Azerbaijan commemorates 34th anniversary of 1990 ‘Black January’ tragedy Trend News Agency
Day: January 19, 2024
WRIGHTWOOD, Calif.—More than 100 Armenian Youth Federation Juniors gathered at AYF Camp over the weekend for an important educational experience. The theme of this year’s Winter Seminar was “Artsakh: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” providing an opportunity for participants to receive a comprehensive understanding of Artsakh’s history and the current challenges.
On Friday evening, participants arrived and kicked off the weekend with dinner and games, paving the way for an exciting and productive seminar. A total of 25 AYF members served as counselors throughout the weekend.
Seminar co-director Arick Gevorkian presented a detailed history of Artsakh and why it is critical to continue to fight for its independence.
Co-cirectors of the Winter Seminar Gev Iskajyan (left) and Arick Gevorkian
“The success of the AYF Juniors Winter Seminar is due to the ARF Juniors Central Council’s leadership, dedication and meticulous preparation,” he said. “I thank them for allowing me to be an integral part of the magical winter getaway and on the enrichment journey of our youth who will continue our mission and vision of having a thriving community and homeland through volunteerism, patriotism and activism.”
“In these difficult and trying times for the Armenian nation, nothing makes me more hopeful than seeing a young generation of AYF Juniors who are so connected to their homeland, their history and their cause. If this weekend and these youth are a snapshot of our future, I think the Armenian nation is in good hands,” stated Gev Iskajyan, Co-Director of the Winter Seminar.
AYF Juniors gathered at the camp fire pit
Attendees of the AYF Juniors Winter Seminar
Iskajyan provided a first-hand account about the current situation in Artsakh and the tragic events that unfolded during the last few years while he lived there. He stressed that the very existence of the Armenian nation is at stake and inspired participants to renew their commitment to their nation.
A dynamic discussion about the future of Artsakh was led by Raffi Hamparian, Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America. He focused on the power of grassroots activism and how AYF Juniors can become effective advocates for the Armenian cause.
The weekend ended with a revolutionary song night with guest singer Tro Krikorian. Participants went home inspired, determined, and ready to take on the challenges facing the Armenian nation today.
Tro Krikorian singing at AYF Camp during the AYF Juniors seminar
“AYF Winter Seminar was a blast! I had so much fun participating in exciting activities and making new friends. Our knowledgeable directors and guest speakers taught us about current happenings in our homeland and talked about their firsthand experiences, which was also very interesting,” said Allen Aslanyan, an 11-year-old participant from the Orange County Aghpuir Serop Chapter.
“My first year of seminar and the trip from San Francisco was well worth it. I enjoyed the staff and the time I spent with old and new friends,” said Karekin Andonian, 14-year-old member of the San Francisco AYF Rosdom Chapter.
“It’s with the AYF Juniors at Winter Seminar where my daughters feel most at home. They return inspired and more connected to their roots,” stated Patil DerHovagimian, a parent from the La Crescenta Karekin Njdeh chapter.
The Armenian Youth Federation Juniors strives to nourish its members with experiences, information, and resources to become ambitious and successful in their pursuit of civic, academic and career excellence, so they are best equipped to serve our communities, nation, and cause. We serve our mission through active participation in our communities and during weekly gatherings held at all ten of our chapters in the Western United States. For more information or to join, visit AYFJuniors.org, e-mail info@ayfjuniors.org.
On January 18, during an interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili asserted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and Members of the European Parliament had made false accusations against Georgia regarding the alleged torture of Saakashvili.
“Today, we learned that President Zelenskyy was lying when he was accusing Georgia of torturing Saakashvili; we learned that President Sandu was lying when she was accusing Georgia of torturing Saakashvili; we learned that the MEPs were lying when they were accusing Georgia of torturing Saakashvili,” Papuashvili asserted, citing the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) report on Saakashvili’s health as supporting evidence.
“Today, we found out that numerous Western politicians have embarrassed themselves in front of Georgia and its people by baselessly accusing Georgia of torturing Saakashvili,” Speaker Papuashvili continued, expressing the expectation, though he considered it unlikely, that these individuals, namely Zelenskyy, Sandu and the MEPs, would apologize.
Papuashvili said that doctors are to decide whether Saakashvili should be transfered to the penitentiary facility. He also asserted that there will be “no redemption” for Saakashvili and that he must be held accountable for his crimes before the Georgian people. “The victims of his regime deserve the rule of law to be upheld.”
The report prepared by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) was based on its visit to the Vivamed clinic in March 2023. The report says the situation in which ex-President Saakashvili is being held “is oppressive, degrading and not conducive to improving his health condition.”
The report reads: “As things stand at present, despite the overall acceptable living conditions and the availability of a range of medical specialists and treatments, the three secure wards of VivaMedi clinic fail to offer a proper therapeutic environment, due to the final word on all essential matters belonging to custodial (and not healthcare) staff and to the total lack of respect to patients’ privacy and medical confidentiality.”
