Author: Ani Basmajian

First in Armenia: Ameriabank’s Mortgage Portfolio Goes Past AMD 200B

Ani Basmajian

 17:25,

For around 6 years, Ameriabank has retained absolute leadership in the Armenian banking sector by mortgage loan portfolio. In H1 2023, Ameriabank’s mortgage portfolio increased by more than AMD 23B to a total of USD 209.6B, thus becoming the first in the market to go past the mark of AMD 200B.

For the same period, over 40% of Ameriabank’s mortgage loans for the purchase of apartments from developers were provided online.

Last year Ameriabank launched Estate.ameriabank.am platform for a fully online experience of buying a home and getting a loan, from selection of developer to loan approval. The platform makes it possible to invite co-borrowers.

For more details, please watch the video.

 

About Ameriabank

Ameriabank is a leading financial and technology company in Armenia, a major contributor to the Armenian economy, with assets exceeding AMD 1 trillion. In the course of digital transformation, it has launched a number of innovative solutions and platforms going beyond banking-only needs of its diverse customer base, thus creating a dynamically evolving financial technology space. 

Ameria was the first in Armenia to create ecosystems for both businesses and individuals, which give one-window access to a range of banking and non-banking services, among them - Estate.ameriabank.am, Automarket.ameriabank.am, Business.ameriabank.am. 

As a truly customer-centric company, Ameria aims to be a trusted and secure financial technology space with seamless solutions to improve the quality of life.

Ameriabank is supervised by the Central Bank of RA.

Student from NK kidnapped by Azeri border guards while traveling to Armenia with Russian peacekeepers – UPDATED

Ani Basmajian

 14:24,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS. A 22-year-old student from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) has been kidnapped by Azeri border guards in the illegal checkpoint in Lachin Corridor while traveling to Armenia with a Russian peacekeeping escort, the Artsakh InfoCenter said. 

The official Artsakh InfoCenter identified the kidnapping victim as Alen N. Sargsyan (born 2001). He was traveling to Armenia to continue his education in Yerevan.

The motive behind the kidnapping is unclear.

“Azerbaijan continues its genocidal policy against the people of Artsakh, once again violating the norms of international humanitarian law. Details on the incident will be reported later,” the Artsakh InfoCenter said in a statement.

This is the second kidnapping incident of civilians by the Azeri border guards in their illegal checkpoint in Lachin Corridor. 

On July 29, an elderly patient was kidnapped during his medical evacuation facilitated by the ICRC.

Tigran Petrosyan, the Head of the Anti-Crisis Council under the Artsakh Presidency, said that another student is now detained in interrogation.

“An hour ago, the Azerbaijanis seized a 22-year-old student from the Russians in the checkpoint. And now one was taken away and another one is being interrogated,” Petrosyan said.

He called on residents of Nagorno-Karabakh to gather in the Stepanakert plaza for a demonstration. “This is no time for silence. If we remain silent, they will come and take us all.”

Meanwhile, Azeri news media reported that three Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh were arrested on Monday at the illegal Azerbaijani checkpoint in Lachin Corridor.

This is a developing story. 

Update shows comments by Tigran Petrosyan and the Azeri media report.




"Reflection of Infinity" urban installation will become one of the signature landmarks of Gyumri

Ani Basmajian

 13:20,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. At the international MEDS (Meeting of Design Students) workshop hosted in Gyumri, over ten projects were created for the city of arts and crafts. The 13th in history workshop brought together 150 architecture and design professionals from 28 countries to work on diverse projects encompassing modest architectural structures, urban installations, and other creative pursuits.

The PROFAL GROUP, a leading manufacturer of aluminum doors, windows, and glass constructions in Armenia, supported the “Reflection of Infinity” project by Alberto Collet and Daniele Meloni as part of its social responsibility programs. Specialists from Armenia, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Russia, Ireland, Egypt, India, and Turkey have united their efforts to create this piece of art.

Alberto Collet, making his first visit to Armenia, yet well-acquainted with our nation through his Armenian friends, said, "MEDS presents a unique platform for collaboration, wherein professionals from various cultures and perspectives get a chance to exchange ideas and work on the same project. The project that we successfully implemented is a landmark covered with a reflective surface that frames nature by creating an amazing masterpiece.”

"Reflection of Infinity '' was installed in the area adjacent to the Mother Armenia monument in Gyumri, which, according to the project's author, will capture the attention and arouse the curiosity of anyone be it citizens or visitors of Gyumri.

