YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. The Islamic Republic, in the 18th meeting of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission, has expressed readiness to export Iran-made pharmaceutical products to Armenia.
During the 18th meeting of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission held on February 14, both sides exchanged views to further expand economic cooperation, IRNA reports.
Head of Iran’s Food and Drug Administration (IFDA) Heidar Mohammadi voiced the country’s readiness to export domestically produced drugs to Armenia.
For her part, Deputy Minister of Healthcare of Armenia Lena Nanushyan said that Iran has made significant progress in the production of medicines and medical equipment.
Lena Nanushyan noted that Armenia welcomes cooperation with Iran in the field of health tourism, pharmaceutical insurance and healthcare.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenia suggests Azerbaijan accelerate the delimitation process based on the Prague agreement of October 6,2022 and reiterates the willingness of the Republic of Armenia, reads the statement of the spokesperson of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Ani Badalyan.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan made a comment regarding the speech made by the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan during the Government session on February 15, in relation to which we would like to remind that on 6 October 2022 in Prague Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed in written form that they recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty based on 1991 Alma-Ata declaration and that the Alma-Ata declaration will be the political basis for the process of demarcation.
We suggest Azerbaijan accelerate the delimitation process based on this agreement, and we reiterate the willingness of the Republic of Armenia, " Ani Badalyan said in a statement.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Iran have agreed to increase the bilateral trade turnover to 3 billion dollars annually, the Head of the Organization for Planning and Budget Davoud Manzour said, IRNA reports.
At the closing of the 18th meeting of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission, the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran signed an agreement on economic cooperation covering 19 areas.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on February 14 met with Claude Wiseler, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg. Members of the Luxembourg parliament's bureau and the committee on foreign affairs also participated in the meeting, the foreign ministry said.
During the meeting, the parties emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy in the dynamic development of high-level political dialogue between Armenia and Luxembourg.
The Armenian Foreign Minister presented the latest events regarding the security situation in the South Caucasus. A detailed reference was made to Armenia’s approaches to the key issues of the draft agreement on the regulation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which are based on fundamental principles well-known to the civilized world.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia emphasized the importance of steps to restrain the destabilization of the situation in the region. Parliamentarians highly appreciated the decision of the Armenian government to open a diplomatic representation in Luxembourg, describing it as an _expression_ of close friendship.
Australia’s New South Wales Legislative Council Adopts Motion Calling For Armenian Genocide Education and Museum graphic
SYDNEY—The New South Wales Legislative Council has debated and unanimously passed a motion calling on Australia’s largest state’s government to expand Holocaust education to include the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides and establish a Museum to create further awareness, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
The motion, presented to the Legislative Council in the last sitting week of 2023 by Chris Rath MLC, was debated on Wednesday, February 7.
Members from across the political aisle spoke on the historic motion, including Daniel Mookhey MLC (ALP), Dr. Amanda Cohn MLC (GRNS), Susan Carter MLC (LIB), Mark Buttigieg MLC (ALP), Jacqui Munro MLC (LIB), Anthony D’Adam MLC (ALP), and Stephen Lawrence MLC (ALP).
In particular, powerful statements were made in support of expanding genocide education to incorporate the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocide in the curriculum and establish a museum to create awareness about the genocide, by Rath, Munro, Cater and Buttigieg.
Rath, the youngest ever member of the NSW Legislative Council – appointed in March 2022 – said, “All of us as Australians—students and children—know a lot about the Holocaust, and rightly so. Many, many years later I learnt about the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides. They are still not well known and not well taught, which is a very sad thing and exactly what the motion is about.”
ANC-AU Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian welcomed the historic undertaking by the NSW Upper House.
“The Armenian-Australian community thanks Mr. Rath and his colleagues in the Legislative Council for ensuring New South Wales continues to lead the way after being the first state legislature to recognise the Armenian Genocide and the Republic of Artsakh,” Kolokossian said. “The teaching of the darkest chapter of Armenian history is the next step to ensuring we have a more vocal citizenry when future attempts to exterminate our race – as we witnessed with the recent ethnic cleansing of Artsakh – are attempted by criminal autocratic regimes.”
