15:59,
YEREVAN, APRIL 25, ARMENPRESS. Turkish Member of Parliament Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu from the HDP party issued a statement on the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
“I feel the pain of all those who lost their lives during the Armenian Genocide of April 24, 1915. We must face history, we must empathize. We must be sensitive for all kinds of pain,” the MP tweeted.
A diplomacy agenda for Saudi Arabia and Armenia
LYNN ZOVIGHIAN
22:49
When then-Armenian President Armen Sarkissian surprised us with a much overdue first diplomatic mission to the Kingdom in October 2021, I was beyond ecstatic. And so were many of my Saudi friends. Our seats at the Future Investment Initiative conclave shook with historic significance.
Being Armenian is a right and a responsibility. It is a testament to survivorship. And it is deeply personal. Every Armenian and Armenian-origin citizen I know is Armenian in their own way. Armenian roots are not new to Saudi Arabia. I have a handful of Saudi friends who have Armenian blood dating back to their great-great grandmothers and grandfathers. During the Armenian genocide, many were forced into death marches toward Deir Ezzor. At the onset of these forced displacement campaigns, some Arab tribes provided refuge to Armenian families. Some of them came from the Arabian Peninsula and brought them back home. I have learned that the Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan has a black-and-white photo in its archives dating back to the 1930s showing two Armenian children dressed in tribal clothing in Hail. History teaches us that following the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz placed Armenian children under his protection. My Saudi friends today do not just have Armenian blood, they have genetic markers of genocide and survivorship. Not so different from my Saudi friends, the last member of my family who was a pure-blood Armenian was my great-great grandfather.
The special rapprochement between Armenia and Saudi Arabia should not be one of political convenience built on anti-Turkish sentiment. Rather, diplomacy must begin with a deep sense of citizenship, community and country, built on common values and joint ambitions for socioeconomic advancement. And both countries have much to inspire and offer each other.
Riyadh and Yerevan are each on a quest of rediscovery that has invigorated a deep sense of belonging.
Lynn Zovighian
Today, Armenia and Saudi Arabia are each on a quest of rediscovery that has invigorated a deep sense of belonging and pride between people and homeland. Saudi Arabia is experiencing this in a new awakening under the auspices of Vision 2030, where every citizen can ask: What does it mean to be Saudi? As Armenia grapples with the continuing suffering in Artsakh, citizens and members of the diaspora are also asking: What does it mean to be Armenian? Powerfully, citizens of both countries are on personal journeys of global citizenship and value creation.
There are many seeds for long-term friendship that we can plant together. Vision 2030 inspires us with a blueprint, demonstrating that both countries have so much in common. The Kingdom is on an incredible adventure for socioeconomic innovation. So is Armenia. Let us explore together opportunities for innovation in agriculture and mining. Saudi and Armenian tech entrepreneurs are investing in digital innovation to solve critical human problems for a sustainable climate, food security, health and gender equity. Let us bring them together. Our scientists are pushing new frontiers with research in artificial intelligence and space exploration. Let us join forces in scientific collaborations. At a time of critical energy insecurity, let us combine hand in hand our efforts and investments in solar and alternative energy and reduce our carbon footprint. We clearly share a mutual strategy for nation-building driven by socioeconomic enablement so that our people may thrive.
Our mutual drive for innovation extends to cultural diplomacy and humanization. Saudi Arabia is heavily investing in music, food and entertainment by both elevating local talent and welcoming musicians and performers from around the world. Let us take the stage together and invite artists from both our countries to serve as diplomats of identity, history and growth. Both Armenia and Saudi Arabia are prioritizing the preservation of heritage sites, embracing the cultural-scientific value of archaeology and history. Let us exchange learnings on intangible cultural assets and cultural governance. Let us also champion our love for design and local craftsmanship by bringing our specialized masters and mentors together in sociocultural programs.
By opening our homes to each other for exchange, innovation, tourism and trade, our diplomatic strategy can be one that is citizen-led, harnessing the excellence of each country. By co-creating sociocultural and socioeconomic value together, both Armenia and Saudi Arabia will also be able to gift the international community unique, innovative assets. It is time to uplift this much-overdue friendship.
• Lynn Zovighian is the co-founder and managing director of The Zovighian Partnership, a family-owned social investment platform that conducts community-centered research, designs and implements humanitarian and socioeconomic interventions.
Twitter: @lynnzovighian
21:25,
YEREVAN, 14 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. Russia is determined in supporting the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS reports the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said, referring to the question about a possible peace treaty.
"As we mentioned earlier, the "Basic Principles for the Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia" proposed by Baku, and Yerevan's response to them should serve as the basis for the start of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a peace treaty," Zakharova said.
According to her, the issue has been discussed in the telephone conversations between the Russian President and the Prime Minister of Armenia and the president of Azerbaijan, as well as in the conversation between the Russian Foreign Minister and the Armenian Foreign Minister in Moscow a day before.