Edgar Avetisyan, the Chief Executive Officer of PROFAL GROUP, underscored the company's ongoing commitment to supporting such initiatives that foster international collaborations. “We firmly believe that design is the language that speaks to our emotions and connects people across cultures and boundaries. And we are delighted to support one of the projects carried out by young and talented professionals worldwide. And what is the most important, PROFAL consistently seizes every occasion to make substantive contributions to the community development of Armenia”, said Edgar Avetisyan.

The MEDS Gyumri workshop spanned from August 6-20, during which the contributors of the "Reflection of Infinity" project were hosted by PROFAL. Edgar Avetisyan welcomed the guests, providing insight into the company's trajectory, its achievements, and its ambitious forthcoming ventures. The participants toured the company's facilities encompassing aluminum, glass, and furniture workshops, thereby gaining insight into the entire production workflow. The guests also visited the O₂ Gardens, PROFAL's new project of landscape design, which was a profoundly impressive experience.

Call by citizens of Turkey to international community to end the blockade of Karabakh

Ani Basmajian
Aug 16 2023

"For months, the Baku regime, backed by the Ankara regime, has been imposing a blockade on the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh that raises the possibility of genocide. The Stepanakert-Goris road, which should have been open for humanitarian aid, emergency services and peacekeepers after the last Karabakh war in which the Turkish Armed Forces were involved, has been under siege and closed since December 12, 2022.

For months, the United Nations, European Union and the Council of Europe have called on Azerbaijan to end the blockade of 120,000 people living in Karabakh, but the Baku regime has ignored, rejected or denied the blockade. Yet everyone knows that no basic necessities can enter Karabakh and no Karabakh resident can leave the region, even to meet the urgent health needs.  

In the face of the deepening crisis and confirming the concerns of the international community, Baku dictator Ilham Aliyev continues to publicly and repeatedly threaten Karabakh residents. So much so that the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo, published an important report characterizing Aliyev's actions in Karabakh as conducive to genocide. 

We, the undersigned from Turkey, see that the international community is not sensitive enough to the developments and we are watching the situation with concern. Preventing genocides does not mean waiting for them to happen and then intervening. It means taking active steps to prevent such a danger now!

We call on all states, international organizations, especially the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and international public opinion to take an active stand.

Just as the Berlin blockade was broken in 1948-49, we call for breaking the blockade of Karabakh through airlift and thus putting an end to this human tragedy."

Abdullah Demirbaş, Abdülhakim Daş, Adnan Cangüder, Adnan Çelik, Ahmet Aykaç, Ahmet Konuk, Akın Atauz, Akın Birdal, Alev Er, Alex Köşkeryan, Ali Gökkaya, Ari Günter, Aslı Erdoğan, Attila Tuygan, Ayşe Hür, Ayşe Yıldırım, Ayşegül Devecioğlu, Baskın Oran, Bayram Kaya, Celâl Başlangıç, Cengiz Aktar, Cengiz Arın, Denis Dreisbusch, Doğan Özgüden, Emrah Cilasun, Erdal Doğan, Erdoğan Kahyaoğlu, Eren Keskin, Ergun Babahan, Erol Ercan, Eser Budak, Esra Mungan, Fatime Akalın, Fikret Başkaya, Garo Kaprielyan, Gençay Gürsoy, Güngör Şenkal, Gürhan Ertür, Hacer Ansal, Hasan Burgucuoğlu, Hatice Yıldız, Hıdır Çelik, Hovsep Hayreni, Hüseyin Habip Taşkın, İbrahim Seven, İnan Gedik, İnci Tuğsavul, İra Tzourou, Kemal Bilget, Kemal Hür, Kemal Yalçın, Kenan Yenice, Mahmut Konuk, Mehmet Ali Balta, Nafiz Özbek, Necati Abay, Nedim Kibar, Nesim Ovadya İzrail, Nesrin Nas, Nevzat Onaran, Nurcan Baysal, Nurten Kırmızıgül, Okan Küçükersan, Osman Okkan, Oya Baydar, Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, Ömer Madra, Racho Donef, Ragıp Duran, Ragıp Zarakolu, Ramazan Gezgin, Recep Maraşlı, Sait Çetinoğlu, Sait Oral, Selahattin Koçak, Selay Ertem, Selma Koçiva, Serdar Koçman, Sibel Yiğittekin, Şaban İba, Şakir Bilgin, Şamil Altan, Şanar Yurdatapan, Şükriye Ercan, Taner Akçam, Ülkü Çevik, Viktorya Çiprut, Yalçın Ergündoğan, Yasemin Gedik, Yaşar Küçükaslan, Yavuz Aydın, Yavuz Baydar, Yetvart Danzikyan, Yıldız Aydın, Yusuf Köse, Zarife Atik, Ziya Özder.

 

Armenians Are Once Again Facing Genocide. The Time To Act Is Now | Opinion

Ani Basmajian
Newsweek
Aug 10 2023
OPINION
SOSEH HOVASAPIAN, ANI ARZOUMANIAN, AND SHARON ANOUSH CHEKIJIAN , CORNELL UNIVERSITY; COLGATE UNIVERSITY; YALE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

ON 8/10/23 AT 12:12 PM EDT

For over 230 days, a humanitarian crisis has loomed over Artsakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh, an autonomous, ethnically Armenian region within the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. The world has yet to take notice, and why should it? This seemingly unimportant area in the South Caucasus is the current lynchpin of geopolitics dividing East and West, NATO and Central Asia, Israel from monitoring Iran, and Russia from controlling its former republics. A peaceful, democratic populace including 30,000 children is in the crosshairs.

Since Dec. 12, 2022, the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, has been under blockade by Azerbaijan in an escalation of tensions following the 44-day war of 2020. Now in its eighth month, the blockade is accompanied by increased threats and acts of violence against Artsakh and increasingly the Republic of Armenia.

Initial claims that the blockade was due to protests of "eco-activists" quickly proved to be a ruse to cover up Azerbaijan's campaign of aggression against the region's Indigenous Christians. The blockade has two immediate goals. First, to force assimilation into Azerbaijan; Second, to pressure Armenia to allow Azerbaijan to forge a road across its sovereign territory, uniting Turkey with its "brothers" in Azerbaijan, heralding Turkish domination across Central Asia. The intention is to make Armenia into a "rump state," further isolated and its borders redrawn and diminished. Azerbaijan's petro-dictator Ilham Aliyev and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan's pursuit of geopolitical gain comes at the cost of 120,000 lives.

The implications are disturbingly clear. Erdogan and Aliyev intend to continue the genocide of 1915 and wipe Armenians off the map. Referring to the Armenian genocide, Erdogan said they will "continue to fulfill this mission, which our grandfathers have carried out for centuries in the Caucasus region." Aliyev has chided Armenians to "behave yourselves" or suffer renewed attacks. Their intended ethnic cleansing has precedents in Turkey during the 1915 genocide, the 1988 and 1990 pogroms of Baku and Sumgait, and the forced depopulation of ethnic Armenians from Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan.

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Regarding the right to self-determination of Artsakh's Armenians, Aliyev made his stance clear with an ultimatum presented to Artsakh authorities: "Disband your government or prepare for the consequences." This rhetoric is expounded by pro-regime media in Azerbaijan with calls to integrate Artsakh into Azerbaijan. This offers an easy solution for powers who do not understand the history of Armenian persecution. Would the world suggest that the Jewish people assimilate quietly under a Nazi regime? This is what is being laid out—further marginalization and a sure death for the Armenians of Artsakh.

Activists block a road from Stepanakert, the capital of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, to Azerbaijani Aghdam offered by the Azeri officials as a way for humanitarian aid to the region demanding the reopening of the blockaded Lachin Corridor linking Karabakh to Armenia and to decry crisis conditions in the region, in Askeran on July 18, 2023.ANI BALAYAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor is in direct violation of international law, the 2020 Trilateral Agreement, and the International Court of Justice's (IJC) ruling on Feb. 22. Emboldened by the lack of repercussions, Aliyev ignored these agreements and rulings. Azerbaijan's installation of a military checkpoint at the entrance to the Lachin Corridor in April has led to a complete blockade, including the International Committee of the Red Cross' (ICRC) aid efforts. Shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies are currently critical. The de-facto attack on health care is further destabilizing Artsakh already targeted by Azerbaijan during the 44-day war of 2020. Miscarriages have tripled under the blockade. The complete blockade has prompted statements warning of impending genocide by Genocide Watch and the Lemkin Institute.

READ MORE
  • The True Meaning of Ataturk's Legacy
  • Genocide Recognition by Itself Is Not Enough
  • Why Peace Talks in the Caucasus Are So Difficult
  • Putin Has Only Himself to Blame for Wagner Mess
  • What Does Five More Years of Turkey's Erdogan Mean for the West?
  • We Have the Right Tool to Pressure Azerbaijan Over Nagorno-Karabakh

Comparable crises have received far more attention and assistance. Russia's blockade of Ukrainian grain met with swift sanctions by the U.S., U.N., and EU. Humanitarian aid by the U.N. for the blockade of Gaza totaled over $5 billion. Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh has gone unanswered. The inability to respond comes in large part from a lack of recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Artsakh, rendering international aid impossible.

Azerbaijan's actions have undermined one international law after the other, but it seems that dictators don't care about humanitarian law. Expressions of "deep concern" have not and will not bear fruit. We need to speak the language of dictators. and send a clear message to those who seek to obliterate the Armenians.

First, recognition of the right to self-determination and recognition of Artsakh is vital. Second, immediate personal sanctions against Aliyev and embargoes on oil exports by Europe are critical to pressure the Aliyev regime to end Azerbaijan and Turkey's tireless efforts to ethnically cleanse Artsakh and the world of Armenians. Third, the U.N. Security Council should uphold the ICJ ruling and send peacekeepers to the region to end the blockade. To not do so is equal to being complicit in the impending genocide of the people of Artsakh.

Soseh Hovasapian is a student at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York

Ani Arzoumanian is a 2022 graduate of Colgate University and founder and former central executive member of the Armenian Student Associations United

Dr. Sharon Anoush Chekijian is associate professor of emergency medicine at the Yale School of Medicine and an OpEd Project Yale Public Voices Fellow.

The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.


https://www.newsweek.com/azerbaijans-blockade-nagorno-karabakh-artsakh-should-concern-everyone-opinion-1818966

Armenian Christians trapped and facing genocide

Ani Basmajian
Aug 11 2023

Peter Pinedo and Kevin Jones, Catholic New Agency

More than 120,000 are currently trapped, without food or medicine, behind a blockade in the Muslim-majority nation of Azerbaijan. Former ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback, who recently returned from Armenia, calls it the Azerbaijani regime’s latest attempt at “religious cleansing.”
https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2023/08/11/armenian-christians-trapped-and-facing-genocide/

Armenpress: Azerbaijani military opens cross-border gunfire at Armenian outposts in Gegharkunik Province

Ani Basmajian

 09:22, 7 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS.  Azerbaijani armed forces opened gunfire on Sunday targeting Armenian outposts deployed in Gegharkunik, the Ministry of Defense said Monday.

The Azerbaijani military used small arms and mortars in the shelling, the ministry added.

“On August 6, from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Azerbaijani [armed forces] units fired from different caliber small arms at the Armenian combat outposts nearby Kutakan and Tretuk, using mortars as well,” reads the statement issued by the Ministry of Defense.

No casualties were reported.

Gyumri expected to draw over 11,000 visitors for ‘unprecedented’ Pan-Armenian Games

Ani Basmajian

 11:38, 5 August 2023

GYUMRI, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Over 11,000 visitors are expected to arrive in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, for the 8th Pan-Armenian Summer Games, a multi-sport event held between competitors from the Armenian diaspora and Armenia.

The opening ceremony will take place on August 5, at 21:00 in the Shirak Stadium.

Over 7,160 participants will compete in the 19-event sports competition. 2000 volunteers are involved in the preparations.

Organizers have said that this year the Pan-Armenian Games will be ‘unprecedented.’

“The 8th Games will be unprecedented in terms of both geography of participating countries and the number of participants,” Anna Vardanyan, the head of the Pan-Armenian Games World Committee press service told ARMENPRESS. She said that the event will feature participants from 179 cities of 41 countries. This year’s event, held under its traditional motto – Unity Through Sports – will feature the very first participation of athletes from Chile, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Saudi Arabia and India.

Travel: The six best places to travel to in August 2023, from Riga to Rio de Janeiro (Yerevan included)

Ani Basmajian
The National, UAE
Aug 4 2023
Hayley Skirka

t’s the hottest month of the year in many destinations and the last chance for people to squeeze in some summer travel. But with scorching temperatures and overcrowded destinations becoming the norm, where are some good places for a holiday in August?

While that very much depends on what you’re looking for, there are plenty of amazing locations that shine this month. Those with an adventurous spirit might want to consider Saudi Arabia – the kingdom’s mountainous areas are glorious at this time of year. In jam-packed Europe, there are still some destinations worth considering, like pocket-friendly Riga in Latvia.

And if you can handle crowds for a few days, head to Scotland where the fairy-tale-like capital comes into its own when hosting the annual Fringe festival, and remote beaches and lush countryside await as the perfect post-city-break escape.

Here are six of the best places to travel to in August.

Latvia's capital comes to life with open-air concerts, markets, pop-up stalls and firework displays in August. Photo: Kseniia Samoylenko / Unsplash

If you want an affordable European holiday in August, head for Riga. The largest of the Baltic capitals has a colourful old town, canal-lined parks and a wealth of culture and history. The warmest month of the year in Latvia comes with pleasant temperatures that hover around 23°C, and the country's capital comes to life with open-air concerts, markets, pop-up stalls and firework displays. And unlike many other cities in Europe, it’s yet to be overrun by summertime tourists.

Abha in Saudi Arabia is surrounded by juniper forests. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

While much of the Middle East is too hot to handle in August, Saudi Arabia’s Abha is an exception. Surrounded by craggy mountains and dense juniper forests, the capital of the Asir region is the place to go for outdoor hikes, mountain exploration and overnight camping.

It’s also where you’ll find the country’s first national park, stretching from the Red Sea coastline to the kingdom’s highest peak. The Asir Summer Festival runs until September 1, bringing music, concerts, art and culture to the misty mountain landscape.

Scotland's capital hosts the annual Fringe festival every August. Photo: Luis Mayoral / Unsplash

Scotland’s pretty capital comes alive in August when international crowds descend upon its hilly streets for the annual Fringe festival, the world’s largest performance arts festival that booms with comedy gold. While it’s certain to be crowded, it’s well worth spending a few days in the capital to soak up the festive atmosphere.

Afterwards, an easy train ride west will take you to Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city known for its shopping, culture and live music scene. Or head north where you’ll find uncrowded beaches and glasslike lochs – the perfect antidote to your time in the big city.

The Bazaruto Archipelago has stunning beaches. Photo: Minor Hotel Group

As the end of southern Africa’s winter spreads across the continent, the six islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique are getting into their stride. August sees the often-sweltering temperatures become clement and the rains stay away.

It’s the perfect time to unwind on the region's famed beaches or take to the coral-laced waters for snorkelling and scuba-diving. It’s also a good place to spot humpback whales as they migrate from Antarctica to East African waters at this time of year. If you prefer to stick to dry land, try horse-riding, birdwatching and sand dune safaris.

Rio's mountains, city and sea are bathed in pleasantly warm temperatures in August. Photo: Alexandre Macieira Riotur

With average temperatures hovering between 18ºC and 25ºC, Brazil’s party city experiences winter in August – which means pleasantly warm days. It’s the ideal time to take in Rio de Janeiro’s top landmarks without having to fight against a blazing sun.

Head to the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain, then visit Tijuca National Park and stroll along Copacabana Beach, where you probably won't be the only one humming Barry Manilow’s 1970s hit.

To escape sun-worshipping throngs, stay near Leblon Beach where luxury hotels and high-end restaurants come with smaller crowds than at other beaches in the city.

August temperatures hover just under 30ºC in Yerevan. Photo: Armenia Travel

With medieval architecture and striking natural landscapes, Armenia offers travellers an indulgence of history and an overload of nature, not to mention wallet-friendly prices.

The capital city, Yerevan, enjoys sunshine-filled summer days with August temperatures hovering just under 30ºC – with plenty of parks and outdoor dining to make the most of the weather. It’s the place to sample one of the oldest cuisines in Europe, with dishes featuring herbs, wildflowers and regional spices.

Summer is also a great time for hiking in Armenia’s more mountainous areas where conditions are cooler and less crowded.

Bundestag Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee accuses Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh

Ani Basmajian

 15:47, 31 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. The Chair of the German Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee Michael Roth has accused Azerbaijan of committing ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Azerbaijan blocks humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. This is a violation of international law. Even if Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, it doesn’t justify ethnic cleansings. The EU and US must state their positions clearly. Armenia must not become Russia’s prey,” the member of the Bundestag tweeted.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.