Australian Chess Master to Bike Through Historic Armenia in Support of COAF

 

Australian master Arianne Caoili is the wife of Armenian Chess Grandmaster Levon Aronian

NEW YORK—Arianne Caoili, wife of Armenian Chess Grandmaster Levon Aronian, will embark on a 2-week cycling tour throughout Cilicia, Anatolia and northern Iran this month. Arianne will start her journey from the medieval Armenian port city of Ayas in Cilicia on September 21 and will finish the trek in the town of Agarak located on the Armenian-Iranian border. Born in Manila, Arianne Caoili moved to Armenia in 2013 and has been engaged in various entrepreneurial and philanthropic initiatives. The Australian chess player, born to a Dutch mother and Filipino father, was awarded the title of Woman International Master (WIM) by FIDE and has competed in seven Women’s Chess Olympiads.

Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is an organization dear to Arianne’s heart since its committed to improving the lives of children throughout rural Armenia by giving them opportunities for advancement. Arianne has always been passionate about helping children, especially with regard to education, music and disabilities. The biking tour’s fundraising goal of $5,500 USD will allow COAF to expand its athletic programs for youth living in 6 villages of Armenia’s Tavush region. Funds will go toward establishing clubs and much needed sporting equipment and salaries for coaches. Tavush, located on the border with Azerbaijan, is prone to sporadic attacks and is in vital need of programs aimed at revitalizing the region and giving youth newfound opportunities and health-oriented activities.

The route of the bike ride

Caoili has utilized her professional background in public and private sector consulting as an advisor to the Armenian government. In 2015, she established Armenia’s first boutique strategy consulting firm, Akron Consulting, which specializes in business and public policy advising. She is also owner and editor-in-chief of Champord, the only free, mass-distributed newspaper in the Caucasus region, with the largest print run in Armenia. She serves as chairman of the board for the Champord Fund, an organization invested in the development of civil society and the training of young Armenian journalists. Arianne is currently the CEO of one of Armenia’s largest alcohol distributors, 40 Degrees, a fast-growing, unique and novel start-up which she founded 3 years ago.

Arianne’s cycling expedition will be documented by GoPro action cameras and journalists who will accompany her. Converse Bank has agreed to cover some of the expenses Arianne will incur on her trip. COAF will regularly share footage of Arianne on the road via its social media outlets. Stopping points on the route include Adana, Sis, Gaziantep, Tarsus, Urfa, Diyarbakir, Van, Doğubayazıt, and Maku. “I am excited to explore the rich history and amazing culture of medieval and ancient Armenia. Throughout the cycling tour I will encounter the vestiges of Hellenistic and Roman empires in Armenia. Further afield we will discover ancient cultures and temples that predate recorded history,” stated Caoili in a recent interview.

COAF has been using community-led, comprehensive approaches in reducing poverty in rural Armenia since 2003, impacting the lives of 75,000 people.  Its strategic programs in education, healthcare, child and family services, community engagement and economic development help Armenian village youth access the resources to achieve and, in turn, give back to their communities and the world. COAF believes the new generation of Armenia, together with their families, have the potential and opportunity to revitalize the fabric of community life, and combat the rapid emigration plaguing the country since its independence from the Soviet Union. The organization has dramatically improved the quality of life in 44 village communities over the past 15 years.

COAF SMART is the organization’s newest initiative designed to jumpstart the advancement of rural communities by connecting them to the world by use of advanced communication and information technology. The first state-of-the-art COAF SMART Center opened its doors in Lori, Armenia in May of this year, offering the 150,000 population of the region both project-based and action-based learning programs. COAF’s board of directors cover all administrative costs, allowing 100% of donations to go toward funding programs. The organization has consistently secured the highest rating on Charity Navigator. Prominent supporters of COAF’s mission include Serj Tankian, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Stamos, Andrea Martin, Tigran Hamasyan, Vanessa Williams, Sean Hayes, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Patricia Field, Victor Garber, Ariana Grande, Conan O’Brian, Alexis Ohanian, and Usher.

Support Arianne Caoili’s biking tour for COAF #bike4coaf.

Documentary on maestro Loris Tjeknavorian released

Tehran Times, Iran
September 2, 2018 Sunday
Documentary on maestro Loris Tjeknavorian released
 
 
TEHRAN – "October 13, 1937", a documentary on Iranian-Armenian maestro Loris Tjeknavorian, has been released by Hashure, an Iranian video streaming website for documentary films.
 
The website premiered "October 13, 1937" directed by Baktash Abtin at the Film Museum of Iran on Saturday.
 
"When I was told they were going to make a film about me I was afraid, since we are all making changes every day," Tjeknavorian said in a brief speech made after the premiere of the documentary.
 
"I never thought about the replies to the questions in this film and gave the responses immediately. I am still a child and I never want to leave this childhood of mine because that world would have no pleasure for me," he noted.
 
He said that "October 13, 1937" is about a mad person and added, "I have always said that the mad people make the world and the wise ruin it."
 
Director Abtin also said that the documentary tries to portray the maestro as he is, kind and sincere.
 
"I really enjoyed working with him since he is a musician who has no difference with his inner side," Abtin said.
 
The documentary will be available online until September 14.
 
Photo: Maestro Loris Tjeknavorian attends the premiere of "October 13, 1937" at the Film Museum of Iran September 11, 2018.
 
RM/MMS/YAW

Russian MFA spokeswoman comments on Chancellor Merkel’s statement over NK conflict

Categories
Artsakh
Politics
Region
World

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova commented on the statement of German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

During a press briefing with reporters, Zakharova, commenting on Merkel’s statement according to which Germany is ready to contribute to the settlement of the NK conflict and assume responsibility on this matter, stated: “I think it should be determined by the countries directly involved in the conflict settlement process. It should be done with the understanding of the effectiveness of the current format. Such statements should be viewed in this whole”.

Iran, Armenia underline finalizing electricity transfer project

IRNA , Iran
Aug 29 2018


Iran, Armenia underline finalizing electricity transfer project


Tehran

Officials from Iran and Armenia on Saturday urged finalizing the
project for setting up Line 3 of the network for exchange of
electricity. Iran's Deputy Energy Minister Homayoon Haeri and Armenian
Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Artur
Grigoryan, during a meeting in Yerevan, discussed development of the
project. The Iranian deputy minister said timely implementation of the
third line of the network for electricity transfer to Armenia is one
of the main parts of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the
republic. Haeri said implementation of the project is part of the
multilateral cooperation corridor among Iran, Armenia, Georgia and
Russia. The Armenian minister, for his part, referred to his country's
plans for upgrading relations with Iran, expressing readiness to help
finalization of the electricity project with Iran. The two sides
underlined the resolve of both sides to pursue the agreements reached
during a joint commission meeting and to bring into force the already
signed documents, particularly those in the area of energy.

Who needs the Russian military base in Gyumri more: Is Yerevan an alliance with Moscow?

What the Papers Say (EV) (Russia)
Tuesday
WHO NEEDS THE RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN GYUMRI MORE
Is Yerevan an alliance with Moscow?
 
by Alexander Khramchikhin
Source: Nezavisimaya gazeta, N180, , p. 7
 
The Southern Military District of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation includes three military bases (MB) located outside the country. Two of them are in Abkhazia and South Ossetia (after the war in 2008, Moscow recognized the independence of both republics), fully integrated with the armed forces of the respective republics, under the Russian command. The 102nd military base of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Armenia in Gyumri is in a completely different status.
 
Formally, the 102nd MB is not integrated into one grouping with the Armenian Armed Forces, but, of course, there is a close coordination between them, joint exercises are held regularly. Nevertheless, its status is extremely difficult for geopolitical reasons.
 
Armenia is cut off from Russia by Georgia, completely hostile to Russia, and Azerbaijan, completely hostile to Armenia.
 
Due to these circumstances, the 102nd MB has not so much military as political significance. It is located on the border with Turkey and acts as a guarantor against this country's involvement on the side of Azerbaijan in a new war for Nagorno-Karabakh, if any. Of course, the Russian base, because of the incompatibility of the potentials, cannot resist the Turkish army, but an attack on it will mean aggression against Russia as a whole, in accordance with the norms of the international law, that is, it will guarantee that Russia will have to start a war against Turkey.
 
It is clear that the Russian army will in no case march against Ankara, but it should prevent occupation of Armenia by the Turks (even partial).
 
[Translated from Russian]

Արա Բաբլոյանը հանդիպել է Չեխիայի վարչապետ Անդրեյ Բաբիշի հետ

  • 25.08.2018
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  • Հայաստան
  •  

1
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Պաշտոնական այցով Չեխիայի Հանրապետությունում գտնվող ՀՀ ԱԺ նախագահ Արա Բաբլոյանի գլխավորած պատվիրակությունն օգոստոսի 24-ին հանդիպել է Չեխիայի վարչապետ Անդրեյ Բաբիշի հետ:


Հայաստանի խորհրդարանի ղեկավարը շնորհավորել է Չեխիայի վարչապետին` խորհրդարանի Պատգամավորների պալատի կողմից նրա ղեկավարած կառավարության հաստատվելու կապակցությամբ:


Հանդիպման ընթացքում Ազգային ժողովի նախագահը կարեւորել է Չեխիայի հետ բազմոլորտ հարաբերությունների ընդլայնումը` վերահաստատելով Հայաստանի շահագրգռվածությունը քաղաքական երկխոսության շարունակականության ապահովման, առեւտրատնտեսական համագործակցության ընդլայնման եւ մարդկային շփումների ակտիվացման հարցում:


ՀՀ ԱԺ նախագահը նշել է, որ հայ-չեխական համագործակցության օրակարգում կարեւոր տեղ է զբաղեցնում նաեւ Հայաստան-ԵՄ փոխգործակցությունը: Արա Բաբլոյանի խոսքով` Հայաստանի Հանրապետության եւ Եվրոպական միության միջեւ ստորագրված Համապարփակ եւ ընդլայնված գործընկերության համաձայնագիրը նոր էջ է բացել Հայաստանի ու Եվրոպական միության հարաբերություններում:


Արա Բաբլոյանը գոհունակություն է հայտնել Չեխիայի կառավարության` զարգացմանն ու վերափոխմանն ուղղված որոշ ծրագրերում Հայաստանին ընդգրկելու կապակցությամբ եւ հույս հայտնել, որ ՀՀ-ԵՄ Համապարփակ եւ ընդլայնված գործընկերության համաձայնագրի կիրառման համատեքստում Չեխիան Հայաստանին կընդգրկի թիրախային երկրների շարքում:


Խոսելով հայ-չեխական տնտեսական կապերի մասին` Արա Բաբլոյանը գոհունակություն է հայտնել վերջին տարիների ընթացքում այդ հարաբերությունների ամրապնդման կապակցությամբ` միաժամանակ նշելով, որ ներուժը դեռ սպառված չէ: Խորհրդարանի ղեկավարն ընդգծել է, որ Հայաստանն ակնկալում է չեխ գործարարների կողմից ուղղակի ներդրումներ Հայաստանի տնտեսությունում:


ՀՀ Ազգային ժողովի նախագահը տեղեկացրել է, որ ՀՀ կառավարության փոփոխությունից հետո արդեն իսկ նշանակված է տնտեսական հարցերով երկկողմ միջկառավարական հանձնաժողովի հայկական կողմից համանախագահը եւ տարվում են հանձնաժողովի չորրորդ նիստի նախապատրաստական աշխատանքները:


