Author: Maral Chavushian

78 people with Covid-19 died in Armenia in a single day

Maral Chavushian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Nov 12 2021
– 12:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Armenia grew by 1309 to reach 326, 830 on Friday, November 12 morning, according to information provided by the Health Ministry.

Fresh figures also revealed that 2044 more people recovered, 70 patients died from Covid-19, while eight others carrying the virus died from other reasons in the past 24 hours.

A total of 11,431 tests have been performed in the past day, the National Center For Disease Control and Prevention said.

So far, 289 900 people have recovered, 6937 have died from the coronavirus in the country, while 1368 others carrying the virus have died from other causes.

Karabakh conflict cannot be resolved by force: Armenia hits back at Azerbaijan at CIS meeting

Maral Chavushian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 12 2021

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict cannot be resolved by force, Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said at an online meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of Government on Friday, responding to the Azerbaijani prime minister’s remarks.

Addressing the meeting, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov reiterated that the “Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a thing of the past, and currently there are two economic regions in Azerbaijan – Karabakh and East Zangezur.”

“The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict cannot be resolved by force. The settlement of the conflict can only be achieved through peaceful negotiations, exclusively under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship,” Grigoryan stressed.

He called on Azerbaijan to abandon aggressive rhetoric and hostile actions to achieve peaceful development in the region.

Asbarez: San Francisco Community Celebrates 55th Anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church

Maral Chavushian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

A scene from the Divine Liturgy said by Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in SF

To mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of San Francisco, Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan celebrated Episcopal Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 2.

Attending the Divine Liturgy were Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian, Executive Council members Dzovig Zeitlian, Garbis Bezjian, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Fresno Berj Apkarian, Central Executive member Gaidzag Zeitlian and Vahe Yacoubian and representatives of the community.

  • Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan
  • St. Gregory the Illuminator parish priest Rev. Smpad Saboundjian

In his sermon, the Prelate said: “We thank God a thousand times that we are gathered here in this Godly house today to celebrate and glorify 55 years of this blessed house by way of this vital, life-giving service. Today, exultation belongs to the Creator. It was with his blessing that this House, which is dedicated to His glory, was built. It belongs to all those who toiled and suffered to build this church, for today, they have become dwellers in heaven. Joy belongs to those who continue to live among us and participate in the divine Christian mission of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. It belongs to parishioners and the community—because you filled your souls with the blessing of God that emanates from this altar, from where you also obtained the oil for your spiritual house that graced our children. Joy belongs to your diligent Pastor Fr. Smpad Saboundjian, who has added new stone and brick to strengthen, enlighten and uplift this church for the past two years. Joy belongs to members of the board of trustees who consistently work to maintain a bright and radiant church—your church—our church. It belongs to all: the ladies guild, and all those entities that work alongside the board of trustees—deacons, the choir—to the group of dedicated and faithful of St. Gregory Illuminator Church.”

The prelate invited the faithful to trust our Creator, God, as the founders of the church trusted. “Today we reap the fruits of their trust, jointly celebrating the 55th anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator,” said the Prelate Donoyan and, in closing, congratulated the Armenian community and the St. Gregory the Illuminator family on the great milestone.

Celebration dinner marking the 55th anniversary of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church

After the Divine Liturgy, the Prelate and guests gathered at Saroyan Hall at the Khachaturian Armenian Community Center where he presided over a celebration banquet on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the church’s founding and the first anniversary of his election to serve as Prelate of the Western Prelacy.

Master of Ceremonies, Deacon Levon Barsoumian, delivered opening remarks, followed by Executive Council member Garbis Bezdjian, California State Senator Scott Wiener, San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres, San Francisco St. Gregory the Illuminator Board of Trustee Chair Rostom Aintablian, parish pastor Rev. Smpad Saboundjian, who congratulated the 55th anniversary of the church as well as Bishop Dononyan’s one year anniversary as Prelate.

The festive dinner celebration concluded with congratulatory remarks by H.G. Bishop Donoyan, Prelate, who commended and thanked the presence of official guests, representatives of the Western Prelacy, local community leaders and guests.

The artistic portion of the program consisted of Soloist Danielle Zaroukian’s performance of classic Armenian renditions and piano selections by Andrew Boldi.

Asbarez: AEF Opens Its Newest School in Kornidzor, Armenia

Maral Chavushian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

Head of AEF's school renovation projects, Neshan Peroomian, cuts the ribbon of the new Kornidzor school

The Kornidzor School, located in Armenia’s Syunik Province, has just undergone a full-scale transformation. Thanks to a generous $20,000 donation toward the project from Valentine Pakhanians, in memory of her late husband and former Armenian Educational Foundation Board Member, Galoust Pakhanians, the school now boasts a newly renovated gymnasium and computer lab, pristine classrooms, hallways, floors, windows and doors, as well as a completely renovated exterior.

