The ARS at work following the earthquake in Syria

In a world marked by constant change, the Armenian Relief Society of Eastern USA (ARS EUSA) has remained steadfast in its commitment to serving our community and humanity with resilience and compassion. The Year in Review recap serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges we faced, the milestones we achieved and the transformative power of our united efforts. Throughout 2023, our organization worked tirelessly to address the evolving needs of our community, both locally and abroad. From humanitarian assistance to educational initiatives, healthcare programs to cultural preservation, every project reflects our dedication to fostering positive change. The collaborative efforts of our volunteers, donors and partners have played a crucial role in achieving a meaningful impact, and this recap details the projects and initiatives of 2023.

We began the year by providing crucial humanitarian aid in response to the earthquake that struck Syria. As rescue teams were searching through the rubble of the many buildings that were destroyed, the ARS EUSA was one of the first to begin an urgent fundraising campaign to assist the humanitarian relief work of the Armenian Relief Cross of Syria (ARCS). The funds raised were instrumental in addressing the pressing needs of the affected community.

ARS volunteers in Lebanon preparing meals

ARCS utilized these resources to ensure the sustained operation of the Tarmanadoon (Health) clinic, extending its hours late into the evening to meet urgent health needs. Funds were channeled to mobilize the “Petag” kitchen, which diligently prepared meals for both search and rescue teams and community members. The assistance extended further to provide winter essentials, hygiene supplies, nutrition and medication. We also supported the installation of solar panels on the Tarmanadoon clinic to ensure its continued functionality.

In the neighboring country of Lebanon, grappling with persistent economic instability, the ARS EUSA continued its commitment by contributing to the Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon (ARCL). These ongoing donations supported vital community programs aimed at assisting those in need in the country.

ARS members visit the Hekyat Kindergarten

In the homeland, we extended support to ARS programs and projects, including the ARS Akhourian Mother and Child Health and Birthing Center, the ARS Outstanding Student Program for those excelling in high school and the ARS Sponsor a Child and Student Programs. We offered financial assistance to the Hekyat Kindergarten in Armenia, facilitating the installation of a heating system to ensure a warm environment during the severe winter months, and assisted in the overall facility upgrades of the school. We also extended assistance to the Javakhk community, addressing the persistent needs in the region.

Throughout the year, despite our unwavering commitment to fundraising for Artsakh, the community still grappled with the blockade and violent assault by Azerbaijan, exacerbating challenges for our compatriots. The repercussions were significant, resulting in a mass exodus that displaced 100,000 individuals, causing them to lose homes and livelihoods. Confronting this crisis, our organization remained steadfast, acknowledging the pressing need to extend support to those affected. We promptly provided assistance to alleviate the burdens faced by the displaced families. Our ongoing efforts focus on assisting and standing by our compatriots and ensuring the provision of essential aid.

Here in the United States, in an effort to nurture the potential of our youth, we organized the Norian Youth Connect program at Columbia University under the leadership of Dr. Khatchig Mouradian. The daylong program for university students featured short talks, roundtables and discussions on a variety of topics ranging from art and culture to international affairs and Artificial Intelligence. This program continues to be a testament to our dedication to empowering the next generation and fostering leadership skills that will contribute to a brighter future of our community and homeland.

At the core of our mission is education, and this year, we persisted in fostering the academic endeavors of gifted individuals. Forty-two students were recipients of our undergraduate and graduate student scholarships. Our objective is to open doors of opportunity and empower scholars to make impactful contributions to their communities. The ARS EUSA actively backed the initiatives of the Armenian National Education Committee, facilitated an essay contest among day and one-day schools and organized Let’s Chat Armenian Classes, creating a space where community members could enhance their proficiency in the Armenian language.

