Category: 2019

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, 
AGBU HOLDS ITS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PARIS WITH A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
From February 7-9, hundreds of Armenians and friends—from as far as Japan and 
Uruguay, South Africa and Australia—gathered in Paris on the occasion of the 
90th General Assembly of the AGBU. Over three days, a full agenda of diverse 
events took place at various landmark venues in the heart of the city, starting 
with a Welcome Reception at the Eiffel Tower. This set the stage for the rest 
of the weekend, over which the 113-year old organization would reflect on its 
many accomplishments in the previous two years, contemplate the future of the 
Armenian world against the sweeping global shifts wrought by new technologies 
and social trends, and recognize distinguished figures in the community who 
empower AGBU to touch the lives of over 500,000 Armenians every year and 
maintain a presence in nearly 97 countries. 
The first of these acknowledgements took place on Friday evening at a Charles 
Aznavour Tribute Concert at La Salle Wagram. The life and legacy of this global 
entertainer, Armenian statesman at large, and longtime friend of AGBU, was 
celebrated with a powerful medley of the lyrical genius’ best-loved ballads, 
performed by his esteemed accompanying pianist Erik Berchot and collaborating 
jazz singer Joana Mendil. In line with AGBU’s long tradition of fostering 
rising Armenian talents, contemporary vocalists Narine Dovlatyan, Iveta 
Mukuchyan, Sona Rubenyan, Srbuhi Sargsyan and Gor Sujyan, under the direction 
of performer Hayk Petrosyan, captured the audience with their stylistic 
tributes. Interspersed throughout the program was documentary footage 
chronicling Aznavour’s illustrious career and worldwide impact on society. 
Among the distinguished audience members was Aznavour’s son and co-founder of 
the Aznavour Foundation Nicolas Aznavour. “It was a great pleasure for us to 
honor my father’s memory with the AGBU family in Paris,” Aznavour remarked. 
“This concert marks the beginning of many collaborations between AGBU and the 
Aznavour Foundation. Charles Aznavour has brought so much joy and pride to our 
lives. It is our collective duty to keep alive his artistic and humanitarian 
legacy.”
The next day, during the formal session of the 90th General Assembly held at 
Les Jardins Saint Dominique, AGBU members unanimously elected four new board 
members: Haig Ariyan, Nadia Gortzounian, Vartkess Knadjian and Ari Libarikian. 
It was also a time for AGBU leadership to recognize valued individuals, whose 
life and work have positively impacted Armenians. 
French politician Patrick Devedjian was presented with the Boghos Nubar Award, 
the highest honor AGBU bestows upon community members who elevate others and 
work tirelessly in service of society. Celebrated as a universal role model and 
global Armenian citizen for his advocacy, Devedjian was honored for how he has 
paved the way for a generation of Armenian leadership in public service. Among 
his many achievements, his unrelenting pursuit of justice in relation to the 
recognition of the Armenian Genocide led to the passage of a 2016 extension of 
the current French holocaust law, making the denial or trivialization of all 
events classed as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or slavery 
punishable crimes. 
Esteemed community leaders and committees were also presented with high honors 
throughout the Assembly. Tamar Khabaian from Syria, Monica Nalbandian from 
Brazil, Maral Tchorbadjian from Australia and Herminé Duzian from France were 
all celebrated for their valiant efforts in serving and maintaining the spirit 
of AGBU. In addition, the AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter, the AGBU Young 
Professionals of Greater New York and the AGBU Young Professionals of Northern 
California were also recognized with awards, celebrating their innumerable 
contributions to community life among their constituents.
Later in the evening, participants gathered Le Pavillon Ledoyen, one of the 
most renowned restaurants in Paris, for the AGBU Gala. The affair was welcomed 
by Masters of Ceremony Central Board Member Ani Manoukian and London Trust 
Member Camilio Azzouz. Unbeknownst to all, the Gala paid tribute to two 
distinguished couples for their decades of active support of AGBU and the 
communities around them: Sarkis and Seta Demirdjian; and Vatche and Tamar 
Manoukian. Both were presented with tribute videos and special awards. 
Building on the storied legacies of their parents, prominent founding figures 
in the AGBU communities of Lebanon and Syria, Sarkis and Seta Demirdjian have 
continued to expand their philanthropic mission, encouraging new generations to 
follow their lead. It was the Demirdjians along with their siblings who, after 
the Lebanese Civil War, committed to creating a community center that would 
welcome the broader Lebanese community, making AGBU the first Armenian 
organization to create such a powerful medium of solidarity in the country and 
a model of social enterprise.  Beyond investing in education on multiple 
continents through the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, the couple also 
supports the arts through their work with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra 
and numerous music festivals. Committed to excellence, the Demirdjians were 
honored for their relentless efforts in bettering not just the Armenian world, 
but society at large.  
Vatche and Tamar Manoukian were also thanked for their continued generosity 
empowering Armenians and other meaningful communities throughout the world. 
Citing merely a handful of the couple’s vast beneficiaries, the Manoukians were 
among the first to invest in Armenia bringing outside companies to the nation, 
they have also been consistent donors of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and AGBU 
through various projects including the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School 
and the Performing Arts Center in their name in California. Through their work 
with other global non-profit organizations like UNICEF and the Elton John AIDS 
Foundation, the Manoukians’ generosity toward the most marginalized communities 
has given back to countless in need while also elevating the Armenian image on 
a global scale.  His Royal Highness, Charles, Prince of Wales characterized 
their impact on his Dumfries House project, expressing his congratulations by 
saying: “I hope that you know how much you are appreciated for all that you 
have done in the United Kingdom. I would’ve called you a national treasure, but 
with your scope and breadth of work, it would be more accurate to describe you 
as an international treasure.” 
The weekend was one of tributes and gratitude, but it served equally as a venue 
for looking forward and establishing building blocks for the coming years. One 
of the highlights of the three-day program was the all-day Conference at 
Station F—the world’s largest start up campus. It was a fitting space for the 
extraordinary panel of visionaries and experts, assembled to spark timely and 
important conversations moderated by Stèphane Petrossian of AGBU France. The 
main thesis of the morning session was the dawn of the fast approaching Quantum 
Age. Keynote speaker Robert Vassoyan, Senior Executive Vice President of Atos 
S.E., asserted that governments, corporations, organizations and communities 
must prepare for the coming wave of far-reaching change, both to seize 
opportunities presented by science and technology and to manage the challenges 
posed by dark forces in cyberspace. Vassoyan closed his insightful presentation 
focusing on Armenia’s future and the tremendous opportunity for developing 
start-ups and cultivating diverse, young talent. Characterizing the country as 
an “eState,” he emphasized the importance of putting citizens at the center of 
this new way of looking at nationhood.  
In moderating the first panel on Entrepreneurship, Central Board member and 
President of AGBU Armenia Vasken Yacoubian stressed that the entrepreneurial 
spirit is core to Armenia’s ability to succeed. Panelists included Tatul 
Ajamyan, Founder of Wakie and IT startups, Aline Kamakian, Entrepreneur and 
Founder of Mayrig restaurants, and Vahe Keushguerian, Entrepreneur and 
Co-Founder of Impact Hub Armenia. Each provided deep insight on the issues 
surrounding starting a business in Armenia and the importance of promoting 
cultural tolerance between Diaspora and Armenia, as well as integrating female 
entrepreneurs into the start-up economy. 
The afternoon session picked up on the topic of women, focusing squarely on 
trending women’s issues, both in the global context and specifically relating 
to Armenia. AGBU Central Board Member Arda Haratunian moderated the discussions 
by high profile female leaders in various fields: Astrid Panosyan, Entrepreneur 
and Politician (LREM); Emma Arakelyan, Author and NYU Professor; Valerie 
Toranian, Director of La Revue des Deux Mondes and former editor-in-chief of 
Elle magazine in France; and Isabelle Capron, Vice President of Icicle Shanghai 
Fashion Group. 
Picking up on the many threads of ideas and concepts that emerged throughout 
the panels, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian took to the podium to 
describe his vision of Armenia in light of the rapid succession of smaller 
evolutions that continue to transform the landscape of “Start Up Armenia” in 
ways previously unimagined. He noted that, at the end of the day, these quantum 
leaps of technological wonders must be mastered to remain consistent with our 
national morals and values. 
The conference concluded with presentations on AGBU initiatives and 
partnerships. AGBU Armenia Executive Director Talar Kazanjian on what the 
organization is doing to spur entrepreneurism among women in Armenia. She was 
followed by entrepreneur and founder of Hyetech Europe Armen Verdian and 
Digital Transformation Lead at Brenntag Haik Khanamiryan, who spoke about AGBU 
Europe’s Goriz Leadership program, designed to help young leaders collectively 
represent the Armenian identity as global citizens. 
