Author: Markos Nalchajian

Pashinyan’s ouster a vital necessity, oppositionist says

Markos Nalchajian
Panorama
Armenia –

POLITICS 11:35 18/06/2022 ARMENIA

Opposition figure Edgar Ghazaryan, a former chief of the Armenian Constitutional Court staff and an ex-ambassador to Poland, has posted a photo of the protest against Nikol Pashinyan held in Yerevan on this day last year.

A similar opposition rally is scheduled to be in city center this evening.

“A rally is planned in Yerevan’s France Square on ,” Ghazaryan wrote on Facebook.

“We must unite and kick this nation-destroying scourge out of our public life. It is a vital necessity, which stems from the interests of our country and people,” he said.





CSTO Foreign Ministers` Council holding meeting in Yerevan: Resistance Movement members not allowed to approach the presidential residence

Markos Nalchajian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. Resistance Movement members were not allowed to approach the presidential residence at 26 Baghramyan Ave., where the CSTO Foreign Ministers’ Council is holding a meeting. 

The protesters marched from Yerevan’s France Square to the  presidential residence, but police blocked their way. 

Aram Vardevanyan, a member of the opposition parliamentary faction  Armenia, stated that they will inform all international delegations  visiting Armenia that “Armenia’s incumbent and outgoing authorities  have no mandate in this country.” 

“Discussions in the CSTO format are taking place now. It is one of  the few organizations capable of extending a helping hand in case of  threats to any of its members. And Armenia is one of them. And now  let us see the real situation: over a year ago [Azerbaijani] troops  made an incursion into Armenia’s Syunik province. Have Armenia’s  incumbent authorities turned to the CSTO? No. Why? Because they are  incompetent and unwilling to defend Armenia’s interests. So they must  go away,” he said. 

On January 6, when Armenia was CSTO chairing-country, mechanisms were  employed in Kazakhstan. 

“So Armenia’s incumbent authorities could employ mechanisms for  Kazakhstan, but did not do so for Armenia. It is absurd,” he said. 

Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute announces Lemkin scholarship for foreign researchers

Markos Nalchajian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 31 2022
May 31, 2022, 15:50

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute foundation announces 2022 Lemkin Scholarship program for foreign young researchers and PhD candidates. Raphael Lemkin scholarship is intended to extend research on the Armenian Genocide, promote multilayered research of the theme and engage young scientists.

The program will enable one up to 40-year-old foreign PhD students or young researchers who specialize in the field of genocide research and work on their doctoral thesis, to spend one month in Armenia and conduct their research at the archives of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, as well as other local scientific institutions and libraries.

  • The duration of the scholarship is one month.
  • The AGMI Foundation will cover travel and accommodation expenses.
  • The deadline for application is August 15, 2022. The name of the winner will be known on August 31, 2022.
  • At the end of the program, the scholarship holder is required to make a report and present a summary of the work done within the month. He/she will also submit an article as a result of a research to be considered for publication in the International Journal of Armenian Genocide Studies within 1 year from the end of his/her visit to Armenia.
  • A round-table discussion with the Armenian specialists and the AGMI Foundation researchers will be organized during the program with the scholarship holder.
  • The program will run from October 1.

Required documents for the submission:

– CV or resume
– Research proposal (not less than 2 pages)
– List of published works (if any)
– Two letters of reference
– A filled application form.

The winner will be selected by the Scientific Council of the AGMI Foundation.

The applications should be sent to [email protected]. It’s necessary to mention “Lemkin scholarship 2022” in a subject line.

Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani task force meets in Moscow

Markos Nalchajian
Panorama
Armenia – June 4 2022

The 10th meeting of the trilateral working group chaired by Deputy Prime Ministers Mher Grigoryan of Armenia, Shahin Mustafayev of Azerbaijan and Alexei Overchuk of Russia, was held in Moscow on Friday, the Russian government’s press office said.

The sides discussed and “brought closer” their approaches on border, customs and other types of control as well as the safe passage of citizens, vehicles and cargo along roads and railroads through the territories of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The officials also exchanged views on the possible routes of the road that provides transport communication between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic via Armenia.

“The sides will continue working on the implementation of the agreements of the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian leaders to unblock transport communications in the region,” the statement said.

Three Armenian banks join government-designed cashback for senior citizens scheme

Markos Nalchajian
June 2 2022
Three Armenian banks join government-designed cashback for senior citizens scheme
02.06.2022 16:15

YEREVAN, June 2. /ARKA/. Three Armenia-based commercial banks – Armbusinessbank, Ardshinbank and VTB Bank (Armenia) – have joined the government-designed scheme that will allow senior citizens to earn a certain amount of cashback if they use their credit or debit cards to pay for purchases.

The decision comes into force on July 1, 2022. According to the decision, pensioners who hold cards of the banks which are government’s partners will be refunded 10% of the total amount spent on payments and purchases in the previous month.

However, the total amount of cashback may not exceed 5000 drams a month (a little more than $10). These amendments will also apply to payment of utility bills through ATMs of partner banks.

