Author: Samvel Nahapetian

Activity of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs should continue, Russian deputy FM says

Samvel Nahapetian

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 13:16,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Rudenko says the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs should continue, as, he adds, it had a major investment in the development of base principles for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

“Most of these principles have been reflected in the 2020 November 9 statement”, he said in an interview to TASS, adding that the talk is about the return of refugees, leaving a corridor connecting Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, ensuring security, the peacekeeping missing, the unblocking of economic and transportation communication of the region.

Mr. Rudenko noted that achieving a political settlement to the conflict is a relevant issue, which has been put on the Minsk Group Co-Chairs according to the OSCE summit decision (1994) in Budapest. “The Co-Chairmanship has a strong international support and can be useful in the development of mutually acceptable approaches and further actions, including in the status-related issues. However, cautiously, without hurry, when the time comes”, he said.

The Russian deputy FM added that now the OSCE Minsk Group, the Co-Chairs can show activeness in terms of strengthening trust measures between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. According to him, the dialogue between civil societies will contribute to the overall stabilization of the situation in the region and the creation of preconditions for future actions through political means.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia assessed as country with low debt burden: Finance minister on issuance of Eurobonds

Samvel Nahapetian

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 11:47, 4 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government has issued 750 million USD Eurobonds in 2021 not as a result of the assessment of the moment, but it has been the assessment of the comprehensive policy conducted so far, Minister of Finance Atom Janjughazyan said at today’s Cabinet meeting.

“As long as Armenia has a state budget deficit, the increase in absolute size of the state debt is inevitable. But this is one part of the story, in addition to the absolute size, the relative figures are also being taken into account: the gross indicator which is used for assessing the debt burden, is the state debt –gross domestic product ratio, in this case it is revealed how much burden the state debt is for the economy”, the minister said.

The minister said till now, at least until 2019 Armenia has been mainly assessed as a country with low debt burden.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

The Ministry of Education will not offer school subscription system in 2021

Samvel Nahapetian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 6 2021

The school subscription system program will continue in 2021, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sport reported on Saturday. The program is designed for teachers and students of public secondary schools throughout Armenia, allowing them to have free access to three cultural institutions once a year. The Ministry detailed, students and teachers can still attend cultural institutions according to the quotas distributed in 2020 but not used due to the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is noted that no new tickets will be offered to students in 2021. 

The school subscription system implementation program, implemented by the RA Ministries of Culture, and Education and Science, was launched since November 2018. The objective of the program is to promote the connection between the school and the cultural center to foster the artistic upbringing and the aesthetic development of children and juveniles.

The subscriptions are offered through schools and can be used other by individual students and teachers as well as by groups. 

Armenian MP appeals to women leaders in Europe to force Azerbaijan to release Maral Najarian from captivity

Samvel Nahapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 5 2021

Member of the Armenian National Assembly Naira Zohrabyan has appealed to women leaders in Europe, requesting to call on Azerbaijan to release Lebanese Armenian Maral Najarian from captivity.

Maral Najaryan moved to Berdzor, Artsakh, after the explosion in the port of Beirut. She was taken captive on the Goris-Stepanakert road on her way to Berdzor to transport her personal belongings to Yerevan before the region would be handed over to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has officially confirmed the fact of Maral’s captivity, and she is supposedly kept in the Gubistan prison, about 70 km from Baku.

Naira Zohrabyan from the opposition Prosperous Armenia faction has appealed to European women leaders, human rights activists and all organizations dealing with women’s issues to force Azerbaijan to return Maral and all prisoners of war.

“I have appealed to all women at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to call on Azerbaijan and Aliyev’s wife, a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, to return Maral Najaryan, a civilian, to Armenia immediately,” Zohrabyan said in a Facebook post.

“I have appealed to UNESCO, which gives the title of a goodwill ambassador to the wife of the president of a war criminal country, so that UNESCO demands within its mandate that its Azerbaijani goodwill ambassador not spit on international humanitarian law and keep Armenian prisoners of war and Maral Najaryan as a “political currency,” to  immediately return all prisoners of war to Armenia under the 3rd Geneva Convention,” Zohrabyan said.

