Author: Toneyan Mark

Pashinyan felicitates Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Rouhani on Iranian Revolution anniversary

Toneyan Mark

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 10:18,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani on the 42nd anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.

“Your Eminence, I warmly congratulate you and the friendly people of Iran on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution,” Prime Minister Pashinyan said in a message to the Supreme Leader of Iran. “The difficult situation that has been created in the region attaches renewed importance to the existing friendship and mutual respect between our nations, giving the opportunity for deeper partnership. Armenia is determined to advance bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation with friendly Iran for the benefit of our nations and region. I wish you, Your Eminence, robust health and longevity, and peace and progress to the friendly people of Iran.”

“Your Excellency, I warmly congratulate you and the friendly people of Iran on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution,” Pashinyan said in a separate message to President Rouhani. “The centuries-old friendship and historically deep traditions between Armenia and Iran are the best foundation for the development and deepening of mutually-beneficial cooperation. The difficult geopolitical situation that has been created in the region gives greater importance to the speedy and full implementation of bilateral mutually-beneficial projects for the benefit of our nations and region. I wish robust health and success to you, and prosperity and peace to the friendly people of Iran.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan




Authorities backpedal on snap elections, knowing Robert Kocharyan has never lost them – Aram Harutyunyan

Toneyan Mark
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 8 2021

"Armenia's former President Robert Kocharyan has no contender in our political arena," the leader of "National Accord" party Aram Harutyunyan told a press conference on Monday. Harutyunyan added that the only way out of the existing situation in Armenia is through consolidation around Kocharyan. 

"In his recent interview, the president presented clear assessments. And his decision to run for elections was very important. He will participate in the political processes, as a patriotic person would act in the current situation," said Harutyunyan. 

The politician believes Robert Kocharyan is a symbolic image for the Armenian nation, like Garegin Nzhdeh who is acknowledged for liberating Syunik. 

"Later, Kocharyan was sent to prison. When we have the symbol of Artsakh war victory in prison, Shushi was naturally handed over to the enemy. Those were signs revealing Pashinyan's intentions. The one thing we should appreciate in Pashinyan is that he always reveals his intentions for the future. With this respect, everything was clear," said the politician.

As to holding snap parliamentary elections, Harutyunyan said authorities are now backpedaling on holding them, bearing in mind that Kocharyan has never lost elections. 

"The fact that Robert Kocharyan was behind the bars was a shame for all of us. That meant that we had not perceived our victory, and the motherland was not ours," said Harutyunyan.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 01-02-21

Toneyan Mark

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 17:26, 1 February, 2021

YEREVAN, 1 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 1 February, USD exchange rate up by 0.61 drams to 518.88 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.35 drams to 627.48 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.07 drams to 6.87 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 4.11 drams to 712.27 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 204.85 drams to 31092.62 drams. Silver price up by 37.36 drams to 457.35 drams. Platinum price up by 355.03 drams to 18517.44 drams.

Turkey-Azerbaijan Joint Military Drills on Armenian Border

Toneyan Mark

Feb 6 2021


02/06/2021 Turkey (International Christian Concern) –  Turkey and Azerbaijan launched a joint military exercise on February 2 in Kars, a region of Turkey bordering Armenia. In light of the upcoming exercises, Armenia conducted evacuation exercises and issued warnings in villages near the Kars border two weeks prior.

The joint military exercises are expected to last until February 12. The last time that Turkey and Azerbaijan held joint exercises was on July 29, less than two months before the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The 44-day war resulted in the killing of 72 civilians by Azerbaijani forces and 163 civilians injured, though the numbers could be higher according to the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh report.

In August 2020, Azerbaijan President Aliyev said that these joint drills area manifestation of Azeri-Turkish unity and that the “intensity of these exercises will be increased from now on”.  As Azerbaijan and Turkey move towards increased work together, Turkey’s messaging against Christians continues to influence Azeri mindsets as well. Turkey’s President also recently posted a photo of church in Kars converted to a mosque along with a Friday prayer. The Armenian Apostles Church of Kars is one of many churches that Turkey has either converted or left to be abandoned in the past year.

 

Stable operational situation reported along Armenian-Azerbaijani border – defense ministry

Toneyan Mark

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 17:25, 5 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. A stable operational situation with no incidents has been maintained along the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact of the Armenian state border overnight February 4-5, the Defense Ministry of Armenia told Armenpress.

According to the information provided by the Armenian National Security Service, no border incidents were registered in Vorotan-Davit Bek section of the Goris-Kapan inter-state road which is under the responsibility of the NSS border troops.

The Armed Forces of Armenia and the NSS border troops confidently control the border situation along the entire length of the border zone and fulfill their tasks.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

ANN/Armenian News – Calendar of Events – 02/04/2021

Toneyan Mark

Armenian News Calendar of events

(All times local to events)

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What:   "Artsakh Survival Scenario”
             a Zoom lecture in Armenian presented by Giro Manoyan, member of ARF Bureau
When:  Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 7:30pm
Where: Zoom Lecture
            Organized by Crescenta Valley Meher & Satig Der Ohanessian Youth Center
            2633 Honolulu Ave. Montrose, CA 91020
Misc:    Giro Manoyan will touch upon the Sept.-Nov. 2020, 44-day war which substantially changed the situation in and around Artsakh, reversing major political, territorial, diplomatic, and other gains of the last 30 years. The republics of Artsakh and Armenia face new external and internal challenges and, in some cases, existential threats.
             How can the Armenian nation overcome these challenges and threats? What urgent changes are needed? What are the options for Artsakh survival: Artsakh’s international recognition as an independent country, joining Armenia, joining Russia or staying as it is?

