Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

BAKU: Armenian woman visits graves of Azerbaijani civilians killed in Alkhanli

Nahapetian Zhanna
APA, Azerbaijan

July 14 2017
 

Oksana Altunyan, an Armenian woman who has joined the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Platform and is in Azerbaijan for the first time in the past 30 years, has visited the graves of the Azerbaijani toddler and her grandmother, both of whom were killed in an Armenian shelling of Fuzuli’s Alkhanli village, the Peace Platform’s press service told APA.

 

On July 4 at about 20:40 (GMT+4 hours), the Armenian armed forces, using 82-mm and 120-mm mortars and grenade launchers, shelled the Alkhanli village of Azerbaijan’s Fuzuli district. As a result of this provocation, the residents of the village Sahiba Allahverdiyeva, 50, and Zahra Guliyeva, 2, were killed. Salminaz Guliyeva, 52, was injured.   

 

Oksana offered her condolences to the families of the victims and condemned the aggression against the civilians.

 

She was born in Baku and lived in the Azerbaijani capital until 1987 but moved to Moscow afterwards. She could not return to her homeland because of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

 

On the first day of her visit to Azerbaijan, Oksana has also visited the graves of Heydar Aliyev, Muslum Magomayev, and Rashid Behbudov in the Alley of Honor.

 

Oksana called on intellectuals from both sides to unite their efforts to restore peace and good neighborly relations.

 

Oksana Altunyan then paid a visit to Baku’s Armenian Church, where she was shown copies of exceptional books, manuscripts, and unique examples of Armenian literature. The Armenian woman thanked the library for the preservation of rare Armenian books and manuscripts.

 

She could not hide her amazement at how beautiful Baku has become since 30 years ago, noting that she was very happy to finally be in the city she had been unable to tread for decades. 

The start of the maintenance of "Mir" maps in Armenia and "ArCa" maps in Russia

Nahapetian Zhanna 
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
July 13, 2017 Thursday
The start of the maintenance of "Mir" maps in Armenia and "ArCa" maps in Russia
 Yerevan July 13
Karina Melikyan. At the 26th International Financial Congress
(IFC-2017) in St. Petersburg, in which the head of the Central Bank of
Armenia Artur Javadyan participates, it was announced about the start
of the maintenance of ArCa cards in Russia and the MIR cards in
Armenia. The press service of the Central Bank of Armenia told
ArmInfo.
Elvira Nabiullina, Chairman of the Central Bank of the Russian
Federation, stated during the speech at the congress: "The first
cross-border operations on the Mir card in the ArCa payment system in
Armenia were held last week and for us this is the first project to
organize an equitable intersystem interaction, and citizens of our
countries, I think I will get new financial opportunities, here I
would like to express my gratitude for the really very rapid and rapid
promotion of this project to the Central Bank of Armenia and the
leadership of the ArCa payment system, "she said. According to her,
the strategic objective of the Central Bank in the coming years is to
provide direct international reception of the "mir" card in the first
place, to the EEU space.
About 273 thousand tourists from Russia visit Armenia every year - 22%
of the total number of tourists. And if before they had to pay for
services and purchase of goods on the cards of international systems,
now it is enough to have a "MIR" card or an "ArCa" card. Another
advantage of this initiative is that, when making a transaction, the
involved parties will know the exchange rate in advance, which, as
planned, will be much more acceptable than used by international
payment systems (Visa / MasterCard).
This project is inherently the first in the EEU space, which
demonstrates the high level of Armenia-Russia cooperation aimed at
high-quality service to citizens of the two countries, increasing the
volume of non- cash payments, and expanding the geography of plastic
operations on the cards of national payment systems. The Eurasian
Economic Union includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan.
To note, on July 7, 2017, Central Bank of Armenia included Russian
national payment card system MIR (NSPC) in the register of active
payment and settlement systems, and simultaneously gave permission to
Armenian Card payment and settlement organization to participate in
the MIR system. The project of intersystem interaction assumes mutual
acceptance of cards of national payment systems in the infrastructures
of two countries: ArCa cards in Russia, maps "MIR" in Armenia. The
project also provides for the production of ArCa-MIR cobeydge (joint)
cards. The technical possibility of issuing such cards has 16 banks
operating on the ArCa infrastructure. To recall, the need to create a
national payment system by cards MIR arose in the summer of 2014, when
Visa and MasterCard, due to US sanctions against Russia, stopped
servicing the cards of a number of Russian banks. On June 3, 2016, an
agreement of intent was signed between Armenian Card CJSC (operator of
Armenia's payment system ArCa) and JSC NSPC (operator of the Russian
payment system Mir), providing for mutual servicing of ArCa and Mir
payment systems in payment infrastructures.

