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Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

Chess: Record number of Armenian players to take part in the Chess World Cup 2021

Yeghisabet Arthur
Panorama, Armenia

Record number of Armenian chess players will take part in the Chess World Cup 2021 in Sochi. As the Chess Federation reported on Monday, in the men’s competition Armenia  will be represented by five players – grandmasters Levon Aronian, Gabriel Sargsyan, Hovhannes Gabuzyan, Hayk Martirosyan and Shant Sargsyan among them. It is noted that Armenia has participated in the  tournament since 2005 with maximum four players. Meanwhile, Elina Danielyan will represent Armenia in the women’s competition. 

To note, the Chess World Cup 2021 is a 206-player single-elimination chess tournament that will take place in Sochi, Russia, from 10 July to 3 August 2021.It is the 9th edition of the Chess World Cup.

The top two finishers in the tournament, aside from World Champion Magnus Carlsen, will qualify for the Candidates Tournament 2022. The rest of the final eight qualify for the FIDE Grand Prix 2022, unless they are World Champion or qualify for the Candidates via another path.

‘Armenia’ bloc member Armen Charchyan’s wife reads his message at alliance’s first general assembly

Yeghisabet Arthur
News.am, Armenia
‘Armenia’ bloc member Armen Charchyan’s wife reads his message at alliance’s first general assembly
22:27, 29.06.2021

During the first general assembly of ‘Armenia’ bloc today, the message of Director of Izmirlian Medical Center, candidate of the bloc for MP Armen Charchyan was read by his wife, Melanya Hovhannisyan.

In his message, Charchyan stated that the charge brought against him is incomprehensible and absolutely unacceptable. “It’s clear that I am being persecuted for something that I didn’t do, and in this case, I can’t repent in any way. I have always accepted and will accept my mistake, but I will never apologize for something I didn’t do,” he added.

Hovhannisyan said Charchyan is certain that ‘Armenia’ bloc is the force that can help the country recover and that he feels well and strong since he feels the support of his teammates.

Charchyan also expressed willingness to fight for an Armenia where citizens will be strong, healthy and educated, will be involved in culture, will work and will be in solidarity.

“My powerful team and I will join forces and build a secure, dignified and prosperous Armenia,” the message also reads.

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 This text available in   Armenian:

The Tufenkian Foundation Rebuilds Two More Damaged Homes in the Villages of Artsakh’s Martuni Region

Yeghisabet Arthur

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 29, 2021

CONTACT: RUPEN JANBAZIAN
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS
YEREVAN +374-98-222-5578
[email protected]

THE TUFENKIAN FOUNDATION REBUILDS TWO MORE DAMAGED HOMES IN THE VILLAGES OF ARTSAKH’S MARTUNI REGION

The homes of the Hayrapetyans of Machkalashen and the Sargsyans of Herher village sustained major damages during last year’s war in Artsakh

HERHER VILLAGE, Martuni, Artsakh (TUFENKIAN FOUNDATION)—Two more families in Artsakh’s Martuni region were given the keys to their rebuilt homes last week, as part of the Tufenkian Foundation’s Martuni Village Home Renovation and Repair Project. The homes of the Hayrapetyans of Machkalashen village and the Sargsyans of Herher village sustained major damages by Azerbaijani shelling during last year’s war.

Zina Hayrapetyan, who serves as Machkalashen’s head nurse, lost her husband during the Artsakh Liberation War in the early 1990s. The Hayrapetyan home was hit twice during last year’s war while her son was serving in Hadrut. “Our family home was completely destroyed; it was in utter ruins. It was difficult to imagine that it could ever be rebuilt in such a short amount of time,” Hayrapetyan explained during an intimate ceremony on June 25, to mark the completion of construction of the house, which is home to five members of the Hayrapetyan family.

“Following the war, our board of trustees decided that the Foundation should only focus on the most immediate, pressing needs in Artsakh: the renovation and reconstruction of damaged homes, addressing the housing issues of our wounded soldiers and the families of our fallen,” explained Tufenkian Foundation trustee, Dr. Antranig Kasbarian. “We are looking forward to moving onto implementing development projects once these fundamental needs are addressed,” Kasbarian added.

After consultations with Artsakh authorities, the Tufenkian Foundation decided that it would carry out its work in the Herher cluster Martuni region of Artsakh: in Herher and its surrounding villages, including Tsovategh, Kherkhan, and Machkalashen. The Hayrapetyan and Sargsyan homes are the third and fourth of a total of 13 homes in the region that the Foundation will renovate and restore. While in Machkalashen, the Tufenkian Foundation also provided food assistance packages to ten vulnerable families in the village thanks to a gift by an anonymous donor.

The Sargsyans of Herher village were the second family to receive the keys to their renovated home on June 25. According to Karlest Sargsyan, the head of the Sargsyan household, the family lost everything in the war after being completely leveled by Azerbaijani fire. “Everything was destroyed; that’s what happens in war. But we thank God we survived,” explained Karlest, who lives with his wife, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

“These are difficult times for our people, for the people of Artsakh, but I am certain that we will rise from the ashes once again, thanks to the support of organizations like the Tufenkian Foundation. We are indebted to the hard work and determination of the Foundation’s board, staff, and supporters, and I’d like to thank everyone involved—from the directors to each construction worker—for their commitment to the people of Artsakh,” Karlest said, before his house was blessed by Father Mkhitar Haroyan of the St. Vardanants Armenian Apostolic Church of Chartar.

During the ceremony, the Sargsyan family also received a surprise gift from a dedicated Tufenkian Foundation volunteer, 21-year-old Razmig Makasdjian of San Fransisco, Calif. After consulting the Foundation’s Artsakh staff, Makasdjian, who has been volunteering throughout Artsakh and Armenia since last December, decided to outfit the Sargsyan’s rebuilt home with a brand-new refrigerator. “This is the least I could do for a family that has suffered so much. I am happy I could do my small part and call on others to help in any way they can. I am hopeful about the future of Artsakh,” Makasdjian said.

The Martuni Village Home Renovation and Repair Project is a part of a larger program initiated and implemented by the Tufenkian Foundation to address the most pressing needs in the region. As part of its Herher village cluster restoration and redevelopment program, the Tufenkian Foundation also announced that it will be launching the Martuni Village Healthcare Improvement Initiative. The initiative will restore the village Buzhkets (community medical clinics) and provide training to local healthcare workers to ensure that residents receive quality care.

* * *

Established in 1999, the Tufenkian Foundation addresses the most pressing social, economic, cultural, and environmental challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh). Since its inception, the Tufenkian Foundation has supported various community initiatives as well as civic activism and public advocacy campaigns to help improve life in Armenia, while providing housing, education, social, health, and livelihood support for the Armenians of Artsakh. 

 

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 ATTACHED IMAGES: 

1.      The Hayrapetyan family home in Machkalashen was destroyed by Azerbaijani fire during last year’s war. (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

2.      The Hayrapetyan family home in Machkalashen after it was completely restored (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

3.      The Sargsyan family home in Herher was destroyed by Azerbaijani fire during last year’s war. (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

4.      The Sargsyan family home in Herher after it was completely restored (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

5.      Zina Hayrapetyan’s two grandchildren in their new home in Machkalashen (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

6.      Zina Hayrapetyan (C), who serves as Machkalashen’s head nurse, lost her husband during the Artsakh Liberation War. The Hayrapetyan home was hit twice during last year’s war while her son was serving in Hadrut. (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

7.      A scene from the Sargsyans’ home blessing (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

8.      A scene from the food assistance distribution in Machkalashen village (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

9.      The Sargsyan family received a surprise gift—a brand new refrigerator—from dedicated Tufenkian Foundation volunteer, 21-year-old Razmig Makasdjian of San Fransisco, Calif. (Photo: Tufenkian Foundation)

 

 

—

Rupen Janbazian

Ruben Chanpazian
Director, Public Relations
Tufenkian Foundation
Yerevan: +374-98-36-15-50
WhatsApp: +1-857-222-5578


PRESS RELEASE - Tufenkian Foundation 06-29-2021 (Machkalashen, Herer Rebuilt Homes).pdf


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EU must play a role in building trust between Armenia and Azerbaijan – Lithuanian FM

Yeghisabet Arthur

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 17:44, 26 June, 2021

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. The European Union is a geopolitical force that can have a potential mission in the South Caucasus to ensure stability, democracy, and reforms that will help countries pursue European values in their aspirations, ARMENPRESS reports Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said at a press conference at the EU Delegation in Georgia, summing up the results of the regional visit of the Austrian, Romanian and Lithuanian FMs.

According to him, the region needs stability and predictability. “The visit was a good opportunity to hear the views of the parties on how the European Union can be more actively involved. When we talk about Armenia and Azerbaijan, we must help build trust,” Landsbergis said.

He hopes that the recent return of Armenian captives, and the handling of maps of minefields to Azerbaijan under the Georgian and European mediation will be continues.

“It is time to talk about the role of the European Union in terms of establishing connections throughout the region, be it through roads or other infrastructure, such as gas and electricity. The European Union knows how to do it,” said the Lithuanian Foreign Minister.

Spanish Journalists Threatened By Azerbaijani Forces Near Armenia Border

Yeghisabet Arthur
EuroWeekly
June 24 2021
Spanish Journalists Threatened By Azerbijani Forces Near Armenia Border
By Laura Kemp

24 June 2021 @ 19:26

The team of journalists were reporting on their position close to the Azerbaijan border with Armenia, the Gegharkunik province.

Reporters Without Borders organisation condemned “this unacceptable act towards journalists” on their Twitter page, according to Armen Press.

Spanish Journalists Threatened By Azerbijani Forces Near Armenia Border

Spanish Journalists Threatened By Azerbijani Forces Near Armenia Border

This is not the first time journalists have come into trouble in a foreign country, in April this year two reporters were kidnapped and killed. Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish President, tweeted “the worst news is confirmed.”

Sanchez named the reporters as David Beriain and Roberto Fraile.

He tweeted: “All the affection for the relatives and friends of David Beriain and Roberto Fraile, murdered in Burkina Faso. And our recognition to those who, like them, carry out courageous and essential journalism from conflict zones on a daily basis.”

Arancha González Laya, the Spanish Foreign Minister, told journalists on Tuesday that although the information coming out of the West African country was “confusing,” everything indicated that two bodies found in the area were those of the missing journalists.

The two reporters were in the Pama area of the country making a documentary on poaching in the region, alongside an Irish citizen, González Laya said.

The area is very dangerous and a place where terrorist groups, poachers, bandits and jihadists operate, according to González Laya.

The reporters were involved in a patrol of around 40 Burkinabe anti-poaching troops, which was attacked by armed individuals.

EU, MEP Kaljurand thank Georgia for facilitating the release of 15 Armenian war prisoners by Azerbaijan

Yeghisabet Arthur
Agenda, Georgia
June 14 2021
                                               

Agenda.ge, 14 Jun 2021 – 11:34, Tbilisi,Georgia

The European Union (EU) and MEP Marina Kaljurand have thanked Georgia for its facilitation efforts to release 15 Armenian citizens who were captured last year by Azerbaijan during hostilities over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated on June 12 that the Armenian citizens were released through his involvement and that of the US. 

  • US grateful to the Georgian gov’t for its ‘vital role’ facilitating discussions between Armenia, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan says that the detainees were released in exchange for maps with the locations of 97,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines in the Aghdam region. 

The EU says that ‘these are important humanitarian and confidence building gestures by Baku and Yerevan that will hopefully open the path for further cooperation between the sides and the ultimate release of all Armenian detainees, as well as the handing over of all available maps of mined areas to avoid further civilian casualties.’ 

The EU has urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue cooperation.

Fighting broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia in September 2020 over Nagorno-Karabakh which claimed around 6,000 lives over six weeks.

The war ended in November with a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement under which Yerevan ceded swathes of territory it had controlled for decades.

Government employees in Armenia’s Vayk attending acting PM’s campaign meeting during working hours

Yeghisabet Arthur
News.am, Armenia
June 16 2021
Government employees in Armenia’s Vayk attending acting PM’s campaign meeting during working hours
17:20, 16.06.2021

Government employees in Vayk town are attending the campaign meeting of Civil Contract Party and acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan during their working hours.

During a conversation with Armenian News-NEWS.am, they stated that they had voluntarily come to meet with Nikol Pashinyan.

One of the female schoolteachers said there was nothing bad about a large number of children attending Pashinyan’s campaign meetings, if the latter don’t disturb the children’s classes. Another woman said they were all in a great mood and that they want Pashinyan to win the elections, not the former authorities.

Bright Armenia is the only political force that has presented anti-migration plan – Edmon Marukyan

Yeghisabet Arthur
Panorama, Armenia

Bright Armenia Party leader Edmon Marukyan on Friday expressed conviction his party will again have the third largest parliamentary faction as a result of Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections,

“I cannot say annoying about the percentage [of the vote] now, it will become clear after the elections, but the processes are leading us to it,” he told reporters during his party’s election campaign rally.

Asked whether Bright Armenia plans to stage street protests in case of not being elected to the parliament, Marukyan said such a scenario is possible only if the elections are rigged.

He reiterated their call to all parties and blocs running in the elections to refrain from post-elections protests, stressing the need to restore solidarity in the society.

Marukyan underlined the key purpose of the snap elections was to end the street protests.

The lawmaker highlighted people’s desire for unity amid the big challenges facing the country.

“People just can’t stand it all any longer. The country is facing major problems and challenges; people want to come together to resolve those problems. We do what people want,” Marukyan said.

He stated Bright Armenia is the only political force that has presented an anti-migration plan, highlighting the restoration of public solidarity as a key tool to stop the migration. 

Armenia acting official, city mayor’s controversial phone talk going viral on Internet

Yeghisabet Arthur
News.am, Armenia
00:25, 14.06.2021

A telephone conversation between the acting Minister of Territorial Administration and Development of Armenia, Suren Papikyan, and the mayor of Etchmiadzin city, Dianna Gasparyan, is going viral on the Internet.

In this telephone conversation, Gasparyan complains about acting PM Nikol Pashinyan, stating that he must step down for the sake of the state. “Let them choose someone [else] from the team, let them choose you. He has already gone [in the head]; his psyche cannot stand [it anymore],” she added.

In response, Papikyan urges her to keep calm.

We tried to contact them and get comments, but to no avail.

Armenian Defense Ministry responds to reports on deployment of Turkish special units in Syunik

Yeghisabet Arthur
Public Radio of Armenia
      
 

The Armenian Ministry of Defense has responded to media reports claiming that Turkish special forces have been stationed in the area of Lake Sev in Syunik region.

“The Republic of Armenia, in particular, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, has repeatedly raised the issue that the Turkish Armed Forces are heavily involved in the training, instruction and even management processes of the Azerbaijani army,” the Ministry said.

“The clearest evidence of this was the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, in which the Turkish armed forces were directly involved. The presence of Turkish troops in the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces has long been a fact, confirmed, including by the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia,” the statement reads.

“From this point of view, the accusations that the Armenian Ministry of Defense is hiding facts related to the presence of Turkish troops in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are simply baseless. As for the photo of the soldier with the Turkish emblem, it was taken in the non-Armenian part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the movement of the military was controlled by the RA Armed Forces, and there is no question of “deployment of a Turkish army unit” in the area,” the Defense Ministry stated.