20:20,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Ten people were killed and nine were seriously wounded in a shooting on Thursday at Charles University in central Prague, Czech emergency services said. The shooter, who was not immediately identified by officials, also died, the New York Times reports.
According to the source, the police said the shooter had been “eliminated’’.
Cabinet meeting on December 14, 2023 (Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia)
YEREVAN—In a recent Cabinet session, the Armenian government approved the procedure for organizing and conducting joint working meetings between bilateral commissions on state border delimitation and security with Azerbaijan.
Armenian Deputy Minister of Justice Ara Mkrtchyan, who introduced the draft of the procedure, emphasized that the adoption of this procedural framework will empower commission members to establish the groundwork for border delimitation and demarcation processes. This framework aims to cover legal and technical aspects, ultimately leading to the development and signing of a pertinent document demarcating the national border between the two nations.
According to Mkrtchyan, the time, date and venue of these sessions will be mutually agreed upon by the commission chairpersons. The sessions will occur alternately in Armenia and Azerbaijan’s territories, along their shared border, in third-country territories or through video conferencing. “If conducted in either country’s territory, the hosting side will ensure all necessary conditions, including participants’ safety,” highlighted Mkrtchyan during the December 14 cabinet meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan underscored the document’s current role in regulating organizational matters and facilitating bilateral interaction between the two sides. Grigoryan said that the next step in the process will be to create another set of rules that would focus on defining specific methodologies. This would include detailed descriptions of crucial terms like the definition of a map and what exactly qualifies as a document with legal significance. Once consensus is reached on these methodologies, the plan is to move forward with concrete documents and engage in discussions specifically centered around topographic maps.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed the necessity for reciprocal approval from the Azerbaijani side, asserting: “The institutionalization of the border delimitation process marks a historic milestone. Its transparency is crucial. It’s not a confidential document. It will be open to the public.” Pashinyan urged an intensified collaborative effort to propel the ongoing work forward and achieve tangible progress.
Pashinyan also unveiled the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative during the Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries on December 14. The PM’s presentation emphasized the regime’s readiness to actively engage in re-establishing communication channels with Azerbaijan.
Addressing the potential for signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the near future, Pashinyan highlighted that if Baku upholds its agreements, the prospect of a peace treaty will “increase in probability.”
Expressing Armenia’s intent, Pashinyan stated, “The Republic of Armenia is committed to reinstating railway connections between Azerbaijan and Armenia, utilizing the pre-existing railway infrastructures.” The proposed routes include the northern track connecting Azerbaijan’s Kazakh district to Armenia’s Tavush province and the southern track linking various regions of Azerbaijan, including its exclave Nakhichevan.
Pashinyan also addressed the recent exchange of 32 Armenian POWs for two Azerbaijani soldiers on December 13, regarding it as a starting point for potential progress. He stated, “I consider the recent developments as a baseline from which we can strive to ensure that forthcoming updates signify an increased likelihood of signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, not the contrary.”
However, concerns persist, as dozens of Armenian prisoners and the military-political leaders of Artsakh are still detained in Baku.
Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan highlighted the return of 32 Armenians from captivity in Baku as a positive step, yet drew attention to the unresolved plight of at least 23 confirmed prisoners who remain detained in Azerbaijan. Among them, 14 are civilians who were captured between 2020 and 2023, with approximately 20 originating from Artsakh. “It is imperative that all these individuals be released, and international pressure is needed to ensure their freedom,” Beglaryan said.
Beglaryan’s remarks shed light on the continuing concerns regarding those who remain imprisoned in Azerbaijan, urging concerted efforts to secure the release of these detainees, particularly emphasizing the civilian status of a significant portion of the captives.
In the midst of negotiations, during a joint press conference in Baku, significant remarks were made following a meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Bayramov said that a recent package of draft proposals for a peace treaty from Armenia indicates “certain progress.”
However, contentious points on a peace treaty persisted, notably Baku’s dismissal of Yerevan’s proposition to withdraw troops from the border. As a consequence of Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia in May and November of 2021, and September 13, 2022, Azerbaijan has seized control of over 150 square kilometers of sovereign Armenian territory. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had recently mentioned the withdrawal of troops as an important confidence-building measure that would prevent new escalations.
Bayramov dismissed the suggestion during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart, claiming that the Azerbaijani army remains within its territory. Bayramov denied that Azerbaijan occupies Armenian territory, highlighting the complexity of the undelimited Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
Amid intensified diplomatic efforts, including Azerbaijan’s bid to involve Turkey in talks with Armenia, and evolving proposals, members of the international community have expressed their anticipation for forthcoming meetings. They pin hopes on these discussions to yield substantial advancements toward securing enduring peace and stability between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The European Union has taken a significant step by engaging with both Baku and Yerevan to organize a forthcoming meeting in Brussels. This development follows confirmation that Azerbaijan accepted a proposed meeting initiated by the United States. The meeting, scheduled for January, is set to bring together the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington. This follows Azerbaijan’s recent refusal to participate in high-level talks organized by the United States and the EU.
Head of the press service at the U.S. State Department Matthew Miller has extended a warm welcome to Turkey’s involvement in negotiations. He highlighted the shared stance between Washington and Ankara in backing direct talks between Yerevan and Baku and their mutual support for achieving lasting peace in the region.
In an interview with ABC Media, Turkish expert Tiran Lokmagyozyan underscored that such steps by Azerbaijan and the statements emerging from Turkey suggest the imminent signing of a peace agreement within a notably short span.
Lokmagyozyan cautioned that the primary objective of this agreement might not solely revolve around achieving peace. He suggested that the agreement may include provisions aligning with the interests of Azerbaijan and Turkey. He referenced EU Council President Charles Michel’s remarks about the importance of signing a peace treaty, which he argued signifies a synchronized effort between the Armenian government, the West and Azerbaijan.
Political scientist Artur Martirosyan has criticized the reliance on guarantees or agreements for lasting peace in Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations, highlighting the challenges of proposed mechanisms and the lack of an arbitrator to enforce international norms. He expressed doubts about the forthcoming meeting between the foreign ministers in Washington, arguing that Azerbaijan could manipulate it for political advantage in its upcoming snap presidential elections. Martirosyan also suggests that Armenian concessions may not lead to peace due to potential hindrances from Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registy's Comedy Night Committee. Photo courtesy of the ABMDR
Event Benefits ABMDR’s Life-Saving Mission
LOS ANGELES—A capacity audience of nearly 300 supporters attended the 19th annual “Laughter for Life,” the comedy night of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. One of the pan-Armenian organization’s most popular benefit events, “Laughter for Life” was held on December 3, at the landmark Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, in West Hollywood, California.
Long a showcase for cutting-edge stand-up comedy, “Laughter for Life” featured a lineup of acclaimed comedians, including Maz Jobrani, Sam Tripoli, Amir K, Dustin Ybarra, Nicky Paris, Anthony Amorello, and Orny Adams. Sam Tripoli also organized and hosted the event, as he has done ever since co-founding “Laughter for Life” with Lara Yeretsian, Esq., in 2002.
In her welcome remarks, Yeretsian thanked the audience and the event’s sponsors for their support, and shared some stories about ABMDR’s latest activities. Yeretsian said, “We have a stem cell donor from Artsakh, a young woman, who, despite being impacted by the horrific events that have befallen the people of her homeland recently, said ‘yes’ to our request for donating her stem cells, for a chance to save the life of a patient in Germany. And right now, as we’re gathered here, the stem cells of another ABMDR donor are being harvested in Yerevan, to be used for a transplant that can save the life of a patient in Belarus.”
Comedian and longtime ABMDR supporter Maz Jobrani. Photo courtesy of the ABMDR Comedian and “Laughter for Life” co-founder Sam Tripoli. Photo courtesy of the ABMDR
“Just today, we had one more pleasant surprise,” Yeretsian continued. “There was a festive event at the Western Diocese, in Burbank, where Alex, one of our young patients, and his family were collecting toys for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The event included a raffle drawing, and Alex’s family decided to donate all proceeds from the lottery to ABMDR. So Alex’s parents, who are the proprietors of Rama Drugs, not only donated nearly $8,000 to ABMDR, but are also among the sponsors of tonight’s ‘Laughter for Life.’”
