Category: 2023

UN High Commissioner emphasized the importance of free movement through the Lachin Corridor

Maral Chavushian

 18:27,

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS.  The 53rd session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations was convened in Geneva on June 19, ARMENPRESS reports, under the second item of the agenda, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk presented a report on the current situation of human rights in the world.

Referring to the South Caucasus region, he called on Armenia and Azerbaijan, in particular, to anchor peace efforts on human rights. The commissioner emphasized the importance of free and safe movement through the Lachin Corridor and he need to avoid any humanitarian impact on civilians.  

Volker Türk noted that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has sought for years sought access to areas under the effective control of de facto authorities in the South Caucasus region. People are being made more vulnerable by the absence of regular monitoring by, and contact with, the UN's human rights machinery. Access would enable us to conduct human rights assessments and address people's needs, as well help build confidence.

Armenpress: Armenian Defense Minister participates in the opening ceremony of the Paris Air Show

Emil Karabekian

 19:50,

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS.  On June 19, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan took part in the opening ceremony of the Paris Air Show in the “Le Bourget” airport within the framework of his working visit to France at the invitation of French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, visits to exhibition booths of French military-industrial enterprises and meetings with company leaders are planned.

Asbarez: Steve Artinian, Veteran Homenetmen Leader and ANCA-WR Activist, Passes Away

Liana Toganian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories
Steve Artinian


Steve Artinian, a veteran leader of the Homenetmen Western U.S. and an activist of the Armenian National Committee of American-Western Region passed away on June 18 in Los Angeles. He was 63.

The news of Artinian’s death on Sunday sent Armenian-American community of the Western United States into mourning as he was an integral part of several institutions that impact the community on a daily basis.

From the annual Homenetmen Navasartsian Games and its Victory Balls, to the ANCA-WR Grassroots Conferences and annual banquets, to the March for Justice marking the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, which drew more than 160,000 participants in Los Angeles, Artinian had a pivotal role in making these signature events a success by rally the community to join the cause.

In announcing his passing, the Homenetmen Western U.S. said that Artinian served for many years as a member of the Regional Executive and as chair. He was also involved with the planning, organizing and execution of the Homenetmen Navasartian Games for decades. Most recently, he was chairman of upcoming Navasatian Games Victory Ball.

Artinian was the recipient of Homenetmen’s “Special” medal in 2019. An award
bestowed upon him by Homenetmen Western US Region’s Executive Board for his dedication
and service to the organization.

“Yeghpayr Steve was a committed volunteer, always ready to serve where he can. He believed as
organizations, our greatest assets are our members and volunteers as well as our supporters and
donors. He was a believer of unwavering inclusiveness. He valued the diversity in talent and
experience and he believes in positive change and growth,” the Homenetmen Western Regional Executive said.

“ The Homenetmen Western US Region, its Councils and Committees as well as its Chapters all mourn the loss of Yegh. Steve Artinian. Our prayers go out to his wife, his family, his friends, and to his Homenetmen brothers and sisters from around the world. May he forever rest in peace, may,” added the organization’s executive. “May God bless his soul, and provide patience and perseverance to his loved ones through these difficult times.”

The ANCA-WR also is mourning Artinian’s passing with its board and staff saying they “are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of a beloved and dear member of our ANCA-WR family.”

“For over a decade, Steve has been a dedicated and loyal leader in everything we have done to advance the Armenian Cause. With his gentle demeanor, kind heart and unwavering commitment, he has selflessly devoted his time, talent and expertise to every project. Steve has been singularly responsible for lifting us up to new heights, optimistically promising success at every juncture and then inevitably delivering it by surpassing even his own expectations with each passing year,” added the ANCA-WR.

“From our America We Thank You tribute to Near East Relief, to our biennial ANCA-WR Grassroots Conferences, to our Annual Gala Banquets, to our HyeVotes initiative, to the leadership he brought to the community-wide Armenian Genocide Centennial March for Justice, to our ANCA Telethons, and everything in between, Steve has undertaken every task with humility and creativity and has left a lasting legacy on our organization and on our community that will never be forgotten. We are so grateful to him for the unflappable passion and vision he brought to us every single day,” said the ANCA-WR.

“Initially serving as an integral member of our ANCA-WR Board of Directors and then continuing to generously lead many vital committees with his creative vision on multiple projects, Steve has been an essential, steadfast, reliable and truly irreplaceable member of our team. He leaves us with broken hearts and a void that will be impossible to fill,” the ANCA-WR explained.

In extending their condolences to the Artinian’s family, the ANCA-WR Board and staff said, “Steve’s memory will continue to live on forever in our hearts and in everything we do.”

“We have learned so much from him and with boundless gratitude, we will strive to maintain the level of professionalism, dedication and vision that he brought to everything he did for us. May our beloved Steve soar with the angels and rest in peace in God’s light. We will truly miss him,” added the ANCA-WR.

Artinian was also a staunch supporter of the Asbarez and its mission. On numerous occasions, he touted the importance of the publication and its reach to a wide cross-section of the community, as well as the role it plays — as a vital institution — in advancing the Armenia Cause.

Artinian embodied the Homenetmen motto of “Elevate Yourself and Other With You.” He rose to every occasion and brought his unique professional and personal knowledge, but most importantly, his firm conviction and dedication to any endeavor.

“I love being Armenian,” Artinian said on his Facebook profile. That encapsulates the person he was.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 06/19/2023

David Nargizian 
                                        Monday, 


Karabakh Running Out Of Food, Medicine

        • Susan Badalian
        • Narine Ghalechian

Nagorno-Karabakh - Empty shelves at a supermarket in Stepanakert, January 17, 
2023.


Residents of Nagorno-Karabakh struggled with worsening shortages of food and 
medicine on Monday four days after Azerbaijan completely blocked relief supplies 
to the Armenian-populated region.

Many essential items had already been in short supply since Baku blocked last 
December commercial traffic through the sole road connecting Karabakh to 
Armenia. Only vehicles escorted by the Russian peacekeeping forces and the 
International Committee of the Red Cross have been able to pass through the 
Lachin corridor for the last seven months.

The movement of these humanitarian convoys was halted on Thursday following a 
shootout near an Azerbaijani checkpoint controversially set up in the corridor 
in late April.

Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) said that its border guards stopped a 
group of Azerbaijani servicemen manning the checkpoint from advancing into 
Armenian territory and placing an Azerbaijani flag there. The Azerbaijani 
Foreign Ministry insisted that they did not cross into Armenia while attempting 
to hoist the flag on a bridge located right next to the checkpoint.

Health authorities in Stepanakert said on Monday that local hospitals have 
suspended non-urgent surgeries due to a resulting shortage of drugs and other 
medical supplies. According to them, a total of 175 critically ill Karabakh 
patients and their family members are now awaiting evacuation to hospitals in 
Armenia.

Such evacuations were for months carried out by the ICRC. They too stopped on 
Thursday.

“We are monitoring the situation and remain in touch with all decision-makers,” 
Eteri Musayelian, an ICRC spokeswoman in Stepanakert, told RFE/RL’s Armenian 
Service. “We hope to resume our work as soon as the situation allows.”

Also, locals said that shops in and outside Stepanakert are running out of 
imported foodstuffs such as flour, cooking oil and sugar that have been rationed 
by the authorities since February.

“We have ration coupons but there is little we can buy with them now,” 
complained Arega Ishkhanian, a Stepanakert resident. She also spoke of an 
increasingly “visible” shortage of fruit and vegetables.

Artak Beglarian, a Karabakh official, warned at the weekend that Karabakh will 
run out of some types of food and medicine within several days if the relief 
supplies are not restored.

“There is already an acute shortage of quite a few items: medicines, some 
foodstuffs, gasoline and diesel fuel,” he said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Friday condemned the complete 
blockage of humanitarian traffic through the Lachin corridor, accusing 
Azerbaijan of continuing its “policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.” 
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry rejected the accusation. It said Baku will do 
everything to “integrate” the Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijan’s “political, 
legal and socioeconomic frameworks.”




Russia Plans Consulate In Strategic Armenian Region

        • Ruzanna Stepanian

Armenia - A view of Kajaran, a town in Syunik province.


