Category: 2021

Sports: Iran becomes champion of powerlifting tournament in Armenia

Alex Nanijanian
Mehr News Agency, Iran
Sept 14 2021

TEHRAN, Sep. 14 (MNA) – Iranian powerlifting team has become the champions of the international tournament in Armenia after winning 8 gold medals.

An international powerlifting tournament was held in Armenia with the participation of athletes from Iran, Armenia, Russia, and Georgia. 

At the end of the competitions, the Iranian team in both men and women’s divisions won the title of the tournament after winning eight gold medals.

Iran had sent 11 male and female athletes in total to the Armenian competitions. The medal winners have now secured a ticket to take part in the world championships which are going to be held in London later this year.

KI/IRIB news channel

Sports: Armenian History: Introducing Alashkert

Ara Felekian
Maccabi Tel Aviv Football
Sept 14 2021

by Guy Raz

Posted on 

Maccabi Tel Aviv will shortly begin their journey in the Conference League Group stages (Tuesday, 17:30) as the first hurdle which they face is Alashkert. Before the curtain is raised on the new European competition, the time has come to have a more in depth introduction with the Armenian opponent that arrives at Bloomfield stadium.

The first Armenian club in a European group stage

Champions of Armenia for the fourth time last season, Alashkert set a new record by becoming the first ever Armenian side to qualify to a European group stage. The club from Yerevan reached that landmark after starting their European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers where they defeated Connah’s Quay of Wales. They were knocked out of the competition by Moldovan champions Sheriff Tiraspol and crossed over to the EUROPA League before needing extra time to beat Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty to reach the Playoff. Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers won the first leg at Ibork 1-0 and a draw in Yerevan meant Armenian side would play in the Conference league.

A poor start in the league

As opposed to their European campaign, Alashkert began their domestic season in dismal form with a solitary point from their first four league matches. Just like Maccabi, Alashkert, played  on Saturday and suffered a 3-2 defeat to Ararat Yerevan.

The forthcoming match will be staged at Bloomfield but throught the campaign Alashkert will host their Conference League matches at the Republican stadium in Yerevan. The venue is known to Maccabi as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Pyunik in the 2018/19 Europa League qualifying campaign. 

צילום: Aleshkert FC – Facebook()

System and key players

Alashkert are coached by Aleksandr Grigoryan as the 54-year-old Russian who was appointed last May is experienced having coached for many years in his native Russia. Tactically, the Armenian side normally plays in a 4-3-3 formation and opted for a 4-2-3-1 in the Europa League Playoffs.

Despite the fact this is an Armenian side, the squad is bolstered by many foreign players from Brazil, Serbia, Montenegro, Russia, Bosnia, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Portugal and France.   

Baku erects new "You have entered Azerbaijan" signboard on Armenia road

David Nargizian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
– 10:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Azerbaijanis have installed a new signboard on the road connecting communities in Armenia’s Syunik province, which reads “Attention: You are entering the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan” in three languages.

An Aysor.am correspondent reporting from the scene reveals that Azerbaijan’s decision to stop and inspect Iranian trucks heading to Armenia has resulted in traffic congestion on the road.

Azerbaijan earlier confirmed that it is collecting money from Iranian truck drivers on the Goris-Kapan interstate road in Armenia’s Syunik province. Azeri police officers deployed on said road demand $130 in cash from the drivers of Iranian trucks transporting goods and products to Armenia, a CivilNet correspondent reported.

The National Security Service of Armenia said earlier that the border guards of the National Security Service of Armenia and the guards of the border service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation are working together to resolve the situation.

HRD: Azeri police checkpoint, cameras on Armenian road are illegal

Manouk Vasilian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
– 15:24 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Azerbaijan’s cordoned off police checkpoint, the cameras installed on a road connecting Armenian communities to each other, as well as the presence of armed troops are illegal and bust be immediately removed, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan said in a statement on Monday, September 13.

On September 9, the Azerbaijani police set up a checkpoint on Goris-Kapan Highway, a week after blocking the road altogether.

The ombudsman’s fact-finding mission has now revealed gross human rights violations on that section of the road.

1. The Azerbaijani police have installed a total of 10 cameras, eight of which register the license plates on cars, the number of people inside the vehicles, as well as their faces, given that traffic significantly slows down because of the cordons erected on the street.

2. At lease four armed and masked Azerbaijani guards are on duty at all times, which terrifies commuters and drivers.

3. Roadblocks have been set up immediately next to the Azerbaijani police checkpoint, while their guards illegally stop and inspect Iranian trucks headed to Yerevan, also demanding and collecting money in the amount of $10-120.

4. Azerbaijani authorities have openly seized the building and adjacent land of Vorotan settlement where their servicemen are now stationed. Both the building and the land belong to an Armenian citizen which means the Azerbaijanis’ presence there is illegal.

The Human Rights Defender has detailed key international structures (UN, OSCE, Council of Europe) about the situation.

​Slovak Foreign Minister pays tribute to the memory of Armenian Genocide victims

Ekmekjian Janet
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 14 2021

Slovak Foreign Minister pays tribute to the memory of Armenian Genocide victims

 , 10:39 

On an official visit to Armenia, the Foreign Minister of Slovakia Ivan Korčok visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, accompanied by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

The Slovak Foreign Minister paid tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries held a meeting in Yerevan this morning.

Within the framework of the official visit, Ivan Korčok will have meetings with President Armen Sarkissian, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan

The process of release of Armenian prisoners must be completed – Slovak FM

Tatoyan Vazgen
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 14 2021


, 14:23

 Less than a minute

Slovakia, as an EU member state, supports the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chirrs, Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok said at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan.

He recalled the Co-Chairs’ statement of July 29 that reiterates the need for negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of core and sensitive issues.

“We welcome the recent steps strengthening the confidence-building measures, including the release and return of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan,” the Minister said.

He stressed that the process of return and release of Armenian prisoners and captives has to be completed, and similarly, conditions should be created to allow demining.

Ivan Korčok reiterated EU’s support to post-conflict rehabilitation.

​Slovakia interested in the development of multilateral cooperation with Armenia, Foreign Minister tells PM Pashinyan

Lilit Nahapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 14 2021

Slovakia interested in the development of multilateral cooperation with Armenia, Foreign Minister tells PM Pashinyan

 , 16:15 1 minute read

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Ivan Korčok, who is on an official visit in Armenia.

The Prime Minister welcomed Mr. Korčok’s visit to Armenia and highlighted the continuous development of relations with Slovakia. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction for that Slovakia shows interest in establishing peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.

In this context, Prime Minister Pashinyan referred to the situation created by the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh last year, its failure to fulfill the agreement on the return of Armenian prisoners of war, as well as the incursions of Azerbaijani forces into Armenia’s sovereign territory. The Prime Minister presented the steps taken by the Armenian Government, Armenia’s expectations from the international community and stressed the need to resume the negotiation process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format.

Nikol Pashinyan also touched upon the Armenia-EU cooperation and stressed the importance of the assistance provided for the reforms aimed at the development and strengthening of democracy in Armenia.

The Foreign Minister of Slovakia noted that the Government of his country is interested in the development of multilateral cooperation with Armenia, particularly, Ivan Korčok emphasized the need to realize the great potential of cooperation in the fields of economy, including business relations, trade relations, information technologies. He conveyed the friendly greetings of the Slovak leadership to the Armenian people and the Prime Minister of Armenia. Mr. Korčok noted that he is impressed by the results of the early parliamentary elections of Armenia, and emphasized that despite the concequences of the pandemic and the war, Armenia has taken the path of development.

Mr. Korčok, underlined that Slovakia appreciates Armenia’s efforts aimed at establishing stability and peace in the region and highlighted the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The Foreign Minister of Slovakia considered it necessary to take steps for strengthening confidence in the region and expressed his country’s support for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’efforts.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the strengthening of democratic institutions in Armenia and the processes taking place in the region.

Two new stamps depict Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of Shushi

Anna Tamamian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 14 2021


, 14:50

A souvenir sheet with two postage stamps under the theme “Bombing of Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral of Shushi” has been put into circulation, HayPost informs.

The postage stamp of the souvenir sheet with the nominal value of 940 AMD depicts Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral of Shushi (XIX c.) and the postage stamp of the souvenir sheet with the nominal value of 950 AMD depicts Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral damaged by the strikes of Azerbaijani unmanned aerial vehicles.

The left part of the souvenir sheet depicts Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral of Shushi before the bombing as well as one of the angel sculptures of the church. The right part of the souvenir sheet depicts Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral, being bombed as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression, as well as the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Date of issue: 
Designer: David Dovlatyan
Stamp size: 40,0 x 30,0 mm
S/sheet size: 105,0 x 70,0 mm
Print run: 25 000 pcs

CivilNet: Understanding the legacy of the Soviet past in modern Armenia

Emil Lazarian
CIVILNET.AM

14 Sep, 2021 09:09

Dr. Pietro Shakarian, a lecturer at the American University of Armenia and specialist in Russian and Soviet History, in a conversation with CivilNet, speaks about the understudied nature of the Soviet past in modern Armenia. Dr. Shakarian moreover discusses how the Soviet Union achieved relative peace between different national groups, how Soviet decision making affected issues like the Karabakh issue, and how the Soviet Union is remembered in Armenia today.