Remembering Kourken Noris Bedirian

Vaհe H Apelian

 

I happened to read today that “A three-year-old Nelore cow in Brazil has made agricultural history. Carina FIV do Kado sold for a record-breaking $4.74 million at auction, officially earning her a Guinness World Record as the most expensive cow ever sold. But here's the catch: She's not worth millions for her meat. She's worth millions for her genetics.”

Inevitably Kourken Bedirian came to my mind. Kourken passed away on February 13, 2023 in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. 

I quote: “Dr. Kourken Bedirian was a pioneer in transcontinental cow embryo transfer and the commercial application of cattle embryo transfers using a mobile laboratory. He performed the first commercial cattle embryo transfers by exporting Holstein cow embryos from Canada to Hungary. He developed commercial applications for cattle embryos directly on farms utilizing mobile laboratory setups. He earned his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from McGill University and achieved international acclaim for his research in bovine fertilization and embryo transfer.” 

On August 20, 1979, the internationally acclaimed Time magazine wrote his pioneering work. I quote: “Dr. Kourken Bedirian, a Canadian physiologist who has pioneered the transfer of cow embryos, says that the success rate has averaged more than 60%. About 10,000 transferred calves have been born since the process moved from the lab to the barn in the early 1970s, and the procedure is rapidly spreading in the U.S. and Canada. For Bossie, motherhood will never be quite the same again.”

Bossie is a traditional term for a cow. Indeed so, for this Brazilian bossie, her motherhood has been worth $ 4.7, and her eggs have been valued at $100,000 each. Carina’s eggs will be harvested and sold off individually to different ranchers. The eggs will be implanted in surrogate cows.

Kourken was born in Keurkune, Kessab. His preliminary education was in village at a time when the village’s church, also served as clasroom. After which he has continued his secondary education in Kessab, and then Beirut. Subsequently, he attended the American University of Beirut studying at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, from which he received his Master of Science degree in 1964. His major is listed Animal production-Animal Deseases and his Minor, poultry production. After immigrating to Canada, he furthered his education at McGill University and receive his PhD. His dissertation is titled “Recovery, Fertilization and Transfer of Bovine Eggs” (1973).

He was a true Kessabtsi. I have retained the following from him in my files, “Congratulations Vahe ! What a superb way of describing Keurkune’s long gone olive oil industry and thus preserving it in our archives, not to mention your refreshment of our memories of the delicious taste of freshly baked bread (toniri hats) dipped in freshly squeezed olive oil (dsennoon).”

I quote from his obituary: “He was loved and cherished by many people including: his daughters, Naro (Dennis) and Vani (Mark); his nephew Mher (Niki); his grandchildren, Sam, Annie, Daniel, Duncan, Alex and Leo; his parents, Noris Bedirian and Lydia Bedirian (Ashekian); his siblings, Assadour (Sona), Asdghig (Joseph), Parouhi (Zohrab), Loucine and Papken (Wende); and his nieces and nephews, Manas, Moushegh, Steve, Ara, Zeron, Vani, Ankiné, Krysia, Kristen, Vahakn, Hovag, Hratch, Chanel and Barkev.”

May his memory remain unfading.

Յիշատակը անթառամ մնայ

 

THIS PHOTO

Attached is a translation of Ara Sanjian’s post today on his Facebook page, titled, ԱՅՍ ԼՈՒՍԱՆԿԱՐԸ.

 

Courtesy Wikipedia

"Since it was the anniversary of the seizure of the “Bank Ottoman”, many Armenian Facebook users, and not only they, had reposted this famous photo on their pages.

There is a widespread belief that this group photo shows the Dashnak youth who seized the bank, photographed after arriving in Marseille from Constantinople. I have also shown this photo to my students in the past, during my lectures. I must admit, however, that I was always puzzled as to why these young people were dressed in the typical attire of peasant farmers. It seemed somewhat illogical to me that they would have worn such clothes in their daily lives in the mid-1890s, or that they would have been able to enter the bank building and take it under their control while wearing such clothes.

A few months ago, Zeynep Devrim Gürsel’s study “Portraits of Unbelonging” was published in the United States, about some circumstances of the history of Western Armenians during the Hamidian era. I have not yet seen the published volume, but I read an early version of it in unpublished form. The author also referred to this photograph, which was printed in the French newspaper L’Illustration on October 31, 1896. Based on Ottoman archives, the author shows that the Ottoman chief diplomat in France was closely interested in this photograph, as he wanted to identify the individuals involved in the incident. In the end, he found out that the people in the photograph were not the young men who had seized the bank, but Armenian villagers from the Ottoman Empire who were emigrating to the United States at about the same time.