Oath ceremony for members of the new ARS Sevan chapter in Tampa, Florida

Throughout the year, significant milestones were achieved with the establishment of two new chapters under the leadership of the ARS EUSA: The ARS “Tsiran” Chapter in Manhattan, New York, and the ARS “Sevan” Chapter in Tampa, Florida, marking the 34th and 35th chapters, respectively. These additions exemplify the organization’s ongoing dedication to expanding its reach and impact. The establishment of these chapters further underscores the ARS’s commitment to advancing humanitarian initiatives and nurturing a sense of unity and solidarity among Armenians in these regions and beyond. This commitment was reinforced during the 102nd Convention of the ARS EUSA held in Richmond, Virginia, affirming a promise to continue fostering positive change and community engagement.

102nd ARS EUSA Convention in Richmond, VA

During the holiday season, we launched our Spread Christmas Cheer Campaign once again to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, could experience the joy and wonder of the holiday season, and provided gifts for those in Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk, Lebanon, Syria, Bulgaria and South America.

ARS spreading Christmas cheer

The ARS EUSA Regional Executive Board extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who have generously dedicated their time, unwavering support and steadfast commitment to advancing the vital programs of the ARS. In total, a remarkable $432,000 was allocated to these projects, a testament to the collective impact we can achieve as a community. Your generosity made a tangible difference in the lives of those affected, embodying the spirit of compassion that defines our organization. As we celebrate another year of humanitarian assistance, the weight of our philanthropic endeavors is juxtaposed against the sobering reality of 100,000 people displaced from their indigenous lands. Our commitment to supporting the displaced population remains unwavering, and our dedication to pursuing justice for our people has only strengthened. As we usher in a new year, may the spirit of giving thrive, and may compassion, unity and transformative change continue to shape our collective journey.

Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh experienced a deeply emotional Christmas Eve in Armenia on January 5, 2024 within the hallowed walls of St. Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin. Conducted by the Artsakh Diocese, this service marked an unprecedented moment for the Armenian community. For the very first time, the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh gathered to celebrate this sacred night on Armenian soil, away from their native lands.

The Chragaluyts, or Candlelight Divine Liturgy, holds a significant place in the heart of Armenian Christian practices. It’s a vivid embodiment of sacred light, mirroring the celestial glow of the Bethlehem Star, an important symbol in the Christian narrative. According to Christian texts, this star played a crucial role in guiding the Magi to the newborn Christ. The Chragaluyts service at St. Gayane Church is a pivotal cultural element, transcending the bounds of a mere religious rite. It weaves together faith and ancestral heritage, particularly resonating with Armenians displaced from Artsakh.

In this spiritually charged atmosphere, the act of taking lit candles and lamps back to their homes is a cherished tradition among the faithful. These candles are not only sources of physical light; they are laden with symbolism and considered carriers of blessings. The practice represents the transfer of the holy light from the church to the home, symbolizing the presence and protection of the divine in their personal lives.

The 2024 Christmas Eve celebration in Armenia for the people of Artsakh was not just a religious event; it was a poignant reminder of resilience, cultural identity and the enduring spirit of a community facing the challenges of displacement. It highlighted the deep-rooted traditions and the strong faith that continue to guide and comfort the Armenian people, especially those from Artsakh, in times of upheaval and change.

Armenians displaced from Artsakh wait outside the seventh century Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Christmas Eve, January 5, 2024 Armenians displaced from Artsakh wait outside the seventh century Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Christmas Eve, January 5, 2024 The Armenian Apostolic Church holds a Candlelight Divine Liturgy outside of Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Christmas Eve His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church since 1999, outside of Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Christmas Eve His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church since 1999, outside of Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Christmas Eve Armenians displaced from Artsakh wait outside the seventh century Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Christmas Eve, January 5, 2024 Armenians displaced from Artsakh wait outside of Saint Gayane Church with candles in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Christmas Eve, January 5, 2024 Armenians displaced from Artsakh wait outside the seventh century Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Christmas Eve, January 5, 2024 Armenians from Armenia and Artsakh light candles inside Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia during Christmas Eve mass on January 5, 2024 Armenians pray inside Saint Gayane Church located in Etchmiadzin, Armenia during Christmas Eve mass Armenians from Armenia and Artsakh light candles inside Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia during Christmas Eve mass on January 5, 2024 Armenians from Armenia and Artsakh light candles inside Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia during Christmas Eve mass on January 5, 2024 Armenians attending Christmas Eve mass inside Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on January 5, 2024 Armenians attending Christmas Eve mass inside Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia on January 5, 2024 Armenians from Armenia and Artsakh light candles inside Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia during Christmas Eve mass on January 5, 2024 Armenians from Armenia and Artsakh light candles inside Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin, Armenia during Christmas Eve mass on January 5, 2024

