Armenian News... A Topalian

Armenpress.am

 2 June, 2019

CONIFA Euro 2019 inaugurated in Artsakh

STEPANAKERT,

The CONIFA Euro 2019 was kicked off in an inauguration ceremony at the Stepan Shahumyan Stadium in Stepanakert June 1. 

This year, Artsakh is hosting the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) European Football Cup. (CONIFA) is the international governing body for non-FIFA affiliated associations of Association Football.

The inauguration was full of colors and sounds: numerous song and dance ensembles, musicians, performances and many more lit up the stage for the CONIFA Euro 2019 with the motto “Open Doors, Strong Goals”.

The opponents for the championship – Abkhazia, Chameria, Padania, Szekely Land, Western Armenia, South Ossetia, Sapmi and Artsakh, entered the stadium one by one in a ceremonial introduction.

President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan was personally at the stadium with First Lady Anahit Sahakyan to welcome the participants of the championship.

“Numerous guests, including state officials, from different countries across the world have arrived in Artsakh. I would like to welcome the President of brotherly South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov, CONIFA President Per-Anders Blind, CONIFA Europe 

President Alberto Rischio and note that it is a great honor for us to host you on Artsakh soil. This is the first time that this kind of an international sports event is taking place here. Massive and painstaking work has been carried out to organize it on a duly level. I hope that both athletes and fans will be satisfied from the games. Sports, especially football, is one of the unique areas that must unite populations and people, strengthen friendship and mutual respect between them, contribute to establishment of relations and much more. Sports doesn’t know boundaries and restrictions, discrimination and double standards. It is a symbol of peace, where the struggle is fair and he who is prepared better wins”, President Sahakyan said in his remarks, expressing hope that the championship will become a “true celebration”.

The President of Artsakh thanked everyone who had contribution in organizing CONIFA Euro 2019.

CONIFA President Per-Anders Blind delivered remarks, emphasizing that it is an honor for the organization to represent the CONIFA European Cup in Artsakh.

“Today the capital city of Europe is Stepanakert. One of the guiding principles of CONIFA is the freedom to play football, it is an arena which opens a unique window towards the big world. This arena enables us to show the world the greatness and beauty of our peoples, our culture, our national identity and heritage. Millions from around the world will watch this championship", said Blind. 

Many other Artsakh government officials were in attendance.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Panorama, Armenia

June 5 2019

Armenian woman killed in Istanbul on grounds of her ethnicity – Garo Paylan

The latest case of murder of an Armenian women in Istanbul took place on ethnic grounds, Turkish-Armenian MP Garo Paylan, representing the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP)  has stated, Ermenihaber reports.

“We are witnessing the consequences of an atmosphere of hatred, polarization and divisions established in the country,” Paylan said, adding the assailants should not remain unpunished and the state should take every effort to reveal the crime.

To remind, Agos newspaper reported earlier that Armenian woman living in Istanbul was attacked by two masked men carrying a knife. During the attack, the men warned that “This is the beginning.” Police launched investigations into the incident. As it turned out the victim identified as Arpine was citizen of Armenia.

To note, hate-speech is a widespread phenomenon in Turkey that targets all religious and ethnic minorities. Armenians are one of the main victims. Vandalism on the homes and churches of Armenians is commonplace. The state encourages propaganda which justifies the Armenian genocide, thus encouraging the belief that Armenians are less than second-class citizens and deserve to be removed from Turkey.

Armenpress.am

 3 June, 2019

Armenia confirms charter of High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, PM’s administration to have 720 staffers

At the decision of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the charter of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs - the replacement for the Ministry of Diaspora -  has been approved, the government said on egov.am.

With another decision, the number of positions of the PM’s Office has been approved at 720.

The decisions come after the Cabinet’s composition was officially amended and the number of ministries was reduced from 17 to 12.

Before these amendments the PM’s Office had 600 positions. The increase of staffers is associated with the fact that the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs will be included within the PM’s Office.

A High Commissioner is yet to be appointed.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

BBC Monitoring Trans Caucasus Unit

June 4, 2019 Tuesday

Armenia: Anti-Soros protests held in Armenia

An anti-Western Veto initiative has held another protest in front of the Armenian office of the Open Society Foundations in Yerevan, demanding that it be closed, News.am reported on 3 June.

The first protest was held on 31 May.

'State-destructive' policy

On 27 May, Veto's founder Narek Malyan criticised the Open Society Foundations for pursuing a "state-destructive policy", funding people with "anti-state" and "anti-national" mind-set, and creating a foreign agents' network .

Malyan, who is an ex-adviser to Armenia's former chief of police, said that the structure funded by international financier George Soros was involved in discrediting the Armenian church, law-enforcement agencies and education system with the aim to destroy the foundations of the Armenian statehood and its system of values. He accused it of funding and influencing a number of Armenia media outlets, officials and MPs. He said the Veto initiative was starting a series of actions aimed at the closure of the Open Society Foundations and called on people to join it.

Malyan said that official letters had been sent to the parliamentary factions of My Step bloc, Bright Armenia and Prosperous Armeniaparties to clarify their position on the possibility of closing down all Soros-funded organisations in the country, conducting a lustration process, banning Soros-funded persons from office and adopting law on foreign agents.

Support for the movement

The Adekvad movement, the Ramkavar Azatakan party (Armenian Democratic Liberal Party), the Communist Party and the Civil Consciousness NGO expressed their support of the Veto initiative. One of organisers of France's YellowVest movement, Chris Berterian, also joined the protest outside the Open Society Foundations in Yerevan, News.am said.

Gevorg Petrosyan from Prosperous Armenia party said in a Facebook post last week that "the hands of Soros have never been so free in Armenia". He said this all "smells bad".

In 31 May statement, the Armenian office of the Open Society Foundations condemned the false accusations by a small group of people "aimed at destabilising Armenia and splitting it", Armtimes.com said.

The Office said that it supported the revolution in Armenia since its start and continued to support civil society organisations, as well as all those citizens who promote sustainable system reforms. It condemned all those trying to split the society through the policy of fear and violence.

Scuffle with police

During the 3 June protest, the members and supporters of the Veto initiative tried to enter the office of the Open Society Foundations but were stopped by a heavy police cordon, News.am said.

Malyan said it was a shame to clash with one another "because of Soros". He called police actions "unlawful" and said that the authorities did not interfere because they were "in the pocket of the Soros foundation".

"The clashes in Armenia are organised by the Soros foundation. They want the Armenians to come out against Artsakhis [Karabakhis], [they want] bloodshed, civil war. We are here to not allow that to happen. ... The police are today protecting the Soros office at the order of [Prime Minister] Nikol Pashinyan," Malyan was quoted as saying.

Malyan said that he authorities were "terrified" by the prospect of these protests, pointing to the big number of police present at the scene.

Political commentator Menua Harutyunyan, who joined the protest, said that Soros helped seize power in Armenia and that he had a "share" in the Armenian government. He criticised the police for not letting the protesters advance, noting that they were fighting against a foreign agents' network.

YellowVest movement member Chris Berterian also rebuked the police for "working against people".

Links with former authorities

Malyan claimed that the Open Society Foundations posed no danger one year ago but was now part of the incumbent authorities, News.am said.

"These people have already seized power. They have brought police here and the policemen themselves do not know why they came here. According to my calculations, there are 14 MPs in the National Assembly [parliament] who receive orders from this office," Malyan was quoted as saying.

Malyan said the former authorities were weak enough to let this agents' network "develop, strengthen and devour them". He said he had applied to the former government as well to take "tough steps" but had been rejected.

Malyan denied he received money to stage these protests.

Anti-Pashinyan party

The Adekvad NGO, known for its #SutNikol (Liar Nikol) initiative, also expressed its support of the Veto movement.

It said that the Open Society Foundations, as well as dozens of civil society structures and foundations, were "servants of foreign agenda" aimed at undermining the Armenian statehood.

In its 27 May post, Adekvad announced its intention to set up a political party. It said that Armenia was facing serious foreign and domestic existential, as well as economic, political, military, social, legal, civilization challenges, which deepen and do not find solution with the incumbent authorities. "Since the political system is currently handicapped and is absolutely not able to solve the issues the country faces, we urgently need to call on a political entity that will resolutely stand against the risks that challenge our statehood," the statement said.

On 20 May, the Adekvad members held a protest outside the Office of the EU delegation in Yerevan and accused it of masterminding the recent developments in Armenia. They said the real levers of power were in the hands of a "foreign agent network".

Armenpress.am

 4 June, 2019

Zvartnots Airport to preserve iconic old terminal

. The Argentine Corporacion America, which operates Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport, says will work to preserve the old building of the airport, Executive Director Martin Eurnekian told reporters during the Corporacion America Airports Leadership Summit.

“We are aware of the cultural importance of the Zvartnots Airport’s old terminal, and we will work in the direction of its preservation. We will develop the Zvartnots Airport in order for it to have broader opportunities,” he said, adding that they will carry out new projects in Armenia.

He also praised “very firms” cooperation with the government. “And we will work with the new government in order to define the priorities for new investments,” Eurenkian said.

The old terminal, which operated in the 80s, is mostly famous for its iconic tower which is presently clearly visible upon arrival at the new terminal.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenpress.am

4 June, 2019

Owner of landmark Yerevan building formerly housing foreign ministry wants to preserve historic value in new business

S. Tango CJSC, a company owned by Argentine-Armenian businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, plans to use the iconic building (pictured above) in Republic Square Yerevan that formerly housed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in a way that it will also be a value for the city, aside from a business purpose.

“We want to create the kind of project that will be good not only for business but will also be a value for the city,” said Martin Eurnekian, Eduardo Eurnekian’s son who is the CEO of Corporacion America, the company that manages Armenia’s airports. Martin Eurnekian did not elaborate further.

 

Tango bought the building for more than 50,000,000 dollars in 2012. The building is currently vacant.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenpress.am

3 June, 2019

Relatively low inflation environment maintained in Armenia – CBA President

Inflation in Armenia comprised 1.9% as of March of 2019: in general, low inflationary environment has been maintained in the country in the first quarter of 2019, President of the Central Bank of Armenia Artur Javadyan said while introducing the annual report of the Bank’s activity in the Parliament.

“In the first quarter of 2019 inflation was at a relatively low level, comprising 1.9% as of March, mainly due to the effect of low demand. Based on this, as well as taking into account the global slowdown trends, the CBA found it appropriate to increase the amount of monetary terms and lowered the refinancing rate by 0.25%, setting it at 5.75%”, Javadyan said.

The CBA kept the policy rate unchanged in March and April, assessing the expansionary rate as satisfactory. Javadyan noted that in any case the CBA gives preference to the gradual restoration of inflation, towards the inflation goal.

The CBA says that in the conditions of the predicted macroeconomic developments it would be necessary to maintain the expansionary monetary conditions for the implementation of inflation goal.

He added that in case of any risks they will analyze the situation and will respectively react to the monetary policy if necessary, guaranteeing the stability of prices in the medium-term.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Panorama, Armenia

June 4 2019

Armenian president, spouse visit UK Embassy ahead of Queen’s official birthday

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian and his spouse Nouneh Sarkissian on Tuesday visited the UK Embassy in Yerevan ahead of Britain’s public holiday – the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, the presidential press service reported.

Sarkissian congratulated UK Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth and the whole embassy staff on the holiday which falls on 8 June this year.

The Armenian leader and the British diplomat stressed the need to expand the bilateral relations.

Atlas Obscura

June 4 2019

Gaziantep, Turkey

A beautiful 19th-century Armenian mansion is preserved above an unassuming cafe. 

Built in the mid-1800s, the Nazaretian House is the former residence of a wealthy Armenian family. It’s located in the oldest neighborhood of Gaziantep, currently known as Bey Mahallesi. In the 17th and 18th centuries this part of Gaziantep was known as Ayntab and was home to an affluent Armenian community, the Nazaretians being one of the wealthiest families.

Today, part of the Nazaretian House has been restored and serves as a cafe, with tables in the courtyard. But the left side has been left untouched, preserving all the beautiful details of the 150-year-old manse, despite being in a state of disrepair. Located above an unassuming cafe, this place is not found in most tourist guides, making it a hidden gem of the city. 

Inside the building, you’ll find the old Armenian script welcoming visitors, who are free to explore the three different rooms upstairs. One room has a huge dome decorated with angels, and portrait photos hang on the walls, while the most beautiful room is decorated with stunning paintings and four angels at every corner.

Know Before You Go

The house is located in the Bey Mahallesi district of Gaziantep. Make sure to first enjoy a cup of "zahter" in the cafe before moving upstairs to explore inside the building.

Reaction

June 5 2019

Why Armenia sides with Assad in Syria’s civil war

 BY Ido Vock   

 

When Armenia sent a few dozen troops to support the Russian military mission in support of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad earlier this year, few eyebrows were raised. Thousands of foreign soldiers from powers as disparate as the United States and Turkey are already stationed in the country. A handful more sappers and medical officers from the embattled nation of the South Caucasus hardly represents a dramatic upset in the balance of power in war-torn Syria.

 

Officially, Yerevan claims its 80 non-combat personnel are in Syria in support of the sizeable ethnic Armenian community, which numbered 100,000 prior to the outbreak of war eight years ago. Tens of thousands have resettled in Armenia since the beginning of the war, making the small Caucasian state of three million one of the largest per capita recipients of Syrian refugees in Europe.

 

Yet thousands of Armenians still remain in Syria, mostly concentrated around ravaged Aleppo in the country’s north. Ensuring their welfare has been a priority for Yerevan, which has cultivated close links with Syria since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In an interview at his country’s embassy, Arman Kirakossian, the Armenian ambassador to the UK, pointed out to me that Armenia is “the sole state” to have continuously operated a consulate in Aleppo, even during the years of siege which preceded its capture by Syrian regime forces in 2016.

 

Syria’s Armenians are descendants of refugees who fled what is widely recognised as a genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire a century ago. For many, the Syrian war evoked painful memories, all too reminiscent of the tales of their ancestors, according to Serdar Korucu, the author of a book on the Armenians of Aleppo.“Most Armenians in Syria think that there is no better option than Assad”. He says Orthodox Christian Armenians fear the consequences for religious minorities if the Syrian president were to be deposed, which helped justify Yerevan’s decision to join Moscow’s campaign in support of the Syrian regime.

 

Armenia’s deployment of a small number of troops to Syria was likely also motivated by its prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, seeking to reassure Russia that he does not seek to substantially alter Armenia’s traditionally pro-Russian stance. Pashinyan came to power as a reformist leader last year, after heading a wave of peaceful unrest against his power-hungry predecessor.

 

Moscow is known to be nervous about Pashinyan’s coterie of pro-Western aides and his history of scepticism about Armenia’s place in Russian-led military and economic alliances. His decision to send a handful of non-combat troops in support of Russia’s military mission in Syria was probably intended to signal that Armenia plans to stay aligned with Moscow. Hovhannes Nazaretyan, a journalist from Yerevan, tells me there is more to Armenia’s decision to send troops than Yerevan’s official position lets on. “Although the Armenian government certainly cares about Syria’s ethnic Armenian community, the decision to send a mission to Syria was more likely a result of Russian pressure,” he says.

 

Armenia has always existed on the edge of empires—first Ottoman, and later Russian and Soviet. Cordial relations with Armenia’s much more powerful neighbours are essential to his nation’s long-term survival, notes Kirakossian, the ambassador. Equally important is cultivating deep links with the Armenian diaspora, more than twice the population of the country itself and an important source of wealth and political backing. With its non-combat mission to Syria, Yerevan has deftly managed to provide much-needed support to a threatened religious minority, while reassuring its traditional patron Russia that, for now, it remains on Moscow’s side.