Turkish press: Mimar Sinan’s house attracts visitors with its alluring architecture

Samvel Nahapetian
 KAYSERI, TURKEY ARTS 
FEB 02, 2021 1:24 PM GMT+3
A room inside the Mimar Sinan House, Kayseri, central Turkey, Feb. 1, 2021. (AA PHOTO)

The stone house where Mimar Sinan, the greatest architect of the classical period of Ottoman architecture, was born and spent his youth welcomes thousands of visitors every year. The house is located in the Ağırnas quarter of Turkey's central Kayseri province.

While serving as a mesmerizing museum, the building attracts tourists with its unique architectural structure in its historical quarter, which went under extensive restoration last year. The visitors are especially interested in the arches on the ground floor of the house, its underground rooms, storehouses, galleries and lighting system in the kitchen area.

The museum house’s guide Ahmet Bekdaş said that Mimar Sinan lived in Ağırnas until the age of 22 and then moved to Istanbul as a "devshirme," a system that trained non-Muslim citizens of the empire to be officers of the state. Some sources claim that Sinan was of Armenian descent, while others say he descended from Karamanid Turks, who lived in the region spanning from modern Turkey's Konya to Kayseri, including Cappadocia, and adopted Orthodox Christianity.

Recalling that a project to turn the great architect’s house into a museum was prepared in 2000, Bekdaş said that the house was restored by various institutions and organizations four years later in 2004. Noting that the house serves as Mimar Sinan House Museum and hosts millions of tourists every year, the guide continued: “Stonework is prevalent here due to volcanic activity. Mimar Sinan's house was also made of stone. There is an arched area inside the house. It is a gallery with a capacity of 100-150 people. One room of the house has a stove and its chimney. People both warmed up and cooked with this stove in the past. This chimney also provided a ventilation function. In addition, there are warehouses in a part of the house. Since stone insulates it well, the house is cool in summer and hot in winter. Mimar Sinan was influenced by the architecture of this house. This house where he was raised inspired him much to break new ground in architecture.”

Bekdaş stated that there is an underground city located in the same neighborhood as Mimar Sinan’s house. Informing that a part of this city also passes from under the architect’s house, he implied that excavation work under the house continues at intervals. Bekdaş emphasized that the number of visitors decreased during the pandemic but those who visited were left amazed.

Born in 1490, Mimar Sinan was brought to Istanbul as a devshirme in the time of Sultan Selim I, also known as Selim the Grim (1512-1520). He served as the chief Ottoman architect during the reigns of sultans Suleiman I, also known as Suleiman the Magnificent, (1520-1566), Selim II (1566-1574) and Murad III (1574-1595). The great architect undersigned 365 works across the world, including many mosques, madrasas, bridges and palaces. His final masterpiece, Selimiye Mosque, in northwestern Edirne province and the famous Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul are among his well-known works.

Medvedev says cooperation with Turkey is not a long-term solution in Nagorno-Karabakh

Samvel Nahapetian
AHVAL News
Feb 1 2021

  • Feb 02 2021 12:01 Gmt+3
  • Last Updated On: Feb 02 2021 12:06 Gmt+3

Dmitriy Medvedev, Russia’s deputy chairman of the Security Council, said cooperation with Turkey in Nagorno-Karabakh was not a long-term solution to the conflict, Russian state-run TASS reported on Monday. 

Medvedev remarked that it was a necessity to work with Turkey in the region because of its close relationship with Azerbaijan. He noted that “this factor cannot be ignored” and that Russia sees Turkey as an important partner. 

"We have a productive dialogue, our president constantly communicates with [Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan] on this issue," he said.

Turkey was not a signatory to the ceasefire last year that ended the fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, despite the overwhelming support it provided to Baku. According to the terms of the truce, Turkey would be permitted to send a military contingent to operate alongside Russia but no peacekeeping forces.

On Saturday, the  joint monitoring centre was opened by representatives of Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan in the Aghdam district of Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Despite this cooperation, Medvedev insists that it did not represent a long-term solution to ending all hostilities over the disputed region. He described the centre’s opening as simply a stabilisation measure. 

"But I would refrain from treating it as an element of some long-term policy or build a conspiracy theory here. We were simply obliged to take the realities in our region into account. And the reality is that this issue must be discussed with the Turkish partners," Medvedev said.

