Nokia (NOK) Boosts Armenia’s Network With Ucom Partnership

Chalian Meline
Feb 12 2024
Zacks Equity Research 

Nokia Corporation (NOK - Free Report) has secured a pivotal collaboration with Ucom aimed at revolutionizing network connectivity in Armenia. The agreement entails the upgrade of Ucom's nationwide radio access network (RAN), along with enhancements to its core and IP network infrastructure, all orchestrated to pave the way for the future deployment of 5G services in the country.

Ucom is reportedly the fastest fixed and mobile services provider in Armenia. By leveraging Nokia's cutting-edge 5G AirScale portfolio, fueled by energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology, Ucom anticipates a significant boost in performance and capacity. Moreover, Nokia's intelligent MantaRay Networks Management system promises consolidated network monitoring and management capabilities enriched with AI functionalities, ensuring enhanced efficiency and reliability.

Per the deal, Nokia will deploy a suite of solutions, including Cloud Packet Core portfolio, Cloud Operations Manager, Shared Data Layer and Subscriber Data Management, among others. The incorporation of Nokia IP routers across various network segments further solidifies the comprehensive nature of the upgrade.

The partnership has the potential to catalyze a new era of connectivity in Armenia and unlock new applications reliant on the speed and low latency of 5G technology, positioning Ucom as a leader in telecommunications advancements. It also positions Nokia to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced telecommunications infrastructure in the region.

Nokia is well-positioned for the ongoing technology cycle, given the strength of its end-to-end portfolio. Its installed base of high-capacity AirScale products, which enables customers to upgrade to 5G quickly, is growing fast. It is driving the transition of global enterprises into smart virtual networks by creating a single network for all services, converging mobile and fixed broadband, IP routing and optical networks with the software and services to manage them. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology, it is transforming the way people and things communicate and connect.

The company aims to create new business and licensing opportunities in the consumer ecosystem. It facilitates customers to move away from an economy-of-scale network operating model to demand-driven operations by offering easy programmability and flexible automation required to support dynamic operations, reduce complexity and improve efficiency. It seeks to expand its business into targeted, high-growth and high-margin vertical markets to address growth opportunities beyond its traditional primary markets.

The stock has lost 23.3% in the past year against the industry’s growth of 5%.


Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Nokia carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) currently. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), is likely to benefit from strong momentum and diversification across its top verticals and product lines. The company has a software-driven, data-centric approach to help customers build their cloud architecture and enhance their cloud experience. Arista has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 19.8% and delivered an earnings surprise of 12%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.

It holds a leadership position in 100-gigabit Ethernet switching share in port for the high-speed datacenter segment. Arista is increasingly gaining market traction in 200- and 400-gig high-performance switching products and remains well-positioned for healthy growth in data-driven cloud networking business with proactive platforms and predictive operations.

Headquartered in Wilmington, DE, InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC - Free Report) is a pioneer in advanced mobile technologies that enable wireless communications and capabilities. The company engages in designing and developing a wide range of advanced technology solutions, which are used in digital cellular as well as wireless 3G, 4G and IEEE 802-related products and networks.

This Zacks Rank #2 stock has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 17.4% and has surged 75.3% in the past year. A well-established global footprint, diversified product portfolio and ability to penetrate different markets are key growth drivers for InterDigital. The addition of technologies related to sensors, user interface and video to its already strong portfolio of wireless technology solutions is likely to drive considerable value, given the massive size of the market it offers licensing technologies to.

Ubiquiti Inc. (UI - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, is a key pick in the broader industry. Headquartered in New York, it offers a comprehensive portfolio of networking products and solutions for service providers and enterprises at disruptive prices.

It boasts a proprietary network communication platform that is well-equipped to meet end-market customer needs. In addition, it is committed to reducing operational costs by using a self-sustaining mechanism for rapid product support and dissemination of information by leveraging the strength of the Ubiquiti Community.

Disclaimer: This article has been written with the assistance of Generative AI. However, the author has reviewed, revised, supplemented, and rewritten parts of this content to ensure its originality and the precision of the incorporated information.


