Author: George Mamian

Christmas message of the Catholicos of All Armenians

George Mamian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 6 2022
January 6, 2022, 12:35

 4 minutes read

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has issued a message on the Feat of Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The message reads:

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: amen.
“Glory to God in the highest, that thou hast come and thou
hast saved the universe through Your theophany”
(Hymn of the Nativity).

Dear faithful,

On the feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the heavenly tidings “Christ is born and revelead”, we bring our love and best wishes to you, gathered in this church, to all our people and together with shepherds and angels, who bowed down before the Son of God, we praise the incarnate Savior saying: “Glory to God in the highest, that thou hast come and thou hast saved the universe through Your theophany”.

With the miraculous mystery of the Nativity of Christ, today once again the hope and grace of salvation descends again upon the world troubled by disasters and calamities. By the bright radiance of the star of Bethlehem, by the grace of the Nativity of infant Jesus, darkness of hopelessness is dispelled from the souls transformed to a Bethlehem. By the theophany of His Only Begotten Son, God invites all mankind to turn their hearts into a shrine of the revelation of divine infinite love, to experience cleansing from sins, to be transformed, and to be saved through a renewal. The apostle exhorts: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4: 22-24).

The way of human renewal and salvation is to live by God’s commandments, to be freed from the snares of sin, which is the firm guarantee of the continuity of humanity and the assurance of eternal blessings. Our Savior Lord, as a testimony of God’s infinite love and care for humankind, affirms that the world can be transformed, the reality of suffering and injustice can be turned into a place of happiness, in accordance to the testimony of prophet Isaiah, . “The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see the salvation of God. ” Isaiah 40: 4-5.

Dear faithful people,

These days the angelic news of the Nativity brings comfort and consolation to our hearts, broken and disturbed, restless with uncertainty, grieving the pain of catastrophic war losses; so that we may be strengthened by the Lord’s saving graces, transformed by faith, and prevail with hope. With such a spirit and progress, undoubtedly, we will be able to overcome the plagues and hardships, to become stronger as a nation and state, as a homeland and diaspora. Our fathers taught us to be resilient to disasters and troubles, not to allow ourselves to be defeated by worries and needs, or concerns regarding the future of the homeland. Let us be united in our homeland and in our communities all over the world. Our disunity and discord will generate new losses, trampling down our great and minor victories.

In the current difficult situation, we need to sober up, reject the paths that draw us away from God, firmly anchor our lives on the national and spiritual values, that have been passed down through the centuries, and guaranteed the survival of our people. We all have a sacred duty toward the memory of our children who received the crown of martyrdom for the homeland, to fight altruistically and uncompromisingly, for the sake of our homeland, for the sake of the free life of Artsakh, for the sake of a stable Armenian statehood and the unbroken preservation of our national identity. Let us always remember that the interest of the homeland is above all, and the free and safe life of our people is a priority. The realization of the vision of a strong and prosperous homeland requires a spirit and mindset of commitment and self-sacrifice, a kind and just conduct, and a way of life based on spiritual, moral values. This mission can be realized by the bright example of the Lord, who, according to His word, did not come to receive a position, a service, an honor, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Every position and authority in the public, political, or state spheres must serve to the progress of the country, and the general welfare and security; just as in a pious family. When a position ceases to be perceived as a service, it turns into a cause of arbitrariness, of evil and unjust deeds. Meanwhile, it is by our deeds of dedication towards the nation and homeland, by showing care and love and caring for each other that we will have strength and power to overcome hardships and tribulations, and to prosper a country. With the life renewed by the mystery of the Savior’s Nativity, we believe we will be able to create a new reality where mutual understanding and solidarity, uprightness and patriotism will prevail: a new reality, where every commitment will be aimed at the realization of the desires and aspirations of our people. With this vision, by the grace of Christ’s salvation, dear faithful, let us transform the course of our lives, let us always walk the path of upliftment and loving life.

On this soul-stirring day of the Nativity and Theophany, let us pray together so that God Most High may bless, keep, and preserve our homeland and the whole world. Let us pray for our homeland to become a manger of divine presence and the souls of the sons and daughters of our people be strengthened by faith and optimism. May the Lord, with the help of His most caring Holy Hand, guide us to walk the paths of good works of faith, to always glorify His Holy Name today and always and forever: Amen.

Christ is born and revealed,

Blessed is the Revelation of Christ.

Advocate: Criminal prosecution against Armenian detachment commander Ashot Minasyan is over

George Mamian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 28 2021
19:03, 28.12.2021

The preliminary investigation of the case of commander of the Sisakan military detachment, Colonel Ashot Minasyan is over, Minasyan’s advocate Mihran Poghosyan reported.

“The Investigation Department of the National Security Service of Armenia has ended criminal prosecution against Ashot Minasyan under the episodes of preparation for assassination of the Prime Minister and usurpation of power, as well as with regard to grave crimes of a group of people keeping arms and ammunition.

Basically, the body implementing proceedings has finally come to the conclusion that the described actions are not crimes and that Ashot Minasyan has the status of an acquitted person with regard to this.

Currently, Ashot Minasyan is only charged with medium gravity offense with imprisonment for a term of up to maximum 3 years.

This concerns the arms and ammunition found in the city of Sisian on November 13, 2020 to which Ashot Minasyan is linked as much as every citizen of the Republic of Armenia.

By getting acquainted with the case materials after the end of the preliminary investigation and after not finding at least one piece of evidence certifying the link of Ashot Minasyan to the offense, today we filed a motion with the body implementing proceedings with the request to end criminal prosecution against Ashot Minasyan,” wrote the advocate on his Facebook page.

What awaits the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations in 2022? [Azerbaijani Opinion]

George Mamian
Dec 30 2021

 

By

 Dr. Vasif Huseynov

Notwithstanding occasional flare-ups and infrequent deadly clashes, the past year marked a remarkably peaceful and promising period in the post-Soviet history of the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. Meeting three times via the mediation of third parties, the leaders of the two countries discussed the ways for normalization of their relations and gave important peace messages. The regional situation has passed a long path from the notorious August-2019 speech of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Karabakh where he, in a populist manner, shouted “Karabakh is Armenia, period”.

The Sochi summit of the leaders on November 26 formalized the peace efforts of the sides over the last year where Armenia and Azerbaijan basically recognized their international borders and launched the negotiations on their delimitation and demarcation. In late 2021, Prime Minister Pashinyan’s reference to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions of 1993 as the inevitable legal basis for the talks about the status of the Karabakh region confirmed that the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan have entered a qualitatively new stage. It is important to recall that the four resolutions adopted by the UNSC amidst the first Karabakh war, the international community recognized Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity with Nagorno-Karabakh being part of it. Referring to the content of peace negotiations between Baku and Yerevan during the rule of his predecessors, Pashinyan said that Karabakh’s status can only be determined within the constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This, along with the positive accomplishments in the talks over the unblocking of regional transportation and communication channels in line with the trilateral [Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia] ceasefire accord of November 10, 2020, has created an important ground to believe that 2022 promises more peace and security to the South Caucasus. On this account, the following predictions for the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations can be suggested for the upcoming year.

First and foremost, the format of negotiations is expected to remain as it has been since the latest war: i.e., the major decisions are likely going to be made within the trilateral format of the Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia leaders. Since the end of the 44 Day War, Moscow appears to be both supporter and guarantor of the agreements over the most conflictual issues between Baku and Yerevan and does not seem interested in losing its critical role in this process in the foreseeable future.

Along with that, there might be contacts and meetings between the leaders of the two countries mediated by other actors, for instance, the European Union. The Brussels summit of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan on December 14 demonstrated the EU’s capability to bring the two parties to the negotiating table and encourage them towards negotiated solutions to the existing disputes on their agenda. However, although the European Council President Charles Michel succeeded to facilitate a direct meeting of Aliyev and Pashinyan without the mediation of third parties, the regular direct contacts and meetings between them will take some more time to become possible.

Secondly, Baku and Yerevan are expected to announce the establishment of working groups for the delimitation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border next year. According to the results of the Sochi summit, an international commission of the two countries is expected to be founded with the participation of Russia. The progress towards this end would further stabilize the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia and as such prevent the reoccurrence of violent escalations of 2021. The fact that this process is fully supported by all three countries is significantly important and promising for regional peace and security.

