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Introduction to the Center, our news bulletin, the latest articles
and works of our analysts
Calendar
The Center’s most important events and activities, including meetings,
visits,conferences,
roundtables and seminars, receptions, interviews and media comments
Partners
List of all supporters who have contributed to the Center’s activities
About us
Center staff and academic council biographies
Publications
Complete list of the Center’s occasional paper series, monograph series
and special publications
Hayatsk Yerevanits
Selected articles (in Armenian) from the Center’s full-color monthly
journal of news and views, analysis and comment, culture and public policy
The Armenian Center for National and
International Studies, a leading independent strategic research center
in Yerevan, is the institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian,
Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs. The institute focuses in its
research on a comprehensive agenda of foreign and public policy
issues, which are articulated analytically in political and academic arenas
around the world.
ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN PROVIDES UPDATE ON TURKISH-ARMENIAN DIPLOMACY:
“NO LAUGHING MATTER”
Yerevan—On February 4, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian spoke at a press conference at the “Hayatsk” press club and provided an updated, but critical assessment of the current state of Turkish-Armenian diplomacy. Giragosian argued that in light of Turkey’s “latest display of political posturing and dubious attempt to pressure Armenia, the state of Armenian-Turkish diplomacy is no laughing matter.” [Full story]
February 1, 2010
ACNIS LAUNCHES NEW MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) launched the publication of a new regular series of monthly newsletters on February 1, 2010. The first issue of the “ACNIS Monthly Newsletter” provides a brief summary of ACNIS projects, events and activities for the month of January 2010.
ACNIS SALUTES THE ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES ON ARMY DAY
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) issued a statement saluting the Armenian armed forces on “Army Day,” marking the 18th anniversary of the founding of the modern Armenian armed forces. [Full story]
ACNIS DIRECTOR REFUTES TURKEY’S CRITICISM OF ARMENIA AS “DISINGENUOUS AND UNFAIR”
Yerevan—On January 25, 2010, the Turkish daily newspapers “Today’s Zaman” and the “Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review” published the comments of Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian in which he criticized the recent Turkish criticism of the January 12 ruling by the Armenian Constitutional Court. Giragosian dismissed the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s recent statement alleging that the Armenian Court’s “decision contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the letter and spirit of the protocols.” The ACNIS director pointed out that the Turkish criticism of Armenia represented a dubious attempt by Turkey “to create a new political “pretext” to withdraw from the (Armenian–Turkish) protocols. [Full story]
January 19, 2010
ACNIS COMMEMORATES THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE MURDER OF
HRANT DINK
MORE THAN A MAN…..
Hrant Dink
1954-2007
In Memoriam,
The third anniversary of his murder
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) issued a statement today commemorating the third anniversary of the death of noted Turkish-Armenian intellectual Hrant Dink. [Full story]
ACNIS CRITICIZES AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT’S RENEWED THREATS OF WAR
Yerevan—Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian issued a statement today criticizing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s renewed “threats of war.” The statement, entitled “Azerbaijan’s New Year Message: Wishes for War,” highlighted the fact that in most countries, leaders usually address their people with a traditional New Year’s message that seeks to convey a message of cooperation, peace and prosperity. But in the case of Azerbaijan, this New Year’s message for 2010 was one of war. Sadly, the militant threats and aggressive rhetoric emanating from Baku was a disturbing message for Yerevan. But it was also a warning to the international community that peace and security in the South Caucasus will not be a certainty for 2010. [Full story]
December 18, 2009
ACNIS Holds Presentation on Nagorno Karabagh by Italian Guest Scholar
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a special presentation by ACNIS “guest scholar” Luca Guiduzzi from the University of Turin in Italy. The Italian Ambassador to Armenia, the Honorable Bruno Scapini, served as the “master of ceremonies” for the presentation of the scholar’s research from his recent field work in Nagorno Karabagh. [Full story]
ACNIS Holds Closed Discussion on the Issue of the Security, Safety and Vitality of the National Connection of Armenia
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) today convened a closed seminar regarding the issue of the security, safety and vitality of the national Internet connection of Armenia, with participants including officials from the Armenian National Security Council, the Armenian Ministry of Defense and other professionals and experts from the security sphere. [Full story]
ACNIS Holds Roundtable Discussion on Gender Equality and the State of Women’s Rights in Armenia
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a roundtable discussion today examining gender equality and the state of women’s rights in Armenia. [Full story]
TURKEY BETWEEN ETHICS AND POLITICS:
PUT IT ALL ON THE TABLE
By Raffi K. Hovannisian
Yerevan—In Washington, Brussels, Moscow and elsewhere, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Erdogan, Foreign Minister Davutoglu and others have long advocated combining onto one political agenda their country’s normalization of relations with Armenia and the resolution of Mountainous Karabagh’s conflict with Azerbaijan. [Full story]
“The real outcome of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to depend on how Turkey solves the contradictions in its own foreign policy,” comments by ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian to Azerbaijan’s Trend News Agency
On December 9, the Baku-based Azerbaijani “Trend” News Agency published comments by ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian on the recent visit of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to Washington. [Full story]
November 5, 2009
ACNIS Holds Roundtable Discussion on Armenian-Turkish Diplomacy & Nagorno Karabagh:
“Deal or No Deal?”
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a roundtable discussion today entitled “Armenian-Turkish Diplomacy & Nagorno Karabagh: “Deal or No Deal?” that assessed recent developments between the two issues. The event was attended by several ambassadors and senior diplomatic officials from the European Commission, the European Union’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as staff from the British and U.S. embassies, and the Armenian Ministry of Defense. [Full story]
ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN CONTRIBUTES CHAPTER ON ARMENIA IN NEW BOOK ON “DEMOCRACY’S PLIGHT IN THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD”
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian contributed a chapter on Armenia entitled, “Armenia’s Crisis for the Non-Democrats,” in a new book published by the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels. The new book, Democracy’s Plight in the European Neighbourhood: Struggling Transitions and Proliferating Dynasties, was edited by Michael Emerson of CEPS and Richard Youngs of the FRIDE think tank in Madrid, Spain. [Full story]
October 16, 2009
ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN LECTURES AT THE MOTHER SEE OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN
On October 16, ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian gave a lecture on regional developments at the annual meeting of the Armenian Round Table (ART) of the World Council of Churches at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. [Full story]
ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN COMMENTS ON TURKISH-ARMENIAN “PROTOCOLS”
Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian spoke at a press conference at the “Hayatsk” press club on October 12 to assess the recent signing of the Turkish-Armenian diplomatic protocols in Zurich, Switzerland on October 10, 2009. [Giragosian’s press conference notes]
October 12, 2009
OPEN LETTER TO THE ARMENIAN NATION
By Raffi K. Hovannisian
The history of the Armenian people has been an ordeal of suffering, tragedy, and genocide. In this millennial series of misfortunes, however, never has the nation invited destruction upon itself. [Full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian’s brief interview with Voice of America’s Armenian Service on Armenian-Turkish diplomacy, which aired on 7 October 2009
ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN PUBLISHES ANALYSIS OF “NETWORKS OF CRIME AND CORRUPTION IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS”
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian’s analytical article entitled “Networks of Crime and Corruption in the South Caucasus” was published in a special issue of the CAUCASUS ANALYTICAL DIGEST devoted to Organized Crime and Illegal Trafficking in the Caucasus on September 17, 2009. [Full story]
August 31, 2009
CHANGES ARE INEVITABLE
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian’s interview
with the “168 Zham” daily newspaper
ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN’S INTERVIEW WITH THE AZERBAIJANI “TODAY.AZ” NEWS AGENCY
On August 28, the Baku-based Azerbaijani “Today.Az” News Agency published an interview with ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian. The brief interview, published in English and Russian, warned of “growing resentment and frustration” in Armenia over “an unwillingness or insincerity among the Turkish leadership for truly carrying forward the process of normalization and forging a new relationship with Armenia.” [Full story]
TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONDS TO ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN
In a statement released on August 14, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian’s recent comments to journalists in Yerevan regarding the state of Turkish-Armenian diplomatic engagement. Citing Giragosian by name, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a clarification on recent Armenian media reports that quoted the ACNIS Director’s comments on Turkish-Russian relations. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Convenes Special “Closed Briefing” Addressing Current Developments
Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian convened a special “closed briefing” on August 6 to address three of the most significant current developments in the region. The briefing featured three separate presentations, including an assessment of the latest developments in Iran’s ongoing post-election crisis, with a focus on the implications and lessons for Armenia, an update on the status of Turkish-Armenian diplomacy, and a review of the mediation effort aimed at seeking a negotiated resolution to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Speaks Out Against the Planned Expansion of Casino Gambling in Armenia
Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian joined the head of the “Reform” NGO Karine Hakobyan at a press conference at the “Hayatsk” press club on July 31 to speak out against the planned expansion of casino gambling in Armenia. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Speaks to Young Armenian Political Activists
Yerevan—In a presentation organized by the Helsinki Citizens´ Assembly-Armenia (HCA-Armenia) on July 27, 2009, ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian briefed a group of several dozen Armenian university students, youth activists and members of the youth wings of several Armenian political parties. [full story]
July 23, 2009
ACNIS Convenes a Discussion on “IT Development and the Challenge of Cyber-Security in Armenia”
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) held a special roundtable discussion today on “IT Development and the Challenge of Cyber-Security in Armenia,” with three main presentations, by ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian, ACNIS Administrative Director Dr. Karapet Kalenchian and Ashot Turajyan, ACNIS System Administrator and Webmaster. [full story]
ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian’s presentation to the 10 July 2009 “Karabakh 2014 Scenario” Seminar, organized by the “Conciliation Resources” NGO at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London
ACNIS Holds Seminar on “Rural Poverty and Democracy in Armenia”
