Author: Boris Nahapetian

Regional security issues and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh in the center of attention of Armenian and Russian FMs

Boris Nahapetian

 20:16,

YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS. On July 25, in Moscow, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, ARMENPRESS was informed from MFA Armenia.

The interlocutors focused on issues of regional security and stability, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and existing humanitarian problems.

Ararat Mirzoyan highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is deepening with every passing hour as a result of the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan and the imperative to immediately lift the blockade of the Lachin corridor in accordance with the provisions of the Trilateral statement of November 9, 2020 and the Orders of the International Court of Justice. The need to take concrete steps by the signatories of the Trilateral statement and the possibility to use the existing international tools was emphasized.

During the meeting, the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan was touched upon. In the context of delimitation and border security between the two countries, Minister Mirzoyan stressed the commitment to take the 1975 map as the basis for ensuring maximum clarity in the process of further border delimitation. In the context of unblocking all economic and transport communications in the region, the absence of an alternative to the functioning of the relevant communications under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries was once again emphasized. Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the importance of addressing the issues of rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh under an international mechanism.

In order to reach mutual agreement on the above-mentioned issues, Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the need for the constructive approach from the Azerbaijani side.

During the meeting issues of bilateral agenda between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation were also touched upon.

Digital Society and Economy program discussed at Government

Boris Nahapetian

 19:30,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a consultation was held in the Government, during which issues related to the process of the program of the formation of Digital Society and Economy were discussed, ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Office of the Prime Minister. 

Nerses Yeritsyan, Secretary of the Information Systems Council of Armenia, reported on the works carried out in the direction of the implementation of the digitization strategy and the road map. In particular, it was noted that based on the results of the meetings of the Information Systems Management Board, the program’s vision and targets were approved, the one and a half year work program was defined, which is implemented according to the guidelines approved by the Board. Work is being done on the introduction and active use of the electronic identification system, analysis on impact assessment and formation of digitalization capabilities in the public sector, formation of national cyber security capabilities, dialogue platforms with the private sector have been launched, and the digital architecture of Armenia has been approved.

Based on the report,  an exchange of ideas took place, the participants of the consultation presented their views on issues related to service provision policy, interoperability of information systems, data infrastructures.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to create a developed and safe environment and infrastructure for Armenia’s transformation into a digital society and digital economy. According to Nikol Pashinyan, it will contribute to increasing the potential and well-being of citizens, support enterprises in improving competitiveness and ensure effective management of public institutions.

Nikol Pashinyan instructed to organize discussions on the issues raised during the consultation and to present the proposed solutions at the next meeting.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 17-07-23

Boris Nahapetian

 17:37,

YEREVAN, 17 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 17 July, USD exchange rate up by 0.13 drams to 386.14 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.57 drams to 433.67 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 4.27 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.18 drams to 504.92 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 45.82 drams to 24254.58 drams. Silver price up by 6.43 drams to 307.51 drams.

Red Cross restarts Karabakh evacuations after protests over blockade

Boris Nahapetian
Tigran GASPARYAN with Mariam HARUTYUNYAN in Yerevan

Azerbaijan on Friday allowed the Red Cross to resume medical evacuations from its restive Nagorno-Karabakh region to Armenia, after Baku's closure of the sole land link between the enclave and Armenia sparked protests and fears of a humanitarian crisis.

The closure came days before the leaders of the two countries were set to meet in Brussels for EU-mediated peace talks, while local separatists urged Moscow to ensure free movement through the Lachin Corridor that links the region to Armenia.

The Red Cross meanwhile told AFP it had restarted medical evacuations from Karabakh to hospitals in Armenia on Friday evening.

"Eleven patients in serious condition were transported through the Lachin Corridor," said Zara Amatuni, the spokeswoman for the organisation's Armenian branch.

On Friday morning, thousands of protestors rallied in Nagorno-Karabakh to demand Baku reopen the road linking it to Armenia and decry crisis conditions in the region.

