Asbarez: Teachable Moments: Finally 18!

Meline Chalian
by Contributor

 

 February 12, 2024

 

in Columns, Commentary, Latest, Op-Ed, Top Stories
Sareen Kasparian holding a vote-by-mail ballot

BY SAREEN KASPARIAN

This year, my birthday held particular significance as it marked a pivotal rite of passage. For years, I eagerly awaited my 18th birthday, knowing that it would grant me the right to vote. And so, one of my inaugural steps into adulthood was to register to vote with the California Secretary of State.

Registering to vote was more than just a checkbox; it was a declaration of empowerment and responsibility. As I clicked the confirmation button, I felt a surge of significance and accomplishment, recognizing that my voice now carries weight in shaping the future of our community and society. Now, as an official voter, I not only have the opportunity to support the candidates I believe in but also to make a tangible difference with each ballot cast.

Receiving my confirmation email made me contemplate the additional rights and responsibilities I now bear as an adult. In the United States, the age of 18 is considered the “age of majority,” established by President Nixon in 1971 with the 26th Amendment. Historically, the age of majority was 21. However, when Franklin D. Roosevelt lowered the military draft age to 18 during World War II, there was a push to align the voting age with the military draft age.

In no particular order, I jotted down a partial list of what I am entitled to do at 18. I can now enter into a binding contract. This means I can open my own bank account, sign a lease, and apply for a loan. I can also consent to my own medical treatments, give blood, and go to doctor’s appointments without a guardian. I can inherit money, buy and sell stocks, and even buy lottery tickets. And of course, I can apply for and get a job without a special work permit. On the flip side, I can sue, but also be sued, as well as be subject to more serious consequences (as an adult) for breaking the law.

Although I have much to learn and experience about the perks of adulthood, I’m grateful for the opportunity and freedom to cast my first vote in the upcoming elections.

For non-registered voters, this is an ideal time to register — February 20, 2024 is the deadline to register online to vote in the March 5 primary election. It’s simple, easy, and only takes a few minutes to complete. Another great resource of Armenian Americans who are interested to find out more about registration, candidate forums, polling places and volunteering, please visit www.hyevotes.org. Launched by the ANCA-WR, the HyeVotes Initiative is a region wide, non-partisan initiative to engage community members in the electoral process.

Each voice matters, and by participating in the electoral process, individuals can actively shape the direction of their communities and the nation at large. Voting is not just a right; it is a civic duty and a powerful tool for enacting change. By registering to vote, individuals ensure that their concerns and values are represented in government decisions. Moreover, voting is a way to honor the sacrifices made by those who fought for suffrage rights and to uphold the principles of democracy. By engaging in the electoral process, we can collectively work towards building a more equitable and just society.

Therefore, I urge everyone who is eligible to register and exercise their right to vote, for it is through our collective participation that we can truly make a difference and create a better future for all.

Sareen Kasparian is currently a senior at Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School and a member of the Pasadena Nigol Touman chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation. Teachable Moments is a knowledge exchange, a column dedicated to sharing generational insight as we intertwine experience and reasoning with modern day problems and solutions.




AW: Leaping over the flames on “Trndez” in Armenia

Maral Chavushian
 Anthony Pizzoferrato Photography, Culture, Special Reports 0

Armenians gathered on February 13 outside Saint Anna Church in Yerevan and Holy Mother of God Church in Garni to celebrate “Trndez,” a festival with ancient roots tied to Zoroastrian traditions venerating the sun and fire. 

This occasion marks the onset of spring and fertility, carrying a tapestry of folk beliefs. For newlyweds, it holds particular significance as they leap over flames, believing that if touched, they will soon be blessed with children. It has been observed that the weather traditionally begins to warm after this day.

Trndez’s history is rich, tracing back to Zoroastrian and Pagan origins, predating Armenia’s conversion to Christianity in 301 A.D. Originally named “Derendez,” it was later christened “Dyarnuntarach,” meaning “bringing forward of the Lord.” The term “Trndez” itself carries the essence of “the Lord is with you.”

Commemorations typically include church services followed by the lighting of bonfires, symbolizing divine light and warmth and the advent of spring and fertility. Participants encircle these fires, jumping over them as a ritual. “Dyarnuntarach” is intricately linked with the purification feast of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches, celebrated 40 days after the nativity. It commemorates the presentation of the Lord to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and the confirmation of Jesus’ revelation as God.

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Anthony Pizzoferrato is an Italian American freelance photojournalist, documentarian and filmmaker based in Yerevan, Armenia. His work places emphasis on reporting and documenting conflicts, political events, complex social issues, human rights and cultural history within post-Soviet states and the Middle East while creating understanding, intimacy and empathy. His work on the war in Ukraine and protests in Yerevan has been published in Getty Reportage.


Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence celebrates Vartanantz Day

Garnik Zakarian
 Guest Contributor Community News, Diaspora 0

His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian celebrating the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence on February 11, 2024

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church joyfully celebrated its name day under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian on Sunday, February 11. A full church of faithful parishioners gathered together as Archbishop Tanielian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained Matthew Burke to the rank of acolyte. The son of Jon and Paula (Markarian) Burke, Matthew is a Sunday School student and dedicated altar server. His family, including sisters Melissa and Mia, humbly watched as Burke was ordained.

Following the ordination ceremony, Archbishop Tanielian offered an inspirational message, asking parishioners to ponder on Jesus’ great sacrifice for the sins of our foreparents. His Eminence offered an analogy about the glory of God and the pricelessness of what He gives to us. Archbishop Tanielian said that if you give the choice of a toy or a diamond to a child, they will choose the toy, because they don’t know the value of the diamond. In the same way, God has provided us with the most beautiful and gracious diamond: eternal life. So, let us knowingly and consciously appreciate all that God has given to us. His Eminence closed by asking that, in celebration of Vartanantz Day, we become spiritual warriors and use our gift of free will to follow Christ’s mission.

Providence Homenetmen Scouts during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian

The annual Vartanantz Day dinner, prepared and served by the church’s Ladies’ Guild and Men’s Club, was held in the Aramian Auditorium after the Divine Liturgy. Welcoming remarks were provided by Board of Trustees chairman Levon Attarian, who also served as emcee for the afternoon. Attarian invoked memories of attending these always sold-out events on Vartanantz Day as a child. “This is what Sundays are all about – coming together for worship and being around friends and family – this is what makes us Sts. Vartanantz Church,” he said.

His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian with new-ordained acolyte Matthew Burke

Attarian once again congratulated Burke and his family. “You are a great ambassador of our Sunday School,” he said. “Your dedication of serving the altar is an inspiration to the future of our church and brings promise that you will be a future leader of this community.”

In keeping with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I proclaiming 2024 as “The Year of Human Resource Development,” Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian and the Board of Trustees selected Raffi Rachdouni as this year’s Vartanantz Day honoree. Rachdouni has been involved in church life since early childhood. He plays a vital role at the church’s summer Bible Camp and is the music instructor for the Mourad Armenian Saturday School and for the Eastern Prelacy’s Siamanto Academy. Rachdouni is also co-creator of the Mourad Armenian School Dzapig-Tatig program for children from one-and-a-half to three years old. “He touches the lives of the youth of our community and the Prelacy, ranging from infants to high school students,” Attarian said.

Honoree Raffi Rachdouni (2nd from left) pictured with Board chairman Levon Attarian, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian

Rachdouni has held various leadership roles in the Homenetmen, Armenian Youth Federation and Armenian Revolutionary Federation. “These organizations have taught him organizational and leadership skills, instilled a sense of duty and responsibility and a love for his Armenian nation, all of which he applies through his work with the church and within the church community and make him the leader he is today,” Attarian said. Rachdouni is married to Bethany (Sousa), and they are the proud parents of Marcos, Tomas and Rafael.

Raffi Rachdouni and Matthew Burke with R.I. State Senator David Tikoian, who presented them with citations from the R.I. Senate

Rachdouni and Burke both received certificates from Archbishop Tanielian, along with his kind remarks. State Senator David Tikoian began his remarks with words of praise for Archbishop Tanielian and his bond with the Rhode Island community. The senator then addressed Rachdouni and Burke before presenting them with citations from the Rhode Island Senate, saying, “I just read somewhere recently that said if you put God first, everything else will fall into place. I can’t think of two better examples than these two individuals.” Sen. Tikoian expressed his pride in requesting the citations, saying that not only is it the right thing to do as a proud Armenian, but also that “it showcases the good things that the Armenian community is doing,” which are then reflected at the State House.

Rachdouni then took the podium and expressed his appreciation for receiving the Vartanantz Day honor. “I’m a proud servant of Sts. Vartanantz Church, working with our wonderful Armenian youth,” he said. “I’m grateful that my family and community enriched my life with music and culture. It is my humble pleasure to educate and pass on those traditions to the future generations.”

Rev. Fr. Nazarian also congratulated Burke and his family for their dedication to serving our church and praised Rachdouni as a great example for his peers. Archbishop Tanielian offered the closing remarks, blessing those in attendance. To conclude the afternoon, everyone sang “Giligia.”




Following deadly Azerbaijani attack, Armenia and EU announce “ambitious” partnership

Vardan Badalian
 Lillian Avedian News 0

Nerkin Hand (Facebook)

Following the deadliest attack against Armenia by Azerbaijan in months, Armenia and the European Union announced an “ambitious” partnership agenda on February 13. 

Four Armenian soldiers were killed on February 13 after Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire on Armenian positions in the Nerkin Hand village of the Syunik province. Edward Hamlet Harutyunyan (1974), Gagik Varazdat Manukyan (1982), Arsen Gagik Hambardzumyan (1979) and Hrachya Talish Hovhannisyan (1957) were killed, and one soldier was wounded. 

Azerbaijan launched the attack after Azerbaijan’s State Border Service accused Armenian troops stationed near Nerkin Hand of firing on Azerbaijani soldiers near Kollugishlaq village in the Zangilan province on February 12. One Azerbaijani soldier was reportedly injured. 

The Armenian Defense Ministry did not deny that the incident took place. It promptly released a statement announcing that the information regarding the “alleged opening of fire by Armenian border guards” is “under investigation.” The Defense Ministry suggested that superior command had not provided written orders permitting the soldier to open fire. “If this is confirmed, those responsible for violating the orders will be held accountable,” the MoD said.

The following day, Azerbaijani authorities announced a “revenge operation” on February 13 in response to the “provocation committed by the Armenian Armed Forces.” It claimed that the Armenian combat post near Nerkin Hand was “completely destroyed, and the combat positions were silenced.” Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire on Nerkin Hand from 5:30-9:30 a.m., according to the Armenian MoD.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, accusing Azerbaijan of “looking for pretexts for escalation on the border.” In a statement, it said that the Azerbaijani side “carried out aggressive actions” in retaliation for the previous day’s incident, in spite of the investigation launched by the Armenian MoD.

On February 12, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry also accused the Armenian armed forces of firing at Azerbaijani positions along the northeastern part of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. The Armenian Defense Ministry denied the accusation.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the incident part of “Azerbaijan’s policy aimed at disrupting the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan by all possible means.” He accused Azerbaijan of engaging in a series of provocations in order to deepen enmity and military escalations in the region. 

“But despite all these facts, our government is devoted to the peace process, because our belief is that the peace process has no alternative,” PM Pashinyan said in a meeting with a United Kingdom parliamentary delegation. “But unfortunately, it is not possible to do this without the political will of the other side.” 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reacted to what he called “alarming news,” calling on both sides to show “restraint to avoid in every possible way any actions that the other side may consider provocative.”

The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell discussed the incident during a meeting in Brussels with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on February 13. While he called the Armenian shooting of the Azerbaijani soldier “deplorable,” he said that Azerbaijan’s response “seems to be disproportionate, ignoring the announcement by the Armenian Minister of Defense that this incident will be fully investigated.”

Since the 2020 Artsakh War, Armenia has taken steps to move away from its traditional security partner Russia, who it has accused of failing to uphold mutual defense agreements in response to Azerbaijani aggression. Armenian authorities have indicated their interest in diversifying their security ties, especially with the West. 

On February 13, Borrell announced an “ambitious new EU-Armenian Partnership Agenda” following his meeting with Mirzoyan. The enhanced partnership includes collaboration on trade, energy, connectivity, security and defense. It also includes discussions to start visa liberalization between Armenia and the EU. During the meeting, the EU announced €5.5 million in aid for Artsakh refugees in Armenia, in addition to the €12.2 million already provided in September following the forced mass displacement.

Borrell also reaffirmed the EU’s support for the “urgent need for the distancing of forces” along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. 

While Armenia has been attempting to strengthen ties with the West, Azerbaijan’s relations with the West have deteriorated in recent months. Azerbaijani authorities have accused the West of demonstrating pro-Armenia bias, in response to criticism from Western actors of Azerbaijan’s human rights and ceasefire violations. 

In particular, in recent days Azerbaijan has voiced its criticisms of the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA). The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemned what it called Borrell’s “groundless allegations,” accusing Borrell of “taking a unilateral pro-Armenian stance.” It called his proposal for the distancing of forces “regretful”. 

It also claimed that the EU border mission, which it called “mercenaries deployed by Armenia in border regions under the ‘patronage of the European Union Mission,’” “jeopardizes the lives of Azerbaijani servicemen and civilians.” 

The EU deployed a border monitoring mission to the region following the two-day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in September 2022. In December 2023, the EU increased the number of unarmed civilian observers from 138 to 209. 

On February 12, one day before Azerbaijan’s border attack, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry summoned the EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Peter Michalko, to express its discontent with the EUMA. In a statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said that the mission is “being widely exploited as an anti-Azerbaijani propaganda tool.”

“Whom do they mean by ‘mercenaries’? This is a crazy statement even for Azerbaijani propaganda,” Yerevan-based foreign policy expert Sossi Tatikyan tweeted in response to the statement from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. “Azerbaijan is accusing Armenia & EU for the existence of Armenian military protecting Armenian borders and villages within sovereign Armenia partially occupied by Azerbaijan.”

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev lambasted EU mediation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict during his presidential inauguration speech on February 14. “We do not need a mediator in this matter,” Aliyev said. “I think that the process of normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations should be dropped from the international agenda. Because anyone seems to want to deal with this issue. Mind your own business!” 

Aliyev went on to issue new threats against Armenia, stating that if Armenia continues to make “groundless claims” against Azerbaijan, a peace treaty will “not be signed, but nothing will change for Azerbaijan.”

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Lillian Avedian is the assistant editor of the Armenian Weekly. She reports on international women's rights, South Caucasus politics, and diasporic identity. Her writing has also been published in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Democracy in Exile, and Girls on Key Press. She holds master's degrees in journalism and Near Eastern studies from New York University.


RFE/RL Armenian Service – 02/14/2024

Emil Lazarian 
                                        Wednesday, 


Moscow, Baku ‘Discussing Return Of Karabakh Armenians’


Ethnic Armenian flee Karabakh for Armenia sitting in a truck at the Lachin 
checkpoint controlled by Russian peackeepers and Azeri border guards, September 
26, 2023.


Russia said on Wednesday that it is discussing with Azerbaijan the possibility 
of the safe return of Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian population displaced by 
last September’s Azerbaijani military offensive.

Azerbaijan launched the offensive despite a Russian-brokered ceasefire that 
stopped the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war.

Armenia has denounced Russian peacekeepers for their failure to prevent or stop 
the September 19-20 assault that restored Baku’s full control over Karabakh and 
forced the region’s practically entire population to flee to Armenia. President 
Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have rejected the criticism.

