Armenian PM says peace agreement with Azerbaijan is inevitable
Speaking about the current state of negotiations, Pashinyan said discussions with Ilham Aliyev have moved beyond merely maintaining relative stability and are now centered on establishing a comprehensive peace.
According to the Armenian prime minister, quiet and consistent diplomatic work is continuing behind the scenes in order to finalize a peace agreement between the two countries.
Pashinyan expressed confidence that the deal will eventually be signed, though he did not specify an exact timeline.
“I have no doubt that the agreement will be signed,” he said. “It may be signed in April, May, June, or September – when exactly is a secondary issue, but it will be signed.”
Although the agreement has not yet been finalized, Pashinyan suggested that the groundwork for peace has already been laid through recent diplomatic engagement.
The two countries have been engaged in negotiations aimed at resolving long-standing disputes that have fueled tensions and armed confrontations in the region for decades.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has largely centered on the Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been the focus of multiple wars and political crises since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Despite expressing optimism about the peace process, Pashinyan acknowledged that there are political and social groups that may oppose reconciliation between the two nations.
He noted that such forces exist within Armenia and possibly within Azerbaijan as well, warning that they could attempt to disrupt progress toward a settlement.
“There are forces that are not satisfied with the establishment of peace and may try to reverse it,” he said.
Pashinyan stressed the importance of safeguarding the progress achieved so far, urging both societies to ensure that the path toward peace becomes irreversible.
“We must stand up for the established peace and make it irreversible,” he said.
The ongoing talks represent one of the most significant attempts in recent years to resolve the long-running tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan and establish lasting stability in the South Caucasus region. (ILKHA)
https://ilkha.com/english/world/armenian-pm-says-peace-agreement-with-azerbaijan-is-inevitable-517796
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First U.S. moon landing since 1972 as private spacecraft touches down on lunar surface
11:33,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander touched down on the moon Thursday after a historic, nail-biting descent following a last-minute navigation sensor malfunction, becoming the first U.S.-built spacecraft to stick a moon landing in more than 50 years and the first ever by a private company, CBS News reports.
After delaying the final descent by one orbit to press an experimental NASA navigation sensor into service — and to test hurriedly-written software patches to route its data to the lander's flight computer — Odysseus settled to a touchdown at 6:23 p.m. EST near a crater known as Malapert A some 186 miles from the south pole of the moon.
Engineers at Intuitive Machines' Nova control center in Houston expected it to take up to two minutes or so to re-establish communications after landing, but the expected signal was not immediately found.
Finally, a faint signal was picked up by a communications antenna in the United Kingdom, indicating the spacecraft had, in fact, survived the touchdown.
"What we can confirm, without a doubt, is our equipment is on the surface of the moon, and we are transmitting," Mission Director Tim Crain told the flight control team. "So congratulations, IM team! We'll see how much more we can get from that."
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson was quick to congratulate Intuitive Machines, SpaceX for the Falcon 9 rocket that launched Odysseus last week from the Kennedy Space Center, and the agency's own commercial moon program, saying they "aced the landing of a lifetime."
"Today, for the first time in more than a half century, the U..S has returned to the moon," he said. "Today, for the first time in the history of humanity, a commercial company, an American company, launched and led the voyage up there. And today is a day that shows the power and promise of NASA's commercial partnerships."
He concluded with, "What a triumph! … This feat is a giant leap forward for all of humanity."
But a detailed assessment of the health of the spacecraft and its payloads awaited analysis of telemetry. Finally, two hours after touchdown, the company reported that "after troubleshooting communications, flight controllers have confirmed Odysseus is upright and starting to send data. Right now, we are working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface."
The successful lunar landing marked the first touchdown by a U.S.-built spacecraft since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 and the first ever by a privately-built spacecraft.
Armenian Resistance fighter Manouchian joins France’s Pantheon heroes
AW: Artsakh Update: A Roundtable with Artak Beglaryan and Gegham Stepanyan
NEW YORK—On February 4, 2024, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee’s Public Relations Committee organized an “Artsakh Update” roundtable featuring distinguished guests Artak Beglaryan and Gegham Stepanyan. The meeting was graciously hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian of the Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern USA, marking a significant gathering of community leaders and organizations at a time of critical importance for Artsakh.