Asbarez: South Australia Recognizes Artsakh, Condemns Azerbaijan and Turkey

Samvel Nahapetian

February 2,  2021



South Australia recognizes Artsakh

ADELAIDE, Australia—South Australia became the second state in Australia to recognize the rights to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh, condemning Azerbaijan and Turkey for their invasion of the country’s indigenous Armenians in a motion passed with a vote in the House of Assembly, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

The motion follows one passed by the New South Wales Parliament’s Legislative Assembly in October 2020, and similarly “calls on the Federal Government to also recognize the Republic of Artsakh as the only permanent solution to the conflict to avoid further attempts of such military aggression”.

Member of Parliament Tom Koustantonis moved the historic motion, which also called out “the actions of President Erdogan of Turkey and President Aliyev of Azerbaijan in their pursuit of a policy of Pan-Turkish nationalism, which has previously led to genocide and which now threatens the Armenian population of Artsakh with ethnic cleansing”.

The House of Assembly considered a proposal to “adjourn the debate”, however this was defeated by the casting vote of the Speaker. The debate resumed and resulted in a vote – without dissent – in favor of the motion.

ANC-AU Executive Director Haig Kayserian thanked the Armenian Cultural Association of South Australia for its grassroots advocacy.

“We were proud to support members of Adelaide’s dedicated Armenian community for their tireless efforts on the ground, which have ensured South Australia’s parliament has joined a growing number of legislatures around the world supporting the legitimate rights to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh,” said Kayserian.

“Mr. Emil Davityan and the President of the Armenian Cultural Association of South Australia are a credit to the greater Armenian-Australian community and were a pleasure to work with to achieving this wonderful outcome for our heroic brothers and sisters of the Armenian Republic of Artsakh,” he added.

“We thank Mr. Tom Koustantonis and Ms. Jayne Stinson for championing this motion and extend our gratitude to all parliamentarians who supported its passage in the name of human rights,” said Emil Davityan.

“South Australia’s Armenian community wanted to play its part in supporting the people of Artsakh, bringing attention to the critical humanitarian issues in the region and contributing to an enduring and peaceful settlement to the conflict. The community thanks all who supported it in its endeavors.”

The Motion in full reads as follows:

That this House:

(1)Notes the actions and belligerence of Azerbaijan towards the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh in commencing military action on 27 September 2020.

(2)Notes the serious concerns that have been raised from Armenian-Australians regarding the existential threat to the indigenous Armenian population of the Republic of Artsakh by this military action, and in any attempts by Azerbaijan to prevent the peaceful resettlement of the indigenous Armenian population following agreement to a provisional ceasefire on 9 November 2020.

(3) Notes the serious concerns raised by Armenian-Australians and independent international organizations regarding the risk of Azerbaijan destroying sites of global cultural and historical significance.

(4)Condemns the actions of President Erdogan of Turkey and President Aliyev of Azerbaijan in their pursuit of a policy of Pan-Turkish nationalism, which has previously led to genocide and which now threatens the Armenian population of Artsakh with ethnic cleansing.

(5)Calls on the Federal Government to condemn these attacks and advocate its support for the safety and security of the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh.

(6)Recognize the right to self-determination of all peoples including those of the Republic of Artsakh and calls on the Federal Government to also recognise the Republic of Artsakh as the only permanent solution to the conflict to avoid further attempts of such military aggression.

More bodies found in battle zones as search operations continue, says Artsakh

Samvel Nahapetian

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 10:06, 25 January, 2021

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. 2 more bodies have been found during the search operations on January 24, the State Emergency Service of Artsakh said, adding that according to the preliminary data one of them is a civilian found in the territory of Tumi village in Hadrut region.

Forensic examination will be carried out to identify the bodies.

So far, a total of 1283 bodies have been found in the battle zones as a result of the search operations. 15 of them are civilians who either have been murdered or killed in shelling.

Today the search operations are carried out in the directions of Varanda (Fizuli), Jrakan (Jabrayil), Hadrut and Mataghis.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan economic task force meeting to take place “in coming days”

Samvel Nahapetian

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 12:35, 26 January, 2021

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. The first meeting between the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Ministers in pursuance of the Karabakh armistice’s clause 9 will take place soon, but the timeframes are yet to be decided, Armenian Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan’s office told ARMENPRESS in response to an article published by the Russian RBK newspaper which cited unnamed governmental sources from Armenia and Russia saying that the meeting is due on January 27.

“The meeting will take place in the coming days, but the exact date and time are being clarified. The agenda doesn’t underscore any specific direction or infrastructure, it implies the discussion of various issues related to the regional transport unblocking,” Grigoryan’s office said.

The agreement to create a trilateral deputy prime ministerial task force in charge of implementing clause 9 of the ceasefire deal was reached during the January 11 summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Moscow.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan




Artsakh military releases names of 72 more fallen troops

Samvel Nahapetian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 23 2021

The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Defense Army on Saturday, January 23, released the names of 72 more Armenian servicemen killed repelling Azerbaijani attacks during the autumn 2020 war.

Volunteer Hovhannisyan Arthur Gevorg, born in 1967
Reservist Kolanjyan Artyom Sargis, born in 1993
Grigoryan Meruzhan Harutyun, born in 1996
Reservist Abrahamyan Hamlet Vladik, born in 1979
Madatyan Razmik Aleksan, born in 2000
Khumaryan Moris Gagik, born in 2000
Hovsepyan Grigor Arayik, born in 2000
Karapetyan Tigran Grigor, born in 2002
Nazaryan Abgar Gegham, born in 2002
Ispiryan Boris Gevorg, born in 2000
Apresyan Tigran Tadevos, born in 2001
Kirakosyan Roman Hayk, born in 2001
Panosyan Arsen Mnatsakan, born in 2001
Hovhannisyan Melkon Telman, born in 2002
Mstoyan Norayr Dhar, born in 2001
Eloyan Henrik Sergey, born in 2001
Petrosyan Sasun Saribek, born in 2001
Nersisyan Karen Davit, born in 2002
Hovagimyan Karo Sarkis, born in 2000
Hovhannisyan Martin Hovhannes, born in 2001
Stepanyan Albert Gagik, born in 2002
Harutyunyan Hayk Hrant, born in 2002
Sambatov Samvel Grish, born in 2001
Galstyan Armen Gevorg, born in 2001
Yesayan Suren Sargis, born in 2002
Muradyan Hovik Smbat, born in 1993
Manukyan Igor Hamlet, born in 1977
Dokhoyan Rudolf Yurik, born in 1977
Margaryan Arakel Slava, born in 1988
Dadamyan Roman Vagif, born in 1982
Gevorgyan Vahan Aydin, born 1968
Ghahramanyan Samvel Karlen, born in 1968
Harutyunyan Harutyun Karlen, born in 1984
Beglaryan Garik Vachagan, born in 1996
Reservist Hovhannisyan Menua Armen, born in 1986
Barseghyan Marat Nairi, born in 2002
Grigoryan Grisha Samvel, born in 2002
Mkrtchyan Mikayel Ruben, born in 2002
Hovagimyan Karen Yura, born in 2001
Ghazaryan Samvel Arthur, born in 2000
Khachatryan Gavrush Jonik, born in 2001
Sirekanyan Lyudvig Hovakim, born in 2001
Khachatryan Hrach Norayr, born in 2000
Karapetyan Robert Andranik, born in 2002
Avoyan David Atik, born in 2001
Mkhitaryan Sargis Samvel, born in 2000
Virabyan Erik Kajik, born in 2000
Ohanyan Gor Gagik, born in 2001
Rashoyan Garik Radik, born in 2001
Gulbandyan Garik Hamlet, born in 2001
Mkrtchyan Hayk Mkrtch, born in 2001
Meliksetyan Ashot Artyom, born in 2001
Matevosyan David Grigor, born in 2001
Muradyan Ashot Hovhannes, born in 2001
Ghazaryan Hayk Samvel, born in 2000
Hovhannisyan Sedrak Samvel, born in 1993
Mkhitaryan Narek Mkhitar, born in 1995
Hambaryan Tigran Surik, born in 1982
Hakobyan Hayk Tsolak, born in 1997
Gevorgyan Davit Ashot, born in 1980
Reservist Hovsepyan Nver Meruzhan, born in 1984
Apyan Ara Yurik, born in 1983
Reservist Sargsyan Paruyr Hayk, born in 1980
Reservist Tonoyan Vahan Garnik, born in 1988
Reservist Asatryan Arthur Hakob, born in 1985
Volunteer Khachatryan Rafik Ishkhan, born in 1988
Aleksanyan Khoren Hrant, born in 1985
Reservist Harutyunyan Hakob Volodya, born in 1979
Kirakosyan Gevorg Davit, born in 1996
Arzumanyan Hrachya Seyran, born in 2001
Mkrtchyan Levon Vardan, born in 2001
Khachatryan Vanik Valerik, born in 2000