Massis Hebdo

Massis Weekly Volume 44, No. 20 Saturday, May 25, 2024 Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 Security Council Secretary: ‘Not an Inch of Armenian Land Ceded to Azerbaijan’ YEREVAN — Not an inch of Armenian land has been ceded to Azerbaijan during the border delimitation process, Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan stated on Friday. Representatives of Yerevan and Baku signed a border delimitation protocol on Wednesday that recreated the old border between Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan, based on a 1976 map. The border will separate the Armenian settlements of Baghanis, Voskepar, Kirants and Berkaber in the Tavush province from the abandoned Azerbaijani villages named Baganis Ayrum, Asagi ?skipara, Xeyrimli, and Qizilhacili. “Until now, we had our troops in this area, and the communities had no access to their land as our military had its positions there. Now that our armed forces are withdrawing from this area, the lands become accessible to the local villagers, enabling them to work on those,” Grigoryan said as he spoke to the Public Television of Armenia. He referred to the delimitation process as “successful”, and said this portion of the border is an important test case that proves that further border delimitation will continue to refer to the 1976 maps. Grigoryan also commented on Delimitation an Important Milestone for Reinforcement of Sovereignty and Independence – PM Pashinyan YEREVAN (Armradio) — Delimitation of the border in the section of four villages is a great success, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the government sitting today. First, he said, it is an important milestone for further development and reinforcement of our sovereignty and independence. “Second, for the first time since the independence our republic has an officially delimited border, which will considerably increase the level of security not only in the section of the mentioned villages, but also all along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border,” PM Pashinyan said. He reminded that the delimitation was carried out on the basis of 1976 maps, the latest Soviet maps of de jure importance. “Our principled stance in the process was to reproduce the borders de jure existing at the time of USSR collapse rather than create new ones. For this purpose we were referring to the Alma-Ata Declaration,” he said. The Prime Minister said the principle will work for the delimitation of other sections of Armenia-Azerbaijan border. “I am convinced that we have made a decision which is an important milestone on the path of implementation of our strategic goal announced back in 2019. That strategic goal is to create conditions for the endurance of the sovereign and independent Republic of Armenia. One of the conditions has been ensured,” PM Pashinyan state. On May 15, 2024, the 9th meeting of the Commission on Delimitation and Border Security of the State Border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was held on the border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev. During the meeting, the Commissions, in accordance with the Protocol of the the 8th meeting dated April 19, 2024, discussed the accomplished work and, taking into account the adjustment of coordinates based on the geodetic measurements on the ground, in accordance with the 1976 topographic map of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces, that passed duty procedure in 1979, agreed on the Protocol-description of the borderline sections immediately between the settlements of Baghanis (Republic of Armenia) – Baghanis Ayrum (Republic of Azerbaijan), Voskepar (Republic of Armenia) – Ashaghi Askipara (Republic of Azerbaijan), Kirants (Republic of Armenia) – Kheyrimli (Republic of Azerbaijan) and Berkaber (Republic of Armenia) – Ghizilhajili (Republic of Azerbaijan), in order to bring them into compliance with the legally justified interrepublican border that existed within the Soviet Union at the moment of its dissolution. A Protocol was signed on the meeting results. The sides agreed to set the date and the place of the next meeting of the Commissions in working order. Armenian Government Extends Condolences on Death of Iranian President YEREVAN — Armenia’s political leadership expressed on Monday condolences over the deaths of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. The deaths were announced early in the morning after Iranian authorities found in mountainous terrain near Iran’s border with Azerbaijan the wreckage of the helicopter that carried Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian and six other passengers and crew. Head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society Pir Hosein Kolivand said on Monday morning that all passengers and crew of the helicopter were killed. The crash occurred on its way to the city of Tabriz. In a message to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he is “shocked” by the deadly crash. “I am shocked by the death of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his accompanying delegation in the helicopter crash. On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Armenia, I express my sincere condolences and words of comfort on the tragic death of my dear friend and colleague President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and their entourage. I express my support to the government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran and wish them strength and steadfastness in this difficult time,” the Armenian Prime Minister’s message reads. President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan also conveyed his condolences to the government and people of Iran following the tragic helicopter accident that claimed the lives of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his accompanying staff. “Deeply shocked by the devastating news of helicopter crash, which PM Pashinyan and CIA Deputy Director Discuss International, Regional Issues YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with the deputy director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, David Cohen, in Yerevan on Tuesday. In a short statement on the meeting, Pashinyan’s press office said they discussed U.S.-Armenian relations and “issues pertaining to the international agenda.” It did not elaborate. Nor did the office release any photographs of the meeting, in contrast with its usual press releases on Pashinyan’s face-to-face conversations with foreign officials. Cohen also had a meeting with Secretary of Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan. CIA Director William Burns paid a surprise visit to Armenia in July 2022. He held talks with PM Pashinyan and Armen Grigoryan. Two months later, Grigoryan visited the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia during a trip to the United States. No details of those talks were made public. In December 2022, Grigoryan met with the chief of Britain’s foreign intelligence agency, Richard Moore, in London. A few days later, Moore flew to Yerevan for talks with Pashinyan. The two men met again in February this year on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich. 2 Massis Weekly May 25, 2024 FM Mirzoyan Reminds Council of Europe About Karabakh Refugees and Armenian Prisoners of War STRASBOURG – Addressing the 133rd Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan reminded the human rights organization about the Karabakh refugees and Armenian prisoners of war, but noted positives in negotiations with Azerbaijan. Mirzoyan said: ‘In September 2023, after 9 months of blockade, the world witnessed the forcible displacement of the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan’s military attack on the region, as documented by the Commissioner for Human Rights after her fact-finding visit in October 2023. With the help of the international community, the Armenian Government has taken necessary measures to meet the short-term needs of the refugees. Another pressing humanitarian issue remains the issue of the release of all Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally detained in Azerbaijan. Along with this, we should also note the positive developments. In April, Armenia and Azerbaijan finally started the delimitation process based on the 1991 Alma-Ata declaration, Luxembourg Parliament Adopts Motion Supporting Armenia LUXEMBOURG — The Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg unanimously adopted a motion expressing support for Armenia, as well as the establishment of peace and stability in the region, the Mission of Armenia to the EU announced on Thursday. The motion condemns the forced exodus of more than 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan’s unjustified military operation. The motion says the International Court of Justice order of 17 November 2023 underscores the importance of adhering to international law, as well as calls for the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijan· Emphasizing the recognition of territorial integrity of the South Caucasian countries, on the basis of AlmaAta Protocol of 1991, the motion encourages the demarcation works between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as establishment of diplomatic relations in the region and commends Armenia’s democratic progress and its ratification of the Rome Statute· Furthermore, the motion emphasizes the importance of deepening EUArmenia relations through a new partnership program and advocates for the EU’s increased role in mediating the ArmeniaAzerbaijan conflict. Additionally, it encourages the strengthening of economic, scientific and educational ties between Luxembourg, the EU, and Armenia. Armenia to Open Embassy in Cyprus YEREVAN — The Republic of Armenia will open an embassy in Nicosia, capital of the Republic of Cyprus, the Armenian government announced on Thursday, May 18. According to the government, the diplomatic representation in Cyprus will contribute to the further development of relations between the two friendly countries. Traditionally friendly countries, Armenia and Cyprus have managed to develop strong interstate relations. A high-level political dialogue is currently under way between the two countries, and there is a multi-sector bilateral agenda. The continuous development of Armenian-Cypriot relations has been highlighted by mutual visits of highranking officials, the creation of a broad legal framework and an active political and economic dialogue between the two countries. Currently Armenia’s Ambassawhich was welcomed by many countries and organizations, including the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Following my most recent meeting with the Azerbaijani counterpart on 10-11 May in Almaty, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to the lasting, stable peace in the South Caucasus based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity as per Alma-Ata declaration, the delimitation of the state border in line with the Alma-Ata Declaration, as well as the unblocking of communications under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of two states, based on the principles of equality and reciprocity. We believe the Council of Europe with its conventional system, has an important role to play in contributing to the democratic security of Europe and upholding the rights of all persons living in its geographical area.’ According to available information, Azerbaijan officially confirms the fact of holding only 33 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, but Armenian human rights activists say there are another 80 captured Armenians. dor to Greece also serves as Ambassador to Cyprus (seat in Athens). The seat of the Cypriot Embassy in Armenia is in Moscow. On March 14, 2024, the Cypriot side informed in an official statement about the decision of the Council of Ministers of Cyprus of February 27, 2024 to open a diplomatic representation (embassy) of Cyprus in Armenia (seat in Yerevan). Armenian and Indian Defense Ministries Hold First Defense Consultations in Yerevan YEREVAN — Defense Ministries of Armenia and India held first defense consultations in Yerevan highlighting their growing military ties. The consultations were held under the chairmanship of Levon Ayvazyan, Head of the Defense Policy and International Cooperation Department at the Armenian Defense Ministry, and Shri Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation of the Indian Defense Ministry. Indian Ambassador to Armenia Nilakshi Saha Singha and Military Attaché, Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan were also in attendance. The Armenian Defense Ministry said senior military officials from the two states approved on Tuesday a plan of joint actions for 2024 and 2025 and set up a “working group” tasked with coordinating them. Indian-Armenian military cooperation will involve not only arms supplies but also military education, “tactical training” and “exchange of experience,” it said without going into details. New Delhi and Yerevan have already deepened that cooperation since the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh war during which India’s arch-foe Pakistan strongly supported Azerbaijan. In particular, they have signed multimillion-dollar contracts reportedly calling for the delivery of Indian artillery systems, anti-tank rockets and anti-drone equipment to the Armenian army. Leonid Nersisyan, a defense analyst with the APRI Armenia thinktank, suggested on Wednesday that India has become Armena’s number one arms supplier. He said the two sides are now “very interested” in going farther. “One day we may see joint military exercises,” Nersisyan told RFE/ RL’s Armenian Service. 3 Massis Weekly May 25, 2024 Continued on page 4 World Congress on Innovation and Technology in Yerevan to Unveil Armenia as New Tech Hub of Global Game-Changers YEREVAN -Yerevan will host the World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT) 2024 on October 04-07, 2024, the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises of Armenia (UATE) has announced. Under the headline “THE POWER OF MIND: AI Beyond Limits, Within Ethics,” WCIT 2024/DigiTec will feature a high-level Congress program, B2B meetings, the WITSA World Cup (WWC) for scaleups, innovation showcases, business presentations, workshops, and more. UATE is organizing WCIT 2024 in Armenia this year in a high-level partnership with DigiTec, the region’s largest annual event dedicated to innovation and technology. The cooperation between WCIT 2024 and DigiTec showcases the highlevel partnership, highlighted by the joint branding of the event, symbolizing a comprehensive approach to “The Power of Mind,” especially the Armenian human power. WCIT 2024/DigiTec Congress will serve as a global platform to amplify the impact of information technologies, emphasizing the importance of applied sciences, investments, and presence across diverse regions and economies. Armenia, as a prominent technological hub in the region, has seen a surge in global technology companies setting up their research and development (R&D) offices and branches in recent years. Thanks to the conference, many companies will discover the opportunities and potential to establish their scientific research centers. Moreover, it aims to underscore the pivotal role of applied sciences in fostering regional socioeconomic development through innovations and Tech solutions while also showcasing the future and advancements in technology, particularly in the realm of AI and the areas affected. Armenia has firmly positioned itself as a tech hub on the global technology map. WCIT 2024/DigiTec will highlight Armenia’s technological capacity to key companies in the sector, enticing them to collaborate on academic research projects, establish branches, and develop business cen The congress will offer a comprehensive agenda catering to diverse stakeholders and will attract thousands of local and international delegates. Through interactive sessions and exclusive panel discussions, attendees will gain access to the latest global ICT innovations, best practices, and cutting-edge solutions. Participants will have the platform to network and showcase their investment projects and ideas, paving the way for mutually beneficial partnerships with international entities and driving sustained technological leadership and innovation. All attendees will be given the opportunity to establish prospective cooperation with both Armenian and international partners. Key highlights of WCIT 2024/ DigiTec include an opening ceremony with breathtaking tech solutions, captivating presentations by international and local industry leaders, and extensive opportunities for informal networking. In 2024, the World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT) and DigiTec will introduce the tech potential of Armenia and the region to the international community while providing a platform for local organizations to showcase their achievements in the field. This year’s World Congress on Innovation and Technology will have an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its societal impact, ethics, and future. Experts from various fields will convene to discuss ethical innovation, human-machine collaboration, and AI regulations with global implications under the theme of “Ethics, Society, and Governance.” Additionally, sessions on “Green AI” will explore environmentally conscious AI solutions for sustainability, while discussions on “AI in Social Media and Marketing” will address reaching marginalized consumers and enhancing marketing efficiency. Another highlight includes “The Female Grace of AI,” advocating for gender equality and economic empowerment in the digital sphere. Furthermore, sessions will explore AI’s role in crisis response, innovative opportunities in digital innovation, and the challenges and best practices shaping AI’s future, featuring leading industry figures in panel discussions. A dedicated platform will be allocated for managing and applying AI across various private and public domains. LOS ANGELES — The Armenian American Museum hosted the highly anticipated Horizon Gala on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The signature annual event, which supports the developing institution, drew a full house of supporters to the prestigious InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. The evening commenced with welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremonies Talin Yacoubian, who serves as the Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer for the museum representing Armenian General Benevolent Union Western Region. “Let’s raise a glass to how far we have come and the glorious future that is waiting for us,” stated Master of Ceremonies Talin Yacoubian. “Together, let’s keep fueling this dream and watching it blossom into something truly extraordinary – a beacon of inspiration for generations to come. Cheers to our museum in making.” The National Anthems were performed by renowned singer Alene Aroustamian. The Invocation was conducted by Board of Trustees Co-Chairs Archbishop Hovnan Derderian representing the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian representing the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Reverend Hendrik Shanazarian representing the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, and Bishop Mikael Mouradian representing the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the United States and Canada. The Message of the Museum was delivered by Horizon Gala Chair Avedik Izmirlian, who serves as the Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer for the museum representing Armenian Cultural Foundation. “Your support of the Armenian American Museum can make an impact in the life of future generations,” stated Horizon Gala Chair Avedik Izmirlian. “The spirit that united us in this unprecedented venture is vital to our community because it enhances our collective achievements and makes it possible to carry out our dreams.” Next, the museum presented the world premiere of a special music and dance video project featuring an original musical score written for the museum called Hope Rising. Following the video premiere, Gevorkian Dance Academy made a grand entrance into the ballroom and delivered a crowdpleasing live dance performance. Following dinner, the program continued with a comedy performance by internationally acclaimed and awardwinning entertainer Kev Orkian, who traveled from London to Los Angeles to support the Armenian American Museum. Mayor Elen Asatryan delivered remarks reaffirming the City of Glendale’s commitment to the museum project and expressing her excitement for the future museum campus at Glendale Central Park that will feature a new central lawn, outdoor amphitheater, and children’s park to serve museum patrons and the general public. Next, the Horizon Award was presented to Michael A. Goorjian, an accomplished Armenian American director, writer, and actor. He has starred in many films and television series with notable roles in Leaving Las Vegas, SLC Punk, Party of Five, Illusion, and more. He won an Emmy Award for his role in the television movie Armenian American Museum Hosts Sold Out Horizon Gala 4 Massis Weekly May 25, 2024 Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 Remembering an Icon of Armenian Music: Soprano Arpine Pehlivanian Twenty years ago, the Armenian community lost a well-respected and admired vocalist and musical educator Arpine Pehlivanian. Celebrated as a lyric collatura soprano, Arpine Pehlivanian received countless accolades for her preservation of and contributions to Armenian musical tradition. April 24, 2024 marks the eightieth anniversary of her birth. Known across many generations of the Armenian diaspora for her performance of the Armenian lullaby Oror Im Balas (composed and arranged by Parsegh Ganatchian), Madame Pehlivanian worked tirelessly to educate generations of musicians in her native Lebanon and the United States. Her efforts earned her the appelations ‘Ambassadress of Armenian Song’ and ‘Nightingale of the Armenian Diaspora (Asbarez 2004).’ Born in Beirut Lebanon; soprano Pehlivanian rose to acclaim as official soloist to the National Symphony of Lebanon; and Professor of Voice and Piano at the Lebanese National Conservatory of Music. She became the first singer from the Armenian diaspora to perform a leading role in the Sovietera Spendiarov Opera House in Yerevan and first performed in Carnegie Hall in 1974. Altogether, Madame Pehlivanian performed in over 800 major concerts across the world and entertained countless generations of fans. Her mastery of Armenian musicology included collaborations with countless musicians throughout the world. Many of these performances were based on the musical narratives of Komitas and his tutelage. Notable recordings include Kele Kele – Komitas and Krounk – Komitas with Boghos Gelalian Piano (Menakian Records), Chantés Par La Célèbre Cantatrice Arpiné Péhlivanian (1968, La Voix de Paris), Artistry of Arpine Pehlivanian (1982), Armenian Sacred Music (1986), Arpine Pehlivanian, Armenian Romance Songs (1997), and A Musical Journey Through her Life payed homage to traditional and contemporary Armenian music. Upon emigrating to the United States during the Civil War in Lebanon, Madame Pehlivanian continued her passion for music through her teaching positions and performances. She played piano alongside her daughter Elizabeth at the first Armenian Music Awards in 1998; and in 2000 she participated in the Armenian Music Festival to mark the 1700th Anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity in Armenia. Her dedicated work was recognized through the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Medal of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and bestowal of Dame de la Grande Maison de Cilicie by the Holy See of Cilicia. Throughout her illustrious career, Soprano Pehlivanian embodied the essence of Armenian musical heritage and embellished the tradition of song within the Armenian communities across the homeland and diaspora. Soprano Pehlivanian remains a beacon for future generations and an inspirational leader of Armenian resilience and spirit. the claims made by the Armenian opposition that Armenia allegedly unilaterally ceded land to Azerbaijan; he said Armenia gave away no portion of its territory. “Lands that are yours and lands that you controlled for some time are different things. The legitimacy is where the Armenian border lies, and what belongs to Armenia as a result of the legitimate border delimitation process is what’s truly yours,” he stated. Additionally, Grigoryan also commented on the opposition’s claims that delimiting the border between the two countries that have no diplomatic relations is allegedly illegitimate; he said that such a thing is truly unprecedented, but is now reality. “Generally, we are making an important decision, we are drawing up Armenia’s border,” he said. Grigoryan was also asked whether there are any guarantees that Azerbaijan will not pull out of the agreements further into the delimitation process. The Security Council Secretary noted that the international community is providing strong support for the delimitation, and the possibilities the Armenian side sees following the delimitation, as well as the successful test case, will help move the process forward. Grigoryan stressed that there are no delimitation-related issues in the Armenian villages of Baghanis, Voskepar, and Berkaber, although there are some areas of concern in the village of Kirants. “We shall solve the issue with this road [going near Kirants]. As of now, there is no issue, and if there is an issue in the future, we’ll solve it,” he said. In addition to this, Grigoryan said there are four buildings that will not remain inside Armenia’s borders, according to the 1976 map. “The government will solve all those issues, we’ll have a road that will go entirely through Armenia’s territory. We are certain that this process creates more solid security guarantees,” he stated. The local gas pipeline also goes entirely through Armenian territory, and is also not an issue, Grigoryan added. David’s Mother. Most recently, Goorjian earned widespread acclaim as the director, writer, and lead actor of Amerikatsi, a film of tremendous spirit and hope. In a historic first for Armenia, Goorjian’s Amerikatsi was recognized on the Oscars shortlist for Best International Film as the country’s official selection to the Academy Awards. Board of Trustees representatives Zaven Khanjian representing the Armenian Missionary Association of America, Vicky Marashlian representing the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Garo Kupelian representing Nor Or Charitable Foundation, and Krikor Moloyan representing Nor Serount Cultural Association joined together on the stage to present the Horizon Award to the honoree of the evening. “Michael A. Goorjian has beautifully captured the spirit of the Armenian people and homeland in Amerikatsi and helped the community reach new heights through his contributions in film and television,” stated Board of Trustees representative Zaven Khanjian during his introduction of the honoree. “You are building the Armenian American Museum for that kid that is going to show up in the museum struggling to find their story and they are going to be able to find it in the space that you have created for them,” stated Michael A. Goorjian during his heartfelt acceptance remarks, discussing the impact museums have had on his own life. He dedicated the award to his late father. Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian invited representatives of the Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, and Staff to join him on stage for a special announcement at the conclusion of the program. He announced that a generous anonymous donor has made a transformative commitment to the museum through an $8 million gift. The program concluded with a roaring applause following the announcement. The evening was capped off with socializing, dancing, and celebration at a special post-reception for attendees featuring a DJ, cigar lounge, and cognac bar. Major Sponsors included The GASKA Alliance Foundation, Jack & Maro Kalaydjian, Arakelian Family, Bank of America, Dickranian Foundation, Berdj & Mary Karapetian, Ara & Nina Ohanian, Isaac & Frieda Vartanian, William McMorrow, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Artists for Kids, Avedisian Family Foundation, Gevik & Paola Baghdassarian, Peter and Ruby Baghdassarian, Banc of California, Nabil & Hanan Karabetian, David & Margaret Mgrublian, Sepetjian Family Foundation, and Kosti & Marian Shirvanian. The Horizon Gala Committee members included Mayda Altounian, Alvard Barseghian, Ani Bekarian, Araxie Boyamian, Garine Depoyan, Hilda Fidanian, Christine Hovnanian, Carmen Libaridian, Margaret Mgrublian, Aleen Orucakciel, Anita Siraki, Diana Timuryan, and Elizabeth Zoryan. The highly anticipated cultural and educational center is currently under construction in the museum campus at Glendale Central Park. The first phase of construction, featuring the museum parking garage and building foundation, has been completed. The second phase, featuring the two-level museum building superstructure, is currently underway. The museum’s mission is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The museum will offer a wide range of public programming through the Permanent Exhibition, Temporary Exhibitions, Auditorium, Learning Center, Demonstration Kitchen, Archives Center, and more. claimed lives of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Foreign Minister AmirAbdollahian, other officials. My sincerest condolences to Government and friendly people of Iran. We share the grief of the people of Iran and wish fortitude and endurance at this tough time, Khachaturyan noted in a post on X’s microblog. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan reacted to the “devastating news from Iran” on X the social media platform. He offered his “deepest condolences” to the government and “friendly people” of Iran.” “Having learned the devastating news from Iran, including the tragic death of my dear colleague and friend Abdollahian, I express my deepest condolences to the government, colleagues from the Foreign Ministry and the friendly people of Iran. We share your grief and wish you strength in this dark time,” Ararat Mirzoyan wrote in social network X. Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan sent a telegram of condolences to the Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani on the death of the Iranian President and his accompanying personnel in a helicopter crash, the press service of the Armenian Defense Ministry reported “With great sorrow I learned about the death of the President, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the officials accompanying them as a result of a helicopter crash on May 19. As a close and friendly country of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we in the Republic of Armenia took with great pain the news of the untimely tragic death of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdollahian and other officials. We express our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wish strength and fortitude to the pious Iranian people. On behalf of the RA Ministry of Defense and on my own behalf, please accept our condolences and support,” the D