up to this point there has not been much progress,” he said, adding that certain announcements by Turkey’s leaders did not bode well for the progress of the talks.

Armenia’s economic activity index grows 10.2% in five months

Maral Chavushian

Save

Share

 15:35,

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s economic activity index increased by 10.2% in January-May 2022 compared to January-May 2021, the Statistical Committee said.

The industrial production volume increased by 2.7%, that of construction by 11.4% in January-May 2022 compared to the same period of 2021.

8.9% increase was registered in trade turnover in the same period.

The services volume recorded 24.9% increase.

The consumer price index increased by 7.7% in January-May 2022.

The index of industrial production prices increased by 9.6%, and the electricity production volume by 13.1%.

36.6% increase was registered in external trade turnover volumes. The export growth comprised 27.5%, and the import growth – 42.2%.

The dram exchange rate against the US dollar comprised 477.34 drams in January-May 2022.

Chinese tourist: Policeman sexually assaulted me in Yerevan

Maral Chavushian
NEWS.am
Armenia –
23:00, 24.06.2022

Chinese Lei Manna, who came to Armenia as a tourist in early June, claims that she was recently sexually assaulted by a police officer in Yerevan.

“In Yerevan, the policeman touched my body, and I found myself in an awkward situation. The incident took place on 2 June, that day I applied to the police because the hotel did not return my money. When the police arrived, I was standing near the hotel. One of them touched my chest with his hand and squeezed it, then put his hand on my shoulder and said, “I will protect you, I will be with you.” And when we were in the car, where there were two other policemen and an interpreter beside us, he hugged me and said, “You are beautiful.” I think I was sexually assaulted. I felt very bad because that man touched me,” the Chinese tourist told NEWS.am.

Lei Manna tried to report the incident to the police, but the police refused to accept the report, saying that there were no elements of a crime in the incident. The Chinese woman told us the name of the policeman, which we do not publish. “The police told me that it was nothing and they could not process my application, but for me, it is not. A police officer on duty in China has no right to touch a woman’s body. They can hold hand or touch hair, but not the chest. The policeman would be held responsible for that in China. “

AW: AYF Camp Haiastan announces Forever Tornig honorees ahead of 70th anniversary gala

Maral Chavushian
 Camp Haiastan Announcements 0

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — AYF Camp Haiastan is proud to announce that it will host its 70th anniversary gala on Saturday, July 23rd. Over the last 70+ summer seasons, AYF Camp Haiastan has brought together thousands of campers, counselors and staff from all over the world to explore all aspects of Armenian culture and history while building lifelong friendships. 

This year’s gala will include the first ever presentation of the “Forever Tornig” award. Honorees of this award have shown unconditional love and devotion to AYF Camp Haiastan and are exemplary members of the camp’s community. Each of the honorees began their relationship with the camp as an enthusiastic camper, then a devoted staff member, followed by a tenure as a conscientious Camp Board member. Their unwavering dedication to the camp is both admirable and highly appreciated by all who love the camp. The first three honorees for the “Forever Tornig” award are Peter Jelalian (New Jersey), Richard Krikorian (New Jersey) and John Mangassarian (Rhode Island). The three honorees serve as examples to current and future generations of campers and staff. 

Circled left to right Richard Krikorian, Peter Jelalian and John Mangassarian, 1974

Jelalian has held the mantle of summer director many times, serving as a mentor to generations of campers. He has been a sounding board for new summer directors and has regularly stepped in to help when needed. Jelalian most recently served on the Camp Board until 2019. He continues to serve on the recruitment committee and has been instrumental in the recruitment and retention efforts.

Krikorian has been a longtime advocate of Camp. During his tenure on the Camp Board, he helped establish the camp’s current endowments and investment strategies. Without his efforts, camp would not be in the favorable financial position it is today. Krikorian still serves on the camp’s finance and investment committee. 

Whenever a helpful hand is needed at Camp, Mangassarian is the first person to step up to the plate. A lifetime supporter of camp enrichment, you can find Mangassarian volunteering at Camp several times a week. He is no stranger to hard work and has helped keep the campgrounds looking pristine over the years. Mangassarian is an essential community member who devotes his time to any of Camp Haiastan’s needs.  

“We are excited to announce this award to honor individuals who have been committed to Camp since their camper days,” said Hratch Najarian, Camp Haiastan Board chair. “We are even more excited to present this award for the first time at AYF Camp Haiastan’s 70th anniversary gala while we also celebrate all of Camp’s successes over the past 70 years.” 

The Gala will be held on Saturday, July 23rd at the Gillette Stadium Putnam Club in Foxborough, MA. The evening will feature a program highlighting the Camp’s achievements over the last few years as well as a look into future projects. Musical entertainment will be provided by Mike Gostanian, Mal Barsamian, Richie Berberian, Bruce Gigarjian, Paul Mooradian and Ron Tutunjian. Tickets can be purchased online.

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
Founded in 1951, AYF Camp Haiastan is the oldest Armenian residential camp in the United States. Camp Haiastan is located in Franklin, Massachusetts.


EANA, the big family of news agencies, highlights cooperation and empowerment of its members

Maral Chavushian

Save

Share

 12:43,

YEREVAN, JUNE 14, ARMENPRESS. The European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) is a good platform of cooperation, opportunities and exchange of experience. More than 30 news agencies around the world are members of this organization.

EANA Secretary General, Alexandru Giboi, and EANA Board Member, CEO of PA Media Group, Clive Marshall, visited Armenpress on June 13.

Speaking about their visit to Armenia, Clive Marshall said they are in Armenia to meet with the people from Armenpress and also with the general media, in order to progress the application that has been made by Armenpress to join EANA. “We had very interesting two-days learning more about the country, its history and its media”, he said.

Presenting the main mission of their organization, the EANA Secretary General stated: “The main goal is to actually create an environment of cooperation and insight sharing for the members. It’s an environment out of which each member can draw something useful for the evolution of the agency that they represent”.

EANA attaches great importance to the cooperation and empowerment of its members. He says that the core values that they represent are those of journalism, which they see as lying at the basis of the democratic societies. “So we try to empower our members to become the flag-bearers of these journalistic values to the, let’s say, larger goal of improving the democratic societies in which they function”, he noted.

Clive Marshall in turn stresses the necessity of news agencies to be “independent, impartial, balanced and perhaps most importantly in today’s world, in digital media, to be trustworthy, so that people, that are consuming news agency content, can trust that content and know that it comes as a reliable source”.

As for the their expansion plans, Alexandru Giboi said their organization became more digital because of COVID-19, adding that they are looking towards engaging a lot more with the stakeholder environment. “Personally I think that increasing connections in Europe of course, among various sectors, not only the media sector, the technology sector, consultancy, everything should be one of the keys to the evolution of EANA, and our members, of course. So in the future, I think, the cooperation is key”, the EANA Secretary General said.

Clive Marshall notes: “I think from the perspective of my news agency, the PA Media Group in London, it’s important that we are in a position to transfer our experience and skills to some of the small members of our organization”. He says that if the membership application of Armenpress succeeds, they can exchange information and knowledge that can help Armenpress develop and grow, which according to him, is good for Armenia, is good for the news agency and the consumers of the news content as well. Clive Marshall informed that they have discussed this issue with Director of Armenpress Narine Nazaryan.

As for the opportunities provided by EANA, the Secretary General said they are huge. “First of all, first and foremost, and I am saying this as Secretary General of EANA and also as a former director of a news agency which is member of EANA, and that is Agerpres Romania. You, as a member, benefit from the huge level of insight which is, actually, granted by the diverse membership that we have. Interaction, networking, access to ideas is one of the most important gains for a member agency, in my opinion. They are not, let’s say, in a way isolated anymore. They are part of this big family which we are. And we help our members anyway possible”, he added.

Clive Marshall highlighted the friendship and the community of the organization. He says that one of the greatest benefits of the organization is that it is possible to meet around 30 news agency heads, share experiences, concerns and opportunities.

EANA members are such news agencies as Agence France Presse (France), Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA, Italy), BTA (Bulgaria), Agerpres (Romania), CAN (Cyprus), EFE (Spain), the news agencies of Andorra, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Slovakia, Denmark and other countries.




One of the reasons of visiting Armenia is to get acquainted with developments in science field – Ardem Patapoutian

Maral Chavushian

Save

Share

 15:16,

YEREVAN, JUNE 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian-American molecular biologist, neuroscientist, and Nobel Prize laureate Ardem Patapoutian visited the Yerevan State Medical University’s “COBRAIN” Scientific-Educational Center for Fundamental Brain Research where he planted the seed of the plant from which he obtained the well-known molecule.

After touring the Center, Ardem Patapoutian delivered a lecture on “How do you feel? The molecules that sense touch” topic in the Yerevan State Medical University.

“One of the reasons of my visit to Armenia is to get acquainted with the developments in Armenia’s science sector. I expect to lay a foundation for a new cooperation. The government tries to increase the funding for science, research, which is one of the first key steps for the development of the sector. I hope that the young students, after seeing my example, will try to achieve better results”, he said.

YSMU Rector Armen Muradyan said that their cooperation with Mr. Patapoutian started back in 2016 when he delivered his first lecture on perception of touch.

 Ardem Patapoutian received a Nobel Prize for the discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch.

Current path in Germany-Armenia mutual relationship already a notably positive one – Bundestag MP

Maral Chavushian

Save

Share

 09:50, 9 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Member of the German Bundestag Till Mansmann, who is also the President of the German-Armenian Forum, highlights the good relations between Armenia and Germany.

In an interview to ARMENPRESS, the Bundestag MP said “Armenia is in a difficult situation as it suffers from multiple stress factors in the light of the current geopolitical developments”.

“Germany is supporting Armenia as it promotes common values”, the MP said.

When asked to comment on how he assesses the current state of the relations between Armenia and Germany, Till Mansmann said: “Germany’s cultural relations and education policy in Armenia aim to promote German as a foreign language at both school and university level. The German Academic Exchange Service and the Federal Office of Administration – Central Agency for Schools Abroad have their own German staff in Armenia. A Goethe-Zentrum opened in Yerevan in 2017, with the Language Training Centre based in the same building. There are many cooperation arrangements between German and Armenian higher education institutions. Additionally, we have the TUMO Centre in Berlin which aims to educate in the broad field of digitalization and software for foreigners and citizens completely free of charge. The political foundations Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V., Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and Heinrich Böll Foundation, as well as the German Adult Education Association (DVV) and the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation, have offices in Yerevan staffed by local employees”.

Asked how he sees the role of the German-Armenian Forum in strengthening the relations between the two countries, Till Mansmann said “the current path in the mutual relationship is already a notably positive one”. “I plan to keep engaged with my commitment for the German-Armenia friendship”, he noted.

Alen Simonyan meets with Mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian

Maral Chavushian

Save

Share

 18:19, 9 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan, who is in Strasbourg on a working visit, met with the Mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian on June 9, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the parliament of Armenia.

Thanking the Mayor of Strasbourg for the warm reception, Alen Simonyan noted that he is glad to see our compatriot in such post.

The sides discussed details about Pan-Armenian and community issues.

At the meeting the Mayor’s cooperation with the elected female officials of Armenia and in that context the need of exchange of best practice were highlighted.