Author: Garnik Zakarian

Saying that Moscow is concerned with what is being termed as accusations being hurled by Yerevan and Baku, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Friday that the rhetoric does not contribute to the development of favorable conditions for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution negotiations.

“This kind of rhetoric does not help to the development of favorable conditions for the negotiations process, and accordingly, to the interests of finding a compromise options for the resolution of the [Karabakh] conflict,” Zakharova said at a briefing Friday.

“We, as one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, take into consideration Moscow’s close relations with Baku and Yerevan, remain inclined to provide support with the purpose of a comprehensive advancement of the peace process,” she added.

Zakharova added that Russia’s position on deciding the final status of Nagorno Karabakh and resolving the conflict through negotiations remains unchanged.

“Russia proceeds from the point that the final status of Nagorno Karabakh must be decided through negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. You know our stance. It hasn’t changed,” she said, pledging that Russia will continue assisting the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

New Record Set for Gyumri Fundraising Efforts 

LOS ANGELES—Armenia Fund, in partnership with ARTN TV of Los Angeles, on July 14 hosted a special television program, dubbed the “Gyumri Celebration” and fund-raised a record-breaking $1,437,400.00 in pledges.

It culminated a month-long fundraising phone-a-thon campaign in the United States, as well as the prominent participation of the Fund’s partners and supporters around the world, most notably from the Armenian community in France – through Fonds Armenien de France.

Proceeds from the Gyumri Celebration television program will benefit the reconstruction of a building in Gyumri. Upon completion of the building, 40 families will be moved from decaying metal containers that they currently live in. The building will feature a new kindergarten, furnished apartments complete with appliances and furniture, and small-and-medium businesses. As part of the Fund’s ongoing program of focusing on renewable energies, the building will include solar panels.

“For the past 5 years, the Fund has lead fundraising efforts to help eliminate the scar of the earthquake once and for all. Today we reached new heights, thanks to our team and friends from all over the world. The Fund continues to grow and elevate to new heights not only in fundraising but also setting the trend and high standards for new projects”, said Maria Mehranian, President/Chairman of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region.

“Our new project in Gyumri is completely based on the Fund’s new, optimized strategy: a cornerstone of completeness, comprehensive and lasting program implementation, of which the result will be an improvement in the quality of life for the beneficiaries for not only receiving an apartment, but also the opportunity to work, to create, and to thrive. This fundraising campaign truly had an Pan-Armenian character. It will continue in the coming months through crowdfunding and online mediums.”, said Haykak Arshamyan, the executive director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

The Gyumri Celebration program featured before-and-after human stories of Gyumri residents, entertainment, and live guests. Video appeals from the President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian and Karekin II, Catholicos of All-Armenians were shown during the show. Fundraising for the Our Gyumri project continues. Donors can visit armeniafund.org/donate to make a secure online donation or call 1-800-888-8897.

Armenia Fund, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, independent, non-governmental corporation headquartered in Glendale, California. Hayastan All-Armenian Fund in Yerevan is Armenia Fund’s implementing partner.

The Premier of Australia’s New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian is on a personal visit to Armenia, where on Thursday she met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Armen Sarkissian.

While in Yerevan, she sat down with Norayr Soghikyan of Armenpress and discussed efforts to strengthen relations between Armenia and Australia, as well as her country’s efforts to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Below is the interview.

 

NORAYR SOGHIKYAN: Mrs. Berejiklian, as a result of elections held in New South Wales on March 23, 2019, you become the first female and Armenian Premier of NSW. NSW exceeds Armenia with its size and number of population for several times, as well as exceeds a number of leading countries with its economy. What cooperation prospects do you see with Armenia? Are there any mutual partnership programs which you already discussed with the Armenian President or the PM?

GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN: The programs are very broad, but I hope we will be able to establish strong ties at the official level in the future, because at a non-official level our hearts are very close. The Armenian community of New South Wales is very powerful. The members of the community always want not only to visit Armenia, but also be useful for the country. We have thoroughly discussed the issue of deepening the relations at an officials level both with the PM and the President, and I hope that we will be able to give an official status to our relations in the future.

N.S.: You visited Armenia also in 2013 with the delegation of Austrian politicians. Six years have passed since that visit, what change do you see in Armenia and what are your impressions today?

G.B.: This is the first time I am visiting Armenia as a prime minister, but, in general, this is my fourth visit. I have relatives here and always try to visit Armenia. I saw a lot of changes in Armenia. I think the people here are more optimistic, full of hope about the future, construction is developing, but there are some issues which need to be solved in the future. But I am optimistic about Armenia and feel that the Diaspora-Armenians always stand together with Armenia.

N.S.: What has impressed you most in Armenia? And what can attract NSW tourists to visit Armenia?

G.B.: I think Armenia’s history, beautiful sites can be attractive. Armenia should show its wealth in a better way, especially the monuments with a historical value. For instance, if the western world is informed that there are churches here dating back to the 4th-5th centuries, they will be interested in visiting here.

N.S.: Last time you also visited Artsakh. Are you planning a similar visit this time?

G.B.: Unfortunately no. This time the visit is very shot, I came here for a week to attend a wedding. But I will visit Artsakh in the future, I have been there for two times and always urge my friends to visit there. Another group of Australian lawmakers will visit Armenia in the near future, and I hope they will visit Artsakh as well.

N.S.: You proudly state that you are the granddaughter of a family who survived the 1915 Armenian Genocide. During your activities you repeatedly called on the Australian authorities to recognize the Armenian Genocide. What do you think when Australia will recognize the Armenian Genocide, what are the possibilities for that and what actions do you take on this direction?

G.B.: It’s already 20 years New South Wales has recognized the Armenian Genocide and is recognizing the independence of Artsakh. We hope that Australia will also recognize, if Germany and some countries can recognize, and I always raise this issue among my parliamentarian friends. I hope Australia will recognize the Armenian Genocide in the near future.

N.S.: What will be your advice to Armenians living in Diaspora who are just starting their activities in politics?

G.B.: Two things have always helped me, the belief and diligence. If you work hard, you can do everything. I’m always asked what is the secret, I say there is no secret. You need to work day and night and should always be optimistic, these two things are very important.

N.S.: Do you have any plans and goals to occupy higher positions in the future?

G.B.: No, my position as PM is enough. But 17 years ago when I was elected as member of parliament, I didn’t imagine that one day I will become a premier. But gradually when you are recording one success, you understand that you can achieve another as well. Thus, I achieved this position in that way.