Author: Tania Jagharian

Armenian Foreign Minister has said  Armenia disapproves of arms purchases by Azerbaijan from Russia and intends to maintain a “balance of forces” in the region.

Armenia disapproves of arms purchases by Azerbaijan from Russia and intends to maintain a “balance of forces” in the region, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandyan told .

“Of course we cannot like the fact that Azerbaijan buys weapons from our ally, which puts a lot of effort to preserve peace and stability in our region, including in cooperation with Armenia, as co-chair of the Minsk Group,” Nalbandyan said.

Nalbandyan, commenting on what he classified as an “arms race” between the two countries, said “we have to make every effort to maintain a balance of forces in the region and prevent further escalation.”

Russian and Israeli diplomats are working to get permission to see Alexander Lapshin, Member of Knesset Kseniya Svetlova told .

She said “even his current location is unknown. The Israeli Consul is not allowed to see him.”

“The Israeli Consulate is working on that. I know that the Russian Consulate is also trying to get access to him,” Svetlova said.

The lawmaker voiced concern over the fate of the blogger.

The Armenian National Committee of America on Monday issued the following statement regarding the January 27, White House Executive Order on immigration, titled, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States”.

The complete text of the ANCA statement is provided below.

ANCA Statement on the White House Immigration Executive Order

The Armenian National Committee of America remains engaged and concerned regarding the developing situation surrounding the White House’s January 27th immigration Executive Order, both at the level of U.S. policy and in terms of this action’s impact on Armenian individuals and families.

As has been widely reported, the Executive Order, titled, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States,” places restrictions on travel to the U.S. by citizens of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan.

This travel ban has been applied to refugees and visa holders from these designated countries as well as to those with green cards who already have permanent residency or other legal status in the US. The ban, initially in effect for a period of 90 days, may become permanent. We have witnessed uneven and inconsistent enforcement of the order, reflecting apparent confusion among government officials and within the travel industry. The federal courts have issued a stay on the enforcement of the order, but the extent of this legal action, and how it will affect non-U.S. citizens, remains unclear. Future Congressional and court action may also influence how non-U.S. citizens and their families are impacted.

As the ANCA continues to engage relevant stakeholders – including Congress and the White House – we offer the following recommendations:

1. The ANCA encourages Armenians whose relatives or friends have been detained at U.S. ports of entry or who have been blocked from re-entry to the U.S. to contact us immediately at [email protected] or (202) 775-1918. Please be prepared to share basic information, including a description of the situation and the name of any legal counsel. (This information will remain confidential.)

2. Until there is greater clarity regarding the full legal scope and nature of these restrictions, the ANCA recommends that Armenians from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, who are not U.S. citizens, refrain from leaving the U.S., due to the increased risk that they will be denied re-entry, regardless of their immigration status.

3. The ANCA is regularly consulting with civil and legal rights organizations for the most up to date information on this unfolding situation and will provide community updates, as they become available.

As Americans of Armenian heritage – a community of proud immigrants, many descended from the families of Armenian Genocide survivors with roots in Syria, Iraq, Iran and other countries cited in this order – we remain deeply concerned by the moral, legal and humanitarian implications of these new restrictions. We will act vigilantly to protect the human and legal rights of Armenians harmed by this executive order. As a matter of public policy, we are communicating our concerns, on a bipartisan basis, with both houses of Congress and the White House. Consistent with our mission, we will remain vigilant in protecting the welfare of our community and advancing our shared interest in a strong Diaspora, a secure Armenia, a free Artsakh, and a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide.

Integration cooperation between Russia and Armenia within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will be in focus of talks between Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Armenian counterpart, Karen Karapetyan, who arrives in Moscow on Tuesday at the invitation of the Russian government.

The agenda of the talks will include issues of Russian-Armenian cooperation in the area of trade-and-economic relations, and in such sectors as energy, transport, the humanities.

The two prime minister will also discuss the implementation of joint investment projects, the press service of the Russian government said, TASS reports.

The talks are expected to yield a number of intergovernmental and inter-ministerial documents.

As the Senate Foreign Relations Committee met to consider President-Elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of State Nominee Mr. Rex Tillerson, former ExxonMobil CEO, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) highlighted key policy issues in a letter sent to Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN) and Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD).

“We need a Secretary of State committed to strengthening the permanent bonds between Armenia and the United States, two countries that share common values and beliefs, and who will see in Armenia, which remains an island of stability, a vital ally in the region,” Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian said in their letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “United States-Armenia relations have been consistently characterized by friendship and reciprocity and an active Armenian American community strongly supports further expanding the United States partnership with the Republic of Armenia,” they added.

Assembly Co-Chairs highlighted several areas of concern, including Azerbaijan’s flagrant violations of the 1994/5 cease-fire agreement with respect to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, intentionally escalating the violence as pressure for Armenian concessions and launching a 4-day war last April.