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), together with the “Farmers’ Movement” non-governmental organization convened a roundtable discussion today, entitled “Rural Poverty and Democracy in Armenia,” assessing the current situation in Armenia’s towns and villages, with a focus on the need for a more balanced policy of regional development that meets the needs of the country’s rural population and that seeks to bolster support for farmers and others engaged in the Armenian agricultural sector. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Comments on
US PRESIDENT OBAMA’S MOSCOW SUMMIT
Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian issued a statement today commenting on US President Barack Obama's two-day summit meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow. [full story]
ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN’S INTERVIEW WITH THE AZERBAIJANI “TREND” NEWS AGENCY
On July 1, the Baku-based Azerbaijani “Trend” News Agency published an interview with ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian. The brief interview, published in English and Russian, assessed the recent visit to Armenia by Georgian President Saakashvili and the Russian reaction to that state visit. [full story]
June 26, 2009
ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsyan’s Interview With Respublika Armenia Newspaper
On 26 June 2009, the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian gave an interview to the Respublika Armenia newspaper on Russian politics in the South Caucasus since 1991. [full story in Russian]
June 25, 2009
ACNIS Holds Roundtable Discussion on “Crisis in Iran: Lessons for Armenia”
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a roundtable discussion today, entitled “Crisis in Iran: Lessons for Armenia,” assessing the recent post-election crisis in Iran and examining the lessons for Armenia. [full story]
May 21, 2009
ACNIS Holds Seminar on “The Outlook for Armenian-Iranian Relations”
Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) and Yerevan State University’s Center for Civilization and Cultural Studies convened a roundtable discussion today, entitled “The Outlook for Armenian-Iranian Relations,” assessing the current state of relations between the two countries in light of recent agreements on energy and transport and in the wake of the official state visit to Iran last month by an Armenian governmental delegation led by President Serzh Sarkisian. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Comments on the RECENT TRILATERAL ARMENIAN-TURKISH-SWISS JOINT STATEMENT
Yerevan—Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian issued a statement today commenting on the recent joint declaration issued on 22 April by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Turkey and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [full story]
ACNIS Holds Seminar on “Armenian-Turkish Diplomacy: An Update”
Yerevan—Just two days before the annual April 24 commemoration of the Armenian genocide, the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a special roundtable seminar discussion today entitled “Armenian-Turkish Diplomacy: An Update,” providing the latest information regarding the outlook for the current effort to reach a new “normalization” of Armenian-Turkish relations. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Comments on the Lessons for Armenia from Developments in Moldova
Yerevan—Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian issued a statement today commenting on the recent post-election crisis in Moldova and assessing the implications for Armenia. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Speaks on Armenian-Turkish Relations at the “Urbat Akoumb” (“Friday Club”)
On April 8, ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian was invited to speak on the latest developments in Armenian-Turkish relations at the “Urbat akumb” (“Friday Club”). [full story]
ACNIS Presents New Policy Brief on “The Military Balance of Power in the South Caucasus”
Yerevan, April 1, 2009—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a special roundtable seminar discussion to present a new special publication entitled, “The Military Balance of Power in the South Caucasus.” [full story]
ACNIS Presents New Monograph on the Psychology of Comparative Change
Yerevan—Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) today convened a special roundtable to present the findings of a new monograph entitled “One Year Later: The Psychology of Comparative Change in Armenia and the US.” [full story]
Yerevan—That an Armenian repatriate, American-born into a legacy of remembrance inherited from a line of survivors of genocide nearly a century ago, feels compelled to entitle his thoughts with a focus on Turkey—and not Armenia—reveals a larger problem, a gaping wound, and an imperative for closure long overdue on both sides of history’s tragic divide. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Comments on Turkish Press Report Claiming “Breakthrough” over Nagorno Karabagh
Yerevan—Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian issued a statement today commenting on a recent report in the Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet claiming that a new “partial agreement” has been reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabagh, brokered by Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. [full story]
ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Presents Briefing at Yerevan State University
Yerevan—In a presentation at a round table discussion organized by the Center for Civilization and Cultural Studies at Yerevan State University and the Cultural Council of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian reviewed the outlook for US-Iranian relations and assessed the implications for Armenia. [full story]
Yerevan—In his new position as the director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), Richard Giragosian brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for independent analysis. [full story]
The Introductory Press Conference of the
New ACNIS Director
Yerevan—As the newly-appointed director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), well-known analyst Richard Giragosian held a press conference today at the “Hayatsk” press-club, with many journalists, as well as representatives from radio, television and other media outlets in attendance. [full story]
National Public Opinion Service
A series of public and expert opinion polls helping to promote among decisionmaker and citizen alike a new civic culture and societal consensus-building in Armenia.