"Russia is determined in supporting the signing of a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku," Zakharova said.
She noted that on February 24, Washington and Paris cancelled all contacts with Moscow within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format.
"Meanwhile, the real situation in the South Caucasus does not allow negotiation pauses. Further consistent steps are needed to restore long-term peace and stability in the region, as the United States and France have ceased cooperation as Co-chairs," Zakharova said.
According to her, the Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovaev will continue his work in his new position as the Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on the issues of promoting the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to Zakharova, the focus of his attention will be on the preparation of the peace treaty. Zakharova said that they are open for constructive cooperation with interested players.
16:59, 6 April, 2022
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. The relations between Armenia and Kazakhstan have a big potential and prospects for further development, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Armenia Bolat Imanbayev said during a round-table today, dedicated to the new challenges and prospects of the Eurasian Economic Union.
In his remarks the Ambassador congratulated on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Kazakhstan, that marks this year.
“What has started with a ritual, diplomatic action, with the exchange of verbal notes, has now turned into multifaceted, lively and intensive relations and mutual partnership. I am convinced that the friendly and mutually beneficial Kazakh-Armenian relations will continue deepening for the benefit of our peoples, our states and the Eurasian Economic Union, in general”, the Kazakh Ambassador said.
He stated that the Armenian-Kazakh relations are based on traditions of friendship and mutual understanding, and the legal-contractual field between the two countries allows to regulate the bilateral and multilateral cooperation in all directions. “Moreover, the Kazakh-Armenian relations have a big potential and prospects for further development, including in the Eurasian integration space”, the Ambassador said.
The round-table discussion, entitled “EAEU opportunities and prospects after West’s announcement of economic war against Russia”, was organized by the Integration and Development research NGO and the Eurasian Expert Club.
Reporting by Aram Sargsyan
17:43, 6 April, 2022
YEREVAN, 6 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 6 April, USD exchange rate down by 2.21 drams to 479.38 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 5.06 drams to 523.20 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.06 drams to 5.85 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 5.01 drams to 627.08 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price up by 74.77 drams to 29962.52 drams. Silver price down by 1.60 drams to 380.30 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
The public is invited to join Primate of the Western Diocese Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Bishop Mikael Mouradian of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of North America, and Very Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian who will lead a prayer and requiem service for the Homeland and in memory of fallen soldiers.
This special event being dubbed “For the Sake of the Homeland,” will take place on Sunday, April 3 at 7 p.m. at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral (3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91504).
“As Armenians around the world prepare to celebrate Feast of the Holy Resurrection, we renew our commitment to peace through collective prayer, especially in such turbulent times in our homeland and our ancestral land of Artsakh. It is our moral obligation to stand by our Motherland and our Republic spiritually,” said an announcement about the event.
“Therefore, let our collective prayer resoundingly echo in our hearts the call of our valiant ancestors —‘For the sake of faith, for the sake of the Homeland,’” concluded the announcement.
By Vafa Ismayilova
Baku has dismissed as inaccurate the Russian Defence Ministry statement on the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Farrukh village in Karabakh's Khojaly region.
In a statement published on March 27, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said: "The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry regretfully informs that some points of the statement of the Russian Defence Ministry dated , do not reflect the reality. There have been no changes in the positions of the Azerbaijan army in Farrukh village and on the surrounding high grounds, which are part of the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan.
The information about the retreat of the Azerbaijan army units from these positions does not reflect reality. The Azerbaijan army completely controls the operational situation."
The ministry also rejected the Russian ministry's claims alleging the Azerbaijani truce violation and the case of injury among the Azerbaijani servicemen. It once again recalled the Russian Defence Ministry that there is no administrative-territorial unit called "Nagorno-Karabakh" on the Azerbaijani territory.
"The use of the _expression_ 'Nagorno-Karabakh' in the statements of the Russian Defence Ministry dated March 26 and 27 is disrespectful to the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is recognized and accepted by the international community, including the Russian Federation," the statement added.
The ministry recalled the Russian Defence Ministry that the first paragraph of the Declaration on Allied Interaction signed by the two countries' presidents on February 22, 2022, states that Russia and Azerbaijan establish their relations based on mutual respect for territorial integrity and inviolability of state borders, as well as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, peaceful settlement of disputes and non-use of force or threat of force.
Furthermore, Russia and Azerbaijan join forces in the fight against and neutralization of international terrorism, extremism, and separatism, as stated in Article 18 of the Declaration, the ministry added.
"The statement of the Russian Defence Ministry also demonstrates disrespect towards the declaration signed by the President of the Russian Federation, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. The [Azerbaijani] Defence Ministry reiterates that there is no village called 'Furukh' in Khojaly region of Azerbaijan. The name of the mentioned village is 'FARRUKH'. We hope that in the following statements the name of the village will be indicated correctly," the ministry added.