In addition to the all-day conference, other opportunities for dialogue and 
idea exchange were organized for AGBU network representatives and Young 
Professional attendees. These adjunct events included a workshop for the AGBU 
regional leadership with Central Board members and two forums for Young 
Professionals to exchange ideas.
 
As the GA weekend concluded, participants prepared to leave Paris with a 
broader understanding of just how much the Armenian world is empowered by, and 
in turn, inspires the rest of the world. “After four full days of thoughtful 
reflection, stimulating conversations, celebrations and recognition of so many 
exemplary individuals in our midst,” President Setrakian said, “there is no 
doubt that AGBU is ready to take the next big leap into the future as a united 
force for good— across our communities, throughout Armenia, and in the world.”
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit 
organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, 
cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a 
difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the 
Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: 
to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit 
www.agbu.org.

                                        Wednesday, 
Armenia Set For New IMF Loan
        • Emil Danielyan
Armenia - An IMF team headed by Hossein Samiei (C) meets with Armenian Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian, Yerevan, February 26, 2018.
The International Monetary Fund has all but decided to allocate a fresh $250 
million loan to Armenia, praising the Armenian government’s macroeconomic 
policies and “ambitious” reform agenda.
An IMF mission reported a “staff-level agreement” on the loan late on Tuesday 
at the end of a two-week visit to Yerevan which involved talks with Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian and other senior Armenian officials.
“The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, which is 
expected to consider it in May 2019,” the head of the mission, Hossein Samiei, 
said in a statement.
Samiei said that the “precautionary stand-by arrangement” would be disbursed in 
several installments over the next three years. It is designed to “support the 
new government’s reform plans and strengthen resilience against external 
shocks,” he said.
“The new government’s ambitious structural reform agenda appropriately focuses 
on fighting corruption, improving the business environment, and developing 
human capital and infrastructure,” added the IMF official. “In this regard, key 
measures include establishing an anti-corruption agency, strengthening 
corporate transparency and governance, and implementing active labor market 
policies.”
Pashinian reaffirmed his stated commitment to these reforms when he met with 
Samiei earlier on Tuesday. He also stressed the importance of IMF support for 
their implementation.
The IMF’s most recent lending program for Armenia, worth roughly $115 million, 
was launched in 2014 and completed in 2017. Samiei indicated the fund’s 
readiness to provide a fresh loan to the country during a March 2018 visit to 
Yerevan. He said he held “productive discussions” with then Prime Minister 
Karen Karapetian and members of his cabinet.
That visit came just weeks before the start of Pashinian-led mass protests that 
led to the resignation of Armenia’s former government. The new government, 
which took office in May, pledged to carry on with its predecessor’s IMF-backed 
efforts to improve tax collection and cut the state budget deficit.
In his latest statement, Samiei gave a largely positive assessment of the 
macroeconomic situation in Armenia. He cited “robust” economic growth recorded 
last year, the government’s rising tax revenues, a falling fiscal deficit, and 
low inflation.
“Looking ahead, growth is expected to moderate to about 4.5 percent in 2019, 
reflecting a weaker global environment and copper prices, and remain in the 4-5 
percent range over the medium term,” he said.
Samiei at the same time called for a further improvement in tax administration, 
saying that is critical for offsetting short-term “revenue losses” which he 
said will inevitably result from major tax cuts planned by Pashinian’s 
government.
Income tax rates in Armenia currently range from 23 percent to 36 percent. The 
highest rate is set for individuals earning 2 million drams ($4,100) or more.
A government bill which the Armenian parliament is expected to debate soon 
would introduce a flat rate for all individual taxpayers. It would be initially 
set at 23 percent and gradually cut to 20 percent. Government officials say 
that this will discourage tax evasion and stimulate faster growth in the 
country.
Samiei cautioned that the tax cuts could have positive effects on the economy 
only in the medium term. “Therefore, it is crucial to implement the envisaged 
package of tax policy measures to fully offset these [tax revenue] losses, 
while being mindful of the reform’s possible impact on equity,” said the IMF 
official.
