massispost

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/we-do-not-spy-nor-do-we-harm-anyone-head-of-the-eu-monitoring-mission/

"We Do Not Spy, Nor Do We Harm Anyone" – Head of the EU Monitoring Mission

YEREVAN — The European Union Monitoring Mission in Armenia marks its two-year anniversary, along with the extension of its mandate for another two years. Mission Head Markus Ritter stated that over the past two years, more than 4,500 patrols have been conducted. He also noted that, thanks to this cooperation, there have been fewer incidents along Armenia’s borders compared to two years ago. According to him, the situation at the border remains calm, but both Armenia and Azerbaijan are engaged in fortification activities. “I cannot say what the parties are preparing for, but both sides are carrying out fortification work…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/azerbaijans-staged-trial-of-armenians-a-political-tool-against-armenia/

Azerbaijan's Staged Trial of Armenians: A Political Tool Against Armenia

YEREVAN – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia has issued a statement regarding the “trial” in Azerbaijan of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and detainees. The statement highlights reports of torture and deteriorating health among the detainees, including Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently on a hunger strike. The Novosti-Armenia news agency provides the full text of the statement: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia continues to draw the attention of the international community—particularly those partners committed to regional peace and humanitarian values—to the issue of the unlawful detention of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/fugitive-armenian-blogger-reported-in-ice-custody/

Fugitive Armenian Blogger Reported in ICE Custody

HENDERSON, NV — U.S. immigration authorities appear to have detained a notorious Armenian blogger with political ambitions who is wanted in Armenia for alleged fraud, extortion and calls for violence. The 47-year-old man, Vartan Ghukasyan, is a former police officer who emigrated to the United States about a decade ago. He has since attracted large audiences on YouTube with his hard-hitting and opinionated comments on political developments in Armenia. He has commonly used extreme profanities to attack both Armenia’s current rulers and their mainstream political opponents in his videos. In early 2023, Armenian law-enforcement authorities issued an international arrest warrant…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/president-vahagn-khachaturyan-meets-with-argentine-president-javier-milei/

President Vahagn Khachaturyan Meets with Argentine President Javier Milei

BUENOS AIRES — As part of his working visit to the Republic of Argentina, President of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, met with President of Argentina, Javier Milei. During the meeting, the leaders conducted a comprehensive discussion on Argentina’s current economic situation and the systemic reforms being implemented by President Milei’s administration. The heads of state also addressed recent developments in the South Caucasus region. President Khachaturyan presented Armenia’s clear stance on the peace process and the progress achieved in this direction. To enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, the discussion covered opportunities for expanding trade and…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/nune-melikian-to-present-arno-babadjanian-an-armenian-beat-in-soviet-time-at-naasr/

Nuné Melikian to Present “Arno Babadjanian: An Armenian Beat in Soviet Time” at NAASR

BELMONT, MA — The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) will host a hybrid (in-person and online) lecture by Dr. Nuné Melikian titled “Arno Babadjanian: An Armenian Beat in Soviet Time,” on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern) / 4:30 (Pacific), at the NAASR Vartan Gregorian Building, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA. The program is co-sponsored by the Mashtots Chair in Armenian Studies at Harvard University, Friends of Armenian Culture Society (FACS), and Tekeyan Cultural Association—Boston Chapter.  It is open to all free of charge, and a reception and book signing will follow the program. This…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/two-key-points-in-the-peace-agreement-remain-unresolved-says-pashinyan/

Two Key Points in the Peace Agreement Remain Unresolved, Says Pashinyan

YEREVAN — Two unresolved points in the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain outstanding, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated in response to a question from Azatutyun during a parliamentary session. Yesterday, Yerevan received Baku’s response regarding the peace treaty. The Prime Minister noted that this is the 12th revision of the agreement: “It contains Azerbaijan’s response to our previous feedback and proposals, which we are now analyzing to formulate counterproposals.” When asked whether Azerbaijan had accepted Yerevan’s proposals concerning the two unresolved points, Pashinyan replied: “The two unresolved points in the document remain the same. As long as…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/armenian-army-chief-discusses-defense-cooperation-in-greece/

Armenian Army Chief Discusses Defense Cooperation in Greece

ATHENS — A delegation led by Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Edward Asryan, is on an official visit to Greece. During the visit, Asryan held meetings with Greece’s Minister of National Defense, Nikolaos Dendias, and Chief of the General Staff, Dimitrios Choupis. Both meetings focused on Armenia-Greece defense cooperation and regional security issues. The Greek Minister of National Defense reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to supporting Armenia’s military reforms. Acknowledging the progress made in bilateral cooperation, Asryan and Choupis reviewed the work completed so far and outlined future plans. Discussions also included…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/armenia-retains-partly-free-status-in-freedom-houses-2025-report/

Armenia Retains ��Partly Free” Status in Freedom House’s 2025 Report

WASHINGTON, DC — The international human rights organization Freedom House has released its annual report, Freedom in the World 2025, in which Armenia remains classified as a “partly free” country. According to the report, Armenia scored 54 out of 100 points, maintaining its position from last year. In the “Political Rights” category, the country received 23 out of 40 points, while in the “Civil Liberties” category, it earned 31 out of 60 points. Among Armenia’s regional neighbors, only Georgia was also classified as “partly free”, scoring 55 points. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan (7), Iran (11), and Turkey (33) were designated as “not…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/sumgait-massacres-in-1988-marked-the-beginning-of-large-scale-atrocities-against-armenians-ministry-of-foreign-affairs/

Sumgait Massacres in 1988 Marked the Beginning of Large-scale Atrocities Against Armenians: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

YEREVAN — On the 37th anniversary of the Armenian pogroms in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, the Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement urging efforts to overcome hostility to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies. “From February 27 to 29, 1988, a series of crimes were committed in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, marking the beginning of large-scale pogroms against the Armenian population. These attacks, clearly organized and supported by the state, escalated decades of oppression and persecution into open, systematic violence,” the statement read. The Foreign Ministry recalled that the mass killings and torture of Armenians, which began in Sumgait, continued with the same brutality…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/armenian-government-approves-150-million-loan-guarantees-for-amulsar-gold-mine/

Armenian Government Approves $150 Million Loan Guarantees for Amulsar Gold Mine

YEREVAN – The Armenian government has approved $150 million in loan guarantees for a U.S.-Canadian company to help revive operations at the Amulsar gold mine. The company, now known as Lydian Canada Ventures, had planned to commence open-pit mining at the Amulsar gold deposit in late 2018, aiming to produce 210,000 ounces of gold annually—valued at approximately $550 million at current international prices. This was more than two years after securing the necessary licenses from Armenia’s former government. However, operations were disrupted when environmental protesters blocked all access roads to Amulsar following the Velvet Revolution of April-May 2018. Protesters argued…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/western-diocese-launches-church-leadership-orientation-program/

Western Diocese Launches Church Leadership Orientation Program

BURBANK, CA—The Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, under the leadership of the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, has launched a Church Leadership Orientation Program for its more than one thousand local parish and diocesan leaders. The program is designed to inspire and empower parish council members, diocesan delegates, parish and diocesan committee members, Sunday and Saturday schools staff members, altar servers, and others serving in leadership positions throughout the Western Diocese.  This new program aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the Church’s Faith, spiritual mission, rich traditions, cultural heritage and governance. “We want to make sure that…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/foreclosure-of-armenian-patriarchate-properties-threatens-christians-in-the-holy-land-opinion/

Foreclosure of Armenian Patriarchate Properties Threatens Christians in the Holy Land - Opinion

