Author: Emil Karabekian

Russia’s border restrictions not to affect cargo transportation to Armenia

Emil Karabekian
Public Radio of Armenia


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin.

The heads of government of the two countries discussed the process of organizing cargo transportation between Armenia and Russia, taking into account the decision by Russia to impose new restrictions on the borders.

Nikol Pashinyan and Mikhail Mishustin agreed that cargo transportation from Russia to Armenia will continue on a regular basis and the above restrictions will not affect the transportation of Armenian cargo.

The heads of government of the two countries also touched upon issues concerning the Armenian-Russian trade and economic cooperation and emphasized the importance of maintaining the full volume of cargo transportation between Armenia and Russia.

The interlocutors agreed to continue regular contacts to respond quickly to further issues.

Asbarez: Joint Statement By Armenian Religious Leaders Of The Western United States

Emil Karabekian

Clockwise from top left: Western Diocese of the Arm. Apostolic Church;
Western Prelacy of the Arm. Apostolic Church; the Armenian Evangelical Union of N. America; and the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the U.S. & Canada

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
(Psalm 34:4)

We, the Armenian religious leaders of the Western United States, offer our heartfelt prayers to Almighty God as a “fragrant incense” and beseech the Lord to accept our supplications as an “evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2)

For we know our people have complete faith in God, Who “raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.” (1 Corinthians 6:14)

As we prepare to celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we would like to reaffirm our faith in His salvific power through the Holy Cross. Let us remember the divine miracles of the old and of our times, thus allowing the Holy Spirit to console and empower us. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for He is with us, His rod and His staff, they comfort us. (Psalm 23:4)

As Daniel was saved from the lion’s mouth (Daniel 6:27), as Jonah was saved from the belly of the fish (Jonah 1:17), as Rahab and her family were spared (Joshua 6:25), as the Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13), the ill man by the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15), the two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31), the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), and the deaf man were healed (Mark 7:31-37), as Lazarus was resurrected (John 11:38-44), thus the Lord will deliver us from the snares of the wicked COVID-19 Coronavirus.

The new dawn of Holy Easter is upon us. It will bring us abundant light and hope. Our plea to you is to remain prayerful and steadfast during these trying times. “For you, dear children, are from God, and the one Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate
Western Diocese of the Arm. Apostolic Church

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
Western Prelacy of the Arm. Apostolic Church

Bishop Mikael Mouradian, Eparch
Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the U.S. & Canada

Rev. Berdj Djambazian, Minister
Armenian Evangelical Union of N. America




Armenpress: Armenians in Italy give insight to draconian lockdown measures in Europe’s top coronavirus hotbed

Emil Karabekian

Armenians in Italy give insight to draconian lockdown measures in Europe’s top coronavirus hotbed

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 12:24, 12 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS. Amid the heightened nationwide coronavirus lockdown in Italy, ARMENPRESS has contacted two Armenians who are currently in the most-severely hit COVID19 hotbed in Europe to get an insight about the restrictions.

Gevorg Hovhannisyan, an Armenian living and working in Rome, said the situation in the Italian capital was relatively calm until last week, however it drastically escalated in the past days.

“Going out from home is banned. If a person is going to work, they must have a document showing that they are going to work. If the police stop you and you don’t have the paper then you’ll be fined 200 euros and face a three-month arrest,” he said. Hovhannisyan said people are allowed to go out only for going to the grocery store, the pharmacy and work, and everyone must wear face masks and gloves while doing so. Restaurants, hotels and clubs are shut down. All public venues are closed until March 25, and any potential further restrictions will depend upon the situation.

“There is panic in the country, we are getting bad news on new infections and deaths every day. As you know, the number of deaths in Italy is high”, he said, adding that there is shortage of face masks and hand sanitizers.

Hovhannisyan said he is keeping touch with other Armenians in Rome and they are aware of the Armenian government’s planned evacuation of its nationals.

Ani Avagyan, a researcher who went to the Bologna University for a study since February 17 and is already on her way back to Armenia, told ARMENPRESS that preventive measures and screenings are carried out at the airports.

“During this time they are advising people to carry out preventive action and follow hygiene rules. In addition, they say people should maintain 1-1,5 meter distance from one another, refrain from handshaking and kissing”, she said. Avagyan says all sectors of Italy are impacted, streets are empty, museums and public venues are shut down. People aren’t going out from their homes and educational institutions are organizing remote classes.