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Artak Beglaryan and Gegham Stepanyan participated in a panel at George Washington University
WASHINGTON – Republic of Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan and former State Minister Artak Beglaryan concluded a two-week advocacy mission to Washington that called on U.S. Congressional leaders, Administration officials, and a broad array of faith-based and human rights groups to hold Azerbaijan accountable for the genocide against Artsakh’s 150,000 indigenous Armenian Christians and to provide support to refugees as mechanisms are explored to ensure their safe return to the homes from which they were forcibly displaced.
Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan with Rep. Chris Smith Rep, Ted Lieu received a briefing about Artsakh
Amb. Rashad Hussein Rep. David Valadeo with Artak Beglaryan Sen. Gary Peters with Artsakh reps. Sen. Armed Service Committee chair Jack Reed Sen. Gary Peters
Rep. Barbara Lee
The Armenian National Committee of America joined with Stepanyan and Beglaryan in over 60 meetings and briefings with Congressional offices, coinciding with the introduction of two resolutions that would cut military aid to Azerbaijan’s genocidal regime, holding Azerbaijan accountable for its crimes.
In the Senate, Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced a bipartisan resolution (S.Res.540) that would require the State Department to provide a detailed description of widely documented human rights abuses perpetrated by Azerbaijan, pursuant to Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which could block all military aid to the genocidal Aliyev regime.
U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) was joined by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and House Foreign Affairs Committee member Gabe Amo (D-RI) in introducing the House counterpart (H.R.7288) of the Senate’s unanimously-adopted “Armenian Protection Act,” (S.3000), which would block US security aid to Azerbaijan for two years.
Stepanyan and Beglaryan offered eye-witness accounts of the brutal realities of Azerbaijan’s ten-month blockade of Artsakh, which culminated in the September 2023 genocidal attack that forcibly emptied Artsakh of its indigenous Armenian population. In addition to the passage of the latest legislation urging an end to U.S. support for Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions, the Artsakh people’s advocates urged:
— Sanctions on Azerbaijan, including the enforcement of Section 907 and the application of Magnitsky sanctions on Aliyev government officials for war crimes and ethnic cleansing committed during the 2020 Azerbaijan-Turkey attacks against Armenia and Artsakh and subsequent genocidal aggression.
— U.S. aid for Artsakh’s forcibly displaced Armenians, including housing and job placement assistance, until a secure mechanism can be put in place through international oversight and mediation with Artsakh authorities to guarantee the safe and dignified return of forcibly displaced Armenians to their Artsakh homes.
— Expanded U.S. and international efforts to help secure the immediate release of Artsakh leaders, POWS, and all the other captured persons illegally held by Azerbaijan since the 2020 Azerbaijan/Turkey attacks and the 2023 aggression.
— Preservation of Artsakh’s Armenian cultural and religious heritage already vandalized or under threat of destruction by Azerbaijan.
Stepanyan and Beglaryan stressed that without international efforts to address the Artsakh people’s right to safe return, dignified life in Artsakh, and justice for the crimes committed, it will be impossible to establish sustainable peace in the region. They also emphasized that the systemic anti-Armenian hatred fomented by the Azerbaijani Government must be eradicated to ensure an enduring settlement of the conflict and regional stability.
While in Washington, Beglaryan and Stepanyan participated in the International Religious Freedom Summit, co-chaired by Ambassador Sam Brownback, the U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom (2018-2021) and Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights.
During a presentation made to a diverse group of faith-based organizations and US government officials, Stepanyan explained, “I speak before you today not just as the human rights defender (Ombudsman) of my people but as a witness and a survivor of genocide.” He stressed that the world is witnessing the systematic erasure of “the Christian and world heritage of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), of its ancient churches and hallowed cemeteries, now standing silent under the shadow of occupation and desecration by the dictatorial Aliyev regime of Azerbaijan.” Stepanyan urged faith leaders and government officials to rally together and serve as “the shield that protects the vulnerable, the voice that speaks for the silenced and the light that pierces the darkness of cultural erasure. Only then can we ensure that the soul of Artsakh, its ancient and sacred Christian heritage, is not lost forever.”
