Category: 2019

Yerevan should get rid of aggressive and cancer causing environment, Inga Zarafyan says

Ani Kharatian
Panorama, Armenia

Environmentalist Inga Zarafyan, President at Ecolur NGO, welcomes the steps and measures by the Yerevan Mayor’s Office to restore the green zone in the capital city.  “Yerevan has the highest level of cancer causing and allergic diseases which is no coincidence. It should finally get rid of the aggressive environment created around our city,” Zarafyan told Panorama.am

The environmentalist reminded that the issue with the green zones first came in the 90s when they were replaced by illegal constructions which were later legalized.

Zarafyan believes that while implementing its urban greening policies, the Mayor’s Office should present a serious plan. Green zones should be restored around the capital city as the Dalma and Nork parks
served once. ”No forests are in Yerevan, green spaces and parks are destroyed and now our courtyards are being destroyed. We had to start from one point. We welcome the decision of the Mayor’s Office and remind that it is a major project which is not realized with just one step and in one year,” she said, expressing hope the city authorities will also involve interested NGOs specialized in the sphere.  

In the specialist’s words the capital city needs four-layer greening  – tall, middle and low trees,  as well as flowers and grass spaces. As Zarafyan said, attention should be paid also to the species of the green population tailored to the specific needs of the city depending on the level of pollution Yerevan has.

To remind, the Yerevan Municipality carries out dismantling woks of several cafes located in the vicinity of the Opera House in downtown Yerevan as part of a program to restore the green zone around the building. The dismantling of the cafes started on Wednesday, four weeks after the Yerevan Municipality formally notified the cafe owners to vacate the premises, since the city is halting its lease contracts.

Turkish Press: Turkish court orders re-arrest of Dink murder suspects

Chatinian Lara
Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey
Friday
Turkish court orders re-arrest of Dink murder suspects
 
by Muhammed Enes Can and Mustafa Hatipoglu |
 
Prosecutors balked at conditional release of 2 suspects in 2007 murder of Armenian-Turkish journalist
 
ISTANBUL
 
An Istanbul court on Friday accepted prosecutors’ appeal for the re-arrest of two suspects in the 2007 murder of Hrant Dink, a prominent Armenian-Turkish journalist.
 
Following the suspects’ conditional release on Thursday, prosecutors asked the court to have them re-arrested, and the 15th High Criminal Court in Istanbul agreed.
 
Ercan Gun and Muharrem Demirkale had been released with a ban on leaving the country, while the court ordered the continued detention of Ramazan Akyurek and Ali Fuat Yilmazer.
 
Other suspects in the case include U.S.-based Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) leader Fetullah Gulen, FETO-linked former prosecutor Zekeriya Oz, former Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanli, and journalists Adem Yavuz Arslan and Faruk Mercan.
 
They are all charged with premeditated murder and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.
 
Dink, the editor-in-chief of Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos, was killed outside his office on Jan. 19, 2007.
 
In 2011, Ogun Samast was sentenced to 23 years in prison for the killing. Samast, who was 17 years old in early 2007, claimed he killed Dink for “insulting Turkishness.”
 
Although Samast is the only person to be jailed for the murder, speculation on the involvement of others has persisted.
 
Last year, FETO — which plotted the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, leaving 251 people martyred — was officially tied to the case.
 
A 120-page indictment said soldiers and police involved in the Dink murder later played an active role in the defeated coup.
 
*Writing by Dilara Hamit and Busra Nur Bilgic

Salome Zourabichvili and Armenian-Georgian potential

Emil Lazarian
Ekho Kavkaza, Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe’s Russian-language Caucasus service
March 13 2019
Salome Zourabichvili and Armenian-Georgian potential
by Mzia Paresishvili
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Russian]

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili’s visit to Yerevan has aroused double interest in the Georgian media. To begin with, the president visited Baku a short while ago, making a statement there, which did not go unnoticed in Armenia. Second, speculations were made that Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani, who had previously said that she might resign from the post, would not be included in the delegation. However, the chief lawyer preserved the post and, therefore, was included in the delegation.

Justice minister preserves post, included in presidential delegation

Who is going to accompany President Salome Zourabichvili during her visit to Yerevan or, to be more precise, will Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani be included in the delegation? The question aroused particular interest in the Georgian media. Shortly before, Tsulukiani said that she might resign, if the government chose not to share her position regarding an issue, which is still unknown [to the public]. The conflict was resolved and yesterday [12 March], Tea Tsulukiani to be followed by Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze hot on the heels made statements, saying that the matter had been settled. Nevertheless, many supposed that the minister might not prove to be in the presidential delegation.

However, this did not happen. Minister Tsulukiani stood beside President Salome Zourabichvili during her official meeting with Armenian President Armen Sargsyan.

