Day: April 5, 2024

On April 5, the Chairpersons of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of twelve European states issued a joint statement expressing “deep concern” over the reintroduction of the “so-called Russian law on foreign agents.” They said it was a “hostile step against the European aspirations of the Georgian people and their future” and urged the Government to withdraw it from parliamentary consideration.

The Chairpersons said the law was “designed to stigmatize and weaken Georgia’s vibrant pro-European civil society and NGO sector.” They argued it “severely undermines Georgia’s hard-won European perspective and candidate status” since the enabling environment for independent associations and media “is at the core of democracy and crucial for the success of Georgia’s European integration.”

The Chairpersons emphasize that Georgia was granted the status of an EU candidate country on the condition that it would implement 12 steps outlined by the European Commission, recalling that only three steps have been implemented to date. They also remind the authorities in Tbilisi that the remaining conditions include the freedom of operation of civil society and the fight against disinformation against the EU and its values.

The Chairpersons “urge the ruling Georgian Dream party to withdraw it from parliamentary deliberations,” reiterating their support towards Georgia’s EU aspirations. They note that they “expect that Georgia upholds its commitment to the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights” and “sincerely hope that the Georgian government will once again demonstrate its maturity and determination to integrate into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, guided by the values of Western liberal democracy. The future of the Georgian people is at stake.”

Also Read:

• 05/04/2024 – Germany Warns “Foreign Influence” Draft Puts EU Membership at Risk
• 05/04/2024 – MPs Call on European Commission to Monitor GD Decisions’ Compatibility with EU Candidate Status
• 05/04/2024 – US State Department Spokesperson: Deeply Concerned that Bill will Derail Georgia from European Path

YEREVAN—The Armenia Project (TAP), a new non-profit focused on journalism, media and communications, announced its official launch and unveiled its website. Since soft-launching in 2023, TAP has already made significant strides in telling Armenia’s complex and fascinating story, with the broad mission of promoting the country’s democratic and economic development.

Based in Armenia with a growing global network, TAP was founded with three core areas of focus: facilitating journalist travel from across the globe to report on Armenia firsthand; impactful storytelling about Armenia’s rich culture, heritage and geopolitical realities, in traditional and new media; and investing in young journalists, influencers and media professionals, both in-country and from abroad, through internships, trainings and mentoring.

“Armenia is a nascent democracy that boasts a vibrant economy, spectacular cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty,” said Edele Hovnanian, president of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, which founded TAP as the first organization of its kind. “Our goal is to seed that inspiring story globally and support journalists, media professionals, researchers and students to learn more about this extraordinarily unique country, and to develop the connections to ensure that Armenia’s perspective, along with its regional and geopolitical realities, are covered accurately in the Western media.”

The idea behind TAP was incubated shortly after the 2020 War by the H. Hovnanian Foundation and the Tufenkian Foundation collaborating with a small team of global communications professionals working together as volunteers. TAP continues to partner with the Tufenkian Foundation on related projects.

In the last year, TAP has spearheaded a series of initiatives that have shed light on regional geopolitical dynamics, Armenia’s cultural richness, its growing tech sector and its thriving tourism landscape. These are all in marked contrast to the familiar but oversimplified and incomplete narrative of a small, landlocked former Soviet Republic beset by conflicts with neighbors.

TAP’s notable achievements to date include facilitating trips for journalists from diverse backgrounds, countering the relative lack of foreign media presence in Armenia. These visits have begun elevating Armenia’s profile on a global stage and fostering a deeper understanding of its challenges and opportunities. TAP has also helped publish op-eds and articles in leading international news outlets and major media; these pieces were further amplified on social media.

“There is much more to Armenia than headlines about conflict and unfair media coverage driven by the misinformation put forth by neighboring aggressors,” explained TAP Board chair Arda Nazerian, a strategic communications advisor who has long volunteered her professional skills to Armenian causes she’s passionate about. “For years, many of us knew that accurate, timely and relevant stories about Armenia weren’t being told, for many reasons. TAP is working strategically to patiently, methodically and impactfully change all that.”

TAP’s commitment to education and professional development is evident in an ongoing series of workshops, panels and webinars, which have drawn the participation of journalists, academics and thought leaders. Among them was a state-of-journalism webinar in November 2023, “Gaza, Ukraine, and Nagorno-Karabakh: The Challenges of Covering Conflict Today,” held in collaboration with the American University of Armenia Media Lab and the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, and a lecture just last month titled “The Fake-News Quagmire: Why We’re In It and How to Get Out.” Training sessions have included workshops on how to engage journalists on newsworthy stories, how to develop thoughtful, timely and relevant opinion pieces, how to seed Armenia’s story across the burgeoning social media ecosystem, and how local journalists can get published in the international media.