From December 8-9, 2023, the Yerevan-based “China-Eurasian Council for Political and Strategic Research” (CECPSR) foundation headed by Dr. Mher Sahakyan organized its fifth “Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasian Conference” with the participation of more than 50 scholars and experts from 18 countries. The presence of ambassadors, diplomats and high officials was greatly noticeable. Opening remarks were made by Dr. Narek Mkrtchyan, Armenia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, and China’s Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Yong Fan, in which both sides stressed cooperation between the countries and showed willingness to further deepen cultural, educational and economic ties. 

Participants at the “Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasian Conference”

The conference was divided into a plenary session of seven panels, each addressing a different topic. The panels addressed China’s role in Eurasia and the current world order, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the digital Silk Road and cybersecurity, the ongoing developments in post-Soviet Eurasia, China’s strategy toward the maritime routes, the role of great powers, energy security, regional interconnectivity, China’s role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (CSO) and relations with NATO. I was invited to speak in the sixth panel and gave a presentation on Russia’s role in the International North-South Transport Corridor, regional trade interconnectivity and the future of the Middle East. The speakers raised thought-provoking ideas about China’s role in the region, challenges and developments that are reshaping the current world order.   

Interesting ideas were raised during this important conference, and I would like to summarize them as follows:

• The world is living in a multiplex (multiple complex) world system. The rise of new regional powers may create new problems and conflicts, creating the need for new  problem-solving mechanisms to be introduced. 
• Relations between Russia and China are deepening after the start of the war in Ukraine. Moreover, both sides are cooperating to contain U.S. influence in the region. However, unlike Russia, China seeks to view Europe separately from the U.S. and aims to deepen economic interdependence.
• BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is becoming an important geo-economic and geopolitical bloc, reflected in its expansion. However, the bloc will not be able to replace the U.S. dollar with a new currency in the short run. Instead, it is pushing for de-dollarization by using local currencies for trade. The panelists also argued that there is a managed competition between India and China in the region. 
• The Persian Gulf is becoming the epicenter of regional and international competition. China and Russia’s roles are growing in the region and, in light of the war in Ukraine, Russia’s trade with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has increased.
• China values stability in Central Asia and the South Caucasus and hopes that the “Middle Corridor” will bring peace to the region. 
• Iran’s importance will increase in the South Caucasus when it signs a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. Its accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS will further facilitate the Eurasian integration project. We are seeing growing coordination between China, Russia and Iran on regional matters aiming to contain U.S. interests in the region. 
• The Chinese-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023 is being tested and depends on conflict resolution in Yemen. If the conflicting actors cannot find a resolution for the Houthis, the agreement may fail, putting Beijing in a difficult situation.

Yeghia Tashjian presenting at the conference

Most Armenians view China and its foreign policy from the prism of ideology. Some assume that China’s foreign policy toward Turkey and Azerbaijan should be shaped in response to pan-Turkic aspirations towards China’s strategic Xinjiang province. However, this is a mistake. After the 2020 Artsakh War and the new balance of power in the region favoring Turkey and Azerbaijan, Beijing supported Azerbaijan’s narrative on territorial integrity. This support was based on two factors. First, it springs from the “one China policy” vis-à-vis its conflict with Taiwan. From China’s point of view, Azerbaijan’s “restoration” of sovereignty over Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh reflects its foreign policy principle. Second, the war in Ukraine has blocked the main route connecting China to Europe via Russia. The “northern route” as it is known directly connects Beijing to Eastern Europe only via Russia. However, currently, this transport route is blocked due to the Western sanctions imposed on Russia. Thus, the Turkish and Azerbaijani-backed “Middle Corridor” connecting Central Asia to the South Caucasus to Turkey and Europe is left as the only operational route bridging China to Europe. From this perspective, we understand Azerbaijan’s growing geo-economic significance to China. While the “Middle Corridor” is complicated, as it transits through many countries with conflicting interests, China is obliged to trade with Europe via this corridor. 

