Author: Hagop Kamalian

The program of modernization of the Meghri checkpoint at Iran’s border has kicked off. The project aims to create conditions conducive to business and commodity turnover.

“Modernization of the Meghri border crossing point is the continuation of the program of modernization of the northern checkpoints of Bagratashen, Gogavan and Bavra,” said Armen Sakapetyan, deputy chief of the State Revenue Committee.

He added that the “improved conditions will provide an opportunity to apply procedures meeting modern standards.”

The program is implemented by the UN with financing from the European Union and the International Center for Migration Policy Development.

The modernization of the checkpoint at the country’s southern border will boost the commodity turnover between Armenia and Iran.

The two countries intend to implement on-line data exchange within the framework of the joint use of the border crossing point.

Glendale residents and community leaders came out Monday night to a commemorative event in honor of the roughly 1.5 million Armenians killed more than a century ago by Ottoman Turks during the Armenian Genocide, the informs.

Although a somber night, the event held at the Alex Theatre aimed to unite those in attendance as a community through awareness of Armenian culture and history. Event speakers included Glendale Mayor Paula Devine, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and keynote speaker Robert Avetisyan.

Schiff started by expressing his disappointment that President Donald Trump and past U.S. presidents have failed to recognize the massacre as a genocide, but added that their inaction shouldn’t deter the community from seeking recognition and justice.

“The souls of 1.5 million demand it,” Schiff said.

He also took the time to lambast Trump for sending a congratulatory message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week despite protests from Trump’s own state department — along with international monitoring groups — after a series of voting irregularities during the country’s referendum that expanded presidential powers.

“The changes have effectively empowered one man, President Erdogan, who has systematically seized political power in the country and marginalized or imprisoned his critics,” Schiff said. “And what did America have to say about this? Sadly our answer was only ‘congratulations’ … We cannot defend democracy when we celebrate its defeat.”

Between speeches, performances by the Zvartnots dance ensemble and music by guests Harout Pampoukjian and Narek Makaryan rounded out the event.

The audience was also treated to portions of “I Am Alive,” the first-ever musical about the Armenian Genocide by Emmy-nominated composer Denise Gentili.

City Councilman Ara Najarian, also a co-chair on the annual commemoration event committee, shared a story contained in a 250-page memoir written by his grandfather that was discovered recently. It details a firsthand account of the Armenian Genocide.

Through tears, Najarian read from his grandfather’s story about an emaciated boy he found near death in the fields after returning home from the market.

Najarian’s grandfather, a boy himself at the time, hid and nursed the sick boy back to health until one day a Turkish man shot the boy dead.

Avetisyan, a representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to the United States, spoke about ongoing Armenian strength and resilience despite the human-rights atrocity committed against them.

“Armenians survived to fight for justice, to make the world a safer place by sharing lessons of our history and doing whatever we can to prevent more genocides,” Avetisyan said.

Th European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) organised a briefing to assess the parliamentary elections held in Armenia on 2 April, and their consequences for the future of the Armenia-EU cooperation.

Heidi Hautala, Member of the European Parliament who led the EP’s delegation which was an integral part of the International Electoral Observation Mission (IEOM), was the speaker at this Briefing, which was moderated by Diogo Pinto, Director of EuFoA, and attended by more than 30 representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, diplomatic corps and international NGOs.

Mr Pinto thanked and welcomed the speaker and the participants, and reminded that these were the first elections held in Armenia following the constitutional amendments, approved in a referendum in December 2015, which reduced the powers of the President in favour of the Prime Minister and the Parliament, and changed the electoral system from a majoritarian to a largely proportional one, and that they took place just a couple of weeks after the initialling of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

Ms Hautala, in her initial remarks, noted that the elections were preceded by an extremely constructive and inclusive process, which led to a new, consensual Electoral Code, and reminded that the EU contributed financially to the success of the elections, namely through the introduction of Voter Authentication Devices (VADs) and web cameras, which helped identifying voters and preventing multiple voting, impersonatio
n and fraud, significantly increasing the overall transparency. Ms Hautala added that despite the fact that the elections were well administered and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, observers were confronted with credible information about vote-buying and pressure on civil servants and employees of private companies, exerted by various candidates from different parties.

During the interesting debate that followed, both the Central Election Commission and the Precinct Election Commissions were praised for the professional and transparent way in which their work was conducted; the public TV channel H1 was acknowledged for devoting equitable coverage to all contestants in its newscast; but concerns were expressed regarding the ownership and the independence of the media, and the causes and effects of the phenomenon of vote-buying.

In conclusion, and despite the shortcomings which need further investigation so they can be eradicated and overcome, these elections confirmed that Armenia is on the right track to consolidate itself as a strong democracy, where both the government and the opposition are able to learn from mistakes and integrate criticism. In this context, the EU should continue to encourage reforms and support Armenia’s sovereignty and independence, namely through assistance promoting the independence of the judiciary, transparency of the political process and good governance, but also training for journalists and continued empowerment of civil society.

Mr Pinto, speaking after the briefing, said: “This was a successful event, and I am happy to see that it attracted the interest of so many people. We wish all the best to the recently elected members of the National Assembly of Armenia, and look forward to seeing a renewed cooperation with the EU. The signature of the new Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, which we hope will happen soon, will add impetus to that”.

French presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron pledges to continue the tradition to commemorate the Armenian Genocide if elected.

“The date of 24 April is a strong symbol: it commemorates the murder of 600 Armenian intellectuals on 24 April 1915 in Constantinople and the beginning of the first genocide. This is an important moment for the duty of memory and for the friendship between France and Armenia. I intend to continue this tradition by participating in the commemorations. I am also in favor of a day of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide being included in our calendar,” Macron said in an interview with .

“In France, the penalization of the denial of the genocide could not be obtained and the decision of the Constitutional Council provoked much misunderstanding. I am convinced that we must continue to work in this direction. Law and memory cannot be incompatible,” the presidential candidate said.

“France and Armenia share a great friendship that I wish to further strengthen. Due to the presence of the Armenian community of course, but also to prolong a tradition that has its roots in the late nineteenth century when the French press was already taking position by denouncing the first massacres. This support continued with naval relief operations to the Armenians of Cilicia in 1909 and in 1915 and then with the recognition by France of the first Armenian Republic in 1918. Today, Armenia is a member of the Organization International of La Francophonie. The next summit of this organization is to be held in Yerevan in 2018! It will be a great moment for our two countries. Our privileged relationship is also due to the neglected economic opportunities in Armenia, where France must invest more, for example in the new technologies sector,” Emmanuel Macron said.

He said France must play its full part in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. “France is co-president of the Minsk Group, with Russia and the United States. It is working to find a negotiated solution to the Karabakh issue, in accordance with international law. It is within this framework that the question of recognition will arise. Our country must play its full part. After the Paris summit in 2014, the effort was not pursued. I therefore want to revive it to find a solution that respects both the integrity of states and the right of self-determination of peoples. The road is narrow, I know, but we can move forward,” Macron stated.

Armenian Weekly – A fire erupted in the Armenian Evangelical Church of Alfortville at around 6 a.m. on the morning of April 2, in what is being described as an arson attack—the third attack on the church in the last 12 months.

According to reports, the flames woke Pastor Gilbert Léonian and his wife, who live in the first floor of the building.

Though no injuries reported in the incident, Léonian said that the two were shocked to wake up to the fire. The church’s entrance also sustained substantial damage as a result.

According to reports, a trash bin in front of the church was deliberately set on fire. Firefighters arrived on scene on time to stop the spread of the fire to the rest of the building.

Eight days earlier, stones were thrown against the facade of the church causing some damage. Léonian became the pastor of the church 18 months ago and leads the congregation of about 30 people.

The Mayor of Alfortville Luc Carvounas was quick to condemn the attack and expressed his solidarity with the church’s congregation and leadership.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, cast his ballot at polling station 14/11 in Etchmiadzin.

“We made our choice, wishing that these elections bring progress, development to our people, ensure a peaceful and tranquil life and add optimism, hope and faith. God bless our country and world-spread Armenians,” the Catholicos said.

The Armenian National Security Service (NSS) has conirmed that three people, including Samvel Babayan, have been arrested under the criminal case instigated on the illegal smuggling of Igla antiaircraft missile complex.

The NSS says that persons who acquired the components and organized the transportation of Igla systems acted in accordance with a preliminary agreement with Samvel Babayan and upon his instruction.

The security service said the system was smuggled from neighboring Georgia and that it was in an operational state.

Investigation into the case continues.

On March 16, Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian will visit New York to attend events dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s membership to the United Nations.

Minister  Nalbandian is expected to meet with UN Secretary General António Guterres.

President of the European Council Donald Tusk has announced the conclusion of the negotiations on the new EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

“I am very pleased to announce today the conclusion of negotiations on the new EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement,” Tusk said after talks with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Brussels.

“Armenia whose independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity we support is an important partner for the European Union,” Donald Tusk said.

“This new agreement will broaden the scope of our relations, taking into account the new global, political and economic interests we share and challenges we want to face together,” he added.

“We are looking forward to stronger cooperation in sectors such as energy, transport and the environment, for new opportunities in trade and investments, and for increased mobility for the benefit of our citizens,” President of the European Council said.

“The EU is already the first trade partner of Armenia, its first international donor and strongest supporter to reforms. We intend to expand these relations further in the coming years and have encouraged Armenia to continue reforms across a range of issues, including economic development, the business environment, the judiciary, human rights, the fight against corruption and measures to ensure free and fair elections,” Donald Tusk stated.

“We also discussed the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The status quo is unsustainable. The conflict needs an early political settlement in accordance with international law. It does not have a military solution. The EU continues to fully support the mediation efforts and proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,” he said.