In addition to the ombudsmen, the delegation also included the Permanent Representative of Artsakh Republic to the U.S. and Canada Robert Avetisyan and the leadership of the Armenian Bar Association.

Welcoming the guests, ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. talked about the work of the organization, its accomplishments, and future plans in advancing the Armenian Cause.

“Promotion and protection of human rights encompasses a significant part of our work,” remarked Hovsepian. “From pursuing truth and justice for the Armenian Genocide to defending Artsakh citizens’ inalienable right to independence and self-determination, the ANCA Western Region takes a 360 degree view in identifying and promoting our public policy priorities.”

Mr. Beglaryan and Mr. Tatoyan talked about their current priorities and ongoing projects, highlighting the need to continuously strengthen the protection of human rights and further develop civil society resiliency in both republics. The two ombudsmen also thanked the ANCA-WR for the active work in promoting relations between the United States and the two Armenian republics.

Last week representatives of the ANCA Western Region Board and Staff were present at the Armenian Bar’s Conference and Gala Banquet, celebrating the organization’s 30th anniversary and supporting its important activities.

The presentation will feature a slide show of stunning photography from Armenia and Artsakh. Karanian will tell the story of how he and co-author Robert Kurkjian created Armenia’s first travel guide more than a decade ago, and how that guide has grown and evolved through three editions to become the award-winning book that was recently released.

Karanian says they created the book to introduce Armenia to Armenians and non-Armenians alike who might otherwise not be familiar with the country or who might be intimidated about traveling to such a distant and unfamiliar land.

“The beauty of Armenia never ceases to amaze me,” Karanian says. “I want to do what I can to help share it with as many people as possible.”

This latest book was released in February, and was featured in an April 28 story in the Los Angeles Times, which included an interview with Karanian. The Times tells the story of how Karanian had a “wild idea” to travel to Armenia in 1995, and described the book that ultimately resulted as “a fresh view on ancient Armenia.”

This book ‘Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone Garden Travel Guide’ is now the top-selling Armenia title in bookstores and on Amazon.com. It is also available directly from the publisher for $30 post paid.

‘Armenia and Karabakh’ is a comprehensive 320-page guide book, and features 150 color photographs and 30 detailed color maps. One of the maps is an antique map of historic Armenia as it existed just prior to the Genocide. This map was created in 1928 by Mardiros Kheranyan, the great uncle of Matthew Karanian. The publication of the map in this book marks the first time the map has ever been published. Karanian dedicated the book to his parents, Henry and Agnes Karanian, who are both the children of Genocide survivors.

Karanian and Kurkjian founded Stone Garden Productions, the company that publishes the Armenia guide book, in 1999. During the past 15 years, their company has published five books about Armenia, as well as numerous illustrated stories for high-circulation magazines such as CNN Traveller, Photo Life, and Frommer’s Budget Travel, and thousands of photographs depicting Armenia and Artsakh.

Azerbaijan claimed that “necessary measures ought to be undertaken to remove Artsakh from the list of seven participating travel agencies, as has been done previously”.

The National Competitiveness Foundation notes that “not seven, but eleven Armenian Travel agencies are represented in the fair and the participation of Artsakh has never met an obstacle before, not counting Azerbaijan’s customary hysteria and the fact of damaged pavilion in Paris, which had been recovered promptly.”

Artsakh’s participation in London is running smoothly being featured within the unified Armenian booth and, as always, is drawing a large amount of publicity among the visitors as well as participants.

Moreover, the materials containing anti-Armenian propaganda have been taken out from the stand of Azerbaijan at the request of the Armenian delegation.

Issues related to the development of Switzerland-Artsakh relations were discussed during the meeting.

President Bako Sahakyan described Switzerland as a friendly country and praised its balanced position and approaches towards global and regional processes.

The President emphasized Artsakh’s interest in the multilateral cooperation with Switzerland, specially emphasizing the importance of establishing sustainable ties and working relations between the parliaments of the two countries.

A number of issues related to the domestic and foreign policy of Artsakh were also touched upon. The parties stressed the need for peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, restoration of the full-fledged negotiation format with the direct participation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR President reported.

“Radiolur”

Safarov’s release was to some extent beneficial for Armenia and Artsakh, as it consolidated the conviction that “there should be no concession without security guarantees,” Deputy Director of the Caucasus Institute Sergey Minasyan told reporters today.

He does not believe there will be any tangible progress in the process of settlement of the Karabakh issue in the foreseeable future. According to Sergey Minasyan, Safarov’s transfer was meant to win dividends for Aliyev ahead of the forthcoming presidential elections.

Speaking about the CSTO military exercises, the Deputy Director of the Caucasus Institute said “the CSTO drills, also as the fighting efficiency of Armenia and Artsakh have always made Azerbaijan draw serious conclusions, as the latter has not made any step, except for making belligerent statements.”

CCAF draws the attention of the French authorities to the rise of the anti-Armenian climate, which poses a threat to law and order.

CCAF reserves the right to file a complaint to the Republic courts to start an investigation into the circumstances of these acts of vandalism to find their authors and people behind the attack, free-lance reporter Jean Eckian informs.

“The people of Karabakh cannot feel safe in a country, where during sniper classes the servicemen shoot at a target with the word “Armenian” written on the forehead. The population of Artsakh cannot feel secure in a country, where killers like Safarov are treated as an etalon for policemen,” the Minister added.

“Security has been an important factor for peoples, which realized the right for self-determination in the recent years,” Edward Nalbandian said.

Asked to comment whether his country treats the right of peoples to self-determination as a priority only when it meets the interested of the UK, for example Kosovo and the Falkland Islands, Minister Lidington said “Kosovo’s future was outlined in UN resolution, while Karabakh’s right for self-determination is specified by OSCE Minsk Group principles.”

He said, however, that the Karabakh issue can only be solved through a comprehensive approach by taking into consideration other principles as well.