CIVILNET

Europe Arrives in Yerevan for @EPCArmenia Summit

Zelensky arrived at the summit and answered journalists’ questions. @EPCArmenia @ZelenskyyUa

Emmanuel Macron: Dialogue between Iran and the US is the only solution to reopening the Strait of Hormuz Speaking to reporters upon arriving at the 8th European Political Community summit in Yerevan, the French president said that France would not take part in “unclear” military operations. @EPCArmenia @EmmanuelMacron

At Yerevan Summit, Starmer stresses need for coordinated action on Ukraine and Iran․ UK Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer said on Monday that Britain must work closely with international partners to address global conflicts that are already affecting households at home, as he arrived at the venue of the EPC summit @EPCArmenia in Yerevan. Speaking briefly to reporters, Starmer pointed to what he described as “a war on two fronts” — Russia’s war against Ukraine, now in its fifth year, and escalating tensions involving Iran — warning that both are having a direct impact on energy costs and broader economic conditions in the United Kingdom. “It’s vital that we work with international leaders on both fronts,” he said, adding that discussions in Yerevan would focus on increasing support for Ukraine and efforts to secure a lasting peace, as well as cooperation with European and other partners on developments related to Iran. Starmer also addressed ongoing talks about potential UK participation in an EU-backed loan scheme for Ukraine, arguing it would benefit all sides involved. The initiative, he said, would provide Ukraine with “capability that it desperately needs,” while also supporting jobs in the UK and strengthening relations between London and Brussels. “It’s very good for Ukraine, very good for the UK, and very good for UK-EU relations,” he said. He did not respond to a follow-up question about concerns over the United States potentially scaling back its involvement.

Canadian Prime Minister @MarkJCarney answered several questions from journalists as he arrived at the venue of the EPC summit @EPCArmenia in Yerevan.

Workers walk (and sweep) the red carpet ahead of the arrival of Europe's leaders at the EPC summit @EPCArmenia in Yerevan.

Tufenkian Carpets: A New Paradigm for the Rug Business

World leaders have begun arriving in #Yerevan for the 8th European Political Community #EPC Summit @EPCArmenia

#BusinessWeekArmenia 📍Price of liquified petroleum gas, used mostly for transportation in Armenia, soared this week amid new reports of disruption to Russian supply. 📍Russian officials announced a formal ban on Jermuk Group, major Armenian company. youtube.com/watch?v=DImo_N…

This is the “Armenian” that Randy Fine is talking about when he says Armenians should not be in Congress. Dan Bilzerian is also primarying Zionist First Randy Fine so naturally Randy said Armenians are antisemetic. Armenia is 94% Christian and adopted Christianity as their state religion in 301 AD. Btw, Dan Bilzerean was born and raised in Tampa, Florida not Armenia and Randy Fine has never lived in the district he represents and represents Israel first.

The birthplace of wine you've never heard of #thebacklable

INSIGHTS: As Armenia prepares to host the European Political Community Summit & the EU–Armenia summit, how can it leverage the moment? And with another arrest from Samvel Karapetyan's party, is the government preparing to ban his party? @molon_labe97 youtube.com/watch?v=zi_FNs…

#DailyArmenia 📍@NikolPashinyan says Yerevan will not raise the issue of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan with its European partners 📍Highest ranking Azerbaijani official ever to visit Armenia visited for border delimitation meeting. youtube.com/watch?v=PJG73x…

From 1932 to Now: A Winery Finds Its Voice #thebacklabel

Armenia ranked 50th out of 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index published Thursday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), down from 34th place last year. It scored 67.02 points out of 100 in this year’s index, down from 73.96 last year, with its media environment classified as “problematic” – the third tier out of five. Despite the drop, the country still ranks higher than it did in 2022 and any earlier year, a trend RSF attributes to a massive global deterioration, where other countries are seeing even faster declines. “In 25 years, the average score of all 180 countries […] included in the ranking has never been so low,” the France-based non-profit said. The report noted that no journalists were killed or are in detention in Armenia this year. However, it highlighted persistent structural issues, describing a polarized media landscape shaped by political divisions and external pressures. “Despite Armenia’s varied media landscape, its media remains polarized. The country is facing an unprecedented level of disinformation and hate speech fed by internal political tension, security problems at the country’s borders, and the country’s complicated position between Russia and the European Union,” RSF said. It added that many outlets are aligned either with current authorities that came to power in 2018 or with former elites, with only a limited number operating independently. Journalists, the report said, are frequently subjected to pressure, insults, and violence by both government and opposition figures, as well as their supporters, across institutional settings, public spaces, and online platforms. Many new media outlets have sprung up since the 2018 “Velvet Revolution” and independent news sites such as Civilnet.am, hetq.am, Factor.am and Azatutyun.am are thriving and fulfilling an independent watchdog role that is essential in a democracy. Nevertheless, most broadcast and print media, affiliated with major political and commercial interests, continue to face pressure concerning their editorial policy,” RSF says in its fact-sheet on Armenia. Read more on civilnet.am/en

Armenia does not plan to discuss the issue of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan with its European Union partners and will instead address it through direct contacts with Baku, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after a government meeting, Pashinyan said Yerevan considers bilateral talks with Azerbaijan the most effective format at this stage. Yerevan is set to host a summit of the European Political Community on May 4, followed by the first EU–Armenia summit on May 5. A state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron is also planned. “We discuss issues with Azerbaijan in a bilateral format. Yes, at this point I do not consider other formats effective. Our experience shows that discussions on other platforms do not bring significant results and lack substantial potential,” Pashinyan said, adding that “extensive work” is being carried out to secure the return of detainees. He did not rule out the possibility of addressing the issue in other formats in the future. “We will continue with the bilateral format, but if we see an opportunity for effectiveness in other formats, we will not avoid them,” he said. 19 Armenian detainees are currently held in Baku. They include eight former political and military leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, who were captured following Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive and the subsequent displacement of the region’s Armenian population.

As Armenia rolls out the first phase of its consequential Universal Health Insurance system, one that affects every citizen, many questions remain about how it works and what people should expect- interview with Dr. Shant Shekherdimian, Professor @UCLA. youtube.com/watch?v=qF5x3D…

Upon entering Narine Martirosyan’s classroom at Gyumri’s Endanik Center, one can see two rows of looms: some with several nearly completed small rugs, and others with larger rugs that show only the first traces of their designs. The benches in front of the looms are low to the ground, filled with students weaving strands of yarn through delicate networks of string. The walls are lined with completed rugs, each with a different design. A nurse by trade, Martirosyan initially saw rug weaving as a hobby. Gradually, realizing how much she enjoyed weaving, she turned this practice into her profession. The skill came naturally to her, and she eventually expanded her practice to include carpet and leather techniques She has been working with rugs for 20 years and leads weaving classes for children at Gyumri’s Endanik Center. While weaving is often passed down generationally, Martirosyan came to master it on her own. She has passed it down to her two sons, and their children also know how to weave. Beyond her own family, she welcomes any student who is interested in weaving to her classes. “The techniques I teach are Armenian. The ties I teach are Armenian. The looms I use are Armenian,” says Martirosyan. Although she exclusively works within the Armenian rug tradition, she fuses new and old aspects of the practice with her students. For example, students may weave a vishapagorg, a rug with a dragon design on it that dates back to medieval times, on a modern loom. She also gives her students the liberty to choose their own designs. Read more on civilnet.am/en

#DailyArmenia 📍Armenia and Turkey have discussed the possible restoration of the Kars–Gyumri railway as part of broader normalization efforts. 📍APRI Armenia report argues that TRIPP is a useful but insufficient step for South Caucasus connectivity. youtube.com/watch?v=Yuop89…