Snell, McDermott and Alexander Honoured as Armenian National Committee of Australia Raises over $180,000 in Sydney and Melbourne

Emil Lazarian
Dec 9 2023
SYDNEY/Melbourne: The Armenian National Committee of Australia's (ANC-AU) Advocacy Week events in Sydney and Melbourne raised over $180,000, whilst international guest on honour Lindsey Snell, New South Wales Member for Prospect Hugh McDermott and Tasmanian Member for Bass, Lara Alexander received the organisation's illustrious annual awards.

ANC-AU’s glitzy event at the Sofitel in Sydney's Darling Harbour featured a stellar list of guests, led by honourees Snell, McDermott and Alexander. They were joined by Federal parliamentarians Jerome Laxale MP and Paul Fletcher MP; NSW State parliamentarians Mark Buttigieg MP, Mark Coure MP, Jordan Lane MP, Matt Cross MP, Jackie Munroe MLC, Susan Carter MLC, Chris Rath MLC and Scott Farlow MLC; former NSW parliamentarians Jonathan O’Dea and Amanda Fazio, and local government representatives including Willoughby City Mayor Tanya Taylor,  Ryde City Mayor Sarkis Yedelian, Willoughby Councillor Sarkis Mouradian and Northern Beaches Councillor Michael Gencher.

Among the guests were also ethnic and Armenian community leaders and clergy, as well as visiting Armenian Missionary Association Artsakh representative, Viktor Karapetyan.

The ANC-AU's Melbourne Cocktail Event was the organisation's first in Victoria in over ten years at the Rivers Edge Events function centre along the famous Yarra River.

Victoria’s Armenian community raised over $19,000 in the presence of six Victorian state parliamentarians, including Kat Theophanous MP, John Mullahy MP, Kim Wells MP, Michael Galea MPC, Ann-Marie Hermans MLC and Nick McGowan MLC. Both events were also attended by political party executive leaders and Armenian, Indigenous, Assyrian, Greek, Kurdish and Jewish organisations.

The organisation's highest honour, the ANC-AU Freedom Award, was presented to Dr Hugh McDermott at the Sydney ANC-AU Gala. The award is inscribed: "In recognition of your championing of the rights of Armenian citizens in the Republics of Artsakh and Armenia, visiting both nations, denouncing human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed by Azerbaijan and Turkey, both historic and current."

To watch Dr McDermott’s acceptance speech, click here or view below.

This year’s Armenian-Australian Community's Friend of the Year Award was presented to Lara Alexander MP, who travelled from Tasmania to New South Wales to participate in the ANC-AU’s night of nights in Sydney. The award is inscribed: "In appreciation of your commitment to truth and justice and extraordinary contributions in securing Tasmania’s state recognition of the 1915 Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides."

To watch Ms Alexander’s acceptance speech, click here or view below.

Travelling international journalist Lindsey Snell was honoured as the 2023 Ben Bagidikian Media recipient at both events in Sydney and Melbourne. The award is inscribed: "In recognition of your fearless reporting and dedication to truth and justice, shedding light on Azerbaijan’s human rights violations and aggression against citizens in the Republics of Artsakh and Armenia."

To watch Ms Snell’s acceptance speech, click here or view below.

Both events in Sydney and Melbourne featured stand-alone segments on the third Australian Delegation to the Republic of Armenia, which took place earlier this year in September 2023, as well as the ANC-AU Outreach initiatives, which include the Hagop Kortian Scholarship, Junior Advocates, Youth Advocates and Galstaun Government.

Throughout the night in Sydney, attendees were treated to entertainment from the Armenian Sydney Dance Ensemble, who also performed a traditional Armenian ‘shoorchbar’ with the parliamentarians in attendance and Winner of 2020/21 MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR and winner of the WORLDS BIGGEST MAGIC COMPETITION’s, Armenian-Australian illusionist Jack Daniels.

ANC-AU Executive Director Michael Kolokossian, who delivered the organisation’s Advocacy Address in the presence of over 350 attendees in both Sydney and Melbourne, thanked the broader Armenian-Australian community for their continued solidarity with the peak public affairs body of the Armenian-Australian community.

He said, “We are in charge of our response to this conflict. We are in charge of how we respond to the fate of the people of Artsakh. We are in charge of ensuring Australia stand on the right side of history.”

“With every mountain we climb, there is another one tomorrow. The Armenian National Committee of Australia is ready to charge. Thank you for your support.” Kolokossian added.

To watch Mr Kolokossian's speech, click here or view below.


Russian military base police detain fugitive Russian contract soldier in Armenia

Hovhannisian John
yahoo! news
Dec 10 2023
Ukrainska Pravda
Sun, at 12:37 PM GMT+2

Reports have emerged in Armenia indicating that police officers at the Russian military base in the city of Gyumri have detained a Russian army contract soldier who fled Russia after it had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: human rights activist Artur Sakunts, as reported by European Pravda, citing Radio Liberty

Details: Dmitry Setrakov, 20, had been detained on 6 or 7 December by police officers of the 102nd Russian military base, based in Gyumri. He was placed under 27-day arrest there.

Russian military investigators initiated a criminal case against Setrakov on charges of leaving his place of service for longer than one month during mobilisation or hostilities. He faces 5-10 years in prison.

Armenian human rights activists learned about the situation from their Russian colleagues, whom Setrakov's wife contacted. She got a call from the 102nd military base and was informed that her husband had been detained.

Sakunts said Setrakov was a contract soldier, but in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he refused to serve in the Russian Armed Forces and moved to Armenia, like thousands of his compatriots.

The Russian 519th Military Investigation Department, located in Armenia, leads the investigation of his criminal case. Representatives of the Russian military base in Gyumri told Artur Sakunts that should Setrakov be found guilty, he would serve his sentence in Russia.

Artur Sakunts emphasises that the Russian military police have no right to detain a Russian citizen on the territory of Armenia as only local law enforcement agencies can do so.

Pursuant to the procedure, Russia must first contact Armenian representatives to search for the wanted citizen.

The human rights activist believes the actions of the Russian military base in this matter are illegal.

Armenian human rights activists are asking the authorities of their country not only to prevent the extradition of Dmitry Setrakov to Russia but also to initiate a criminal case "on charges of illegal actions committed by Russian military police officers on the territory of Armenia".

The 102nd Russian military base operates in the Armenian city of Gyumri.

Background: Recently, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that he sees no advantage in the protracted presence of Russian military bases in the country, as Russia has not fulfilled its alliance commitments.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has publicly criticised recent remarks by

Russian military police arrest Russian citizen in Armenia on desertion charges

Khondkarian Raffi
Meduza
Dec 10 2023
5:15 pm,
Source: Meduza

Russian military police have arrested Russian citizen Dmitry Setrakov in Armenia and taken him to a Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia. According to the human rights organization Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly—Vanadzor, a criminal case has been opened against Setrakov in Russia for desertion.

Artur Sakunts, the organization’s director, said that Setrakov had been a contract soldier in Russia but moved to Armenia following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sakunts learned of Setrakov’s arrest from Russian human rights activists who were contacted by Setrakov’s wife.

At the Russian military base, Sakunts was told that “it was an order from Russian President Vladimir Putin to arrest all such defectors” and that if found guilty, Setrakov would serve out his sentence in Russia.

Sakunts emphasized that Russian military police do not have the authority to arrest even Russian citizens in Armenia; only Armenian law enforcement agencies have that right. He called the arrest “an attack on the legal system of Armenia, on Armenia as a sovereign state.”

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly—Vanadzor demanded that Armenian authorities “take all the necessary efforts to return Dmitriy Leonidovich Setrakov under [Armenia’s] legal protection.”

As noted by the news outlet Vot Tak, Russians accused of desertion or evasion of military service have been arrested in Armenia before. However, these arrests were carried out by local police and the detainees were released after a few hours.

Sports: World Junior Champion from Armenia aims for Olympic gold

Liana Toganian
Inside the Games
Dec 10 2023

  • By Rafael Khalatyan Yerevan

Tigran Ovsepyan (50 kg) from Armenia was one of the biggest hopes of the host country in IBA Junior World Championships in Yerevan during November 24 to December 4. The European champion from 2023 was the main contender for the world gold medal and he didn’t disappoint.

“The preparation is the hardest period, the tournament passes very fast, and the world championship wasn’t an exception. I had many positive emotions,” told Ovsepyan Insidethegames about his journey in the World Championship. “The hardest fight was in the final against the Bulgarian boxer, because I had a temperature and a sore throat. I gave up the first round, and had to find something to change in the bout, to come back to take the gold medal.

The other bouts of the tournament Ovsepyan won by big advantage, but he believes that the world champion’s title was harder to claim and that the home crowd helped him very much. 

“Of course it was harder to claim the gold medal in the World Championship than in the European Championship. I fought against Bulgarian and Hungarian boxers in the European championship too, but it was obvious that they did their best to improve. Well, we did the same and had a good result. 

I think it was easier to fight in Yerevan. The home crowd helped very much, and when we are united we are stronger,” said Ovsepyan.

The rising star of Armenian boxing has big ambitions for the future.

“We don’t have many big events next year, besides the European Championship. It will be my second junior year, I will do my best to retain the European title. If I manage it, I will change the weight category. In the future, of course, I will aim for Olympic gold”

Shanghai honors 50 expats with prestigious Magnolia Silver Award for 2023

Bedik Zaminian
Global Times, China
Dec 4 2023
By 

Huang Lanlan

 in Shanghai

Fifty foreign nationals in Shanghai were honored with this year's Magnolia Silver Award, an award specifically honoring expatriates in Shanghai for their contributions to the city. 

This year, the award winners are from 15 countries and are engaged in various fields including economy and trade, finance, science and technology, shipping, education, medical care, and culture, as introduced by Kong Fu'an, director-general of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, on Sunday. 

With their talent, passion, and dedication, they have contributed to the openness, vitality, prosperity, and progress of Shanghai, making the city a better place, Kong said in a speech he delivered at the award's presentation ceremony in downtown Shanghai on Sunday.

Each of the award winners has moving stories that contain expatriates' sense of belonging, integration, and love for the city of Shanghai, he added. 

In his speech, Kong cited four of the winners' connections with and contributions to Shanghai. They included Alexander Rhys Gregg-Smith, the Senior Vice President of Bureau Veritas (BV) Group and the Chief Executive of BV Marine & Offshore North Asia and China.

The Port of Shanghai, the world's busiest container port, has been at the forefront of the development of the whole of China and driving global trade, Gregg-Smith said in a speech he delivered at the ceremony on behalf of all the award recipients. "The rapid development of Shanghai provides us with a vast stage," he said. 

Speaking of himself, Gregg-Smith mentioned that he has lived and worked in many countries and cities around the world, but his love for Shanghai is deeply embedded in his heart. "It is not just a place for work; it is my spiritual home." 

For him, the award is more than a mere medal or title, "it is a symbol of the enthusiastic support and warm welcome consistently felt in this truly international megacity," Gregg-Smith added. 

Ahead of the ceremony on Sunday, Gregg-Smith shared with the Global Times his excitement about winning the award. "It's a great pride and honor to me. It's fantastic to be recognized," he said. 

Gregg-Smith mentioned that he and his colleagues now have many dealings with the Shanghai government, working on assisting the shipbuilding and international shipping in this city. 

