Author: Maral Takmazian

Putin informs Erdogan of results of his Sochi meeting with Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders

Maral Takmazian
TASS, Russia
Dec 3 2021
On November 26, Putin, Aliyev and Pashinyan held trilateral talks in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi

MOSCOW, December 3. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday in their telephone conversation on the main results of his meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Sochi on November 26, the Kremlin said in a statement on Friday.

"At the Turkish president’s request, Vladimir Putin informed him about the main results of the trilateral meeting held by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Sochi on November 26, which was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Nagorno-Karabakh statement signed on November 9, 2020," the statement says.

The Kremlin pointed out that "it is crucial that the talks confirmed Baku and Yerevan’s readiness to cooperate in the context of ensuring stability in the region, and also to establish mechanisms for the delimitation and demarcation of the border between the two states."

In addition, the statement says that they showed willingness to solve practical issues in restoring trade, economic and transport ties.

"Praising the mediating role of the Russian Federation, Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for further coordination of efforts, including by using the capabilities of the Russian-Turkish center on monitoring the ceasefire and all military activities in the conflict zone," the Kremlin added.

On November 26, Putin, Aliyev and Pashinyan held trilateral talks in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, which lasted nearly three hours and yielded a joint statement. The Russian president branded the meeting meaningful and timely, and was hopeful that the agreements would be respected. Moreover, Putin held bilateral meetings with the Azerbaijani president and also with the Armenian prime minister.

China hopes Armenia and Azerbaijan will resolve disputes through dialogue

Maral Takmazian

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 15:46,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Beijing expressed hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan will resolve disputes through dialogue and maintain regional stability.

Commenting on the trilateral Putin-Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Sochi, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press conference that China welcomes Russia’s efforts in maintaining regional peace and stability, TASS reports.

He added that Beijing hopes that Armenia and Azerbaijan will “resolve disputes through dialogue and consultations and will together maintain regional peace and stability.”

 

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Deputy PM Matevosyan meets with President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan

Maral Takmazian

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 18:34, 26 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Hambardzum Matevosyan had his first meeting in the new status with the President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Congratulating Hambardzum Matevosyan on assuming the post of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the President of Artsakh wished success and achievements in his activities for the benefit of Armenia and Artsakh.

During the working meeting, issues of bilateral cooperation, the ways of solving the existing socio-economic problems were discussed. The sides also touched upon issues related to Nagorno Karabakh conflict and security.

Armenian science and technology potential attracts US funding agencies

Maral Takmazian

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 12:00,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. At the initiative of the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), the representatives of the US Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) and US Army Development Command  (DEVCOM) visited Armenia in pursuit of blue-sky ideas. The delegation looked to identify fundamental research that could potentially disrupt our conventional understanding of science and technology. The goal was to explore the breadth of scientific research in Armenia and enable brilliant minds to explore unconventional thinking in hope of creating awesome new technologies in the not so distant future. 

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The US delegation, together with the FAST representatives, visited various scientific, educational, and technological centers both in Yerevan and surrounding regions, including Yerevan State University, National Polytechnic University of Armenia, American University of Armenia, National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics and Institute for Physical Research located in Ashtarak, Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, TUMO center and a number of tech companies, such as Synergy and PicsArt.

According to FAST Foundation, the visit was  intense , consisting of both formal and informal meetings with university rectors, professors, scientists, and the startup and tech community. Through these meetings the US delegation had a chance to learn about the ongoing research projects and achievements of local scientists, as well as to hear about their ideas and aspirations for the future. 

Along with the visits to various institutions, there were  separate meetings organized at the FAST Creative Campus with the young scientists, tech companies, and the startup community. 

This visit created the first discourse to identify opportunities for cooperation between the participants. ONRG and Army ITC can leverage three mechanisms of funding in support of Armenian scientists: (1) Provide travel grants for  Armenian researchers to visit the US for knowledge exchange and international collaboration. (2) Support local workshops and conferences that bring together the regional and international scientific communities to enable scientific exchange. (3) Provide basic research grants, one to three years in duration, that explore fundamental issues, challenge conventional thinking in science and technology, and harness innovative thinking to enable  cutting-edge research.

“Armenia has a long storied history of developing world-class science and technology innovation. This fact was repeatedly highlighted during the week-long visit to Armenian science and technology institutions. It was impressive to see what work is ongoing. It was refreshing to see a new perspective in addressing foundational challenges in science and technology. The unequivocal passion and personal dedication to basic research, the sheer determination to make a difference highlights what opportunities Armenia has to offer. We are looking forward to a continuous and long-standing collaboration with FAST to support the brilliant ideas Armenia has to offer.” – ONRG Chief Scientist Patrick Rose, and International Technology Center’s Basic & Applied Research Team Lead Jon Brame concluded during their visit. 

“Considering the creation of such platforms and international collaborations an important investment, FAST Foundation will continue to coordinate this entire process and will serve as a bridge between the local scientists and our US partners, doing its best to help Armenian scientists bring their ideas to life.” – highlighted Suzanna Shamakhyan, Vice President for Strategic Programming at Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology.  

The US Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) and US Army Development Command (DEVCOM) are already looking towards their next planned visit in the coming year.

Republican Party of Armenia: Capitulator didn’t say a word about Karabakh’s independence

Maral Takmazian
News.am, Armenia
Nov 26 2021
Republican Party of Armenia: Capitulator didn't say a word about Karabakh's independence
20:18, 26.11.2021

The capitulator didn’t say a word about the independence of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the mandatory exercise of the right to self-determination and even the need for a status. This is what Spokesperson of the Republican Party of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov wrote on his Facebook page, adding the following:

“In the way that is characteristic of him, he gave a vague formulation of the solution to the issue within the scope of the OSCE Minsk Group, but did not say a word about the Basic Principles and the right to self-determination.