Ողջունելով հայկական պատվիրակությանը` Չեխիայի վարչապետն անդրադարձել է հայ-չեխական հարաբերությունների կարեւորությանը: Անդրեյ Բաբիշը ներկայացրել է Չեխիայում ներքաղաքական դրությունը, գոհունակությամբ փաստել, որ երկրում արձանագրվում է կայուն տնտեսական աճ:


Չեխիայի վարչապետը տեղեկացրել է, որ Եվրոպական միությունում դինամիկ փոփոխություններ են տեղի ունենում, առկա են մի շարք խնդիրներ, որոնք լուծումներ են պահանջում, ինչպես օրինակ փախստականների խնդիրները:

Chancellor Merkel’s visit unprecedented in 26-year-old diplomatic relations between Germany and Armenia

ArmenPress, Armenia
Aug 24 2018


Chancellor Merkel's visit unprecedented in 26-year-old diplomatic
relations between Germany and Armenia



YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will
arrive in Armenia on an official visit on August 24-25.

ARMENPRESS has summed up the 26 years of the bilateral relations
between Armenia and Germany ahead of the Chancellor’s visit.

Armenia and Germany have established diplomatic relations in January
1992. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations the Armenian
side has conducted 26 official visits to Germany at the president,
prime minister and foreign minister level. The Chancellor’s visit
among the German officials who paid official visits to Armenia since
1995 is unprecedented. Before this, there have been visits from
Germany at the Bundestag president, deputy prime minister and the
federal foreign minister level.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties Armenia and Germany have
signed 45 agreements in economic, educational, cultural and commercial
sectors. 5 memorandums of cooperation in different areas have been
signed.

The trade turnover volume from Armenia to Germany in 2017 comprised
132 483.5 USD, and the import - 206 523.3USD.

On June 15, 2005 the German Parliament adopted a decision on the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. On April 23, 2015 German
President Joachim Gauck issued a statement on the Armenian Genocide,
and on June 2, 2016 the Bundestag adopted a resolution on the
Genocide.

On the sidelines of Merkel’s visit to Armenia, Armenian-German
high-level talks will be held led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
and Chancellor Angela Merkel. They will sum up the results of talks
during a joint press conference.

Angela Merkel is also scheduled to meet with President of Armenia
Armen Sarkissian.

The German Chancellor will visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Avag Harutyunyan: Last time, we were ‘clean’ in 1913, when there was no sense to falsify (video)

According to the head of the National Wine Center Avag Harutyunyan, after the velvet revolution, corruption and the number of organizations in the spheres of alcoholic drinks, wine, brandy, whiskey, beer production and export have drastically decreased.

“The market has been cleaned, there is no the basis that would allow producing and exporting fake cognac. For the first time in the last 100 years, we have the opportunity to fully abandon fake products. Last time, we were ‘clean’ in 1913, when there was no sense to falsify. Then there was a bright time during the Dashnaktsutyun leadership, and after World War II, the ups and downs, which ended one or two months ago,” said Avag Harutyunyan.

168: Russian border guards apprehend Afghan citizens on Armenian-Turkish border

Category
Society

Russian Federal Security Service border guards in Armenia apprehended 5 trespassers on the Armenian-Turkish border, the Russian Federal Security Service Border Guard department reported.

The trespassers were citizens of Afghanistan who illegally crossed the Armenian-Turkish border. They all are members of one family and have travelled to the EU member states to search for better living conditions.

The trespassers have been handed over to the Armenian law enforcement agencies aimed at clarifying the details of the incident.

Anahit Tarkhanyan nominated Yerevan mayoral candidate

Just recently, the architect Anahit Tarkhanyan informed on his Facebook page that she is nominated for Yerevan Mayor.

“I express my deep gratitude to the partners of the  “Yerevan Community” initiative and the GALA party to nominate me for Yerevan Mayor. I will spare no effort to justify the expectations and trust of you and the residents of Yerevan,” wrote Tarkhanyan.