Therefore, from now on, this photograph should be presented within the framework of the Armenian migration from the Ottoman Empire to North America at the end of the 19th century.

I fear, however, that it has already become so widespread that, due to inertia, it will continue to be circulated for a long time as a group photo of young Armenian Dashnaks who seized the “Bank Ottoman”.

In the initial version of Kursel's book that I saw, there were copies of other documents and photographs related to the capture of Ottoman Bank", although not of individuals. I hope they are included in the printed copy and will later be circulated by Armenian history buffs. "

Yerneg ayn oreroun

Երնէկ այն օրերուն

Vaհe H Apelian 

To Vatche Baghdikian

Members of the Armenian Evangelical College (AEC) Student Association, in NJ
with the principal of the school, Dr. Zaven Messerlian

On August 8, 2026, I came across the following note on Elbiz Baghdikian’s Facebook page, “8/8/1968 on this day at 5 pm on a bus from Beirut to Bois the Bologna, I met the love of my love it has been a beautiful journey with you. 3/13/2026 you went to Heaven leaving me with joyous memories with the family around me.” 

It suddenly dawned on me that Vatche Baghdikian has left us for good, a few months ago. It is right there and then, the saying yerneg ayn oreroun, came to my mind.

Երնէկ այն օրերուն  - Yerneg ayn oreroun - Yearning for those days - is the title of a story the eminent writer Hamasdegh wrote in his book The Village- Kyughe - Գիւղը։ Underneath the title he noted to R. Tarpinian (Ռ. Դարբինեանին), who was the longstanding editor of Hairenik Daily in Boston, where also Hamasdegh lived.  Hamasdegh surely noted "to R. Tarpinian (Ռ. Դարբինեանին)", because they were literary collaborators. In his autobiography Hamasdegh noted «I owe to Tarpinian the publication of my two books in America, “The Village” (Գիւղը) and the “The Rain” (Անձրեւը).»

It is with a similar spirit that I noted Yerneg ayn oreroun,  to Vatche Baghdikian, although I saw him sporadically after the company I was going to work for, moved us to Cincinnati, OH in 1995. But since 1976 our social lives evolved about the Armenian Evangelical College (AEC) Alumni Association and the Sipan Armenian Day school. Among others, Vatche Baghdikian and I were founding members of both

I set foot in the United States at the J.F.Kennedy international airport on the early Friday afternoon on July 9, 1976. Noubar Manougian and his wife Knarig, formerly from Egypt, were supposed to pick me and after a few days with them, I was to conclude my immgrant's journey in Los Angeles. .But they were not there. Instead, it was my former classmate, who would be my brother-in-law, who came and picked me up. 

Movses and his wife  happened to live in Hackensack, NJ, next town to Paramus, where the Armenian Presbyterian church is located. It is there, at the church, that I soon met familiar faces from our days at the AEC in Beirut and changed my mind and stayed foot in NJ for the next nineteen years. Throughout those years, the Armenian Presbyterian Church where Sipan Armenian school took place, became our regular hangout. and if we met elsewhere, it was mostly about organizing a social function under the auspices of the AEC Student Association and about  Sipan Armenian School, the one day evening school, we founded for our children so that they may  have a glimpse of our upbringing. Sipan the highest peak in Western Armenia is the name of the our high school's yearbook.

The  beautiful graduation diplomas of our two sons.

Yerneg ayn oreroun is the story about a widow and a widower. Mkhsi was a recent widower, and 50 years old Mnsoush was alredy long time widow. They not only keep their distance from each other lest they rose the suspicion of the rest of the villagers, but also often quarreled and bickered.

Not long after, on an ominous year the govenment ordered the villagers  to close the doors of their houses and pack,  for the government was to move them elsewhere where they will be taken care of. But the reality of the exile settled in soon. And one day, the former bikering neighbots, Mkhsi and Mnoush, found each otherand fell into each other arms saying, yerneg ayn oreroun.

Those years, 1976-1995,  were good days for us, as well. 

Along with the cherished memories, the Sipan Armenian School continues to functions with vigor. The former students are now parents and have their children attending it.  Attendance not only did not decline, but increased at a steady pace. 

