Dec 13 2023
Author: Talar Tumanian
Russian woman accused of disorderly conduct hospitalized after attempted escape from Yerevan jail
13:17, 13 December 2023
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. A Russian woman arrested in Yerevan on suspicion of disorderly conduct has attempted to escape from police custody by jumping out of a window, authorities said Wednesday.
The suspect, Y. Maximovskaya, a citizen of Russia, was arrested by police last week for disorderly conduct in Yerevan. She’s been jailed in pre-trial detention since.
As part of the criminal proceedings initiated by the Investgiative Committee’s Erebuni and Nubarashen Department in Yerevan, the suspect was taken to questioning on December 12. Around 21:30, the suspect asked the detectives if she could use the restroom. She was escorted there by the detective, who waited outside.
The suspect attempted to escape the detention facility by jumping out of a small window in the restroom. She fell on a roof and sustained injuries. The woman is now being treated at a hospital for spinal disc trauma, the Investigative Committee said in a press release.
A criminal case on attempted prison escape has been initiated.
Livre: Karabakh, couloir des oubliés
Dec 2023
On December 3, 1991, under the stars of Talish, a small village in Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh, three children were born. Atom, his twin sister Sona and little Samvel. Throughout History, they attempt to write their own. From drama to drama, from war to war, the three children navigate a chaotic path while preserving their complicity, their friendship, their love. Sometimes History is stronger than life, to the point of stifling the most beautiful feelings. From Talish in Karabakh, to Talin in Armenia, they avoid bombs, rockets, traps set by culture, religion, geopolitics… Until when? 1991-2023, thirty-two years, barely enough time for the flower of life to bloom, thirty-two years on the time scale, the moment of a sigh, that of Armenia in tears for centuries. Thirty-two years during which many regions, countries, cultures will have to endure the inconsistencies, the intolerances, the absurdities of a humanity constantly searching for its own.
https://actualitte.com/livres/1577433/karabakh-couloir-des-oublies-laurent-robert-9782375221624
Armenpress: Prime Minister meets with the relatives of the prisoners of war who recently returned to Armenia
21:29,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his wife Anna Hakobyan on Friday had a meeting with relatives of prisoners of war from Shirak region who returned to Armenia recently, the Prime Minister's Office said.
In his speech, the Head of the Government noted that during these three years, everything possible was done for the return of prisoners. "While it's clear that we were all anxious to see them back as soon as possible, I want to thank you for your patience because it was very important. As a human being, I highly appreciate your patience," said the Prime Minister and added that everything should be done so that our brothers can return to normal life.
The relatives of the prisoners thanked the Prime Minister and the government for their efforts.
RFE/RL Armenian Service – 12/15/2023
Fridayt,
Baku Again Rejects Armenian-Azeri Troop Disengagement
• Shoghik Galstian
ARMENIA -- A view of Azerbaijani (L) and Armenian army posts on the on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border, June 18, 2021
Azerbaijan has rejected Armenia’s renewed calls for a mutual withdrawal of the
two countries’ troops from their long and volatile border.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian first came up with the idea of troop
disengagement in May 2021 shortly after Azerbaijani forces advanced into
Armenian territory at several sections of the border. The idea was subsequently
backed by the European Union and the United States but not Azerbaijan.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said earlier this week that Yerevan
still hopes that Baku will agree to the mutual troop withdrawal. He said it
would be a fresh confidence-building measure following the latest exchange of
Armenian and Azerbaijani prisoners welcomed by the international community.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov dismissed Mirzoyan’s calls during
a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan held in Baku on
Thursday.
“The Armenian-Azerbaijani border has not been delimited,” said Bayramov. “It’s a
complex issue. If the troops are withdrawn without a comprehensive agreement who
can guarantee that one of the parties will not seize [border] positions.”
Arsen Torosian, an Armenian lawmaker representing the ruling Civil Contract
party, criticized this stance on Friday, saying that Baku wants to keep up
pressure on the Armenian side in ongoing talks on a bilateral peace treaty and
border delimitation. Torosian also questioned Baku’s commitment to a “genuine
peace.”