ARF Central Committee Public Relations Committee member Hrair Baronian, Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan, ARF Central Committee chair Ani Tchaghlasian and Very Rev. Father Sahag Yemishyan
Ani Tchaghlasian, ARF Central Committee (CC) Chair, opened the roundtable by welcoming the leaders of various Armenian community organizations, including the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), Homenetmen, Hamazkayin, Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Armenian Bar Association and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). Razmig Boyadjian of the ARF CC’s Public Relations Committee introduced Beglaryan and Stepanyan, highlighting their roles and dedication to the human rights and welfare of the people of Artsakh.
ARF Central Committee Public Relations Committee member Razmig Boyadjian, Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan, Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan and ARF Central Committee member Ani Tchaghlasian
Beglaryan served as the State Minister of the Artsakh Republic until early September 2023. Before that, he served as the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh from October 2018 to December 2020. Beglaryan brought a wealth of experience and insights to the discussion. His extensive educational background, including a Ph.D. in political science and various international research and training programs, has equipped him with a deep understanding of Artsakh’s geopolitical and human rights issues.
Stepanyan was elected as the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Artsakh Republic in March 2021 and continues to serve in that role. Stepanyan also shared his perspective during the roundtable, based on his broad foundation in international relations and political science. His experience in the Artsakh National Assembly and his academic contributions have made him a key figure in the ongoing struggle for Artsakh’s rights and recognition.
A capacity crowd listening to His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian deliver his message
In his opening remarks, Boyadjian eloquently stated, “Artsakh is the pride and dignity of the Armenian people. The fight for Artsakh and our nation’s survival will continue until achieved.” He underscored the critical role of the Diaspora in supporting Artsakh, especially in these challenging times.
Beglaryan and Stepanyan emphasized that Artsakh is not lost – if collective support and determination persist. They highlighted the dire needs of the people of Artsakh, particularly regarding the right of return, housing, employment and the lack of adequate support from the current Armenian regime. To this end, Beglaryan and Stepanyan have engaged in advocacy work with an international dimension. Before visiting New York, they spent a week in Washington, D.C. in meetings with members of Congress and government officials organized by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
AYF Central Executive members Niree Kaprielian, Alec Soghomonian and Isabel Hagopian, New York and New Jersey AYF members, Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan and Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan
His Eminence Archbishop Tanielian’s closing remarks focused on the collective struggle for Artsakh, affirming its central place in Armenian identity. He called for increased political, financial and moral support for the people of Artsakh during these dark times. The event concluded with blessings from Archbishop Tanielian and the clergy, followed by further discussions among the community leaders and guest speakers.
The “Artsakh Update” roundtable served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the Armenian spirit and the critical role of the global Armenian Diaspora in supporting Artsakh. Through informed dialogue, shared commitment and strategic action, the event demonstrated the importance of unity in the face of adversity and the ongoing struggle for the rights and recognition of the people of Artsakh.
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian blessing the table
On September 19, 2023, the Armenians of Artsakh were subjected to genocide through ethnic cleansing. This egregious act of violence was compounded by a preceding 10-month blockade imposed by the Azerbaijani government, effectively isolating the population and severing essential lifelines for food, medicine and energy. This dire humanitarian crisis unfolded under the indifferent gaze of the international community, which largely remained passive, betraying the fundamental principles of human rights and dignity. The silence and inaction of global powers in the face of such blatant aggression not only underscore the vulnerabilities of international diplomatic mechanisms but also serve as a grim reminder of the challenges Armenian communities face in preserving their existence and autonomy against overwhelming odds.
Prospects of return of the Armenian population to Karabakh under discussion-Zakharova
18:26,
MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Preparations for the next Russian-Azerbaijani contacts continue regarding the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing Wednesday.
"Among the issues discussed are the prospects of the return of the Armenian population to Karabakh, with proper provision of their rights and security, the organization of joint patrols, the protection of monuments of cultural, historical and religious heritage," said the official representative of the Russian MFA, adding that the contacts are formed on a constructive basis and have a periodic nature.
A Glimpse Into St. Garabed Church of the Desert
The St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert in Palm Desert, California
BY CATHERINE YESAYAN
A few years ago, as we were driving on Monterey thoroughfare in Rancho Mirage towards Palm Desert, my eyes suddenly caught a lonely church standing on the right side of the road surrounded by sand dunes. From its architectural structure, I figured that the lonely church must be Armenian—and indeed it was. I was puzzled to see a pristine Armenian church in the middle of the desert.
