A pivotal two-day conference endorsed by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I is slated for January 19 and 20, 2024, at the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias. The event, part of the ‘Analysis and Awareness Platform’ (AAP) initiative, plans to host experts from Armenia, Artsakh, the U.S., South America, France, Switzerland, and Lebanon to discuss several critical issues concerning Armenia and the region.
The conference will address a range of topics, including confronting Azerbaijan’s historical distortions, strategizing for the freedom of prisoners of war and kidnapped Artsakh political leaders, and rallying international support for the protection of Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural legacy. The event seeks to shed light on legal methods for the repatriation of Artsakh’s indigenous people and analyze the regional political dynamics.
Several notable experts will be gracing the conference with their presence. These include Prof. Ashod Melkonian, Prof. Rupen Safrasdian, Dr. Armen Maroukian, Dr. Vahram Palayan, Dr. Hrayr Balian, Dr. Khatchig Der Ghougasian, Tigran Yegavian, Dr. Vicken Cheterian, Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian, Mr. Shahan Kandaharian, and secretary Aharon Shekherdemian. Their collective expertise will enrich discussions and contribute to the formulation of strategies to address the issues at hand.
Amid the backdrop of the conference, Armenia is grappling with a host of other geopolitical issues. These include the plight of Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, the negotiation process with Azerbaijan, and the need to strengthen regional communications. The Armenian President has been in discussions with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, outlining the government’s efforts to address these problems. The President also attended the inauguration of the new Argentinian President Javier Milei, meeting with leaders of the local Armenian community.
Armenia’s focus on developing relations with the states of the Arab Gulf is highlighted by the recent meeting with the delegation from the United Arab Emirates. The country is also eyeing stronger ties with the European Union, as evidenced by the discussions surrounding the implementation of the CEPA. The Crossroads of Peace project, aimed at establishing connections between various Gulf and Sea regions via a single regional railway network, is another significant initiative by Armenia.