Author: Christine Harutyunian

Three members of the AYF Juniors Pasadena “Nigol Touman” Chapter are giving back to Armenia. 14 year old Kareen Manuelian, 17 year old Areni Hamparian, and 16 year old Zabelle Hamparian have found ways to utilize the skills, knowledge and experience they have gained as AYF Juniors to pursue their personal passions and love for service.

Manuelian has been supporting homeless dogs in Armenia, and the Hamparian sisters look to renovate a soccer field in the town of Ashan, situated in the Martuni region of Artsakh.

“I believe that you are never too young or too old to make a difference. My goal is to make positive changes in my local community and in my homeland—to be the voice for voiceless animals,” said Manuelian. “I recently discovered a non-profit based in Armenia called Dogs of Gyumri and have since supported their work to promote the well-being of animals through education, information, and advocacy.” Manuelian has recently been conducting presentations regarding the current condition of dogs in Armenia. Funds she raises from supporters help secure food, crates, and toys for dogs.

Having held soccer as a major part of their lives, the Hamparian sisters recently decided to begin Kickoff for Artsakh fundraiser to renovate a soccer field in Ashan. “My sister and I have found joy playing soccer for so many years, and we want to give back to the homeland that has given so much to us,” said Areni.

Ashan, located near the line of contact with Azerbaijan, is home to many heroes who were active participants in the Artsakh liberation movement, and to some who gave their lives for the freedom of our people. The field the Hamparian sisters would like to see renovated is on a plot of land that needs substantial improvement.

“This project aims to bring a beautiful soccer field to the kids of Ashan, so that they can use the sport as a means of bringing the youth together through healthy competition, physical activity, and happiness,” said Hamparian.

“While the welfare of dogs in Armenia or the renovation of a soccer field in Artsakh, may not be a high priority concern for some, these members are commendable for their desire to implement change through their unique personal interests,” said Talin Saklarian, the AYF Juniors Pasadena Chapter director.

“Our members are taught to serve and love their communities and homeland through educational activities that teach them hands-on organizational skills,” said Saklarian. “I am pleased and fulfilled by their desires to connect personal passions with service to the homeland and look forward to seeing more youth become active in these capacities.”

The AYF Juniors strives to nourish its members with experiences, information and resources to become ambitious and successful in their pursuit of civic, academic and career excellence, so they are best equipped to serve our communities, nation and cause. We serve our mission through active participation in our communities and during weekly gatherings held at all ten of our chapters in the Western United States. For more information or to join, visit our website, send an e-mail or call (818) 500-8883.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen on Saturday issued a statement ahead of proposed talks between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The two leaders last week confirmed their willingness to meet under the auspices of the Minsk Group co-chairs, Igor Popov of Russia, Stephane Visconti of France and Andrew Schofer of the United States.

Below is the complete text of the statement.

In their March 1 statement, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) welcomed the commitment of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to meet soon under the auspices of the Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs, working closely with the two foreign ministers, have been making preparations for this important leaders’ meeting, which will be the first direct contact between the two leaders conducted under Co-Chair auspices.

The Co-Chairs underline the importance of maintaining an environment conducive to productive discussions and continue to assess positively the recent lack of casualties on the front lines. The Co-Chairs also welcome some initial steps being taken in the region to prepare the populations for peace and encourage the sides to intensify such efforts. At the same time, the Co-Chairs reiterate the critical importance of reducing tensions and minimizing inflammatory rhetoric. In this context, the Co-Chairs urge the sides to refrain from statements and actions suggesting significant changes to the situation on the ground, prejudging the outcome of or setting conditions for future talks, demanding unilateral changes to the format without agreement of the other party, or indicating readiness to renew active hostilities.

With reference to some contradictory recent public statements on the substance of the Minsk Group process, the Co-Chairs reiterate that a fair and lasting settlement must be based on the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act, including in particular the non-use or threat of force, territorial integrity, and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples. It also should embrace additional elements as proposed by the Presidents of the Co-Chair countries in 2009-2012, including: return of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control; an interim status for Nagorno-Karabakh providing guarantees for security and self-governance; a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh; future determination of the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh through a legally binding _expression_ of will; the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their former places of residence; and international security guarantees that would include a peacekeeping operation.

The Co-Chairs stress their view that these principles and elements must be the foundation of any fair and lasting settlement to the conflict and should be conceived as an integrated whole. Any attempt to put some principles or elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a balanced solution.

The Co-Chairs are prepared to meet with the leaders and foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan at any time, and call on the leaders to resume negotiations in good faith at the earliest opportunity. Continuous and direct dialogue between Baku and Yerevan conducted under the auspices of the Co-Chairs remains an essential element in building confidence and advancing the peace process. The Co-Chairs will also continue to discuss, as appropriate, relevant issues with the interested parties directly affected by the conflict, recognizing that their views and concerns must be taken into account for any negotiated solution to succeed.

The Co-Chairs stress that they remain fully committed, in accordance with their mandate, to helping the sides find a peaceful solution to the conflict. The Co-Chairs also express their full support for the impartial and critical monitoring work undertaken by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and his team.