“Moscow and Baku are discussing prospects for the return of the Armenian 
population to Karabakh,” Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry 
spokeswoman, told a news briefing in Moscow.

Zakharova gave no details of those discussions. She stressed the importance of 
“ensuring the rights and security” of Karabakh Armenians willing to return to 
their homeland. Earlier this week, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail 
Galuzin similarly called for “creating conditions” for their repatriation.

“We are ready to provide necessary support to that process, including through 
Russian peacekeeping troops whose presence is of great importance,” Galuzin told 
the official TASS news agency.

A board displaying a Russian state flag and an image of President Vladimir Putin 
in Stepanakert following an Azeri military operation conducted and the mass 
exodus of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, October 2, 2023.

Even before their exodus, Karabakh’s leaders and ordinary residents made clear 
that they would not live under Azerbaijani rule. None of the more than 100,000 
Karabakh refugees are known to have expressed a desire to return home in the 
current circumstances.

Last month, Karabakh’s main political factions exiled in Armenia set up a 
political committee to campaign for their “collective repatriation.” The 
committee is headed by Vartan Oskanian, a former Armenian foreign minister

Oskanian said earlier this month that Armenia should seek “international 
guarantees” for the repatriation and raise the matter during peace talks with 
Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has repeatedly indicated, however, 
that the Karabakh issue is closed for his administration.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russia’s special envoy on the Armenian-Azerbaijani 
conflict, Igor Khovayev, met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov 
in Baku. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry did not mention the possible 
repatriation of the Karabakh Armenians in its readout of the meeting.

The ministry cited Bayramov as blaming Armenia for Tuesday’s fighting on the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border which left four Armenian soldiers dead. He accused 
Yerevan of undermining the negotiation process.

Pashinian charged on Tuesday that the ceasefire violation shows that Baku lacks 
the political will to negotiate a peace treaty with Yerevan and is intent on 
heightening tensions along the border.




Armenia Shakes Up Military Top Brass

        • Ruzanna Stepanian

Armenia - General Kamo Kochunts (left), acting army chief of staff, greets 
Defense Minister Suren Papikian, Yerevan, June 28, 2022.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has dismissed the first deputy chief of the 
Armenian army’s General Staff, Lieutenant-General Kamo Kochunts, and appointed 
nine other senior officers to the top brass.

Kochunts was replaced by Colonel Artur Yeroyan through a presidential decree 
initiated by Pashinian and made public late on Tuesday. Yeroyan, 46, has headed 
the Armenia’s main military academy until now.

Two other deputy army chiefs of staff were named on Wednesday. The other 
appointed officials include the new heads of three General Staff divisions.

No official explanations were given for these appointments. Gagik Melkonian, a 
pro-government lawmaker and retired army general, said they are part of ongoing 
defense reforms announced by the Armenian government.

“There will be more changes in the General Staff as it’s clear that we are 
buying new military hardware and are going to change our previous mode of 
governance,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

Melkonian denied any connection between Kochunts’s sacking and the latest 
Azerbaijani ceasefire violation that left four Armenian soldiers dead early on 
Tuesday. He said that the 61-year-old veteran of the first Armenian-Azerbaijani 
war, who had also fought in Afghanistan in Soviet army ranks, was replaced 
because of his age.

The Yerevan newspaper Hraparak, which predicted Kochunts’s dismissal earlier 
this month, claimed on Wednesday that the General Staff chief, 
Lieutenant-General Eduard Asrian, could also lose his job soon.

Asrian’s predecessor, Artak Davtian, and six other generals were sacked in 
February 2022 one year after the top brass issued a statement accusing 
Pashinian’s government of incompetence and misrule and demanding its 
resignation. Asrian was among the signatories of the statement welcomed by the 
Armenian opposition but condemned by Pashinian as a coup attempt.

Pashinian promised a major reform of the military shortly after Armenia’s defeat 
in the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. He has replaced three defense ministers since 
then. The current minister, Suren Papikian, is a leading member of his Civil 
Contract party.

Opposition groups blame Pashinian for the outcome of the six-week war that left 
at least 3,800 Armenian soldiers dead. They also say that his administration is 
doing little to rebuild the armed forces.




Armenian Economy Minister Resigns After Arrests

        • Artak Khulian

Armenia - Economy Minister Vahan Kerobian attends the Armenian goverment's 
question-and-answer session in parliament.


Economy Minister Vahan Kerobian announced his resignation on Wednesday two weeks 
after one of his deputies and several other subordinates were arrested on 
corruption charges strongly denied by him.

Kerobian indicated that he has disagreed with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on 
numerous occasions during his more than three-year tenure.

“When I took up the post of minister on November 20, 2020 there was a high 
probability that I will keep it for a few days or months as regime change [in 
Armenia] was very likely,” he wrote on Facebook. “During this period, due to 
many disagreements, I wanted to leave this job many times but I subordinated 
myself to maximize the value of my service to my country.”

Kerobian shed no light on those disagreements. Nor did he mention the arrests of 
several senior officials from the Ministry of Economy carried out in two 
criminal investigations jointly conducted by Armenia’s Investigative Committee 
and National Security Service (NSS). The officials were moved to house arrest or 
freed in the following days.

One of them allegedly helped other individuals receive 238 million drams 
($590,000) in state agribusiness funding from 20222-2023 in violation of rules 
set by the ministry. Neither this nor the others officials was charged with 
bribery or embezzlement, a fact emphasized by Kerobian during cabinet meeting 
chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian last week.

The minister told Pashinian that investigators have “paralyzed the work of the 
entire state system” because many government officials are now not sure that 
“their honest work will not be punished in the end.”

The ministry grants investigated by the law-enforcement authorities were 
allocated from a state fund that helps private entrepreneurs set up intensive 
fruit orchards. The Armenian government has provided about 100 billion drams 
($248 million) in such funding since 2018. Kerobian defended his ministry’s 
handling of the scheme which the government extended by two more years on 
February 8.

Kerobian announced his resignation as the Investigative Committee said in a 
statement that it is continuing to investigate the alleged abuse of the scheme 
and may identify and indict “dozens of other individuals possibly involved” in 
them.

Kerobian ruled out his resignation in the immediate aftermath of the arrests. He 
told state television afterwards that he will take responsibility if the 
investigators prove their accusations.

Armenia - Ashot Hovanesian inaugurates his Synergy International Systems 
company's branch in Vanadzor, March 11, 2022.

The other criminal case stems from a procurement tender that was organized by 
the Ministry of Economy and invalidated by a court last summer. Ministry 
officials are accused of illegally disqualifying an information technology 
company, Harmonia, to make sure that the tender is won by another, larger firm, 
Synergy International Systems.

The investigators also arrested on January 31 Synergy’s founder Ashot Hovanesian 
and two current and former employees. The latter were set free on Monday. 
Hovanesian’s lawyers on Tuesday condemned his continuing detention as “illegal 
and discriminatory.”

Hovanesian’s arrest earlier drew strong condemnation from Armenia’s Union of 
Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE). It said that “unfounded” detentions of 
“business representatives and other prominent persons” are turning Armenia into 
a “risky country” for local and foreign tech entrepreneurs.



Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2024 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Azerbaijan’s reaction is disproportionate: Josep Borrell on Azerbaijani aggression

Alex Jidarian

 20:21,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell  has  addressed  deadly  Azerbaijani  aggression against Armenia on February 12, which resulted in four Armenian casualties.

According to the Armenpress correspondent,  Borrell first recalled the statement issued by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan on February 12 that a soldier was allegedly injured as a result of a shot fired by the Armenian armed forces, and then noted that Azerbaijan's response was disproportionate.

"This once again underscores the necessity and urgency of establishing a distance between the opposing forces. This is what the European Union has been demanding for a long time. I reaffirm the full and complete commitment of the European Union to support sustainable peace based on the recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity," Borrell said.

Armenia, Hungary to develop healthcare cooperation

Karapet Navasardian

 09:10,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Hungary are developing an agreement on healthcare cooperation, Minister of Healthcare Anahit Avanesyan has said.

Avanesyan visited Hungary February 5-7 as part of President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s delegation.

In Budapest, Avanesyan met with Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér to discuss partnership and prospects of signing a memorandum of cooperation.

“During the meeting with my counterpart we discussed all the issues of mutual interest. We agreed to work together on the text of a bilateral agreement. I hope we will sign it in the coming months after finalizing it. I am happy that we are restarting the highly important dialogue and work with Hungary in healthcare,” Avanesyan said.

The minister pointed out the enhancement of Armenian-Hungarian cooperation in pharmaceutics, education and health insurance sectors. “Hungarian pharmaceutical production is very well known in Armenia, and we attach importance to the development of our relations in this sector. We agreed to work around an exchange program for medical university students and specialists in Hungary. Hungary also has a very important system in terms of providing scholarships to foreign students, thus I attach importance for Armenia to have access to this as well. In addition, in terms of introducing an insurance system, studying the experience of European countries is highly important and interesting for us. I have to say, we outlined quite similar directions which we plan to place at the foundation of our system. This works in Hungary. They have a stable and good health insurance system,” Avanesyan said.

Armenia, EU discuss opportunities for advancing Crossroads of Peace project

Lena Karagyozian

 09:42,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Brussels met with Gert Jan Koopman, the Director-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission.

Ahead of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council session, the sides discussed a broad range of bilateral agenda issues, particularly the effective application of the CEPA provisions and prospects of deepening partnership, the foreign ministry said in a readout. 

In this context, they commended the visit of the delegation of the European External Action Service and the European Commission to Armenia in December 2023, and discussed the steps aimed at increasing Armenia’s economic resilience.

FM Mirzoyan and Director-General Gert Jan Koopman also discussed issues of Armenia’s participation in regional economic and transport projects, as well as looked into the opportunities for further advancing the Crossroads of Peace project developed by the Armenian government.

The security situation in the South Caucasus and challenges in the direction of ensuring lasting stability were also discussed.

Efforts aimed at addressing the mid-term and long-term needs of the forcibly displaced Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh were discussed.

Armenian Foreign Minister meets with Chair of European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defense

Emil Lazarian

 09:56,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has met with MEP Nathalie Loiseau, the Chair of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defense.

“Armenia-EU Partnership agenda issues were discussed, where the EU legislative body has its unique role in advancing them. In this context, the prospects of deepening partnership and mutual efforts were discussed,” the foreign ministry said in a readout.

The sides comprehensively discussed regional issues in the South Caucasus. Armenia’s vision of overcoming the existing challenges, including with international support, was presented to MEP Loiseau. The importance of suppressing territorial aspirations against Armenia and the unconditional adherence to the territorial integrity and inviolability of borders was emphasized. The principled approach and documents adopted by the European Parliament, containing unambiguous assessments and messages, in difficult times for the people of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, were touched upon.

FM Mirzoyan thanked MEP Nathalie Loiseau for her significant contribution in advancing issues of key importance for Armenia and protection of humanitarian values and awarded her with the Medal of Gratitude of the Republic of Armenia.

U.S. supports ‘continued dialogue’ between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Andranik Taslakhchian

 10:10,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The United States believes that 'continued dialogue' is the best way to reach sustainable settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has said.

“We do obviously support continued dialogue around that issue. We believe it’s the best way to reach a sustainable end to the conflict, and we will continue to pursue it,” Miller said at a press briefing when asked on the Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations process.

Miller declined to comment when asked on the U.S. position on the sides trying to negotiate without mediators.

Despite the ongoing peace efforts, Azerbaijan perpetrated yet another unprovoked attack against Armenia: Azeri forces on February 13 opened cross-border gunfire at an Armenian military position in Syunik province, killing 2 soldiers and wounding others.