It should be noted Farrukh enters the administrative area of Pirlar village in Khojaly region located 16 km of Asgaran settlement and 32 km of Khankandi.
The Azerbaijani armed forces regained full control over the village, clearing it from illegal Armenian armed groups, who had to leave Azerbaijan's internationally-recognized territories in Karabakh under the ceasefire deal signed by Baku, Moscow and Yerevan on November 10, 2020.
Women in Stepanakert held a protest on Thursday, in an attempt to bring global attention to Azerbaijan’s actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. The protest was instigated by Azerbaijan’s move to cut the region’s heating gas supply during freezing winter temperatures, causing a humanitarian crisis. A children’s hospital had to delay surgeries due to the lack of heating gas.
Azerbaijani authorities have cut the gas supply for a second time now this winter. The first time, residents remained without gas for 10 days whilst facing subzero temperatures at night. Three days after announcing that the gas supply was restored, Azerbaijan once again cut the supply of gas.
From the language and climate to the unique natural scenery, here are 10 things you need to know as a first-time visitor to Armenia!
Armenia is a mountainous Caucasus area of the region. In the year 301, it became the world's earliest country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. Nowadays, travelers may visit several magnificent monasteries scattered around the land, many of which are century old and provide an excellent history lesson. Armenia has a hard but lovely scenery. Furthermore, travelers will learn a great deal concerning Armenia from pleasant residents who are quite passionate about their country. Here are some ideas for first-time visitors to Armenia.
Armenia's climate is noticeably continental, with the south of the nation being in the subtropical region. Over 80% of Armenia's area is located at an altitude of 1000 meters beyond sea level. Spring, which lasts from mid-March through June, is generally wet. Summer lasts from June until mid-September and thus is humid, warm, and lengthy. Autumn is known for its moderate as well as decent weather, vibrant landscape hues, and plenty of autumn foods. Ultimately, winter is brief, with a decent snowpack from mid-December until the end of February.
For such a tiny nation, Armenia possesses a remarkably diversified natural environment. There is something for everyone from enthralling verdant valleys and gorges towards parched and vibrant mountains. Armenia also has the largest lake within the Caucasus. Lake Sevan is known as the region's "blue gem." It is known for its beautiful highlands, small beaches, and charming settlements. Furthermore, notwithstanding its modest size, Armenia is among the most mountainous place in the world, with mountains covering about 90% of the territory.
Armenia is among the few countries that have miraculously survived despite having a history dating back over centuries. Many nations have vanished throughout the centuries, yet many people are surprised that Armenia has survived to preserve its cultural legacy via customs that still currently exist. In the current hypothesis of Armenia, there seems to be a variety of archeological data that shows existent cultures in the past. Due to the obvious quantity of stones in the nation, Armenians have long been known for making artworks off it, and this is likely to be the greatest option for travelers that love history.
Armenia is an old nation, and its legacy from various points in history is distinctive and rather well-known across the world. The little country contains several attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and there are still unexplored spots that are piquing the attention of archaeologists. The mountain Ararat is among the most mythical and iconic mountains for all Armenians, and it is officially located in modern-day Turkey. On a good, bright day, travelers may view Ararat out from the town, Yerevan, and appreciate its majesty, strength, and serenity.
Armenia is an old nation, and its legacy from various points in history is distinctive and rather well-known across the world. The little country contains several attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and there are still unexplored spots that are piquing the attention of archaeologists. The mountain Ararat is among the most mythical and iconic mountains for all Armenians, and it is officially located in modern-day Turkey. On a good, bright day, travelers may view Ararat out from the town, Yerevan, and appreciate its majesty, strength, and serenity.
One intriguing statistic regarding the Armenian race and community is that more Armenians resided beyond Armenia than within. Armenia is among the world's largest diasporas, with significant populations in Russia, France, and the United States. Nowadays, there is still a diaspora of approximately 10,000,000 people, which may be traced all the way primarily to the Armenian Genocide, as previously stated. Notable diaspora Armenians include the Kardashians, System of a Down, and others.
The public transport system in Armenia is still in its early phases, and new modes of transportation are all being introduced into the service. Mini Buses are commonly used to link Armenian communities. These may not be the most pleasant modes of transportation. Thus, many visitors choose to use cabs or hire a vehicle while in Armenia. Trains are another alternative, but the upgraded trains will only transport visitors from Yerevan to Gyumri for the time being. Moreover, the ancient Soviet trains are another alternative.
On March 25, Davit Robert Mirzoyan (born in 1978), Ishkhan Serzhik Ohanyan (born in 1994) and Ararat Tevosyan (born in 1990) were killed as a result of provocations by the Azerbaijani forces in the eastern border of Artsakh, in particular, the use of Bayraktar TB-2 attack drones.
The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Artsakh shares the grief of the loss, expresses its support to the relatives and friends of the killed servicemen.