Armenian Speaker Won’t Rule Out CSTO Exit
• Satenik Kaghzvantsian
Armenia - Parliament speaker Alen Simonian speaks to journalists, Yerevan,
November 28, 2023.
Parliament speaker Alen Simonian on Friday accused the Collective Security
Treaty Organization (CSTO) of “criminal inaction” and did not rule out the
possibility of Armenia’s exit from the Russian-led military alliance.
“If Armenia’s interests require any [foreign policy] U-turn, there will be such
a U-turn,” Simonian told reporters in Gyumri. “If such a decision is made the
people of Armenia will know about it.”
“On a number of occasions, the CSTO has demonstrated criminal inaction, to say
the least, towards Armenia,” he charged. “Let nobody think that we expected or
expect soldiers of [other] CSTO countries to come here and shoot at
Azerbaijanis. But we should have at least seen a political evaluation [of
Azerbaijan’s actions,] and we haven’t seen it.”
Simonian, who is a leading political ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian,
referred to the CSTO’s and Russia’s failure to condemn Azerbaijan’s offensive
military operations launched along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border last year and
in 2021. Armenia officially requested military aid from its ex-Soviet allies in
September 2022.
Pashinian subsequently pledged to “diversify” his Armenia’s foreign and security
policy, saying that Russia is “unable or unwilling” to honor its security
commitments to his country. He and other Armenian officials have boycotted
high-level CSTO meetings held in recent months, raising growing questions about
Armenia’s continued membership in the alliance.
It contrast to his harsh criticism of the CSTO, Simonian said Armenia should
remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a Russian-led trade bloc,
and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a larger and looser grouping
of former Soviet republics. He pointed to its economic dependence on Russia and
described the CIS as a “platform for cooperation that benefits our country.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested on Thursday that Yerevan is not
planning to leave any of the three organizations.
“I don’t think that it is in Armenia’s interests to end its membership in the
CIS, the EEU and the CSTO,” Putin told a year-end news conference in Moscow.
Moscow Warns Yerevan Against Scrapping Russian-Brokered Deals
Armenia - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets Russia's Deputy Prime
Minister Alexei Overchuk, Yerevan, .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian met with Russia’s visiting Deputy Prime Minister
Alexei Overchuk on Friday one day after Moscow accused Yerevan of not complying
with a Russian-brokered agreement to open the Armenian-Azerbaijani border to
travel and commerce.
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday also warned Pashinian’s administration
against walking away from this and other agreements that were brokered by
Russian President Vladimir Putin during and after the 2020 war in
Nagorno-Karabakh.
“In the absence of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, we consider
attempts to revoke these important documents extremely dangerous,” the ministry
spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said in a statement. “Such a step would inevitably
result in serious risks, primarily for Armenia itself.”
Yerevan cannot manage those risks “with the help of Western
pseudo-intermediaries,” Zakharova warned. She went on to deplore “a whole series
of actions by Yerevan due to which it was not possible to fully implement the
trilateral agreements.”
“In particular, for many months the Armenian side has been blocking the start of
work to restore railway communication between Azerbaijan and Armenia, refusing
to comply with the provisions of paragraph 9 of the high-level statement of
November 9, 2020,” she said.
The paragraph stipulates that Russian border guards stationed in Armenia will
“control” the movement of people, vehicles and goods between Azerbaijan and its
Nakhichevan exclave through Armenian territory. A senior Armenian official said
earlier this year that this only allows them to “monitor” the commercial
traffic, rather than escort it, let alone be involved in border controls.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
left, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attend a trilateral meeting in
Moscow, May 25, 2023.
The Azerbaijani government is understood to have demanded that the special
transport link for Nakhichevan be exempt from Armenian border controls. Armenia
has repeatedly ruled out that.