Armenia-Singapore air communication to be regulated

Nahapetian Zhanna
news.am, Armenia

Armenia-Singapore air communication to be regulated
15:37, 12.07.2017

An intergovernmental agreement on air communication between Armenia and Singapore was signed Wednesday.

The document was signed along the lines of the visit to Singapore by the head of the General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia, Sergey Avetisyan.

This agreement will contribute to a proper legal regulation of Armenia-Singapore relations in the aviation sector.

The Valley’s Armenia: Visiting Yerevan’s Vernissage

Nahapetian Zhanna
Your Central Valley

The Valley’s Armenia: Visiting Yerevan’s Vernissage

By: Stefani Booroojian

Posted: Jul 10, 2017 08:23 PM PDT

Updated: Jul 11, 2017 08:38 AM PDT

FRESNO, Calif. –    Every Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, Yerevan, Armenia’s Vernissage– outdoor market– is open.  Ceramics, chess sets, jewelry, and art– on display and on sale.

 Like a magnet drawing in tourists and locals alike.   Paula Der Matoian is one of the locals. She was born and raised in Fresno, but now calls Armenia’s capital city her home.  “I came just as an adventure.  I thought it would be interesting to come here to work, to see the country.  I had the opportunity to do it and I thought, ‘Ok, why not?’,” she says.

   That was 16 and a half years ago.  A true adventure that she thought would only last 6 months–  leaving the comforts of home for a place she had only previously visited.   And could not even speak the language.   “Still don’t really speak the language.” (Stef) ” I just don’t see how that could be.”  ” I speak my own version of it.   So it’s broken Armenian, broken Armenian with English words,” Der Matoian says.

   Paula underestimates her communication skills.  She helped me do some shopping.  But more importantly, she serves as the Director of Internet for  the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadsin:  the headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church.  A role given to her by the Catholicos of all Armenians, His Holiness Karekin the second.  “When I got here, his holiness said that he wanted a website, I came with no plans in mind.  He said he wanted a website and he gave me a staff to work with and he said, ‘Just figure it out’,” explains Der Matoian.

   Paula and her staff manage the website and all social media platforms — including Instagram which was just added.  She’s found a home away from home in a place with a story that she says is hard to walk away from .  “And what I found was a subway, and a life, and a city that was vibrant and breathing.  And had character to it  and that was so interesting to me because it was dynamic,” she says.

   Dynamic, but full of challenges. Armenia’s independence is in its infancy.  Just 25 years, after nearly 70 years of soviet rule. Paula takes pride that she is among the diaspora that has returned.  She recently served as a volunteer observer in April’s Parliamentary elections.  “After living here for so many years I decided I have a vested interest in what goes on in the political process.   And one way, one of the easiest ways for me to do that was to volunteer and be a monitor for the elections,” explains Der Matoian.

   It’s a simpler life, she says, with fewer choices at the grocery store, and a lack of urgency about being on time, or deadlines at work.  “I used to say I’ll stay here until I get kicked out.  And they’re not going to do that.  Well that depends on how much trouble I get into with the language,” says Der Matoian.

   The magnet that once drew her in, is holding strong.

A gift from Armenian people: The bust of Yousuf Karsh unveiled in Ottawa

Nahapetian Zhanna
Public Radio of Armenia
12:38, 10 Jun 2017













Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Canada, His Excellency Armen Yeganian officially unveils the bust of world renowned Armenian-Canadian photographer, Yousuf Karsh in Ottawa on June 9, the Armenian Embassy in Canada reports.

The bust that is a gift from the Armenian people to the Canadian people stands as a lasting symbol of the strong friendship between Canada and Armenia.