Afterwards, ABMDR President Dr. Frieda Jordan said, “I think ‘Laughter for Life’ continues to be a hit with audiences because it not only serves up outstanding comedic talent, but also celebrates a beautiful sense of community, with hundreds coming together to support our organization’s life-saving mission.”
Dr. Jordan added, “I would like to thank the great Sam Tripoli, the event’s organizer; our dedicated Comedy Night Committee, chaired by the phenomenal Lara Yeretsian; as well as our generous supporters, sponsors, and volunteers, for making it all possible!”
ABMDR Comedy Night Committee Chairperson Lara Yeretsian (far right) with stand-up comedians and supporters. Photo courtesy of the ABMDR
Major sponsors of “Laughter for Life” included the Comedy Store (the Shore family), The Naughty Show, Sasoun Bakery, Sarkis Pastry, California Gourmet Nuts, Naturewell Vegan Juice and Smoothies, and Zartonk Media. Sponsors also included Feral Cosmetics, MK Loan Consulting, Vatican Banquet Hall, Paulette Malekian (of Engel & Völkers), Yeretsian Law, Mammoth Associates, Daglian Law Group, the Law Offices of Meline Mkrtichian, Arminak Law, Mr. and Mrs. Aram and Marine Papazian, Tazah, the Honorable Zaven Sinanian (of Signature Resolution), Taltech Construction, Dilanchian Chiropractic, and Rama Drugs.
Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 33,500 donors in 44 countries across four continents, identified over 9,000 patients, and facilitated 41 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit abmdr.am.
10:44, 6 December 2023
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government has envisaged 47,3 billion drams under the 2024 budget for assistance programs for the forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh, Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan told lawmakers on November 6.
He said that this figure is just a part of the entire assistance.
The assistance includes support projects in education, employment, social protection, accommodation and other areas.
Authorities are currently discussing additional support measures.
The reserve fund of the 2024 budget is envisaged at an unprecedented level of 156 billion drams, the minister said at the 2024 budget debates.
Speaking about international support for the NK refugees, the minister said that the EU, France and China have pledged to provide budgetary support funds, and upon receiving them the authorities will either reduce the projected deficit of the budget or plan additional urgent spendings.
The greater New Britain, Connecticut community had a special opportunity to learn more about the crisis in Artsakh on November 29 at a forum hosted by South Church.
A large group of both the Armenian and non-Armenian communities attended the evening, which included a light dinner and refreshments and a revealing presentation.
Pastor Jane Rowe of South Church introduced the evening and the program. She expressed great pleasure in the large turnout and noted that a number of different faiths were represented at the affair. She introduced Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian, pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection in New Britain, who also expressed gratitude for the large turnout and further thanked Pastor Rowe for organizing the event.
Father Haroutiun introduced the main speaker, Sarah Stites, who spoke about the history of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, known to the Armenian people as Artsakh, and the current humanitarian crisis that has unfolded as a result.
Stites is affiliated with the Fund for Armenian Relief’s subsidiary youth-run organization called “Ayo!” and lives full-time in Armenia, working daily to support the 100,000 refugees who have been displaced from Artsakh to Armenia as a result of this crisis.
Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian of The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection of New Britain, Sarah Stites of FAR Ayo! and Pastor Jane Roe of South Church in New Britain
A gifted speaker, Stites described the cherished Armenian centuries-old roots in Artsakh, her personal experiences from her almost six years living in Armenia and poignant firsthand stories of individuals who have been displaced from their ancestral homeland.
While describing the disheartening stories of the battles and the suffering of the 100,000 displaced residents of Artsakh, Stites’ presentation was uplifting and one of hope for the unsolved problem still before us.
“In the years I’ve lived in Gyumri, I’ve witnessed the pandemic, the 2020 war, the Russia-Ukraine war, the blockade and most recently, the heart wrenching loss of Artsakh. At the same time, I have seen magnificent developments – construction projects, fast-paced growth in the IT sector, change in stereotypes, female empowerment and a lot of other reasons for hope in our small motherland,” Stites said. “Ayo!, at its core, is about saying ‘yes!’ It’s about optimism and hope. We invite the diaspora to be a help in the midst of heartache, to see the good and be a part of the change.”
The audience was fascinated with Stites’ presentation, and she provided opportunities for individual questions and comments to her.
Established in 2013 as a fundraising platform for Fund for Armenian Relief, Ayo! aims to unite Armenian people, and youth in particular, to create positive development in their society. Ayo! empowers them to initiate change by providing a vehicle with which they can raise money for local development projects. In the past decade, Ayo! donors have funded 80 low-budget, high-impact projects all across Armenia.
Donations are channeled to humanitarian and development projects, which cover a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, child protection and business and economic development.
While Ayo! focuses on sustainable development, it also responds to urgent needs in times of crisis. Currently it is mobilizing all its resources for Arstsakhis who have been forcibly displaced from their homeland. Ayo! donors have already raised more than $100,000 to buy bedding kits (pillows, sheets and blankets), space heaters and warm coats for displaced families, as well as urgently needed medicines for kids with chronic illness. Currently, the campaign is shifting to align with the holiday season. Donors have the opportunity to sponsor a Christmas wish for a displaced child.
Stites described a number of fundraising opportunities for individuals and organizations. Details can be found on the Ayo! website. Those wishing to learn more about Ayo! may contact Stites via Whatsapp at +17034006436.
As an additional bonus, Father Haroutiun delighted the audience by revealing that Stites would return to New Britain at the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, fittingly, on Armenian Christmas (January 6, 2024). She will share more about how and why she – a quarter Armenian – said Ayo! to Armenia so many years ago.
17:30, 2 December 2023
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. These days, Yerevan has become a gathering place for Armenian and foreign businessmen, researchers, and investors. On December 1 and 2, the second conference, "Science and Business Days 2023," was held in Yerevan at the National Academic Theater named after G. Sundukyan. The main speaker of this year's event was scientist, writer, and philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Ralph Yirikian, Director General of Ucom, was among the guests of honor and speakers.
"The future is, of course, technological, and those countries that adapt to the changing environment succeed. We are future-oriented and have embarked on Ucom's massive network modernization program. We hope that this development will provide new opportunities and speeds not only to our population but also to the enterprises of our country, to their development and progress," said Director General of Ucom Ralph Yirikian.
During the conference, many innovative ideas were discussed, focusing on the challenges facing humanity, as well as the success stories of Armenian businesses and the mutual connection between business and science.
The "Science and Business Days" conference was held in Armenia for the first time in 2022, with the keynote speaker being the Nobel Prize laureate, Lebanese-Armenian molecular biologist Artem Patatutyan. Other speakers included astrophysicist Garik Israelyan, a professor at New York University in Abu Dhabi, sociologist and publicist Georgi Derlugyan, and others.
This year's discussion at the "Science and Business Days 2023" conference was about the author and philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of the books "The Black Swan" and "Antifragility," which made this year's conference different from the previous one.
15:49,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Franco Spicciariello, Director of Public Policy, Italy and ECSEED (East Central and South-Eastern Europe Division) of Amazon Web Services.
Prime Minister Pashinyan attached importance to the cooperation with Amazon and said that the development of the technological sector is of primary importance to the Armenian government, the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.
The Armenian Prime Minister said that partnership and active dialogue with Amazon will contribute to the implementation of joint projects.
Spicciariello underscored readiness to develop cooperation with Armenia and added that the company is in a phase of active discussions with the Armenian Ministry of High-Tech Industry.
The sides also discussed the implementation of projects in the digitization sector and upcoming joint work in this direction.
Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko was outraged by Armenia's decision not to participate in the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Minsk, Belarusian news agency BelTA reported on Nov. 23.
"We also discussed the situation in the Caucasus and some dissatisfaction of one of the members of the Collective Security Council," Lukashenko said, referring to Armenia skipping the summit.
Read also: Armenia joins over 65 nations in Malta to chart course for ending war in Ukraine
The Belarusian dictator added that "there have always been and will be problematic issues," but they should be "resolved at the negotiating table, not by making demarches for no reason."