“Artsakh’s rights were center stage these past two weeks in Washington, DC, as two of the Republic’s most eloquent voices – Artak Beglaryan and Gegham Stepanyan – made the case to U.S. legislators and international religious freedom leaders for the safe return of indigenous Armenians to their ancient homeland,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Over the course of dozens of Congressional meetings, legislators heard first-hand about the Artsakh Genocide and explored the concrete U.S. steps needed to restore this integral part of the Armenian homeland.”
Beglaryan and Stepanyan’s visit was part of a 120,0000 Reasons coalition effort, supported by the Tufenkian Foundation and the Philos Project, and over 20 human rights, faith-based, and ethnic organizations, calling on the US Government to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its genocide against Artsakh’s Armenian population and to prevent further aggression against Armenia.
The Artsakh people’s representatives also participated in a fireside chat, organized by the George Washington University Armenian Law Students’ Association, where they shared the ongoing challenges facing Artsakh’s displaced and the need for concrete political and legal action. They also shared their powerful message of survival and issued an international call to action during a series of press interviews
In addition to educational efforts in the nation’s capital, the trip also included a robust series of meetings with international organizations and community leaders in New York. While in Washington, they met with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Earlier, Stepanyan and Beglaryan participated in meetings with California state and local government officials, various university law programs, and community forums organized through the Armenian Bar Association, in conjunction with their annual meeting.
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An Armenia border patrol soldier in Gegharkunik
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday warned that Azerbaijan might be planning a “large scale attack” on Armenia and rejected Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s continued demand for changes in Armenia’s laws.
Pashinyan said that a series of statements from Baku in recent days about the legislative framework of Armenia are a violation of Armenia’s sovereignty and can been seen as “interference in our country’s internal affairs.”
“Attempts to interpret whether there is any provision in Armenia’s legislation preventing the signing of the peace treaty [with Azerbaijan] have nothing to do with reality,” Pashinyan said, after Aliyev, a day earlier, again called for changes to Armenia’s laws.
“Armenia and Azerbaijan have succeeded in reaching an agreement on a number of articles; and one of them is that the parties cannot refer to their legislation in order to refuse to fulfill any provision of the peace treaty. Therefore, there is no provision in the legislation of Armenia preventing the implementation of the peace treaty. This is not only a political, but also an expert assessment,” Pashinyan explained.
He also accused Baku of deliberately dragging out the delimitation and demarcation of the border process, saying that Baku was undermining this process in order to launch a military attack “in some parts of the border” with the aim of instigating an all-out war with Armenia.
Aliyev’s latest threats were made a day after Azerbaijani forces attacked Armenian position in Syunik, killing four soldiers and injuring another.
Pashinyan detailed the steps taken by Yerevan to advance the border delimitation process, all based on agreements reached by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Yet he accused Baku of undermining the process.
“Our analysis shows that there can only be one reason for this, and the reasons could be their [intentions] to launch military actions in some parts of the border with the prospect of turning the military escalation into a large-scale war against the Republic of Armenia. This intention is read in all statements and actions made by Baku,” Pashinyan said.
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President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran hosts Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan in Tehran on Feb. 15
President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran said Thursday that his country is ready to ensure the strategic security of the Caucasus region, keeping in mind the “red lines” that Tehran has advocated regarding its opposition to any changes in regional borders.
During the past several weeks, Iranian officials have reiterated their strong opposition to a scheme advanced by Baku — and backed by Ankara — on the creation of a land corridor through Armenia to Nakhichevan.
Tehran views this as a “red line” in its regional policy.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has welcomed the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing Iran’s readiness to ensure the strategic security of the Caucasus region given the red lines of the Islamic Republic in this regard.
Raisi made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. The Iranian leader also warned about “outside forces” attempting to sway matters in the region under the pretext of assisting to overcome crisis, essentially referring to the West’s recent interest in Armenia.
He added that not only does the involvement of “outsiders” not yield solutions, but it brings about more severe challenges, the IRNA news agency reported.
Raisi welcomed the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing Iran’s readiness to assist in that process.
He voiced his country’s full support for the implementation of all agreements between Tehran and Yerevan.