TAP board member Tatiana Der Avedissian, a communications and sustainability expert who volunteers her time to support multiple charitable endeavors, reinforced the importance of bridging the knowledge gap about Armenia through education and storytelling. “Armenia’s charm lures you in as soon as you’re on the ground. We want to ensure that as many journalists and thought leaders as possible, including the leaders of tomorrow, experience Armenia. The country boasts a remarkable history dating back thousands of years, a fantastic contemporary culture and thriving economy that make it such an appealing place to visit again and again. Only through powerful storytelling and engagement can the world understand the true wonder of Armenia.”

TAP’s other early achievements include:

• Serving as an advisor to international and local organizations operating in the communications space in Armenia, providing strategic and practical guidance from TAP’s global network;
• Nurturing the next generation of journalists through TAP’s international internship program. To date TAP has hosted interns from prestigious universities and journalism programs, including University of Southern California’s Annenberg School, the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, and King’s College London, facilitating valuable hands-on experiences and forging strong partnerships. TAP aims to expand its internship program and welcome four new interns in the Summer of 2024;
• Placing full-page advertisements in the Washington Post and New York Times during the UN General Assembly and U.S. Senate hearings on Azerbaijan’s blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023;
• Establishing a voice in important discussions through close collaborations with Armenia-based English language new sites EVN Report and CivilNet as well as the American University of Armenia’s new Media Lab. TAP advises external partners in the communications space as they develop their own Armenia-related projects;
• Enhancing the capabilities of communications and public relations professionals striving to elevate global storytelling and strategic communications efforts about Armenia.

With the official launch of TAP, its website will serve as a hub for its activities and resources, providing an intuitive and informative experience for users.

The Armenia Project is an educational non-profit that promotes the democratic and economic development of Armenia by advancing the country’s communications ecosystem, ensuring it is robust, accurate and impactful to more effectively share its real story with the international community. Through strategic programs and diverse partnerships, TAP raises global awareness about Armenia and the region. To learn more about TAP, visit the website.

A map of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s Cows’ Garden

Representatives of Jerusalem’s Armenian community issued an appeal urging the international community to help put an end to the continued attacks and protect the rights of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s historic Cows’ Garden.

Below is their statement.

We are representatives of the Jerusalemite Armenian Community, which includes social, charitable, youth and political clubs and associations and, of course, the SavetheArQ movement. We urgently appeal to the international community for support in safeguarding the historical Armenian Quarter at a terribly crucial moment for our Community.

Recent actions by the Israeli police have added a dangerous layer to the already- existential threats we are facing. Despite ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Armenian Community seeking to nullify the illegal transaction involving the Cows’ Garden property, the Israeli police have now joined Israeli settlers to actively escalate tensions, forcefully change the facts on the ground, and critically endanger our 1600-year-old presence in Jerusalem. To be clear, we declare in one united voice that any transaction regarding the Cows’ Garden is void, threatens our existence as a community, and violates our property rights. The very existence of the Armenian Patriarchate and the Armenian Community of Jerusalem is now under historic threat.

We implore the international community to recognize the significance of our cultural and historical heritage in Jerusalem and to stand with us in defense of our rights to exist as Armenians in Jerusalem. The Armenian Quarter is not merely a geographical location; it is a symbol of our enduring presence and identity. Any encroachment upon it not only undermines our Community and Patriarchate, but it also threatens to destroy the very tapestry of the Old City.

We call upon all concerned parties—including heads of state, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and advocates for human rights—to raise the public profile of this existential crisis, unite in solidarity with us, and exert maximum

efforts to halt further encroachments into Armenian properties and preserve the Status Quo in the Armenian Quarter.

We also call upon all those who care about the integrity of Jerusalem, its history, and the viability of all of its communities to demand that the Government of Israel order the Israeli Police to cease aiding, abetting, and even spearheading the company’s assault on the Armenian community, the Armenian Quarter, and the seizure of the community’s precious properties.

They are armed. We are not. The rule of law—not illegal and forceful encroachment of Israeli settlers aided by the Israeli state police—must prevail. Our physical security, the pending legal processes, and the status quo must be protected. Right now, all are in jeopardy because of the actions taken by the Israeli police and settlers.

The protection and preservation of our heritage are not only a duty but also a testament to the shared values of respect, tolerance, and cultural diversity that must be upheld in Jerusalem.

Save The ArQ Movement
Jerusalem Armenian Benevolent Union
Armenian Young Men’s Society Hoyetchmen Club
Homenetmen Club
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party
Armenian Relief Society