She also pointed out the serious shortage of face masks and disinfecting gels in Italy.

Avagyan expressed opinion that Armenia should impose stricter preventive actions by seeing Italy’s situation.

“When I went to Italy in February, at that time it seemed as if they weren’t treating the virus seriously. But then we saw what happened. I think strict measures should be taken from the beginning”.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Ameriabank postpones loan repayments for 2 months over coronavirus fears

Emil Karabekian

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 16:02,

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS.   To prevent coronavirus, as well as to avoid crowding in the bank's branches, Ameriabank has decided to provide all its individuals and individual business customers with a "credit vacation" from March 13 to May 13, 2020, ARMENPRESS reports the Bank issued a statement.

“To prevent coronavirus, as well as to avoid crowding in the bank's branches, Ameriabank has decided to provide all its individuals and individual business customers with a "credit vacation" from March 13 to May 13, 2020.

“To prevent coronavirus, as well as to avoid crowding in the bank's branches, Ameriabank has decided to provide all its individuals and individual business customers with a "credit vacation" from March 13 to May 13.All individuals and individual entrepreneurs during this period may fail to make regular repayments of their loans, including principal, accrued interest, servicing and other payments, which will not result in any adverse effect.

Loan interest rates of its individuals and individual business customers will be calculated and distributed over the remaining months of the loan in accordance with the newly drawn schedule that the customers can receive through the pre-selected communication method they have selected.

Ameriabank continues urging all its customers to use the Bank's Remote Service and 24/7 Contact Center by calling +374 10 561111”, reads the statement.

8 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Armenia since March 1, 2020 

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Newspaper: Armenia 1st President clearly says to PM that such ingratitude will not be forgotten

Emil Karabekian
News.am, Armenia

10:15, 13.03.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – Iravunk daily of Armenia writes: According to a reliable source, the ANC [Armenian National Congress party] is deeply offended by [PM] Nikol's [Pashinyan] statement that the judges in the CC [Constitutional Court] are the lackey-fraudsters of [ex-Presidents] Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Robert Kocharyan, and Serzh Sargsyan.

The ANC has been deeply offended by putting [First President] Levon [Ter-Petrosyan] on the same plane as Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, and though it has been announced that they will not express [views in this regard] until after the [forthcoming constitutional] referendum, other passions are boiling over at the backstage.

According to our source, Levon has clearly said to Nikol that such ingratitude will not be forgotten, and the time will come and unpleasant compromising materials will be made public about Nikol.

Pashinyan and wife test negative for coronavirus

Emil Karabekian

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 17:29,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

Pashinyan and his wife had gone into self-quarantine on March 13th after a media report said the Brazilian president had the virus. Anna Hakobyan had a meeting with the Brazilian First Lady days earlier.

The report on the Brazilian president’s health condition was refuted afterwards, but Pashinyan and his wife however chose to stay self-quarantined and take the test as a precaution.

The tests came back negative.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenia saw 95 forest fires in one day, minister says

Emil Karabekian
Panorama, Armenia

At a government meeting on Thursday, Armenia’s Minister of Emergency Situations Feliks Tsolakyan said that the number of fires has increased dramatically in the country in recent days, which is not typical of this time of year.

Informing that employees of the ministry are facing some difficulties while moving from one place to another and putting out fires, the minister asked the local governments to seriously deal with the problem.

“Villagers gather and burn leaves, residues of their orchards. But then they fail to monitor the process and the fire spreads,” he said.

“There are fires for other reasons, too. We have forest fires that are not typical of this season. For example, we recorded 95 fires yesterday,” Feliks Tsolakyan said.

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan proposed Vache Terteryan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, to discuss the issue with Feliks Tsolakyan and implement measures, involving regional administrations in them. 

Open Society Foundations-Armenia: Since revolution, society’s expectations changed regarding agreement with EU

Emil Karabekian
News.am, Armenia

14:31, 11.03.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – Since the revolution in Armenia, public expectations in the areas of social, economic, and democracy have changed regarding Implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia and the European Union (EU). Larisa Minasyan, Executive Director of Open Society Foundations-Armenia (Soros foundation), said this at the launch of the program, entitled "Civil Society Monitoring of the Implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the European Union."

According to her, the new Armenian authorities have found an opportunity to make sense of what the previous authorities have declaratively adopted by supplementing them with three strategies: the judiciary, human rights, and the fight against corruption.

Minasyan, however, expressed a  regret that the reforms that Armenia had to implement within the framework of CEPA have remained on paper, and furthermore, other goals were implemented under the implementation of these principles, and as a result, instead of transparent elections, the Armenian society became more controllable during election campaigns, and instead of an independent judiciary, a body was formed that serves the interests of certain circles.

Armenian central bank issues collector coins dedicated to Khrimyan Hayrik and Jansem

Emil Karabekian
ArmBanks, Armenia
March 5 2020

05.03.2020 19:15

YEREVAN, March 5. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia has issued three collector coins dedicated to the 200th birthday of Catholicos Khrimyan Hayrik and the 100th birthday of Jansem (Hovhannes Semerdjian, 1920-2013), a French-Armenian painter.

Khrimyan Hayrik- 200

The silver coin dedicated to Khrimyan Hayrik is minted in the Lithuanian Mint in the quantity of 500. Its face value is 1,000 drams. Khrimyan Hayrik is depicted on the coin's reverse. The building of the Khrimyan Museum-gallery, a rosace, a fragment from the “Metal scoop“ spring – monument (author – Areg Israyelyan), a behest by Khrimyan Hayrik and his signature are on the obverse.
Mkrtich I Vanetsi Khrimyan (Khrimyan Hayrik, 1820-1907) is a public, political and cultural figure, Catholicos of All Armenians since 1893.
He received informal education at parochial schools on Lim and Ktuts islands in Lake Van (Vaspourakan Province, Western Armenia). He founded Armenian periodicals “Artsvi Vaspourakan” (1855) and “Artsvik Tarono” (1863), and established Zharangavorats schools (schools for clergymen) at Varagavanq Monastery and St. Karapet Monastery of Moush. In 1854 Khrimyan became a celibate priest (vardapet) and in 1868 he was consecrated as bishop. He appealed to the authorities of a number of European countries to settle the Armenian Issue diplomatically. In 1878 he headed the Armenian delegation at the Congress of Berlin. He supported the creation and operation of “Black Cross” and “Protector of Homeland”, underground organizations in Van and Karin, respectively, fighting for national liberation, for which he was exiled to Jerusalem. As the Catholicos of All Armenians, he continued his national liberation activities.
He authored books that tackled religious, philosophical, poetic and other relevant topics, by which he expressed the emotions and suffering of the people.

Jansem – 100

As many as 300 golden coins dedicated to Jansem of face value of 10,000 drams and 500 silver coins of 100 dram face value were issued. Both coins were minted in the Lithuanian Mint.
A fragment of the painter's "Woman with Masks" (1978) is on the gold coin obverse, and his portrait is on the reverse side.
On the silver coin obverse, a fragment from the “Poppies” (1982) painting, and on the reverse are a portrait of Jansem and a fragment from the “Woman in Yellow” (1968) painting.
Jansem (Hovhannes Semerdjian, 1920-2013) is a French-Armenian painter, a Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.
In 1922 Jansem emigrated with his family from Turkey to Thessaloniki and then to Paris. He studied at Montparnasse Free Academy, and in 1939 graduated from the Paris High School of Decorative Arts.
Jansem created dozens of artworks with national motifs, thematic groups of paintings and portraits. His distinctive works are realistic and penetrated with humaneness. Expressive light colors in combination with sensual drawing make faces and movements of the represented figures more impressive and help to go insight into the aura of painting.
Jansem was honored with a number of international and state awards, including Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots (2002) and Order of the French Legion of Honor (2003), Order of Honor of the Republic of Armenia (2010).
Jansem’s works are exhibited in many countries of the world. Many paintings are exposed in the National Gallery of Armenia, and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute exhibits the famous “Genocide” (1998-2001) group of paintings. -0—

Re-PRINTING history: Aliyev angered by Armenian toponyms on museum maps, orders new ones

Emil Karabekian

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 15:52, 6 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has been angered upon seeing Armenian toponyms on maps displayed at an Azerbaijani arts museum in the Tovuz region.

Apparently by not putting up with the fact that a state of Azerbaijan did not exist during the times of the Kingdom of Urartu, Aliyev demanded the museum to have new maps with names of so-called ancient Azerbaijani cities.

Aliyev instructed the museum’s director to replace the names of Dilijan, Sevan, Hrazdan and other Armenian areas on the maps with Azerbaijani ones.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan