Author: Karapet Navasardian

Rose and Alex Pilibos high school students helping Hye Hopes classes in Syunik

Karapet Navasardian
 Guest Contributor Nonprofit News, Diaspora 0

Narineh Kouzouian, Greg Krikorian of Hye Hopes, Principal Maral Tavitian and Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School students

HOLLYWOOD—Hye Hopes Inc. visited Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School to show its appreciation to teacher Narineh Kouzouian and students, who have helped with synchronized instruction to students in the Syunik province of Armenia since January 2021. The Pilibos Scholars have collaborated with students from Kapan, Verishen, Meghri, Sisian and Agarak in the Hye Hopes online leadership course led by Kouzouian.

Teacher Narinek Kouzouian, Principal Maral Tavitian and Greg Krikorian of Hye Hopes Inc.

During his visit, Greg Krikorian, president and co-founder of Hye Hopes, said that the moments they get to share with their fellow high school students in Syunik are special. The students in Syunik are grateful for the time they spend on Zoom class together. Hye Hopes presented all the participating students with winter beanies as a small token of appreciation and acknowledgment. The Hye Hopes team is appreciative to Rose and Alex Pilibos School Principal Maral Tavitian for allowing Hye Hopes to work with her students and invites all Armenian private and public schools to join Hye Hopes in its efforts to support schools in Syunik.

Hye Hopes and Pilibos school teacher Kouzouian said, “Hye Hopes is a source of motivation, fostering connections with our brothers and sisters in the homeland and creating a sense of unity that conquers distance. The positive energy generated in these sessions inspires students to navigate their educational journey, reinforcing the belief that knowledge is a lasting power.” Many Hye Hopes teachers, like Kouzouian, are working full time jobs and logging in online at 9 or 10 p.m. PST to begin their online synchronized instruction for students in Syunik. 

Students at Kapan, School N1 in the Syunik Marz

“It truly is heartwarming seeing our youth’s commitment and passion to help their fellow students in Syunik, Armenia. Narineh’s commitment and tireless dedication, not only to the Pilibos students, but to all of the students in the Syunik, is admirable,” stated Hy Hopes chair Krikorian.

Hye Hopes Inc. was created three years ago on November 23, 2020 as a 501c3 nonprofit that provides essential educational resources and synchronized instruction for the displaced students from Artsakh relocating to Syunik. To date, Hye Hopes Inc. has provided over 150 laptops, desktops, printers, projectors and monitors to schools in Agarak, Goris, Kapan, Meghri, Sisian and Verishen. To learn more, volunteer and/or donate please visit Hyehopes.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.




Event: A “Frozen Conflict” Boils Over: Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 and Future Implications

Karapet Navasardian
Jan 12 2024

January 18, 2024 | 12:00 pm | Eurasia Program

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijani forces initiated a massive attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian-populated and effectively self-governing region inside internationally recognized Azerbaijani territory. Russian peacekeepers, stationed in the area since 2020, did not step in to stem the fighting but intervened to arrange for a cease-fire. Within 24 hours, the Nagorno-Karabakh leadership gave in, and, for the first time, Baku could claim full control over the contested territory. Despite being portrayed in the West as a “frozen conflict,” there had long been a risk of renewed violence in Nagorno-Karabakh. Since the autumn of 2020, the situation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, has been kinetic and fast-moving, regularly drawing in the active mediation of external actors, including the US. The fighting in September and the subsequent mass exodus of the 100,000-strong Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh may end up being only the latest chapter in further violence and displacement to come.

Join us to discuss local, regional, and global consequences of the latest developments of the dispute, including policy implications and recommendations.

 

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https://www.fpri.org/event/2024/a-frozen-conflict-boils-over-nagorno-karabakh-in-2023-and-future-implications/
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Humanitarian crisis continues in South Caucasus

Karapet Navasardian
Vatican News
Jan 8  2024
Drawing the diplomatic corps' attention to the humanitarian crisis in South Caucasus, Pope Francis appeals for signing of a peace agreement to help mitigate the suffering between Azerbaijan and Armenia, evidenced especially in the migrant crisis the tensions have provoked.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

During Pope Francis' annual address to the Diplomatic Corps to the Holy See, the Holy Father once again lamented the tense situation in the South Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and in particular, the dramatic situation of refugees, and appealed for the signing of a peace agreement to ease the ongoing suffering.

The Pope appealed for negotiations that respect international law and religious diversity.

While peace agreements are under consideration between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the border crisis in the South Caucasus is obstructing advancement.

In the past 30 years, the South Caucasus neighbours have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, but staged a prisoner exchange last month and issued a joint statement saying they want to normalize relations and reach a peace deal.

As of late December, Azerbaijan voiced through a senior official that it personally does not see major obstacles to securing a lasting peace treaty with Armenia, noting its view that the question of defining their borders "can be resolved separately."

In September, Azerbaijan's forces mounted a lightning offensive in September to retake control of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, whose ethnic Armenian population had broken away in a war in the 1990s. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said his "iron fist" had restored his country's sovereignty.

Nevertheless, the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyanin, in October insisted on pursuing paths for peace.

"We must move steadily towards peace", he said. "To do this, political will is necessary and I have that political will. On the other hand, the international community and the European Union, and the countries of our region should support us, do everything to make this opportunity real for us."

The European Union has insisted that Azerbaijan ensure freedom and security of movement along the Lachin Corridor, in line with the 9 November 2022 trilateral declaration signed by Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

EU officials have warned that blocking the Corridor causes significant hardship to the local population and could lead to a serious humanitarian emergency.

Azerbaijan has denied blocking the sole road that links Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

In late 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a 6-week war over the region, which claimed over 6,500 lives.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-01/humanitarian-crisis-continues-in-south-caucasus.html

Doctors without Borders: Three years, thrice displaced: A family flees Nagorno-Karabakh

Karapet Navasardian
Jan 2 2024

Adjusting to an uncertain future after displacement.

Mileta pauses often while speaking about her family's former home in Martakert/Aghdara, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the journey they endured fleeing to Armenia. Her family has lost their home due to war three times—first in 2020, then in 2022, and most recently, in 2023. 

Her 13-year-old daughter, Mane, was in school when explosions lit the sky of Karabakh on September 19. That day, all the students were quickly sent home. Mileta knew they would never come back.  

With no phone or internet connection, Mileta had no idea what to do or where to go to find safety, so she and her family locked themselves inside their home, terrified. A few hours later, a neighbor entered the home and urged them to leave, saying that soldiers were already advancing toward their village. Not knowing what to take with them and what to leave behind, Mileta instinctively went for the family albums.  

“I knew I had to take the photos of my family to cherish the memories, as we have nothing else left anymore,” Mileta says. "We have been stripped of our lives, left with nothing.” 

Mileta looks through the photos she packed in panic when she fled her home in Nagorno-Karabakh in September. Armenia 2023 © Arsen Aghasyan/MSF

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched an attack on various areas in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region that is a self-proclaimed republic internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but has traditionally been home to many ethnic Armenians. After a ceasefire agreement was reached 24 hours later, more than 100,000 people from the region fled to neighboring Armenia. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams in Armenia have been providing aid, including mental health care, to displaced people like Mileta and her family.

Before the war erupted, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh endured 10 months of blockade by Azerbaijan. During the last three months, it was becoming increasingly difficult to find food in totally isolated Karabakh, and Mileta's family ate only once each day. She says that pretty much every displaced person she met on the road had stomach problems from months of malnutrition.  

Mileta’s family managed to get to the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh from Martakert/Aghdara with the little gasoline they had. On the way, chaos erupted. There were rumors that civilians would be evacuated. Nobody knew whether the Lachin corridor connecting Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh would be open for them to flee.

The rumors turned out to be false. The vast majority of people ended up sleeping wherever they could while waiting for their next move. Mileta and her children slept in their car in Stepanakert/Khankendi, not knowing where to go or what to do. Finally, Azerbaijan opened Lachin corridor on September 24, and Mileta’s family passed through to Armenia. 

It took Mileta's family two days to cross the Lachin corridor, and they witnessed several deaths on the road. Armenia 2023 © Arsen Aghasyan/MSF

Mileta recalls how hard her family worked to renovate their home in Martakert/Aghdara over the past few years. They dreamed of turning the ground floor into a dental clinic, so that when her son graduated from university, he could come back to their town and work as a dentist. 

Her family does not know whether they will stay in Armenia, as they would have to start over from scratch. Stress, insomnia, and uncertainty have set in. Mileta still wonders whether they will ever be able to go back to their homeland.  

“Wherever I am, it is not home for me," says Mileta. "I left my father’s cemetery, the church where I used to pray, and my home, which our family built with our own hands."

Alongside mental health support, MSF teams have been providing vulnerable families with non-food item kits, walking sticks, and wheelchairs. Armenia 2023 © Arsen Aghasyan/MSF

MSF teams have seen a high number of psychosomatic issues among displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh in the villages of Ararat and Kotayk. Many people we see have been displaced three or four times during the past year, and many continuously experience grief, bereavement, and a feeling of disempowerment. Adults predominantly express fear while in children, the accumulated anxiety has resulted in sleeping disorders and enuresis.  

Anxiety about the future is the dominant theme for almost every person that MSF teams have met and spoken to. “I have to start from zero, and my biggest burden is to take care of my kids,” says Anyuta, another displaced person from Nagorno-Karabakh. “The trauma we went through is unfathomable, after months of blockade and food scarcity. But now we have lost our home on top of it." 

MSF teams are visiting vulnerable families in the Kotayk and Ararat regions of Armenia— including hotels and apartments where displaced people are temporarily living—to offer mental health support and assess the most critical social needs. Since October 2023, MSF has provided 1,655 mental health consultations and distributed more than 200 non-food item kits.

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/three-years-thrice-displaced-nagorno-karabakh

Armenia and Azerbaijan Advance Peace Talks, Release Joint Statement

Karapet Navasardian
Dec 29 2023

By: Momen Zellmi

In a major breakthrough in the volatile Caucasus region, Armenia and Azerbaijan have announced significant progress in peace talks as 2023 draws to a close. The culmination of these negotiations has been the release of a joint statement – a historic first since the republics gained independence – outlining the commitments of both nations to normalize relations and reach a peace agreement. This major diplomatic development has been welcomed by global powers such as Turkey, the US, the EU, and Russia.

The key turning point in these peace talks was Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to three out of five articles proposed by Azerbaijan for peace. This paved the way for the 6th round of negotiations, leading to a finalized written peace text. Further, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev confirmed the resolution of many issues within the peace agreement framework, and the Delimitation and Demarcation Commission reported considerable progress.

In a significant confidence-building move, Azerbaijan released 32 Armenian soldiers while Armenia reciprocated by releasing 2 Azerbaijani soldiers. Additionally, Armenia withdrew its candidacy to host COP29, yielding to Azerbaijan, which in turn backed Armenia’s candidacy for the COP Bureau of the Eastern European Group. These actions, coupled with bilateral statements released without third-party mediation and mutual support in international matters, underscore the major strides towards peace.

Several key factors contributed to this shift in diplomatic dynamics. The Azerbaijani army’s anti-terrorism actions against Armenian forces in Karabakh in September led to changes in military and diplomatic leverage. Moreover, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rejected 7 out of 10 Armenian demands, affirming Azerbaijan’s sovereignty in the others, which significantly influenced the negotiation climate. Armenia’s strategy to leverage EU and US support against Azerbaijan risked the West’s neutral mediator role and their strategic interests in the region, leading to a shift in Armenia’s diplomatic approach.

To conclude, this joint statement, released on December 7, 2023, marked an unprecedented milestone in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The absence of external pressure and the mutual support in international matters has been a significant step towards peace, signaling a new era of diplomatic relations in this historically tense region.

https://bnnbreaking.com/world/azerbaijan/armenia-and-azerbaijan-advance-peace-talks-release-joint-statement/

Iran FM visits Armenia amid peace talks

Karapet Navasardian
 TEHRAN TIMES 
Dec 27 2023

TEHRAN – In a significant diplomatic move, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, has arrived in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia amid a fury of diplomatic activities to achieve lasting peace in the South Caucasus region.

Accompanied by a distinguished political and parliamentary delegation, Minister Amir Abdollahian embarked on this crucial mission to engage in discussions with Armenian authorities.

The warm reception at Yerevan airport, orchestrated by high-ranking officials of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marked the beginning of the visit. Notable figures, including Vahan Kostanyan, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Hayk Darbinyan, the head of Second Division for Bilateral Relations in Armenian Foreign Ministry, and other esteemed officials, were present at the reception ceremony.

This diplomatic endeavor aimed to encompass a spectrum of topics, ranging from political and economic collaboration to cultural exchange. Furthermore, the discussions were to delve into pressing matters concerning the South Caucasus region, emphasizing cooperation within the framework of the 3+3 cooperation format.

Crucially, bilateral meetings between the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Armenia are poised to pave the way for constructive dialogues, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. In a joint press conference with Ararat Mirzoyan, the Armenian Foreign Minister, Minister Amir Abdollahian expressed contentment with the visit, highlighting Iran's alignment with peace, stability, and security in Armenia.

“Iran aspires for Armenia to experience peace, stability, and security, emphasizing that sustainable peace, untainted by external interventions, and facilitated by regional guarantors, can yield significant advantages for all parties involved,” he noted.

An additional announcement unveiled during the discussions pertained to the inauguration of the Armenian Consulate in Tabriz. Amir Abdollahian conveyed Tehran's approval for this consulate, expressing optimism about the official ceremony taking place in the early weeks of the new Gregorian year.

Acknowledging Armenia's dedicated pursuit of sustainable peace, the top Iranian diplomat shed light on recent dialogues with Azerbaijani counterparts, emphasizing their joint commitment to peace. Optimism prevailed regarding the prospects of enduring peace in the early months of the new Gregorian year. “Iran, Turkey, and Russia were proposed as potential regional guarantors to foster peace in the South Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Amir Abdollahian added.

In a continuation of the press briefing, the Iranian Foreign Minister commended the constructive stances of the Armenian Foreign Minister during the recent meeting of 3+3 cooperation format’s Foreign Ministers in Tehran. He expressed gratitude to Armenia for opposing warfare and atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank, underscoring the need to prevent the Zionist regime from committing more crimes in the region.

Addressing the United States, Amir Abdollahian cautioned that an honorable resolution to the Gaza issue necessitates halting extensive military support for the Zionist regime. He asserted the improbability of a Zionist regime victory in Gaza, saying that the 80-day Gaza massacre that started from October 7 has caused Israel nothing but pure defeat and humiliation in front of the global community. He urged the U.S. not to persist in a path of failure and to let the people of Gaza determine their fate.

In another notable development, Minister Amir Abdollahian had a bilateral meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, underscoring the commitment of both nations to strengthen ties and explore new collaboration opportunities. These diplomatic efforts underscore Iran's commitment to positive neighborly relationships and regional stability. As discussions unfold, the world watches, anticipating outcomes that could potentially shape the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus region.

The diplomatic efforts exemplify the ongoing commitment of Iran to cultivate positive relationships with its neighbors and contribute to regional stability.

MAS

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/493028/Iran-FM-visits-Armenia-amid-peace-talks

Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan holds meeting with Russian Ambassador

Karapet Navasardian

 14:34,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan has held a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin.

During the meeting Mayor Avinyan attached importance to the relations between Yerevan and major Russian cities and stressed that the ties have prospects of development, City Hall said in a readout. As an example of successful partnership, Mayor Avinyan told the Ambassador that recently the city authorities introduced changes into the architectural licensing and blueprinting procedures, where the experience of Rostov-on-Don, Yerevan’s sister city, has been taken into account.

Ambassador Kopyrkin said that Yerevan and various Russian cities have collegial relations that will allow to enhance the circle of partnership and carry out new joint projects in some sectors of city administration.

Anna Donchenko, the Head of the Armenian-Russian Trade Representation, was also present at the meeting. Speaking about business circles, Mayor Avinyan attached importance to active participation of Russian companies in the bid solicitations announced by Yerevan City Hall.

