17:25, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, 4 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 4 October, USD exchange rate stood at 485.32 drams. EUR exchange rate stood at 561.95 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 6.64 drams. GBP exchange rate stood at 654.99 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price stood at 27193.6 drams. Silver price stood at 335.86 drams. Platinum price stood at 15026.07 drams.
By Vafa Ismayilova
Baku has dismissed as unfounded allegations that third forces are located near the Azerbaijani-Iranian border, the Foreign Ministry said on October 4.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva made the remarks to comment on Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian's recent interview.
"Firstly, we would like to emphasize that, as Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian noted in an interview with a local TV channel, relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Iran are at the highest level. Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are based on historical ties, friendship, and cooperation. We do not accept the allegations about the presence of any third forces near the Azerbaijani-Iranian border and about the provocative attempts of these forces because these views are unfounded," Abdullayeva said.
She reiterated that relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are based on strong historical ties, friendship, and cooperation. She ruled out any threat to Azerbaijan and its neighbors.
"In general, the presence on the territory of Azerbaijan of any forces, including terrorist ones, which may pose a threat to our state and neighboring countries, cannot be a subject of discussion. Unfortunately, even during the 44-day Patriotic War, some parties voiced such unfounded allegations. We said it back then and we're saying it now – such allegations are unfounded, and to this day the Azerbaijani side was not presented with any relevant evidence to prove the opposite," Abdullayeva said.
The spokesperson stressed that the inviolability of internationally recognized borders is one of the fundamental principles that Azerbaijan has always been guided by.
She recalled that Azerbaijan has suffered for decades from the military occupation of part of its territory and the violation of its international borders.
"More than 130 kilometers of our border with Iran were under Armenian occupation for many years. Unfortunately, over the years we have not heard from the friendly Iranian state such a harsh reaction as now, regarding the occupation of a part of our border," Abdullayeva said.
The spokesperson stressed that Azerbaijan supports the establishment of relations with all countries on the basis of respect for each other's international borders, which is the unchanging position of the country.
She recalled that Azerbaijan also expressed its readiness to normalize ties with Armenia on the basis of fundamental principles of international law and start talks on the delimitation of borders.
"The process of delimiting the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia is a bilateral issue, and the recent positive signals from the opposite side allow us to hope for the development of this process in a constructive manner," Abdullayeva noted.
As far as external forces are concerned, Azerbaijan has always led an independent foreign policy based on its national interests and proved this with its specific steps repeatedly during 30 years, she added.
"The development of friendly and good-neighborly relations with neighboring countries is one of the main priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy, and we are constantly taking steps in this direction," the spokesperson underlined.
Abdullayeva noted that Azerbaijan is very sensitive to the issue of Islamic solidarity and, as is well known, is distinguished by its active position in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
"Over the past decades, Azerbaijan has been focusing on the destruction, plundering of the Islamic cultural and historical heritage on its territory and highly appreciates the support in this matter of its fair position by the OIC countries," she said.
"We believe that the end of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the illegal actions of Armenia in this region, including the concentration of large quantities of weapons and ammunition, illegal economic and other actions, drug smuggling, training of terrorists, destruction, and desecration of monuments of Islamic religion and culture, as well as the return of former refugees to their native lands after 30 years of separation, ensuring stability and security in the region must meet the interests of Iran," Abdullayeva concluded.
The U.S. Capitol building is seen down the National Mall as the sun sets in Washington, D.C., U.S., Sept. 26, 2021. (AFP Photo)
The Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) is behind an amendment in the U.S. 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) adopted by the House of Representatives that seeks to designate the Idealist Hearths, as a foreign terrorist group, a representative in the U.S. said Wednesday.
The group's representative Adil Alper Yiğiter told Anadolu Agency (AA) that they had found a photograph from an online meeting attended by Democratic Rep. Dina Titus from the state of Nevada, who introduced the amendment, and NBA player Enes Kanter, the self-styled "adopted" son of FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen who resides in the U.S.
"It has been proven that Titus, who presented the amendment to add Idealist Hearths onto the terror list, is in collaboration with (FETÖ). The smear and slander campaign launched by those who are hostile to the Turks and the Ülkü Ocakları (Idealist Hearths) will undoubtedly be eliminated," said Yiğiter.
Kanter, who finances FETÖ, wrote a letter in 2016 following the defeated coup in Turkey. "May my father, mother and all pedigree die for your [Fetullah Gülen] cause," he wrote, signing it as "Enes (Kanter) Gülen."
Yiğiter said the movement has never engaged in any illegal practices while conducting its activities. "Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were involved in aid campaigns and shared our bread with those in need, regardless of their ethnicity," he added.
The amendment by Titus requires a report from the State Department about the Idealist Hearths' activities and a review of criteria for how designations are made.
"Although it seems it is the Armenian lobby that pioneered the bill, we see the active role by a certain group of people who are always hostile to us," said Yiğiter, referring to FETÖ.
FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 wounded.
Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli called the move by the U.S. lawmakers against the Idealist Hearths a "terrible mistake."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said it is "regretting" that the amendment was included in the NDAA.
"It is extremely saddening and worrying that such a request, which has unfounded accusations and does not fit our deep-rooted alliance with the United States, has even been approved by one wing of the U.S. Congress," said ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgiç, referring to the House of Representatives.
Bilgiç said Turkey expects that the "imprudent request" will not be included in the final text of the act, adding that any attempt to restrict the freedom of association and _expression_ of the Turkish community should be avoided.
On its website, the group says it rejects all manner of extremism and promotes social projects for the Turkish diaspora's integration into French society.
19:07,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi as productive, ARMENPRESS reports, Erdoğan wrote in his Telegram account following the meeting.
"After fruitful talks with my colleague Putin, we left Sochi," he wrote.
The meeting of the two Presidents lasted for about three hours, they did not make a statement to the press. The situation in Nagorno Karabakh was discussed, inter alia. Putin referred to the activities of the Center for the Monitoring of the Ceasefire Regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, noting that Russian-Turkish cooperation in this issue is a "serious guarantee of stability" in the region.
We are in a situation where the President of Azerbaijan, or as Nikol Pashinyan put it, the polite and constructive friend, continues to disclose confidential information, and alongside this, Nikol Pashinyan continues to keep silent and isn’t sharing information about the interview that he gave to Armenian Public Television which was supposed to air on September 25-26, 2020. This is what deputy of the opposition “Armenia” faction of the National Assembly Agnesa Khamoyan told reporters today, touching upon Aliyev’s statement that he had made Nikol Pashinyan offers on October 7 and that the war could have been stopped, if the offers were accepted.
‘Yes, Aliyev disclosed another agreement that was reached between two of the three parties. It turns out that they had agreed to stop the war on October 7, but Nikol Pashinyan didn’t. On October 7, the Armenian side hadn’t lost Shushi and Hadrut, and Nikol Pashinyan assumed that the conditions were much more favorable than they were on November 9, the day we signed a capitulation act,” she said.
According to Khamoyan, not only Aliyev, but also Erdogan is speaking with threats. “Yesterday Erdogan declared that he has received positive signals from Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan needs to clarify what flirting is going on with Erdogan and Aliyev,” she added.
Two ARmenian women – Maral Dermovsesian and Zonund Kardanakyan – were killed in a stabbing incident in Almelo, the Netherlands. Both were members of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).
NL Times reported that two people were killed and another was hurt in a stabbing incident in Almelo on Friday morning. The suspected perpetrator, a 28-year-old man from Almelo, was injured during his arrest.
“AGBU Holland lost two of the most active women members through a heinous stabbing crime. We lost two of our dear ones who served AGBU for years tirelessly. They are the board member and chairperson of Women’sCommittee Mrs. Maral Dermovesian, and Mrs. Zonund Kardanakian member of Women’s Committee, If we want to write about the late Maral, we may need pages and not through some words, in summary, she was the flower of our community, we pray to the Lord to Rest both In Peace and to their family members patience and strength in this terrible moments,” AGBU Holland said in a statement.
Asbarez – The California Armenian Legislative Caucus announced the winners of this year’s 2021 California Armenian Legislative Caucus’ Scholarship.
The California Armenian Legislative Caucus has worked hard this year to advocate and participate in educational and governmental efforts in California and awarded six scholarships to California high school students who entered essay and arts contests.
The Caucus continues to strive to educate Californians on Armenian American issues and celebrate the achievements of Armenian Americans in California.
Earlier this year the Armenian Caucus invited California high school students to participate in its Annual Essay Contest. Students were asked to write a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, urging that Facebook take the same course of action against denial and distorted posts regarding the 1915 Armenian Genocide as they have with the Holocaust.