The issue was high on the agenda of Pashinian’s meeting with Overchuk, who is
also a co-chair of a Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani task force dealing with
planned transport links. The Armenian premier was cited by his press office as
telling Overchuk that Yerevan remains committed to “unblocking regional
transport infrastructure based on the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction,
equality and reciprocity.”
A statement by the office gave no other details of their talks. Mher Grigorian,
an Armenian deputy premier and another co-chair of the trilateral commission,
was also in attendance.
The Sputnik news agency quoted Overchuk as saying later on Friday that the
commission has worked out a “document” on the Armenian-Azerbaijani rail link
which is “in a high degree of readiness" for signing. He did not say what
exactly keeps the sides from signing it and whether that could happen anytime
soon. Nor did he criticize Yerevan in that regard.
Overchuk spoke after co-chairing with Grigorian a regular session of a separate
Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.
The main purpose of the 2020 agreement cited by Zakharova was to stop fighting
in Karabakh and prevent new hostilities. The deal also called for the deployment
of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh and gave them control over the Lachin
corridor connecting the region to Armenia.
The peacekeepers did not push back when Baku disrupted commercial and
humanitarian traffic through the corridor in December 2022 and set up a
checkpoint there in April in breach of the ceasefire. Nor did they intervene
when the Azerbaijani army went on the offensive in Karabakh on September 19,
forcing its practically entire population to flee to Armenia.
Nagorno-Karabakh - Ethnic Armenians pass through a Russian checkpooint as they
flee Karabakh for Armenia, 26 September 2023.
Unlike the European Union and the United States, Russia did not even denounce
the offensive. Pashinian and other Armenian leaders have said that Moscow’s
stance constituted an even more serious violation of the truce accord.
Zakharova’s statement essentially blamed Armenia for the assault, backing
Azerbaijani allegations that it supplied weapons to Karabakh through Lachin and
did not withdraw all Armenian troops from the disputed territory. Yerevan has
strongly denied the allegations that were never publicly echoed by the Russian
peacekeepers.
Zakharova also repeated Russian claims that Pashinian sealed the fate of the
Karabakh Armenians by recognizing Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh during
talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev organized by the EU in October
2022 and May 2022. Putin likewise said on Thursday Karabakh was “abandoned” by
Armenia, not Russia.
Moscow’s latest warning to Yerevan came amid unprecedented tensions between the
two longtime allies and ongoing Western efforts to broker an
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty. In particular, the U.S. is now trying to
agree a new date for a meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign
ministers which was due to take place in Washington on November 20. Baku
cancelled the meeting, citing what it called pro-Armenian statements made by a
senior U.S. official.
Conflicting Claims On Russian TV Coverage Of Armenia
• Nane Sahakian
Armenia - Armenia's Deputy Minsiter of High-Technology Avet Poghosian and
Russia's Deputy Minister of Mass Communication Bella Cherkesova sign a joint
statement in Yerevan.
Russia has denied admitting that its leading state-owned TV channels have
violated terms of their retransmission in Armenia agreed by the governments of
the two countries three years ago.
A relevant Russian-Armenian agreement signed in December 2020 allowed the two
channels as well as the Kultura TV station affiliated with one of them to retain
their slots in Armenia’s national digital package accessible to TV viewers
across the country. The agreement bars them from commenting on domestic Armenian
politics and spreading “hate speech.”
Armenia’s National Commission on Television and Radio has recently accused the
Kremlin-controlled broadcasters of violating this provision amid a further
deterioration of Russian-Armenian relations. In September, an Armenian
pro-government lawmaker called for a ban on their retransmission, saying that
the Russian broadcasts pose a threat to the South Caucasus nation’s security.
She appeared to allude to their reports critical of Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinian.
The Armenian Ministry of High-Technology pledged to raise the matter with the
Russian government. In a statement released on Thursday, the ministry said
senior officials from the Russian Ministry of Digital Development and Mass
Communication acknowledged violations of the retransmission agreement during
talks held with its representatives.
“An agreement was reached to take steps towards proper compliance with all
points of the agreement,” it said.
The Russian ministry was quick to deny this in a statement cited by Russian news
agencies, however.
“The Russian side took note of the concerns of the Armenian side. However, no
specific documentary evidence of these facts was provided by [Armenian]
colleagues,” read the statement.
It added that the two sides agreed to “ensure full implementation of the
agreement” and “maintain close cooperation.”
The Armenian ministry insisted on Friday that the Russian side the “accepted the
fact of violations” in a joint communiqué adopted by them. It noted at the same
time that the Armenian side avoided holding a “substantive discussion” of those
violations during the talks.
RUSSIA -- The flag of Channel One at the Ostankino TV Center in Moscow, October
28, 2019
The Armenian government faced more calls from its supporters and Western-funded
groups to ban the retransmission after Russia’s leading state broadcaster,
Channel One, derided and lambasted Pashinian during an hour-long program aired
in October. The program featured pro-Kremlin panelists who denounced Pashinian’s
track record and portrayed him as a Western puppet tasked with ending Armenia’s
close relationship with Russia.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to protest against
“offensive and absolutely unacceptable statements” made during the show.
The Armenian charge d’affaires in Moscow was summoned to the Russian Foreign
Ministry the following day. Ministry officials condemned what they called
anti-Russian propaganda spread by Armenia’s government-controlled media.
In the last few years, Armenian Public Television has regularly interviewed and
invited politicians and commentators highly critical of Moscow to its political
talk shows. Their appearances in prime-time programs of the TV channel run by
Pashinian’s loyalists have become even more frequent lately.
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
The Controllable Cause of Declining Parishes
It is a topic that consumes many of our church leaders globally, nationally and locally. Many of us lie awake some nights searching for the answer—how do we stop the obvious decline of many of our parishes? Each region of the Armenian nation has a different experience. The challenges in Armenia are generally associated with the impact of 70 years of Soviet rule, when the church was marginally tolerated but unable to provide public leadership. In the diaspora, we tend to attribute the decline of our parishes to the external impact of secularism and assimilation. The former has created a material society, at its worst obsessed with progress in a Godless state. Our children are separated from God in their daily lives, except in their family life. It is a struggle between two distinct worlds on this earth. Assimilation is associated with a separation from one’s Armenian roots, either by choice or due to the environment. These are real challenges and one of the reasons I advocate for a decentralized administration of our church hierarchy. Specific dioceses should be empowered to make adjustments to address the impact of these problems in a given locale. Unfortunately, our church remains a one-size-fits-all institution, and we suffer the consequences.
Many Armenians blame intermarriage as a contributor to our decline. My perspective is that intermarriage, in and of itself, is not a direct contributor, because identity in the diaspora is a choice. Certainly, it adds complexity to the challenge, but a welcoming church that understands the implications of intermarriage can function with success. We have yet to address this matter in a meaningful way, other than encouraging the Armenian spouse to bring their non-Armenian partner to church. This reflects a lack of understanding of how to fulfill needs and build identity. Intermarriage is a sociological reflection of ethnic cultures two-three generations removed and should be embraced, not ignored.
Our parishes were built as a result of migration patterns. The first wave that built most of the churches in America was a direct reflection of the early 20th century immigration to these shores. Large communities such as the New York metro, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles and Fresno were established by the survivor generation from the Armenian Genocide. Other communities were built in places such as Indian Orchard, St. Louis, Chicago, Worcester, Syracuse and Niagara Falls by the same generation, reflecting employment patterns. It’s how Armenians built a presence in tiny Whitinsville, Massachusetts. The second wave of church construction reflected migration from within the U.S. and other countries to places such as Texas, Florida, Minnesota and other states not traditionally associated with Armenian communities. Many of these communities started as mission parishes and evolved into permanent faith communities. As a direct result of the church division, a duplication of parishes occurred in many legacy communities. Prior to the tangible impact of assimilation, these redundancies were tolerated, and a dedicated core of parishioners supported these churches.