Also Read:
- 14/07/2023 – MEPs Call on President, Parliament Speaker and PM to Transfer Saakashvili for Urgent Medical Treatment
- 03/07/2023 – President Zelensky Urges Georgian Authorities to Transfer Saakashvili to Ukraine, Instructs Summoning Georgian Ambassador
- 05/12/2022 – Moldovan President ‘Deeply Concerned’ for Saakashvili’s Health
On 18 January, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili spoke at a panel discussion entitled “New Dawn of Eurasia?” at the World Economic Forum 2024 in Davos, Switzerland. He devoted a large portion of his speech singing his own (and his government’s) praise for the country’s economic growth since Georgian Dream came to power. His address also focused on the development of key infrastructure for the Middle Corridor project, the upgrading of Georgia’s relations with China and the situation in the region.
Sino-Georgian relations
In 2023, Georgia established a strategic partnership with China, a move often criticized inside the country and met with weariness Georgia’s ng-time strategic partners, with whom the relations have been strained recently as it is. Nevertheless, as the Prime Minister commented to journalists after the panel: “all European countries, the European Union as a whole, are interested in deepening economic and trade relations with China, so it is in our interest to think about the interests of our nation as well”.
During the panel discussion, Garibashvili stressed the importance of China’s interest in the development of the Middle Corridor. He noted: “I had a very successful trip to China last year. I met with President Xi Jinping and we decided to raise our partnership to a strategic level… The [Chinese] President expressed interest in the Middle Corridor, and I think that will give more impetus and energy to the development of this idea”.
Additionally, speaking to journalists, the Prime Minister noted that at the dinner event titled “Building Tomorrow’s Europe” held the day before the panel, the participating economists and experts assessed the economic situation in the world and predicted a 3% growth of the world economy in 2024. “Of course, the rapid growth of the Chinese economy is of great importance, which will also have a spillover effect on other regions and the global economy as a whole,” – said the Prime Minister, noting the importance of strategic partnership with China for the further development of the Georgian economy.
Developing the Middle Corridor
PM Garibashvili spoke about the importance of connectivity for the region, highlighting Georgia’s commitment to developing the Middle Corridor project throughout the year.
“Two years ago, together with our Kazakh and Azerbaijani colleagues, we signed a very important roadmap. We- Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia- have a very clear and definite plan for the development of this corridor, and we know what needs to be done – the expansion of port infrastructure, increasing productivity, modernization of railways, development of airports and road infrastructure, and so on,” – noted the Prime Minister.
Garibashvili on Georgia’s infrastructure projects
The Prime Minister spoke of the establishment of the deep sea port of Anaklia on the Black Sea coast of Georgia, the doubling of the railway capacity to 48 million tons and the construction of new airports to turn Georgia into an aviation hub as the future goals of the Georgian Government. “Because of its location, Georgia has a full potential to develop and position itself as an aviation hub as well,” PM said.
He in particular said: “I will share with you the recent updates about these very important projects. This year we want to start the construction of a new deep sea port in Anaklia on the Georgian coast of the Black Sea. Also, railway modernization is in progress. It will be completed this year and its throughput capacity will be doubled in Georgia. It will reach more than 48 million tons. We are also going to start the construction of a new airport, because we want to position ourselves as an aviation hub. Because of its location, Georgia has a full potential to develop and position itself as an aviation hub as well.”
According to Garibashvili, the East-West Highway and several others will be completed this year, while other major initiatives will be completed within two years.
Situation in the region
During the panel, the Garibashvili talked about the security situation in the region and Georgia’s relations with the neighboring states. He emphasized that 20% of Georgia’s territory has been occupied by Russia since 2008 and noted that “regardless of this security challenge, our government managed to achieve an unprecedented and uninterrupted decade of peace and stability, which brought prosperity and economic growth to Georgia. Since we regained our independence, we have never experienced such a peaceful and stable situation in Georgia, like it is now.”
Regarding the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Georgian Prime Minister noted his “successful efforts” in mediation last year, adding: “It’s a very complex situation. I understand that there are many players in this region and what I want to add to that is that I know the position of both leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia. They want to deal with each other on a bilateral level. Personally, I think that this is the right thing to do, because with all these stakeholders and mediators, it sometimes becomes more conflicting and counter-productive. Therefore, I wish them all the best. I very much hope that they will find a solution and sign the Peace Agreement soon.”
As for Georgia-EU relations, the Prime Minister thanked the leaders of the EU countries for the “historic decision” of granting Georgia the EU Candidate Status, once again underlining the Georgian Dream’s “enormous efforts” on the EU integration path. “This is a huge achievement of our Government,” – Garibashvili said.
Newfound friendship
Prime Minister Garibashvili seemed to have developed a new friendship during his participation in the forum. During the panel discussion, his co-panelist Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, didn’t not spare compliments for Garibashvili and his government’s achievements. Both leaders referred to each other as “dear friends” on several occasions and Garibashvili starting his speech with congratulating Vučić, “on his great victory”.
Vučić, spoke highly of the economic results of Irakli Garibashvili’s government and indirectly criticized the former government of Georgia noting that when Georgia was considered to be a rising star in the “sky of European geopolitics”, its economic growth rate did not exceed 1.5% and lamenting that no one talks about the achievements of the Garibashvili government.
He also dismissed those who criticize the Garibashvili government for cozying up to China, saying that he also faced the same questions and stressing that Garibashvili “should work for the good of his country” which according to Vučić Georgian PM can’t do successfully without Chinese investments “and without very close cooperation with them [the Chinese].”
Aleksandar Vučić is one of the few European leaders who has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Vučić appears to have joined the Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, in praising the Georgian Dream government, against the backdrop of declining popularity for Garibashvili and his government in Europe.
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