Author: Ani Tigranian

Most Armenians welcome Russians` arrival, disagree with western sanctions – survey

Ani Tigranian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. 72.8% of the respondents involved in a survey conducted by Marketing Professional Group (MPG), an exclusive representative of the GALLUP International Association in Armenia, disagree with the western sanctions against  Russia. 

Specifically, 8.4% of the respondents fully support the western  sanctions/restrictions imposed on Russia, 11% consider them mainly  positive, 17.8% consider the sanctions mainly negative, 55% believe  the sanctions are totally negative and 7.9% could not answer. 

77.6% of the respondents believe that the anti-Russian sanctions are  affecting Armenia.  

Specifically, 53.9% of the residents are sure that the sanctions are  affecting Armenia, 23.7% believe the sanctions are most likely  affecting Armenia, 9.6% said the sanctions are probably not affecting  the country, 8.2% believe the sanctions are not affecting at all and  4.7% could not answer. 

86.6% welcome Russians coming to Armenia amid the Ukraine  developments. 

Specifically, 47.8% of the respondents positively welcome the fact of  many Russians coming to Armenia for temporary residence or work,  38.8% most likely welcome, 5.2% are not disposed to welcome the fact,  6.6% are strongly against it and 1.6% could not answer. 

Most of the respondents, 85.2%, are sure Russians' arrival in Armenia  will have a positive impact on the country's economy.  

The survey was conducted from April 2 to 6, 2022, with 1,002  respondents involved. The survey has a margin of error of +3%.

Armenian President receives representatives of Konrad Adenauer Foundation

Ani Tigranian

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 13:59,

YEREVAN, APRIL 26, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received today Lars Hänsel, Head of the Department Europe and North America at Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Foundation, and Thomas Schrapel, Director of the Regional Programme Political Dialogue South Caucasus of KAS, the Presidential Office said.

Lars Hänsel presented the activity of the Foundation in Armenia, the projects and educational programs being implemented with different state agencies.

President Khachaturyan highly appreciated the mission of the Foundation in Armenia.

The cooperation opportunities with the Presidential Office in programs of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

Armen Grigoryan: Many partners have talked to us about lowering Artsakh status bar

Ani Tigranian
NEWS.am
10:24, 22.04.2022

The proposal to lower the bar on the status of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) was not voiced by one person. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, stated about this on Public TV, answering the program host's question as to who is that “international community” that makes such proposals, and what the security guarantees are if that bar is lowered.

"At the moment I cannot say specific names… It was not a proposal from one person; many partners have talked to us about this. But when you ask about security guarantees, we must form security guarantees during the negotiations. It is not that they said that ‘if you lower that bar, these are the security guarantees.’ Within the framework of negotiations with Azerbaijan, as well as thanks to the support of the international community, we will create those security guarantees. If there are no security guarantees, we naturally will not move there; the existing status quo will be maintained," Grigoryan said.

The host noted that he assumes that a peace agreement will be signed, which will become that guarantee, but Azerbaijan has repeatedly proved that it violates any agreement, does not keep the agreements even with Russia, and considering this, he asked what the Armenian authorities expect. In response, Armen Grigoryan said that not only the agreement but also the mechanisms are a guarantee. According to him, for example, in the November 9, 2020 statement, not only the text is the guarantees, but also the mechanisms, for example, the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the region.

"(…) our region is under the strong influence of global, international structures. And seeing these changes, we try to find security guarantees so that we can ensure security in Artsakh and find mechanisms. These mechanisms are not just treaties or the treaty, but mechanisms that exist on the ground; for example, with the option of peacekeepers…we expect that they will be there for a long time until we find a solution. But the incidents of Parukh [village] show that these security mechanisms also are not enough to ensure complete security. We want to receive additional guarantees that security will be ensured in Artsakh," he said.

And to the host's question whether he means other troops, Armen Grigoryan gave a negative answer, adding that it is necessary to find those mechanisms, and one of the issues on the agenda is to find the mechanisms that will guarantee security and the exercising of rights for the people living in Artsakh.


To remember the Armenian Genocide, a poet reads ‘After the Survivors Are Gone’

Ani Tigranian
NPR – National Public Radio – USA
8:43 AM ET
Heard on Weekend Edition Saturday
For Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Peter Balakian reads from his poem After the Survivors Are Gone.

Listen to the program at https://www.npr.org/2022/04/23/1094470446/armenian-genocide-poem
ALSO AT
https://www.kosu.org/arts-culture/2022-04-23/to-remember-the-armenian-genocide-a-poet-reads-after-the-survivors-are-gone
https://www.knau.org/2022-04-23/to-remember-the-armenian-genocide-a-poet-reads-after-the-survivors-are-gone
https://www.wesa.fm/2022-04-23/to-remember-the-armenian-genocide-a-poet-reads-after-the-survivors-are-gone
https://www.apr.org/arts-life/2022-04-23/to-remember-the-armenian-genocide-a-poet-reads-after-the-survivors-are-gone
https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/2022-04-23/to-remember-the-armenian-genocide-a-poet-reads-after-the-survivors-are-gone
https://www.redriverradio.org/2022-04-23/to-remember-the-armenian-genocide-a-poet-reads-after-the-survivors-are-gone
https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/2022-04-23/to-remember-the-armenian-genocide-a-poet-reads-after-the-survivors-are-gone
https://www.delawarepublic.org/2022-04-23/to-remember-the-armenian-genocide-a-poet-reads-after-the-survivors-are-gone

Rossiya Airlines Launches Flights to Armenia

Ani Tigranian

Iuliia Tore

Rossiya Airlines (Aeroflot Group) will start operating regular direct flights from Moscow to Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia. The flights will be carried out from the capital’s Sheremetyevo Airport on a daily basis and will replace Aeroflot flights in this direction.

Direct flights of “Rossiya” Moscow – Yerevan are a convenient and quick way to visit hospitable Armenia. This is an actual direction of the air carrier’s route network for the development of both business and tourism. The city of Yerevan, located in the Ararat Valley, is rich in its history and unique culture and traditionally attracts travelers. The status of one of the most important business and economic centers of the Transcaucasus allows us to speak about the high demand for the route for business trips.

The air carrier will operate on the Moscow-Yerevan-Moscow route modern and comfortable Russian-made Superjet 100 aircraft, presented in a two-class layout. The total number of seats on board is 87, of which 12 are business class and 75 are economy class. Flights to Yerevan are possible thanks to the transfer of Superjet 100 aircraft of the Rossiya airline.

Rossiya also operates regular direct flights to Yerevan from Sochi on a daily basis. They are part of a new large-scale flight program of the carrier from Sochi abroad on domestic Superjet 100.

Rossiya Airlines (Aeroflot Group) has launched a large-scale flight program from Sochi International Airport.

Aliyev describes Armenia’s acceptance of 5 principles as “turning point”

Ani Tigranian

TASS reports that Aliyev particularly said:

 

“After the end of the second Karabakh war, Azerbaijan’s position has always been that we should start negotiations on a peace treaty. I believe that the official starting point was registered on April 6 in Brussels. Since then we have been working, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working, my administration has been in contact with your team, and, as agreed, we are ready to start.”

 

Aliyev described Armenia’s acceptance of the five principles put forward by Azerbaijan for the normalization of relations between the two countries as a “turning point”.

 

“This is really a turning point in the process. After official statements from both sides, we must prove the seriousness of our intentions at the table of negotiation,” he said. Aliyev stressed that Baku hopes for the efforts of the EU here, in particular of the President of the European Council Charles Michel, who, as he said, “is already deeply involved in the process.”

 

Aliyev stressed that one of the issues requiring clarification with the Armenian side is the issue of communications between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan through the territory of Armenia, including railway and motor roads.

 

He said that next year Azerbaijan will complete the construction of the railway to the border with Armenia. At the same time, Aliyev expressed regret that Armenia has not yet started work on the feasibility study of its part of the railway line, which, he said, could delay the process. In addition, according to him, Baku plans to complete the construction of a highway to the border with Armenia by the end of 2023. Aliyev said that Baku is waiting from Yerevan the geographical coordinates of this road in the territory of Armenia.

Human Rights Defender pays working visit to Syunik province

Ani Tigranian

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 10:23,

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS. On April 11 the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia led by Defender Kristinne Grigoryan visited Syunik province within the framework of the joint visit organized by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the Ombudswoman’s Office said in a news release.

The visit was attended by acting UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Lila Pieters Yahia, EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin and Ambassador of Lithuania to Armenia Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė.

The delegation visited the Women Resource Center in Kapan and the Center’s social entrepreneurship where they met with the representatives of the WINNET Armenia Network of Women Resource Centers and the persons displaced from Artsakh, who are the beneficiaries of the UNFPA’s humanitarian program.

“I would like to state that as a Human Rights Defender, one of my key five priorities is women’s economic, political strengthening. More than half of our population are women, but when we see how we are using their potential, we understand that we still have a long path to pass”, the Ombudsperson said.

Head of the UNFPA Armenia Office Tsovinar Harutyunyan said that the network’s experience has been recognized as the best.

Addressing the women in the meeting, the head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin said she understands the difficulties the women have faced and are facing. “We are here to listen to you, understand your situation and what we can do to better cooperate”, she said.

Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Lila Pieters Yahia said this was her first visit to Armenia’s provinces. She said they will listen to the solutions proposed by women and how they can move forward the work together. Lila Pieters Yahia said the empowerment of women is one of the priority directions of the United Nations.

Ambassador of Lithuania to Armenia Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė said their Embassy is promoting the use of renewable energy in Syunik, but is also working on women empowerment as a special direction.

Thereafter, the meeting sides held a discussion about various issues.

The visit will continue in the Office of the Ombudsperson in Kapan where they will meet with NGO representatives. Thereafter, the delegation will depart for Gyumri.

Security guarantees and status of Artsakh should be a subject of negotiations – Armenian PM

Ani Tigranian
Public Radio of Armenia
April 7 2022
April 7, 2022, 17:10

 1 minute read

Guarantees of the security of the people of Artsakh, protection of their rights and freedoms, as well as the clarification of the final status of Nagorno Karabakh are included in Armenia’s answers to Azerbaijan’s proposals and should be the subject of negotiations, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the government sitting today.

“Of course, as before, we consider the involvement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs essential in this process, and we must continue to work in that direction,” the Prime Minister said, briefing the cabinet on the results of the Brussels meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President of the EU Council Charles Michel.

“Naturally, there was a discussion about the deterioration of the security environment in Nagorno Karabakh, particularly the events in Parukh, but those discussions did not lead to a joint assessment of the situation. I must also say that I did not consider the further discussion of this particular topic appropriate in the Brussels platform, because it is about the intrusion of Azerbaijani units into the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno Karabakh. Therefore, the issue should rather be discussed with the participation of the partners from the Russian Federation, and we are going to do that,” PM Pashinyan said.

“We expect that the peacekeepers of the Russian Federation in Nagorno Karabakh will take measures to ensure the withdrawal of Azerbaijani units from their area of responsibility,” he added.

Statement of European Council President Charles Michel after the Second Trilateral Meeting with PM Pashinyan and Aliyev

Ani Tigranian

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 10:20, 7 April, 2022

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS. European Council President Charles Michel released a statement following the Second Trilateral Meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels.

“The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, hosted the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, for a continuation of their discussions on the situation in the South Caucasus region and the development of EU relations with both countries.

President Michel reiterated the EU’s commitment to deepen its cooperation with Armenia and Azerbaijan to work closely in overcoming tensions and promote a South Caucasus that is secure, stable, peaceful and prosperous for the benefit of all people living in the region.

The leaders took stock of developments since their last meeting in Brussels in December 2021 and their videoconference, together with President Macron, in February 2022. They reviewed progress on the implementation of undertaken commitments. They discussed the recent reported tensions and reiterated the necessity of adhering fully to the provisions of the 9/10 November 2020 trilateral statement. They welcomed the meeting of senior representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan on 30 March 2022 under EU auspices in Brussels and agreed on the necessity to continue this engagement to ensure adequate follow-up to agreements reached at leaders’ level.

President Michel emphasised the importance of humanitarian gestures by both sides to promote confidence and peaceful coexistence. He stressed the need for the full and speedy resolution of all outstanding humanitarian issues, including the release of remaining detainees and comprehensively addressing the issue of missing persons, and stated that the EU is ready to support this endeavour. The EU will likewise continue to support confidence building measures between Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as humanitarian de-mining efforts, including by continuing to provide expert advice and stepping up financial assistance, and assistance to conflict-affected populations, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

President Michel noted both President Aliyev's and Prime Minister Pashinyan's stated desire to move rapidly towards a peace agreement between their countries. To this end, it was agreed to instruct Ministers of Foreign Affairs to work on the preparation of a future peace treaty, which would address all necessary issues.

The delimitation and demarcation of their bilateral border will be essential; to this end, in line with the Sochi Statement of 26 November 2021, it was also agreed to convene a Joint Border Commission by the end of April. The mandate of the Joint Border Commission will be to:

  • delimit the bilateral border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and
  • ensure a stable security situation along, and in the vicinity of, the borderline.

President Michel also stressed that ensuring the appropriate distancing of forces is an essential element of incident prevention and tensions reduction. President Michel reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to provide advice and support.

The leaders also discussed the restoration of communications/connectivity infrastructure between Armenia and Azerbaijan in particular and in the South Caucasus more broadly. President Michel welcomed the steps towards the restoration of railway lines, while encouraging Armenia and Azerbaijan to also find effective solutions for the restoration of road links. The EU is ready to support the development of connectivity links, including in line with its Economic and Investment Plan and by utilising the proposed economic advisory forum to identify common projects.

The leaders agreed to follow-up on outcomes of their meeting and to stay engaged,” reads the statement.

Art: Kristina Oganezz’s ‘Dove of Peace’ to be displayed in Glendale

Ani Tigranian
Panorama
Armenia – April 9 2022

CULTURE 16:35 09/04/2022 ARMENIA

The Burbank Art Association will exhibit "Dove of Peace " by Armenian artist Kristina Oganezz in Glendale, the US. The exhibition will run until April 29 at the GEO Gallery. This painting calling for the peace will be presented to the American public.

"I am glad that in these difficult times the Burbank Art Association presents my painting calling for the Peace. The picture shows a dove, the colors of the canvas correspond to the colors of the Ukrainian flag, Dove in the painting symbolizing peace and you can see above dove's head are lines from the Bible reminding us about new beginning and a new life. I hope that peace will be established in the region soon!" Kristina Oganezz noted.

It should be noted that an exhibition of Oganezz's works was recently opened in Los Angeles. In the United States, the works of the artist are regularly presented in different galleries, attracting a lot of people's attention.

Kristina Oganezz is an honorary member of the Union of Artists of Armenia, a member of the Visual Artists Association in London, the Portrait Society of America and Estonia's International Union of Artists.

The Armenian artist has had solo group exhibitions in Armenia and abroad. Her works are in private, state-museum collections. In particular, one of Oganezz's works can be found in the Yerevan History Museum.

In 2020 Oganezz was awarded the Frida Kahlo Prize in Milan for her painting – Charles Aznavour's portrait.