“Out of 560 thousand pensioners in Armenia some 390 thousand use bank cards. Only 1,000 out of 80,000 socially disadvantaged pensioners use bank cards,” Labor and Social Affairs Minister Narek Mkrtchyan said today.

According to him after July 1, when the decision comes into force, the number of bank card holders is expected to rise. There are currently 17 commercial banks in Armenia. -0-

Turkish press: Island becomes peninsula as water ebbs in Lake Van

Markos Nalchajian
  • May 29 2022 07:00:00

An 800-meter-long road connecting the famous Çarpanak Island and a peninsula has come to the surface as the water ebbed in Turkey’s largest Lake Van in the last two years.

“The Island of Çarpanak has turned into a peninsula,” İhlas News Agency reported on May 26.

According to the agency, the island was the endpoint of a peninsula for centuries.

But with the raising of the water levels in the lake between 1990 and 1995, the ancient 800-meter-long road submerged and the Çatanak Island was formed.

Calling the island a “natural wonder” and “tourism hub,” a professor from the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University highlighted that “Çatanak was a mysterious island.”

“The island has a connection with the mainland. The road shows that the island was once connected to the mainland,” Faruk Alaeddinoğlu told the agency.

“With the rise of the water level, a corridor of water separated the island from its peninsula.”

When asked about the reasons behind the water ebbing, the professor pointed out global warming and its effects, such as vaporization.

“Lake Van is an inland lake, and the water levels increase and decrease at times in all enclosed lakes,” he said.

Reminding of the old days of the island when it was a part of a peninsula at the beginning of the 1990s, Alaeddinoğlu noted, “In 2020 and 2021, the water ebbed, and the 800-long-road became visible.”

But, “unfortunately,” the water ebbing seems to continue in the coming years, too.

“People used to swim to the island from the mainland. There will come a time when they will walk to today’s Çarpanak Island,” he expressed.

However, according to the professor, whatever happens to the island, Çarpanak is “still a tourism hub to see.”

He recommended visiting the island, especially to nature lovers. “They should visit the island now and take the joy in it,” he added.

The island is now uninhabited but formerly contained an Armenian monastery called “Ktuts.” The ruins of the monastery can still be seen.

According to the tradition, the monastery was founded in the fourth century by St. Gregory the Illuminator after his return from Rome.

The first historical records referring to the monastery date back to the 15th century, when it was known for scriptorium. The monastery was destroyed by an earthquake in 1648, before being rebuilt in the 18th century.

Friendly relations between Armenia and Greece oblige to further deepen cooperation: Nicholas Hardalias

Markos Nalchajian
ARMINFO
Armenia – June 3 2022
Naira Badalian

ArmInfo.On June 2, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan received a delegation led by Deputy Minister of National Defense of Greece Nicholas Hardalias.

As reported by the press service of the Armenian Defense Ministry,  Suren Papikyan highly assessed the current level of the  Armenian-Greek cooperation in the defense sphere and emphasized the  need to develop cooperation in the military- technical direction.

Nicholas Hardalias confirmed the readiness of the Greek side to  develop cooperation and noted that warm, friendly relations between  the two countries oblige to further deepen cooperation in order to  counter the existing challenges.  During the meeting, issues of  regional security were also discussed. The Minister of Defense  presented the security situation in Artsakh after the 44-day war and  the existing threats.

On the same day, the delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of  National Defense of Greece was received by the Deputy Minister of  Defense of the Republic of Armenia Karen Brutyan. The perspctives of  developing cooperation in the military-technical secorwere discussed. 

Russian, Turkish FMs to discuss also Karabakh at upcoming meeting

Markos Nalchajian

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 14:41, 3 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Turkey on June 8, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters at a briefing today.

Lavrov will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss the bilateral relations, the economic cooperation amid the current sanctions against Russia.

Zakharova informed that the ministers will also exchange views on regional and international agenda-related issues.

“First of all, views will be exchanged on the current situation in Ukraine, as well as in Syria, Libya, Karabakh, Balkans, Central Asia and Afghanistan”, Zakharova said.

AAHPO celebrates renewal of activities

Markos Nalchajian
June 2, 2022 Guest Contributor Nonprofit News 0

EDGEWATER, N.J. – On May 1, known traditionally as “May Day,” members of the Armenian American Health Professionals Organization (AAHPO) celebrated spring and the renewal of activities that serve AAHPO’s mission.

A highlight of the event, held at The Yacht Club in Edgewater, was the presentation of the AAHPO-Najarian Family Scholarship to Arin Balalian, MD, MPH, and a newly-minted PhD at Columbia University.

AAHPO President Lawrence V. Najarian, MD (right) presents the AAHPO-Najarian Family Scholarship to Arin Balalian, MD, MPH, PhD.

“It really is amazing all we have accomplished in 25 years, and I predict, the best is yet to come,” said AAHPO president Lawrence V. Najarian, MD.

AAHPO vice president Garbis Baydar, MD, shared how through the past two years dominated by COVID, AAHPO members have assisted individuals and families with healthcare needs ranging from obtaining prescriptions to gaining access to medical specialists. For example, an Armenian, whose visit to the US was extended by the onset of the COVID pandemic, was provided a sleep apnea machine by the AAHPO.

AAHPO treasurer Joyce Kurdian, DMD addressed fundraising and updates to the AAHPO website with a directory of healthcare professionals who are AAHPO members. This will make it easy for Armenian Americans to locate and connect with Armenian healthcare professionals.

AAHPO recording secretary Debra Ferman, MD reported on a remarkable effort to get more than one ton of medical and surgical supplies to Armenia during the pandemic and the Artsakh War. Dr. Ferman noted that many individuals and institutions donated supplies, equipment and their time to collect, pack and send all that had been collected. She thanked Rita Asoyan and Knights of Vartan members Mike Halebian, Jr., Saro Hartounian, Seta Bairamian, Alvart Spenjian and Lucine Kinoian. She noted that when the supplies arrived in Yerevan, Dr. Hambardzum Simonyan, director of AAHPO’s CME program in Armenia, ensured the items reached their intended destinations. 

Dr. Najarian invited any health care providers traveling to Armenia this year to contact AAHPO, as providers would be welcome to share their skill sets with Armenian doctors and nurses. 

AAHPO corresponding secretary Lynn Cetin, MD reported on another AAHPO fundraising effort, the sale of luxury candles through Next Stop Candles. Two candles have been created specifically for the Armenian community, one candle to celebrate Yerevan, and another candle to celebrate Artsakh. A third candle may be in development. The net profits from the candle sales benefit the AAHPO CME program in Armenia.

Dr. Najarian then turned to the presentation of the AAHPO-Najarian Family Scholarship. Eligible candidates must be matriculated in a graduate healthcare program and be recipients of an Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) academic scholarship. “We recognize that graduate healthcare programs are very costly, and our goal is to provide as much assistance as possible to a deserving, individual student,” Dr. Najarian said.

Dr. Balalian has impressive credentials which include a medical degree earned in Yerevan and a Masters in Public Health earned at an American University of Armenia program that AAHPO Board Member Kim Hekimian, PhD, helped establish. Dr. Balalian has now earned a PhD in epidemiology at Columbia University.

Dr. Najarian noted that Dr. Balalian has given his time to AAHPO and other Armenian causes.

“Your support inspires me to give back even more,” said Dr. Balalian, who attended the brunch with his wife Ruzan, a social worker. “Just as AAHPO and AGBU are helping me, I want to help our Armenian community in whatever ways I can.”

This is the second time the scholarship has been presented to a student in a graduate healthcare program. The first recipient was Paul Asadourian, now a fourth-year medical student at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University.

Dr. Najarian closed the event with reminders of upcoming AAHPO events in June, July and October: “We are back and we are welcoming all of you to come join with us, as we are stronger together.”

AAHPO Officers and Board Members who spoke at the event are (from left) Lawrence V. Najarian, MD, Lynn Cetin, MD, Joyce Kurdian, DMD, Debra Ferman, MD and Garbis Baydar, MD.

Unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict become stumbling block

Markos Nalchajian
ARMINFO
Armenia – May 25 2022
Alina Hovhannisyan

ArmInfo.We have an unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because of which we are in constant conflict with our neighboring country, Azerbaijan. President of  Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan stated this during his speech at the  Economic Forum in Davos within the panel discussions .”

He stressed that a year and a half ago, the 44-day war provoked by  Azerbaijan, which was stopped only after Russia’s intervention,  caused great human and material losses.

In this regard, the President stressed that Armenia is still  constantly going through crisis situations, which it is trying to  overcome in various ways, and closed borders have a significant  impact on the quality of life of people.

“We are in a new crisis now, but we are able to overcome it thanks to  the accepted democratic principles.  The most important thing is the  relationship between the authorities and society: how much society  trusts the authorities, and on the other hand, how well the  authorities understand the problems of their society. If there is a  dialogue between them, then the issue of poverty is resolved and the  likelihood of a new crisis is reduced, and the country becomes more  stable and manageable>, he said.

Khachaturyan recalled that from 2000 to 2018, Armenia abandoned  democratic values, allowing corruption to reign, which led the  country to a critically bad situation. As a result of the Velvet  Revolution that took place in 2018, according to the President, a  young government came to power, giving a new breath to all areas,  giving freedom to business and people. “People got the opportunity to  freely engage in business, no one can interfere with them, demand  money, political forces got the opportunity to participate in  elections on equal terms.

The economy grew by 7.5% in the year immediately following the  revolution. Entrepreneurs are convinced that the state does not work  with them according to the rules of a temporary game, but according  to laws that imply conscientious payment of taxes and the fulfillment  of certain social obligations>, the head of state noted, stressing  that the eradication of corruption served as a big impetus for these  changes.