Russia is planning to open a consulate in Armenia’s southeastern Syunik province 
bordering Iran and Azerbaijan, a senior Armenian official confirmed on Monday.

“We welcome our international partners’ desire and interest to have diplomatic 
presence in Syunik in order to be able to better familiarize themselves with the 
situation on the ground,” Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanian told reporters.

A senior official from the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Paltov, announced 
those plans late last month, saying that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian 
discussed and welcomed them during his May 25 meeting with Russian President 
Vladimir Putin held in Moscow.

Paltov described the planned opening of the Russian consulate as a “very 
important step” when he visited Syunik’s capital Kapan together with other 
Russian officials late last week. He said the mission will provide consular 
services to about a thousand Russian nationals currently based in Syunik.

The bulk of them are soldiers and border guards who were deployed by Moscow 
during and after the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The deployment was aimed at 
helping the Armenian military defend the strategic region against possible 
Azerbaijani attacks.

Armenia - Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin talks to Russian soldiers during a 
visit to Syunik, June 3, 2021.

“The presence of our diplomats along with our border guards and military 
personnel in [the Syunik towns of] of Sisian and Goris as well as Russian 
entities will be an additional insurance net,” the Sputnik news agency quoted 
Paltov as saying during a meeting with the provincial governor, Robert Ghukasian.

In his words, Russian diplomats could be stationed in Kapan this fall even 
before the official opening of the consulate.

Syunik is Armenia’s sole region bordering Iran. Azerbaijani leaders have been 
demanding that Yerevan open a special corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its 
Nakhichevan exclave through Syunik. The Armenian side says it can only agree to 
conventional transport links between the two South Caucasus states.

Iran is also strongly opposed to an extraterritorial corridor for Nakhichevan. 
It has repeatedly warned Baku against attempting to strip the Islamic Republic 
of the common border and transport links with Armenia. Iranian Foreign Minister 
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reiterated that “red line” when he visited Armenia last 
October to inaugurate the Iranian consulate in Kapan.




Russian Official Details Hurdles To Armenian-Azeri Transport Links

        • Karlen Aslanian
        • Lilit Harutiunian
        • Ruzanna Stepanian

Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets Russia's Deputy Prime Minister 
Alexei Overchuk, Yerevan, June 14, 2023.


Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk has shed light on remaining 
differences between Armenia and Azerbaijan that hamper the opening of their 
border to commercial traffic.

Meeting in Moscow earlier this month, Overchuk and his Armenian and Azerbaijani 
counterparts reportedly made major progress on the functioning of a railway that 
would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave through Armenia’s Syunik 
province. For its part, Armenia would be able to use the railway for cargo 
shipments to and from Russia or Iran.

“A draft document has been formed and almost completely agreed at our level, 
although the main issue -- how ordinary Azerbaijanis and Armenians will interact 
with each other when crossing the border -- still needs to be worked on,” 
Overchuk told the TASS news agency in an interview published on Monday.

He said the agreement must regulate all aspects of ensuring the security of 
Azerbaijanis entering Armenia and vice versa so that “nothing bad will happen to 
these people on the territory of the other country.”

Overchuk said that he held a detailed discussion with Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian on the matter after the Moscow meeting. “Much was clarified, and 
something still remains and requires further discussion with the Azerbaijani 
side,” he added without elaborating.

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev claimed last week that 
Russian border guards will oversee “unfettered” transport links between 
Nakhichevan and western Azerbaijan passing through Armenia’s Syunik province.

The office of Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian insisted, however, 
that he and Mustafayev reached no such agreement during their trilateral talks 
with Overchuk. It said that under the terms of the Russian-brokered agreement 
that stopped the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh the planned road and rail links 
will be under full Armenian control.

Article 9 of the ceasefire agreement stipulates that the Russian border guards 
stationed in Armenia will “control” the transit of people, vehicles and goods 
between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan.

According to Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanian, this means that 
the Russians will largely “monitor” the commercial traffic, rather than escort 
it, let alone be involved in border controls.

Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev openly argued about the matter 
during a Eurasian Economic Union summit held in Moscow on May 25. Pashinian 
objected to Aliyev’s use of the term “Zangezur corridor,” saying that amounts to 
Azerbaijani territorial claims to Armenia.