Read also: Armenia officially delivers humanitarian aid to Ukraine
The CSTO summit began on Nov. 23, in Minsk, Belarus.
On Nov. 14, Lukashenko invited Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan to the CSTO meeting, but the latter refused the invitation.
Secretary of the Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan stated that Armenia's presence in the CSTO, which is essentially led by Russia, creates "certain problems" for Armenia, while it is important for Yerevan to cooperate with Western partners on security issues.
Read also: Armenian PM claims his country not Russia’s ally in war against Ukraine, Kremlin reacts
On Nov. 15, Pashinyan assured that his country is not preparing to withdraw from the CSTO, despite the fact that it will not participate in the next meeting of the CSTO Security Council.
The CSTO is a military alliance that includes Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
EU monitors at the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said that the West’s continued interference in the South Caucasus region may risk the recurrence of military actions there and defended Baku’s accusation that France is preparing the ground for a new war in the region.
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan contended that France was sowing the seeds of war in the Caucasus through its recent delivery of military equipment to Armenia. Official Baku has also condemned Paris and Washington for its “pro-Armenia” bias.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Wednesday blamed Yerevan for what she called a “radical shift” in Armenia’s foreign policy “orientation.”
“Western mediators, including France, have completely different goals. They seek to turn the South Caucasus into another arena of geopolitical confrontation, ignore the fundamental interests of the countries of the region, and do nothing to ensure the security, stability, and prosperity of this region,” Zakharova said.
“I believe that in Baku or in a number of other places, they are quite tired of intervention from Paris, which is unsuccessfully trying to restore its geopolitical prestige in the South Caucasus, which it has lost in other parts of the world and on other continents,” asserted Zakharova.
“Sadly, the risks of relapse remain in the South Caucasus. In this regard, Russia is consistently working to transform the region into a zone of stability and prosperity, based on the balance of interests of all regions and their neighbors,” explained the spokesperson.
She said neither the U.S. nor the EU can be considered bona fide mediators, because their underlying aim is to “remove Russia from the South Caucasus.”
“At the same time, Yerevan wants to negotiate in Washington and Brussels, although neither the US nor the EU can be considered bona fide mediators for a number of reasons. Their actions are “They want to destroy the existing security mechanisms in the region and at the same time to shamelessly steal and modify—in accordance with opportunistic considerations—the tripartite agreements reached with the participation of Moscow,” said Zakharova. “Therefore, there is no real benefit from their mediation, nor can it be, as the charge is different, the objective is different.”
“Yerevan’s reckless bet that the West will help them has been a fiasco. This is also obvious. It is impossible not to see this. Despite the existing proposals and invitations, the negotiations on the peace treaty are still frozen,” the Russian official lashed out.
Zakharova also discussed Yerevan’s decision to not participate in the upcoming summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization set to begin Thursday in Minsk. She accused Armenia of trying to conceal its intentions by playing both sides, referencing comments by Armenian government officials about the need to diversify their interests.
She said Armenia’s reasoning for distancing itself from the CSTO is a “miscalculation,” and said Yerevan’s refusal to participate in the summit is “regrettable.”
“We do not believe that this decision corresponds to the interests of the Armenian people and will contribute to the security and stability of our friendly country. Our Armenian colleagues do not intend to impeded the activities of the [CSTO] bodies or to prevent the implementation of the already agreed documents. Basically, it leaves the door open for Yerevan and enables [it] to join the efforts later. We hope that the Armenian allies will take advantage of this opportunity already in the not-distant future,” Zakharova said.
She emphasized that Russia is convinced that the CSTO will play an important role in regional stability in the current conditions.
“A CSTO monitoring mission on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the decision about which is ‘on the table’ as before, would be quite a significant factor in ensuring Armenia’s security, unlike the [current] EU [monitoring] mission [in Armenia], which continues to demonstrate its ineffectiveness,” Zakharova added.
19:11,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin finds it necessary to unite the efforts of the international community in finding a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The international community should join forces to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, Tass reports.
"Russia’s position is consistent and does not change with the situation. We urge the international community to join forces in order to ease tensions, ensure a ceasefire and find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," he noted, addressing an extraordinary summit of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), Tass quoted the Russian President as saying.