The impact of population shifts and assimilation, or at least estrangement from the church, has displayed a new reality in some areas. The small communities with a limited population base are most heavily impacted. Parishes in communities such as Niagara Falls, Syracuse (where the Prelacy church closed), Albany, Springfield and New Britain are experiencing visible evidence of decline, as the number of the faithful is limited relative to the number of parishes to support. This is a painful and difficult process for the hundreds of dedicated people who have devoted their lives to the Armenian church yet feel powerless as they witness this slow decline. We should feel compassion for the remarkable people of these communities who are trying to manage a situation out of their control. Yet the larger communities are not exempt from this decline. While the population base of Armenians serving many regions has increased, the number of children in Sunday School has declined, as well as church attendees. If you look at attendance relative to the population increases, the decline is even more significant. The difference?
Large communities can mask the problem better by sheer volume, as immigration from the Middle East and Armenia has replenished losses. In a small community of 75 families, the absence of 50-percent can be devastating and impact the services offered. In a large community of 700 families, 50-percent participation will still allow the critical mass to reasonably fill the church and have a functioning Sunday School and activities. This is not a criticism. We are all on this journey together.
The Consecration of Saint Stephen Armenian Apostolic Church (named after the first Christian martyr) Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut, May 1926 (Project SAVE Photo Archives)
It may be of value to discuss one example in more depth. St. Stephen’s parish in New Britain, CT is one of the oldest parishes in America, with its consecration in 1926. Prior to 1933, it was the only parish in New Britain. As a result of the schism, the Holy Resurrection parish was formed nearby and later built a beautiful facility on Stanley St. As is quite common in our complex relationships, you either went to the “Tremont St.” or “Stanley St.” St. Stephen’s was one of the unaffiliated parishes from 1933-56 and joined the Prelacy at its formation. Unfortunately, St. Stephen’s has experienced several communal challenges, resulting in a loss of parishioners.
Facing the common issues of indifference and secularism, the parish today is held together by a few very dedicated servants of the church. Their story is not unusual, but if you live there it feels unique. I feel for the painful experiences of those remaining. They are all good people who have done what they believe is right. Some of the parishioners now attend Holy Resurrection, which is led by the dynamic young Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian. I am thankful that they have chosen to continue in the Armenian church rather than join many in almost every community who simply drift away. This parish is more than an example of our challenge. It is also very personal. My grandfather Takvor Harotian was a charter founder of the church, and many of my relatives, particularly the Kevorkian family, served there for many decades. My mother was raised in that parish, and I remember many Sundays attending Badarak holding the hand of my dear grandfather. It will always be a special place. Ironically, after years of separation, relations between the Prelacy and Diocesan parishes in New Britain have never been better. At least, the faithful have a feeling of camaraderie that has been missing for so long in our churches. Intellectually, we may understand that two churches in a small community is not a natural state, but the decline of any parish is painful.
The current status of our churches begs the question—is it a lack of funding, or is it a lack of faithful? I am reminded of what a mentor of mine in the church told me many years ago. Our parish at that time was suffering from a financial deficit, and the board of trustees, the parish council, was debating options. This individual stated that if we are doing the work of God, we will never have a budget deficit. His point was, of course, that money is needed, but it comes more naturally when people are in a faith community and give from their heart. As we began to focus on the church’s work, our deficit disappeared. I learned something as a young man from that experience.
Our churches will never fail because of a lack of funds. They decline because we lose the faithful.
It taught me that the most important area of focus in maintaining an Armenian Christian community is sustainable communal relationships. This is why our Lord created His church. We don’t go to a parish for the bazaar and picnics. They are instruments to sustain our parishes and vehicles for bonding. What we have in common is our belief in our savior Jesus Christ, according to the traditions of the Armenian church. If that is true, how we treat, greet and support each other will make the key difference. If our churches are focused only on fundraising rather than Christian outreach, we will fail. When a parish is symptomatically in decline, the causes can be traced to early on. Unresolved conflicts or drifting from the true mission of the church seem benign in the moment but erode the church foundation over time.
Everywhere in this country there are humble and dedicated faithful doing their utmost to carry out the mission of the church. We should pray for their wisdom and strength to keep the focus on Armenian Christian relationships. The Soorp Badarak is replenishing and nurturing for our souls, but too often we attend out of stressful obligation as we seek that nourishment. I don’t think St. Stephen’s has a financial problem, but rather is seeking the faithful. Many parishes can recover from decline if they focus on building a community of Armenian faith. Some will not. We don’t know what the future will bring but pray for the people of St. Stephen’s and all parishes struggling with sustainability. We have many wonderful stories of revitalization when parishes find the right leadership and attract new parishioners. It can happen anywhere. This is the power of prayer and understanding why we have parishes. We need not fear change but rather stagnation from a lack of change. It is my hope that we can apply this approach to wherever we call home. Encourage others to discover God in their lives and the joy of a Christian Armenian identity. Don’t focus on money. Share your passion of belonging to a Christian community. When their hearts are filled, the funding will appear. This is a lesson we can all learn from our ancestors. They built these communities with little education, limited funds but extraordinary faith. Today, as a result of their gifts, we are generally well educated, considered wealthy yet are challenged in faith as a community. Are our lives truly better? There is no need to eliminate what we have earned—simply apply it towards a deep and eternal foundation.
Armenian FM, Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to President of the European Council discuss regional security issues
17:47,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan on December 12 had a meeting with Simon Mordue, Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the European Council.
According to the foreign ministry, the interlocutors discussed issues related to regional security.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the latest developments in regulating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Armenia, Azerbaijan Announce Steps Towards Normalising Relations, Prisoner Exchange
Arise TV
Dec 8 2023
This exchange is seen as a positive step towards building trust and fostering peace between the two nations.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have declared their intention to move towards normalising relations and exchange prisoners captured during the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. The joint statement released on Thursday night expressed a shared belief in a “historical chance” for achieving “long-awaited peace,” marking a potential turning point in their decades-long conflict over the disputed territory.
In a bid to solidify their commitment to the peace process, both countries expressed their hope to sign a comprehensive peace treaty by the end of the year. The conflict escalated in September when Azerbaijan launched a rapid military offensive, ending three decades of ethnic Armenian rule in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory. The offensive resulted in the displacement of most of the region’s 120,000 ethnic Armenians to neighbouring Armenia.
As a gesture of goodwill, Azerbaijan is set to release 32 Armenian military servicemen, while Armenia will release two military servicemen. This exchange is seen as a positive step towards building trust and fostering peace between the two nations. European Council President Charles Michel praised the joint statement, calling it a “major breakthrough in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations,” and the U.S. welcomed it as an “important confidence-building measure.”
In addition to the prisoner exchange, Armenia and Azerbaijan announced their commitment to signing a comprehensive peace treaty, emphasising mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity. Other significant measures include Armenia’s withdrawal of its candidacy for hosting the COP29 climate summit in support of Azerbaijan’s bid, and Azerbaijan’s support for Armenia’s candidacy in a regional group associated with climate talks. The countries also called on the international community to support their efforts for lasting peace.
The breakthrough was achieved during talks between Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s office and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev’s administration. These talks, mediated by the EU, the U.S., and Russia, have been ongoing, with both leaders meeting on multiple occasions to facilitate normalisation. Talks had faced a setback when Azerbaijan refused to participate in discussions in the U.S. and Spain, citing perceived bias. However, negotiations resumed in Iran at the end of October, leading to this recent positive development.
Kiki Garba
Armenian FM to participate in EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels
17:14, 8 December 2023
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. On December 11-12, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to Brussels, foreign ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan has said.
Minister Mirzoyan is invited to participate in a meeting with the EU Foreign Affairs Council which will take place on December 11.