“The word ‘corridor’ does not constitute a claim to anybody’s territory,” 
countered Aliyev.

Overchuk reiterated that the deal discussed by the three sides would commit Baku 
to recognizing Armenian sovereignty over the transit routes.

“None of the parties questions the fact that individual sections of this road 
will be under the jurisdiction of the country on whose territory they are 
located,” he said. “Thus, in relation to this road, Azerbaijani legislation will 
be applied in Azerbaijan and Armenian legislation in Armenia.”


Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Armenpress: Azerbaijani armed forces open gunfire at Armenian positions

Ophelia Vardapetian

 09:37,

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani military opened cross-border gunfire in the early hours of June 19 at Armenian military positions in the eastern and south-western parts of the border, the Defense Ministry said Monday.

“On June 19, at 12:45 a.m. -2:20 a.m., the Azerbaijani AF units opened fire from different caliber small arms against the Armenian combat positions located in the eastern- Sotk- and southwestern- Yeraskh-directions of the frontier zone. No casualties on the Armenian side,” the Armenian Ministry of Defense said on Facebook.

President Khachaturyan meets with Armenian community representatives in Germany

Emil Lazarian

 11:04,

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan has met with members of the Armenian community of Germany during his visit to the country.

During the meeting the Armenian President presented details on the regional realities and the current general situation of the Karabakh conflict.

President Khachaturyan emphasized that Armenia has adopted a political line of establishing peace in the region and normalizing relations with neighbors.

The President also discussed domestic social-political developments in Armenia, the activeness in the Armenian economic life and ongoing reforms. A Q&A with the participants also took place.

[see video]

Hundreds of Pakistanis dead in Mediterranean migrant boat disaster

Varazdat Torgomian

 10:47,

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. More than 300 Pakistani nationals have been killed in the June 14 sinking of a overcrowded fishing trawler off the coast of Greece, CNN reported citing a statement by a Pakistani official.

The chairman of Pakistan’s Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, disclosed the numbers in a statement Sunday. 

Greek authorities have yet to confirm Pakistan’s death toll.

About 750 men, women and children were on the packed boat when it capsized last week, the United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) said, killing hundreds and making the tragedy one of the worst in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.

Russian Deputy PM reveals details on Armenia-Azerbaijan unblocking talks

Ani Kharatian

 11:34,

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. A ‘comprehensive’ draft document has been developed as a result of the meetings of the Armenia-Azerbaijan-Russia trilateral, deputy prime ministerial meetings on unblocking, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk told TASS news agency.

The drafted document proposes to start the unblocking of regional transport connections with the re-launch of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Meghri-Horadiz railway , and based on respect for the sovereignty of the parties it stipulates the main approaches regarding the procedure of border crossing between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“None of the parties is questioning the reality that individual parts of this road will appear under the jurisdiction of the country on whose territory they are located, therefore regarding the road Azerbaijani legislation will be used in Azerbaijan and Armenian legislation will be used in Armenia. These are seemingly obvious things, but given the relations that have formed between the two states and peoples this must be stipulated,” Overchuk said.

Everyone understands that there is no alternative to peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the best way to achieve peace is to open the opportunity for peaceful partnership for the people, to build a common road for passenger and cargo transport.

“The biggest problem is trust. That’s precisely why the negotiations are proceeding slowly. After all, regular people, Azerbaijanis and Armenians and citizens of other countries will use the road. How will they interact while crossing the border, how will their safety be ensured while traveling on the territory of the other state. This is the main question today that we want to give an answer to, to be sure that nothing bad will happen to these people in the territory of another country. And of course, we are all affected by what’s happening on the border. It would be far easier to find solutions if the shooting stopped,” Overchuk said.

The Russian Deputy PM said that Armenia and Azerbaijan are taking pauses in between the talks to involve experts to analyze each and every proposal.

The draft document has been “nearly entirely” agreed upon at the deputy prime ministerial level, Overchuk said, noting that the main issue – how regular Armenians and Azerbaijanis will interact while crossing the border – still requires work. “This is a highly important part that thus far doesn’t give the answer as to when unblocking will happen.”

