The Region in Brief

September 25, 2024 Hoory Minoyan Briefs 0

Armenia

Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Sahiba Gafarova are set to hold a bilateral meeting during the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva this October. The meeting will mark the third such encounter between the two leaders. Thomas Fitzsimons, IPU Director of Communications, confirmed the news, stating, “From October 13 to 17, the speakers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet as part of the IPU Assembly in Geneva. The exact date is yet to be finalized. This meeting aims to introduce parliamentary diplomacy as part of ongoing efforts to promote peace in the region.”

Artsakh

The groundbreaking ceremony for the “Call of Artsakh” memorial took place at Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevan on September 24. The memorial honors those who gave their lives in all Artsakh wars, including the victims of the 2023 fuel depot explosion. Bishop Ter Vrtanes Abrahamyan led the blessing ceremony, emphasizing Artsakh’s significance to Armenian and Christian identity. The minimalist six-meter monument will feature an open altar, space for flowers, candles and incense, and will echo the design of Stepanakert’s memorial.

After the ceremony, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan expressed sorrow and frustration over statements by Armenian authorities, who he said regard the recognition of Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan as a victory. Shahramanyan reflected on the painful anniversary of Azerbaijani military aggression, following the 10-month blockade. “This day will forever remain in our memory as the day when many lives were lost. Today, we honor our martyrs, those who gave their lives defending our homeland and their families,” Shahramanyan said. 

Iran

An Iranian trade center will open in Yerevan on October 1, marking Iran’s first and largest permanent trade hub abroad. The center, developed in cooperation with the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI), will serve as a gateway for Iranian businesses to access the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) markets. The facility will include a dedicated room for business-to-business meetings, a conference hall and an open space for hosting events and festivals. In addition to showcasing Iranian products, the center will offer services to support businesses entering the Armenian and EAEU markets. 

Turkey

A high-ranking delegation from the Turkish Armed Forces, led by Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, has arrived in Baku to participate in the 5th Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition (ADEX). The delegation also includes Chief of General Staff Metin Gürak, Navy Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlioglu, Army Commander General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu and Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu. According to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, the Turkish visit will include meetings to discuss the expansion of military cooperation. The ADEX exhibition serves as a major platform for defense and security companies to showcase the latest technologies, while fostering dialogue on regional and global defense strategies.

Hoory Minoyan

Hoory Minoyan

Hoory Minoyan was an active member of the Armenian community in Los Angeles until she moved to Armenia prior to the 44-day war. She graduated with a master's in International Affairs from Boston University, where she was also the recipient of the William R. Keylor Travel Grant. The research and interviews she conducted while in Armenia later became the foundation of her Master’s thesis, “Shaping Identity Through Conflict: The Armenian Experience.” Hoory continues to follow her passion for research and writing by contributing to the Armenian Weekly.

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