Iran Warns Against ‘Third-Party Interference’ In Ties With Armenia
IRAN -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Iranian President Hassan 
Rouhani hold a joint news briefing at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, February 
27, 2019
Iran and Armenia want to deepen their relations and will not allow any “third 
country” to undermine them, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said after meeting 
with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in Tehran on Wednesday.
Rouhani said that he and Pashinian reached “good agreements in different areas” 
but did not go into details.
“As I said at the meeting with the prime minister, we are pleased with 
Armenia’s position on illegal and irrational sanctions against Iran,” he said, 
clearly referring to the U.S. sanctions re-imposed by President Donald Trump.
“The two countries are willing to keep moving forward based on their national 
resources and not to allow any third state to interfere in our cordial 
relations,” he added in a statement to the press cited by Iranian news agencies.
Pashinian did not mention the sanctions at the joint news briefing. But he did 
describe Iran as a “friendly country” and reaffirm Armenia’s desire to forge 
closer ties with the Islamic Republic.
“The weather in our relations is every good,” declared the Armenian leader, who 
was making his first official visit to Tehran.
Iran - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian inspect an Iranian honor guard at a welcoming ceremony in Tehran, 
.
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton discussed with Pashinian 
implications of the U.S. sanctions for Armenian-Iranian ties during a trip to 
Yerevan in October. Bolton said Washington will be enforcing them “very 
vigorously” and that traffic through the Armenian-Iranian border is therefore 
“going to be a significant issue.”
In November, a team of officials from the U.S. state and treasury departments 
visited Yerevan to explain the sanctions Armenia’s government and private 
sector. Pashinian made clear afterwards that that Yerevan will “deepen not only 
economic but also political relations” with Tehran.
With Armenia’s borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey closed due to the 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Iran as well as Georgia serve as the sole conduits 
for the landlocked country’s trade with the outside world. Armenia also imports 
Iranian natural gas and diesel fuel.
Closer commercial ties between the two neighboring states appeared to be a key 
focus of Pashinian’s talks with Rouhani. The Iranian president said that his 
country is ready to sell more gas to Armenia and also use Armenian territory 
for gas supplies to Georgia.
“Armenia is ready to be a transit for Iranian gas,” Pashinian said in this 
regard.
Armenia is also willing to boost imports of Iranian gas, Pashinian said, while 
cautioning that the two sides have yet to agree on its price. “This is a 
crucial issue in terms of the attractiveness of such a deal,” he explained.
Officials in Yerevan have long said that Armenia buys over 80 percent of its 
gas from Russia because Russian gas is cheaper than Iranian.
Iran - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani greets Armenian Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian in Tehran, .
Armenia currently pays for Iranian gas with electricity exported to the Islamic 
Republic. This swap arrangement is due to be expanded significantly after the 
ongoing construction of a new Armenian-Iranian power transmission line is 
completed in 2020 or 2021.
Rouhani and Pashinian reportedly discussed this project on Wednesday. According 
to Pashinian’s press office, they also agreed to take “practical steps” towards 
finally building a major hydroelectric plant on the Armenian-Iranian border.
In his comments to the press, Pashinian also said he is looking forward to the 
implementation of a free-trade agreement between Iran and the Russian-led 
Eurasian Economic Union. “This is going to open up new opportunities for 
increasing our trade,” he said.
According to official Armenian statistics, Armenia’s trade with Iran soared by 
over 40 percent, to almost $364 million, in 2018.
Armenian Villager Gets 20-Year Prison Term In Azerbaijan
AZERBAIJAN - A municipal building is seen at the main square in Ganja, 
Azerbaijan, July 12, 2018
A court in Azerbaijan reportedly sentenced a resident of an Armenian border 
village to 20 years in prison on Wednesday.
The Azerbaijani military detained the 34-year-old Karen Ghazarian in still 
unclear circumstances in July. It claimed to have captured him while thwarting 
an Armenian incursion into Azerbaijani territory.
The Armenian Defense Ministry categorically denied the alleged incursion 
attempt, insisting that Ghazarian is a civilian resident of Berdavan, a village 
in the northern Tavush province located just a few kilometers from the 
Azerbaijani border. It said he has a history of mental disease and never served 
in the Armenian army because of that.
Reports from Azerbaijan said that that Ghazarian received the lengthy prison 
sentence after being convicted of plotting “terrorist attacks” and “sabotage” 
in Azerbaijan. According to the Turan news agency, his trial took place in the 
city of Gyanja in closed session.
