Friday, September 3, 2021
New Armenian, Iranian FMs Talk In First Phone Call
Armenia - An Armenian Foreign Ministry combo photo of Foreign Ministers Ararat
Mirzoyan (left) of Armenia and Hossein Amir Abdollahian of Iran, September 1,
2021.
The recently appointed foreign ministers of Armenia and Iran have reaffirmed
their governments’ plans to deepen relations between the two neighboring
countries during their first phone conversation.
Armenia’s Ararat Mirzoyan phoned his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir
Abdollahian late on Wednesday one week after Iran’s parliament confirmed the
latter as foreign minister.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Amir Abdollahian told Mirzoyan that
Tehran is “ready to deepen relations” with Yerevan.
Iran’s new President Ebrahim Raisi pledged to strive for closer Armenian-Iranian
ties when he met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in Tehran on August 5.
Pashinian was among foreign leaders who travelled to the Iranian capital to
attend Raisi’s inauguration.
In a statement, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said Mirzoyan and Amir Abdollahian
had a detailed discussion on “productive cooperation” between their states.
“Prospects for expanding cooperation in the economic sphere were especially
emphasized,” it said.
Regional security and ongoing Armenian-Azerbaijani border disputes were also on
the agenda, according to the statement, with Mirzoyan bringing up the recent
“illegal infiltration of Azerbaijan’s armed forces into the sovereign territory
of Armenia.”
“The Iranian foreign minister said all countries should respect internationally
recognized borders,” said the official Iranian readout of the phone call. “He
underlined the need for finding a peaceful solution to disputes between Armenia
and Azerbaijan.”
Azerbaijani troops briefly blocked last week a section of the main highway
connecting Armenia to Iran which runs along a disputed portion of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
The Iranian Embassy in Yerevan expressed concern over the two-day blockage which
disrupted cargo traffic between Armenia and Iran. It expressed hope that the
Armenian government will speed up work on “alternative routes” for
Iranian-Armenian trade.
Amir Abdollahian, 57, is an anti-Western hardliner believed to have close ties
with Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. He was a deputy foreign minister between
2011 and 2016 and served until recently as a senior adviser to Iran’s parliament
speakers.
In March 2020, Amir Abdollahian criticized the Armenian government’s decision to
open an embassy in Israel, saying that it will have a “negative impact on
stability and security in the region.”
Yerevan recalled the Armenian ambassador in Tel Aviv just days after outbreak of
the war in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27, 2020 in protest against Israel's
continuing arms supplies to Azerbaijan.
Russia Calls On Armenia, Turkey To Normalize Ties
RUSSIA -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks at the prestigious
Moscow State Institute of International Relations during the traditional opening
of the school year known as "Day of Knowledge" in Moscow, September 1, 2021
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed hope on Friday that Armenia and
Turkey will normalize their relations after last year’s war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“Now that the groundwork has been laid for a political process and the
unblocking of all [Armenian-Azerbaijani] transport and economic links after the
end of the war there I think that it would be totally logical if our Turkish and
Armenian colleagues resumed their efforts to normalize relations,” Lavrov said
during a youth forum in Moscow.
“We are ready to assist in that in the most active way,” he said, echoing a
statement made by a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday.
Turkey has for decades made the establishment of diplomatic relations and
opening of the border between the two countries conditional on a resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict acceptable to Azerbaijan. Baku claims that its
victory in the six-week war stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire last
November put an end to the conflict.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian spoke on August 27 of “some positive
signals” sent by the Turkish government of late and said his administration is
ready to reciprocate them.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded by saying that Ankara is open
to normalizing ties with Yerevan. But he appeared to echo Baku’s demands for a
formal Armenian recognition of Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh.
A senior Armenian pro-government lawmaker said earlier this week that
Pashinian’s administration will not accept any Turkish preconditions.
Armenia and Turkey came close to normalizing bilateral relations in 2009 when
their foreign ministers signed two relevant protocols in Zurich, Switzerland in
the presence of Lavrov and the top U.S. and European Union diplomats.
Ankara subsequently linked their ratification by the Turkish parliament to a
Karabakh settlement. As a result, Armenia’s former government formally annulled
the protocols in 2018.
Lavrov revealed on Friday that during the 2008-2009 Turkish-Armenian
rapprochement he “warned” then Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian that
the Turks will not drop their preconditions.