EUMA monitors conduct security situation awareness patrol in Sotk

Karapet Navasardian

 15:34,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS. European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) monitors have conducted a security situation awareness patrol in Sotk adjacent to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, EUMA has said.

“EUMA monitors conducted a security situation awareness patrol in Sotk adjacent to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The objective of the patrols is to observe and report on the security situation on the ground and to contribute to human security in conflict-affected areas,” EUMA said in a post on X.

The Child’s Sorrow: A Poignant Tale Amid Nagorno Karabakh Conflict

Karapet Navasardian
 bnn 
Hong Kong – Dec 26 2023

By: Momen Zellmi

The sorrow of a child in the midst of conflict is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. Eight-year-old Artur, from Chartar, is a living testament to this harsh reality. He’s been missing his classmates from Artsakh for three months now, a direct result of the turmoil in Nagorno Karabakh. The absence of his friends, their whereabouts and well-being unknown, provokes a quick emotional response at the mere mention of their names. Undoubtedly, the innocence of childhood has been swept away by the tides of conflict.

For weeks, Azerbaijan and Armenia locked horns in Nagorno Karabakh, a region marred by bloody clashes and escalating hostilities. The anti-terrorist operation launched by Azerbaijan was a catalyst, triggering an international outcry. The shelling claimed the lives of civilians and military personnel alike, while the bombardment of Stepanakert, the de facto capital, was reported by ethnic Armenians within Nagorno Karabakh.

Caught in the crossfire, the civilian population faced a deteriorating humanitarian situation. The conflict has led to chronic malnutrition and energy deficiencies, as the blockade of the Lachin Corridor potentially edged the local Armenian population towards genocide. Despite the efforts of the ICRC, there’s an urgent need for impartial humanitarian relief to reach this beleaguered region.

The blockade has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh. UN experts have called for its lifting to alleviate the suffering of thousands, but tensions escalated after Azerbaijan tightened a checkpoint and claimed contraband discovery in Red Cross vehicles. Both Armenia and separatist authorities accused Azerbaijan of blockading the region, while Baku offered an alternative route for supplies.

The remote southern reaches of the Syunik Region, home to the village of Nrnadzor, bear witness to the human cost of this conflict. The village, known for its harsh living conditions, is home to 141 residents, including 13 displaced from Artsakh. Here, amidst rocky roads, a lack of water, gas, and cable internet infrastructure, the primary source of income is dwindling pomegranate orchards. The insufficient irrigation further paints a picture of the grim reality.

Yet, amidst these dire circumstances, the story of Artur stands out. His longing to reconnect with his friends, their shared laughter, and games resonate deeply. It is through his eyes that we see the true cost of conflict – a child’s stolen innocence, a generation’s uncertain future.

https://bnnbreaking.com/world/armenia/the-childs-sorrow-a-poignant-tale-amid-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/

Kidnapped Nagorno-Karabakh man appeals unlawful prison sentence in Azerbaijan

Karapet Navasardian

 15:05,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Vagif Khachatryan, an elderly ethnic Armenian man from Nagorno-Karabakh who was kidnapped by Azeri border guards during his ICRC-mediated medical evacuation on July 29 and later sentenced to 15 years in prison in Azerbaijan on fabricated war crime charges, has appealed the verdict, Azerbaijani news media reported.

A preliminary hearing was held at a court of appeals in Baku on December 25.

The first court session is scheduled to take place on January 7, 2024.

Azeri authorities pressed fabricated charges against Khachatryan and jailed him in Baku.   

The Armenian foreign ministry earlier said that the arrest of the Red Cross-protected patient from Nagorno-Karabakh amounts to war crime.

Prominent lawyer Siranush Sahakyan said that the kidnapping constitutes extraordinary rendition in terms of international law and due process is therefore ruled out.

The kidnapped man’s daughter, in a plea to the UN to ensure the safe release of her father, said that all charges pressed by the Azeri prosecution are fabricated and her father is innocent.

Khachatryan’s testimony in court was even by an Azeri translator earlier in October.



https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1126882.html?fbclid=IwAR1Wqqk-aOEBOMl6Yp9ENTsa-jGkXYcK5Dz9U9i7n4zdxquIM8S0k1cP99c