Zourabichvili emphasises need in closer economic cooperation

Holding a conversation behind closed doors, the presidents made joint statements for the press. Salome Zourabichvili said that it was time the two friendly countries finally renewed work on border delimitation. However, the head of the Georgian state focused greater attention on the following issues:

“We need to secure close cooperation in the economic sphere between the two countries. We discussed many branches: This is not only tourism, which is the easiest and the simplest (achievable goals), but also new technologies, energy, and the transport infrastructure, which can make its way in Armenia’s direction. There are also major plans (which we can implement) together with the EU and not only the EU.”

Zourabichvili invited her Armenian counterpart to the conference, which is timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the EU Eastern Partnership [programme]. The event is going to take place in Batumi in summer. During her visit to Baku two weeks ago, the head of the Georgian state also invited her Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev to the conference.

Presidents discuss conflict regions behind closed doors

Armenian President Armen Sargsyan accepted the invitation of his Georgian counterpart and at the same time, according to the Armenian media, he did not leave out in the cold the statements, which Zourabichvili made in Baku.

“My Georgian colleague and I share the opinion that conflicts are not identical and correspondingly, ways of their solution are not identical, either. In my opinion, a solution should be found exclusively through peaceful means on the bases of international law and norms, and in the case of Artsakh [Armenian name of Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh], the right to self-_expression_,” RusArmInfo Russian-Armenian news agency quoted the Armenian president.

The press release of the Georgian Presidential administration does not mention these words by the Armenian president. It focuses attention on the fact that the head of Armenian state emphasised the importance of relations between Armenia and Georgia, saying that the two countries have great potential for developing them. Salome Zourabichvili’s words, which were quoted in the press release, also showed that behind closed doors, the presidents of the two countries also touched on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh and other conflict regions:

“Georgia recognises territorial and border integrity of the countries recognised by international law. At the same time, Georgia shows readiness for settling the conflict through peaceful means.”

Details of meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan not discussed with press

It should be noted that after Salome Zourabichvili’s meeting with [Armenian] Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the leaders of the two countries chose not to speak to journalists. However, the following post appeared on the Georgian President’s Facebook page:

“Nikol Pashinyan and I discussed the potential of bilateral economic relations, which is going to be further increased after Georgia’s signing the agreements on free trade with the EU and China. I believe that we can do better together than on a stand-alone basis.”

The sides spoke about the importance of developing cultural ties and preserving the cultural heritage of each nation.

The Georgian president’s visit to Armenia is to end tomorrow, on 14 March.

Vank Church, most famous cathedral in Iran

Karagyozian Lena
Iran Daily
Friday
Vank Church, most famous cathedral in Iran
 
The Vank is one of the most famous cathedrals in Iran, and the largest in Isfahan Province, in central Iran. In terms of historical paintings and decorations, it is known as the most beautiful church in Isfahan.
 
It is a combination of Iranian and Armenian architecture, and this has made it a unique structure in the world, ifpnews.com wrote.
 
The location of this church in the Jolfa district of Isfahan allows you to visit many cafés while looking at this magnificent work of art.
 
Anyone walking into Isfahan’s Jolfa district will be enchanted by its special atmosphere.
 
Today, there are 13 churches in Isfahan, each of which has its own characteristics, but among them, the Vank is an exception.
 
The Vank Cathedral is dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of Armenians who were resettled by Shah Abbas I during the Ottoman War of 1603-1618.
 
The construction is believed to have begun in 1606 by the first arrivals, and completed with major alterations to design between 1655 and 1664, under the supervision of Archbishop David. The cathedral consists of a domed sanctuary, much like an Iranian mosque, but with the significant addition of a semi-octagonal apse and raised chancel usually seen in Western churches. The cathedral’s exterior is in relatively modern brickwork and exceptionally plain, compared to its elaborately decorated interior.
 
As the most important church in Jolfa, the Vank has been a center for educating priests and has played the role of a Christian seminary. Many monks have been educated there and reached the highest religious positions.

Letter to the Editor of the New York Times: A Difficult Surname?

Garnik Tadevosian
The New York Times
A Difficult Surname?

To the Editor:

Re ”America, Say My Name,” by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Sunday Review, March 10):

My grandfather arrived in the United States from Armenia in the 1890s, and we’re still teaching folks how to pronounce our surname. (It’s juh-RAH-yahn.)

Ironically, immigrants read it and in most cases pronounce it correctly. Americans don’t seem to take time to actually read it and think that they can wing it.

It comes out wrong every time! We’re not giving up, America!