Another Russian Military Delegation Visits Armenia
• Marine Khachatrian
Armenia - Major-General Valery Zhila (center) and other Russian military
officials meet with Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetian, Yerevan,
September 2, 2021.
Another Russian military delegation is visiting in Armenia following Moscow’s
pledges to provide more defense and security aid to its main regional ally.
The Armenian Defense Ministry said on Friday that the team of Russian “military
specialists” led by Major-General Valery Zhila has arrived in Yerevan for
further negotiations with Armenian military officials.
A statement released by the ministry said Zhila briefed Armenian Defense
Minister Arshak Karapetian on the “directions and volume of upcoming work” at a
meeting held on Thursday. Karapetian specified, for its part, “the scope of
issues of utmost importance to the Armenian side,” the statement said without
elaborating.
Armenia moved to deepen its already close military ties with Russia shortly
after the six-week war in Nagorno-Karabakh stopped by a Russian-brokered
ceasefire last November.
Moscow has since deployed troops in Armenia’s Syunik province bordering
districts southwest of Karabakh retaken by Azerbaijan during and after the
hostilities. Yerevan requested additional Russian troop deployments along the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border in May.
The Russian and Armenian militaries held at least two rounds of “staff
negotiations” in the first half of this year. Karapetian’s predecessor
Vagharshak Harutiunian said in January that they are aimed at “assisting us in
the reform and modernization of Armenia’s armed forces.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reportedly assured Karapetian on August
11 that Moscow will continue to provide such assistance. Shoigu also signaled
the start of more Russian arms supplies to the Armenian army.
Karapetian again visited Moscow two weeks later to attend the opening ceremony
of an international arms exhibition and meet with top Russian defense industry
executives. He said Armenia plans to buy modern Russian weapons but did not go
into details.
“I can say that I haven’t heard a single word ‘no’ here,” the Armenian defense
minister told reporters in the Russian capital.
Dmitry Shugayev, director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical
Cooperation, listed Armenia among several countries with which Russia signed
defense contracts on the sidelines of the Army-2021 Expo.
Earlier this week the TASS news agency quoted a senior military official in
Moscow as saying that Russia and Armenia are now discussing a new agreement on a
joint air-defense system.
The two states already have such a system that includes elements of a Russian
military base stationed in Armenia. It was set up in the late 1990s and upgraded
by a Russian-Armenian treaty signed in 2015.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Category: 2021
Congressional Armenian Caucus leaders mark 30th anniversary of Artsakh independence
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 3 2021
Sept 3 2021
Congressional Armenian Caucus leaders mark 30th anniversary of Artsakh independence
September 2, 2021, 23:22
Congressional Armenian Caucus leaders mark 30th anniversary of Artsakh independence; call on the U.S. to penalize Turkey and Azerbaijan for ongoing aggression against Artsakh and Armenia; urge OSCE Minsk Group leaders to include Artsakh in renewed peace negotiations.
The full text of the Congressional Armenian Caucus letter to Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan below:
President Harutyunyan:
We write to congratulate you and the people of the Republic of Artsakh on the 30th Anniversary of your independence.
The United States Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues offers our support and commitment to Artsakh on this celebration of three decades of your independence. We continue to stand with your people as they face with incredible resilience the ongoing challenges and threats posed by Azerbaijan. Artsakh’s transformation over the years is truly a testament to its people and to the leaders like you who have helped guide it along the way, despite the constant pressure and acts of aggression taken by the regime of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
We continue working diligently to persuade the Biden Administration to take every available diplomatic action to penalize the Azerbaijani & Turkish regimes for their deadly and illegal attacks on Artsakh last fall. This conflict clearly demonstrates the dire need for international actors to take a stronger position pressuring Aliyev to return in good faith to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group negotiations. And, we continue to push for Artsakh to directly participate in negotiations regarding its future status and security to ensure a durable and lasting peace.
We remain committed to pushing for official engagement between the United States government and your administration, and we look forward to working with you to build on Artsakh’s already impressive transformation in the face of so many challenges. Again, please accept our sincerest congratulations on this important occasion and offer our full support for your country.
Sincerely,
Frank Pallone Jr.
Member of Congress
Gus Bilirakis
Member of Congress
Jackie Speier
Member of Congress
David Valadao
Member of Congress
Adam Schiff
Member of Congress
California Assembly panel passes resolution on sister state relationship with Armenia’s Syunik
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 3 2021
Sept 3 2021
Massis Post – Assemblymember Chris Holden’s resolution, ACR 105, that establishes a sister state relationship between California and the Armenian Province of Syunik – the southernmost province in Armenia, passed the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy on Thursday.
The resolution declares California’s solidarity with Syunik and will encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges. The resolution is joint authored by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, and coauthored by Assemblymembers Lisa Calderon, Laura Friedman, Vince Fong, Jesse Gabriel, Christina Garcia, Mike Gipson, Tom Lackey, Kevin Mullin, Luz Rivas, and Senators Bob Archuleta, Andreas Borgeas, Maria Elena Durazo, Bob Hertzberg, and Anthony Portantino.
“For thousands of years, the state of Syunik has had profound historical and cultural significance for Armenia and the world,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “Strengthening our relationship with the Syunik comes at a critical time as regional powers like Azerbaijan and Turkey pose a threat to its existence.”
“I enthusiastically thank Assemblymember Chris Holden for initiating this resolution of paramount importance,” said Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles, Ambassador Armen Bairbourtian. “The establishment of a California-Syunik Sister State relationship will develop a multidimensional partnership between the U.S. State of California and the Armenian Province of Syunik. My gratitude also goes to all the state legislators supporting the resolution.”
State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) released a statement in support of the measure.
“Today’s resolution adopting the Province of Syunik as California’s sister state is an important declaration of friendship and I am proud to support this endeavor. Many of my neighbors and constituents have family and friends living in Syunik. ACR 105 serves as a connecting bridge to the Province of Syunik and I am confident the relationship will bring prosperity for both regions and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges. In 2019, I introduced SB 302 to re-establish the California-Armenia Trade Office in hopes of building a vibrant business relationship between California and Armenia. Governor Newsom signed an agreement to establish the first California Trade and Services Desk in Armenia. The formal MOU between GO-Biz and Impact Hub Yerevan was signed earlier this year. The establishment of a sister state relationship is a continuation of our efforts to strengthen ties with Armenia and represents the strong bond between people of California and Armenia.”
Syunik is one of the original provinces of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia and is currently bordered by Artsakh or Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Syunik is home to the Armenian Stonehenge, Karahounj, that dates back to the bronze age; The Ughtasar Mountain petroglyphs that are 7,000 years old; the 9th Century Tatev Monastery that served as a center of scholastic and spiritual activity. The most populated town in the province is its capital, Kapan with 43,000 residents.
The full text of the resolution, which will be next be heard on the Assembly Floor, can be found here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220ACR105
Armenia need strong support from international partners to ensure return of POWs – Minister of Justice
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 3 2021
Sept 3 2021
Armenia needs strong support from international partners to ensure the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan, Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan said during the meeting with the head of delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Armenia Thierry Ribo.
The Minister praised the ICRC mission during after the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan by visiting Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan and ensuring their contacts with the families.
The head of the ICRC delegation presented the activities carried out by the organization in the post-war period and touched upon other issues of mutual interest.
At the request of the guest, Karen Andreasyan referred to the reform agenda of the Ministry of Justice, highlighted the program of rehabilitation of the penitentiary system aimed at protecting the rights of persons held in penitentiaries and improving the management system.
During the meeting, the interlocutors stressed their readiness to further deepen the existing cooperation between the two institutions.
50 Diaspora professionals join the Armenian Government
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 3 2021
Sept 3 2021
Another 50 highly qualified Diaspora Armenian professionals from 20 countries are joining the Armenian Government.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs has commenced its 2021 iGorts program, which, for the second year in a row, will allow Diaspora Armenian professionals to work in Armenia’s state administration system.
Today program director Liana Simonyan introduced the new iGorts participants to the agencies where they will work.
Experienced American-Armenian professional Marina Nercessian (Boston University) and Syrian-Armenian Hagop Makdis (Aleppo University) joined the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.
Estonian-Armenian Alina Ovanesso (University of Tartu) and Russian-Armenian Arevik Margaryan (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration) will work at the Ministry of High-Tech Industry.
American-Armenian Vahe Avagyan (Columbia University) and Russian-Armenian Argishti Ginoyan (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration) joined the staff of the Central Bank of Armenia.
The professionals will arrive throughout September and join in the work of about 20 state agencies. The professionals will work in those departments for one year, implementing programs and developing strategies and new ideas.
Culture: Lusik Qoshyan’s archive solemnly handed over to the Museum of Literature and Art
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 3 2021
The solemn ceremony of handing over the archive of People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR Lusik Qoshyan took place on Friday at the Museum of Literature and Art. The ceremony was followed by an exhibition and concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Qoshyan, featuring works by the famous singer.
People’s Artist of Armenia and the Armenian SSR Lusik Qoshyan was born in 1921 in Baku. She was been the leading soloist of the Armenian National Song and Dance Ensemble in 1938-1961 and the soloist of Hay Philarmony in 1961-1984.
Qoshyan has been awarded with Medal of Honour and title of People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR in 1961. The famous singer died in Yerevan in 1984.
Russian Defense Ministry recognizes the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in an official document – Ghazinyan
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 3 2021
An official document published on the website of the Russian Defense Ministry recognizes the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR – Artsakh), lawmaker Artur Ghazinyan wrote on Facebook. The document which is a purchase order by the Russian Ministry of Defense, reads: “Provision of services reads for the organization and implementation of comprehensive maintenance of the barracks and housing stock of the military camps of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation located on the territory of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.”
“Hysteria is going on in the enemy state,” Ghazinyan added.
The 150th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Spendarian marked jointly with UNESCO
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 3 2021
CULTURE 17:22 03/09/2021 ARMENIA
The 150th anniversary of the birth of renowned Armenian composer and conducter Alexander Spendarian is marked jointly with UNESCO. A unique concert dedicated to the birth anniversary of the composer will take place on September 5, at 20.00 at the Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life (Dzitoghtsonts Museum) in Gyumri.
The open-air concert will bring together talented young musicians throughout Armenia, the Armenian National Commission for UNESCO reported. The concert program features works by Alexander Spendarian. The entrance is free.
Culture: Antoine Agoudjian wins ICRC Humanitarian Visa d’or Award for Artsakh war photos
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 3 2021
54-year-old French-Armenian adventurer and photographer Antoine Agoudjian has won the 2021 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Humanitarian Visa d’or Award at the Visa pour l’image photojournalism festival.
The prize was handed over to him at the awards ceremony in Perpignan, France on Friday. The prize fund is €8,000.
Agoudjian presented impressive photographs taken during last year’s war in Artsakh.
The photo series, entitled “Armenians – Endangered People”, has been published for the French magazine Le Figaro.
Antoine Agoudjian has been roaming the Middle East and the Caucasus for 20 years, searching for subjects to photograph. In 2011, he became the first photographer to ever hold an exhibition in Turkey dedicated to the taboo subject of the Armenian Genocide, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative reports.
Born on February 6, 1961 at Saint-Maur near Paris, Antoine Haroutyun Agoudjian is the youngest of three children. His mother Ankiné and his father Clement worked in the textile industry. Antoine grew up and still lives in Alfortville, known as “the small Armenia by the Seine.”
He belongs to the third (and last) generation that has personally known Genocide survivors. In 2000, the photographer initiated an ambitious project on the subject of Armenian memory, with the Genocide of 1915 at its core. His project took him to Jerusalem, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Georgia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
On occasion of the Armenian Genocide centennial in 2015, Flammarion Publishing released his latest book showcasing nearly 30 years of his work, titled “The Cry of Silence, Traces of an Armenian Memory” and prefaced by his friend, comedian, director and playwright Simon Abkarian.
MP: Armenian leaders’ failure to visit Artsakh gives out ‘several bad signals’
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 3 2021
Security expert Tigran Abrahamyan, an MP from the opposition I Have the Honor bloc, condemned the Armenian leaders for their failure to visit Artsakh on the country’s Independence Day marked on September 2, saying it gives out “several bad signals”.
“The failure of the Armenian president, prime minister and parliament speaker to visit Artsakh speaks of several bad signals at once,” he wrote on Facebook on Friday, adding the issue does not concern only the symbolic days for Artsakh.
“Naturally, on 2 September many people noticed the absence of Armenian leaders at the symbolic events in Artsakh, but the same officials did not visit Artsakh at all after the war.
“Indifference to the Artsakh issue and the failure to put it high on the agenda speaks of a clear position of the current government.
“If the Armenian government follows the rules of the game dictated by Azerbaijan even in this case, then it is already clear what possible developments will follow,” the MP said.
Abrahamyan denounced the government for the “circle of defeats” which the country has found itself in, saying an agenda against the interests of Armenia and Artsakh is imposed on it.