On September 11, 2026, Sipan Armenian School resumes its 48th academic year.

Sipan Armenian School may be viewed on Facebook.  

 

Economic miracle is not a matter of luck

Բնագիրը կցուած է։ Firebird chose Armenia to build its major NVIDIA AI factory, which has the potential of rendering Armenia a technology hub in the Caucasus and among the post-Soviet Community of Independent States (CIS). Economic prosperity is not a goal onto itself but a necessity for Armenia’s survival.  But it surely will excise upon Armenians new demands. Attached is my translation of Avo G Boghossian’s take, from Armenia on the state of Armenia’s economy and what post great war South Korea did to achieve its economic prosperity and hence state empowerment. Vaհe H Apelian

«Two days ago I wrote about the possibilities that, in my opinion, we can reliably bring economic prosperity and empowerment to our country. These two are extremely important for the survival of our nation, because only economic and state empowerment can be the main guarantee for our people to remain in their homeland and stop emigrating.

It is no secret that over the past thirty years our country has been literally depopulated as a result of economic collapse, earthquake, long-term war, injustice and corruption. Many villages and towns outside Yerevan have been significantly emptied. In the face of this reality, unrealistic national slogans are not only useless, but can even be dangerous.

Above all, we need peace, which in turn will create the necessary conditions for economic development and prosperity. However, on that path, we will undoubtedly also go through a period of certain sacrifices and difficulties. Many of the most developed countries in the world today have gone through that path.

The example of one of those countries is particularly instructive is South Korea.

South Korea was an extremely poor and severely devastated country after World War II, and especially the Korean War. However, over the next two to three decades, it achieved rapid economic development and became known worldwide as an example of the "Korean economic miracle." The country quickly transformed into a developed, industrialized, and technologically advanced state.

However, in 1997, South Korea faced a severe financial crisis and was forced to turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The country received an international aid package of about $58 billion and faced severe economic difficulties.

A remarkable national unification took place during those days. The people responded to the national gold collection campaign by voluntarily handing over their personal gold items—rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry. About 3.5 million people participated in the campaign, and about 227 tons of gold were collected. The gold was sold to purchase foreign currency and improve the country’s financial situation.

This event, of course, did not create the Korean economic miracle alone. That miracle was already the result of decades of consistent work, education, investment, exports, government policies, and technological development. But the gold campaign became a powerful symbol of national solidarity and a willingness to make sacrifices for a common goal.

Our economic miracle is also possible.

Armenia can become one of the important centers of artificial intelligence, high technology and knowledge-based economy in the region. We have human potential, educated youth and high-quality specialists established in different countries of the world.

Just as South Korea succeeded in involving specialists educated in its best universities in the development of the country, we can also invite our Diaspora Armenians and specialists living outside the borders of Armenia and create such conditions for them to contribute their knowledge and experience to the development of the homeland.

In this sense, the initiative of the state to invite Armenians who have graduated from the best universities in the world to Armenia is highly commendable. There are already those who respond, and I am sure that this process can be continuously expanded.

We need peace, stability, justice, education, hard work, and a long-term national strategy. We must also be prepared for temporary difficulties and sacrifices on the path to development.

Armenia’s economic empowerment is not just an economic issue. It is one of the most important prerequisites for national existence, demography, security, and the continued existence of our people in our homeland.

We can have our own economic miracle.

If we have the right policies, a long-term vision, and national unity, we will be on the right path.

 

 

 

 

Երկու օր առաջ գրած էի այն հնարաւորութիւններուն մասին, որոնք, իմ համոզումով, կրնան յուսալիօրէն մեր երկրին բերել տնտեսական բարգաւաճում եւ հզօրացում։ Այս երկուքը չափազանց կարեւոր են մեր ազգի գոյատեւման համար, որովհետեւ միայն տնտեսական եւ պետական հզօրացումն է, որ կրնայ հիմնական երաշխիքը ըլլալ մեր ժողովուրդին իր հայրենիքին մէջ մնալուն եւ արտագաղթի կասեցման։

Գաղտնիք չէ, որ մեր երկիրը վերջին երեսուն տարիներուն ընթացքին բառին բուն իմաստով հայաթափուած եւ մարդաթափուած է՝ իբրեւ հետեւանք տնտեսական փլուզման, երկրաշարժին, երկարատեւ պատերազմին, անարդարութեան եւ կոռուպցիային։ Երեւանէն դուրս բազմաթիւ գիւղեր եւ քաղաքներ զգալիօրէն դատարկուած են։ Այս իրականութեան առջեւ անիրատեսական ազգային կարգախօսները ոչ միայն անօգուտ են, այլ կրնան նոյնիսկ վտանգաւոր ըլլալ։

Մենք ամէն բանէ առաջ խաղաղութեան պէտք ունինք, որ իր կարգին պիտի ստեղծէ տնտեսական զարգացման եւ բարգաւաճման անհրաժեշտ պայմանները։ Սակայն այդ ճանապարհին, անկասկած, պիտի անցնինք նաեւ որոշակի զոհողութիւններու եւ դժուարութիւններու փուլէ մը։ Այդ ճանապարհէն անցած են այսօր աշխարհի ամենազարգացած երկիրներէն շատերը։

Այդ երկիրներէն մէկուն օրինակը յատկապէս ուսանելի է՝ Հարաւային Կորեան։

 

 

Հարաւային Կորեան Երկրորդ Համաշխարհային պատերազմէն եւ յատկապէս Կորէական պատերազմէն ետք ծայրայեղ աղքատ եւ ծանրօրէն քայքայուած երկիր մըն էր։ Սակայն յաջորդ երկու-երեք տասնամեակներուն ընթացքին ան իրականացուց արագընթաց տնտեսական զարգացում եւ աշխարհին մէջ ճանչցուեցաւ իբրեւ «Կորէական տնտեսական հրաշք»ի օրինակ։ Երկիրը կարճ ժամանակի մէջ վերածուեցաւ զարգացած, արդիւնաբերական եւ տեխնոլոգիապէս յառաջադէմ պետութեան։

Սակայն 1997-ին Հարաւային Կորեան դիմագրաւեց ծանր ֆինանսական ճգնաժամ մը եւ ստիպուեցաւ դիմել Արժոյթի Միջազգային Հիմնադրամին՝ IMF-ին։ Երկիրը ստացաւ շուրջ 58 միլիառ տոլարի միջազգային օգնութեան փաթեթ մը եւ կանգնեցաւ ծանր տնտեսական դժուարութիւններու առջեւ։

Այդ օրերուն տեղի ունեցաւ ուշագրաւ ազգային համախմբում մը։ Ժողովուրդը արձագանգեց ոսկիի հաւաքագրման ազգային արշաւին՝ յօժարակամ յանձնելով իր անձնական ոսկեղէն իրերը՝ մատանիներ, ապարանջաններ, վզնոցներ եւ այլ զարդեր։ Մօտ 3.5 միլիոն մարդ մասնակցեցաւ այդ արշաւին, եւ հաւաքուեցաւ շուրջ 227 թոն ոսկի։ Ոսկին վաճառուեցաւ՝ օտար դրամանիշ ձեռք բերելու եւ երկրի ֆինանսական վիճակը բարելաւելու նպատակով։

Այս դէպքը, անշուշտ, մինակը չստեղծեց Կորէական տնտեսական հրաշքը։ Այդ հրաշքը արդէն տասնամեակներու հետեւողական աշխատանքի, կրթութեան, ներդրումներու, արտահանման, պետական քաղաքականութեան եւ տեխնոլոգիական զարգացման արդիւնքն էր։ Սակայն ոսկիի արշաւը դարձաւ ազգային համերաշխութեան եւ ընդհանուր նպատակի համար զոհողութիւն կատարելու պատրաստակամութեան հզօր խորհրդանիշ մը։

Մեր տնտեսական հրաշքն ալ հնարաւոր է։

Հայաստանը կրնայ դառնալ տարածաշրջանի արհեստական բանականութեան, բարձր արհեստագիտութեան եւ գիտելիքի վրայ հիմնուած տնտեսութեան կարեւոր կեդրոններէն մէկը։ Մենք ունինք մարդկային ներուժ, կրթուած երիտասարդութիւն եւ աշխարհի տարբեր երկիրներուն մէջ հաստատուած բարձրորակ մասնագէտներ։

Ինչպէս Հարաւային Կորեան յաջողեցաւ իր լաւագոյն համալսարաններուն մէջ կրթուած մասնագէտները ներգրաւել երկրի զարգացման գործին, մենք ալ կրնանք մեր սփիւռքահայ եւ Հայաստանի սահմաններէն դուրս ապրող մասնագէտները հրաւիրել եւ ստեղծել այնպիսի պայմաններ, որ անոնք իրենց գիտելիքն ու փորձառութիւնը ներդնեն հայրենիքի զարգացման մէջ։

Այս իմաստով պետութեան կողմէ համաշխարհային լաւագոյն համալսարանները աւարտած հայորդիները Հայաստան հրաւիրելու նախաձեռնութիւնը խիստ գովելի է։ Արդէն կան արձագանգողներ, եւ վստահ եմ, որ այս գործընթացը կրնայ շարունակաբար ընդլայնուիլ։

Մեզի պէտք է խաղաղութիւն, կայունութիւն, արդարութիւն, կրթութիւն, աշխատասիրութիւն եւ երկարաժամկէտ ազգային ռազմավարութիւն։ Պէտք է նաեւ պատրաստ ըլլանք զարգացման ճանապարհի ժամանակաւոր դժուարութիւններուն եւ զոհողութիւններուն։

Հայաստանի տնտեսական հզօրացումը ոչ միայն տնտեսական հարց է։ Ան ազգային գոյութեան, ժողովրդագրութեան, անվտանգութեան եւ մեր ժողովուրդին հայրենիքին մէջ մնալու ամենակարեւոր նախապայմաններէն մէկն է։

Մենք կրնանք ունենալ մեր տնտեսական հրաշքը։

Եթէ ճիշտ քաղաքականութիւն, երկարաժամկէտ տեսլական եւ ազգային համախմբում ունենանք, մենք ճիշտ ճանապարհին վրայ կ՚ըլլանք։ See less

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The emergence of the great absent

 Vaհe H Apelian 

Politics make strange bedfellows is a well-known saying for good reason that needs no elaboration. Ronald Reagan famously joked, "Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to understand that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."

Especially the following caught me off guard as the post June 7, 2026 election government takes shape; the political fall of Robert Kocharyan, and the emergence of Samvel Karapetyan who was, for all practical purposes absent from  Armenia, surely during the upheavals of the last eight years that shook the Armenians to the core in Armenia and in Diaspora. 

On August 10, the National Assembly distributed the positions of chairmen and deputies of 12 standing committees among the three factions that make the National Assembly, that is to say among Civil Contract party that commands 64 seats, Strong Armenia party that commands 29 seats, and the Armenia alliance, that commands 12 seats. These 12 standing committees, much like any parliamentary standing committees, will review draft laws before they reach the main floor, present expert opinions to parliament, and lead legislative oversight over government policies.

The “Civil Contract” faction received 8 committee chairs and 7 deputies. 

“Strong Armenia” received 3 chairs and 4 deputies. 

The “Armenia” faction received only 1 chair and 1 deputy.

It was interesting to note that the standing committee for European Integration will be chaired by Strong Armenia party that is a staunch ally of Russia, and is for the “integration” of Armenia with the Russian Federation to have the Russian Federation as Armenia’s guarantor – yerashkhavor. Although he could not take part in the election, Strong Armenia’s de facto leader is Samvel Karapetyan who boasted at one time that he is the only leader that holds a European citizenship. Along being a Russian Federation national, Samvel Karapetyan is also a citizen of Cyprus which is a member of European Union and Euro is its official currency. The Civil Contract party, will  chair the standing committee for  Eurasian Integration, although the party advocates an independent course for Armenia but continues to have Armenia as a member of EAEU – Eurasian Economic Union - and has no intention of discontinuing Armenia's  membership.

The grand loser surely of the election and in the ensuing governance of Armenia is Robert Kocharyan. Samvel Karapetyan who was a big absent, surely during the turmoil after the 2018 upheaval due to Velvet Revolution, has emerged as the de facto leader of the opposition in Armenia, although he legally cannot take part of it.  It appears that Moscow has hedged its bet on Samvel Karapetyan and not on Robert Kocharyan.

The grand rule of politics is every politics is local. Armenia is no exception. Diaspora is not local. It is futile for Diaspora to align itself politically with Armenian factions. Diaspora’s stand with Armenia should be principled that transcends the local politics. During the past 70 years or so of Soviet rule, a faction of Diaspora stood against Soviet Armenia governance on principle. The other faction stood with Soviet Armenia, also on a principle. In the post-Soviet era Armenia, Diaspora should continue on standing by Armenia on principle as its fledgling democratic homeland, albeit in turmoil to chart its course, not Diaspora’s course. Free, independent and democratic Armenia will always lead the global nation we have become.

Attached is a tabulation of the 12 standing committees with their chairs and co-chairs.

Standing Committee		Chaired by	Co-chaired
1	Foreign Relations	Civil Contract	Civil Contract
2	Education, Science, Culture, Sports and Diaspora Issues	Civil Contract	Civil Contract
3	Healthcare	Civil Contract	Civil Contract
4	Labor and Welfare	Civil Contract	Civil Contract
5	Regional and Eurasian Integration	Civil Contract	Strong Armenia
6	Defense and Security Issues	Civil Contract	Strong Armenia
7	Economic Issues	Civil Contract	Strong Armenia
8	State and Legal Issues	Civil Contract	Armenia
9	Financial, Credit and Budgetary Issues	Strong Armenia	Civil Contract
10	Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government,	Strong Armenia	Civil Contract
11	European Integration	Strong Armenia	Civil Contract
12	Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs	Armenia	Strong Armenia

 

 

 

The 12 Armenia National Assembly Standing Committees.

Vaհe H Apelian 

 

 

I would not have expected that Civil Contract party will head the Eurasian Integration standing committee and the Strong Armenia will head the European Integrationstanding committee of the Armenian National Assembly. For me, the chairing of these standing committees is unexpected turn of events, given the election rhetorics.  

On August 10, the National Assembly distributed the positions of chairmen and deputies of 12 standing committees among the three factions that make the National Assembly, that is to say among Civil Contract party that commands 64 seats, Strong Armenia party that commands 29 seats, and the Armenia alliance, that commands 12 seats. These 12 standing committees, much like any parliamentary standing committees, will review draft laws before they reach the main floor, present expert opinions to parliament, and lead legislative oversight over government policies.

The “Civil Contract” faction received 8 committee chairs and 7 deputies. “Strong Armenia” received 3 chairs and 4 deputies. The “Armenia” faction received 1 chair and 1 deputy.

It is interesting to note that the standing committee for European Integration is chaired by Strong Armenia party, that is a staunch ally of Russia and is for “integration” with the Russian Federation and have it as Armenia’s guarantor – yerashkhavor. But on the other hand, Strong Armenia’s de facto leader in absentia is Samvel Karapetyan who boasted at one time that he is the only leader that holds a European citizenship. Along being a Russian Federation national, Samvel Karabetyan is also a citizen of Cyprus which is a member of European Union and Euro is its official currency. The Civil Contract party, that chairs the Regional and Eurasian Integration standing committee, advocates an independent course for Armenia and continues Armenia’s EAEU – Eurasian Economic Union - membership.

The grand loser surely is Robert Kocharian and the Armenia Alliance he heads. Samvel Karapetyan who was a big absent in the turmoil since 2018 upheaval due to Velvet Revolution led by Nikol Pashinyan has emerged de facto leader of the opposition in Armenia although he legally cannot take part of it.  It appears Moscow has hedged its bet on Samvel Karapetyan and not Robert Kocharyan.

The grand rule of politics is every politics is local. Armenia is no exception. Diaspora is not local. It is futile for Diaspora to align itself politically with Armenian factions. Diaspora’s stand with Armenia should be principled. During the past 70 years or so of Soviet rule, a faction of Diaspora stood against Soviet Armenia governance on principle. And in the post-Soviet era, Diaspora should stand by Armenia on principle as its fledgling democratic homeland, albeit in turmoil to chart its course, not Diaspora’s course.

Attached is a tabulation of the 12 standing committees with their chairs and co-chairs.

Standing Committee		Chaired by	Co-chaired
1	Foreign Relations	Civil Contract	Civil Contract
2	Education, Science, Culture, Sports and Diaspora Issues	Civil Contract	Civil Contract
3	Healthcare	Civil Contract	Civil Contract
4	Labor and Welfare	Civil Contract	Civil Contract
5	Regional and Eurasian Integration	Civil Contract	Strong Armenia
6	Defense and Security Issues	Civil Contract	Strong Armenia
7	Economic Issues	Civil Contract	Strong Armenia
8	State and Legal Issues	Civil Contract	Armenia
9	Financial, Credit and Budgetary Issues	Strong Armenia	Civil Contract
10	Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government,	Strong Armenia	Civil Contract
11	European Integration	Strong Armenia	Civil Contract
12	Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs	Armenia	Strong Armenia