According to Neshan Peroomian, the head of AEF’s school renovation projects in Armenia, the total cost of construction on the school was $42,000.

“AEF has transformed the school from ruins into a well-built, safe and bright learning space for the children of Kornidzor, which is the last village before entering Artsakh. In result of the 44-day war and Azeri advancement, it has become like a peninsula surrounded from three sides by Azeri forces. The school’s playground is within the enemy’s shooting range,” said Peroomian.

Having been bombed during the 1991-1994 war, the school was previously only partially renovated and in need of major improvements. And most recently, due to the 44 day-war, the school lost around 20 students as families have relocated to safer areas. The village lost six soldiers in the war. Now, the school honors the memory of these soldiers, all its own graduates, by dedicating a classroom to them.

Deputy Syunik Governor Karo Avanesyan praised AEF for renovating the school.

“AEF has given hope to the people of Kornidzor Village, to feel that they are not alone. You are encouraging them to stay, live, learn and fight for their homeland,” said Avanesyan.

AEF president, Al Cabraloff commented, “Today’s global circumstances put more pressure on Armenian villages by threatening their mere existence. Building on our efforts to keep families in border villages, AEF has expanded its efforts to help transform the most vulnerable and needy schools in Armenia and Artsakh.”

Recognizing the importance of the village, AEF has focused its renovation program on village schools throughout Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk, renovating a total of seven schools just this year. For 71 years AEF has been providing financial assistance to students and educational institutions, including the allocation of funds for student scholarships, school grants and renovations of over 200 schools. This could not have been possible without the generous support of their benefactors and members.

Azerbaijan, Russia foreign ministers discuss implementation of agreements on Karabakh

Maral Chavushian
TASS, Russia
Nov 2 2021
On January 11, 2021, the three leaders agreed to set up a working group co-chaired by the country’s deputy prime ministers

BAKU, November 2./TASS/. The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Russia, Jeyhun Bayramov and Sergey Lavrov, discussed the implementation of agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh and issues of unblocking transport communications in the region in their phone call on Tuesday, the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

"A telephone conversation between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was held on Tuesday. The sides discussed the implementation of trilateral statements [on Karabakh], including the activity of the working group for opening transport communications," it reported.

The top diplomats exchanged views on the current developments in the region and "emphasized the importance of developing cooperation platform in the 3+3 format with the participation of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Turkey and Iran." A number of issues on the bilateral agenda were also discussed, the press service said.

Intense clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, 2020, in Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in the conflict zone, which facilitated a complete cessation of hostilities. According to the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides maintained the positions that they had held, while several regions came under Baku’s control and Russian peacekeepers were deployed along the contact line and the Lachin Corridor.

On January 11, 2021, the three leaders agreed to set up a working group co-chaired by the country’s deputy prime ministers that would be tasked to focus on reviving transport and economic ties in the region.

The initiative of a six-party format of cooperation on Nagorno-Karabakh was earlier put forward by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Ilham Aliyev and Tayyip Erdogan. Iran welcomed the idea, saying it was ready to facilitate the moves towards the strengthening of peace in the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was working with Armenian counterparts and that it hoped that Georgia would take an interest in this mechanism.

On October 8, Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that Tbilisi should be somehow represented in the new negotiation format, despite the current disagreements with Russia. His words drew a strong rebuke from the opposition.

FC Pyunik beat FC Ararat-Armenia, climb to second place

Maral Chavushian
News.am, Armenia
Nov 1 2021


In the 19th minute, the first goal was scored by 25-year-old Venezuelan forward Jose Caraballo, and in the 57th minute, FC Pyunik doubled the score thanks to 22-year-old midfielder Hovhannes Harutyunyan.

FC Pyunik played the last part of the match with 10 footballers. Brazilian center-back Bruno Nascimento, 30, was dismissed after receiving his second yellow card in the 71st minute.

In the added 7th minute, FC Ararat-Armenia scored only one goal thanks to the goal scored by 27-year-old winger Mailson Lima (Cabo Verde).

FC Ararat-Armenia are on top of the championship table with 31 points, while FC Pyunik climbed to second place with 24 points and are one point ahead of FC Ararat.

Armenian Premier League, 12th round

FC Ararat-Armenia – FC Pyunik: 1-2

Mailson Lima, 90+6 – Jose Caraballo, 19, Hovhannes Harutyunyan, 57

Dismissals: Bruno Nascimento (FC Pyunik), 71, second yellow card



620 thousand doses of Moderna vaccine donated by Norway arrives in Armenia

Maral Chavushian

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 12:45,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The 620,000 dose of the Moderna vaccine donated to Armenia by Norway with the support of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism within the framework of the Team Europe initiative is already in Armenia.

ARMENPRESS reports the Ministry of Helath informs that the donation was handed over to the Ministry of Health by the Ambassador of the European Union to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Armenia Helene Sand Andresen at Zvartnots Airport.

”We are thankful to Norway and the EU for donating the batch of COVID-19 vaccine, especially during this difficult time for Armenia. Despite the urgent challenges posed by the pandemic in our country, we continue our information campaign on vaccinations. Through such a large donation, we will have the opportunity to increase the level of vaccinations of the population, to expand the coverage throughout Armenia. We will overcome this pandemic through solidarity and unity’’, Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan said.

Helene Sand Andresen hoped that the vaccine will help Armenia protect itself from the pandemic.
Taking into account the rise of COVID-19 cases in Armenia and the need to increase the level of vaccinations, we believe that the delivery of the vaccine takes place at the right time. We believe that due to the wide range of vaccines available to the citizens of Armenia, it will be possible to ensure a higher vaccination rate. Vaccines are the way to fight COVID-19, alleviate and stop it’’, the EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin said.

Tigran Abrahamyan: Armenia’s security and defense chiefs have to explain how Azeri forces invaded Armenian territory unhindered

Maral Chavushian
Panorama, Armenia
Oct 23 2021

Opposition With Honor faction MP Tigran Abrahamyan says Armenia’s security and defense chiefs have to explain how Azerbaijani forces intruded into Armenia's Gegharkunik Province without any hindrance on May 12, instead of denying the ombudsman’s claims about the Azerbaijani military’s increased activity in Armenia.

"Instead of actively denying the ombudsman’s reports concerning the Sotk-Khoznavar border section, the secretary of the Armenian Security Council and defense minister, first of all, have to explain how the Azerbaijani troops invaded the sovereign territory of Armenia unhindered, without any fighting,” he wrote on Facebook late on Friday.

“Who will take responsibility for this aggression? Who is responsible for leaving that border area unprotected, failing to “meet” the Azerbaijani troops in that section and, according to official data, allowing them to advance up to 3.8 kilometers [into Armenian territory].

“Otherwise, it turns out that the secretary of the Security Council is beating around the bush, telling tales such as “we are negotiating so that they leave”, the Defense Ministry says that Azerbaijanis don't carry out fortification works, so on.

“You had better discuss your petty tricks in your circles, and give answers to the questions I raised. Look at them, they have handed over and continue to hand over the country piece by piece, but are still looking for someone to lash at,” Abrahamyan said.

Turkish Minister of Interior arrives in Iran

Maral Chavushian

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 19:50,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu arrived in the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, on October 20, ARMENPRESS reports, citing IRNA.

During the meeting with his Iranian counterpart Ahmad Vahidi, the parties will hold a final discussion on the Memorandum of Understanding on Security and Law Enforcement Cooperation.

NK conflict’s comprehensive settlement to greatly contribute to establishment of lasting peace in region – Armenian FM

Maral Chavushian

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 15:18, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS participating states in the Belarusian capital of Minsk on October 14, the Armenian foreign ministry reports.

During the narrow and extended-format sessions the Foreign Ministers of the CIS states exchanged views on regional and international issues, discussed the political, commercial, cultural and humanitarian partnership within the Organization.

The ministers summed up the activities and programs carried out so far since the establishment of the Organization, discussed the CIS development prospects and priority activity directions.

In his remarks the Armenian FM touched upon the further development of the structure and highlighted the importance of the adherence to the principles set on the CIS fundamental document relating to sovereignty and peoples’ right to equality and self-determination, inviolability of state borders, non-use of force and threat of force, peaceful settlement of disputes. The FM emphasized these principles in the context of the recent military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh. Highlighting the necessity of observing the provisions of the November 9 trilateral statement, in particular the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and other persons held in Azerbaijan, and the preservation of the Armenian cultural and spiritual heritage in the territories under the Azerbaijani control, FM Ararat Mirzoyan said that the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship will greatly contribute to the establishment of lasting peace in South Caucasus.

The Foreign Ministers of CIS states adopted several statements based on the session results, which will be submitted for the approval of the Council of the CIS heads of state next day.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan