Category Archives: Armenia
Webinar: Crisis in Armenia’s Russia-Only Security Doctrine Part II
Join regional experts Lilit Gevorgyan and Armen Kharazian for “PART II: CRISIS IN ARMENIA’S RUSSIA-ONLY SECURITY DOCTRINE” – the second in the What’s Next series of discussions on the post-war Armenian reality.
Gevorgyan and Kharazian will frame the 44-day catastrophe and its aftermath within a wider context to help better understand the contours of a world where Russian and Armenian interests might diverge on fundamental issues.
Topics to be covered:
• Key Armenia-Russia security, defense and border protection treaties; collective security arrangements under Russia-led military bloc CSTO
• The application of Armenia-Russia security treaties during the 44-Day War; consequences of the 2016 transfer of air defense capabilities to Russia
• Armenia-Russia border protections treaties and Azerbaijan’s creeping annexation of Armenian territories
• Armenia’s quality of governance and policy-making and its impact on the country’s national security
• Armenia’s future under the “Russia-centered” security doctrine: opportunities and risks
• What can be done to mitigate current risks and manage future crises
Register now to participate in this timely discussion.
This event is sponsored by:
Ararat-Eskijian Museum
Armenian Bar Association
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party-Ramgavars
Armenian Network of America-Greater NY
Daughters of Vartan-Sahaganoush Otyag
Justice Armenia
Knights of Vartan-Bakradouny Lodge
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)-Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series on Contemporary Armenian Issues
St. Leon Armenian Church
Armenian American Community Bids Farewell to Armenian Ambassador to the U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Embassy in Washington, DC hosted a farewell reception on Monday, July 19, for Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan and his family, upon the completion of his tenure as the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America. Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan has been reassigned as Ambassador to Great Britain, effective August 1.
Participants wishing Ambassador Nersesyan farewell included officials from U.S. State Department, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Armenian Caucus Vice-Chair Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy of Armenia to the U.S. Ara Margarian, Los Angeles Consul General Ambassador Dr. Armen Baibourtian, Armenia’s Honorary Consul in Fresno Berj Apkarian, Armenia’s Honorary Consul in Chicago Oscar Tatosian, Nagorno Karabakh representative to the United States Robert Avetisyan, former U.S. Secretary of Navy Paul Ignatius, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans, Middlesex County (Massachusetts) Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, current and former State Department staff, Archbishop of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Eastern) Bishop Daniel Findikyan, and Armenian American community leaders from the greater Washington, DC metro area.
Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan opened the program, followed by Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of European and Eurasian affairs of State Department John Armstrong, Rep. Speier, and Ambassador Nersesyan.
Bishop Findikyan spoke of the personal friendship that emerged between Ambassador Nersesyan, Bishop Daniel, and Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian during their weekly conference calls. “The Ambassador initiated these weekly meetings when he first took up his role in the U.S., during which we would update one another on current events in Armenia and in our communities. It’s been a great privilege to cultivate such a close relationship.” He blessed the Nersesyan family as the Ambassador moves on to a new mission in service to our homeland.
In his remarks Ambassador Nersesyan reflected about his mission in the USA in his capacity as an Ambassador of Armenia, highlighting some landmark achievements including: Armenian Genocide recognition; a new elevated format of Armenia-US bilateral relations and strategic dialogue; cultural diplomacy through Armenian Odyssey, and the upcoming exhibition on Artsakh at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. He also emphasized challenges caused by COVID-19 and Azeri-Turkish aggression against Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh during the past year.
“The Armenian American community is grateful to the service and many contributions that ambassador Nersessian spearheaded and implemented during his brief but successful tenure as Armenia’s ambassador to the United States. We congratulate him on his accomplishments and wish him and his family the best in their next assignment.” stated FLArmenians.com Editor Taniel Koushakjian.
Armenian Assembly of America Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian Travels to Armenia, Meets with Government Leaders
Washington, DC – Anthony Barsamian, Co-Chair of the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly), traveled to Armenia and met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and former President Robert Kocharyan this summer.
Joined by the Assembly’s Regional Office Director Arpi Vartanian, the meeting focused on relations between Armenia and the United States. Barsamian stated that the Assembly will continue its efforts to enhance Armenian American activism based on mutually shared values.
During the meeting, Barsamian also extended his condolences to the Armenian Republic and families of the soldiers killed in the Artsakh war last Fall.
While in Armenia, Barsamian was interviewed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, where he elaborated on U.S.-Armenia relations under the Biden Administration and its increased humanitarian assistance and involvement in the region. He commented on the importance of building infrastructure in Armenia, alongside U.S. partnership, to assist in strengthening Armenia’s security and prosperity.
Regarding the post-war situation, Barsamian urged for the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and intensified efforts from the OSCE Minsk Group to negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement. Barsamian cited security as the primary issue for Armenia at the moment.
Despite the milestone of U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, Barsamian noted the work of the Assembly carries on as the international trend of affirmation continues. Barsamian also noted the importance of Turkey coming to terms with its past.
“This visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen relations and discuss current developments in Armenia and the United States as we all work toward a secure and peaceful Armenia and Artsakh,” said Assembly Regional Director Arpi Vartanian.
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