Category: 2024

Armenia’s leading broadband and telecommunications provider, Team Telecom Armenia, has marked a year of significant accomplishments in network expansion and technological advancements. The company’s success is highlighted by a historic initial public offering (IPO) that raised 8.2 billion Armenian Dram (AMD). This event saw the sale of approximately 40 million shares, increasing the shareholder base by a thousandfold and making Team Telecom Armenia the first Armenian telecom company to list its shares on the stock exchange via primary placement.

The company has ambitious plans for the raised capital. Key among them is the expansion of its fiber optic Next Generation Network (NGN) throughout Armenia and the launch of 5G mobile networks. These initiatives are part of the company’s broader vision to enhance Armenia’s digital infrastructure and catapult the nation into a new era of technological development.

Team Telecom Armenia has already made significant strides in this direction. It has completed the construction of the NGN network in major cities of the Syunik region, extending coverage to over 21,000 premises. This expansion has resulted in a high-speed network that now reaches 223,000 households in Armenia, offering an impressive bandwidth of 25,000 Mbps. The company has also reequipped 34 mobile stations to support these technological advancements and improve service quality.

As part of its commitment to enhance the reliability and quality of internet services, Team Telecom Armenia has established new representative points in data centers located in Frankfurt and Amsterdam. These strategic locations serve as hubs for digital traffic, facilitating faster and more reliable connections for Armenian internet users.

Apart from its core telecom operations, Team Telecom Armenia has also launched several innovative projects. This includes the Team Energy fast charging stations for electric vehicles and the introduction of the GeoForce Games Cloud service. These initiatives, along with various corporate social responsibility projects, underscore the company’s commitment to driving innovation and sustainable development in Armenia.

https://bnnbreaking.com/finance-nav/business/team-telecom-armenia-a-year-of-milestones-in-network-expansion-and-technological-advancements/

The Nagorno-Karabakh region, also known as Artsakh, has been the epicenter of a destabilizing conflict that has left its civilian population stranded amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis. As reported by the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, Azerbaijan continues to relentlessly attack the civilian infrastructure and the populace, pushing the region into a state of despair and desperation.

The relentless attacks by Azerbaijan have been unyielding. The tools of conflict, as detailed by Stepanyan, include military aviation, artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These assaults have led to the appalling situation where the entire population of the region has been forced to take shelter in basements, enduring harsh conditions devoid of basic amenities such as electricity, communication, food, or heating.

The onslaught has triggered a mass exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. As the conflict escalates and the threats to civilian lives increase, the Armenian community is being driven from their homes, forced to seek refuge wherever they can find safety. The history of the conflict has left deep scars on the Armenian community, with the current crisis only serving to reopen these historical wounds.

The humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh extends beyond the borders of the region, impacting the Armenian community globally. In the United States, this crisis has sparked protests against the visit of the Turkish ambassador and prompted a response from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The gravity of the situation has underscored the trauma experienced by the Armenian community and highlighted the urgent need for support in the face of this grave humanitarian crisis.

In conclusion, the persistent attacks on the civilian infrastructure and population in Nagorno-Karabakh have precipitated a dire humanitarian crisis. As the world watches, the residents of Artsakh continue to endure the harsh winter without basic utilities or supplies, their lives hanging in the balance amidst the turmoil of conflict.

https://bnnbreaking.com/bnn-newsroom/civilian-infrastructure-and-population-under-attack-in-nagorno-karabakh-amidst-humanitarian-crisis/

In an interview, Lars Patrick Berg, a Member of the European Parliament, shed light on the enduring issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Berg expressed his hope for the reactivation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship and increased European Union involvement in the peace process. He also underscored the importance of dialogue and negotiation among all concerned parties as the path to a lasting solution.

Berg, who has traveled to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and is a vocal advocate for its people’s self-determination, acknowledged the complexity of the situation in the South Caucasus. He also recognized Germany’s role as a member of the Minsk Group in navigating this intricate geopolitical landscape. His current visit to the region, he noted, might be viewed as provocative.

Berg touched on the pressing matter of Armenian prisoners of war still held captive by Azerbaijan, despite international agreements calling for their release. Relations between the two former Soviet republics have been fraught since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. In the wake of a Russian-brokered peace agreement in 2020, most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan, yet tensions persist.

In his efforts to ensure peace and justice, Berg has reached out to UNESCO, urging the organization to safeguard Armenian cultural heritage in the occupied territories. He emphasized the crucial role politicians play in advocating for justice and peace, but also acknowledged the limitations of the European Parliament’s influence.

In conclusion, Berg underscored the importance of a solution that satisfies all parties, recognizing that this will not be achieved overnight. His call for dialogue, negotiation, and increased involvement from the European Union and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, serves as a beacon of hope in these trying times.

https://bnnbreaking.com/world/armenia/berg-advocates-for-dialogue-and-eu-involvement-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/

In a matter of days, homes were vacated, shops closed down, and churches heard their last prayers. The ethnic cleansing of Armenians from their ancestral homelands planned by the Azeri government came to fruition. On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched full scale military attacks on Nagorno-Karabakh (“Artsakh”), an ethnic enclave previously home to 120,000 Armenians. Overnight, they were able to seize the region by force, ending centuries of Armenian existence on the land and a 30-year contention over the region. While many international organizations were shocked by the swiftness of this ethnic cleansing to be carried out in such a methodical manner, members of the Armenian diaspora, like myself, who had been calling for attention in the region, were not. We lamented the fact that our year-long urging for humanitarian aid for the Armenian population in Artsakh fell on deaf ears to which the international community  never responded. More disturbing was the aggression from the Azeri government that transpired unchecked due to the failure of international institutions to properly address ethnic cleansing.

International law is intended to be above the status of states’ interests and be abided by all participating actors on the international stage. More specifically, international humanitarian law has been developed by the international community to protect the lives of noncombatants and set clear definitions of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Surprisingly, under international law, ethnic cleansing has not been recognized as an independent crime and lacks a formal definition. The absence of clear and concise definitions provides far too much wiggle room for interpretation and abuse when it comes to acts of ethnic cleansing. The UN Commission of Experts that was tasked to look into violations of international humanitarian law in the former Yugoslavia stated that ethnic cleansing could be contextualized with specific war crimes or could fall under the Geneva Conventions, without using strong conclusive wording. In so doing, when acts of ethnic cleansing are carried out, obstruction of the law is unable to be enforced for a crime that is not officially recognized.

What distinguishes ethnic cleansing from other war crimes is the intention of removing a specific ethnic group from a given territory through force. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the reincarnation of pre-Stalinist state ideals amongst many of the former republics. In the case of Azerbaijan, it found itself in contest with the awakened autonomous region Artsakh – a 95% Christian Armenian enclave – within its borders, which had quickly sought to reclaim its independence and rejoin with Armenia. Azerbaijan’s preference was to gain control over the land and  to eliminate the Armenian presence from within its borders. Armenian history is deeply rooted in the region, with its presence there dating back to 1st century BC – 20 centuries before the founding of Azerbaijan – establishing Armenians indigenous to the land that they continued to live in right to the present. On the surface the battles may have seemed an issue over territorial conquest, but had underlying intentions of ridding Azerbaijan of its Armenian presence entirely and wiping away centuries of an entrenched identity. These actions are linked to the pan-Turkism movements of the 19th and 20th centuries, which had goals to unify the Turkic speaking nations. In the South Caucasus region, Armenia stands as the sole Christian entity between Azerbaijan and Turkey, providing a barrier between the unification of the two Turkic nations. Armenia is consequently a very vulnerable country in the South Caucasus, with very little allyship and defense from its direct neighbors.

The situation in Artsakh can be distinguished as ethnic cleansing due to the actions Azerbaijan took leading up to the September 2023 attacks. Starting on December 12, 2022, Azerbaijani protesters began blockading the Lachin corridor, a long narrow passage as well as the sole connection between Artsakh and mainland Armenia, leaving residents without essentials such as food and medication. Russian peacekeepers, who had been assigned to monitor the region, did not fulfill their obligation of protecting the integrity of the road, leading to massive food and fuel shortages, closures of institutions and critical services, and even depravity of medical care that caused upticks in miscarriages for pregnant women. Azeri authorities in the region did not heed pleas from the limited number of international humanitarian organizations to open the routes. Without their necessary support from mainland Armenia, citizens in Artsakh were unable to sustain livelihood. Human rights watch groups such as Amnesty International and the Council on Foreign Relations called for attention to end the blockade, as “severe deprivation of liberty” is a crime against humanity as outlined by the Rome Statute; but democratic states, who in spirit promote recognition of international law, did not step in. Though ethnic cleansing falls into the umbrella of a crime against humanity, it has no legal definition in international criminal law. Azerbaijan openly performed the violent acts  of September 2023, as well as the preceding blockade, leaving the region devoid of 120,000 Armenians in the span of less than a week.

Since agreeing to the dissolution of Artsakh, Armenia has taken steps to protect its sovereignty and prevent further encroachment. In October 2023, Armenia ratified the Rome Statute and agreed to join the International Criminal Court (ICC). The implications are varied, as Armenia should now have further protection from an international institution that is committed to multilateral peace and security; however, this solidifies the strain in the relationship between Armenia and Russia. Members of the ICC are committed to the arrest warrant of President Vladimir Putin for his abduction of Ukrainian children, meaning that Putin will no longer be allowed to visit Armenia. Ultimately, joining the ICC strengthens Armenia’s chances of having a law case against Azerbaijan, who is not a member of the ICC. Perhaps this will also shift the procedural norms in the region, to believing that decisions should be made through international institutions such as the ICC instead of direct dealings with Russia or Turkey – two third-party countries with influence and other motives. For us as diasporan Armenians, we can only hope that this will also lead to a shift in regulative norms for Armenia and Azerbaijan that leads to peace and stability in the region.

International law does matter and is a necessary tool to protect weaker states from abuses deployed by more powerful states. In a world dictated by anarchy, the institution of international law maintains order and prevents discourse. It is imperative for stronger states to comply with international law and uphold it in order to encourage smaller states to do the same.  The problems arise when crimes are not clearly defined and not formally ratified into law. With vagueness comes the ability for crimes to be committed and swept under the rug. Believing in the power of international law is important, but it can only be sustained when we see international law truly working to protect those that need additional protection. Language that spells out the harmful effects of targeting specific people groups may further their ability to maintain autonomy and sovereignty from stronger threats.

In a recent display of interfaith support and celebration, Mansour Azzam, Secretary General of the Republic’s Presidency, visited Damascus’s Mar Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church on behalf of President Bashar al-Assad. The occasion was the annual observance of Christmas by the Armenian Orthodox Church, which aligns with the Gregorian calendar and falls on January 6th.

The visit was marked by a celebratory mass led by the Primate of the diocese of the Armenian Church, Bishop Armash Nalbandian. In the midst of the richly adorned Mar Sarkis Church, the Bishop conducted the mass, commemorating the birth of Christ as per the traditions of the Armenian Orthodox faith.

(Read Also: Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany: Armenian Church’s Unique Celebration)

During the visit, Azzam extended President al-Assad’s congratulations and good wishes to Bishop Nalbandian. This gesture was warmly received by the Bishop, who expressed gratitude towards President al-Assad. Furthermore, Nalbandian invoked divine protection for Syria and its people, underlying the intrinsic ties between faith and the well-being of the nation.

(Read Also: 23 Armenians Still Held Captive in Baku Amid Reports of Forced Disappearances)

Beyond the exchange of pleasantries, the visit also served as a moment of solidarity. Bishop Nalbandian used the occasion to highlight the suffering of the Palestinian people, drawing attention to the crimes of genocide and displacement they have endured. This crucial mention underscores the interconnected struggles of peoples in the region and the role of faith leaders in drawing attention to these issues.

The event stands as a testament to the diverse cultural and religious tapestry of Syria, showcasing the strong ties between the Syrian government and the Armenian Orthodox community. It is a reminder of the potential of interfaith dialogue and cooperation in fostering unity and peace in turbulent times.

https://bnnbreaking.com/world/syria/syrian-secretary-general-visits-armenian-church-leader-on-christmas-a-testament-to-interfaith-solidarity/

The realms of news coverage are vast, and when it comes to the regional affairs of Armenia, they are as diverse as they are impactful. From in-depth interviews and probing programs to insightful opinions, each category serves as a lens through which the world can better understand this nation and its surrounding region.

The Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem recently came under attack, leading to a legal battle initiated by the Armenian Patriarchate. The community’s resistance against a controlling deal and their struggle to maintain their cultural footprint in Jerusalem has drawn attention from global audiences. The repercussions of this case, however, extend beyond the immediate players, with potential implications for the wider geo-political landscape.

In a revealing interview with Armenian Public Television, the Chairman of the Armenian Investigative Committee, Argishti Karamyan, disclosed the human toll of the military operation conducted by Azerbaijan in Karabakh. The operation claimed the lives of 223 Armenian soldiers and 25 civilians, inflicted injuries on 244 people, with 10 of them being minors, and around 80 civilians. Karamyan further informed that 20 individuals, including 5 civilians, are currently missing, and that 23 Armenian prisoners are being held in Azerbaijan. These startling numbers underpin the devastating impact of the operation on the people of Armenia and the region.

On the tense border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, mutual accusations of military supply violations and the emergence of checkpoints have escalated tensions. These developments have created restrictions on the only road connecting Armenia with the primarily Armenian populated parts of Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno Karabakh region. The lingering conflict, which erupted in 2020, has led to Armenia and ethnic Armenians losing control over parts of the region and adjacent districts, sparking fears of food shortages and price hikes in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Both sides accuse each other of breaching the cease-fire agreement, prompting concern from international actors like the U.S. and Russia. This complex situation offers a glimpse into the intricate tapestry of geopolitical struggles and historical contexts that shape the lives of people in this region.

An interview with sociologist Artyom Tonoyan offers insight into the cultural genocide occurring in the region, a topic often underreported. This genocide involves the political persecution, torture, lack of healthcare, and food supplies affecting ethnic Armenians in the region. The conversation sheds light on the stark realities of the conflicts, revealing the human cost of such disputes that often remain hidden behind political rhetoric and territorial disputes.

These various narratives form a comprehensive overview of the regional affairs of Armenia, offering readers an in-depth understanding of the region’s geopolitical landscape. The stories are compelling, the stakes high, and the implications far-reaching, underscoring the critical role of diverse news coverage in informing global dialogue and action.

https://bnnbreaking.com/politics/unveiling-the-layers-diverse-categories-of-news-and-articles-on-armenia-and-regional-affairs/

In a show of solidarity and unity, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili extended his heartfelt greetings to both Georgian nationals of Armenian descent and the citizens of Armenia. The occasion? The traditional Orthodox Christmas and Epiphany celebrations, a time of joy, peace, and introspection for many.

Garibashvili’s message, conveyed by the Government Administration, was one of fraternity and goodwill. Referring to the Armenian people as ‘brotherly,’ the Prime Minister expressed his hope that the day would bring joy and happiness to all those who celebrate the holiday with fervor and sincerity. It was a message not just of celebration, but also of unity and shared joy, transcending national borders and ethnic differences.

(Read Also: Syrian Secretary General Visits Armenian Church Leader on Christmas: A Testament to Interfaith Solidarity)

This gesture by the Prime Minister is more than a mere formal greeting. It’s a beacon of the shared history, culture, and mutual respect that exists between the Georgian and Armenian people. This acknowledgment of the Orthodox Christmas and Epiphany celebrations by the head of the Georgian government signals a recognition of cultural diversity and mutual respect.

(Read Also: Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany: Armenian Church’s Unique Celebration)

Garibashvili’s greetings went beyond mere wishes for a joyful celebration. They included hopes for peace and prosperity for those observing the celebrations, indicating a deeper desire for harmony and well-being among the Armenian community, both within Georgia and beyond its borders. It’s a wish for a future where cultural celebrations are not just recognized but also celebrated with equal fervor by all, regardless of ethnicity or nationality.

https://bnnbreaking.com/world/armenia/georgian-prime-minister-extends-orthodox-christmas-and-epiphany-greetings-to-armenians/

In an unprecedented development, the Armenian Interior Ministry announced that nearly 50% of its police officers failed to pass the general knowledge test during the attestation process. This detail emerged as part of the results from the comprehensive attestation process that was conducted amongst the officers towards the end of December 2023.

In total, 1,123 officers underwent this rigorous attestation process. However, a mere 190 officers managed to successfully navigate through all the stages. An additional three officers are currently awaiting their attestation results.

The attestation process is a comprehensive examination of an officer’s capabilities, divided into four distinct stages. It begins with an electronic test of general knowledge, colloquially referred to by the officers as an ‘IQ test’. This is followed by a two-stage physical and firearms training test, an electronic test of professional competencies, and lastly, an interview for main and higher group police positions.

(Read Also: Azerbaijan Police Unearth Extensive Weaponry in Khankendi Clearance Operation)

The results revealed a surprising lack of general knowledge amongst the officers. A total of 454 officers failed to clear the general knowledge test. Physical training posed another significant hurdle, with 192 officers failing in this stage. Firearms training saw 279 officers falling short of the required standards. Finally, a minuscule 8 officers were unsuccessful in demonstrating their professional competence.

(Read Also: France Condemns Violence Against Armenian Community in Jerusalem)

The general knowledge test, often dubbed the ‘IQ test’, forms a major part of the attestation process. This test is divided into two parts. The first part assesses the officer’s general development, while the second part tests the professional skills of the officer. The high failure rate in this stage raises questions about the overall competence of the Armenian police force.

https://bnnbreaking.com/breaking-news/education/armenian-police-force-faces-general-knowledge-crisis-interior-ministry-report/

In a remarkable revelation connecting diverse historical threads, Tamil Bharathan TK, a young PhD scholar, stumbled upon an important discovery in the quiet halls of an Armenian Mekhitarist monastery on San Lazzaro degli Armeni, near Venice, Italy. This discovery, a Tamil manuscript, turned out to be an adaptation of ‘The Spiritual Exercises’, a renowned book of meditations penned by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The manuscript was authored by an Italian missionary, who wrote under the adopted Tamil name, Gnana Pragasa Swami, identified as Bertoldi.

The manuscript, a relic from the 18th century, acts as a testament to the historical connections between Spain, Armenian traders in Tamil Nadu, Italian-led missions in South India, and education institutions in Venice. Bharathan’s journey to access the manuscript was not devoid of challenges. However, armed with the required authorization from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), he managed to secure and photograph the document, thus bringing to light an extraordinary piece of history.

The discovery resonates with the significance of Armenian networks in the early-modern period. It also sheds light on the role of missionaries in practicing and spreading the Ignatian exercises among Tamil Catholic teachers. Nivedita Louis, a noted historian, emphasizes the exchange between Madras and Italy, a process facilitated by Armenian traders and the Mekhitarist Order. This exchange route, she believes, is likely how the manuscript found its way to Venice.

As a next step, Bharathan, in cooperation with Trento, a historian specializing in early-modern South India, plans to delve deeper into the text. Their goal is to gain insights into how the missionaries studied Tamil, framed poetry, and preached evolving practices. Bharathan is also eager to join hands with the government for the manuscript’s digitization and further research. In this scholarly pursuit, the monastery officials have expressed their full support.