However, he actually agreed on delimitation of borders without clarification and exercise of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination.

This [man] has totally stopped dealing with Artsakh.”

Yerevan seeks Moscow’s mediation in Armenia-Turkey rapprochement

Maral Takmazian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Nov 23 2021
– 19:17 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yerevan has asked for Moscow's mediation in the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said on Tuesday, November 23, RFE/RL Armenian Service reports.

Hunanyan said many of Armenia's partners, including Russia, have expressed willingness to act as a mediator in the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, and the Armenian side has decided to ask the Kremlin for assistance.

“A number of international partners, including Russia, noted that they are ready to assist in the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. And we informed Russia that we are ready to start the process of Armenian-Turkish normalization without preconditions. When and if such a process starts, we will naturally provide information about it,” Hunanyan said.

Until now, according to the diplomat, there have been no direct negotiations between Ankara and Yerevan.

Hunanyan also reiterated the Armenian side's stance about a "corridor" connecting Azerbaijan to the Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic. "No such thing can happen," he said.

The Azerbaijani side has on multiple occasions spoken about a so-called "corridor" through the southern Armenian province of Syunik that would connect Nakhijevan to the rest of Azerbaijan. The Armenian side, however, has repeatedly denied being involved in negotiations for the provision of a corridor to Azerbaijan, stressing that they have only agreed to unblock transport communications in the region.

Russian peacekeepers with benefactors hand over 1 ton of humanitarian cargo to Artsakh hospital

Maral Takmazian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 23 2021

Servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping contingent together with representatives of the Mercy association of charitable organizations held a humanitarian action in Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), on the eve of the cold weather.

As part of the campaign, Russian peacekeepers handed over a humanitarian cargo in the form of 200 warm blankets to the infectious diseases department of the Republican Medical Center with a total weight of about 1 ton, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported.

The action was held at the Stepanakert Medical Center, where the property was transferred to the hospital fund. Also, peacekeepers, together with benefactors, will soon hand over uninterruptible power supplies and heaters.

The humanitarian cargo was delivered from Russia to Nagorno-Karabakh by the Russian peacekeeping contingent. During the year, more than 226 humanitarian events were held, including more than 80 major humanitarian actions in settlements, schools, kindergartens and boarding schools, as well as targeted humanitarian assistance was provided more than 100 times in remote areas along the demarcation line of the parties in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenpress: Local elections: Ruling Civil Contract party wins in Ijevan and Stepanavan, loses in Kapan

Maral Takmazian

Local elections: Ruling Civil Contract party wins in Ijevan and Stepanavan, loses in Kapan

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 09:34, 15 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The Central Electoral Commission released preliminary results of the local elections in the towns of Kapan, Ijevan and Stepanavan.

In Kapan (Syunik Province) the election saw a 20,087 turnout from 31,673 eligible voters. The Shant alliance won with 13,962 votes, while the ruling Civil Contract party garnered only 5791 votes.

But the Civil Contract party won in Ijevan and Stepanavan.

It garnered 10,003 votes in Tavush province’s Ijevan, where the turnout stood at 12,383 from 33,009 eligible voters. The ARF received only 1964 votes.

In Lori’s Stepanavan Civil Contract won win 4,004 votes. The turnout was only 5,107 from 13,343 eligible voters. The Armenian National Congress (HAK) and Prosperous Armenia (BHK) garnered 218 and 705 votes respectively.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office concerned about reported incidents along Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Maral Takmazian

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 16:49, 16 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde has expressed her full support to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs who made a statement on November 15 over the incidents along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

“Share deep concern of Minsk Group Co-Chairs regarding reported incidents in the region, including those along Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Express my full support for their efforts and call on sides to de-escalate immediately and take steps to resolve outstanding issue”, Ann Linde said on Twitter.



Library of Congress spotlights Armenian memorial books.

Maral Takmazian
Public Radio of Armenia
Nov 21 2021
, 11:37

 Less than a minute

The

The literary genre of the hushamatean (memorial book) emerged as an enduring legacy of the Armenian effort to keep the memory of their ancestral towns alive in the minds of subsequent generations. The more than 200 memorial books and specialized periodicals published in the decades after the Armenian genocide offer a window into the history, demography, culture, customs, genealogy, trades and crafts in hundreds of towns and villages in the Ottoman Empire prior to WWI.

Today, memorial books continue to adorn bookshelves and bookmarks of Armenians around the world, and constitute a tremendous resource for those interested in history, genealogy, and family histories.

The literary genre of the hushamatean (memorial book) emerged as an enduring legacy of the Armenian effort to keep the memory of their ancestral towns alive in the minds of subsequent generations. The more than 200 memorial books and specialized periodicals published in the decades after the Armenian genocide offer a window into the history, demography, culture, customs, genealogy, trades and crafts in hundreds of towns and villages in the Ottoman Empire prior to WWI. Today, memorial books continue to adorn bookshelves and bookmarks of Armenians around the world, and constitute a tremendous resource for those interested in history, genealogy, and family histories. To learn more, check out the new blog post, “Reimagining Home: Armenian Memorial Books at the Library of Congress,” at https://go.usa.gov/xe5Gm

Image: Manuscript of unpublished memorial book dedicated to the village of Behesni (Besni), available in the Library’s African and Middle Eastern Division.