Essay Contest Winners
First-prize, $1,000: Alex Santiago attending Walnut High School in Walnut, CA.
Second-prize, $750: Kyleen Lin attending Clovis North High School in Fresno, CA.
Third-prize, $500: Michael Karapetyan attending Castro Valley High School in Castro Valley, CA.
This year’s theme was “Human to Human Interaction.” Submission types were limited to drawings, paintings, photographs, digital illustrations, and graphic design.
Visual Arts Scholarship Winners
First-prize, $1,000: Lina Lee attending Milpitas High School in Milpitas, CA.
Second-prize, $750: Sophie Ludes attending Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta, CA.
Third-prize, $500: Daniella Brewer attending Tulare Western High School in Tulare, CA.
Asbarez is featuring the essays and visual arts submissions of the winners of this year’s contest below.
“Congratulations to the very deserving winners. Armenian Americans are a vital part of our state’s story and we all benefit when our leaders of tomorrow embrace and celebrate our diversity. We are proud that so many Armenians call California home,” said Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins
“Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 California Armenian Legislative Caucus’ Scholarship. Despite the ups and downs of high school during COVID, these high school students met the challenge and offered creative, heartfelt entries. Hats off to this year’s winners!,” added Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk
“As a proud member of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, I am excited about the recognition and financial aid that our high school student scholarship winners will be receiving. They have earned our Caucus’ scholarship support for their essay and artistic excellence, and I look forward to their continued academic achievements in the future,” commented Senator Bob Archuleta
“Congratulations to each of this year’s California Armenian Legislative Caucus scholarship recipients,” said Senator Borgeas. “These bright, young leaders give me hope for the next generation of public servants in our state,” said Senator Andreas Borgeas
“Congratulations to the 2021 California Armenian Legislative Caucus essay and art scholarship winners. I am impressed with the winners for doing their part to share the culture and traditions of the Armenian people with all of California and the world,” said Senator Brian Dahle.
“Congratulations to this top-notch group of students throughout California for being this year’s Armenian Caucus scholarship recipients,” said Senator Mariá Elena Durazo. “We are proud to be investing in their education. The COVID-19 pandemic has created financial struggles for so many families, and we are proud to contribute toward the rising costs of their college education. On behalf of the Armenian Caucus, we cannot wait to see the great things this talented group of students will achieve. Make us proud!”
“Congratulations to these very talented young people. California has remarkable students and it’s wonderful to see scholarships helping them garner future academic opportunities,” offered Senator Anthony Portantino
“Congratulations to the recipients of the 2021 California Armenian Legislative Caucus Scholarship! I am pleased to join my colleagues in recognizing the brilliant efforts of these six students from across the state. Their entries are important reminders of the rich history, culture, and daily experiences of the Armenian community in California. It is also a reminder that some still seek to deny the shared memories of the atrocities inflicted upon the people of Armenia. That is why I will continue to work with my colleagues to elevate the voices of the Armenian communities these future leaders and scholars represent. I look forward to hearing of their future endeavors!,” Assemblymember Lisa Calderon said.
“Every year, we have the privilege to read poignant essays and view stunning visual arts from high school students throughout California,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman. “Their works never cease to amaze me, but this year our submissions have been truly special. Each submission was crafted with so much passion, and displayed the incredible talent of its creator. I’d like to thank everyone for their participation during a very challenging year, and I want to congratulate this year’s winners for their truly inspiring work,” added Assemblymember Laura Friedman.
“Congratulations to Lina, Sophie, Daniella, Alex, Kyleen, and Michael for receiving the 2021 California Armenian Legislative Caucus Scholarships. Their dedication to finding meaningful ways to express themselves, educate others, and celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Armenian Americans in California is truly impressive and a powerful example of how we must all advocate for a more just and peaceful world,” Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel in wishing the winners well.
“Congratulations to this year’s Armenian Caucus Scholarship winners! These students’ essays and visual arts submissions showcase their skills and abilities to advocate for truth and justice for the Armenian Genocide. I hope they continue to use their talents to make a positive impact on the issues they care about,” offered Assemblymember Chris Holden.
“I offer my sincere congratulations to the scholarship recipients who recognized the historical significance of the Armenian Genocide in their entry. It is important to recognize the young talented students who understand the importance of human-to-human interaction,” said Assemblymember Tom Lackey.