Armenia should increase its diplomatic engagement with China and explore ways to attract additional Chinese investments to develop its transport routes and infrastructure. Moreover, intercultural and academic conferences are important to put Armenia back on the political map of Eurasia. Such conferences facilitate the exchange of ideas, promote discussions and debate, and enhance networking between Armenian, regional and international experts.

WASHINGTON—U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee member Joaquin Castro (D-TX) hosted a congressional briefing last week calling attention to escalating attacks by developers seeking to seize land from Jerusalem’s sacred Armenian Quarter to build luxury hotels, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We want to thank Representative Castro for shining a much-needed congressional spotlight on the escalation of violent attacks against Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter – a central pillar of Christendom, a true treasure for all faith traditions,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “It was encouraging to see such a broad array of legislators represented in this comprehensive Capitol Hill briefing on the legal, political and spiritual aspects of this crisis.”

The January 5 briefing featured testimony from Daniel Seidemann, a globally-respected Israeli lawyer and expert on Jerusalem; Hagop Djernazian, a leader of the Save The ArQ Movement defending the rights of the Jerusalem Armenian Quarter; and Karnig Kerkonian, a prominent U.S.-based attorney representing the community in the ongoing legal dispute over the land.

Over the past several months, Israeli developers have sought to seize land from the Armenian Quarter for private commercial real estate projects. On December 28, in the wake of civil society pushback from the indigenous Armenian community, an angry mob of masked men, apparently mobilized and directed by the developers, brutally attacked a dozen Armenians, including clergy.

The ANCA has called on U.S. Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain to clearly and unequivocally condemn the ongoing efforts to intimidate Jerusalem’s historic Armenian Christian population in an X (formerly Twitter) campaign.

The Armenian Quarter is an integral part of the Old City of Jerusalem – with the Armenian presence in the city dating back to the 4th century AD, when, after Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a national religion, Armenian monks settled in Jerusalem.

YEREVAN—Just when the discourse surrounding the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” seemed to have subsided or retreated from the forefront of discussions, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, unveiled plans to finalize the “Zangezur Corridor” project by 2029, during a January 7 announcement.

Highlighting progress on the “Zangezur Corridor” undertaken by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Uraloglu revealed that the Azerbaijani segment of the “Zangezur Corridor,” stretching from Baku to Horadiz, is nearing completion. The Turkish section of the route spans a length of 224 kilometers. Uraloglu estimated that the entire process required for constructing the route would last five years, expressing confidence that all necessary work will be concluded by 2028. 

Uraloglu highlighted ongoing construction between Horadiz and Ordubad in Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan exclave, excluding the section traversing Armenian territory.

Since signing the November 9, 2020 trilateral ceasefire agreement, which calls for the construction of transport links between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhichevan through southern Armenia, Azerbaijan has insisted on the creation of the “Zangezur Corridor.” The agreement states that control over transport communication will be carried out by Russian border guards. Armenian officials have repeatedly rejected Azerbaijan’s demand that the route be free from customs and passport controls and asserted that the route must respect territorial integrity and sovereignty. 

Azerbaijan’s construction of the “Zangezur Corridor” (screen grab)

Uraloglu addressed the opposition to the “Zangezur Corridor” from the Armenian side, claiming that the project holds potential benefits for Armenia. He also highlighted recent positive signals from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding the initiative.

“The Armenian side initially responded negatively to this proposal, despite its potential advantages for Armenia, but we’ve observed recent positive messages from Prime Minister Pashinyan,” stated the Turkish official, emphasizing Turkey’s commitment to the establishment of the corridor.

In an interview with Armenian media, Turkic scholar Gevorg Galtakyan highlighted that in the conversation with Uraloglu, the interviewer asked about the potential for mutual agreement by both parties to opening the “Zangezur Corridor.” Galtakyan emphasized that if Armenia does not consent to this ultimatum, the Turkish side may resort to the use of force to achieve its objectives.

