Day: March 19, 2024

Secretary General in Armenia: stability in the South Caucasus matters to NATO

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date March 19, 2024

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg concluded his tour of the South Caucasus on Tuesday (19 March 2024) in Yerevan, Armenia where he met with President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Mr Stoltenberg praised Armenia for its long-standing partnership and contributions to NATO operations, including increased troop numbers in KFOR’s peacekeeping mission. “For nearly 20 years, Armenia has been a key partner in NATO’s KFOR peacekeeping mission, helping to ensure a safe and secure environment for all communities in Kosovo,” he said.

On stability in the South Caucasus, the Secretary General urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach an agreement to pave the way for the normalisation of relations and a durable peace. “This matters for Euro-Atlantic security as we face a more dangerous world,” he emphasised, reiterating that “NATO supports Armenian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and your peaceful aspirations.”

The Secretary General warned that “Russia’s war in Ukraine is a sobering reminder that we cannot take peace for granted… If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, there is a real risk that his aggression will not stop there and other authoritarian actors will be emboldened,” he said. Mr Stoltenberg called on all NATO partners to “do what they can to ensure Putin does not win his war of aggression.” “The situation on the battlefield remains difficult, but this is a reason to step up, not to scale back our support,” he said.

During his visit, the Secretary General discussed the progress in Armenia’s domestic reforms. He highlighted Armenia’s commitment to ensuring democratic control of its armed forces, including by participating in NATO’s building integrity programme. “You have also shown a real commitment to tackling corruption, strengthening your democratic institutions, and upholding the rule of law,” he concluded.

Selected Articles

Secretary General in Armenia: stability in the South Caucasus matters to NATO

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date March 19, 2024

South Caucasus News

Gev Iskajyan Joins ANCA as National Grassroots Director

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date March 19, 2024

ANCA National Grassroots Director Gev Iskajyan will work closely with ANCA regional and local teams, advocates and pro-Armenian allies to empower communities and expand Armenian American civic engagement across the U.S.

WASHINGTON–The Armenian National Committee of America welcomed Gev Iskajyan as its national grassroots director during Capitol Hill advocacy days last week as part of its ongoing commitment to expand Armenian American participation in federal, state and local policy-making and build coalitions to advance pro-Artsakh/Armenia and community priorities.

“We are excited to welcome Gev Iskajyan to lead our national grassroots development effort, as we embark on a bold new journey to fortify our local communities and amplify the Armenian American voice across the United States,” stated ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian. “With Gev’s leadership, working closely with our regional and local chapters, we forge ahead, united in our commitment to empower our people and advance our common cause. Together, we will build new and stronger bridges, elevate voices and ensure that our presence resonates with elected officials across our nation,” the ANCA Chairman added.

Iskajyan has spent the last two years in Artsakh serving as the Executive Director of the ANC Artsakh — working on diplomatic efforts abroad, shedding light on the plight of the people in Artsakh and helping with relief efforts in the homeland. Iskajyan has previously served on the ANCA Western Region Board, chaired the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Western U.S. and served as editor of AYF’s Haytoug Magazine. As a member of the All-ASA board in 2016, Iskajyan helped spearhead the Divest Turkey initiative. On the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, Iskajyan served as Executive Director of the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee, which brought together over 100,000 Armenian Americans and allies for the ‘March for Justice.’ Iskajyan has also written for numerous publications, including Time Magazine and Newsweek, and has been featured by outlets such as CNN, BBC, Politico and the LA Times. He attended Cal Poly University – Pomona, where he studied political science and philosophy.

“To be part of the ANCA and its storied legacy is both an honor and a privilege. As we go through trying times for the Armenian nation, our advocacy and work will be more vital than ever. We will not only be working to maintain and strengthen our communities and chapters throughout the United States but also expanding our reach and influence as we galvanize our communities, inspire new advocates and stand up new chapters throughout the nation,” Iskajyan said.

Iskajyan will be working closely with ANC chapters, advocates and pro-Armenian allies across the United States to advance the ANCA’s federal policy priorities and explore new initiatives on the state and local levels. In the upcoming months, he will be crisscrossing the country for community speaking engagements and meetings with local chapters, organizations and youth groups to best leverage the ANCA’s nationwide network and expand Armenian American civic participation.

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ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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