Some 6,000 people gathered at the central square of Karabakh's main city Stepanakert, shouting chants such as "No to the blockade!" and "Open the road of life!"

– 'Irreversible consequences' –

"Russian peacekeepers must guarantee rights and physical survival of the people of Artsakh," Karabakh's rights ombudsman, Ghegham Stepanyan, told the crowd, using the Armenian name for the region.

AFP this week spoke to locals in Stepanakert, who reported food shortages and critical problems with access to medical services.

Demonstrators later marched towards the office of the Red Cross in Stepanakert and the headquarters of Russian peacekeepers deployed in the region, before returning to the city's Renaissance Square, vowing permanent rallies until the corridor is reopened.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said Baku had offered to provide assistance "regarding the supply needs of the Armenian residents" of the region.

Azerbaijan has said the decision to temporarily shut the Lachin Corridor was made after the Red Cross failed to "prevent illegal actions", such as smuggling mobile phones from Armenia to Karabakh using the organisation's medical vehicles.

On Thursday, an official in the separatist government called on Russia to ensure free movement on the Lachin Corridor.

"The situation is terrible, in a few days we will have irreversible consequences," said Gurgen Nersisyan, a state minister in the rebel government.

– 'Illegal blockade' –

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan earlier announced fresh round of peace talks with Baku, under the mediation of European Council President Charles Michel.

Pashinyan also said the "illegal blockade" of the Lachin Corridor contradicts a ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The UN's top judicial body ordered Azerbaijan in February to ensure free movement along the road.

Karabakh has been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the two countries, which have fought two wars over the mountainous territory, mainly populated by Armenians.

In autumn 2020, Russia sponsored a ceasefire agreement that ended six weeks of fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces for control of Karabakh.

The deal saw Armenia cede swathes of territories it had controlled for decades, while Russia deployed peacekeepers which are manning the five-kilometre-wide Lachin Corridor to ensure free passage between Armenia and Karabakh.

Armenia, which has relied on Russia for military and economic support since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, has accused Moscow of failing to fulfil its peacekeeping role in Karabakh.

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Yerevan Blames Death of 2 Children in Artsakh on Azerbaijan

Boris Nahapetian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

3-year-old Leo and 6-year-old Gita died, as their mother was procuring food


Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Thursday blamed the death of two children in Artsakh on Azerbaijan and its ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

“The seven-month blockade of Lachin Corridor total siege of Nagorno Karabakh people is having irreversible and devastating impact on the lives of the people,” Mirzoyan said in a Twitter post on Thursday.

“NK [Nagorno-Karabakh] resident children 3-year-old Leo and 6-year-old Gita died as consequence of the serious humanitarian situation. In 21st century. This should not be tolerated”, Mirzoyan emphasized.

Artsakh State Minister Gourgen Nersisyan on Thursday explained that due to lack of basic necessities in the country as a result of the blockade, the mother of the children was forced to leave the children unattended in order to find food and nourishment for them.

The Artsakh police reported on Saturday that it responded to a call about two unresponsive children found in a vehicle. Following an investigation, it was determined that the children had left their residence and wandered into the Martakert district where they had fallen asleep in a vehicle and passed away from heatstroke.

Armenian Deputy PM, Iranian ambassador discuss bilateral agenda

Boris Nahapetian

 14:21, 4 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. The outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri has called on Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

During the meeting Grigoryan thanked the ambassador for his significant work during his tenure in Armenia and wished him success in the future, Grigoryan’s office said in a readout.

The Deputy PM and the Iranian Ambassador also discussed actual issues of the Armenia-Iran bilateral agenda and underscored the existing opportunities and prospects for developing the relations.

AW: Samsung Innovation Campus celebrates graduation of second cohort of students

Boris Nahapetian
July 1, 2023 Guest Contributor News 0

Samsung Innovation Campus second cohort of graduates

DILIJAN, Armenia—The Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), a technology-based educational IT program by Samsung Electronics with its Armenian campus at UWC Dilijan, celebrated the graduation of its second cohort of students on June 10. A class of 50 youngsters from Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanаdzor and other communities of Armenia successfully completed the training course and presented their individual projects — mobile applications on the Android OS.