Gregg-Smith was one of the many expats who witnessed the rapid development of Shanghai over the decades. "My first time in China was in 1998, and between 1998 and 2023, the GDP of Shanghai has increased some 10 times," he told the Global Times. "So at least for me, it is the number one city. I'm really happy to be here and [to witness] these years' exciting developments." 

Astrid Poghosyan, who works at the development department of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, is one of the youngest winners of the award this year. 

The award not only shows Shanghai's appreciation to those who make significant contributions to the city's development but also embodies its recognition and encouragement for the international young people who make efforts in pursuing their dreams in China, Poghosyan said to the Global Times on Sunday. 

Coming to Shanghai at the age of 16, Poghosyan, now 30, said that over the years she has well integrated herself into this city, from professional work to daily life, as well as community voluntary services. 

"I've been here for 14 years," she told the Global Times in fluent Putonghua. "I grew up here, and most of my friends are Chinese. I'm an expat from appearance, but I have a very 'Chinese heart.'" 

Shanghai began honoring expatriates in 1989 with the Magnolia Silver Award and added the gold award and honorary citizenship to the system in 1992 and 1997, respectively, according to the official website of the municipal government. These awards have honored more than 1,827 foreigners in the past 34 years.


United States commends Pashinyan and Aliyev for joint efforts towards peaceful future

Manouk Vasilian

 10:49, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The United States has commended Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for their joint efforts to lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and prosperous future in the region after the two countries announced a prisoner exchange agreement.

“The United States welcomes the announcement by Armenia and Azerbaijan of the release of two Azerbaijani and thirty-two Armenian detainees,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.  “This commitment represents an important confidence building measure as the sides work to finalize a peace agreement and normalize relations.  We commend Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan for their joint efforts to lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the South Caucasus. The United States will continue to strongly support efforts to reach a durable and dignified peace.”

“Historic chance to achieve peace,” EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan joint statement

Hunanian Jack

 11:17, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The EU welcomes the joint statement by Armenia and Azerbaijan announcing the mutual release of detainees and other confidence building measures, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrel has said.

In a post on X, Borrel described the Armenia-Azerbaijan joint statement as “an important political step.”

“EU welcomes the joint statement by Armenia & Azerbaijan announcing the mutual release of detainees & other confidence building measures – an important political step. We concur – there is a historic chance to achieve peace in the region & are committed to supporting these efforts,” Borrel said.

Kazakhstan’s President accepts invitation to visit Armenia

Chakhmakhchian Vatche

 11:34, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has spoken by phone with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

According to a readout issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the sides discussed issues related to the Armenia-Kazakhstan bilateral relations agenda. Mutual interest to develop the relations, as well as the need for utilizing the potential for cooperation in the economy and other areas were underscored.

Prime Minister Pashinyan invited President Tokayev to pay an official visit to Armenia. The President of Kazakhstan accepted the invitation.

Facts on COP28 to date – 6 December 2023

Emil Lazarian

 12:56, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. COP28 has mobilized over $83 billion in the first five days, setting the pace for a new era in climate action.

These include the first ever declarations on food systems transformation and health, plus
declarations on renewable energy and efficiency, as well as initiatives to decarbonize
heavy emitting industries.

11 pledges and declarations have been launched and received historic support.

On day one of COP28, the Presidency facilitated a historic agreement to operationalize
and capitalize funding for Loss and Damage, supporting those on the front lines of the
climate crisis with $726 million already pledged to date.