In response to the announcement by the Turkish minister, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanani insisted that trade and transit cooperation should not serve as a catalyst for geopolitical shifts in the South Caucasus.

“We consistently stress the significance of expanding regional cooperation to foster peace, stability and economic partnerships, including communication and transit. It’s imperative to underscore that the development of transit cooperation in the South Caucasus should not prompt geopolitical alterations or undermine the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations,” Kanani highlighted, as reported by Mehr news agency.

Iran has repeatedly expressed its commitment to upholding the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty regarding Armenia. Iran boasts longstanding historical ties with its neighboring nation Armenia, a relationship that continues to deepen over time.

The “Zangezur Corridor” project has sparked controversy, with differing reactions from involved parties.

In an interview with Sputnik Armenia, political analyst Suren Surenyants underscored Azerbaijan’s strategic advancements and their significant implications for Armenia. Surenyants indicated that Azerbaijan has effectively removed international guarantors from the equation and secured an international consensus regarding the contentious “Zangezur Corridor.” He cautioned that the signing of a peace treaty depends on resolving contentious issues for Baku, stressing President Ilham Aliyev’s persistent disregard for the red lines outlined by Armenia’s government.

Surenyants observed that Baku has strategically dismantled the role of international guarantors in Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations and introduced a framework of bilateral talks without mediators. He highlighted the recent prisoner exchange, which was seen to be a result of direct talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as pivotal in securing support for the bilateral negotiation platform.

Expressing skepticism, Surenyants remarked that any meaningful peace agreement must incorporate border demarcation principles and territorial maps, elements presently opposed by Azerbaijan. He cautioned that the absence of demarcation principles in a peace agreement could effectively endorse the assimilation of Artsakh into Azerbaijan and legitimize the occupation of 200 square kilometers of sovereign Armenian territory by Azeri troops.

Surenyants suggested that the Armenian government’s approach to “sacrifice” Artsakh in order to persuade Azerbaijan to drop its claim to  the “Zangezur Corridor” has failed. He said that Armenia’s southernmost province Syunik became entangled in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict after Armenia’s defeat in the 44-day war, underlining Azerbaijan’s persistent aspirations toward Syunik.

Surenyants highlighted the escalating challenges facing the Armenian government, warning that 2024 may be a more strenuous year than the previous one.

Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu (Twitter)

Amidst these concerns, Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council Armen Grigoryan disclosed plans for a forthcoming meeting between Armenia and Azerbaijan’s border demarcation commissions, which Azerbaijan has stated is not a necessity for signing a peace agreement. “There is a scheduled meeting for the delimitation commissions towards the end of January. We are hopeful that the meeting will indeed take place,” Grigoryan said.

The forthcoming meeting follows the most recent session held between the border delimitation commissions of Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 30, 2023, along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. During this session, both parties agreed on the procedural framework for organizing and conducting commission sessions and joint working gatherings. They also agreed to initiate efforts towards coordinating a draft regulation on the activities of the border demarcation commissions.

On January 6, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reiterated its support for a treaty based on the mirrored withdrawal of troops from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. “Throughout the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Armenian side has consistently advocated for a mirrored withdrawal of troops from the interstate border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a stance that remains unchanged,” the Foreign Ministry stated.

Emphasizing its readiness to engage in discussions to implement a treaty, the MoFA said that troop withdrawal should align with the latest maps from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR.

On January 10, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan suggested that progress on a treaty is stalled, because Azerbaijan refuses to recognize Armenia’s territorial integrity. He previously announced that Baku and Yerevan will hold discussions regarding Armenia’s proposal for troop withdrawal from the border. However, Baku rejected this initiative, leading to unresolved discussions between the two nations.

“I want to emphasize that these two issues—territorial integrity and inviolability of borders and border delimitation—are the issues where the Republic of Armenia cannot see and cannot allow any ambiguity, because any ambiguity is a basis and fertile ground for further aggressions and further escalations,” Mirzoyan said on January 10.