“I want to thank the all the students who participated this year’s Armenian Genocide Scholarship Contest and their parents and teachers who supported their creative endeavors. Each year, I am amazed by the talent of California’s young artists and writers,” said Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, head of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus. “This annual contest presents a unique opportunity for our state to celebrate the talent of brilliant California high school students while granting them the opportunity to explore the history and culture of the Armenian people. Congratulations to our six winners!,” Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian said.
“As a member of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, I want to congratulate all of the winners of this year’s caucus scholarship,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “These six high students showed incredible talent in their ability to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide through the visual arts and essay writing. I commend our winners for their accomplishments and wish them the best as future leaders,” said Assemblymember Luz Rivas.
“I am so proud of all the winners of this year’s Armenian Legislative Caucus Scholarship Award and their ability to put words into action to advocate on behalf of the Armenian people. Congratulations students and I wish you much luck on your entrance into college,” Assemblymember Suzette Valladares offered.
Members of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus include: Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins; Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg; Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk; and senators Bob Archuleta, Andreas Borgeas, Brian Dahle, María Elena Durazo, Anthony Portantino. Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes and Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Kevin Mullen are joined by members of the California Assembly Lisa Calderon, Vince Fong, Laura Friedman, Jesse Gabriel, Mike Gipson, Chris Holden, Tom Lackey, Adrin Nazarian, Assemblymember Luz Rivas, Blanca Rubio and Suzette Valladares as members of the Caucus.
11:47,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian healthcare minister Anahit Avanesyan has warned that the COVID-19 delta variant is causing a sharp increase in hospitalizations and deaths.
On September 15, the Armenian CDC reported 764 new cases and 19 deaths.
Commenting on the figures, Avensyan said: “I’ve to say that for example when we were having 764 positive cases last year, the hospitalization rate was a lot lower than now. This means that in case of the same numbers we are using more hospital beds and the total number of available beds is running out faster,” she warned.
Right now, 1860 out of 2044 beds are occupied, she said.
In addition, only 30 ICU beds are now available out of 319.
Avanesyan says 98% of COVID-19 hospitalizations are people who are either unvaccinated or haven’t gotten their second jab yet.
Warning that the situation could worsen in autumn, Avanesyan called on Armenians to not hesitate and get vaccinated.
From October 1, a vaccine mandate requiring all public or private employees across the country to either get vaccinated or provide a PCR test twice a month will take effect.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
The developments taking place along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border have multiple layers and pretexts, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a Q&A session at the National Assembly.
He noted that “it is important to correctly perceive and interpret those pretexts.”
“In December 2020, we carried out a process of aligning the positions of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia with the borders inherited from the Soviet Union. And that process was done to avoid a new military escalation,” the Prime Minister said.
In this context PM Pashinyan reminded about the Law on Administrative Territorial Division adopted by the National Assembly in 2010, which, he said, clearly stipulated that the administrative borders of the villages of Shurnukh and Vorotan correspond to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
“In this case I should state that this reality, as well as the Soviet-era administrative border between Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan later turned into a state border. This reality has been accepted as a ground. Now, by the same logic, the Goris-Kapan highway crosses the administrative border of the Republic of Armenia or Soviet Armenia in two places. And it is due to this circumstance that the well-known signs and bases appeared on the roads.
The Prime Minister reminded that in December 2020, an agreement was reached that this road could be used for the transit of goods and vehicles of the Republic of Armenia.
“I suppose that since there was no mention of foreign cargoes in that agreement, Azerbaijan probably uses that measure in response to our statements that both the November 9th and January 11th trilateral statements do not provide for any corridor through the territory of Armenia. While accepting that the regional communication routes should be opened, the Republic of Armenia states that when crossing the territory of the Republic of Armenia, foreign goods, including those from the western regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhijevan, must cross customs, passport and other checkpoints, as defined by the legal framework providing transport communication between the CIS countries,” PM Pashinyan stated.
Referring to the use of Azerbaijani names of Eyvazli and Chaizami, the Prime Minister noted: “It has been done for a simple reason to make it clear for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia that the areas in question are not in the territory of the Republic of Armenia or the Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia, but outside that territory, which Armenia accepted under the Law on Administrative Territorial Division in 2010.”