PM chairs regular Security Council session
11:56,
YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has chaired a regular session of the Security Council, the PM’s office said in a news release.
“We must record that after our latest session the security environment around Armenia not only didn’t unwind, but on the opposite certain processes are taking place in our environment which force us to be more vigilant in the issue of our security challenges.
In the agenda of today’s session we also have issues concerning the regional situation, and our decisions as a result of discussing them must serve for the duly management of security challenges. Certainly, I am convinced that we will be able to find the necessary toolbox in order for additional risks not to appear for the Republic of Armenia or remain within manageable circles.
The security of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh is certainly the most serious priority for our government. And in this direction we have an objective of solving and discussing not only ongoing, mid-term, but also strategic and long-term issues. These discussions, of course aren’t only taking place in the Security Council format, they also take place in the political arena, in different governmental working discussions and consultation formats, but of course the Security Council is the body where the results of all these discussions must be recapped and transformed into practical results and decisions.
I wish good luck to our today’s work, for these decisions not only to be made but also for us to have a concrete roadmap and perception on implementing these decisions,” the PM said in remarks at the session.
A broad range of issues of the security sector were discussed at the sitting.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Defense Minister attends killed soldier’s funeral
14:43,
YEREVAN, JUNE 15, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan personally attended the funeral of an on-duty Armenian soldier who was shot dead in a cross-border shooting from Azerbaijan at the Artsakh line of contact on June 13.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan said on Facebook that attendees at the funeral applauded the fallen soldier during the three-volley salute.
“Our nation’s attitude for its heroes is unique,” he said.
Artyom Khachatryan, a 20-year-old soldier, was killed by Azerbaijani gunfire while patrolling at a military base in the northern direction of the Artsakh line of contact.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
Contact: Danielle Saroyan
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Web: www.aaainc.org
NEW MEMBERS JOIN ARMENIAN
CAUCUS AS ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY PROMOTES STRONGER UNITED STATES-ARMENIA RELATIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Members joined the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and
more members co-sponsored the bipartisan Armenian Genocide resolution as a
result of successful meetings led by the Armenian Assembly of America.
The Armenian Assembly, along with its state chairs and grassroots
activists, met with a host of congressional offices to discuss strengthening
U.S.-Armenia relations, co-sponsoring House Resolution 296, and joining the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. As a result of these meetings,
Representatives Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Kevin Hern
(R-OK), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), Katie Porter (D-CA), and Abigail Spanberger
(D-VA) joined the Armenian Caucus, bringing it to 116 Members, and over 100
Members supporting H.Res.296.
"For years, the Armenian community's vibrant culture has been
an integral presence in Los Angeles and across the country. I'm honored to be a
member of the Armenian Caucus and look forward to joining my colleagues in
working on issues that matter to Armenian-Americans," Rep. Barragan told
the Armenian Assembly.
"As a new member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I look
forward to working with this bipartisan group of lawmakers as we build stronger
economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties with the people of Armenia," Rep. Spanberger
said to the Armenian Assembly. "I'm also proud to represent many Armenian
Americans across Virginia's 7th district."
Throughout April and May, the Assembly met with numerous offices
on Capitol Hill as well as in their districts, including Reps. Andy Biggs
(R-AZ), Judy Chu (D-CA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Jeff
Fortenberry (R-NE), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Ann Kuster
(D-NH), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Mike Levin (D-CA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Seth Moulton
(D-MA), Richard Neal (D-MA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Katie Porter (D-CA), Jamie Raskin
(D-MD), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Ross Spano (R-FL),
Norma Torres (D-CA), and Rob Wittman (R-VA), among others.
Assembly’s State Chairs Herman and his wife Laura Purutyan from Massachusetts, Armineh Ghazarian from Maryland, Paul Sookiasian from
Pennsylvania, Meganoosh Avakian from Virginia, along with members and
supporters such as Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participant
Armen Kaprelian from Arizona and Drs. Alice and Ara Apkarian from Orange
County, California were instrumental in encouraging U.S. Representatives to
join the Armenian Caucus and co-sponsor the Armenian Genocide resolution.
Rep. Susie Lee, who also joined the Armenian Caucus earlier this
year, stated: "Nevada's Third District is unique thanks to our diversity
and strong ties among different communities that call Southern Nevada home. I'm
proud to join the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues so that we can
continue advocating for the unique issues facing Armenia and continue to
support Nevada's Third District Armenian people."
“Thanks to the efforts of our state chairs and activists, we are
gaining momentum with more Representatives joining the Armenian Caucus and
co-sponsoring the bipartisan Armenian Genocide resolution,” said Mariam
Khaloyan, Director of Congressional Relations at the Armenian Assembly. “To
support the Armenian Assembly's efforts, we encourage everyone to reach out to
their elected officials as well as plan to attend the Armenian Assembly's National
Advocacy Conference this year, set for September 16-17,” Khaloyan added.
Established in 1972, the Armenian
Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization
promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly
is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR# 2019-019
Photo Caption 1:
Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, Congresswoman Grace Meng,
Armenian Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan, Armenian
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, and Armenian Assembly Massachusetts
State Chair Herman and his wife Laura Purutyan
Photo Caption 2:
Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participant Armen Kaprelian,
Armenian Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan, Armenian
Assembly Maryland State Chair Armineh Ghazarian, Congresswoman Nanette
Barragan, Armenian Assembly Communications Director Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian,
Armenian Assembly Pennsylvania State Chair Paul Sookiasian, and Armenian
Assembly Virginia State Chair Meganoosh Avakian
Photo Caption 3:
Armenian Assembly delegation speaking with Congressman David Schweikert
Photo Caption 4:
Armenian Assembly delegation speaking with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry
Photo Caption 4:
Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Congresswoman Ann Kuster,
and Armenian Assembly Massachusetts State Chair Herman Purutyan
Photo Caption 5:
Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participant Armen Kaprelian,
Armenian Assembly Communications Director Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian,
Congressman Mike Levin, and Armenian Assembly Pennsylvania State Chair Paul
Sookiasian
Photo Caption 6: Armenian
Assembly Maryland State Chair Armineh Ghazarian, Armenian Assembly
Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan, Armenian Assembly
Communications Director Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian, Congressman Dutch
Ruppersberger, Armenian Assembly Virginia State Chair Meganoosh Avakian,
Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participant Armen Kaprelian, and
Armenian Assembly Pennsylvania State Chair Paul Sookiasian
Available online: https://armenian-assembly.org/2019/06/11/new-members-join-armenian-caucus-as-armenian-assembly-promotes-stronger-u-s-armenia-relations/
Grace Meng.jpg
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Mike Levin 1.JPG
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Fortenberry 2.jpg
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Congresswman Barragan.JPG
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Kuster 2.JPG
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Schweikert (4).JPG
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French “Summit of minds” has kicked off in Dilijan city of Armenia.
The Summit of Minds, held annually in France’s Chamonix, this year will be held in Armenia for the first time. Armenia is the first country to host this French event.
ARMENPRESS reports the agreement on holding the event in Armenia was reached in September, 2018, when President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian was participating in the annual “Summit of minds” as the keynote speaker.
Over 100 prominent political and military figures from Armenia and abroad, scientists and businessmen participate in the event.
A number of thematic discussions are planned, which will focus on the geopolitical processes in Eurasia and the Middle East, high technologies and management, artificial intelligence, digital economy and so on.
The event will be over on June 9. The key partner of the summit is “The Monthly Barometer” prestigious analytical center.
From May 31 to June 2 Moscow hosted the International Olympic Forum which was attended by young athletes from various countries. Armenia was represented by judoka Gor Davtyan, athlete Rafik Manukyan, swimmer Varsenik Manucharyan and Marina Galstyan (table tennis), the National Olympic Committee reported.
The main goal of the forum was the dissemination of the idea of fair and impartial sports in young athletes. At the beginning of the forum famous Russian athletes introduced the Olympic ideology, history of sports and anti-doping rules to the participants. After it a quiz was organized. The Armenian and Belarusian athletes took part in the same team and came third among 10 competitors answering 42 questions out of 45.
At the end of the forum a five-hour cultural tour along the Moskva River was held for the young athletes during which they learned about the history of Moscow. After the forum the Armenian athletes returned to Armenia.
Olympic, three-time world and four-time European champion Arthur Aleksanyan took to Instagram to thank all his supporters for the congratulations after the victory at the International Turlykhanov Cup tournament.