The Armenian government did not immediately react to the verdict. It has 
repeatedly demanded Ghazarian’s release.
Another Armenian man, Zaven Karapetian, is also being held captive in 
Azerbaijan. Karapetian was detained in June 2014, with Baku similarly claiming 
to have thwarted an Armenian incursion. Yerevan dismissed that version of 
events, saying that Karapetian is a civilian resident of Vanadzor, an Armenian 
city around 130 kilometers from the border section which he crossed for still 
unknown reasons.
Three residents of other Tavush villages strayed into Azerbaijan in 2014. Two 
of them were branded Armenian “saboteurs” by the authorities in Baku and died 
shortly afterwards.
Iran’s Khamenei Wants ‘Strong’ Relations With Armenia
Iran - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei meets with Armenian Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian in Tehran, .
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly urged neighboring 
Armenia on Wednesday to strengthen its relationship with his country “contrary 
to what the United States desires” to see.
Khamenei blasted the U.S. as he met with Armenia’s visiting Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian accompanied by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
“The U.S. is completely unreliable and always tries to cause sedition, 
corruption, conflict and war,” the Mehr news agency quoted him as saying. “They 
are against the relations between Iran and Armenia and they act against the 
interests of our nations. In response, we need to strengthen our relations and 
cooperation.”
“Iran and Armenia have never had any problems with each other,” Khamenei went 
on. “According to our Islamic teachings, we feel obliged to behave well toward 
our neighboring countries. But U.S. officials such as [National Security 
Adviser] John Boltonhave no understanding of such matters or of human 
relations.”
Rouhani likewise warned “any third country” against meddling in 
Armenian-Iranian relations after holding talks with Pashinian earlier in the 
day.
Bolton discussed with Pashinian Armenia’s traditionally cordial relations with 
Iran when he visited Yerevan in October. He said Washington will be enforcing 
renewed U.S. sanctions against Tehran “very vigorously” and that the 
Armenian-Iranian border is therefore “going to be a significant issue.”
Speaking in the Armenian parliament a few days later, Pashinian said he made it 
clear to Bolton that his government will maintain Armenia’s “special” 
relationship with Iran.
Khamenei singled out the need for closer economic cooperation as he made a case 
for “strong, persistent and friendly” ties between Iran and its sole Christian 
neighbor. According to Mehr, he called for a “vigorous” implementation of 
agreements reached during Pashinian’s first official visit to Tehran.
An Armenian government statement said the powerful Iranian leader also 
discussed with Pashinian “various regional issues” and the Nagorno-Karabakh 
conflict in particular. It said they agreed that there can only be a peaceful, 
negotiated solution to the conflict.
Successive Armenian governments have praised the Islamic Republic for its 
“balance” position on the unresolved dispute.
Press Review
“Zhoghovurd” reacts to Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan’s remark that Armenian 
army units were involved in and “performed their duties” during the events of 
March 2008 in Yerevan. The paper says that the Armenian constitution bars the 
military from any involvement in domestic political processes.
“Aravot” comments on controversy caused by private donations that have been 
made in recent months to a charity run by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s 
wife, Anna Hakobian. Many of those donors are companies belonging to wealthy 
individuals who were close to Armenia’s former leadership. Some critics go as 
far as to claim that they are thus earning privileged treatment by the current 
government. The paper disagrees with such claims. “In the past, part of such 
donations was made secretly and in cash, and their amounts and use was 
impossible to control,” it says. “Now all that is done transparently.” It 
argues that the public can now also see what that money is spent on. “So the 
difference is huge,” it says.
The same is true for lavish bonuses that have been paid to senior government 
officials, continues “Aravot.” It dismisses claims that the bonuses replaced 
bribes, making the same argument. “We know about the bonuses and are therefore 
able to discuss their ethical aspects,” it says.
“Zhamanak” reports that Russia’s ruling United Russia Party and Gagik 
Tsarukian’s Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) have signed a memorandum on 
cooperation which reaffirms a similar document signed by them in 2009. The 
paper notes that the memorandum was signed on Tuesday during a visit to Moscow 
by an Armenian parliamentary delegation headed by speaker Ararat Mirzoyan. It 
calls this a sort of “signal” issued to Mirzoyan or even Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian’s My Step alliance.
(Lilit Harutiunian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org