Pashinyan, Mishustin discuss issues of regional communications

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 20:08,

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. During the meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Minsk, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan touched upon the problems at the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border, as well as the unblocking of transport and economic communications in the region. ARMENPRESS reports Ria Novosti informs that PM Pashinyan thanked the Russian side for solving the problems rising at the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border, reminding that this is the only land route connecting Armenia with Russia.

"There were concerns related to that issue, as there are certain problems related to the increase of economic flows. It is very important what we have agreed on, including with our Georgian partners. It is important that the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia does not face artificial obstacles," said Prime Minister Pashinyan, expressing support for the unblocking of the entire region.

"I hope that as a result of the already done work we will come to concrete solutions. Unblocking transport and economic communications in the region is of special importance in the current situation," said Nikol Pashinyan.

‘My family’s history is represented here’ – Ardem Patapoutian visits Armenian Genocide Memorial

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 14:55, 16 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenian-American scientist, Nobel Prize laureate and molecular biologist Ardem Patapoutian visited today the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, the Genocide Museum-Institute said.

The guests were greeted by Edita Gzoyan, Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, who introduced the history of the creation of the Memorial. She also presented the history of the three cross-stones stationed in the territory of the Memorial, which are dedicated to the memory of Armenians killed during ethnic cleansing conducted against the Armenian population in the territory of Azerbaijan in the end of the past century.

Ardem Patapoutian laid a wreath at the Memorial, then the guests laid flowers at the Eternal Flame, by honoring the memory of the victims with a moment of silence.

The guests got acquainted with the permanent and temporary exhibitions in the Museum, and in the end Ardem Patapoutian left a note in the Honorary Guest Book: “My history and my family’s history is all represented here. My family is the victim of the atrocities that led my grandparents to Lebanon, and then my journey to US”, he said.

Edita Gzoyan thanked Mr. Patapoutian for the visit and handed over the recently published book titled “Aleppo Salvation House: 1 464 Testimonies of Armenian Genocide Survivors” to him.

In the end of the visit, Ardem Patapoutian planted a silver fir tree in Memory Park.

Moscow supports Armenia in processes of ensuring regional security: Secretaries of Security Councils meet in Yerevan

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 13:47,

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan met with Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev, who is in Yerevan for participation in the session of the CSTO Committee of Secretaries of Security Councils, the Office of the Security Council Secretary of Armenia said in a news release.

During the meeting Armen Grigoryan expressed confidence that all necessary opportunities and prerequisites exist for expanding the framework of cooperation between the Offices of the Security Councils of Armenia and Russia.

The sides discussed a broad range of issues relating to security. Nikolai Patrushev stated that Armenia is Russia’s key strategic partner and Moscow is supporting Armenia in the processes of ensuring regional security.

Armen Grigoryan introduced his Russian counterpart on the current regional security situation, the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the activities of the commissions on delimitation and border security, as well as the Armenia-Turkey normalization process.

Forecast: Lavrov can no longer impose his "plan" on anyone under the current geopolitical realities

ARMINFO
Armenia –
David Stepanyan

ArmInfo. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov can no longer impose his conditional plan- a ready-made solution to the entire complex of problems caused by Artsakh, on  anyone under the current geopolitical realities s. Director of the  Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan expressed a similar opinion  to ArmInfo .

 "Unlike some opinions, according to which the "plan"  begins to be implemented with each visit of Lavrov in Yerevan, in  reality this decision should be agreed with all the players and  interested parties. First of all, it should be accepted by Yerevan,  Baku and Ankara. However, the radical disagreements and  contradictions in the positions of the parties to the conflict in  establishing peace in the region, linking this path with the context  of the Karabakh problem at least indicates that it will be very  difficult to resolve this issue," he stressed.

As an example of the complexity of the current geopolitical  realities, the political scientist put forward the process of  implementing paragraph 9 of the Trilateral Statement of November 9,  2020. Noting this point, which envisages the possibility of  communication between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan, as the only point  related to any future of the conflict region, Iskandaryan stressed  the absence of any real progress in its implementation.

"Of course, Baku and Ankara are trying to put pressure on Yerevan in  this and other issues, in cooperation with each other, as well as  with Moscow, etc. This is quite normal for politics and geopolitics  and, in principle, there is no other way. The whole question is the  success of such a policy of pressure. We see that so far in this  matter they, let's say, have not succeeded too much," he said.

According to the political scientist, Russia, in turn, is working in  the Caucasian direction, including with Azerbaijan and Turkey. And in  general, it does not seek to get involved in difficult situations  anywhere else, except for Ukraine. And the South Caucasus for Russia  is only a part of the Turkish vector of its policy. Just like, for  example, Syria is such a vector. In his opinion, the main directions  of Russian policy are China, as well as Central Asia, the situation  in which is largely due to the same relationship with China.

"And of course, Russia is very busy with the Ukrainian conflict.  Speaking of this, I mean by no means only the military operations on  Ukrainian territory. We are talking about the whole complex of  relations between Russia and the West. In this light, returning to  the South Caucasus, I should admit that Moscow is trying to do  everything to maintain relative stability in the south in the context  of the main direction of its unfinished conflict in Ukrain,"  Iskandaryan concluded. 

Russia ends all Armenia and Kyrgyzstan travel restrictions


June 7 2022


Russian Prime Minister’s office published a new decree on the official portal of legal information today, officially ending all COVID-19-related restrictions on travel between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan).

On May 20, 2022, Russia’s Cabinet of Ministers issued a decree which established a “list of foreign states with regards to which temporary restrictions on the transport links introduced by Russia are lifted.”

Until today, the list included nine entities: Abkhazia, Belarus, the Donetsk and Lugansk separatist “republics”, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, Ukraine and South Ossetia.

Today’s PM announcement adds Armenia and Kyrgyzstan to this list.

All travel and transport curbs are officially canceled since the date the country is included in this list.

The June 15, 2021, presidential decree on temporary measures on regulating the legal status of foreigners in Russia amid the spread of the coronavirus infection, has suspended the duration of the effective period of temporary and permanent residence permits for foreigners.

According to that decree, it was suspended for the period “until 90 days expire following the lifting of Russia’s temporary restrictions on transportation communication” with foreign countries.

The list of the foreign states with regards to which the restrictions are lifted is defined by the Russian government.

Now that the list is approved, after 90 days, the duration of the effective periods of staying in Russia for the residents of these countries will resume.


https://eturbonews.com/russia-ends-all-armenia-and-kyrgyzstan-travel-restrictions/

Sports: ‘One of Armenia’s greatest victories’

Nigeria – June 5 2022

Republic of Ireland extended their torrid record in the UEFA Nations League as they fell to a shock defeat to Armenia.

The Boys in Green were expected to record a comfortable victory over the European minnows but fell to a 1-0 defeat in Yerevan.

Despite dominating possession with 68 per cent of the ball and having 13 efforts at goal, Stephen Kenny’s side were made to rue a number of missed chances as Ireland’s lack of composure proved costly.

After a wasteful performance, Eduard Spertsyan got the decisive goal for the hosts as a powerful drive beat young Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks.

As a result, Ireland have plenty of work to do in Group B1, with fixtures against Ukraine and Scotland scheduled for the coming weeks.

In addition to the uphill challenge that is ahead of them, a woeful defeat to Armenia has extended an unwanted record in UEFA’s competition.

The Republic Of Ireland have played 11 matches in the Nations League since its inception, winning none in the process.

Not only that, but the luck of the Irish hasn’t been with them in front of goal either, with Kenny’s side scoring just two goals in that time.


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Speaking after the match, Ireland boss Kenny said: “Obviously we lost the game, a tight game really overall. It’s not a game that we deserved to lose, you couldn’t say that on the balance of play or the balance of chances, but we’ve lost it and we’ve only got ourselves to blame, so we are disappointed.

“We’ve made life difficult for ourselves, but rather than focusing on that, we’ve got to focus on bouncing back on Wednesday.

“We’ve got two home games now, we need to dust ourselves down. We’re disappointed with ourselves, we know it’s a poor result, we’re well aware of that.”

However, in stark contrast, Armenia coach Joaquin Caparros was quick to hail the historic result.

He said: “I am very pleased with the way we played in the second half. I have to praise my players because it’s a very good result for our team.

“It’s one of the greatest victories of the Armenian football team because Ireland is a very good team.”

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Opposition MP slams Armenian authorities for crackdown on protesters

Panorama
Armenia – June 4 2022

MP Artsvik Minasyan from the opposition Hayastan alliance on Saturday denounced the Armenian authorities for the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters during anti-government demonstrations in Yerevan late on Friday.

Dozens were injured in clashes between riot police and opposition demonstrators that erupted near the government villas in central Yerevan. Police officers used stun grenades and detained scores of protesters.

Speaking to reporters in Yerevan’s France Square, Minasyan accused the Armenian leadership of “hooliganism” and disregard of democracy.

“Some 50 episodes confirm the use of violence by police officers or criminals wearing police uniforms, who inflicted injuries on citizens, in some case resorting to life-threatening actions,” the lawmaker said.

“Scores of people, including civilians and police officers, have been injured, and those who ordered clampdown on the peaceful protest are responsible for it,” he added.

First meeting of Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Commissions held in constructive environment – Minister Sanosyan

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 12:42, 1 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. The first meeting of the Border Commissions between Armenia and Azerbaijan was held in a good and constructive environment, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, whose deputy is involved in that commission, told reporters today.

“It has been a constructive, normal and professional discussion. Quite important issues were raised at the first meeting, a certain agenda of work has been set up and so on”, the minister.

Asked how the meeting was held in a constructive environment if after that tensions rose on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border as a result of which Armenian serviceman was killed by the Azerbaijani fire, the minister said: “Yes, the incidents on the border obstruct such processes and it is very condemnable when the normal working phase could be followed by such a behavior as a result of which servicemen could be killed”, he said.

The Family Behind Mini Kabob Offers Big Armenian Flavors from a Tiny Restaurant

may 26 2022
The Martirosyans welcome diners with expansive hospitality and epic grilled meats

He is standing in the prep corner of the tiny kitchen at Mini Kabob, the beloved restaurant his family owns in Glendale, California. The night before, the 32-year-old and his father finished catering a local wedding for 100 people, so supplies are low, including the seasoned ground beef that forms the base of what is arguably their restaurant's most iconic dish—the tender lule kebab. When it emerges from the flames, it glistens with fat and ripples with flavor. Swaddle the meat in a blanket of chewy lavash and a shower of paper-thin onions, and it's one of the best bites in the entire city.

Although it might feel like Mini Kabob is a reference to the restaurant's shockingly small size—it clocks in at barely 299 square feet—or its shockingly small staff (there are exactly three employees: Armen; his father, Ovakim; and his mother, Alvard), it is in fact a style of kebab, known as loghme in Farsi. The Martirosyans inherited the name of the place from the original owner, who started the restaurant 36 years ago directly in front of his mechanic shop, selling meat skewers when he wasn't fixing cars. Ovakim, who spent several years working as a cook in the Russian army, bought the restaurant 25 years ago after it had passed through a series of different owners, transforming the kitchen into a celebration of simple but flavor-packed Armenian cooking (with a gently Egyptian influence, thanks to Armen's grandparents).

The space might be small, but it is difficult to ignore the energy and heart that ebbs and flows through the space. It's a mom-and-pop shop in the truest sense: Ovakim is a master of meat and takes on a majority of the labor-intensive prep work. He butchers the various proteins before grinding them down and seasoning them according to recipes he likes to keep close to the vest. Ovakim then lovingly and patiently pats and sculpts the meat onto the flat, swordlike metal skewers with wet hands. It's easy to see the years of experience in his steady rhythm.