“Such behavior makes it clear that Azerbaijan cannot be trusted to honor its commitments and must be held accountable for its egregious human rights violations,” the Co-Chairs said in the letter. “All Americans should be deeply troubled by…reports of Azerbaijan’s ISIS-inspired mutilations of civilians and beheadings of soldiers.”

“Now is the time to strengthen the OSCE process and ensure vigorous U.S. engagement to bring about a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the principles of democracy, rule of law, and self-determination,”  they continued.

Barsamian and Krikorian also noted the Assembly’s concerns with respect to Turkey’s more than 20-year blockade of Armenia and its ongoing campaign of genocide denial. “Within Turkey, its treatment of minority communities, repression of basic freedoms, ties to ISIS, and its ongoing failure to return confiscated Armenian churches as well as its continued denial of the Armenian Genocide remain troubling trends,” Co-Chairs Barsamian and Krikorian stated.

In his opening statement, Secretary of State Nominee Tillerson said that “Our approach to human rights begins by acknowledging that American leadership requires moral clarity. We do not face an ‘either or’ choice on defending global human rights. Our values are our interests when it comes to human rights and humanitarian assistance…But our leadership demands action specifically focused on improving the conditions of people the world over, utilizing both aid and economic sanctions as instruments of foreign policy when appropriate.”

Both Azerbaijan and Turkey have a history of human rights abuses, especially in recent reports by international organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the U.S. Helsinki Commission. America and its next Secretary of State need to uphold America’s core values and protect fundamental freedoms and human rights.

As the confirmation process continues, the Assembly will continue to advance key priorities and look for ways to further expand U.S.-Armenia relations.

Vice-Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov met with the Head of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran Sepuh Archbishop Sargsyan at the National Prelacy of Iran.

During the meeting the interlocutors highlighted the unique role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in preservation and spreading of Armenian identity, spiritual, moral and national values.

“The role of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is unique in the life of the Armenian people and particularly in the life of the Iranian Armenians. Today, in the world of challenges we should remain faithful to our spiritual and national values,” Sharmazanov said.

In the course of the meeting the interlocutors highlighted the strengthening of the Armenia-Diaspora-Artsakh unity.

“The CSTO Secretariat was worried to learn about the armed incident near the village of Chinari in the Republic of Armenia,” CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said in a statement.

“We consider these actions on the territory of a CSTO member state as a provocation, especially against the background of a rather serious incident in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic with application of heavy weapons and armored vehicles in April this year,” Bordyuzha said.

“It seemed that considering the efforts taken by both parties, as well as the leaders of a number of countries, the process of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue could finally proceed more actively,” the Secretary General said.

However, he said, the recent reports from the region on the ceasefire violations, especially the recurrent incident on December 29 that resulted in the death of servicemen, cause serious concerns,” he said.

Three Armenian servicemen have been killed in military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan in the direction of Tavush, the Ministry of Defense reports.

The divisions of RA Armed Forces neutralized the assault by the Azeri troops, forcing the rival back to its initial positions. The adversary retreated, incurring losses.

Unfortunately, the Defense Ministry reports losses on the Armenian side, as well. “Senior Lieutenant Shavarsh Melikyan, privates Edgar Narayan and Erik Abovyan were killed in clashes,” Defense Ministry Spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said in a Facebook post.

The Ministry shares the sorrow of the heavy loss and expresses its condolences to the relatives of the fallen soldiers.

The Defense Ministry possesses undeniable proofs of violation of the Armenian state border by the Azeri side. The military –political leadership of Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for the provocation, the Ministry said.

At least 33 people have died in Russia after drinking bath essence, authorities said on Monday, the BBC reports.

The hawthorn-scented liquid was consumed as if it were alcohol, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.

More than 50 people sought medical attention after drinking the product in the Siberian city of Irkutsk over the weekend.

Investigators said a label saying it should not be swallowed was ignored.

The product was found to contain methanol, a toxin found in antifreeze.

Two people have been detained over the deaths and police are removing bottles from shops.

 

 

 

 

A plaque to academician, long-time Director of the Hermitage Museum Boris Piotrovski was unveiled today at Zakyan, 2, Yerevan – the place, where the renowned scholar lived. The plaque was opened by Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan and Boris Piotrovski’s son – famous orientalist and current Director of the Hermitage Mikhail Piotrovski.

The plaque is not only a tribute to the memory of the scholar, but also a symbol of strong Armenian-Russian ties, Mikhail Piotrovski said at a solemn opening ceremony.

“We have ancient and strong ties, but there are also a lot of programs we are discussing now. One of them is the program of research on archeological materials of Karmir Blur to be signed between the Hermitage and the Armenian Ministry of Culture,” he added.

The bronze plaque has been authored by Tigran Muradyan, Tigran Barseghyan is the architect.