Author: Maral Takmazian

Russia hosts meeting between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Maral Takmazian
May 25 2023
  • In Daily Brief
  • May 25, 2023
  • Can Eker



Russia will host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for a meeting in Moscow today.

Two years after the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, which concluded after Russian mediation, the post-Soviet neighbors are gathering to hold high-level talks amidst continued tensions. Earlier this month, border skirmishes broke out after Yerevan reported that Azerbaijani drone strikes had injured two Armenian soldiers. While the leaders recently met in Brussels, they have accepted Russia’s proposal to hold a trilateral meeting today in Moscow to negotiate a potential peace treaty.

For Moscow, this meeting bears a special diplomatic significance amidst its ongoing military incursion in Ukraine, which is currently at a standstill. Hence, Moscow desires to reaffirm its strong foothold in the South Caucasus during the short to medium-term. Russia’s concern accelerated after ongoing attempts from the West to undermine Russian influence in the region and mediate a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku. In this framework, irked by the large swaths of land it lost after the war, and discontent with Russia’s post-war efforts as a mediator, Yerevan will likely move closer to the West. A peace treaty is therefore highly unlikely to occur given the current circumstances.

Top Armenian diplomat, US Minsk Group co-chair discuss Yerevan-Baku normalization

Maral Takmazian
 TASS 
Russia –
The top Armenian diplomat stressed the importance of refraining from the use of force and the threat of force, clear border delimitation, guaranteeing border security, and ensuring the rights and security of people in Nagorno-Karabakh as part of the mechanism of internationally guaranteed dialogue

YEREVAN, May 26. /TASS/. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and US Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Louis Bono discussed issues related to the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, the press service of the Armenian foreign ministry said on Friday.

“On May 26, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with US Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations and Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Louis Bono. The sides discussed the process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ararat Mirzoyan reiterated the Armenian side’s commitment to comprehensive and lasting peace in the region,” it said.

The top Armenian diplomat stressed the importance of refraining from the use of force and the threat of force, clear border delimitation, guaranteeing border security, and ensuring the rights and security of people in Nagorno-Karabakh as part of the mechanism of internationally guaranteed dialogue.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Monday that Armenia will recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity as well as that of Nagorno-Karabakh on the condition that the security of the Armenian population is guaranteed. On Thursday, he confirmed that Yerevan and Baku had agreed on mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity. Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France Leyla Abdullayev said on Friday that Baku and Yerevan could ink a peace agreement at the summit of the European Political Community next week.

PM Pashinyan calls for single gas market in EEU for mutually-beneficial trade conditions

Maral Takmazian

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 16:59,

YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called for launching a single gas market in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

Speaking at the EEU summit in Moscow, Pashinyan said the launch would contribute to the development of favorable and mutually-beneficial conditions for trade, ensure energy security and increase of economic integration, as well as competitiveness of member states in international markets.

He said that Armenia is ready for constructive dialogue over this issue to swiftly achieve consensus in outstanding matters.

Financial support to joint cooperatives in manufacturing would promote individual branches of the economies of member states, he added, noting that proportional development of these initiatives is highly important to minimize risks. “Thus, it is important to develop mechanisms eliminating these risks in the phase of selection of the projects, which would allow us long-term prospects for such projects,” Pashinyan added.

The Armenian PM highlighted food security as an important aspect of cooperation within the EEU.  He said that EEU members must unite efforts in this direction.

PM Pashinyan also noted the coordinated work in 2022 for the development of mutually beneficial partnership outside the EEU.

Given the high dynamic of development of cooperation with Iran, the launch of the free trade agreement and its implementation are a priority for member states in context of real expansion of trade cooperation with third countries.

“Continuation of work in priority and promising negotiations sectors such as India and Egypt, as well as development of comprehensive dialogue around the economic agenda and enhancement of trade-economic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia will additionally boost the union’s integration process in the global economy,” Pashinyan said, calling for effective partnership mechanisms with third countries to be created, which would “consistently lead to creation of conditions for sustainable development of the economies of our countries.”

Pashinyan highlighted the Eurasian Economic Forum for dialogue between entrepreneurs and business circles and thanked Russia for organizing the event.

He reiterated Armenia’s readiness for continuous implementation of joint projects aimed at achieving mutually acceptable solutions around important issues of the integration union’s activities.