The participants of Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) passed a nine-month project-based course, divided into five modules:

  • Fundamentals of Java programming language
  • Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
  • Fundamentals of Android Application Programming
  • Algorithms and data structures
  • Fundamentals of mobile application server side development

After completing the course, the students presented individual projects which they developed using the knowledge and skills acquired at SIC, as their final test for certification. The projects were presented to an evaluation panel consisting of Samsung-certified instructors, educators in the field of computer science and tech industry representatives. 

“We are honored to have Samsung as a partner for this pioneering initiative. A lot of work has been done to deliver the results and achieve success,” said Arman Jilavyan, member of the UWC Dilijan Board of Governors. “We are proud that our cooperation with Samsung opened a new page in UWC Dilijan’s capacity to contribute to the development of Armenia.”

Samsung CIS HQ vice president Sergey Pevnev with an alumna

“We strongly believe in the potential of future generations. And in our company, social contribution to the education of young people is of great importance. Samsung Innovation Campus helps young people from all over the world master the most innovative IT technologies and successfully unleash their talents and future potential. We are proud of our partnership with UWC Dilijan College,” stated Sergey Pevnev, vice-president at Samsung Electronics CIS RHQ. “Thanks to the strong support from the leadership of UWC Dilijan and the Samsung Innovation Campus Armenia team of the development of our joint project, the program at UWC Dilijan demonstrates impressive results confirmed by the high level of the projects developed by the talented graduates. Our warmest congratulations to all the young developers on successful completion of Samsung Innovation Campus program.”

UWC Dilijan and Samsung Electronics, a world leading technological company, established Samsung Innovation Campus in Dilijan, Armenia in 2021. The initiative is aimed at making a contribution to Armenia by enabling Armenian youth to develop their IT skills and learn the concepts related to Android mobile programming. 

Samsung Electronics operates various technology-based education programs to nurture young talent that is capable of leading society in the future. One of these programs is the Samsung Innovation Campus at UWC Dilijan, which is built around the delivery, over the next three years, of a combination of online sessions and in-person training for 100 children annually. The initiative focuses on 14- to 16-year-old Armenian children. Samsung Electronics has equipped the facility with the state-of-the-art technology, including 25 computer stations, smart boards and other devices essential for the delivery of the Samsung Innovation Campus program in Armenia.




Former President of Armenia salutes Gladstone’s legacy during Flintshire library visit

Boris Nahapetian
In Your Area, UK


Dr Armen Sarkissian visited Gladstone's Library to mark its Founder's Day celebrations

PAYING HIS RESPECTS: Dr Sarkissian gave a one-hour talk, held in the library's world-famous Reading Rooms(Image: Geoff Scotland/@himynameisgeoff)

The former President of Armenia visited a Flintshire library to pay respects to its founder, William Gladstone. Dr Armen Sarkissian, who was President of Armenia from 2018 to 2022, visited Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden on May 22, to mark the Library’s Founder’s Day celebrations.

Dr Sarkissian and his delegation were hosted by the library team, led by Warden Andrea Russell, and trustees of the library, including Patrick Derham, former headmaster of Westminster School, and Charles Gladstone, a direct descendant of the Victorian statesman William Gladstone. During a one-hour talk, held in the library’s world-famous Reading Rooms, Dr Sarkissian thanked the library, which is a registered charity, for welcoming him, and emphasized the need for strong leaders like William Gladstone, four times British Prime Minister, and for learning spaces like Gladstone’s Library.

He said: “It is a great privilege to be here for me, Gladstone is a special figure in Armenian history and for the millions of Armenians living worldwide. My grandmother was born in what was Western Armenia and she was one of the survivors of the Armenian genocide.

FOUNDER'S DAY: Dr Sarkissian and his delegation were hosted by the library team, led by Warden Andrea Russell, and trustees of the library (Image: Geoff Scotland/@himynameisgeoff)

“There were stories about her life during the massacres, and there were two distinguished names that came up in her stories, President Wilson of the United States and William Gladstone. William Gladstone was respected by Armenians as he returned to the public eye in his twilight years to advocate against widespread attacks on the Armenian people, which took place in the Ottoman Empire in the late 1800s.”

Gladstone died on May 19, 1898, less than 20 years before the Armenian Genocide was carried out in 1915. The recent Founder’s Day event marked the 125th anniversary of his death.

Patrick Derham, chair of trustees of Gladstone’s Library, said: “All of us who are privileged to have a connection with the library are walking in the footsteps of history. We’re just trying to preserve something that is unique, that is very, very special for future generations.”

LEARNING FOR ALL: The recent Founder's Day event marked the 125th anniversary of Gladstone’s death (Geoff Scotland/@himynameisgeoff)

Warden Andrea Russell said: "It was so good to share this day with so many people who are passionate about the Library – giving thanks for all that has been, and looking forward to developing and widening the Library’s reach."

Among those invited to the event were Friends of the Library. As a charity, it has recently refreshed its Friends programme and is actively recruiting more supporters who share its vision to encourage and enable learning for all. Find out more about Gladstone’s Library at gladstoneslibrary.org.

Asbarez: Glendale Unified Superintendent Dr. Vivian Ekchian Announces Retirement

Boris Nahapetian
by Contributor

 

 June 21, 2023

 

in Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Glendale Schools Superintendent Dr. Vivian Ekchian


GLENDALE – During the Glendale Unified Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Dr. Vivian Ekchian announced she will be retiring from her role as superintendent of GUSD, effective June 30, bringing to a close her 38-year career in public education.
 
Dr. Ekchian’s career began in LAUSD and spanned the full range of leadership roles in both LAUSD and GUSD, from instructional aide to teacher, all the way to her current role as superintendent. In each of her roles, she has been commended for her vision and leadership. Here in GUSD, Dr. Ekchian has left a legacy serving as the first female and first Armenian-American Superintendent for the district. Much of her success stems from her life experiences, including a multicultural upbringing and journey to Southern California as an immigrant.

During her tenure, Dr. Ekchian has led the district in implementing the Board of Education’s priorities to maximize achievement for all students, foster a positive culture of learning on every campus, and protect the health and safety of students and employees. She is well known for her integrity, exceptional work values, and resourcefulness. She has been instrumental in elevating student voice, building partnerships with outside organizations to close the digital divide, providing dual college enrollment and internship opportunities for students, opening health and wellness centers at every high school, and expanding the district’s before and after school childcare program. In 2022, Dr. Ekchian was named Los Angeles County Superintendent of the year.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the students, families, and employees of Glendale Unified School District for the past four years. Together, we successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, improved health and wellness for students and employees, and expanded dynamic learning opportunities for every child,” said Dr. Ekchian. “I know that our Board of Education, school and district leadership, educators, and staff will continue the transformative work being done throughout the district and maintain a steadfast focus on preparing all students for success in college, career, and life.”

“Dr. Ekchian will be greatly missed in Glendale Unified. Her focus on equity and student success has significantly impacted how we meet student needs. She has served as a powerful role model for our students and adults alike. On behalf of the board, we wish her the best in retirement and look forward to her continued presence in the community,” said Board of Education President Nayiri Nahabedian.

Dr. Darneika Watson, Chief Human Resources and Operations Officer, will serve as Interim Superintendent while the Board of Education determines next steps.

In an interview with Asbarez Editor Ara Khachatourian earlier this month, Dr. Ekchian delineated the myriad programs the school system offers to ensure the wellness and safety of students. She also emphasized that GUSD is a safe and inclusive environment, where students – regardless of their backgrounds – are afforded the same level attention and access for every child to learn and thrive.