Turkish Press: Armenian leader says Yerevan, Baku agreed on ‘architecture, principles’ of peace treaty

Vanyan Gary
Yeni Şafak
Turkey – Feb 12 2024

Armenian leader says Yerevan, Baku agreed on 'architecture, principles' of peace treaty

Pashinyan says Yerevan‘s decision to diversify its relations in security sector consequence of previous relationships not addressing its needs

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Yerevan and Baku have agreed on the "architecture and principles" of a peace treaty, as the two neighbors continue talks on normalizing their relations.

“The architecture and principles of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been agreed upon … but from the beginning, Azerbaijan three times refused to participate in negotiations in different formats, after which presidential elections in Azerbaijan were scheduled,” Pashinyan said in an interview with The Telegraph aired on Sunday, the transcript of which was shared by Pashinyan's office.

The Armenian leader said that he assumed that they would be able to finalize an agreement after the presidential election in Azerbaijan “if there is political will.”

He further said Yerevan “has the political will” to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan based on previous agreements between the two countries.

He said he has neither denied nor rejected cooperation with Russia in general and particularly in the security sector.

“What does this mean? Does this mean that we are going to break our security relationship with Russia? No, it doesn't mean that, but it means that in the field of security, we are preparing and are ready, and we are discussing and working to establish relations, for example, with the European Union,” Pashinyan went on to say.

He added that Armenia's security relations with the US, France, India or the EU are not directed against Russia, but rather “a consequence of the reality that the security relationships we used to have in the past do not address our security needs.”

He also denied discussions on NATO membership, saying that Armenia is “at least a de jure member of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)."

Armenia's ties with the EU are deepening and that it is ready to be “as close to the European Union as the European Union deems it possible,” he added.

Pashinyan went on to neither confirm nor deny that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be arrested should he visit Armenia, commenting on a question on whether Yerevan will do so after having formally joined the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as of Feb. 1.

“There are various opinions and legal analyzes on that topic, and in particular, the lawyers who say that the current heads of state have immunity, insurmountable immunity, due to their status are not just a few. I mean, it's a legal issue, not a political issue that I have to discuss and respond to,” he said.

Peace In The South Caucasus – OpEd

Karagyozian Lena
Feb 12 2024
   By Farid Shafiyev

While the situation in the wider Middle East and Ukraine heads in the direction of greater instability and violence, the South Caucasus, where only last year the momentum was toward tension, is talking about peace. The thirty years of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan might become a page in history, though a tragic one. Both countries are working on the draft of a peace treaty, however, the complexity of the region’s history and current geopolitics, along with a wide range of disruptors such as radical elements inside Armenia and the diaspora, make the road to peace an unpredictable one. 

The focus of mainstream Western media is on the result of the 2023 lightning operation by Azerbaijan’s forces against separatists in its Karabakh region, which resulted in the collapse of the Armenia-backed separatist regime and the subsequent departure of the Armenian population. Nevertheless, what happened in September 2023 was predetermined much earlier, thirty years ago, when Armenian nationalists launched an irredentist campaign to unite Soviet Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) with Armenia under the slogan of miatsum (unification). 

Liberals in the West, however, treat the Armenian irredentist movement from a self-determination perspective. This is a skillfully designed narrative that Armenian nationalist leaders and diaspora activists started to promote when Armenia gained independence in 1991. The new narrative was embraced because the idea of miatsum became problematic as it sounded like an irredentist attempt to gain the territory of a neighboring state. In essence, this was indeed the nature of the movement, and it remained so during the whole period when Armenia ruled over Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region. In 2015, rejecting the claims of Armenians about the self-determination of the local Armenians in Karabakh, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recognized Armenia’s “effective control” over the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

The liberals’ love affair with Armenian separatists and irredentists is not unique. There are examples of other erroneous affections toward certain radical movements. Thus, well-known historian Simon Montefiore, the author of a book about Josef Stalin, has debunked fellow liberal academicians and journalists who regarded the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, on Israel as a decolonization attempt. Montefiore argued that, although Palestine deserves a free and independent statehood, an ideology that tolerates the slaughter of civilians is incompatible with advocating decolonization. By the same token, the legacy of Armenian control of Azerbaijani territories between 1992 and 2020 is replete with war crimes, massive displacement, illegal settlements, landmine contamination, and total destruction of infrastructure and heritage. 

Armenian people also suffered from the conflict, but the core of the problem was and remains miatsum, which nevertheless received support among some Western intellectuals and policymakers, though the latter did not pursue ideological goals, but rather solicited donations to their election campaigns. 

The most problematic issue with the Western approach to the Armenia–Azerbaijan post-conflict situation is to treat it as if nothing happened before the 2020 war or the September 2023 operation.

However, the origins of the present situation stem from the events in 1987–1990 when the Armenian leadership decided to fully ethnically cleanse Azerbaijanis from Armenia. The Armenian leaders further promoted the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis from Karabakh. When they lost the war in 2020, the separatist leaders rejected repeated calls for dialogue with Azerbaijan. 

For the major part of the period of the occupation (1993–2020), Armenia had the strong support of Russia and was a major advocate of a large Russian presence in the South Caucasus. Russia’s military and political support played a key role in Armenia’s efforts to sustain the occupied territories under its control. In return, Armenia supported separatism in Georgia and Ukraine, including under the leadership of the incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and sent troops to Syria alongside Russian forces. 

These realities on the ground were consistently disregarded or distorted in the Western media and political circles. This is well exemplified by Amendment 907 to the Freedom Support Act passed by the US Congress in 1992, which prohibited military aid to Azerbaijan until Baku takes “demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,” while it was Azerbaijan that was subject to invasion at that time, and the massacre of civilians in Khojaly had occurred earlier in the same year. 

In January 2024, the US Department of State included Azerbaijan in the second-tier Special Watch List of Religious Freedom Offenders on the recommendation of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which focused on the potential danger to Christian Armenian monuments in Karabakh. However, the USCIRF fully disregarded that the entire heritage of Azerbaijani Muslims in Armenia had already been destroyed, including in the same Karabakh when it was under Armenian control.

At the time, such international factors emboldened the occupying country and separatist forces in Karabakh, fueling their resilience against peace calls. Indeed, peace in the region needs a fair approach from major international actors. The South Caucasus has endured too much bloodshed, and Western media and intellectuals are partly responsible for that, by feeding a one-sided nationalist narrative and supporting the irredentist project.

Farid Shafiyev is the Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations. He holds a PhD from Carleton University and an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School of Government.


Iran, Armenia discuss boosting tourism ties

Kalashian Nyrie
 TEHRAN TIMES 
Iran – Feb 12 24
  1. Tourism
– 19:16

TEHRAN – In a meeting with the President of Armenian Tourism Federation on Saturday, Cultural Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Embassy Mohammad Asadi-Movahed discussed promotion of tourism and handicrafts between Iran and Armenia.

The meeting underscored the importance of cultural collaborations between Iran and Armenia, emphasizing the pressing need to enhance cultural interactions between the two nations.

Petrosyan, President of Armenian Tourism Federation, warmly welcomed the statements of the Iranian Cultural Attaché, expressing the shared sentiment of extensive cultural collaborations between Iranian and Armenian societies. He stressed, "It is our right to stand together, and I strongly advocate for substantial cooperation in the field of tourism with Iran." 

Continuing to stress the importance of increased global cooperation, Petrosyan acknowledged past achievements and highlighted, "In the realm of tourism and the expansion of interactions in this field between Iran and Armenia, we've established the Armenian-Iranian Cultural-Culinary Festival (Navasard). This initiative aims to showcase the rich cultural collaborations between Iran and Armenia to the global audience." 

Petrosyan, recognizing the value of the Hamedan Cultural Week in Yerevan, praised Hamedan's cultural programs, with special commendation for the captivating execution of traditional music. 

Also present in this meeting, Mohammad-Reza Khalaji, the Deputy of Handicrafts at the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts in Hamedan province, shed light on the exceptional collaborations between Hamedan and Armenia, surpassing those of other Iranian provinces. Khalaji enumerated the cultural similarities and peaceful coexistence between the people of Hamedan and Armenians, further accentuating the climatic resemblances shared by Hamedan and Armenia.

Furthermore, Khalaji highlighted the diverse capacities and capabilities of tourism in Hamedan. He emphasized not only the prominence of handicrafts like Lalejin pottery industry and the globally renowned woodcarving art in Malayer city but also the significance of tourism and cultural heritage. Khalaji outlined the abundance of natural features in Hamedan, including picturesque springs, serene lakes, the natural allure of Alvand Peak, and the remarkable Ali-Sadr Cave – the world's largest water cave – as unique attractions that set the region apart in the country. These natural wonders, he argued, contribute to the province's allure for both local and international visitors.

Sports: Armenian Wrestling Star Malkhas Amoyan Secures Spot in European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship Finals

Badalian Vardan
Feb 12 2024

: Armenian wrestling prodigy, Malkhas Amoyan, clinches a spot in the finals of the European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship. The 77 kg category titan overpowered Moldova's Alexandrin Gutu with a 2-1 victory in the semi-finals, securing his chance at the gold in Bucharest, Romania.

Malkhas Amoyan, a two-time European champion and world champion, has once again etched his name in the annals of Armenian wrestling. His latest achievement at the ongoing European Championships has captivated audiences worldwide. Amoyan's impressive victories against Italian Riccardo Vito Abbrescia and Russian Adlet Tyulubaev in the earlier rounds showcased his unwavering determination and expertise.

In the high-stakes semi-finals against Alexandrin Gutu, Amoyan exhibited remarkable strength and tactical prowess. The intense bout saw both wrestlers vying for dominance. However, Amoyan's experience and skill ultimately prevailed, securing his coveted place in the finals.

Meanwhile, Manvel Khachatryan, another formidable contender from the Armenian wrestling team, competed in the 55 kg category. Despite a valiant effort, Khachatryan succumbed to Moldovan wrestler Artem Dileanu in the semi-finals. The bout ended with a score of 2-2, with the deciding point scored by Dileanu. However, Khachatryan will have the opportunity to redeem himself and vie for the bronze medal on February 13.

As the European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship unfolds, all eyes are on Malkhas Amoyan as he prepares to face Turkey's Emre Basar in the finals. Will Amoyan clinch his third championship in the 77 kg weight category? The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this international wrestling spectacle.

In the realm of Greco-Roman wrestling, where strength and strategy intertwine, Malkhas Amoyan's journey serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Armenian athletes. As the curtains close on the European Championships, the world watches with bated breath, eager to witness the next chapter in this grand saga of human endurance and will.

https://bnnbreaking.com/sports/armenian-wrestling-star-malkhas-amoyan-secures-spot-in-european-greco-roman-wrestling-championship-finals


Turkish Press: Yerevan agrees with Baku on ‘principles’ of peace deal: PM Pashinyan

Dabaghian Diana
Daily Sabah, Turkey
Feb 12 2024

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he was hopeful for a peace deal with neighbor Azerbaijan last year, but the deal has yet to emerge. He, however, pointed out that the two sides had agreed on the "architecture and principles" of a peace treaty.

"The architecture and principles of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been agreed upon … but from the beginning, Azerbaijan three times refused to participate in negotiations in different formats, after which presidential elections in Azerbaijan were scheduled," Pashinyan said in an interview with The Telegraph aired on Sunday, the transcript of which was shared by Pashinyan's office. The Armenian leader said that he assumed that they would be able to finalize an agreement after the presidential election in Azerbaijan "if there is political will."

He further said Yerevan "has the political will" to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan based on previous agreements between the two countries. He said he has neither denied nor rejected cooperation with Russia in general and particularly in the security sector.

"What does this mean? Does this mean that we are going to break our security relationship with Russia? No, it doesn't mean that, but it means that in the field of security, we are preparing and are ready, and we are discussing and working to establish relations, for example, with the European Union," Pashinyan went on to say. He added that Armenia's security relations with the U.S., France, India or the EU are not directed against Russia, but rather "a consequence of the reality that the security relationships we used to have in the past do not address our security needs." He also denied discussions on NATO membership, saying that Armenia is "at least a de jure member of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)."

Armenia's ties with the EU are deepening and it is ready to be "as close to the European Union as the European Union deems it possible," he added.

Pashinyan went on to neither confirm nor deny that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be arrested should he visit Armenia, commenting on a question on whether Yerevan will do so after having formally joined the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as of Feb. 1. "There are various opinions and legal analyzes on that topic, and in particular, the lawyers who say that the current heads of state have immunity, insurmountable immunity, due to their status are not just a few. I mean, it's a legal issue, not a political issue that I have to discuss and respond to," he said.

In the meantime, Azerbaijan on Monday summoned the EU's ambassador to Baku over the activities of the bloc's mission in Armenia. "During the meeting, the serious concern was reiterated with regard to the activities of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) that contradict the initial agreements with respect to this mission and activities," said a statement by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The meeting noted the EU mission is being exploited as an "anti-Azerbaijani propaganda tool," contrary to its purpose of "contributing to stability in the region and confidence between Azerbaijan and Armenia," according to the statement. It further said Ambassador Peter Michalko was told that the EU mission facilitated the visits of different European officials and unofficial delegations to the border areas between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and that it became an agent of "binocular diplomacy."

"All such visits, without exception, are used for disseminating anti-Azerbaijani hate and replicating unfounded Azerbaijan-phobia," the statement noted, adding that this "binocular diplomacy" came at an unprecedented calm situation along the border.

"Moreover, the recent case of prevention of an attempt of illegal crossing through the areas of responsibility of the EUMA casts a serious shadow over the declared tasks of the mission. Such concerning actions by no means conform with the declared goals of EUMA of contributing to trust and confidence as a neutral actor," it said.

It concluded that the EU side was urged to take all necessary measures to ensure the mission acts "strictly as a neutral, civilian and unarmed mission in line with its declared mandate, and refrain from any activity that would target Azerbaijan's sovereignty, territorial integrity or in any other manner affect its legitimate security interests."

The Council of the EU established the EUMA in January 2023 to secure the border areas of Armenia and "ensure an environment conducive to normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU."

Also on Monday, Azerbaijan’s National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) said Armenia presented eight new maps of minefields in the Karabakh region, which was liberated following a 44-day conflict between the two sides in the fall of 2020. ANAMA told Azerbaijan’s state news agency Azertac that the maps it was provided mainly consist of notes on mined areas surrounding the Murovdag mountain range in the country’s Kalbajar district. The report further said the information in the newly submitted maps is "inaccurate, unreliable and incomplete.”

"After analyzing and processing the forms, it was determined that the recorded data does not overlap with the real minefields, and the coordinates of the reference points are incorrect and useless,” it also said. It added that the maps covered some of the areas along the former contact line and that information has not yet been provided about the part of the former contact line passing through Azerbaijan’s Khojavend, Tartar and Goranboy districts, as well as areas mined by Armenian military units while retreating during the 2020 war.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions. Azerbaijan liberated most of the region during the war in the fall of 2020, which ended with a Russian-brokered peace agreement, opening the door to normalization. The Azerbaijani army initiated a counterterrorism operation in Karabakh last September to establish constitutional order after which illegal separatist forces in the region surrendered.

More than 340 Azerbaijani citizens have either been killed or injured in varying degrees due to land mines since the Second Karabakh War.

Turkish Press: Azerbaijan criticizes EU activities in Armenia

Dabaghian Diana
Feb 12 2024
Politics  |

Editor : Sanem Topal
2024-02-12 16:50:51 | Last Update : 2024-02-12 17:16:34

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the European Union's Ambassador to Baku, Peter Michalko, according to a statement released by the ministry.

The statement shared that Michalko was informed of serious concerns regarding the activities of EUMA in Azerbaijan, contrary to the agreements initially reached.

The statement said that Michalko was briefed on significant concerns regarding the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) activities in Azerbaijan, which were deemed to be diverging from the agreements initially reached.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that Michalko was briefed on the widespread misuse of EUMA as a "propaganda tool against Azerbaijan," which contradicts the objectives stated for contributing to regional stability and building trust between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The statement reminded that various EU officials and unofficial delegations have been observed using binoculars to observe the Azerbaijan border under the EUMA framework. It was conveyed to the EU that these visits have transformed into a form of "binocular diplomacy," used to spread hatred against Azerbaijan and promote baseless anti-Azerbaijan sentiments. 

Michalko was informed in the statement that such alarming activities do not align with the objectives of EUMA as a neutral actor contributing to trust and confidence-building.

The statement also reminded the EU to take all necessary measures to avoid any activities that may impact Azerbaijan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, or legitimate security interests.

Armenian Teen Injured in Explosion Gets Medical Care with Help from Local Man

Nahapetian Zhanna
Feb 12 2024

An Armenian teen, Nelson, who was injured during recent attacks in Artsakh received care in a Boston hospital with the help of Watertown’s Stepan Chiloyan and the Armenian American Medical Association. Chiloyan has started a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to help Nelson.

The following piece was provided by Chiloyan:

In a heartrending call to action, a GoFundMe campaign was launched on Feb. 11, 2024, to support Nelson, a 17-year-old survivor of a catastrophic explosion in Berkadzor, near Stepanakert, amidst the recent aggression and ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Artsakh. This tragedy, part of one of the most significant humanitarian crises in modern Armenian history, forcibly displaced over 100,000 people, including Nelson and his family.

The explosion on Sept. 25, 2023, claimed the lives of at least 220 people and resulted in over 300 injuries, leaving Nelson as the sole surviving male of his immediate family. Nelson sustained life-threatening injuries and spent two months in a hospital in Yerevan with severe wounds on his hands and face. Through the efforts of volunteer Stepan Chiloyan of Watertown and the Armenian American Medical Association (AAMA), Nelson was able to receive care at Shriners Hospital in Boston, where he continues his recovery.

“Nelson’s story is a stark reminder of the personal toll behind the headlines,” said Chiloyan, who also initiated the GoFundMe campaign. “After the loss of almost his entire family and his own severe injuries, we are calling on the global community to help Nelson and his family rebuild their lives.”

On Jan. 5, 2024, Nelson and his mother arrived at Shriners Hospital in Boston, where he underwent major surgery to reconstruct his hands and face. The campaign seeks to provide financial support for Nelson, his mother, his two sisters, and his aunts as they strive to heal and move forward after being forcibly displaced from their homeland.

“Your contribution embodies the spirit of giving and compassion, offering not just financial support but also a message of hope and solidarity to Nelson and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” Chiloyan added. “Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant difference.

The dedication and expertise of the care managers, nurses, and doctors at Shriners Hospital have been instrumental in Nelson’s recovery process. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Gennadiy Fuzaylov; Dr. Salpy Akaragian, President and Founder of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIM Fund); and Dr. Hovig Chilitian, President of the Armenian American Medical Association (AAMA), for their vital roles in bringing Nelson to Shriners Hospital. This effort showcases the power of collaborative care and the commitment to providing the best possible support for those in need.

The campaign underscores the importance of humanity coming together to uplift those suffering in times of need. To support Nelson and his family, please visit the GoFundMe page and donate today: https://gofund.me/e9439aab.

https://www.watertownmanews.com/2024/02/12/armenian-teen-gets-medical-help-after-being-injured-in-explosion-with-help-from-local-man/

Yerevan, Armenia elected to host 10th Francophonie Games in 2027 as the OIF hopes to leave delays behind

Hambik Zargarian
Feb 12 2024
  • AuthorPOSTED BYRobert Livingstone

Yerevan in Armenia has been named host of the 2027 Francophonie Games, both the Armenian government and the Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) announced last week.

The capital was unanimously elected host of the 10th edition of the event by the 126th extraordinary Session of the Permanent Council of La Francophonie after a campaign was launched last November. The virtual meeting included 88 member states and governments that are French-speaking or former French colonies.

The French-speaking population of Armenia is less than one percent but the nation was admitted to La Francophonie in 2012, activating its eligibility to host the sport and cultural event aimed to promote values among youth in the French language. More than 50 member countries and regions represented by over 4000 athletes are expected to participate in at least nine sports and several cultural activities such as poetry, photography and song.

The OIF and the International Committee of the Francophonie Games (CIJF) have struggled to find hosts for the event that is intended to be held every four years, and a recent string of delays left a six -year gap between the 2017 edition held in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast and the 2023 edition that was staged in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, last August.

The 2021 edition was set to be hosted by New Brunswick’s Dieppe and Moncton (Canada has three member regions; bilingual province New Brunswick, Quebec and the rest of Canada) but skyrocketing costs blamed on flawed budget estimates had provincial government officials walking away from the project in January 2019. In July that year Kinshasa was chosen as the replacement.

The Games were later delayed until 2022 due the the COVID-19 pandemic and a scheduling conflict with the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics held in 2021. Then additional difficulties including construction delays pushed the Games forward a further year until 2023.

Similar problems have plagued other regional multi-sport events. The Commonwealth Games is still desperately searching for a 2026 host after Victoria in Australia backed out due to cost concerns. The Pan American Games is currently considering Asuncion in Paraguay and Lima in Peru as replacement for Barranquilla after the Colombian city had its 2027 hosting rights stripped in January due to missed financial commitments. A new election is scheduled for next month but the winning host will have some catching up to do.

The first Francophonie Games was held in 1989 by Casablanca and Rabat, Morocco followed in 1994 by Paris, France. The Games were intended to be rotated between the North and the South, but recent difficulties have seen that strategy fail.

La Francophonie has already opened up the application process for the 11th edition of the Games scheduled for 2031.

https://gamesbids.com/eng/other-games-bids/yerevan-armenia-elected-to-host-10th-francophonie-games-in-2027-as-the-oif-hopes-to-leave-delays-behind/

Armenian court rejects conscientious objector’s appeal

Andranik Taslakhchian
Feb 12 2024
Ken Camp / Managing Editor

An Armenian court rejected the appeal of a Baptist conscientious objector who faces two years in jail for refusing to serve in the military.

On Feb. 9, a three-judge panel of Yerevan’s Criminal Court of Appeal rejected the appeal sought by 20-year-old Davit Nazaretyan, who received a two-year jail sentence last October.

“I am a Christian, and I read the Bible. … We have to love one another, even our enemies, and not kill people,” Nazaretyan told Forum 18, a Norway-based human rights organization.

Nazaretyan, a member of an unregistered Council of Churches Baptist congregation in Arinj, near Yerevan, is considering another appeal and will not be required to go to jail until further appeal is heard.

The court pointed to an opinion by the theology faculty of Yerevan State University, who stated, “The creed of the Baptist Church and the analysis of the presented case materials allows us to state that Nazaretyan’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion would not be restricted by military service.”

Mikhail Shubin, Nazaretyan’s pastor, rejected the testimony offered by the Yerevan State University faculty regarding Baptist beliefs, saying his church believes convictions regarding military service are “a personal decision for each church member based on their conscience.”

“Davit asked for alternative civilian service,” Shubin told Forum 18. “If the law allows this, why didn’t they give it to him? If an individual’s conscientious views do not allow him to carry weapons or swear the oath, why didn’t they give him alternative service?”

Nazaretyan began the process of seeking alternative civilian service on religious grounds in June 2022, but officials with the Conscription Service and the Alternative Service Commission repeatedly rejected his requests.

All men in Armenia ages 18 to 27 are subject to conscription and 24 months of military service, with deferments available in strictly limited circumstances. Individuals subject to conscription can apply for 30 months of service without weapons within the armed forces or for 36 months of alternative civilian service.