Third, Baku and Yerevan are likely to remain on a good track also in the negotiations over unblocking of transportation and communications in the region. The results of the past year provide a favorable basis for this process. It is worth recalling that the leaders of the two countries agreed on the opening of a railway between the western regions of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave through the southern Armenian territories at the Sochi summit, after a long period of tug-of war. They have already prepared a timeline and estimated the costs for the reconstruction of this railway. The sides have, nevertheless, yet to reach an agreement about the technical details of a highway along that path which Azerbaijan calls “Zangazur corridor” with a reference to the historical name of the southern Armenian region. We can expect a breakthrough in this direction for next year. In parallel, Armenia is going to get railway access to Iran and Russia via the Azerbaijani territories which will create some degree of interdependency between Armenia and Azerbaijan providing more incentives for peacebuilding in the region.

Fourth, the 3+3 regional cooperation initiative, standing for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia plus Russia, Iran, Turkey and proposed after the 44 Day War, is expected to become an active platform for the discussions and solutions of regional problems in 2022. A summit of the participating countries is possible if all the parties remain interested in this format. Although Georgia is not likely to decide joining this platform next year due to the country’s strained relations with Russia, Tbilisi will have to find a way for engagement with this group if it becomes a real geopolitical force in the region. The 3+3 regional grouping has such a potential as the participating countries are either already in friendly relations with each other or willing to build such relations soon. The rapprochement between Baku and Tehran after the recent tensions in their relations and the progress in the normalization of the Turkey-Armenia relations will make a good contribution to the 3+3 initiative, as well. Hence, this initiative could even serve as a useful platform for the normalization of the Russia-Georgia relations helping the sides resolve their conflicts peacefully.

What is more, the developments of the past year and the prospects for the upcoming year reaffirm that the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in the 44 Day War of 2020 has created a unique chance for peace not only in the South Caucasus but also amongst the countries neighboring the region. We hope that it will finally be possible for the region to restore peaceful co-existence after the long years of conflicts and violence. This historic chance for peace should not be taken for granted and needs to be protected against the destructive forces that threaten to undermine the post-war peace process.


Robert Kocharyan favors transitioning back to semi-presidential system

George Mamian

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 16:08,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Former President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan says he favors transitioning back to a semi-presidential system of governance but disapproves the implementation of constitutional reforms through the path adopted by the incumbent authorities.

“I don’t think it’s right for every government to come and bring the constitution it wants,” Kocharyan said at a press conference. “I don’t even know what model they are proposing. I can only say that no president has had the kind of powers which today the prime minister has. This is not normal, but the re-distribution of these powers can be done today with laws. For example, the investigative bodies can be removed from the subordination to the prime minister. Unlike the previous constitution, when all changes implied a referendum, now there are many changes which can be done through parliament,” Kocharyan said.

The ex-president proposed the incumbent authorities to take some steps in decreasing the powers vested in the prime minister.

Armenia to launch Center for Integration of Repatriates

George Mamian

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 09:18, 21 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia is launching a Center for Integration of Repatriates to make the government support for repatriates more coordinated and broader.

“Repatriation is a very important strategic point for the government,” the head of the program in charge of setting up the center Margarita Baghdasaryan told ARMENPRESS.

“Now, when moving to Armenia repatriates face a number of issues relating to various issues, such as paperwork and general integration. Our office is dealing with these issues now as well. We have a dedicated department working with repatriates every day. We realized that this work ought to be done more coordinated and on a broader scale and we came up with the idea of creating the Center for Integration of Repatriates, the mission of which will include encouraging repatriation and helping the persons going through this process to receive support from the very beginning to the completion,” Baghdasaryan said.

Being a repatriate herself, Margarita Baghdasaryan returned to Armenia from the United States. She says she didn’t face any major issues because she was born in Armenia and was familiar with the environment, the traditions and public trends. But despite this, she experienced certain difficulties.

“It was difficult for me too, I had to understand how the healthcare system was working, there were issues with paperwork such as stamps in the passport or bureaucratic issues. Imagine the difficulties facing the repatriates who’ve never lived in Armenia before, who don’t have any friends or family here. We are trying to address all these issues in a coordinated manner,” she said.

The center will also digitize repatriation data to analyze the information.

Baghdasaryan says there are thousands of people who are considering repatriation to Armenia. “There is a lot of interest, and we don’t want to miss this. Now, there is a lot of interest from Lebanon, from Russia, France and the United States. Recently we started receiving inquiries from the Armenian community of Argentina.”

Preliminary timeframes of the center’s opening is in mid-2022.

Lights of Armenia’s main Christmas tree lit

George Mamian

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 19:05,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The lights of the main Christmas tree set up at the Republican Square of Armenia are lit.

ARMENPRESS reports Yerevan Municipality informed that this year no New Year events, fireworks are organized, the municipality's Christmas fair will not take place.

Christmas trees are also set up in the administrative districts of Yerevan.

Armenpress: Azerbaijan includes the French presidential candidate in the "black list" for visiting Artsakh

George Mamian

Azerbaijan includes the French presidential candidate in the "black list" for visiting Artsakh

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 19:38,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The French presidential candidate, President of the Regional Council of Île-de-France Valérie Pécresse, who paid a visit to Armenia recently, visited also Artsakh, on the occasion of which the French Ambassador to Azerbaijan was summoned to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, ARMENPRESS reports citing Azerbaijani media.

The Ambassador was informed at the Azerbaijani MFA that names of several French citizens, including French presidential candidate Valérie Pécresse, who visited Artsakh, were included in the list of persons whose entry to Azerbaijan is undesirable.

Junior Eurovision winner Malena arrives back in Yerevan to cheering crowds of fans

George Mamian

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 10:38,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Fans and family of 14-year-old Malena gathered at the Yerevan airport to welcome the singer back home after her victory at the 2021 Junior Eurovision in France.

Photos by Hayk Manukyan

As the singer was exiting the arrivals hall at the Zvartnots International Airport on December 22, fans started cheering and singing her Qami Qami song which brought her the win.

Speaking to reporters, Malena said that the 2021 Junior Eurovision was her first performance on such a big stage.

“I dedicate my victory to Armenia, to my Armenians, I love you very much,” the 14-year-old singer said.

She added that she wants to become a “big artist”, promote Armenia around the world and become popular.

Speaking about the Azerbaijani singer’s congratulations after the performance – when Sona Azizova approached Malena and hugged her – Malena said that before that they didn’t even meet. She said she doesn’t have any bad feelings towards Azizova, because she is a “girl just like me”.

Meanwhile, the head of Team Armenia at Junior Eurovision Davit Tserunyan told reporters that they are already thinking about the details of the 2022 Junior Eurovision, since Armenia will host the show. “This is a huge work, we hope that many more countries will participate in the Junior Eurovision 2022,” he said.

“Prior to Malena’s performance, delegations from various countries were approaching us and telling us that they are sure that Malena will win, and that they are impatiently waiting when they will return to Armenia because they remember the Armenian hospitality,” Tserunyan said, referring to Armenia hosting the show in 2011.

Tserunyan said that the victory is very meaningful. “I think this is the beginning of victories, and with this we are starting a new path. We were excited and inspired to see how everyone back at home were closely following and cheering for Malena. It was as if our entire country was sitting next to us. This victory belongs to all of us,” he said.

Armenian President holds meeting with Ambassador of Kuwait

George Mamian

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 13:50,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian received today Ambassador of Kuwait to Armenia Nawaf Alenezi, the Presidential Office reports.

The meeting covered topics relating to the current level of the relations between Armenia and Kuwait and their development prospects. The sides stated that the two countries have a mutual partnership potential in banking, tourism and high technology sectors.

The regional affairs were also touched upon.

Armenian, Iranian MPs highlight development of Meghri Free Economic Zone

George Mamian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 21 2021

MP Vahe Hakobyan from the opposition Hayastan faction, who heads the Armenian National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, as well as its members Mkhitar Zakaryan and Hripsime Stambulyan, on Monday met with members of an Iranian parliamentary delegation led by Seyed Mahdi Farshadan, head of the Iran-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Head of the Armenia-Iran Friendship Group Gevorg Papoyan also took part in the meeting, the parliament’s press service reported.

Vahe Hakobyan highlighted the friendly relations with Iran.

Seyed Mahdi Farshadan noted that they had effective meetings and discussions in parliament. He highlighted the development of the economic ties between the two countries.

Referring to the trade turnover, the Iranian lawmaker said that at this point it amounts to $350 million. He expressed hope that as a result of joint work, it would be possible to increase the volume of the trade turnover up to $1 bln.

In 2022 it is planned to renovate the Meghri customs point and bring it in line with international standards, the MP noted.

Both sides highlighted the development of Meghri Free Economic Zone.