[see video]

Russia treats allied obligations towards Armenia ‘very seriously’, says ambassador

Maral Takmazian

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 11:14, 9 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 9, ARMENPRESS. Russia is making efforts for the agreements between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to be implemented, the Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said on May 9.

Speaking to reporters during the Victory Day celebrations in Yerevan, the ambassador said that Russia is making active efforts to ensure progress in the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization process. “That’s where we see guarantees that escalations won’t happen and the parties will reach an agreement that would be in the interests of all countries and peoples of the South Caucasus. We are in constant contact with the parties, we are actively advancing the peace agenda, we are rendering mediating services,” the Russian ambassador said.

Ambassador Kopyrkin said that the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh is fulfilling its objectives to contribute to the settlement of the situation, including to the reopening of the Lachin Corridor. He said that Russia spares no effort to intensify the normalization process in all formats, including as part of the task force dealing with the unblocking of regional economic and transport connections, signing of a peace treaty and delimitation of borders.

“Russia has numerously said, and is resolutely repeating, that we stand ready to provide advisory support in this issue. We are also in favor of intensifying dialogue between the societies. The work is taking place constantly, we maintain permanent contact with the parties and we hope that these efforts will lead to results,” the Russian ambassador added.

Ambassador Kopyrkin noted that Russia is “treating very seriously” everything that’s happening in Armenia. “Russia is treating very seriously everything related to its allied obligations towards Armenia and is making all possible efforts for the era of peace, security and development to be established here,” he said.

[see video]

Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs to hold meeting in Russia

Maral Takmazian
 MEHR News Agency
Iran – May 2 2023


TEHRAN, May 02 (MNA) – Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is going to hold another meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in Moscow, Armenian politician Arman Yeghoyan says.

The chairman of the Armenian parliamentary committee on European integration and a member of the ruling Civil Contract party made the remarks in a news briefing on Tuesday.

“A preliminary agreement has been reached to hold a meeting [between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers] in Moscow,” TASS quoted him as saying.

The top diplomats of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been holding talks, with the mediation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Washington since May 1. The deputy speaker of Armenia’s parliament and special representative for normalization with Turkey, Ruben Rubinyan, is also attending the meetings.

Tensions have risen as Azerbaijan set up a new checkpoint on the road to Karabakh in the Lachin Corridor, a move that Armenia called a gross violation of a 2020 ceasefire. 

MP/PR





Armenia and Russia discuss Armenian 2 operating extension, and new nuclear

Maral Takmazian
May 4 2023

04 May 2023

Further extending the operating life of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant’s second unit was identified as a priority during a meeting between Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

During the meeting, in Yerevan, the two “agreed on specific steps for the near future, which will allow the re-extension work to be launched by the end of this year”.

According to Rosatom “during the meeting the construction of new nuclear power units in Armenia was also touched upon” and they were “ready to offer Russian-designed nuclear power plants with VVER reactors”.

The Prime Minister’s office reported that the talks also saw the sides discuss “possible cooperation in the field of nuclear medicine,” as well as partnership on decontamination of hazardous waste at the former Nairit chemicals plant. Rosatom said that it had “unique technologies for bringing complex industrial facilities to a safe state” and was ready to tackle the issues at Nairit.

Rosatom signed an agreement with the management of the Armenian nuclear power plant in January last year to look into the possible building of new Russia-designed units on the site of the current plant at Metsamor. Armenia has long been in discussions with Russia about replacing Metsamor, which comprises two Russian-built 376 MWe VVER reactors which started operating in 1976 and 1980, respectively. Both units were taken offline in 1988 due to safety concerns regarding seismic vulnerability. Unit 2 was restarted in 1995, and accounts for some 39% of total electricity generation in the country.

In November 2021 it was announced that the service life of unit 2 had been extended to 2026 after collaboration with Rosatom which saw the unit’s emergency cooling system, engine room, turbines, steam generators  modernised, and a unique operation carried out to anneal the reactor pressure vessel.

As a result of the modernisation, the station’s capacity increased by almost 10% and there are plans for a further 10-year extension to 2036.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News

How to learn new skills in Armenia

Maral Takmazian
May 5 2023

Young European Ambassadors

The Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) initiative is a non-political, voluntary, vibrant communication network connecting young people from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the EU Member States and the United Kingdom. The aim of the network is to raise awareness about the EU’s cooperation with its Eastern partner countries, showcase the tangible results of this cooperation, and contribute to policy dialogue on various topics.

Through participation in the network, YEAs learn important new skills, improving their competences in the fields of teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and communication – essential soft skills for future careers! There are currently more than 900 active YEAs representing over 34 different nationalities, including 130 in Armenia (click here to meet them). The network is open to young people aged between 16 and 26, interested in public diplomacy and outreach activities. Applications take place every year, usually in the autumn.

Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges

In recent years, thousands of young people and youth workers from Armenia have participated in joint Erasmus+ Youth projects (exchanges, trainings, policy debate, volunteering). Youth exchanges allow groups of young people from different countries to meet, live together and work on shared projects for short periods. On a youth exchange, you can expect to participate in activities such as workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, outdoor activities and more.

Erasmus+ youth exchanges are open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 30, and last between 5 and 21 days. These exchanges take place through youth organisations and you cannot apply directly as an individual. To find out more, contact the Erasmus+ Youth Info Centre in Armenia by visiting their website or their Facebook page, calling +374 94 525254, or email [email protected].

European Solidarity Corps

One way to gain experience abroad is by volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps. This is a unique way to experience different cultures and make new friends, while also helping others and learning new skills. You need to be between 17 and 30 and be willing to spend between two weeks and 12 months abroad. Volunteer projects could be anywhere in the EU or its partner countries, and in fields as varied as culture, youth, sports, children, cultural heritage, arts, animal welfare or the environment. Find out how to apply and check out hundreds of opportunities on the European Solidarity Corps portal.

Civil Society Fellowships

The EU supports young civil society leaders and activists in Armenia and across the Eastern Partnership through its EaP Civil Society Fellowships programme. Every year, the programme helps 20 civil society activists in their efforts to achieve positive social change in their communities, offering tailored training, grants of €5,000 and access to networking opportunities. Details about the Fellows selected since the programme began 2017 and their areas of interest can be found here. Applications usually take place every year. Check here for updates.

EaP Civil Society Facility – e-learning

The EU’s EaP Civil Society Facility offers civil society representatives targeted online courses and materials adapted to their needs and the situations they face in their daily work. On the project’s e-Learning Hub, you will find a number of online courses, webinars and video-lectures that will provide you with the tools and skills in areas as diverse as policy analysis and monitoring, project management, digital competences and web-design for CSOs. The project also offers a number of blended courses that combined online elements with face-to-face trainings to have an enhanced impact. Find out more.

Eastern Partnership European School

The Eastern Partnership European School in Tbilisi offers a two-year International Baccalaureate programme for pupils from all six Eastern Partnership countries, including Armenia, with full scholarships paid by the European Union, including fees, boarding and travel home for holidays. But the number of places is limited – only 35 per year – so you have to meet certain conditions and pass through competitive process in order to apply. Since the launch of the programme in 2018, 145 students have received scholarships for the school, graduating with the IB diploma and going on to study at top universities across the world. The next cohort of students will be recruited to join for the 2024-2026 IB programme.

Debet River

Maral Takmazian
May 4 2023

The , also written as the Debed River, is located in the far north of Armenia and it flows through the Debed Canyon. Along with the Akstafa River valley, the Debed River valley is one of the main entrances into Armenia through the northern mountains. It continues its course along the border with Georgia until it connects with the Kura River, which empties into the Caspian Sea.

The river stretches to the length of 178 km (109 miles) and its drainage basin is 1,580 square miles. Ecotourism is a budding highlight of the Armenian economy and there are plenty of options for camping, hiking and site-seeing with a side of ecological conservation along this glistening, flowing water source. If looking for a gorgeous place for white water rafting or kayaking, The is just the place.

The source of the (or Debed) depends on whether it is listed as a tributary deriving from the Kura River and feeds Lake Sevan in Armenia, or whether it is described as flowing North from Lake Sevan and connecting up with the Kura River. Another way of saying this is that the Debet starts where the rivers Dzoraget and Pambak combine and flows into Georgia, where it feeds into a tributary of the Kura.

Climate varies greatly in Armenia, depending on elevation: mountain elevations and valleys have very different temperatures and vegetation. In even the most moderate regions of the country, the temperature can drop to freezing in winter and rises into the high 70 degrees farenheit (21 celsius). There is about a quarter the amount of annual precipitation in the valley regions as in the mountains.