Armenia and Iran have signed agreements on economic cooperation in 19 different sectors during their intergovernmental commission meeting, IRNA reports.
ARF Eastern US Central CommitteeCommunity News, Diaspora0
NEW YORK—On February 4, 2024, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee’s Public Relations Committee organized an “Artsakh Update” roundtable featuring distinguished guests Artak Beglaryan and Gegham Stepanyan. The meeting was graciously hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian of the Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern USA, marking a significant gathering of community leaders and organizations at a time of critical importance for Artsakh.
ARF Central Committee Public Relations Committee member Hrair Baronian, Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan, ARF Central Committee chair Ani Tchaghlasian and Very Rev. Father Sahag Yemishyan
Ani Tchaghlasian, ARF Central Committee (CC) Chair, opened the roundtable by welcoming the leaders of various Armenian community organizations, including the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), Homenetmen, Hamazkayin, Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Armenian Bar Association and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). Razmig Boyadjian of the ARF CC’s Public Relations Committee introduced Beglaryan and Stepanyan, highlighting their roles and dedication to the human rights and welfare of the people of Artsakh.
ARF Central Committee Public Relations Committee member Razmig Boyadjian, Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan, Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan and ARF Central Committee member Ani Tchaghlasian
Beglaryan served as the State Minister of the Artsakh Republic until early September 2023. Before that, he served as the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh from October 2018 to December 2020. Beglaryan brought a wealth of experience and insights to the discussion. His extensive educational background, including a Ph.D. in political science and various international research and training programs, has equipped him with a deep understanding of Artsakh’s geopolitical and human rights issues.
Stepanyan was elected as the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Artsakh Republic in March 2021 and continues to serve in that role. Stepanyan also shared his perspective during the roundtable, based on his broad foundation in international relations and political science. His experience in the Artsakh National Assembly and his academic contributions have made him a key figure in the ongoing struggle for Artsakh’s rights and recognition.
A capacity crowd listening to His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian deliver his message
In his opening remarks, Boyadjian eloquently stated, “Artsakh is the pride and dignity of the Armenian people. The fight for Artsakh and our nation’s survival will continue until achieved.” He underscored the critical role of the Diaspora in supporting Artsakh, especially in these challenging times.
Beglaryan and Stepanyan emphasized that Artsakh is not lost – if collective support and determination persist. They highlighted the dire needs of the people of Artsakh, particularly regarding the right of return, housing, employment and the lack of adequate support from the current Armenian regime. To this end, Beglaryan and Stepanyan have engaged in advocacy work with an international dimension. Before visiting New York, they spent a week in Washington, D.C. in meetings with members of Congress and government officials organized by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
AYF Central Executive members Niree Kaprielian, Alec Soghomonian and Isabel Hagopian, New York and New Jersey AYF members, Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan and Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan
His Eminence Archbishop Tanielian’s closing remarks focused on the collective struggle for Artsakh, affirming its central place in Armenian identity. He called for increased political, financial and moral support for the people of Artsakh during these dark times. The event concluded with blessings from Archbishop Tanielian and the clergy, followed by further discussions among the community leaders and guest speakers.
The “Artsakh Update” roundtable served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the Armenian spirit and the critical role of the global Armenian Diaspora in supporting Artsakh. Through informed dialogue, shared commitment and strategic action, the event demonstrated the importance of unity in the face of adversity and the ongoing struggle for the rights and recognition of the people of Artsakh.
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian blessing the table
On September 19, 2023, the Armenians of Artsakh were subjected to genocide through ethnic cleansing. This egregious act of violence was compounded by a preceding 10-month blockade imposed by the Azerbaijani government, effectively isolating the population and severing essential lifelines for food, medicine and energy. This dire humanitarian crisis unfolded under the indifferent gaze of the international community, which largely remained passive, betraying the fundamental principles of human rights and dignity. The silence and inaction of global powers in the face of such blatant aggression not only underscore the vulnerabilities of international diplomatic mechanisms but also serve as a grim reminder of the challenges Armenian communities face in preserving their existence and autonomy against overwhelming odds.
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The ARF Eastern Region Central Committee’s headquarters is the Hairenik Building in Watertown, Mass. The ARF Eastern Region’s media and bookstore are also housed in this building, as are various other important Armenian community organizations. The ARF Eastern Region holds a convention annually and calls various consultative meetings and conferences throughout the year.
The event concluding the “Armenian Students for Artsakh” Research Competition held at the ARF Aram Manukian Youth Center, Yerevan, February 1, 2024 (Photo: Hakob Kolyan)
YEREVAN—On February 1, the concluding event of the “Armenian Students for Artsakh” Research Competition took place at the ARF Aram Manukian Youth Center in Yerevan. The event was organized by the ARF Bureau Youth Office of Affairs under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of the Republic of Artsakh.
The program, initiated in 2023, aimed to harness the professional abilities of Armenian students across various fields to address the Armenian cause, particularly the Artsakh issue. It sought to make the conducted studies available for effective utilization by influential institutions engaged in pro-Armenian activities. In the long term, the initiative strives to analyze issues objectively, foster analytical thinking and develop approaches crucial for mature political thought and activity.
The event was graced by the presence of the Artsakh Republic’s Minister of Education and Culture Norik Mkrtchyan, Artsakh National Assembly deputies Vahram Balayan and Metakse Hakobyan, as well as RA National Assembly deputies Armenouhi Kyureghyan, Christine Vardanyan and Garnik Danielyan.
At the event, top-performing students participating in the program delivered speeches presenting their studies, while their mentors provided testimonials. Twelve individual students and one student group from Armenia, Artsakh, Lebanon, Iran and the United States dedicated themselves to the project.
Special appreciation was accorded to the following two articles, distinguished by their importance and relevance.
“The destructive impact of the blockade and forcible displacement of Artsakh on the rights and mental state of the children of Artsakh”
Mentor – Gegham Stepanyan, Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh
Student – Datev Davtyan, Republic of Armenia
“The urgent necessity to preserve the spiritual and non-material heritage of Artsakh”
Mentor – Father Garegin Hambardzumyan, director of Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage preservation office in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Student – Vahagn Khachatryan, Republic of Artsakh
The following students were recognized as winners.
First place – recipient of a $1,000 scholarship:
“Relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia”
Mentor – Abraham Gasparyan, founding director of Genesis Armenia Center
Student Group – Hovhanes Ghazaryan, Lilit Yekmalyan, Latush Simonyan, Republic of Armenia
Second place – recipient of a $750 scholarship:
“Azerbaijan’s Caviar Diplomacy in Europe”
Mentor – Heghineh Evinyan, director of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy
Student – Narod Noramanian, Holland
Third place – recipient of a $500 scholarship
“Relations between Azerbaijan and Israel”
Mentor – Shahan Kandaharian, editor-in-chief of Beirut Aztag Daily
Student – Zhanna Vardanyan, Republic of Armenia
At the conclusion, all participants were presented with certificates and gifts.
The organizers and winners of the “Armenian Students for Artsakh” Research Competition (Photo: Hakob Kolyan)
The ARF Bureau Office of Youth Affairs extends sincere thanks and gratitude to the donors and mentors of the project.
ARF Bureau member Hovsep Der Kevorkian (Photo: Hakob Kolyan)
In his remarks, ARF Bureau member and liaison to youth affairs, Hovsep Der Kevorkian, emphasized the three main focal points of the project: the students, the studies and the institutions dedicated to safeguarding Armenian rights. He highlighted that these studies serve not only as sources of information but also as platforms for recommendations and prospective action. Der Kevorkian underscored the strength of the Armenian people, particularly its students, portraying this project as a modest contribution toward consolidating their potential and enhancing their involvement in national affairs through innovative methods.
He added that some studies delve into how, over the years, Azerbaijan has leveraged various means to achieve its current successes, including stonewalling, diplomatic maneuvers, alliances and other strategies. The pressing question today, he argued, is how Armenians can strengthen the state and halt the gradual erosion of their positions, transforming this trend into a path of growth and recovery leading to new triumphs.
To rally Armenian students around this crucial issue, the ARF Bureau Office of Youth Affairs will continue its mission to encourage their engagement in pro-Armenian activities, prioritizing support for Artsakh and the protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians.