Armenian News... A Topalian... TURKEY PROSECUTORS FLEE TO ARMENIA
ANTI-ERDOGAN
Al-Arabiya, UAE
Aug 11 2015
By AFP | Istanbul
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Two prosecutors behind a graft probe that targeted the inner circle
of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fled to Armenia via Georgia
after an arrest warrant was issued against them, officials said Friday.
The Istanbul prosecutor's office on Monday ordered the arrest of
Zekeriya Oz, Celal Kara and Mehmet Yuzgec on accusations of "forming
an organisation to commit crime" and "attempting to overthrow the
government by force".
But police found out that Oz and Kara had fled to Georgia early
Monday just 10 minutes apart, the official Anatolia news agency said,
indicating they had found out about the warrant before it was formally
issued.
>From there, the pair crossed into the neighbouring Armenia, said
Kemal Girit, the governor of the Black Sea province of Artvin on the
Georgian border.
Turkey has no diplomatic relations with Armenia after they are frozen
due to the dispute over the massacres from 1915 of Armenians in the
Ottoman Empire, which Yerevan regards as genocide, a term Ankara
vehemently rejects.
Anatolia released CCTV footage purporting to show the prosecutors
carrying their suitcases as they left Turkish territory via the Sarp
border post.
The two apparently had to take the route because the border between
Turkey and Armenia has long been closed.
Hurriyet newspaper had earlier said that Ankara contacted Georgian
authorities to seek their extradition. Turkish police were still
hunting for Yuzgec, it added.
The three prosecutors had been disqualified from their functions in
May for allegedly abusing their authority by leading the December
2013 graft probe that rocked then-prime minister Erdogan's government,
claiming four of his ministers.
The corruption case was later dropped due to a "lack of evidence".
Erdogan, who came out fighting from the crisis and won the presidency
in August last year, claimed the investigation was an attempted
"judicial coup" staged by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen and
his followers in Turkish state administrations.
The president has promised no mercy in the fight against Gulen, and
authorities have effectively purged the police force and judiciary
of thousands of alleged pro-Gulenist elements, arresting people
considered close to the preacher.
Erdogan's Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) failed to
win an overall majority in June legislative elections for the first
time since coming to power in 2002, plunging Turkey into political
uncertainty.
Al-Arabiya, UAE
Aug 11 2015
By AFP | Istanbul
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Two prosecutors behind a graft probe that targeted the inner circle
of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fled to Armenia via Georgia
after an arrest warrant was issued against them, officials said Friday.
The Istanbul prosecutor's office on Monday ordered the arrest of
Zekeriya Oz, Celal Kara and Mehmet Yuzgec on accusations of "forming
an organisation to commit crime" and "attempting to overthrow the
government by force".
But police found out that Oz and Kara had fled to Georgia early
Monday just 10 minutes apart, the official Anatolia news agency said,
indicating they had found out about the warrant before it was formally
issued.
>From there, the pair crossed into the neighbouring Armenia, said
Kemal Girit, the governor of the Black Sea province of Artvin on the
Georgian border.
Turkey has no diplomatic relations with Armenia after they are frozen
due to the dispute over the massacres from 1915 of Armenians in the
Ottoman Empire, which Yerevan regards as genocide, a term Ankara
vehemently rejects.
Anatolia released CCTV footage purporting to show the prosecutors
carrying their suitcases as they left Turkish territory via the Sarp
border post.
The two apparently had to take the route because the border between
Turkey and Armenia has long been closed.
Hurriyet newspaper had earlier said that Ankara contacted Georgian
authorities to seek their extradition. Turkish police were still
hunting for Yuzgec, it added.
The three prosecutors had been disqualified from their functions in
May for allegedly abusing their authority by leading the December
2013 graft probe that rocked then-prime minister Erdogan's government,
claiming four of his ministers.
The corruption case was later dropped due to a "lack of evidence".
Erdogan, who came out fighting from the crisis and won the presidency
in August last year, claimed the investigation was an attempted
"judicial coup" staged by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen and
his followers in Turkish state administrations.
The president has promised no mercy in the fight against Gulen, and
authorities have effectively purged the police force and judiciary
of thousands of alleged pro-Gulenist elements, arresting people
considered close to the preacher.
Erdogan's Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) failed to
win an overall majority in June legislative elections for the first
time since coming to power in 2002, plunging Turkey into political
uncertainty.
panorama.am
Women make up 70.4% of unemployed in Armenia
08/08/2015
There were 85.5 thousand unemployed people in Armenia as of July 1,
2015, including 58.1 thousand women (20.9 thousand young women),
according to data of State Employment Agency.
There were 74.4 thousand job seekers ` 87% of the total number of the
unemployed. Unemployment among women remains high: 52.4 thousand or
70.4% of the unemployed.
The agency's data shows that youths make up 24.2% of the unemployed or
18 thousand, while people with disabilities - 3.2% or 2.4 thousand.
People with higher and postgraduate education make up 13.3% of the
unemployed, those with incomplete higher education and secondary
education ` 19.3%, people with vocational education ` 6.1%, and people
with secondary, specialized education and elementary education make up
61.3%.
People aged between 16 and 29 constitute 24.2% of the unemployed,
people aged 30-44 ` 40.1%, aged 45-54 ` 20.7% and people above the age
of 55 make up 15% of unemployed. 86.1% of the unemployed in Armenia
are uncompetitive people whose number reached 64.1 thousand.
4,566 job seekers were provided with jobs in January- June 2015,
including 2,992 women, 3,833 uncompetitive people in the labor market,
and 1,205 young people.
tert.am
KAMP ARMEN HOT TOPIC FOR ISTANBUL ARMENIANS
10.08.15
The controversial plan by the Turkish authorities todemolish an
Armenian orphanage in Istanbul sparked an outcry by local Armenian
activists whose public campaign to hamper such efforts has entered
its 94th day.
Built in 1962 in the city's Tuzla district, Kamp Armen was home
for thousand of orphaned and poor children who were educated and
raised there.
Several activists who are now in Armenia on Friday convened a press
conference in an attempt to receive the Armenian society's support.
Anush Karzan Asaturian, a spokesperson for the group Nor Zartonk
(New Renaissance), said the land lot on which the current building
was constructed was purchased by the Gedikpasha Armenian Protestant
Church and School Foundation by Fatih Ulusoy after obtaining the
necessary permission. He added that the institution came into being
thanks to Armenian orphaned children's efforts.
"At the site which was growing to look like a desert, the children
themselves dug the foundationz, carried sand and planted seedlings. As
Hrant Dink [the slain Turkish-Armenian journalist who was raised in
Kamp Armen] would say, the orphaned and impoverished children first
built home for themselves, later creating a whole civilization,"
he said.
The activist explained that ethnic minorities in both the Ottoman
Empire and the Republic of Turkey had the privilege to acquire property
until 1974, the year when a decision was made to deprive their
foundations of that right and require that any property purchased
since 1936 be returned to the state. She added that Kamp Armen was
gratuitously handed over to the former owner and later resold seven
times.
Sayat Tekiz, another activist of the group, said Turkey now agrees
to give them the territory for rent, a plan to which the Armenians
are strongly opposed.
"We demand that the Turkish state hand over to us the deed of purchase
to eventually resolve the property-related issue. Armenian children
have been educated here since 1962; everything there was built with
their own efforts, and the money was paid in due time. So we have to
struggle to the end," he said.
The activist added that the continuing a total 1,500 active citizens
have joined the campaign.
"For the sake of our common past and future, we call on all the people
supporting our campaign to take Kamp Armen, the institution of Armenian
orphans entrusted to us, under their care," he said, adding that their
protests have attracted also Kurds, Turks and Greek people residing
in Turkey.
tert.am
news.am
NUMBER OF ARMENIANS VISITING TURKEY IN 2015
mediamax.am
TRIAL FLIGHTS OF NEW MIG-29 START AT RUSSIAN BASE
mediamax.am
KATHERINE LEACH: I AM CONNECTED WITH WORLDWIDE
Women make up 70.4% of unemployed in Armenia
08/08/2015
There were 85.5 thousand unemployed people in Armenia as of July 1,
2015, including 58.1 thousand women (20.9 thousand young women),
according to data of State Employment Agency.
There were 74.4 thousand job seekers ` 87% of the total number of the
unemployed. Unemployment among women remains high: 52.4 thousand or
70.4% of the unemployed.
The agency's data shows that youths make up 24.2% of the unemployed or
18 thousand, while people with disabilities - 3.2% or 2.4 thousand.
People with higher and postgraduate education make up 13.3% of the
unemployed, those with incomplete higher education and secondary
education ` 19.3%, people with vocational education ` 6.1%, and people
with secondary, specialized education and elementary education make up
61.3%.
People aged between 16 and 29 constitute 24.2% of the unemployed,
people aged 30-44 ` 40.1%, aged 45-54 ` 20.7% and people above the age
of 55 make up 15% of unemployed. 86.1% of the unemployed in Armenia
are uncompetitive people whose number reached 64.1 thousand.
4,566 job seekers were provided with jobs in January- June 2015,
including 2,992 women, 3,833 uncompetitive people in the labor market,
and 1,205 young people.
arka.am
CONSUMER PRICES IN ARMENIA RISE 4.2% OVER ONE YEAR
- NATIONAL STATISTICAL SERVICE
YEREVAN, August 7. Consumer prices in Armenia rose 4.2%
in July 2015, compared with July 2014, Gurgen Martirosyan, chief of
the National Statistical Service's prices division, told journalists
on Friday.
Food prices rose 2.8%, nonfoods climbed 6.5% and prices for services
grew 3.6%.
Instead, fish products became 12.8% cheaper, vegetable fat and adipose
slid 2.5% and fruits shed 11.1%.
Martirosyan said foods was going 0.1-0.5% down every month over
a period between February and May 2015, and in June and July the
deflation deepened.
In June 2015, compared with the previous month, foods slipped 1.4%,
and in July, compared with June, they dropped 2.2%.
The consumer price index in Armenia shed 2.2% over the first seven
months of 2015.
Consumer prices dropped 2.2% as foods sank 4.6%, nonfoods slid 0.7%
and prices for services slipped 0.1%.
Fruits plummeted 29.1%, vegetables and potatoes dived 10.7% and eggs
fell 5.3%.
Bread and bakery products became 0.3% cheaper, meat products decreased
0.7%, vegetable fat and adipose 0.2%, sugar 2.5% and coffee, tea and
cocoa 0.2%.
Martirosyan added that confectionery increased 0.3%, tobacco and
alcoholic drinks added 0.2% while soft drinks remained unchanged.
YEREVAN, August 7. Consumer prices in Armenia rose 4.2%
in July 2015, compared with July 2014, Gurgen Martirosyan, chief of
the National Statistical Service's prices division, told journalists
on Friday.
Food prices rose 2.8%, nonfoods climbed 6.5% and prices for services
grew 3.6%.
Instead, fish products became 12.8% cheaper, vegetable fat and adipose
slid 2.5% and fruits shed 11.1%.
Martirosyan said foods was going 0.1-0.5% down every month over
a period between February and May 2015, and in June and July the
deflation deepened.
In June 2015, compared with the previous month, foods slipped 1.4%,
and in July, compared with June, they dropped 2.2%.
The consumer price index in Armenia shed 2.2% over the first seven
months of 2015.
Consumer prices dropped 2.2% as foods sank 4.6%, nonfoods slid 0.7%
and prices for services slipped 0.1%.
Fruits plummeted 29.1%, vegetables and potatoes dived 10.7% and eggs
fell 5.3%.
Bread and bakery products became 0.3% cheaper, meat products decreased
0.7%, vegetable fat and adipose 0.2%, sugar 2.5% and coffee, tea and
cocoa 0.2%.
Martirosyan added that confectionery increased 0.3%, tobacco and
alcoholic drinks added 0.2% while soft drinks remained unchanged.
tert.am
KAMP ARMEN HOT TOPIC FOR ISTANBUL ARMENIANS
10.08.15
The controversial plan by the Turkish authorities todemolish an
Armenian orphanage in Istanbul sparked an outcry by local Armenian
activists whose public campaign to hamper such efforts has entered
its 94th day.
Built in 1962 in the city's Tuzla district, Kamp Armen was home
for thousand of orphaned and poor children who were educated and
raised there.
Several activists who are now in Armenia on Friday convened a press
conference in an attempt to receive the Armenian society's support.
Anush Karzan Asaturian, a spokesperson for the group Nor Zartonk
(New Renaissance), said the land lot on which the current building
was constructed was purchased by the Gedikpasha Armenian Protestant
Church and School Foundation by Fatih Ulusoy after obtaining the
necessary permission. He added that the institution came into being
thanks to Armenian orphaned children's efforts.
"At the site which was growing to look like a desert, the children
themselves dug the foundationz, carried sand and planted seedlings. As
Hrant Dink [the slain Turkish-Armenian journalist who was raised in
Kamp Armen] would say, the orphaned and impoverished children first
built home for themselves, later creating a whole civilization,"
he said.
The activist explained that ethnic minorities in both the Ottoman
Empire and the Republic of Turkey had the privilege to acquire property
until 1974, the year when a decision was made to deprive their
foundations of that right and require that any property purchased
since 1936 be returned to the state. She added that Kamp Armen was
gratuitously handed over to the former owner and later resold seven
times.
Sayat Tekiz, another activist of the group, said Turkey now agrees
to give them the territory for rent, a plan to which the Armenians
are strongly opposed.
"We demand that the Turkish state hand over to us the deed of purchase
to eventually resolve the property-related issue. Armenian children
have been educated here since 1962; everything there was built with
their own efforts, and the money was paid in due time. So we have to
struggle to the end," he said.
The activist added that the continuing a total 1,500 active citizens
have joined the campaign.
"For the sake of our common past and future, we call on all the people
supporting our campaign to take Kamp Armen, the institution of Armenian
orphans entrusted to us, under their care," he said, adding that their
protests have attracted also Kurds, Turks and Greek people residing
in Turkey.
tert.am
ARMENIAN CHURCH RE-OPENS IN TURKEY
11.08.15
The Armenian church Surb Nshan re-opened its doors in Istanbul's
Kartal district after reconstruction, TimeTurk reports.
The local authorities assisted in the renovation of the place of
warship whose opening was attended also by the community governor,
Altinok Oz.
It took about two years to complete the activities.
The event was attended also by Ali Ekber Shahin, a candidate for the
municipal council, and Aram Ateshian, a vice prelate of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Istanbul. Other religious figures and Armenian
community members were also present at the ceremony.
In his speech, Ateshyan raised the issue of conflicts among different
religions worldwide.
Addressing the recent terrorist acts in Turkey, he said it is his
desire to see them all over. On behalf of the community, he also
thanked Mr Oz for offering assistance in the reconstruction.
11.08.15
The Armenian church Surb Nshan re-opened its doors in Istanbul's
Kartal district after reconstruction, TimeTurk reports.
The local authorities assisted in the renovation of the place of
warship whose opening was attended also by the community governor,
Altinok Oz.
It took about two years to complete the activities.
The event was attended also by Ali Ekber Shahin, a candidate for the
municipal council, and Aram Ateshian, a vice prelate of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Istanbul. Other religious figures and Armenian
community members were also present at the ceremony.
In his speech, Ateshyan raised the issue of conflicts among different
religions worldwide.
Addressing the recent terrorist acts in Turkey, he said it is his
desire to see them all over. On behalf of the community, he also
thanked Mr Oz for offering assistance in the reconstruction.
news.am
NUMBER OF ARMENIANS VISITING TURKEY IN 2015
DRASTICALLY REDUCED
11.08.2015
Number of Armenians visiting Turkey in January-June 2015 was 18,524.
4524 Armenians visited Turkey in June 2015, which is 34% less as
compared to the same period in 2014, Turkey's Ministry of Culture
and Tourism reports. Last June 6424 Armenian citizens visited Turkey.
The number of Armenians visiting Turkey in January-June 2015 has
decreased by 32% as compared to the same period last year. 27,152
Armenian citizens visited Turkey.
11.08.2015
Number of Armenians visiting Turkey in January-June 2015 was 18,524.
4524 Armenians visited Turkey in June 2015, which is 34% less as
compared to the same period in 2014, Turkey's Ministry of Culture
and Tourism reports. Last June 6424 Armenian citizens visited Turkey.
The number of Armenians visiting Turkey in January-June 2015 has
decreased by 32% as compared to the same period last year. 27,152
Armenian citizens visited Turkey.
mediamax.am
TRIAL FLIGHTS OF NEW MIG-29 START AT RUSSIAN BASE
IN ARMENIA
August 10, 2015 13:31
Yerevan. The pilots of the Russian airbase have started
the test flights of MiG-29 fourth generation jet fighter aircrafts
at Erebuni military airdrome, which arrived in June after the overhaul.
During the trial flights of the modernized jet fighter aircrafts in
high elevations and hot climate, the pilots will conduct the diagnosis
of the units and assemblies of MiG-29 fighters during the take-off, at
low and extreme heights, on low and high speed parameters, overturns,
turns and during landing.
After the test flights of MiG-29, board numbers will be applied to
them and the names of heavenly patrons will be conferred on them.
armenews.com
August 10, 2015 13:31
Yerevan. The pilots of the Russian airbase have started
the test flights of MiG-29 fourth generation jet fighter aircrafts
at Erebuni military airdrome, which arrived in June after the overhaul.
During the trial flights of the modernized jet fighter aircrafts in
high elevations and hot climate, the pilots will conduct the diagnosis
of the units and assemblies of MiG-29 fighters during the take-off, at
low and extreme heights, on low and high speed parameters, overturns,
turns and during landing.
After the test flights of MiG-29, board numbers will be applied to
them and the names of heavenly patrons will be conferred on them.
armenews.com
BAPTISMS REJECTED BY THE ARMENIAN CHURCH FOR
6 ISLAMIZED ARMENIANS FROM TURKEY FOR 6TH
PAN-ARMENIAN GAMES
Krikor Amirzayan
The Armenian newspaper "Hrabarag" says the Armenian Evangelical Church
of St. Echmiadzin refused to baptize 6 Islamized Armenians from Turkey
in Yerevan for 6th pan-Armenian Games. Among the Islamized Armenians,
three men and two women from the Dersim region and Islamized by force
in 1915 and an Armenian Diyarbakir (former Armenian Dikranakert today
become the capital of Turkish Kurdistan). Last Friday the 6 Armenians
visited various churches and asked the priests to baptize. They had
in each case a refusal. "At first we went to Holy Etchmiadzin to
finish at the Surb Hovhannes of Gond district in Yerevan. We have
each time been refused. Even using the Deputy Minister of Diaspora
and its discussions with the representatives of the Armenian Church
did nothing! "Entrusted" Hrabarag "one of those Armenians.It seems
that the Armenian Catholicosate require -according some sources- a
minimum of three years of return visits to Armenia and the Armenian
church for the christening of the Islamized Armenians is achieved.