            We invite the greater community to attend this free zoom presentation. 
Tel:      818-244-9639

***************************************************************************

Armenian News's calendar of events is collected and updated mostly from

announcements posted on this list, and submissions to [email protected].

To submit, send to Armenian [email protected], and please note the following

important points:

  • Armenian News's administrators have final say on what may be included in Groong's calendar of events.
  • Posting time is on Thursdays, 06:00 Pacific time.
  • Calendar items are short, functional, and edited to fit a template.
  • There is no guarantee or promise that an item will be published on time.
  • Calendar information is believed to be from reliable sources. However, no responsibility by Armenian News Administrators for inaccuracies and up-to-date-ness.
  • No commercial events will be accepted. (Dinners, dances, forget it. This is not an ad-space.)

***************************************************************************

  • The Week in Review Podcasts
  • The Critical Corner
  • The Literary Armenian News
  • Review & Outlook
  • Probing the Photographic Record
  • Armenia House Museums
  • ..and much more

© Copyright 2021, Armenian News Network / Armenian News, all rights reserved.

Regards,
—
Armenian News Network / Armenian News
Los Angeles, CA     / USA

UN provides 2 million USD to war-affected cities of Nagorno Karabakh

Toneyan Mark

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 20:25, 2 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. The UN has provided 2 million USD financial assistance to people displaced from in and around Nagorno-Karabakh and affected communities in Armenia, ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the UN Armenia.

''The UN in Armenia quickly mobilized a response and from early October began complementing Government humanitarian support provided by ten priority municipalities as well as the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to those displaced. The UN system put in place a structure with five thematic working groups under the overall lead of the Resident Coordinator’s Office and with support from UNHCR, to coordinate efforts of the UN and humanitarian partners, working closely with Government and municipal authorities. The UN Armenia country team discussed the UN’s support programme with Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan and Foreign Minister Ayvazyan on 9 and 21 December respectively, noting the close partnership with the Government and the municipalities.

The UN together with its donor partners has provided support across a range of critical needs for those displaced and host communities’', reads the statement.

Rep. David G. Valadao to co-chair the Congressional Armenian Caucus

Toneyan Mark
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 26 2021
– Public Radio of Armenia

Congressman David G. Valadao (R-CA) will co-chair the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, the Armenian Assembly of America reports

“We look forward to working on strengthening U.S-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations together,” the Assembly said in a facebook post.

The Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus are Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Congressman David G. Valadao (R-CA), with Vice-Chair, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA). There are currently 107 Members on the Armenian Caucus.

Turkish Press: Turkey, Russia to start monitoring Karabakh truce as of Saturday

Toneyan Mark
TRT World, Turkey
Jan 29 2021

In this December 31, 2020 file photo, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar makes a speech as he attends a military ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan. (AA)

The Turkish defence minister has announced the completion of the construction of the Turkish-Russian joint monitoring centre in Upper Karabakh, saying it will become operational as of Saturday. 

Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday that he has discussed matters of defence and security with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov over the phone. 

Akar recalled a memorandum of understanding to set up a joint centre to monitor the peace deal on Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenia's occupation was signed with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu on November 11, 2020.

"The works on establishing the joint center has been completed. The joint center, where Turkish and Russian soldiers are to operate, will start its activities tomorrow," he said.

Noting that the latest developments were discussed with Hasanov, Akar said, "We believe that the joint centre, where one general and 38 of our staff are to operate, will make great contributions to the continuity of the ceasefire and to ensuring peace and stability in the region."

Akar vowed to continue to defend the rights of Azerbaijani people, and said, "We [Turkey] have sided with our Azerbaijani brothers/sisters in line with the concept of one nation and two states, and we will continue to do so."

End of decades-long Armenian occupation

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on September 27, 2020, the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian ceasefire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the nearly three-decade-long occupation.

Despite the November 10 deal ending the conflict, the Armenian army several times violated the agreement and killed several Azerbaijani soldiers and a civilian, according to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.

The truce is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces have been withdrawing in line with the agreement.

Catholicos of All Armenians addresses message on Army Day

Toneyan Mark

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 10:24,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has addressed a message on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the foundation of the Armenian Armed Forces, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin told Armenpress.

The message runs as follows:

“From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, We extend Our Blessings to the officers and soldiers of our Armed Forces, and all our people, on the occasion of Armed Forces Day.

Over the centuries, the Armenian soldier has shown great courage and devotion in all our struggles, heroically defending the Homeland and its native people. In the wars for the defense of Artsakh; the brave commanders and soldiers of the Armenian Army; including the intrepid sons of the national minorities; fought heroically for the Homeland with the same courageous spirit, and many of them gave their lives for their love towards the Homeland and nation.

This year we celebrate the Armed Forces Day with the pain of the tragic consequences of the war in our souls. Ahead of the new challenges; we believe, that the Armenian nation around the world must forge new successes and achievements with the spirit of our past victories, restore the prosperous and productive life in Artsakh and Armenia; for the virtuous memory of our sons who died in honour of the Fatherland.

With prayers to Almighty God We ask to protect our beloved sons – the defenders of the Fatherland under His care; and grant them secure service. May the Heavenly Lord shed His Blessings and mercy to all our people in the Homeland and in the Diaspora; today and always. Amen”.