“I am grateful for congratulations and for supporting me. This was a very important victory. We are now moving forward to European games,” Aleksanyan wrote.
To remind, the Armenian wrestler won his first champion title on Sunday after recovering from an injury has. In the 97 kg weight class competition of the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup held in Almaty, Khazakhstan the Armenian wrestler after winning four fights reached the final where defeated 3:1 Russian Aleksandr Golovin.
To note, Aleksanyan had been missing from the mat since the 2018World Championship held in Budapest, Bulgaria.
The Russian SISTEMA financial corporation, a major private investor, has re-nominated Armenian ex-President Robert Kocharyan to serve on its Board of Directors as Independent Director.
Kocharyan is an Independent Director and Chairman of the Nomination, Remuneration and Governance Committee of SISTEMA since 2009.
According to a news release by Kocharyan’s Facebook page, the composition of the Board of Directors will be approved on June 29 during an annual meeting of stakeholders.
Kocharyan, who was President of Armenia from 1998 to 2008, is currently under criminal prosecution in Armenia regarding the deadly 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan. The case is currently suspended pending further proceedings from the Constitutional Court.
(ECM)
Surrounded by muted piano, gongs and brushed drums, Agbabian’s experimental songs are creepy but tuneful and beguiling
She writes strong, hummable melodies … Areni Agbabian. Photograph: Mher Vahakn/ECM Records
Areni Agbabian is best known as a featured vocalist with the Armenian jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan, although her debut for ECM Records is most assuredly not a jazz album. She was born and bred in California, but rarely sounds American: her cut-glass delivery is more akin to a European arthouse singer, and she has certainly absorbed the folk songs and microtonal scales of her Armenian heritage.
Areni Agbabian: Bloom album artwork
The opener, Patience, sets the tone: it’s a sorrowful melody that starts like a Gregorian chant and ends oddly reminiscent of Radiohead’s Karma Police, sung in a pure, frictionless timbre at the upper end of a contralto range. This is not a voice that gets down and dirty: it floats a few inches above the earth on a higher, more rarefied plane, unsullied by the elements.
Instead of being accompanied by Tigran’s florid improvisations, Agbabian accompanies herself, with a piano style that is fugal, sparing and minimal. Sometimes she mutes the piano strings, which meshes well with the textural percussion of Nicolas Stocker, a Swiss drummer who uses brushes on drums and cymbals and teases out gentle noises on bells, gongs and Tibetan singing bowls.
Agbabian can write strong, effortlessly hummable melodies. A haunting theme is repeated on Petal One, Petal Two and Full Bloom as the album’s leitmotif. Mother is an intense, slow-burning ballad, like an old Celtic folksong played in ultra slow-motion, while two songs explore the unusual modal intervals of an ancient Armenian hymn. Most interesting of all may be The River, where Agbabian improvises melismatically over Stocker’s clattering drums, like a malfunctioning soul-singing robot.
Often she is more interested in exploring sound and texture for its own sake. Yearning sees percussionist Stocker creating a gentle, gamelan-like pulse on a West African thumb piano, while Agbabian plays zither-like riffs on a prepared piano. Sear sounds like a rigorous avant-garde piece by Morton Feldman, accompanied by the slow, intense rumble of Stocker’s drums. It is a creepy and beguiling collection from a real talent.
If Agbabian’s voice is smooth and unadorned, Leïla Martial’s voice is all sharp angles and wobbly shapes. On Warm Canto, she uses plenty of transgressive vocal glitches – yodels, whoops, rhythmic sighing – while the other two members of her Baa Box band (drummer Eric Perez and guitarist Pierre Tereygeol) contribute similarly eccentric vocal harmonies, using ultra-low baritone growls and throat singing. It’s fascinating but often a little too busy and cluttered – the trio only start to connect emotionally when they pare back the vocal gymnastics.
A new album from Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is always a treat. Like the Art Ensemble of Chicago, El’Zabar’s Chicago outfit explores jazz music’s ancient African roots as well as its freakish avant garde branches. Be Known: Ancient/Future/Music mixes off-kilter bebop with hypnotic minimalism (using an mbira along with other African percussion) but manages to make it sound funky and soulful rather than joylessly academic.