Author: Lilit Nahapetian

A1+: Armenian Embassy in reports

Lilit Nahapetian
  • 13:18 | July 18,2018 | Official
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With regard to the touristic period, the Georgian authorities temporarily do not require a authorization from drivers who cross the border with cars that are not registered on their names. The Armenian Embassy in Georgia has issued this statement.

“Dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia, in connection with the tourist period, the Georgian authorities decided to meet half way and, before the end of the above-mentioned period, not to demand a power of attorney at the border of drivers crossing the road on cars not registered on their names,” the RA Embassy in Georgia reports.

Let’s add that earlier the embassy spread the message that drivers crossing the Georgian border on a vehicle not registered on their names should submit a power of attorney.

Pavlik Manukyan: Edvard Grigoryan “accidentally” shot and injured the policeman (video)

Lilit Nahapetian
  • 15:07 | July 18,2018 | Social
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It turns out that today’s unexpected statement by defendant Pavlik Manukyan in the case of “Sasna Tsrer” does not express the general viewpoint of the members of the group.

To remind, today he said that Edvard Grigoryan “accidentally” shot and injured the policeman, while Smbat Barseghyan is charged with murder.

“This statement is not everyone’s point of view, but his personal statement, which has not been agreed with the group and does not express a common view,” Varuzhan Avetisyan stated during the court hearing that there would be no disagreement among the public. One of the members of the group, Areg Kyureghyan, who was released from custody, told reporters that he would not comment on any information or statement on the criminal case.

The full article is available here.

Food: Itch (Armenian Bulgur Salad)

Lilit Nahapetian
Tasting Table


This Armenian Bulgur Salad Will Take Quinoa's Place as Your Go-To Side
Despite what the giant wood hearth at the center of the dining room might suggest, one of the best things on the menu at Maydan, D.C.'s hit restaurant, is an Armenian bulgur wheat salad known as itch. Chefs Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan first discovered the dish—a hearty, flavor-packed salad with pomegranate molasses and added crunch from raw scallions and shishito peppers—on a trip to Beirut. If you can't find red pepper paste, you can purée a jar of drained piquillo peppers.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes, plus cooling time

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes, plus cooling time

3 cups water

Kosher salt, to taste

1½ cups bulgur wheat

¼ cup red pepper paste

2 tablespoons tomato paste

¼ cup, plus 2 tablespoons, pomegranate molasses

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon Aleppo pepper

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 cups shishito peppers, sliced

1 cup scallions, sliced

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil with a healthy pinch of salt. Stir in the bulgur, remove from the heat and cover for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bulgur is cooked through. Spread the bulgur onto a cookie sheet and allow to cool.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the red pepper and tomato pastes, the pomegranate molasses, extra-virgin olive oil, Aleppo pepper, and lemon juice.

3. Place the cooled bulgur into a large mixing bowl and toss with the dressing, shishito peppers and almost all of the scallions. Season with additional salt. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with the remaining scallions and serve.

Artsakh’s international scientific integration is very important

Lilit Nahapetian
MediaMax, Armenia
July 11 2018
Artsakh's international scientific integration is very important


Alexei Kavokin

Prominent physicists from around the world gathered in Artsakh to discuss the recent achievements and developments in the broad field of quantum condensed matter physics. Around 50 experts from over 10 countries had applied for participation in the international conference entitled “New Trends in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics”, held in Stepanakert from June 28 to July 2. The conference was proposed by a well-known specialist, professor Alexei Kavokin of the University of Southampton and Saint Petersburg State University.

In an exclusive interview to Mediamax Alexei Kavokin told about results of the conference and possible ways of developing science in Artsakh.

How did the idea of holding a conference on Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics in Artsakh come about?

With my colleagues from the Mediterranean Institute of Fundamental Physics and the Quantum College of Yerevan, we are frequently organizing scientific events (international conferences or schools) in Armenia, mostly in Tsakhadzor. Last year, I have been awarded by the Honorary Professorship from the Russian-Armenian University. Some of my colleagues from Italy, UK, France and Russia came to the ceremony. Then we went to Tsakhadzor for an international school.

During one of the round-tables in Tsakhadzor, the idea of a large scale international conference in Artsakh has been born. It originated from Dr. Kamo Atayan, who knows Artsakh very well, and Professor Hayk Sargsyan from the Russian-Armenian University. I was more than happy to support this idea. We have immediately formed an international Program committee and started the work. It was a significant challenge to organize a high-level conference on “New trends in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics” having just 6 months for the whole preparation work. The enthusiastic and dedicated effort from many colleagues in Artsakh, Armenia and Russia made it possible.

Had you been in Artsakh before the conference? How did you learn about the country?

My first visit to Artsakh was in 1998. I knew about it very well: by my mother's (Nina Madatova) side my family comes from Artsakh. The legends of this beautiful land and its history were always alive in our family. I have visited Artsakh again about 5 years ago, then in April this year, when we started the work on the organization of the International conference.

I had a privilege to meet remarkable people in Artsakh, and all of them were glad to help!

All together, we realized this little miracle, and I am very proud of it.

Are you acquainted with the level of science, in particular physics in Artsakh?

I have visited the University of Stepanakert and one of the schools specialized in physics and mathematics there. I had many meetings with the researchers and physics teachers working in Artsakh. I believe, there are many talented people in this country, and some disciplines of physics, in particular, theoretical physics, should flourish there. A better international integration is needed to allow talented young physicists from Artsakh to take part in major international projects.

What is the role of similar conferences in the development of science in Artsakh?

The role of prestigious international conferences is hard to overestimate. For the local scientific community it is a unique opportunity to meet and start collaborating with world-leading scientists. For the world-leading scientists this is a unique chance to visit Artsakh and see by their own eyes how quickly this country develops.

The conference gathered a number of international scientists. What are their impressions about Artsakh and the development level of science in the country?

As far as I know, everyone remained deeply impressed with what we have seen in Artsakh, with the beauty of the country, the hospitality of its talented people. It has been an unusual conference: a lot of time was dedicated to the cultural and social events, excursions, informal meetings and discussions. My colleagues enjoyed this, and I am confident that they will keep very good memories of this unique event.

Trainings for school teachers of physics have also been organized during the conference. What kind of trainings were those and what knowledge did the teachers acquire?

We have brought to Artsakh a group of physics teachers from several famous schools specialized in physics and mathematics. The Director of the Physical-Technical school of St-Petersburg delivered a very impressive master-class. The physics teachers from the Presidential lyceum N 239 that is the highest ranked school of Russia and from the internationally famous Quantum college of Yerevan gave lectures for the school teachers. Also, several active researchers, including myself, gave talks for the teachers. And many teachers attended also the purely research sessions of the conference. I believe, it is very important for the communities of teachers and researchers to come together on a regular basis, to exchange ideas, to discuss new methods of teaching physics at school.

Alexei Kavokin

Photo: Minister of Education, science and sport of Artsakh


How would you generally assess the work and results of this conference?

I believe, it has been a stunning success. So many high-level physicist and talented teachers took part in this conference! It was a challenging project, not easy to organize, but it has been crowned with an impressive success. The international resonance of the meeting is very significant. Azerbaijan has already threatened to put all its participants on a "black list". I must say, I am proud of being in this "black list", this certifies that my work and the work of my colleagues was not in vain! 

In your view, what are the best ways of developing science in Artsakh? 

The international integration is one of the best ways, in my opinion. This may go through the organization of regular international scientific events, schools and research meetings. It would be great to attract a few internationally recognized Armenian scholars for a part- or full-time work at the University of Stepanakert. This would motivate the students to remain in their country and help building new labs and research centers in Artsakh. 

Do you consider further cooperation with Artsakh and what would be your contribution in the country’s mission of keeping up with international scientific developments?

I would be most glad to come back with new projects, new international events and new ideas. On the way back to Yerevan, we were discussing an opportunity of the organization of a new large scale international event, probably in a format of the International school on New Trends in Physics. It would be organized for a wide international audience of Master and Bachelor students, PhD students, physics teachers. The speakers would be world-leading experts in different branches of modern physics and prominent professors of the best high schools. I believe, we shall be able to organize such an event by April 2020, if everything goes well.

Marie Taryan talked to Alexey Kavokin


Sports: Armenian weightlifter Harutyunyan wins bronze in IWF Junior World C’ship

Lilit Nahapetian
MediaMax, Armenia
Armenian weightlifter Harutyunyan wins bronze in IWF Junior World C’ship

Latvia’s Ritvars Suharevs took the gold in this category with 336kg and Iranian athlete Hossein Soltani received the silver medal for his overall result of 326kg.

Two other Armenian weightlifters to compete in this championship are Samvel Babakyan (94kg) and Varazdat Lalayan (104kg).

Aliyev’s statement is from genre of Azerbaijani fantasy – Armenian deputy defense minister

Lilit Nahapetian
| 09:31 | July 11 2018
Categories
Artsakh
Region

The world perceives Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev’s statements as something that has nothing to do with the reality, and it’s meaningless to react to them seriously, Armenia’s deputy defense minister Gabriel Balayan said, commenting on Aliyev’s statement according to which they played a role in the change of power in Armenia.

“The world perceives what Aliyev says as statements that have nothing to do with the reality. This statement is another one from that list. I think it’s meaningless to comment on this, since, if we remember how many statements from the genre of fantasy have been made, perhaps this one will seem more modest”, the deputy defense minister said.

He stated that the foreign ministry will make a more detained statement on this matter.

Earthquake registered in Azerbaijan: Shocks felt in Artsakh

Lilit Nahapetian
ArmenPress, Armenia
Earthquake registered in Azerbaijan: Shocks felt in Artsakh


YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. On June 27, at 02:20 local time, the Seismic Protection Survey Seismological Network of the Armenian ministry of emergency situations registered an earthquake at the northern latitude 38.800and eastern longitude 48.600geographic coordinates (Azerbaijan, 21km north-west from the city of Lankaran) with 4.4 magnitude and 10 km depth, Armenia’s ministry of emergency situations told Armenpress.

The tremor measured magnitude 6 point at the epicenter area.

The earthquake was felt in the territory of the Republic of Artsakh, with 2-3 point at Hadrut town and 2 point at capital Stepanakert.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

168: Latest domestic developments prove Artsakh is truly democratic state, says presidential spox

Lilit Nahapetian
| 11:47 | June 14 2018
Categories
Artsakh
Region

The ongoing domestic political developments in Artsakh once again prove that the country is a truly democratic state, presidential spokesperson David Babayan told ARMENPRESS commenting on the recent protests against certain governmental officials.

“This all also showed another important fact also, that the statehood of Artsakh is powerful, and there is no any weakness from the state’s side, and no one can impose its will on it. All of us must unconditionally abide by the law regardless of official position,” he said.

Babayan says the demands of certain political parties on the resignation of President Bako Sahakyan is unclear for him.

“They aren’t waiting until 2020, when the term in office of the president will end. Bako Sahakyan has already said that he won’t seek re-election a third time. I find this demand to be a crazy opinion, but I believe that this has an even deeper problem within, which is fear,” he said.

Babayan stressed that the factor of justice is reflected among the Artsakh people in an extreme way.

“If the president were to announce that he will seek re-election, the people would consider him a target and would say that it is unfair and it is the biggest blow to democracy and statehood. They are concealing their own mistakes and flaws under this all,” Babayan said.

He said that other political forces must come out before the people and present their merits, because it isn’t possible in a small country for a thief to pretend to be from the people’s side.

“Certain political powers are attempting to get hold of state tools in order to clean their own flaw sides, but our people showed that it has great political consciousness,” he said.

Protests began in Stepanakert city earlier in the beginning of June after a few national security agents were involved in a street brawl. Fifteen people were detained by local police in suspicion of being involved in the fight.

The local police chief, director of the national security service and the state minister resigned after the incident.

President Bako Sahakyan held a meeting with the protesters and vowed that all those guilty for the incident will be held to account.