The municipality’s move is not just a legal or financial issue but a matter of great concern for the future of the Christian presence in Jerusalem. By BEDROSS DER MATOSSIAN In a stunning escalation that threatens to upend centuries of sacred stewardship, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem now faces an existential crisis as the city threatens to foreclose on its properties. Disputed tax claims may force the auction of estates that have long been the lifeblood of Jerusalem’s Christian heritage. This not only endangers the survival of a venerable institution but also imperils the historic Status Quo that has safeguarded the delicate balance of…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/a-new-release-from-haigazian-university-press-the-settlement-of-armenian-refugees-in-syria-and-lebanon-1919-1939-by-dr-tom-greenshields/

A New Release from Haigazian University Press: The Settlement of Armenian Refugees in Syria and Lebanon, 1919-1939, by Dr. Tom Greenshields

BEIRUT — The book focuses on the consequences of the Franco-Turkish agreement of October 20, 1921, which led to the second exile of the Armenians who had gathered in Cilicia with the hope of the proclamation of an Armenian state as the realization of their dream of homeland, after their genocidal tribulations by the Ottoman government and the leadership of the Committee for Union and Progress. However, the dream was shattered by the above-mentioned agreement, which handed over Cilicia to the rising state of Turkey under Mustafa Kemal. Consequently, the Armenians were left with no choice but to flee the…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/armenia-denies-that-zangezur-corridor-and-constitution-are-disputed-points-in-the-unresolved-peace-agreement/

Armenia Denies that 'Zangezur Corridor' and Constitution Are Disputed Points in the Unresolved Peace Agreement

YEREVAN – Armenia has denied claims that the “Zangezur Corridor” and the Constitution are among two unresolved points in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement, as stated by the Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Ruben Rubinyan, in a response to Azerbaijan’s Deputy Speaker, Ziyafet Asgarov. “These points are not discussed in the peace treaty,” Rubinyan told Liberty Radio, referring to Asgarov’s claims regarding the unresolved parts of the peace deal. “The two unresolved points concern the topics of the deployment of third-party forces at the border and complaints made by both sides in international legal institutions. This has also been confirmed…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/armenian-and-iranian-foreign-ministers-discuss-efforts-to-secure-peace-in-the-south-caucasus/

Armenian and Iranian Foreign Ministers Discuss Efforts to Secure Peace in the South Caucasus

GENEVA — On February 24 in Geneva, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The meeting took place as part of a session of the UN Human Rights Council. The ministers discussed agenda items concerning bilateral relations. They emphasized their readiness to take practical steps toward the continuous development of cooperation between the two countries and reviewed ongoing work and upcoming programs in various sectors. The meeting also explored the potential for cooperation in different formats. Mirzoyan and Araghchi exchanged views on regional developments and discussed efforts aimed at ensuring stability and lasting peace…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/armenia-values-its-partnership-with-germany-pm-pashinyan-congratulates-merz-on-election-victory/

Armenia Values Its Partnership with Germany: PM Pashinyan Congratulates Merz on Election Victory

YEREVAN – Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Friedrich Merz and his CDU/CSU alliance on their election victory. “Armenia deeply values its partnership with Germany, including within the framework of the European Union, and looks forward to further strengthening our multifaceted cooperation founded on our shared commitment to democracy,” said PM Pashinyan. Friedrich Merz’s CDU/CSU conservative alliance won the general election with 28.6% of the vote, according to preliminary results announced by Germany’s federal electoral body, Deutsche Welle reports. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 20.8% of the vote, marking the party’s strongest performance to date at the…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/02/foreign-minister-ararat-mirzoyan-condemns-mock-trials-of-nagorno-karabakh-leaders-in-azerbaijan/

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan Condemns Mock Trials of Nagorno-Karabakh Leaders in Azerbaijan

GENEVA – On Monday, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan condemned the trials of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders jailed in Azerbaijan during a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. “The mock trials against 23 Armenian individuals—who are arbitrarily detained—are taking place in Azerbaijan with a disregard for human rights standards for due process,” Mirzoyan said at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council. The defendants, who face a long list of charges, include three former Karabakh presidents—Araik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arkady Ghukasyan—and Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian billionaire who briefly served as Karabakh’s prime minister. All were captured by…