Day: December 22, 2023

Russia acknowledged that there have been “issues” in fulfilling certain aspects of military contracts with Armenia, a point recently used by certain Armenian government officials in the rhetoric, which has deepened a wedge between Yerevan and Moscow.

In an interview with the Tass news agency, published on Friday, Russia’s Ambassador to Armenia, Sergey Kopyrkin seemed to imply that Russian defense companies have not fulfilled their contractual obligations on time because they have had to manufacture more weapons and other military equipment for the Russian military.

“Military-technical cooperation between our countries has a long tradition and is based on the agreement on military-technical cooperation between Russia and Armenia signed on June 25, 2013. Nearly all signed contracts are either completed on time and high quality, or are in the final phase of fulfillment,” Kopyrkin told Tass.

“In terms of certain individual contracts there are indeed issues related to the obligations on fulfilling the state order by Russian enterprises in the defense sector, however these are working issues that are resolved during dialogue between respective government agencies of Russia and Armenia,” the Ambassador added.

He said that Armenia and Russia are discussing the signing of new military-technical cooperation agreements.

The Russian envoy seemed upbeat about the state of Moscow-Yerevan relations, which have been steadily deteriorating in recent years, following the 2020 War, and especially after Armenian authorities blamed Russia and its peacekeepers for inaction during Azerbaijan’s September attack on Artsakh, which forced the displacement of its Armenian population. Yerevan also contends that Moscow did not step up when Azerbaijan breached Armenia’s sovereign border, especially during an attack in September 2022.

“We believe that the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia remain partners and strategic allies, united by common interests, a common history and similar views on international problem, and that this alliance corresponds to the fundamental interests of both participants,” Kopyrkin said.

“Of course, it cannot be denied that there are certain differences in our bilateral and multilateral agenda,” the Russian Ambassador said. “Both the Russian and Armenian sides are ready to discuss any contentious topics frankly and in a constructive atmosphere, as befits allies.”

PASADENA—The American Armenian Rose Float Association today announced the full list of riders on its “Armenian Melodies” float during the 135th Tournament of Roses. Amidst symbols of cultural significance, “Armenian Melodies” captures the heroism of Armenian mothers as exemplars of determination, resilience and fortitude in the face of centuries of upheaval.  

The list of riders includes several deserving pillars of the Armenian community, outlined below:

• Ani Hovannisian Kevorkian: Well-known filmmaker, Ani Hovannisian Kevorkian has traveled the world directing and producing award-winning true stories for network television and other international audiences, and reporting Armenian news. Ani’s work includes the documentary, “The Hidden Map,” which tells the story of her genocide-survivor grandparents. “The Hidden Map” debuted nationwide on NBCLX the weekend of April 24, 2021 to popular audience response and several encore presentations. It was also the top broadcast on PBS SoCal in December, leading to national PBS distribution in June 2022, with about 1000 broadcasts during its first week. “The Hidden Map” has earned more than a dozen international awards and honors at festivals and special screenings, notably one in the UK Parliament. It was considered for three 2021 Primetime Emmys, including Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking. Ani is actively involved with the Armenian community in California and worldwide, and is a member of the Directors Guild of America, Television Academy, and International Documentary Association.
• Araks Karapetyan: Born in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, Araks is a pianist and singer. Growing up in the family of Alexander Karapetyan, a professional musician and artistic director of the ethnographic ensemble “Maratuk,” Araks was instilled with a great love for national culture from childhood, and her father was and remains her only teacher in this nationalist cause. From a young age, she sang on popular big and small stages, won awards, commendations and certificates of honor. Araks is a great devotee of ethnographic singing and continues to present her songs with great spirit and dedication to the Armenian cause.
• Arick Gevorkian: For more than 40 years, Arick has been a longtime community advocate, leader, music educator, high school teacher, trainer, volunteer, and activist, dedicating his life and energy to the betterment of various nonprofit organizations and to the cultural enrichment of youth through fun, innovative, engaging and educational music teachings and methodologies. Apart from teaching at several southern California schools, Arick travels with his extensive collection of Armenian and International folkloric musical instruments to local schools, youth camps and educational centers to educate and inspire youth and children to take interest in the performing arts, playing music, composing, and expressing their inner feelings through the arts. His motto is “Teach youth the value of heritage, identity and culture, so they can continue creating.” He is a multi-instrumentalist and composer of numerous scouting songs and loves to perform with his youth and children’s choirs.
• Margaret Mgrublian: Margaret currently sits on the Los Angeles City Mayor’s International Advisory Council; is a member of the Board of Governors of the Armenian American Museum that is currently under construction in Glendale; sits on the Southern California Regional Council of the Armenian Assembly of America, and is Vice-President of the Armenian International Women’s Association, Los Angeles Affiliate (AIWA-LA.) She is also a board member of the National Association of Armenian Scholars and Research and a board member of St. Nerses Seminary in New York. Margaret is a past chair of the Pasadena Community Foundation, a non-profit that serves as a depository for philanthropic funds which grant out over $1 million a year to Pasadena nonprofits.
• Meline Mailyan: Meline Mailyan, Esq. is an immigration attorney in Los Angeles. She has been a community activist and a human rights advocate for Armenian Genocide recognition in the United States for over a decade. She has been one of the forces in organizing the March for Justice in Hollywood for over 15 years. After the 44-day war of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, Meline co-founded the Center for T  no ruth and Justice (“CFTJ”), an organization consisting of a group of lawyers overseeing the collection of first hand testimonial evidence from war survivors via in-depth, recorded interviews.
• Salpy Akaragian: Salpy Akaragian, Ph.D., RN, NPD-BC, PHN, is the President and the Founder of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIM Fund), Founder and President of the Armenian American Nurses Association, Treasurer of the Armenian Medical International Committee (AMIC) and Former Nursing Director of UCLA Health. She was the US Partner Representative for USAID/AIHA grants from 1995-2004, directed multiple healthcare projects, and initiated reforms and developed programs in Armenia, such as the first Baccalaureate Equivalent Degree program in Nursing, setting up the primary healthcare clinic in Lori Region, and facilitated the formation of the Armenian Nurses Association in Armenia. Currently, she is preparing for the 26th medical mission to operate on 13 children for cochlear implants so they can hear for the first time.

To learn more about AARFA the “Armenian Melodies” float, and its riders, please visit the website, or follow AARFA on Instagram and Facebook. Tune in to the 135th Tournament of Roses will on January 1, 2024 at 8 a.m. PT.

The American Armenian Rose Parade Float Association’s mission is to promote and preserve Armenian culture and heritage through float design. AARFA strives to inspire, educate and raise awareness around the rich history, traditions and values of the Armenian community. Through its floats, AARFA hopes to foster unity, understanding and appreciation among people of all backgrounds and create lasting memories for generations to come.

AARFA is a nonprofit organization for the sole purpose of presenting to the world the American Armenian community’s achievements. Please help AARFA complete this tradition by donating online.

Days after Baku said that the border delimitation and demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan can be a separate process from the signing of a possible peace treaty, Yerevan signaled that it would not rule out such an option.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said that separating the two processes may be considered by Yerevan.

“I think that we can consider such an option because in terms of time it could take longer, perhaps even years. A country heading toward true peace won’t see any obstacle in such things,” Simonyan said, stressing that this is his personal opinion.

The border delimitation and demarcation could take very long, he added.

“Yes, I don’t rule out that such an option could be acceptable for Armenia,” Simonyan added.

Earlier this week, Hikmet Hajiyev, a top foreign policy adviser to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, told reporters in London that the two processes must be carried out on separate tracks, emphasizing that the border delimitation should not be linked with the peace deal.

“The 35-year-long conflict is now over,” Hajiyev said.

“The strategy for Azerbaijan now is to win peace. (This) requires action from both sides,” he added.

“A peace treaty is not rocket science,” Hajiyev said. “For Azerbaijan there are no longer obstacles on the way to a peace agenda.”

“Azerbaijan is ready to form a peace treaty with Armenia. For that reason, Azerbaijan has also suggested five fundamental principles and a text for a peace treaty. Currently, there are diplomatic engagements between Armenia and Azerbaijan in direct talks. I believe that Armenia and Azerbaijan have managed to surprise the world with a positive agenda. On December 7, the two countries made a joint statement expressing their intention to advance the peace agenda and implement confidence-building measures,” Hajiyev told reporters in London on Tuesday.

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NPR News: 12-22-2023 6PM EST