Alvard, who Armen says is definitely the "best cook" in the family, has knife skills that might worry even the most veteran assassin. She whips up batches of the restaurant's cold appetizers, like ikra, a tangy eggplant salad, and mounds thinly shaved onions tossed with sumac, which help round out nearly every dish. Alvard and Ovakim do all the shopping for the restaurant themselves, regularly visiting the local supermarket and carrying back plastic shopping bags of eggplants and peppers.

Armen, who joined the business full time after completing culinary school, staging in prestigious kitchens around Los Angeles, and managing other restaurants, pulls triple duty managing the grill, answering the endlessly ringing phone, and welcoming the customers who pop in and out of the shop at a rapid clip. (Due to the space constraints, there are just two small tables in the front of the restaurant for dine-in customers, so it's mostly a to-go operation.) It's a job he makes look easy, never breaking a sweat as he jumps from grill to customer.

Like many successful family businesses split across generations, there exists an underlying tension, felt most palpably between son and father. Armen is nearly bursting at the seams with ideas on how to modernize and expand the restaurant, while Ovakim prefers to keep things the way they have been for the past quarter century. "I've been trying to get him to let us accept credit cards for years," says Armen with a sigh. The compromise? The "cash only" sign in bright blue ink still sits in front of the register, but Mini Kabob is now on all the third-party delivery apps.

The biggest shift has been the restaurant's robust presence on social media. Armen mans the Instagram account with nearly 37,000 followers, posting everything from behind-the-scenes videos of kebabs charring on the grill and close-up shots of him marinating the meat for their tender beef shish kebabs to charming videos of his parents dancing around the shop. He recently put the restaurant on TikTok, where Armen amasses thousands of views on videos of him and his parents re-creating popular dance trends while in the restaurant. Mini Kabob's internet presence has won it a legion of fans, elevating it from an under-the-radar neighborhood joint to one of Los Angeles' most famous kebab spots, counting celebrities like Diplo and Eric Wareheim among its fans.

Armen is hopeful that he can one day make Mini Kabob not so mini by expanding into the space next door so there is at least a proper dining room to lay out platters piled high with rice, charred peppers, crispy beveled potatoes, and supremely tender tubes of meat licked by the flames of the grill. And though he has a deep emotional attachment to the restaurant he grew up in, he also has ambitious culinary aspirations of his own. When he isn't slinging kebabs, Armen runs a pop-up concept called MidEast Tacos, fusing his California upbringing with Armenian roots. He is in the process of opening a brick-and-mortar location of MidEast Tacos while daydreaming about other concepts he would like to bring into the world. But for now, he must get back to the kitchen: The kebabs will not grill themselves—and the orders are piling up.

[Armenian News note: See some of the menu items with photos and recipes at the link below]

PM Pashinyan, Ambassador Kopyrkin discuss Armenian-Russian relations agenda, NK conflict settlement

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 11:33, 27 May 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Ambassador of Russia to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin, the PM’s Office said.

PM Pashinyan said that the Armenian-Russian allied relations bear a dynamic character over the recent years, adding that the Russian Embassy in Armenia has a great contribution to this.

Pashinyan said that there are close contacts between the partners of the two countries, which, he said, is important for giving a new impetus to the mutual partnership. At the same time, he highlighted the regular meetings with the Ambassadors of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries and emphasized the importance of this format in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Sergei Kopyrkin thanked the Prime Minister for highly appreciating the activity of the Russian Embassy and said that their goal is to do everything to contribute to the further development of the bilateral allied and brotherly relations.

During the meeting the sides also discussed issues relating to the Armenian-Russian cooperation agenda, the settlement of the NK conflict and the processes taking place in the South Caucasus region.