Watch video at

Culture: Charles Aznavour proud for his son getting baptized in Armenia

Nahapetian Zhanna
Panorama, Armenia
June 1 2017

Prominent Armenian chansonnier Charles Aznavour, who is visiting Armenia in the scope of Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, visited today the Tatev Monastery accompanied by his son Nikola Aznavour, friends and colleagues.
The first stop was at Halidzor Station of Tatever Ropeway, where the prominent singer was greeted by acting general director of IDeA (Initiatives for Development of Armenia) Charitable Foundation Edgar Manukyan, Director at Tatever Ropeway Vahe Baghdasaryan and the staff members of the foundation.
Edgar Manukyan presented the history of the construction of the aerial tramway, called the “Wings of Tatev”, implemented in the framework of Tatev Rivival project that has transformed the Tatev region.

Later Aznavour and other guests travelled to Tatev Monastry, where Aznavour’s son Nikola got baptized under the blessing of Michael Vardapet Gevorgyan. The ceremony was accompanied by the monastery choir’s performance.

“I am very proud that my son decided to get baptized in Armenia. My parents would be so happy to learn that my two sons Misha and Nikola got baptized here, in Armenia, staying committed to their roots,” Aznavour said.

Nikola Aznavour on his part added the older he gets the stronger is feels tied to his homeland despite the fact he was born in France, studied in Canada and Switzerland.

Nikola has confessed baptism in Tatev monastery was one of the most memorable moments in his life.

BAKU: European Parliament: Status quo in Karabakh conflict fragile

Nahapetian Zhanna
Trend, Azerbaijan
20:48 (UTC+04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, May 25

Trend:

Status quo in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is fragile, RIA Novosti quoted David McAllister, chairman of the European Parliament’s committee on foreign affairs, as saying May 25.

This conflict has no military solution, McAllister said in Yerevan, Armenia, adding that a long-term settlement based on international law is needed.

McAllister said the EU supports the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts in this work, calling on the parties to respect the ceasefire and their commitment to peaceful settlement of the conflict.

He noted that Brussels is concerned about an arms race in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, confrontational rhetoric and incidents on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, which lead to casualties.

McAllister said the EU urges the sides to resume negotiations without preconditions on the basis of the OSCE Minsk Group proposals.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

En Marche! Movement of France nominates Daniel Cazarian’s candidacy for National Assembly elections

Nahapetian Zhanna 
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
May 20, 2017 Saturday
En Marche! Movement of France nominates Daniel Cazarian's candidacy
for National Assembly elections
YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. The En Marche! Movement led by French
President Emmanuel Macron has nominated the candidacy of Daniel
Cazarian, originally Armenian, for National Assembly elections,
“Armenpress” reports Co-chair of the Coordination Council of Armenian
Organizations of France Murad Papazian has posted a note in support of
Daniel Cazarian on his Facebook page.
“I am with my friend Daniel Kazarian. I will be very proud and happy
if she is elected”, Papazian wrote.
Daniel Cazarian is 52 years old and only recently started to get
involved in active politics. Before that she was engaged in
entrepreneurship. Cazarian is also the chairwoman of the National
Center for Armenian Remembrance.
She has announced about her intention to enter into politics in
support of En Marche to struggle the French nationalism. Cazarian has
particularly stated that her main goal is to struggle against the
“National Front” led by Marine Le Pen.
Parliamentary elections in France will be held on June 11 and 18, 2017.

Entertainment: Aznavour to attend a concert in his honor in Yerevan

Nahapetian Zhanna
Public Radio of Armenia
14:52,

Charles Aznavour will be present at a concert in his honor to be held in Yerevan on June 1.  Representatives of Armenia opera and pop music will welcome Aznavour with his own songs.

Actor and director Hayk Petrosyan, one of the organizers of the concert, who calls himself Aznavour’s representative in Armenia, will not only perform some of the world-known singer’s works, but also host the show.

“The past 60 years have seen a number of stars appear and fade away in France, but Charles Aznavour, 93, is still on the peak. He can serve a brilliant example of fighting and persistence not only for individuals, but also for the nation as a whole,” Hayk Petrosyan, a great fan of Aznavour, told Public Radio of Armenia.