Category: News

On Sunday, 10 May 2015, the Office of the Armenian Community Representative, Vartkes Mahdessian, in co-operation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, organised the eighth annual visit-pilgrimage to the Sourp Magar Monastery (Magaravank), Gibrahayer EMagazine reports.

The first time was on 6 May 2007, when the Armenian-Cypriot community visited the occupied Armenian Monastery after 33 years. According to the Representative’s Office, around 100 Armenian-Cypriots visited the Monastery on Sunday, some of whom came especially from abroad.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing $4 million for a pilot project which will enable Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, to modernise its street lighting system by introducing new energy-efficient technologies.

The EBRD’s sovereign loan will be on-lent to the Street Lighting Company owned by the city of Yerevan. The loan is expected to be complemented by a capital grant of up to $2 million from the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P). Technical cooperation for project preparation was financed by the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund and the EBRD’s own resources.

Yerevan has a population of 1.1 million, roughly one-third of the total population of Armenia, and the street lighting network consists of old, inefficient and environmentally polluting mercury-based lights. The heavy-metal based content of the current lighting system contributes to energy waste and is a considerable environmental hazard. Due to the antiquated condition of the current system and the high percentage of lights that are not working, large parts of the city are not sufficiently illuminated.

To overcome this problem the pilot project will introduce new energy-efficient LED lighting, a control and monitoring system, pole replacement and renovation as well as power cable replacement. This will result in better service quality and improved environmental standards due to reduced energy consumption and the minimisation of operating and maintenance costs. Lighter streets will also be safer for pedestrians and motorists alike.

Mark Davis, EBRD Head of Office in Yerevan, said: “We welcome this project and are pleased to support it with financial means as well as technical assistance. The new street lighting will contribute to Yerevan’s goal of reducing its CO₂ emissions, while at the same time significantly reducing the city’s energy bill. In addition, the project will contribute to the comfort and safety of residents.”

Since the start of its operations in Armenia in 1992, the EBRD has invested over €900 million in more than 135 projects in the country’s financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with 87 per cent of investments being in the private sector.

On Saturday, its opening day, the jury of the 56th Venice Biennale announced the winners of the international art festival. Armenia was awarded the Golden Lion for its pavilion presenting works by the Armenian diaspora on the 100th anniversary of the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks.

Regardless the petition and the appeals of Armenians of Istanbul, on May 6 the Turkish authorities destroyed the camp-orphanage located in the Tuzla district of Istanbul, where among many Armenian orphans Hrant Dink, founder of the Turkish-Armenian Agos newspaper who was murdered in 2007 and his wife Raquel Dink used to work and live for decades.  The destruction of the orphanage was suspended by the intervention of citizens, including Karo Balyan, Sezin Uchari and Ali Tcheliqi, opposition candidate members to the Parliament from Peoples’ Democratic Party.

According to Agos, in the morning of May 6th construction machines entered into the premises of Camp Armen and started destroying the building despite the recent protest against the destruction of the Camp initiated through internet.

Camp Armen was one of the most symbolic and important property belonging to the Armenian community and confiscated by Turkish authorities. In 1915, after the Armenian Genocide, there was no school left in Western Armenia and more than 1500 Armenian orphans were living in the camp and being taught the Armenian language.

The destrcution of Armen Kamp coincides with the strong reactions on the part of Turkish against the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by Pope Francis I on April 12, during the famous Vatican mass dedicated to the Centenary  of the Armenian genocide, the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the German president on April 15, the EU Parliament’s call to Turkey to show moderation subject of the Armenian Genocide on April 22, the Austian Parliament’s recognition and condemnation the Armenian Genocide and its call to Turkey, considering the recognition of the historic complicity as a precondition for reconciliation etc.

The Assembly of Armenians of Europe (AAE) condemns Turkey’s consistent pressure against Armenians and the persistent and non-constructive approach, which was reflected in its provocative attitude by transfering the Dardanelles celebrations from March 18 to April 24. This was not only a dishonoring act and an offense towards 1,5 million Armenian victims, but also to the whole civilized world.

We call upon world’s and Turkey’s leaders to condemn the extremist and irresponsible attitude of the Turkish authorities and to show solidarity to the Armenian survivors living in their countries. Turkey’s aggression and discrimination against the Armenian community and other national and religious minorities must be condemned.

