Category: 2023

The property deal that could threaten Armenian land in Jerusalem

Emma Jilavian
abc.net.au, Australia
Nov 22 2023

In the Old City of Jerusalem, 80 kilometres from the war in Gaza, another religious conflict is taking place. An Australian property developer, aided by a group of armed Jewish settlers, has attempted to occupy a prized piece of land in the Armenian Christian quarter. Even though a deal to build a hotel was overturned, Armenian families are threatened with eviction from homes their community has held for centuries. 

Bedross Der Matossian grew up in the Old City. He’s now a professor and expert in genocide studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

We attempted to reach out to developer Danny Rothman of the Xana group, with no response.


Listen to the program at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/religionandethicsreport/property-deal-could-threaten-armenian-presence-in-holy-land/103126920

Russia expects Armenia to continue work in CSTO — Kremlin

Dabaghian Diana
TASS, Russia
Nov 22 2023
"We hope that there will be participation at the working, expert level," Dmitry Peskov specified

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. The Russian side counts on Armenia's continued work within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and regrets that the Armenian side will not be represented at a high level at the organization's summit in Minsk on November 23, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Certainly, we regret that there will be no high-level participation of Armenia at tomorrow's summit. We hope that there will be participation at the working, expert level. But, of course, we expect Armenia to continue its work within the framework of the organization," Peskov said.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and representatives of the country’s Foreign Ministry repeatedly stated that Yerevan was not currently discussing the possibility of withdrawing from the CSTO, but Armenian representatives have not participated in the organization's events in recent months. Armenia also recalled its ambassador to the CSTO and did not appoint a new one.

Russia to provide 40 tons of humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh evacuees

Karapet Navasardian
TASS, Russia
Nov 22 2023
According to the statement, the humanitarian mission is being carried out based on orders from the Russian president and instructions from the government

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. The Russian Emergencies Ministry’s aircraft will deliver 40 tons of humanitarian aid to Armenia for the people who had to leave Nagorno-Karabakh, the ministry said in a statement.

"The Russian Emergencies Ministry’s special flight headed to Yerevan has departed from Zhukovsky International Airport. The aircraft will deliver a total of 40 tons of humanitarian cargo, including food, blankets and a mobile power station," the statement reads.

The humanitarian mission is being carried out based on orders from the Russian president and instructions from the government.

On September 19, tensions flared up again in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku announced it was launching what it described as "local anti-terrorist measures" and demanded the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the region. Yerevan, in turn, described what was happening "an act of large-scale aggression." Russia called on the parties to end the bloodshed and return to efforts to resolve the issue diplomatically. On September 20, a ceasefire agreement was reached. President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree on September 28 to dissolve the unrecognized state from January 1, 2024. Its people were urged to consider the terms of reintegration in Azerbaijan, which were offered by Baku, and stay put if they choose to do so.

Russian MFA says Armenian decision to skip CSTO events doesn’t meet national interests

Hambardsumian Paul
TASS, Russia
Nov 22 2023
Maria Zakharova said Armenia is not going to stymie the work of the CSTO's statutory bodies or prevent the approval of documents that have already been agreed

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. Yerevan's decision to skip the events of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Minsk from November 22-23 does not meet the interests of the Armenian people, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

"The decision of the Armenian leadership not to participate in the joint session of the abovementioned organizations, we are talking about the formats of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Defense Ministers, the Committee of Security Councils Secretaries on November 22 and the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council on November 23, is certainly regrettable. We do not believe that it meets the long-term interests of the Armenian people and will contribute to the strengthening of security and stability of this friendly country," she said at a news conference.

Zakharova said Armenia is not going to stymie the work of the CSTO's statutory bodies or prevent the approval of documents that have already been agreed.

"This essentially leaves the door open for Yerevan and allows it to join the work in the future, and we hope that Armenian allies will use this opportunity in the not too distant future," she went on to say.

No decision on withdrawal from Moscow-led bloc, says senior Armenian lawmaker

Emil Lazarian
TASS, Russia
Nov 22 2023
Armenian Prime Nikol Pashinyan announced earlier that he would not take part in the CSTO summit in Minsk

YEREVAN, November 22. /TASS/. Yerevan is not leaving the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Armenian National Assembly (parliament) President Alen Simonyan told reporters.

"Armenia has not made a decision to withdraw from the CSTO," he said, commenting on Armenian officials’ refusal to participate in CSTO events scheduled to be held in the Belarusian capital of Minsk on November 23.

Armenian Prime Nikol Pashinyan announced earlier that he would not take part in the CSTO summit in Minsk. The country’s foreign and defense ministers also refused to participate in CSTO events. Parliament speaker Alen Simonyan, in turn, said that he would not attend a session of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in December. Armenia has also recalled its ambassador to the CSTO and has not appointed a new head of its diplomatic mission.

When commenting on Armenian officials’ refusal to participate in CSTO events in Minsk, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Mosow expected Yerevan to continue working in the organization.

President of Iraq visits Armenia

Emil Lazarian

 17:22,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid has arrived to Armenia.

The Iraqi President will have meetings with President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan.

President Abdul Latif Rashid was welcomed at the Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

[see video]

Putin calls for joint global efforts to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Emil Lazarian

 19:11,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin finds it necessary to unite the efforts of the  international community in finding a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The international community should join forces to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, Tass reports.

"Russia’s position is consistent and does not change with the situation. We urge the international community to join forces in order to ease tensions, ensure a ceasefire and find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," he noted, addressing an extraordinary summit of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), Tass quoted the Russian President as saying.

USAID to provide $4.1 million in additional humanitarian aid to people affected by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Emil Lazarian

 17:57,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID),on November 21  announced more than $4.1 million in additional humanitarian assistance for people affected by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Armenian mission of the US Agency for International Development said in a statement that  this additional funding brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Nagorno-Karabakh response to nearly $28 million since 2020.

“Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh between September 19 and 20 displaced more than 100,000 people into neighboring Armenia and generated significant humanitarian needs.

With this additional assistance, USAID is supporting efforts on the ground to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance for almost 74,000 vulnerable refugees and displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh who are sheltering in Armenia. This funding will increase life-saving food assistance and provide humanitarian protection and emergency shelter. 

The U.S. stands with civilians affected by Azerbaijan’s military operation and supports the Armenian government’s efforts to help those in need,’’ reads the statement.

Magnitude 3.1 earthquake hits Azerbaijan

Ara Felekian

 20:13,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Azerbaijan’s Khachmaz district on Tuesday, according to the Republican Seismic Survey Center of Azerbaijan.

According to the source, the quake, at the depth of 6 km, was recorded at 15:33 local time.

Armenian Foreign Minister holds phone talk with Belarusian counterpart

David Nargizian

 21:06,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. On the initiative of the Belarusian side, on November 21, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone talk with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Sergei  Aleinik, the foreign ministry said.

During the telephone conversation, ideas were exchanged on the Armenian-Belarusian bilateral agenda.

Issues related to CSTO activities were also discussed during the phone conversation. Armenian Foreign Minister noted that he would not be able to participate in the joint session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Defense Ministers and the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Council scheduled for November 22 in Minsk.