On the same day, Foreign Minister of Armenia will also participate in the EU Eastern Partnership Foreign Affairs Ministerial meeting.
Bilateral meetings are also scheduled.
AW: Kristina Ayanian named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2024
Kristina Ayanian featured in Times Square
Kristina Ayanian has achieved the latest milestone in her luminous career in media, finance and pageantry as a member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2024.
“It was such a sense of pride for me, my family and the Armenian community. It means the world to me,” Ayanian shared with the Weekly.
Ayanian has combined her passions for finance and journalism as the youngest executive producer and host in Nasdaq’s history, the achievement that secured her spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. After graduating from college, she started working for Nasdaq in 2019, where she now serves as the host and executive producer of Live from MarketSite, a series where she interviews business leaders about company successes, business trends and new innovations.
With her trademark sense of initiative, she launched the show at the start of 2023. In collaboration with a team at Nasdaq, she oversees every aspect of production, from research and question development to filming, design and editing, a process that takes between 10-12 hours to complete one episode. Through the series, which recently reached its 100 episode milestone, Ayanian has partnered with Deloitte Fast 500, RedPoint Ventures InfraRed 100, CloudNY and more.
“I’ve learned that no two companies are the same. Each topic is brand new,” Ayanian said. “It’s a storyline show. Rather than focusing heavily on cutting edge finance, we mix in numbers, but it’s about the purpose and the journey.”
Kristina Ayanian hosting Live from MarketSite
Ayanian was inspired by her mother, a former news reporter in Armenia and her greatest role model, to pursue a career in media. “I want to be like my mom. I want that to be me,” she remembers thinking while growing up watching her mom’s tapes on VHS.
She got her first opportunity in journalism in high school, when she was a reporter for ABC’s Teen Kids News. She and her mom traveled by bus to New York City from Massachusetts at 5 a.m. in response to an open casting call for an audition at Madame Tussauds. At first she was rejected, but ever tenacious, she sent the producers letters until they gave her a second chance to audition. She was accepted, and her first interview was with Great Britain’s Prince Edward, which was nominated for an Emmy in 2014.
As an undergraduate at Bentley University, Ayanian earned dual degrees in finance and global studies with a minor in corporate communications, combining her interests in media and mathematics. “I love math and numbers. That’s the Armenianness in me. My grandfather was a mathematician in Armenia. It’s kind of in our blood,” she said with a laugh.
Ayanian also attributes some of her earliest roots in journalism to the Armenian Weekly, where she has served as a contributing writer since 2019. She has covered community events in the Boston area and shared the activities of EyeSupport, a nonprofit she launched with four of her best friends and fellow alumni from St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School to support global humanitarian initiatives. “Seeing your work in print is an amazing feeling. I’ve framed so many of them, and the ones that don’t fit on my walls, I have them on a dedicated Armenian Weekly table,” Ayanian shared.
Kristina Ayanian on the Live from MarketSite set
In all of her endeavors, including in finance, Ayanian aspires to elevate Armenia’s name and reputation. She was thrilled to interview Davit Baghdasaryan, an Armenian entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of Krisp, for Live from MarketSite and hopes to feature more Armenians on the show. “We need more Armenians in media and finance,” she said. “With every step I climb, not only do I want to lift Armenia’s name, but also bring in other Armenians who are also starting out or have achieved great heights, connect with them and build Armenians as a powerhouse in different industries.”
Ayanian also represents Armenia on one of the largest international stages: Miss Universe. She participated in the 71st Annual Miss Universe Pageant as Miss Universe Armenia in 2022, where she used her title to bring awareness to Armenian causes, including Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh and Armenia. For Ayanian, Forbes 30 Under 30 is another platform to celebrate Armenian resilience and success and share the Armenian story.
“So many people, especially Turks and Azeris, have tried to tear us down for so many years,” Ayanian said. “This is a way for us to say, we’re still here. We’re going to continue to be here and continue thriving, not just fighting but thriving in everything that we do.”