AAE believes that such provocative and intolerent policy adopted by Turkey will lead to instability and agitations and will generate a new wave of national hatred and tension. We shouldn’t forget about Turkey’s everyday violations of human rights and freedom of speech and the fact that the number of imprisoned journalists is higher in it than in any other country of the world. The Assesmbly of Armenians of Europe expresses its gratitude to the countries and international organizations that have adopted a positive stance concerning the issue of the Armenian Genocide and the Turkish intellectuals, journalists and writers for  their solidarity to the Armenian people despite of the many threats that they face.

Dear compatriots,

Dear veterans of the Great Patriotic and Artsakh Liberation Wars,

Respected generals, officers and soldiers of the Defense Army,

On behalf of the republic’s authorities and myself personally I cordially congratulate you on the 70^th anniversary of the Victory, the Day of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Defense Army and the Liberation of Shushi.

70 years ago the Artsakh people also had a worthy contribution in forging the glorious victory against the Nazism, one of the greatest evils in the human history. Our compatriots were distinguished by their heroism and courage, endurance and dedication both in the battlefield and the rear. Tens of thousands of Artsakh people went to the war, half of them did not return. Eternal honor and glory to all our martyrs! Their memory will always remain bright in the history of our people.

We are deeply grateful to our brave fathers and grandfathers for their heroic path, for the lessons of patriotism and selflessness taught to us. These lessons were studied well by further generations that forged victories decades after the Great Patriotic during in the Artsakh Liberation War. Together with Mother Armenia and our world-spread sisters and brothers we defended the freedom and independence of Artsakh, peace and tranquility of our native people, liberated the ancient fortress of Shushi and laid solid foundations for new victories.

In the hearth of this struggle the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Defense Army, the pride and glory of the whole Armenian nation and the main guarantor of our security, was born. The army continues to fulfill the tasks set before it with dignity, giving a worthy counter stroke to the enemy’s encroachments and keeping impregnable the Fatherland’s borders.

Due to our people’s freedom-loving spirit and strong will we registered great successes and achievements during the years of independence. Only in this way, united and consolidated, we are able to solve the issues we are facing, bring to life various programs and achieve the realization of national goals.

Dear compatriots,

I once again congratulate all of us on this glorious Triple Holiday and wish peaceful, prosperous and victorious path to our heroic people and Motherland.

Dear compatriots,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of Victory and Peace Day.

Today is a special jubilee day. It marks the 70th anniversary of the historic victory in the Great Patriotic War. It was the crushing blow of the multinational Soviet army that decided the outcome of the war in Europe in May 1945.

From fighting on the frontline and in guerilla detachments to getting involved in underground and resistance activities, Armenians brought their contributions towards the total defeat of Nazi forces. We struggled in the trench of justice, freedom and humanism against an anti-humanistic ideology, violence and vandalism. By fighting heroically on various fronts and working in the rear day and night, we thus defended our homeland, Armenia, as well.

This victory afforded the Armenian people who had survived the genocide real and broad opportunities for peaceful work and reconstruction and for their total revival.

It was a symbolic coincidence that on the same day in May 1992 the ancient Armenian fortress town of Sushi was liberated. Following the example of their fathers and grandfathers, our modern-day heroes repeated their ancestors’ feat, fighting in the same trench of justice, freedom and humanism against Armenophobia, violence and vandalism.

I once again congratulate all of us on this great holiday. Peace to the world and peace to our country!

May 8 marks one of the most significant victories in the history of the Armenian nation. Shushi was liberated on this day 23 years ago.

During the Karabakh liberation war of early 1990s, Shushi became one of Azerbaijan’s main military strongholds in Nagorno-Karabakh.  From this strategic location, the Azeri army would bombard Karabakh’s capital Stepanakert and adjacent Armenian village.

The liberation of Shushi in May, 1992, however, served as a turning point.

About 3,800 volunteers participated in the operation of liberation of Shushi the night of May 8. The operation was led by Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan, the Commander of the self-defense forces of Artsakh.

Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan declared early on May 9 that all groupings of the rival had left Shushi.

At the invitation of Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan will be a guest of honor at the May 9 Parade at the Red Square dedicated to the 70^th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Press Service of the Ministry of Defense informs.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly criticized his predecessor for attending a football match between Turkish and Armenian national teams in 2008, which was then dubbed “football diplomacy” between Turkey and Armenia, reports. 

Speaking to a group of nationally respected historians at the presidential palace in Ankara on Thursday during a meeting to discuss the 1915 killings of Armenians, President Erdogan this time targeted former president Abdullah Gül for visiting Yerevan to attend a soccer match several years ago, becoming the first Turkish president to set foot in Armenia since the ex-Soviet nation gained independence in 1991

According to Erdogan, Gül’s visit played into the hands of Armenians and failed to yield any substantial result on the diplomatic front, a historian who attended the meeting told the media.

Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan invited Gül to watch a World Cup qualifying match between the Turkish and Armenian national teams in Yerevan in September 2008. Gül’s landmark visit to Yerevan paved the way for a diplomatic breakthrough for both countries, which have no diplomatic relations even though Turkey was among the first countries to recognize Armenia’s independence.

Following Gül’s visit, both countries embarked upon a number of diplomatic meetings mediated by Switzerland, resulting in the Zurich protocols to normalize ties between Turkey and Armenia. The protocols were signed in Zurich on Oct. 10, 2009 with the aim of establishing diplomatic relations and opening the two countries’ land border.

The process for reconciliation between the two countries has been deadlocked since then.

Texas State Representative Dwayne Bohab on Thursday pulled from consideration a misleading resolution (HR2309) “Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Black January events in Azerbaijan” he introduced late April filled with factually inaccurate historical information with respect to the events that led to the country’s independence as well as its policies regarding people’s right to self-determination and independence, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region, reports.

“The power of our grassroots’ in Texas against the persistent, yet failed, efforts backed by the Azerbaijani lobby to shamefully introduce legislation that blatantly misrepresents facts is a real testament to our community’s and organization’s resolve to pursue truth and justice for our Cause,” remarked ANCA-WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan. “We were particularly pleased to see Representative Bohac’s quick response and reconsideration to ultimately withdraw the resolution after gaining better understanding of the facts about Azerbaijan and the region,” added Asatryan.

Jeff Stokes, Legislative Director for State Representative Dwayne Bohac informed Asbarez that Bohac’s office had received numerous requests from constituents to introduce a measure such as HR2309.

“When we realized it was a mistake, we placed it on permanent hold,” said Stokes, who explained that per Texas law once a hold is placed on a piece of legislation, no further action is taken on the matter.

The decision to place a permanent hold on HR2309 came just 16 hours after ANCA WR worked with local community leaders and activists to alert Bohac about the facts surrounding the events that led to Azerbaijan’s independence, the corrupt and authoritarian regime of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the country’s gross human rights violations, coverage of which has increased in the American press most recently in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, under the headlines, “A Thuggish Regime Challenges the U.S.” and “The Two Faces of Azerbaijan’s Mr. Aliyev” respectively.

More specifically, late Monday evening ANCA WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan submitted a written statement to Bohac opposing the resolution on behalf of the regional, Dallas and Houston chapters noting, “The resolution gives the impression that Azerbaijan was invaded in retaliation for its independence movement. However, the truth is that troops were sent to Azerbaijan in order to protect the nearly half million Christian Armenians who were being subjected to violent pogroms and massacres throughout the nation in a campaign of ethnic cleansing. Azerbaijan’s hostility was its response to the calls for independence by the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR), which was an autonomous region at the time, thereby demonstrating its repressive policies, which are contrary to the claims made in the language of the resolution.”

Asatryan continued on to state, ”Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has the dubious honor of being selected as the most corrupt person by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The NGO’s finding is based on extensive reports and well-documented evidence that the Aliyev family has been systematically grabbing shares of the most profitable businesses in Azerbaijan for many years. Earlier this week, the Committee to Protect Journalists concluded that Azerbaijan is the fifth most censored and repressive country in the world, out of nearly 200 countries in the world. In its report the CPJ concluded that the ‘main sources of information in Azerbaijan are broadcasters which are owned and controlled by the state or its proxies.’ The report also noted that independent media outlets are subjected to harassment and prosecution by officials, and that at least ten journalists and bloggers are currently in Azerbaijani jails on fabricated charges.”

“This being a top priority, our local chapter and I specifically reached out to Representative Dwayne Bohac’s office yesterday to convey our disappointment and opposition to the resolution. Today when I called back to see if we made any headway, I was pleased to hear that the office had already pulled the resolution. This truly shows that each and every one of us can truly make a difference by just making our voice heard,” stated ANCA Dallas Chair Lucia Nazarian. ”Thank you to the Dallas community members for your efforts in shedding light and bringing the truth to the forefront of our Texas legislators,” added Nazarian.

“I am pleased to see that the anti-Armenian resolution was withdrawn and appreciate the diligence of the Houston Armenian community and proud of their dedication for the Armenian Cause, “ remarked ANCA Houston Chair Vrouir Frankian.