About a month ago, in an Armenian online publication, I read that the St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert will be celebrating the 12th Anniversary of its Consecration on January 14. I thought that would be a good excuse to make plans to visit Palm Springs and, in the meantime, visit the church and get some information to whip up a brief column.
Through the church website, I was able to contact Parish Pastor Deacon Gevork Gevorkian. I informed him that I was planning on visiting the church.
I asked a friend of mine to accompany me to Rancho Mirage to visit the church, and she was happy to join me. It was around noon when we arrived.
I couldn’t help but notice that the parking lot was quite full. My mind drifted to the “Field of Dream” movie— from which we learned the slogan: “If you build, they will come.” I thought of all the Armenians that would be living in this desert community. Later, I learned that there is an estimated number of around 700 Armenian families in the area.
The weather couldn’t have been any better. The sun was up, and the temperature hovered in the low 70s. A large pathway, lined with mature palm trees, led to the entrance of the church. It was a picture-perfect sight.
As we entered the church, I was surprised to see it was packed with parishioners. There were only a few seats available, and a few people were lined up against the walls.
On that day, Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian was invited to lead the Divine Liturgy. The service lasted much longer than usual, as they ordained David Gevorkian to the holy order of the Diaconate—to become a deacon.
After the liturgy was complete, while I exited the church I saw a table where they were offering coffee and baked goods. There I met Hasmik Barsamian, who had baked all of the sweets. She explained that she was a part of the church’s women’s committee. I also had the chance to chat with a few other people to gather all the information I needed.
Baked goods offered to parishioners after Sunday service at St. Garabed church
Before I go further, I’d like to tell you about the Coachella Valley, which encompasses the Greater Palm Springs area. In 1990s, the Armenian leaders of Rancho Mirage in the Coachella Valley got together and decided to build a church. The plans to build a new church were submitted in 2009 and construction began soon after. Finally, the church was consecrated and anointed on January 7, 2012.
Before the construction of the church, the Armenians of the Palm Desert area, for years, attended church services either by traveling to Los Angeles or San Diego, or renting a dining hall in Rancho Mirage.
For the last 12 years, the Parish Council of St. Garabed church has been very active within the community—serving as a space for both religious and nonreligious functions. Every year on Veteran’s Day, the church parish organizes the Armenian Cultural Festival. This year, about 3,000 people enjoyed Armenian food, music, dance, and culture. Guests from various surrounding towns, and some even further from Los Angeles and San Diego, often visit the festival. The event has become an annual, popular tradition.
The Kirkjan Family Hall, which is adjacent to St. Garabed Church
A few hundred feet away from the church entrance, there’s the Kirkjan Family Hall where the local community holds different events, such as New Year’s Eve celebrations. On the day of our visit, right after the liturgy, Deacon Gevork Gevorkian invited us to attend the banquet luncheon, held at that Family Hall. However, due to time constraints, we were unable to attend.
The Ladies’ Society members provide coffee and sweets to parishioners during the fellowship hour, which is held after Sunday services. The church also offers Sunday School and Armenian language classes on Saturdays.
Archbishop Derderian has called the St. Garabed Armenian Church a “crowning jewel.” I attest that the Church of the Desert can be one of the most treasured gems of the Western Diocese.
Catherine Yesayan is a regular contributor to Asbarez, with her columns appearing under the “Community Links” heading. She can be reached at [email protected].
Chef Ararat El Rawi introduces Brooklyn to Armenian cuisine at Café Little Armenia
I was first introduced to the eccentric world of Chef Ararat El Rawi via social media after reading about his gourmet “pop-ups” sprouting around Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, born during the outdoor seating era of the pandemic.
“I opened the pop-up because I wanted to try catering,” he explained, baffled that these small dinners snowballed into cooking classes and then serious interest in a restaurant. Chef Ararat then spent months looking for a home for his authentic Armenian-style cooking, duking it out with New York City brokers for a lease, painting over lime-green walls with red, blue and orange, and curating the menu for his new eatery – all leading up to a soft opening of “Café Little Armenia” in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in early January 2024.
Empty booths at Café Little Armenia in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
The jack-of-all-trades chef, who has done everything from working at top-notch restaurants like Esca in Hell’s Kitchen and Harlem’s Red Rooster to dabbling in the carnival scene and brushing elbows with rockstar Prince, was surprised at the success and press that drew in New Yorkers from all boroughs to try Armenian cuisine at his pop-ups. We chatted in a humble wooden booth at his café over a plate of fresh tabbouleh, one of his signature dishes.
Chef Ararat El Rawi in the kitchen
“When Esca threw in the towel, that’s when I started the little café. And it just ignited,” he told me with an unwavering smile, still in amazement. “It was kind of staggering to me, you know, like wow – The New York Post is calling, Oatly is calling, even Japanese TV too.”
After gathering momentum, Chef Ararat assembled his closest supporters to help him stockpile funds to turn his dream of opening a restaurant into a reality. And, he made sure to note, it was no easy feat, especially when many well-known restaurants in New York were shutting their doors for good.
Nostalgia lines the walls of the café
The kitschy aesthetic of the cafe is a clear extension of Chef Ararat’s zany interests and experiences, family history and community that have shaped his culinary experience. We prattled under crooked but charming vintage family photos, drawings and a signed Macy’s advertisement of celebrity chef Andrew Zimmerman. They worked together for a handful of years, and at one point, the Food Network star taught him how to make “life-changing” risotto. There’s also a framed photo of his mustachioed grandfather, a Genocide survivor who relocated their family to Iraq. According to family legend, this very grandfather helped Lawrence of Arabia escape after a chance encounter in a local marketplace upon recognizing his unmistakable blue eyes.
Of course, there’s a proud Armenian flag greeting hungry Brooklynites upon entrance. And this colorful “ad” works wonders – a captivated customer stumbled into the cafe midway through our interview.
“You got spinach pies? Man, I’m Greek – when I hear pies my legs start shaking,” he said. “I look forward to eating them my friend, I appreciate you.” Chef Ararat laughed and dished back, “Oh my God, it’s beautiful. I’m a fat Armenian kid; when I hear pie I think of cherry apple.” He later shared the secret ingredient to these spinach pies – cardamom seeds, butter-softened onions and pine nuts, just the way his father made them.
As if the tricolored walls weren’t enough, there’s also a photo of his family with William Saroyan from his early childhood in Minneapolis in the seventies. He recalled his mother magically landing a dinner with the notorious author, which still surprises him today. “My mom somehow called him and got through, you know, and gave him the old Armenian ‘get over here.’ And I remember I was playing football, and my mom came up to me, telling me to put my Armenian clothes on, because William Saroyan was coming to dinner and she had to make tabbouleh.” He laughed, adding, “He just kept pinching our cheeks, amazed that we spoke Armenian in a place where there were no Armenians.”
“It’s one of life’s crazy moments, and it transcended to me because it’s like – the nerve my mom had to do that…I got the same nerve, you know? To push ahead and do something. You know us Armenians, we’re curious – it’s just in our nature. We love people, I think, and we just love to know what somebody else’s story is.”
The remaining walls are lined with nostalgia and stories – signed Tony Bennet albums, framed stamps of Edith Piaf, Ramones posters and original pencil sketches from “The Simpsons.” There’s also a handwritten menu, one of his early brainstorms, consisting of tabbouleh, a garden salad, ceviche, pesto chicken, fresh shrimp and a vegetarian sandwich.
“It’s all very punk rock,” he said with a grin, handing me a handwritten menu. “This menu is like my identity,” he added.
Fresh tabbouleh at Café Little Armenia
His so-called “family dish” is tabbouleh with fresh bulgur, scallions and a side of pita, just like his mom served Saroyan. His menu of the day also offers homemade spinach pies, mussels and what he calls a “pot dish,” a stew with assorted vegetables inspired by his mom’s “peasant soup” stocked with mint, parsley, dry herbs, squash, potatoes, meatballs with bulgur and a healthy dose of barley at the bottom. It’s his spin on a classic grilled cheese and tomato soup, considering the pot dish comes with a side of cheese bourek. The tabbouleh and spinach pies, he realized, resemble both his parents.“One’s mom and one’s dad,” he shared.
He also serves an “Armenian plate” – a small smorgasbord of luleh or shish kebab, grape leaves, grilled peppers and onions, all on top of a smattering of rice. Once again, this recipe comes from Dad – the meat is prepped with scallions, parsley, sumac and onions, “just the way Dad used to do it.” Chef Ararat hopes to add a yogurt sauce to the ever-evolving menu. His sous chef Daisy, new to the culinary scene, whips up pupusas as an experimental addition to this mostly Armenian menu.
Unmistakable Armenian colors at Café Little Armenia
Chef Ararat is also very proud to debut his salmon roulade, a dish with palmed and flattened salmon, later brushed with olive oil and black pepper, fried in a pan with peanut oil and served with leeks.
“This menu is like my identity.”
“The Armenian dishes are very traditional, ones that we made in my house. They’re not things I learned from a book – it’s what I learned in my family. My heart has always been in the kitchen,” he shared. His father, raised in the villages of Rawa, blended Iraqi cuisine and spices with Armenian cooking growing up. “We [Armenians] are always going to cook, but we adapt to our influences. The Iraqi influence from my dad came in the form of cumin, a lot of black pepper, fused with the Armenian scallions, onions and little things like that.”
The “Armenian platter” at Café Little Armenia
His recipes are also a testament to his mother’s cooking. “When my mom came here, she couldn’t get tomato sauce or paste, so she had to adapt to ketchup – and it was delicious. She’d cook it slowly and add water to it.” This took him back in time to his small Armenian tribe in Minneapolis and his mother insisting the kids remain true to their ethnic roots, especially through their family dinners. “It was important to my mom that we ate Armenian food and that we spoke the language. We cooked so much in my house. I have very real memories of tugging at the bottom of my mom’s dress and walking around the kitchen watching her cut tomatoes and chopping and rolling grape leaves.”
“I think that food is probably the only form of art that we participate in that we need to survive.”
He reminisced on fond summertime childhood memories, stuffing plastic shopping bags with hand-picked grape leaves from their backyard, watching as the matriarchs of his family rolled dolma while laughing at Jerry Lewis films. “We share when we eat, we share when we cook, and you know, it’s the one thing that keeps us together. I think that food is probably the only form of art that we participate in that we need to survive.”
To be clear, the café isn’t completely ready, and his small team still has a lot on their proverbial plates. Chef Ararat, passionate about his dishes and eager to serve Brooklyn real Armenian food, quietly opened his doors regardless. He admitted that the place isn’t as polished as it could be, but he remains steadfast that his café will rise to the top. He is still amazed that the world, even New York, has not discovered Armenian food in the way Korean cuisine or Japanese ramen have taken over Brooklyn. “I just struggle to come to grips with that in today’s world. It’s 2024!”
Dessert at Café Little Armenia
Evidently, Chef Ararat is striving to make Armenian cuisine known to the world, starting with Greenpoint, playing the long game in New York’s ruthless restaurant scene. We ended the interview with a filo dough “bird’s nest” and date cookies to-go; he had to start prepping for dinner and predicted it would be a busy night. “Saturday night in Brooklyn – it’s going to be great.”
You can visit Cafe Little Armenia at 1035 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint via Instagram reservations at @littlearmeniacafe.
1 victim of Stepanakert fuel depot blast still hospitalized in Yerevan
11:35, 5 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. One of the victims of the 25 September 2023 Stepanakert fuel depot explosion is still hospitalized in Yerevan, Healthcare Minister Anahit Avanesyan has said.
The blast killed 218 people and injured at least 120 others. Some were taken abroad for treatment. Most of them have completed the treatment and have returned to Armenia.
“Approximately twenty patients were sent to France, Belgium, Spain, Bulgaria, the US and other countries for treatment. One patient who was injured in the blast is currently undergoing treatment in Yerevan. The rest are under outpatient supervision,” Avanesyan said.
Armenia sees India, France as its key partners in defense sphere — defense minister
YEREVAN, February 2. /TASS/. Armenia considers India and France as its key partners in the defense sphere, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said.
"In the process of the diversification of weapons purchases, we have acquired new partners and established relations with many superpowers. In particular, India and France have become our main partners in the defense sphere," he said in an interview with Armenia’s Public Television.
According to the minister, the diversification process is irreversible. He that the country’s new contracts and reforms would have a positive effect on the quality of the country’s weapons.