Due to the volcanic soil, Armenia was an early site of agriculture. Mountain biking and horseback riding tours are two fantastic ways to see the local flora and fauna of and the canyon it runs through. Dirt paths and various trails run around villages and through the mountains alongside the river with scenic views that will astound. Spend two hours or two days exploring this delightful region!

The high cliffs have been home to vultures since before people populated the countryside. As part of the ecological preservation, along the , tourists can see up to three different species of vultures where they naturally breed. In most of the world, scavengers like these are endangered.

Historic villages, churches and monasteries abound in the canyons and valleys of the . Armenians are the largest population of the nation, with smaller populations of Kurds, Russians, Ukrainians, Assyrians, and other ethnicities from nearby countries.

Armenia is a predominantly Christian country, converted around the year 300 A.D. The nation maintains ancient traditions from Christian liturgical and literary history.

The Sanahin Bridge is an architectural marvel of medieval Armenian engineering from the 12th century. It exists in the town of Alaverdi. On the other side of the bridge, the road leads to the gorgeous and historic Byzantine monastery of Sanahin. In conjunction with the Haghpat monastery, Sanahin Monastery is one of the most fascinating religious structures in the nation, as it combines Byzantine religious architecture with traditional architecture of the Caucasian region.

Whether a history buff or a bird-watching fan, the and its subsequent canyons have make for a superb tourist destination. Get a view of endangered birds or hike and camp along this river for lovely photographic experiences and picturesque views. Learn about local culture and ecology from a tour guide on horseback in the mountains, or go rafting down the river – just be sure to prepare for any kind of weather! Make your visit to Armenia and the surrounding nations one to remember.

Scituate High School teacher awarded 2023 Rhode Island Genocide Educator of the Year

Maral Takmazian

 

May 2, 2023 Guest Contributor Community News 0

SHS teacher Tara Seger (2nd from left) following the award presentation with (from left) GenEd RI Branch co-chairs Esther Kalajian and Pauline Getzoyan and SHS Principal Michael Hassell

SCITUATE, R.I.—On Thursday, April 27, Scituate High School (SHS) teacher Tara Seger was awarded the 2023 Rhode Island Genocide Educator of the Year. She was nominated for the award by Rhode Island educators and was selected as this year’s recipient by the Genocide Education Project’s Rhode Island branch co-chairs Pauline Getzoyan and Esther Kalajian. Getzoyan and Kalajian presented the award to Seger in her classroom in front of her students, several SHS administrators and faculty members, as well as members of her immediate family. 

“I feel so honored to have received this award,” said Seger. “My goal is to provide students with the resources and knowledge to become informed and active citizens and empower them to make a positive impact in the world.”

Tara Seger graciously accepting her award in front of her students as Pauline Getzoyan and Esther Kalajian look on

Seger has been a teacher at SHS for more than 15 years. She currently teaches Modern World History, Current Middle East Conflicts, US History II and US History II Honors. She has spent 16 years researching the Middle East and is also the author of Refugee Realities: Voices from the Middle East. Seger has personally interviewed dozens of refugees from conflict zones and the Middle East. She has also studied at Yad Vashem, the world-renowned Holocaust Museum in Israel, and completed research in the West Bank, Nazareth, Tiberius, Caesarea and Tel Aviv.

“Tara is an incredible teacher and is so deserving of this award,” said SHS principal Michael Hassell. “She has dedicated her time to helping students learn, grow and understand multicultural and global perspectives.”

Seger began including the Armenian Genocide in her curriculum as she incorporated the stages of genocide and felt the importance of explaining the genesis of genocidal acts. This led to teaching the Armenian case as a stand-alone unit and inviting speakers with firsthand knowledge of events through their ancestors to share their stories with her classes. Getzoyan was one of those speakers.

Tara Seger proudly displaying her award with her US History II honors students and their work

“I’m passionate about teaching my students facts,” shared Seger. “I want them to learn how to speak with cultural sensitivity.”

This devotion to cultural sensitivity was one of the guiding principles of her book. “I also wanted to give back because the refugees were so wonderful when they spoke to my classes, and my students learned so much,” shared Seger. This desire to help and her genuine empathy for refugees has led Seger to contribute monthly to Americans Helping Others ProspEr (A Hope RI) from the income generated by Refugee Realities.

Seger’s father Gerald “Jerry” Schiano, Jr. was her “biggest supporter” in her work with refugees and as an educator. He is the one who shared A Hope RI with her which led to her connection to refugees from Afghanistan. Schiano very sadly recently passed away; Seger said that he would have been thrilled with her award. She shared that he would have been especially happy to see that Getzoyan had Refugee Realities with her as she and Kalajian presented the award.

Scituate Superintendent Laurie Andries, award recipient Tara Seger and GenEd RI Branch co-chairs Esther Kalajian and Pauline Getzoyan

The Rhode Island Genocide Educator of the Year is presented by the RI branch of The Genocide Education Project, which is based out of San Francisco, California. The organization was established to broaden the general understanding of genocide, with a focus on the Armenian Genocide.

“GenEd’s mission is to assist educators in teaching about human rights and genocide,” said Getzoyan. “GenEd assists educators by developing and distributing instructional materials, providing access to teaching resources and organizing educational workshops, as well as its Teacher Fellowship program.”

Tara Seger, her proud husband Daniel (right) and sons (left to right) Gavin and Owen

As Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks begin NATO takes the most desperate step

Maral Takmazian
TFIGlobal
 by Ansh Pandey

Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks: It was inevitable that NATO’s eagerness to maintain relevance in the Caucasus would once again be revealed. Guess we were right. The sanctions threats are back, and as usual, Armenia appears to be the target.

The troubled nation of Armenia has once again found itself in the crosshairs of the European Union and the United States.

According to a media report by Eureporter, Armenia is currently attempting to evade sanctions for sending semiconductor chips and other electronic components to Russia, according to Political Editor Nick Powell.

Reportedly, Armenia is attempting to downplay the significance of their recent surge in imports from Europe and America. However, several Western reports have estimated that nearly all of these shipments are ultimately destined for Russia, where they will be used in the production of missiles and other weapons to be deployed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The information was published in the New York Times, which stressed that there is an extraordinary increase in Armenian imports of electronic components, including eight particularly sensitive categories of semiconductor chips.

Source: Eurasianet

According to the report, one document believed to have originated from the US Bureau of Industry and Security has shed light on Armenia’s recent imports. The report states that between 2021 and 2022, Armenia’s imports of chips and microprocessors from the US skyrocketed by 515%, while the imports from the EU rose by 212%. 

The bureau’s estimates suggest that a whopping 97% of these imports were then re-exported to Russia. And so, Armenia is attempting everything within its reach to convince the EU and the US that it should not face sanctions for aiding Russia in evading existing sanctions. 

On the rising tense situation, Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan has stressed, “Naturally, in order to dispel concern, we are talking with our American and European partners, explaining what the basis of trade is for various products.”

It is indeed quite surprising that NATO has abruptly taken aim at Armenia with its sanction measures, which could have crippling effects on the nation. It is no secret that Armenia is aligned with Russia, and during the intense Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in 2020, Russia provided crucial support to end the crisis over Nagorno-Karabakh.

On the other hand, NATO allies backed Azerbaijan in its efforts to gain control over the disputed region. However, there has been a paradigm shift in recent times, with Armenia expressing a strong willingness to repair relations and bridge the gap between the two rival nations.

Armenia sent a powerful message that it intends to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, in the face of rising tensions. As a result, Azerbaijan also decided to go with the flow and was prepared to disrupt the gas deal with the EU, which aimed to replace Russian gas by 2027.

If this actually happens, it would represent a significant triumph for Russia, as it is solely Moscow’s efforts that are easing tensions in the region. Moscow has recently declared that only trilateral agreements inked between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia is “the only genuine foundation” for resolving the situation in Karabakh.

During a media briefing in Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted that these agreements “currently represent the sole practical basis for a resolution,” and that Moscow deems “advancement in the execution of all provisions to be unchallenged and crucial for all parties involved.”

As the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks commence around the roundtable, NATO is taking drastic measures in an effort to prevent the ‘Great Caucasian Reset.’ With tensions already high, President Biden and his colleagues are prepared to go to any lengths necessary to ensure the success of these negotiations. NATO is determined to ensure chaos, no matter at what cost.