$3.5 billion in new money announced to replenish the Green Climate Fund (GCF)

$133.6 million announced toward the Adaptation Fund

$129.3 million announced toward the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDC)

$31 million to the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)

• UAE launched a $30 billion catalytic fund, ALTÉRRA, to drive positive climate action.
The fund seeks to mobilize an additional $250 billion globally.
• The UAE committed $200 million to help vulnerable countries through Special Drawing
Rights (SDRs) and $150 million to fund water security solutions.
• The World Bank announced an increase of $9 billion annually for 2024 and 2025 to
finance climate-related projects. Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) announced a
cumulative increase of over $22.6 billion toward climate action.
The full breakdown of pledges and declarations so far is as follows:
•  The Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge has been endorsed by
123 countries.
•  The COP28 UAE Declaration on Agriculture, Food, & Climate has received
endorsements from 140 countries.
• The COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health has been endorsed by 132
countries.
•  The COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Relief, Recovery & Peace has been
endorsed by 75 countries and 40 organizations.
•  The COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Finance has been endorsed by 13
countries.
• The Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) Pledge has
been endorsed by 65 countries.
•  The Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter has been endorsed by 52 companies,
representing 40 percent of global oil production.
COP28 CLIMATE ACTION TRACKER
Media Fact Sheet
• The Industrial Transition Accelerator has been endorsed by 35 companies and
six industry associations, including World Steel Association, International
Aluminium Institute, Global Renewable Alliance, Global Cement and Concrete
Association, Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, International Air Transport
Association.
Breakdown of financial pledges and contributions so far:
• Loss and Damage: $726 million
• Green Climate Fund: $3.5 billion (increasing second replenishment to $12.8
billion)
•  Adaptation Fund: $133.6 million
•  Least Developed Countries Fund: $129.3 million
• Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF): $31 million
•  Renewable Energy: $5 billion
•  Cooling: $25.5 million
•  Clean Cooking: $30 million
• Technology: $568 million
•  Methane: $1.2 billion
• Climate Finance: $30 billion from UAE, $200 million in Special Drawing Rights,
and $32 billion from Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)
•  Food: $3.1 billion
•  Nature: $2.6 billion
• Health: $2.7 billion
• Water: $150 million
• Gender: $2.8 million
•  Relief, Recovery and Peace: $1.2 billion
•  Local Climate Action: $467 million․

No mediators involved in latest Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement – says lawmaker

Emil Lazarian

 12:59, 8 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan which resulted in the joint statement were held bilaterally, without mediators, according to a senior Armenian lawmaker.

“The negotiations were bilateral, the statement doesn’t mention any other side,” said Sargis Khandanyan, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations, when asked whether the talks involved mediators.

Asked when the Armenian prisoners will return from Azerbaijan, the MP said it’s a matter of ‘hours or days.’

“According to the statement it must take place in the nearest time. It is a matter of hours or days. If I’m not mistaken, the prisoner return process must take place on the state border of Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he said.

Khandanyan declined to confirm or deny the list issued by Azerbaijan of names of the POWs who are to be released. He said that Armenia cannot release names until the prisoners cross the border.

“I’d avoid mentioning names, first of all because I am unaware of details, but also because this is a highly sensitive topic. I think the names shouldn’t be released until the prisoners cross the state border of Armenia, because, understandably, this can be very difficult for the families of the prisoners,” he said when asked on the authenticity of the list of names of the detainees issued by the Azeri authorities.

He added that the government of Armenia will continue to work to achieve the release of all POWs and other detainees held in Azerbaijan.

“This was a part of the process, and there is certain result regarding the process, and the government of Armenia will continue to carry out diplomatic and legal work, so that all prisoners and other detainees who are in Azerbaijan are released as a result of such a process,” Khandanyan said.

 

Following the talks between the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, an agreement has been reached on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between two countries.

Driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Azerbaijan releases 32 Armenian military servicemen.

In its turn, driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Armenia releases 2 Azerbaijani military servicemen.

As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Armenia supports the bid of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by withdrawing its own candidacy. The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan do hope that the other countries within the Eastern European Group will also support Azerbaijan’s bid to host. As a sign of good gesture, the Republic of Azerbaijan supports the Armenian candidature for Eastern European Group COP Bureau membership.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue their discussions regarding the implementation of more confidence building measures, effective in the near future and call on the international community to support their efforts that will contribute to building mutual trust between two countries and will positively impact the entire South Caucasus region.