Stephen Vartan JarahianJersey City


URL:

Georgian president calls on Armenian Church to change its mind regarding subordination of Abkhazian parishes

Andranik Taslakhchian
Interfax – Russia & CIS General Newswire
Friday 4:34 PM MSK
Georgian president calls on Armenian Church to change its mind regarding subordination of Abkhazian parishes
 
TBILISI. March 15
 
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has addressed the subject of Armenian churches in Abkhazia at a meeting with Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the press service for the Georgian president said on Friday.
 
According to the press service, Zourabichvili called on Karekin II to change his decision regarding the subordination of the Armenian Church in Abkhazia to the Diocese of the South of Russia of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
 
This decision is perceived as an infringement on Georgia’s territorial integrity by the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Georgian president said.
 
Zourabichvili said she believes that the Armenian parishes in Abkhazia and their senior priest should be “under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as happened historically,” or be subordinated to Karekin II directly.
 
The Georgian Orthodox Church shares the same stance, she said.
 
According to the press service, Karekin II described the decision on the subordination of the Armenian Church in Abkhazia to the Diocese of the South of Russia as a temporary measure and said that the Armenian Apostolic Church recognizes that Abkhazia is a canonical territory of its Georgian Diocese.
 
“The president welcomed this statement and noted that a way out of the temporary measure should be negotiated,” the press service said.
 
On Thursday, Zourabichvili held a meeting with Karekin II as part of her official visit to Armenia, the press service said.
 
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Ex-Envoy: Iran Ready to Mediate in Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute

Emil Lazarian
Financial Tribune, Iran

Ex-Envoy: Iran Ready to Mediate in Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute

I ran is prepared to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan to help resolve a long-running dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh with full respect for the territorial integrity of the two states, says Tehran’s former diplomat in Baku. 

“If both parties are interested, Iran is ready to intervene with goodwill and respect for the territorial integrity of the two neighboring countries and help settle the issue in a way that would serve their national interests,” Mohsen Pak-Ayeen also told ISNA in a recent interview.

Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous part of Azerbaijan, is run by ethnic Armenians who declared independence from Baku during a conflict that broke out as the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991.

Azerbaijani troops resume shelling after months of relative tranquility

Emil Lazarian

Azerbaijani troops resume shelling after months of relative tranquility

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18:45,

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani armed forces fired 9 mortar bombs in the eastern direction of Artsakh-Azerbaijan contact line on March 13, press secretary of the Defense Ministry of Artsakh Senor Hasratyan told ARMENPRESS.

“60 mm mortar bombs were fired in the direction of Aghdam on March 13 in the period of 10:35-11:15. 9 bombs were fired”, Hasratyan said.

He added that the Defense Army has suffered no casualties.

Relative tranquility in Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone could be observed following Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Dushanbe in September 2018, during which the leaders agreed to reduce tensions. Since then Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire regime using only different caliber firearms.

Azerbaijan launched large-scale military exercises on March 11 ahead of the planned talks between Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan



Armenian Government confidently moves forward creating maximally competitive field for business – Pashinyan received WB Vice President Cyril Muller

Yeghisabet Arthur

Armenian Government confidently moves forward creating maximally competitive field for business – Pashinyan received WB Vice President Cyril Muller

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19:48,

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Cyril Muller.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, highlighting the financial and technical assistance of the WB to Armenia, the PM noted that the Government is interested in deepening future cooperation and to raise the effectiveness of the projects implemented. Nikol Pashinyan noted that the goal of the Government is to transform the political revolution into an economic revolution and the active cooperation with the WB can foster economic activities in the country.

Speaking about improving business environment, Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the Government confidently moves forward creating maximally transparent and competitive field for business.

Cyril Muller assessed the partnership with Armenian partners as effective and expressed the readiness of the World Bank to closely cooperate for the implementation of the reforms and priorities of the Government of Armenia and development of the economy, including the development of SMEs. The WB Vice President expressed confidence that fight against corruption and strengthening of democracy will ensure conductive environment for economic development and progress.

In the context of bilateral cooperation the interlocutors discussed issues referring to the expansion of cooperation particularly in the spheres of infrastructures, high technologies, education, and healthcare.

Nikol Pashinyan and Cyril Muller also referred to the strategic document of cooperation between Armenia and the WB for 2019-2023 and the priorities provided by it.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




Nikol Pashinyan sends condolence letter to Prime Minister of New Zealand

Karagyozian Lena

Nikol Pashinyan sends condolence letter to Prime Minister of New Zealand

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19:53,

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a condolence message to Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern on the occasion of the terror attack in two mosques in Christchurch city of New Zealand.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the message particularly runs as follows,

“Honorable Mrs. Prime Minister,

It was with deep grief that I learned about the terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch city of New Zealand, that claimed lives of numerous innocent people.

Strictly condemning  any demonstration of terrorism, I extend my sincere sympathy and solidarity to you, the relatives of New Zealand and the friendly people of New Zealand”.  

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan