Author: Tania Jagharian

Aleppo, Archbishop Boutros Marayati appointed Patriarchal Administrator of the Armenian Catholic Church

Tania Jagharian
Italy –
Thursday,
Aleppo (Agenzia Fides) – Armenian Catholic Archbishop Boutros Marayati, at the head of the Armenian Catholic community of Aleppo, was appointed Interim Apostolic Administrator of the Armenian Catholic Church, after the death of the Armenian Catholic Patriarch Krikor Bedros Ghabroyan due to illness (see Fides, 26/5/2021). 

The news of the appointment was released on the afternoon of Wednesday May 26, by the Secretariat of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate. The appointment took place on the basis of Article 127 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Catholic Churches, which states that during the vacancy of the Patriarchal See, the office of Administrator of the Patriarchal Church is assumed by "the eldest Bishop by ordination among the bishops of the Patriarchal Curia or, if there are none, among the Bishops who are members of the permanent Synod". 

The main task of the interim Patriarchal Administrator will be to convene the members of the Synod of the Armenian Catholic Church to elect the new Patriarch. 

Boutros Marayati, born in Aleppo in February 1948, was ordained a priest in 1971 and in 1990 was consecrated Armenian Catholic Bishop of his hometown. In the long years of the Syrian conflict, he remained alongside the increasingly small Christian communities of Aleppo, a martyr city for a long time a battleground between military forces loyal to President Bashar al Assad and rebel militias, including jihadist militias. 

In January 2014, as Apostolic Administrator Sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Armenian Catholic eparchy of Kamichlié (Qamishli), Archbishop Marayati disavowed the initiative "Adopt a parish in Syria" launched online by an Armenian Catholic Syrian priest as a project to raise funds for the suffering Christian communities in Syria. On that occasion (see Fides, 11/1/2014), Archbishop Marayati made it known through Agenzia Fides that the priest promoter of the initiative had "no faculty or authorization to organize fundraising in the name and in favor of the parishes or of the Christian schools of Syria". (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 27/5/2021)

Iran will seek to expand cooperation with Armenia in all areas – expert says ahead of Zarif’s visit

Tania Jagharian

Save

Share

 09:32,

YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Expert on Iranian studies Garik Misakyan says it’s obvious that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s upcoming visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan is connected with the ongoing situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

“Firstly, the situation in Syunik [province of Armenia] has become a matter of serious discussions in Iran, and we have already heard several statements over the inviolability of the internationally recognized borders, as well as have witnessed quite a tough response by some circles of Iran over Azerbaijan’s actions. It can be stated that the ministry of foreign affairs of Iran, noticing that this issue is not being solved, is trying to get acquainted with the situation, the official position of the sides, as well as convey the official stance of Iran already through its foreign minister”, the expert said.

Iran has announced at a high level that it will not allow any change in its northern borders, noting that Armenia’s territorial integrity is its red line. Asked whether this doesn’t mean that Iran is absolutely against the rumors on opening a corridor in Syunik, the expert said yes, noting that Iran has always announced about the inviolability of the Armenian-Iranian borders.

“First of all, all Iranian statements mention that any action should not interrupt the normal operation of the Armenian-Iranian land border. The Iranian side opposes the so-called Zangezur and Meghri corridor, however, it needs Armenia’s official position that the Armenian side as well doesn’t want to provide a corridor or a road, so that it will develop further actions and will assist Armenia in cancelling that process”, Mr. Misakyan said.

According to him, Armenia can definitely expect diplomatic support over the situation connected with Syunik, as well as an expansion of cooperation both in the economic and military field.

“As for the military field, many meetings are taking place between the Iranian and Armenian Ambassadors and the military. In other words, Armenia can receive a comprehensive support from Iran. And also engaging Iran into the construction process of North-South highway has a geopolitical importance. Iran also needs peaceful Syunik for fulfilling all these projects. Iran wants Armenia to solve the Syunik border situation as soon as possible be it either with its own efforts or through its allies”, the expert on Iranian studies said.

According to him, the growth of Turkish influence in the region is not beneficial to Iran at all, the decrease of its [Iran’s] influence is not beneficial as well. Iran will try with all possible means to both cancel the possible launch of the Zangezur corridor and increase its own influence in the region.

“Iran will seek to expand the cooperation with Armenia in all areas. In other words, now we have quite serious opportunities, to deepen the ties with Iran both in the diplomatic and other levels, and also counterbalancing other forces of the region in our favor”, Garik Misakyan said.

 

Interview by Karen Khachatryan

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Azerbaijani press: Zakharova: Incidents on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border have nothing to do with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict directly -UPDATED

Tania Jagharian
19:01
“The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are exclusively concerned with the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. This is spelled out in their mandate as well," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing today, APA's Moscow correspondent reports.

To the question of the Armenian journalist “the co-chairing countries of the Minsk Group – the USA and France – demanded the immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from the territory of Armenia, and what is the position of the Russian-co-chair on this issue?”, The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry replied: "The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are exclusively concerned with the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. This is also spelled out in their mandate. In the statements of the Minsk Group co-chairs on April 13 this year, a call was made to Azerbaijan and Armenia to resume the political dialogue at the highest level under the auspices of the co-chairs. This statement highlights issues that require additional effort. These include the return of prisoners of war and other detainees in accordance with the provisions of international humanitarian law, the exchange of all data necessary for the implementation of mine clearance in the conflict-affected areas, the lifting of restrictions on access to Nagorno-Karabakh, including for representatives of international organizations, the preservation and protection religious and cultural heritage, encouraging direct contact and cooperation between conflict-affected communities. It is important to emphasize that the format of the co-chairs enjoys broad international support, and it is within its framework that the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should take place. As you know, the differences between Baku and Yerevan remain significant, especially over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. After the well-known events of September-November last year, both countries are at the beginning of the path to restoring a full-fledged dialogue and mutual trust. Russia is making active mediation efforts to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and stabilize the situation in the South Caucasus. Russian peacekeepers guarantee peace and security in Nagorno-Karabakh. A trilateral working group co-chaired by the vice-prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia is engaged in unblocking transport and economic ties in the region. The Russian side is closely involved in resolving the incident on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, helping to reduce tensions. We maintain regular contacts with Baku and Yerevan at the highest and highest levels, operational communication has been established through the military, border services and, of course, foreign affairs agencies.

As for the incident on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, it is not directly related to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. The main reason is the lack of international legal registration of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, which was inherited from Soviet times. As a long-term solution to this problem, we see the launch of the process of delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border with its subsequent demarcation. We proceed from the premise that such a situation should be resolved exclusively by peaceful, negotiated means. As a long-term solution to this problem, we see the launch of the process of delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border with its subsequent demarcation. Russia is ready to help this in every possible way."

***

"Incidents on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border have nothing to do with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, directy," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing today, APA's Moscow correspondent reports.

According to her, the main reason for this incident is the non-formation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border inherited from the Soviet era in terms of international law: “We believe that such a problem should be resolved through peace and negotiations without exception. Russia is ready to help in any way. "

Armenia fires warning shots at Azeri border

Tania Jagharian
Jerusalem Post
May 20 2021

By REUTERS  
MAY 20, 2021 17:19

Armenia's defense ministry said on Thursday it had fired warnings shots at the border with Azerbaijan due to an alleged Azeri incursion, the RIA news agency reported.


Armenia accused Azerbaijan of sending troops across the border last week, highlighting the fragility of a Russian-brokered ceasefire that halted six weeks of fighting between ethnic Armenian and Azeri forces last year. Azerbaijan has previously denied crossing the frontier.

Ruling bloc lawmaker denies existence of secret, verbal agreements with Azerbaijan on surrendering territory

Tania Jagharian

Save

Share

 15:16,

YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Member of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan from the ruling My Step bloc denies rumors on an alleged verbal agreement on surrendering any village or territory of Armenia to Azerbaijan.

Speaking to reporters in parliament, Rubinyan mentioned that the potential delimitation document’s full version was published by the opposition the day before. He assured that there is no other document under discussion.

“We’ve all seen the working version, and it doesn’t contain any word on ceding any territory. The Armenian side has said that the discussion of this document can happen only in case of the Azerbaijani military formations returning to their original positions,” he said.

He said all reports alleging that secret, verbal agreements exist on surrendering villages to Azerbaijan are fake news.

Rubinyan reiterated that the delimitation and demarcation document can only be signed in case of the Armenian side’s condition is fulfilled, i.e. – the withdrawal of Azeri troops from the Armenian sovereign territory.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Azeris destroy another Armenian cemetery in Artsakh –

Tania Jagharian
Panorama, Armenia

The Caucasus Heritage Watch (CHW) has made a high-confidence assessment that a centuries-old Armenian cemetery north of Shushi town  in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has been partially destroyed. The Organisation has shared satellite imagery on its Twitter, showing a portion of the grounds on the western side of a road leading into the city was leveled in the construction of a building complex.

It is noted that the expansive cemetery, which spans both sides of the road, contained 96 tombstones dating 1834-1920 and two 12-13th c. cross stones (khachkars), including the tombs of noble Armenian families (Meliks). Although the construction occurred in an area shaded by tree cover, imagery from Feb 2021 reveals a dense array of tombstones, and documentation provided by Monument Watch, in Yerevan, details specific plots in the location.Neither the number of damaged tombs nor the affected plots can be determined with available data, the source said.  

CHW calls on UNESCO to directly assess the extent of the damage and preserve the historic site.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon tasks to launch CSTO procedures over Armenia’s Syunik

Tania Jagharian

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon tasks to launch CSTO procedures over Armenia's Syunik

Save

Share

 19:15,

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Ayvazian held a phone conversation with Chairman of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries discussed the situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border and the steps to solve it.

Ara Ayvazian emphasized the necessity to launch consultations in line with Article 2 of the Collective Security Treaty.

Chairman of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers Sirojiddin Muhriddin informed the Armenian FM that acting Chairman of the CSTO Collective Security Council, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has already has already given relevant tasks.

Artsakh ombudsman sends letter to several reputable human rights organizations

Tania Jagharian
Panorama, Armenia

Artsakh’s Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan on Thursday sent a letter to a number of reputable human rights organizations in which he particularly referred to the results of the ombudsman’s fact-finding work during the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh and humanitarian issues arising in Artsakh in the post-war situation, as well as issues related to human rights protection, his office reported.

The ombudsman called on international partners to take active and effective steps to alleviate the humanitarian situation by joint efforts, and within the framework of cooperation visit Artsakh to assess the situation on the ground and support the people of Artsakh.  

Chess: Armenian Grandmaster to reinforce Iloilo in PCAP

Tania Jagharian
Panay News, Philippines


Armenian Grandmaster to reinforce Iloilo in PCAP

By Adrian Stewart Co

Armenian Grandmaster Hovhannes Gabuzyan is set to reinforce Iloilo Kisela Knights in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup. BY FIDE WEBSITE

MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights is determined to bounce back in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup as it tapped the services of Armenian Grandmaster import.

Kisela Knights team owner Leo Sotaridona told Panay News they secured the services of Hovhannes Gabuzyan in the second conference of online chess tournament beginning May 15.

“Hovhannes’ being a national champion speaks highly of himself,” Sotaridona said. “He is rated close to 2600, so he is expected to provide tremendous help to Iloilo Kisela Knights’ top two boards.”

The 25-year-old Gabuzyan has a decorated record as a player, having earned the GM title after topping various tournaments in Armenia and other in countries at the age of 17.

Gabuzyan was hailed Olympic Champion at the U16 in 2010. He also topped the 75th Armenian Chess Club 1st League, before winning the Bulgarian Chess Summer 2015, Golden Sands A Tournament. It was in 2016 that Gabuyzan won the World University Chess Championship.

Gabuzyan became a member of the Armenian National Chess Team in 2017-2018, where he won first place in the UTRGV Chess team at President Cup, Final Four tournament in New York, USA.

Recently, the Armenian Grandmaster was hailed as champion in the 2021 Armenian Chess Championship, the same title he captured back in 2017.

“He will be of big help for our team, could be a great coach, mentor and inspiration for our team to strive hard to become champion for the second conference of PCAP,” said Kisela Knights assistant manager Hubert Canto.

In the PCAP GM Wesley So Cup, the champion team will receive P150,000 while the runner-up will get P75,000. The third placer will have P40,000, while the fourth placer will take home P20,000.

Top individual performers in the conference, such as Best Import, Player of the Conference, and Finals Most Valuable Player, will received P10,000 cash prize each./PN

Armenian Embassy in Netherlands checks reports on stabbing case of Armenian woman

Tania Jagharian

Save

Share

 12:27, 8 May, 2021

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of Armenia in the Netherlands is checking whether the reports about the stabbing case of an Armenian woman are true or not.

The Embassy said on Facebook that as of now no official source has confirmed the information about the stabbing case of an Armenian woman which has been spread by various media outlets and on many social networks.

“The woman in the photo which is posted under that report, is alive and has no connection with the alleged case. The Embassy is in touch with the Dutch law enforcement agencies for finding out the authenticity of the report. Please refrain from further publications over the alleged case until there will be the Embassy’s official information”, the Embassy said in a statement.

Some media outlets have reported that three Azerbaijanis in the Netherlands have stabbed Armenian lawyer Anna Hakobyan for her ethnic identity. It was reported that the woman has undergone a successful surgery, and the criminals have been arrested.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan