Armenian top division championship over
07.11.2009 17:44 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian soccer top division championship is over.
Armenia’s ninefold champions Pyunik top the chart with 65 points.
They are followed by Mika (58 points), Ulysses (53 points), Banants
(44 points), Gandzasar (38 points), Shirak (23 points), Kilikia (20
points) and Ararat (14 points).
May Lian: I lived and worked in Yerevan until 1989, but perform the
first time in 20 years
07.11.2009 17:18 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
`Our goal is to turn a festival of guitar players to be held November
9 into an annual event,’ organizer of the "Armenian guitar – 2009"
festival, Vahagn Amirkhanyan said. Famous guitarists May Lian (Yuri
Mailyan) (Russia) and Dave Martoun (Canada) presented a program to be
submitted at the festival.
In particular, in an conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, May
Lian said: "I arrived in Yerevan a few hours ago. I lived and worked
here until 1989, but I perform for the first time in 20 years in
Yerevan".
Dave Martin in turn, shared his plans: "At the festival I am going to
play one of Nickelblack’s songs’.
The festival "Armenian guitar – 2009" will be held November 9 at the
State Academic Theater after Sundukyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Philip Gordon urged Ankara to act "in consistence" with US’ and
Europe’s attitude on Sudan
07.11.2009 17:48 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A senior U.S. diplomat urged Turkey on Friday to act
"in consistence" with United States’ and Europe’s attitude on Sudan.
"What we hope is that Turkey’s message with the Sudanese government is
consistent with ours and with our European friends’," said Philip
Gordon, State Department’s assistant secretary for European and
Eurasian Affairs, during a press briefing at the Foreign Press Center
in Washington.
Gordon was responding to a question on Sudanese President Omar
al-Bashir’s prospective visit Turkey for an international meeting in
Istanbul. Al-Bashir is expected to participate in a meeting of the
Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of
the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Turkey, Anatolian
News agency reported.
AGOS Weekly, Istanbul
Nov 5 2009
Turkey’s `faith initiative’ looks east
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Vercihan ZiflioÄ?lu
Istanbul Hurriyet Daily News
Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry says the Surp Haç Church on
Akdamar Island in Lake Van and the Monastery of Sümela in Trabzon will
be open for prayer once a year. Minister Günay says that a cross will
be erected atop the roof of Surp Haç, just as it had been originally
Mainly spearheaded by efforts to bring prayers back into churches,
Turkey’s cultural initiatives are set to accelerate in 2010, according
to the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Armenia pleased by developments
Günay also told the Daily News he might visit Armenia. `As you
remember, President Gül has visited Armenia. If our President has
visited, there is no reason at all why I would not go, also,’ he said.
The dialogue began with Surp Haç
It is widely assumed that the dialogue process between Turkey and
Armenia started with the national football match last year. However,
the actual contact began with the restoration process of the Surp Haç
Church on Akdamar Island in Lake Van. Former Culture Minister Atilla
Koç contacted Gagik Gürciyan and invited the Armenian expert to visit
Turkey. Although coordinated efforts were realized despite the two
countries’ closed borders, heavy criticism was levied in Armenia and
among the diaspora following the church’s opening as a museum.
The protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia for the normalization
of relations has started to bear fruit. Minister of Culture and
Tourism ErtuÄ?rul Günay, who has reached out to his Armenian
counterpart through the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review in the
past, reiterated a standing offer: `Let Armenian and Turkish experts
restore the ruins of Ani together.’
The Ani excavation site, near the Armenian border in the Arpaçay
District of Kars, was the capital of the Armenian Kingdom of
Bagratunis between 961 and 1045. The Daily News spoke to the
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Armenian
President Gagik Gürcüyan about the offer. Gürcüyan expressed pleasure
at the developments and said that the organization will contact the
Culture Ministry and will happily work together to restore the site.
Günay: `I may visit Armenia’
The Ani ruins caused a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Armenia
years ago. Turkey filed a complaint to ICOMOS, an organization
affiliated with UNSECO, saying that explosions at Armenian stone
quarries are damaging the site. Günay said the explosions have since
stopped, much to his relief. `Ani is a common legacy of humanity,’ he
said. `We must do all we can to pass it on to the future generations.’
The ministry said it is preparing to open the recently renovated,
historical Surp Haç Church for prayer once a year and affix a cross to
its roof in its original place. Also, the Monastery of Sümela in
Trabzon will be opened for prayer once a year.
As it was initially reopened as a museum, no cross was placed on the
roof of the church. A replica of the original cross, made according to
the traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was brought to
Istanbul by Armenian experts and delivered to Armenian Patriarch of
Turkey Mesrob Mutafyan. The cross is waiting at the Turkish Armenian
Patriarchate to be placed atop the restored church.
Legal problems
Minister Günay spoke about the latest developments and delays.
`Unfortunately, there were some hitches with the laws that did not
allow historical churches to be opened for prayer,’ he said. `That was
the reason for the debates over the cross.’
Günay said the ministry is in the final stage of working out the legal
hitches and that similar problems will not be experienced in Turkey in
the future. Günay said the cross would be placed atop the church
shortly and the building will be opened for prayer once a year, if
there is demand.
Prayer will also be allowed in Sümela
Along with Surp Haç Church, the Monastery of Sümela in Trabzon will
also be opened for prayer once a year. Last year, a group of 500
tourists from Greece, among them Thessaloniki Mayor Panayotis
Psomyadis and Russian Deputy Ivan Savidis, sought to light candles at
the monastery but were interrupted by Nilgün Yılmazer, museum director
of Trabzon. When reminded of this incident, Minister Günay said they
would not allow such things to be experienced in Turkey again and `all
believers in these lands will follow their faiths’ requirements
freely.’
`A late decision’
Architect Zakaria MildanoÄ?lu, who was assigned by the Turkish Armenian
Patriarchate to the renovation of Surp Haç, evaluated the developments
as a late decision. MildanoÄ?lu said former Minister Koç transferred
the matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time. `The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs deals with foreigners. Minister Koç saw
the citizens of his own country as foreigners, but we have lived on
these lands for hundreds of years; we are not foreigners.’
Sarkis Elbe, a prominent Armenian figure in Istanbul, said: `This is a
political decision. If only they had not waited for the signing of the
protocols just to make this decision.’
Osman Köker, researcher and owner of Birzamanlar publishing, had a
different take on the developments. `Turkey is trying to play a
leading role in the region and to develop good relations with its
neighbors,’ he said. `Turkey also protects the rights of minorities in
the country.’
Köker added that the process should be supported. `Opening religious
buildings of historical importance to visitors would boost the number
of tourists visiting our country.’
Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting likely in November
07.11.2009 17:50 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Yuri
Merzlyakov, the Russian Federation; Ambassador Bernard Fassier,
France; Ambassador Robert Bradtke, United States) visited Azerbaijan
and Armenia November 4-6. They met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
November 5 in Baku before traveling to Yerevan November 6 to meet
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. They returned to Baku November 6
for a second meeting with President Aliyev.
In Baku and Yerevan, both presidents reiterated their commitment to
continue their discussions, with the objective to make further
progress toward reaching an agreement on the basic principles for the
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They accepted
the proposal of the Co-Chairs to organize their next bilateral
meeting, the sixth such meeting this year, before the end of November
at a time and place to be confirmed, the OSCE communication unit
reported.
CBA training center to open in Shoushi
07.11.2009 17:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan met Saturday with chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia
Arthur Javadyan to discuss cooperation in the banking sector.
President Sahakyan underlined the importance of opening a training
center of the bank in the town of Shoushi noting that it would become
an important modern educational establishment training financial and
banking personnel in the republic.
NKR Premier Ara Haroutyunyan was also present at the meeting, reported
the Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR President.
Washington warns Ankara against gas deal with Iran
07.11.2009 18:11 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There are no changes regarding U.S. economic
sanctions on Tehran, Assistant Secretary for Bureau of European and
Eurasian Affairs Philip H. Gordon said when commenting on Washington’s
attitude over an energy deal signed between Turkey and Iran.
"The United States doesn’t do economic business with Iran, and we also
don’t think it’s time for business as usual with Iran for other
countries. We also have legislation that requires sanctions when other
countries make significant investments in Iran’s energy sector, and
none of that has changed," he said, Anatolian News agency reported.
Ulysses’ Arthur Kocharyan named best Armenian striker
07.11.2009 18:28 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Arthur Kocharyan from Ullyses FC was named best
Armenian striker of 2009. Kocharyan scored 15 goals in Armenian top
division championship.
The list of best strikers is as follows:
Arthur Kocharyan (Ullyses) – 15 goals
Bodi Demel (Mika) – 14 goals
Arsen Avetisyan (Gandzasar) – 14 goals
Samvel Melkonyan (Banants) – 11 goals
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Pyunik, Metallurg) – 11 goals.
AGOS, Istanbul
Nov 6 2009
Armenia – State visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Kuwait
After the official welcoming ceremony in the airport of El Kuwait and
a brief meeting with the Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received in his residence the
Chairman of the Kuwait Investment Authority, Bader Muhammad
Al-Sahadin.
During the meeting the President of Armenia noted that after regaining
independence Armenia adopted a policy of free market economy and as a
developing country is ready to cooperate with the Investment
Authority, creating proper conditions for a successful implementation
of different investment programs. In his turn, Bader Muhammad
Al-Sahadin said that the Investment Authority is implementing
investment programs in a number of developing countries and will be
happy to start cooperation with our country as well. Among possible
areas of the implementation of the Investment Authority programs
mentioned were areas of energy, agriculture, real estate, and mining.
The parties reached agreement to send a group of Armenian experts to
Kuwait, to discuss in detail with the Investment Authority the
prospects of cooperation and real investment proposals.
Serzh Sargsyan also met with the Executive Director of the Economic
Development Fund Abdulwahab Ahmad al-Bader. The Fund is one of the
major establishments among development institutions of the Gulf
countries, whose efforts are aimed at the economic advancement of Arab
and other developing states through loans, technical assistance
grants, investment projects, and capital participation. President
Sargsyan said that Armenia is interested in enhancing cooperation in
different areas and is ready to start interaction with the Fund in
different areas, creating necessary conditions for the implementation
of the investment projects of different caliber. In his turn, the
Executive Director of the Economic Development Fund stressed the
importance of their participation in Armenia’s economic development
and expressed readiness to carefully discuss opportunities for
cooperation and concrete investment projects with the group of experts
which is arrive to Kuwait.
At his residence, the President of Armenia met also with the Speaker
of the National Assembly of Kuwait Jassem Mohammad al-Kharafi and the
Prime Minister of Kuwait Nasir Al-Muhammad Al-Ahamd Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
`This is my first visit to the Gulf country and is aimed at providing
a new impetus to our relations with the countries of the Gulf region.
Armenia is deeply interested in developing relations with Kuwait and
other Gulf countries, and with this regard the Parliaments can play a
significant role,’ stressed Serzh Sargsyan during his meeting with the
Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait. In his turn, Jassem
Mohammad al-Kharafi underscored that high level reciprocal visits and
contacts enhance bilateral relations and send a clear signal to the
business communities of the two countries. The interlocutors concurred
that bilateral relations have a great potential for development and
stressed the importance of a more active engagement of the friendship
groups in both Parliaments for deepening that cooperation. The Speaker
of the National Assembly of Kuwait proposed to organize the Days of
Armenia in Kuwait and to introduce the people of Kuwait to the tourism
opportunities in Armenia since in Kuwait Armenia is known as a
beautiful and attractive country.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister of Kuwait discussed were
issues related to the development of economic cooperation of the two
countries. The parties noted that esteem and kind disposition of the
Armenia and Arab peoples towards each other provided a fertile soil on
which the cooperation in different areas can flourish, utilizing the
entire potential of economic and cultural cooperation. Serzh Sargsyan
said that Armenia has a positive experience of cooperation with a
number of Gulf States and the Armenian-Kuwaiti cooperation can achieve
considerable success if corresponding and persistent steps are taken.
To implement the agreements reached during Serzh Sargsyan’s visit and
to institutionalize the development of bilateral relations, it was
decided to establish an intergovernmental commission. The President of
Armenia and the Prime Minister of Kuwait concurred that establishment
of the embassies in Yerevan and El Kuwait would further promote
bilateral relations and constant political dialogue, noting that the
small trade turnover between the two countries does not reflect the
existing potential. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two
countries were instructed to take more active steps in consultations
regarding opening of the embassies in the two capitals. They also
reached agreement to speed up the process of preparing for signing the
agreement between Armenia and Kuwait on encouragement and mutual
protection of investments.
At the conclusion of the first day of his state visit, the President
of Armenia conducted negotiations with the Emir of Kuwait Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Expressing gratitude to the President of
Armenia for accepting his invitation and coming to Kuwait on a state
visit, Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed confidence that
President Sargsyan’s visit would serve as a strong impetus for moving
forward cooperation in different areas, based on centuries-long
friendship of the Arab and Armenian peoples, mutual fondness and
esteem. `There are no obstacles or issues that could hinder the
development of our relations. High level visits such as this one, are
to be considered a strong impetus for the development of bilateral
relations,’ said the Emir of Kuwait. In his turn, President Sargsyan
thanked the Emir of Kuwait for the invitation and warm reception and
underlined that Armenia is deeply interested in developing political
dialogue, economic and cultural cooperation with the State of Kuwait,
adding that although not a large but well-organized Armenian community
in Kuwait is a reliable bridge of friendship between the two
countries. Serzh Sargsyan said that the Armenian authorities are ready
to discuss thoroughly, create necessary conditions and provided
assistance for the implementation in our country of the prospective
investment programs. The President of Armenia and the Emir of Kuwait
exchanged also views on the issues related to regional security,
present problems and conflict resolution processes. Serzh Sargsyan
informed the leader of Kuwait about the current stage of the
Armenia-Turkey normalization process, substance of the NK issues and
related peace process. The two sides stressed the importance of
cooperation in multilateral settings ` in international organizations
and structures. President Sargsyan expressed confidence that opening
of the embassies and regular political consultations between the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries will promote better
understanding of each other’s problems, which will in turn allow to
come up with a well-founded positions during the discussions and
voting. Sometimes, not sufficient information on Artsakh issue as well
as undue and inadmissible misuse by Azerbaijan of religious solidarity
results in the adoption by the Organization of Islamic Conference of
unjustified decisions.
At the conclusion of the negotiations on the highest level, President
Sargsyan and the Emir of Kuwait were present at the official signing
ceremony of the intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in the
areas of agriculture, education, culture and tourism, as well as
agreements on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax
evasion. Serzh Sargsyan and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Ahmad
al-Sabah assessed the signing of five intergovernmental agreements as
a `significant result of the visit of the President of the Republic of
Armenia and an important step in moving cooperation of the two
countries forward.’
After the high-level negotiations, in Bayan Palace in the capital of
Kuwait, the Emir of Kuwait gave official dinner in honor of the
President of Armenia.
In the framework of the visit, President Sargsyan visited also a
scientific center located in Salmiya area, where he was introduced to
the activities of the center which is working on the problems of the
Gulf ecosystem. Serzh Sargsyan toured the exhibit with marine animals,
observed artifacts of the history of Kuwait, and made an inscription
in the Book of honorary guests.
During his meeting with President of the Commerce and Industry Chamber
of Kuwait, President of Armenia welcomed the agreement on cooperation
with the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Armenia. The parties reached
agreement regarding the visit of the Kuwaiti businessmen to Armenia,
where they can see first hand investment opportunities and look into
the prospects of cooperation. The President of the Commerce and
Industry Chamber of Kuwait extended invitation to the business circles
and organizations of Armenia to participate in the implementation of
the five-year development program of Kuwait.
In the framework of his visit, President Serzh Sargsyan met also with
the representatives of the Armenian community of Kuwait, told them
about the results of the visit and reached agreements, as well as
Armenia’s social and economic development, the necessity of
preservation of the Armenian identity and Armenia-Spyurq unity,
Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the NK peace process. He also
answered questions raised by our brothers and sisters residing in
Kuwait.
Tennis Master’s Cup kicks off in Yerevan Nov. 8
07.11.2009 18:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Tennis Master’s Cup will kick off in Yerevan on
November 8. The opening ceremony and draw will take place in Orange
tennis club.