Parliament committee OKs ratifying Armenia-Georgia simplified travel requirements

Boris Nahapetian

 12:06,

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. The parliamentary committee on foreign relations has approved the simplified travel agreement between Armenia and Georgia signed in early 2023. The agreement will be included in the plenary session of parliament for ratification.

Armenian and Georgian nationals will be enabled to enter the two countries by producing only ID cards. Passports will no longer be required upon crossing the border. 

Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sargis Khandanyan attached importance to the agreement in terms of bilateral relations. He said the agreement will simplify the life of citizens, especially those who travel frequently to the neighboring country.

"In the Mountains" Immersive Festival of Syunik History and Legends will take place in Tatev

Ara Felekian

 12:48,

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. On 24 and 25 June, days rich in historical and cultural events are expected in Tatev; the immersive festival of Syunik history and legends "In the Mountains" will be held.

Theatrical performances, master classes, music, national dances and games, traditional dishes and a tour of historic old villages. The two-day festival program includes various events aimed at the development of cultural and gastronomic tourism in Syunik.

The guests and tourists of the festival will have the opportunity to participate in various events, and at the same time enjoy the mountain panorama of Syunik and the spectacular flight of the "TaTever" aerial tramway over the Vorotan gorge, the destination of which is one of the significantspiritual, educational and architectural monuments of the Middle Ages, Tatev monastery complex of the 9thcentury.

“Festivals play a significant role in the tourism industry. The Tourism Committee of the Republic of Armenia is promoting tourism in four main directions: adventure, culture, gastronomic and nature. All these 4 directions will be present in the festival “In the Mountains”, which is key in attracting tourist flows. We are always eager to organise interesting events in order to make Armenia an attractive destination for international tourists. Emphasizing the international market, the Committee implements the program of educational visits, within the framework of which we host media representatives and bloggers from different countries. Representatives of popular periodicals from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Austria will attend the festival "In the Mountains"”, said the Head of The Tourism Committee of the Republic of Armenia Sisian Boghossian. 

The festival will have several directions, including interests of different age groups.

"History of Syunik. travel through time" interactive performance about Syunik’s historical events and prominent figures will take place near Tatev Monastery after which the visitors will take part in national games and dances.

A fair will be organized throughout the day at the Halidzor station of the Wings of Tatev aerial tramway, where craftsmen will demonstrate traditional crafts of the region and hold master classes for visitors. As part of the musical program, the group Tarup Trio by Miqayel Voskanyan will perform.

A dance floor with a DJ, a large children's entertainment and leisure zone is also planned.

During the festival actors from Syunik will be involved in staging of the special dinner-performance “Medieval dinner with the noble Orbelian family”.

There will also be a tour to the Old Halidzor village to watch the interactive performance "Local lifestyle in the 17th century", and on the second day of the festival a visit will be paid to the Old Khndzoresk village.

"Our goal is to boost,through the festival “In the Mountains”, the flow of tourists to Syunik, Tatev, as well as to present the rich history and culture of Syunik through theatrical performances and games. We hope that guests will appreciate the hospitality of the people of Syunik, enjoy the beautiful mountain views and have a fun weekend. The festival is also significant in that the new flow of tourists to Tatev will have a positive socio-economic impact on the entire community", says Ani Davtyan, project manager of the festival.

The festival "In the Mountains" is held with the support of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia. Festival organizers are Tatev Revival Foundation, Ruben Vardanyan Foundation, Impulse Management Company and TaTeveraerial tramway.

***

“TaTever” is the longest passenger aerial tramway in the world, included in the Guinness Book of Records. The aerial tramway is a part of the non-profit project “Tatev Revival” Foundation, the profit from which is directed to the restoration of the Tatev Monastery and the development of the surrounding areas.“TaTever” aerial tramway project is managed by Impulse Management Company.

"Tatev Revival" Foundation is a non-profit organization the main goals of which are the restoration of Tatev Monastery, the development of the communities of the region, the creation of new jobs and necessary infrastructure in the region, the development of the tourist destination of Tatev and the provision of support to local entrepreneurs.