The Armenian newspaper "Hrabarag" says the Armenian Evangelical Church
of St. Echmiadzin refused to baptize 6 Islamized Armenians from Turkey
in Yerevan for 6th pan-Armenian Games. Among the Islamized Armenians,
three men and two women from the Dersim region and Islamized by force
in 1915 and an Armenian Diyarbakir (former Armenian Dikranakert today
become the capital of Turkish Kurdistan). Last Friday the 6 Armenians
visited various churches and asked the priests to baptize. They had
in each case a refusal. "At first we went to Holy Etchmiadzin to
finish at the Surb Hovhannes of Gond district in Yerevan. We have
each time been refused. Even using the Deputy Minister of Diaspora
and its discussions with the representatives of the Armenian Church
did nothing! "Entrusted" Hrabarag "one of those Armenians.It seems
that the Armenian Catholicosate require -according some sources- a
minimum of three years of return visits to Armenia and the Armenian
church for the christening of the Islamized Armenians is achieved.
armenpress.am
HOLLY SEE INTERPRETS REASONS NOT TO BAPTIZE
HOLLY SEE INTERPRETS REASONS NOT TO BAPTIZE
ARMENIANS ARRIVED FROM DERSIM AND TIGRANAKERT
11 August, 2015
YEREVAN, AUGUST 11. Only Armenians or spouses of Armenians
have the right to be baptized in the baptism pool of the Armenian
Apostolic Church. Armenians living in Turkey have to introduce the
confirmation of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople of their
being Armenian in order to be baptized in the Armenian Apostolic
Church. Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan, supervisor of the Office of Sacramental
Procedures of the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Mother
See, announced about this in an interview with "Armenpress" referring
to the fact that Armenians arrived from Dersim and Tigranakert have
been denied to be baptized. "From religious point they belong to the
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, they have to apply to the
Patriarchate and get a confirmation of their being Armenian in a form
of document and then be baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church",
Fr. Zakaria mentioned adding that the mentioned people have not got
a confirmation by the Patriarchate.
According to him the problem is serious as an issue of religious
security comes forward. "Their religious belonging is mentioned in
Turkish passports. A person can remain Muslim by passport after being
baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church", mentioned Fr. Zakaria.
"Baptizing is not a symbolic ceremony, it is an important ceremony
for the Armenian Church", added Fr. Zakaria.
A press conference took place on August 11 during which it was
mentioned that the Armenian Apostolic Church did not baptize 3
incognito Armenians from Dersim and Tigranakert who had arrived in
Armenia to participate in the 6th pan-Armenian games.
11 August, 2015
YEREVAN, AUGUST 11. Only Armenians or spouses of Armenians
have the right to be baptized in the baptism pool of the Armenian
Apostolic Church. Armenians living in Turkey have to introduce the
confirmation of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople of their
being Armenian in order to be baptized in the Armenian Apostolic
Church. Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan, supervisor of the Office of Sacramental
Procedures of the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Mother
See, announced about this in an interview with "Armenpress" referring
to the fact that Armenians arrived from Dersim and Tigranakert have
been denied to be baptized. "From religious point they belong to the
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, they have to apply to the
Patriarchate and get a confirmation of their being Armenian in a form
of document and then be baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church",
Fr. Zakaria mentioned adding that the mentioned people have not got
a confirmation by the Patriarchate.
According to him the problem is serious as an issue of religious
security comes forward. "Their religious belonging is mentioned in
Turkish passports. A person can remain Muslim by passport after being
baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church", mentioned Fr. Zakaria.
"Baptizing is not a symbolic ceremony, it is an important ceremony
for the Armenian Church", added Fr. Zakaria.
A press conference took place on August 11 during which it was
mentioned that the Armenian Apostolic Church did not baptize 3
incognito Armenians from Dersim and Tigranakert who had arrived in
Armenia to participate in the 6th pan-Armenian games.
mediamax.am
KATHERINE LEACH: I AM CONNECTED WITH WORLDWIDE
ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
August 12, 2015 00:05
exclusive
Mediamax's exclusive interview with outgoing Ambassador of the United
Kingdom to the Republic of Armenia Katherine Leach
- Mrs. Ambassador, along with your spouse Jonathan James Aves you were
appointed Her Majesty's Joint Ambassadors to the Republic of Armenia
from January 2012. You took turns to be the Ambassador to Armenia,
each doing the job for four months. What kind of practice was this
for you and how productive was this format?
- I can say very honestly that we had not worked like that before.
Neither of us was quite sure how it would work, but in fact we both
really enjoyed it and felt that it gave a great deal to the embassy
every four months to have new ideas, new energy. I would say that
it was kind of healthy competition. I hope that we were able to show
that that kind of format could work and bring some advantages. We both
brought different experience, different strengths. We are also very
grateful to the government of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs for being open-minded enough to accept this format
of working.
- You once noted that you managed to turn 2013 the best year for
relations between Armenia and the UK. What did you mean by that? How
would you characterize the current level of relations between our
countries?
- It is difficult to pick one year when you are looking back on 3
½ years, but I would say over these years we have achieved a lot,
including on the political level. I think we really managed to
increase, intensify and deepen our political relationship.
We had two visits by the UK Minister for Europe David Lidington,
FM Nalbandian met with our Foreign Minister in London, as well as
visits here by senior diplomats from the Foreign Office and Ministry of
Defence. We had 3 parliamentary visits to Yerevan and a parliamentary
visit from Armenia to UK. I feel that there is a real intensification.
What else? Well, we are now working much harder to promote business.
We have a trade and prosperity officer and we have really tried to
push British business to think about Armenia as destination, a place
to do business. Each year we have tried to celebrate British-Armenian
business links. We have also thought creatively how to promote
our ideas.
For example, we promoted the concept of responsible mining in Armenia,
and UN SC Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. We hope to
do further work with the Ministry of Defense of Armenia this year to
support the increasing role of women in the military. I am also proud
that our embassy was NATO contact embassy in Yerevan for 3 years to
support Armenia's engagement with NATO.
Finally, one of my favorite projects, actually run by the British
Council, supported by our Embassy: the development of the 'Unlimited'
dance company, involving dancers both with and without disabilities.
They did a fantastic performance in Armenia last year at the Small
Theatre and they are working on a new performance this year together
with British choreographers. They are sending the message that
disability is no barrier to achievement.
- Mrs. Ambassador, the Armenian society extremely negatively accepted
the fact that Charles, Prince of Wales, attended the ceremony to
mark centenary of battle of Gallipoli in Turkey, while Great Britain
was represented on the level of just the leader of British-Armenian
Parliamentary Group at the official event dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide Centennial on April 24. What steps can the UK take to
eliminate this negative impression?
- I know how painful it was, and how people in Armenia felt
about this clash of events. That's certainly not what we wanted,
because both events - the Centenary commemoration in Yerevan and
the Gallipoli commemoration - were incredibly important for people
to understand as different, terrible parts of the history of World
War I. In Yerevan, the commemoration was for WW1's most devastating
civilian tragedy, the deaths of over a million Armenians. And for us,
for the UK, Gallipoli is one of the key battles of WWI, one of the
iconic symbols of the horror of war, because it was such a terrible
campaign, where half a million Allied soldiers fought, a quarter of a
million were killed or injured, tens of thousands of British soldiers
died, as well as soldiers from many, many other countries. So it was
important for us to mark that appropriately and for Prince Charles
to meet the descendants of the soldiers who died. But it was also of
course enormously important to mark the Centenary. I think the head
of the British-Armenian parliamentary friendship group, Member of
Parliament, Mr John Whittingdale (Conservative), who has now joined
the Cabinet as Minister of culture, media and sport, was very proud to
be here to represent the British government. Events later this year,
particularly a commemoration service that will be organized by the
Armenian embassy in London, at Westminster Abbey in October, will also
demonstrate the importance for the UK of the Centennial commemoration.
- You were in Armenia during quite an important and complicated
period when the EU Association Agreement was being negotiated over,
but Armenia decided to join the EEU in the end. Earlier, at a meeting
with the students of the American University of Armenia (AUA) you
said that Armenia's such a decision was a surprise for you and added
that efforts should be committed to overcome that situation. How
do you picture the future of Armenia-EU relations after the Eastern
Partnership Summit in Riga?
- I think we are in a good place. The Riga summit confirmed that we
are now ready to launch the negotiations on a new agreement which
will be largely based on what we have already done for the Association
Agreement. That work has not been lost. We will take a lot of it into
the new agreement.
I am struck by how determined the Armenian government is to take this
work forward. We, the EU, can only offer. We can't impose anything,
we can only offer opportunities. It is up to the Armenian government
to decide what will be helpful and appropriate. Over the last year
the Armenian government has been looking at its obligations under
the EEU and at what we can offer to promote reforms using tools that
we have available. And I think that both sides are ready to commit
to something and take work forward. I actually feel optimistic and
positive. Everybody has had a chance to take a breath and reengage
again with a very positive spirit.
- The protests against electricity price hikes bought forth talks
on the emergence of a new quality generation of the Armenian civil
society. Do you agree with it?
- In some ways it felt like it grew out of the different civil
activism movements that we have seen over the last few years: the
100 dram movement, protests on pensions reforms. I think for the
first time a lot of new young people were involved, getting engaged,
having a discussion. Our history has shown that citizens' engagement
in politics in peaceful ways can really make a huge difference. I am
thinking about, for example, women getting the vote in the UK. Through
peaceful protest policy change is possible. I was very struck by what
people told me about the mood in the crowd, about the discipline
- very peaceful, no drinking. I very much hope this will lead to
positive dialogue, and both sides will find a way through this issue
which will work for society, business and government.
- In 2013, Gyumri Music School N 6 opened in the frames of Rock Aid
Armenia project with the participation of Ian Gillan, rock star and
iconic lead singer for famous British rock band Deep Purple. How
important are people-to-people contacts in diplomacy?
- I'm very jealous Jonathan got to meet Ian Gillan, and not me! I think
people-to-people contacts are incredibly important. Individuals make
all the difference. If somebody has enthusiasm, energy, new ideas,
they can make a real change. So I think it is right when governments
put a lot of focus on this issue. For example, we have programs like
the Chevening scholarship, which this year is offering 7 scholarships
for Armenians. In previous years we only had 3 scholarships. I am
happy we could expand the program this year to encourage more people
to go to UK, to study there, understand our country better, and learn
something useful for their return to Armenia. It is an investment
in Armenia's future. At every level I have also tried to support
British-Armenian Diaspora projects, because this is a huge source of
energy and good will. I think you can't underestimate people-to-people
contacts in diplomacy.
- What impressions did you get from Armenia? What did this practice
give you and what will you miss most?
- You can't live and work here without feeling very moved by the
people, the hospitality, the history, the mountains. I am going to take
all that with me. When I leave I will really miss it. I feel I have
become connected with the worldwide Armenian community. Wherever I go,
I will look for Armenians and feel a strong warmth and understanding
towards this Diaspora community. I feel like I have become a part of
a global family, a network that I will definitely take wherever I go.
Yekaterina Poghosyan talked to Katherine Leach
August 12, 2015 00:05
exclusive
Mediamax's exclusive interview with outgoing Ambassador of the United
Kingdom to the Republic of Armenia Katherine Leach
- Mrs. Ambassador, along with your spouse Jonathan James Aves you were
appointed Her Majesty's Joint Ambassadors to the Republic of Armenia
from January 2012. You took turns to be the Ambassador to Armenia,
each doing the job for four months. What kind of practice was this
for you and how productive was this format?
- I can say very honestly that we had not worked like that before.
Neither of us was quite sure how it would work, but in fact we both
really enjoyed it and felt that it gave a great deal to the embassy
every four months to have new ideas, new energy. I would say that
it was kind of healthy competition. I hope that we were able to show
that that kind of format could work and bring some advantages. We both
brought different experience, different strengths. We are also very
grateful to the government of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs for being open-minded enough to accept this format
of working.
- You once noted that you managed to turn 2013 the best year for
relations between Armenia and the UK. What did you mean by that? How
would you characterize the current level of relations between our
countries?
- It is difficult to pick one year when you are looking back on 3
½ years, but I would say over these years we have achieved a lot,
including on the political level. I think we really managed to
increase, intensify and deepen our political relationship.
We had two visits by the UK Minister for Europe David Lidington,
FM Nalbandian met with our Foreign Minister in London, as well as
visits here by senior diplomats from the Foreign Office and Ministry of
Defence. We had 3 parliamentary visits to Yerevan and a parliamentary
visit from Armenia to UK. I feel that there is a real intensification.
What else? Well, we are now working much harder to promote business.
We have a trade and prosperity officer and we have really tried to
push British business to think about Armenia as destination, a place
to do business. Each year we have tried to celebrate British-Armenian
business links. We have also thought creatively how to promote
our ideas.
For example, we promoted the concept of responsible mining in Armenia,
and UN SC Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. We hope to
do further work with the Ministry of Defense of Armenia this year to
support the increasing role of women in the military. I am also proud
that our embassy was NATO contact embassy in Yerevan for 3 years to
support Armenia's engagement with NATO.
Finally, one of my favorite projects, actually run by the British
Council, supported by our Embassy: the development of the 'Unlimited'
dance company, involving dancers both with and without disabilities.
They did a fantastic performance in Armenia last year at the Small
Theatre and they are working on a new performance this year together
with British choreographers. They are sending the message that
disability is no barrier to achievement.
- Mrs. Ambassador, the Armenian society extremely negatively accepted
the fact that Charles, Prince of Wales, attended the ceremony to
mark centenary of battle of Gallipoli in Turkey, while Great Britain
was represented on the level of just the leader of British-Armenian
Parliamentary Group at the official event dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide Centennial on April 24. What steps can the UK take to
eliminate this negative impression?
- I know how painful it was, and how people in Armenia felt
about this clash of events. That's certainly not what we wanted,
because both events - the Centenary commemoration in Yerevan and
the Gallipoli commemoration - were incredibly important for people
to understand as different, terrible parts of the history of World
War I. In Yerevan, the commemoration was for WW1's most devastating
civilian tragedy, the deaths of over a million Armenians. And for us,
for the UK, Gallipoli is one of the key battles of WWI, one of the
iconic symbols of the horror of war, because it was such a terrible
campaign, where half a million Allied soldiers fought, a quarter of a
million were killed or injured, tens of thousands of British soldiers
died, as well as soldiers from many, many other countries. So it was
important for us to mark that appropriately and for Prince Charles
to meet the descendants of the soldiers who died. But it was also of
course enormously important to mark the Centenary. I think the head
of the British-Armenian parliamentary friendship group, Member of
Parliament, Mr John Whittingdale (Conservative), who has now joined
the Cabinet as Minister of culture, media and sport, was very proud to
be here to represent the British government. Events later this year,
particularly a commemoration service that will be organized by the
Armenian embassy in London, at Westminster Abbey in October, will also
demonstrate the importance for the UK of the Centennial commemoration.
- You were in Armenia during quite an important and complicated
period when the EU Association Agreement was being negotiated over,
but Armenia decided to join the EEU in the end. Earlier, at a meeting
with the students of the American University of Armenia (AUA) you
said that Armenia's such a decision was a surprise for you and added
that efforts should be committed to overcome that situation. How
do you picture the future of Armenia-EU relations after the Eastern
Partnership Summit in Riga?
- I think we are in a good place. The Riga summit confirmed that we
are now ready to launch the negotiations on a new agreement which
will be largely based on what we have already done for the Association
Agreement. That work has not been lost. We will take a lot of it into
the new agreement.
I am struck by how determined the Armenian government is to take this
work forward. We, the EU, can only offer. We can't impose anything,
we can only offer opportunities. It is up to the Armenian government
to decide what will be helpful and appropriate. Over the last year
the Armenian government has been looking at its obligations under
the EEU and at what we can offer to promote reforms using tools that
we have available. And I think that both sides are ready to commit
to something and take work forward. I actually feel optimistic and
positive. Everybody has had a chance to take a breath and reengage
again with a very positive spirit.
- The protests against electricity price hikes bought forth talks
on the emergence of a new quality generation of the Armenian civil
society. Do you agree with it?
- In some ways it felt like it grew out of the different civil
activism movements that we have seen over the last few years: the
100 dram movement, protests on pensions reforms. I think for the
first time a lot of new young people were involved, getting engaged,
having a discussion. Our history has shown that citizens' engagement
in politics in peaceful ways can really make a huge difference. I am
thinking about, for example, women getting the vote in the UK. Through
peaceful protest policy change is possible. I was very struck by what
people told me about the mood in the crowd, about the discipline
- very peaceful, no drinking. I very much hope this will lead to
positive dialogue, and both sides will find a way through this issue
which will work for society, business and government.
- In 2013, Gyumri Music School N 6 opened in the frames of Rock Aid
Armenia project with the participation of Ian Gillan, rock star and
iconic lead singer for famous British rock band Deep Purple. How
important are people-to-people contacts in diplomacy?
- I'm very jealous Jonathan got to meet Ian Gillan, and not me! I think
people-to-people contacts are incredibly important. Individuals make
all the difference. If somebody has enthusiasm, energy, new ideas,
they can make a real change. So I think it is right when governments
put a lot of focus on this issue. For example, we have programs like
the Chevening scholarship, which this year is offering 7 scholarships
for Armenians. In previous years we only had 3 scholarships. I am
happy we could expand the program this year to encourage more people
to go to UK, to study there, understand our country better, and learn
something useful for their return to Armenia. It is an investment
in Armenia's future. At every level I have also tried to support
British-Armenian Diaspora projects, because this is a huge source of
energy and good will. I think you can't underestimate people-to-people
contacts in diplomacy.
- What impressions did you get from Armenia? What did this practice
give you and what will you miss most?
- You can't live and work here without feeling very moved by the
people, the hospitality, the history, the mountains. I am going to take
all that with me. When I leave I will really miss it. I feel I have
become connected with the worldwide Armenian community. Wherever I go,
I will look for Armenians and feel a strong warmth and understanding
towards this Diaspora community. I feel like I have become a part of
a global family, a network that I will definitely take wherever I go.
Yekaterina Poghosyan talked to Katherine Leach
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