Month: November 2016

FourFourTwo has ranked Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan 60th in its list of  2016.

“Mkhitaryan’s meagre two starts in 2016/17 – Jose Mourinho being oddly reluctant to play the £27m signing – are comfortably outweighed by the playmaker’s phenomenal 2015/16. After all, Mkhitaryan was named Player of the Year by 235 Bundesliga pros surveyed in German magazine Kicker and came third in the official players’ vote. How quickly we forget. How quickly Jose forgets,” the website writes.

The Armenian was reborn under Thomas Tuchel in his final Borussia Dortmund campaign. Mkhitaryan scored or assisted – and this isn’t a typo – 55 goals in 52 games, which is frankly obscene. Operating sometimes behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but more commonly drifting in from the right, Mkhitaryan showed he’s a true raumdeuter, a space investigator, and one who knows where the goal is.

“If that’s not enough, he speaks seven languages fluently and his dad was called Hamlet,” FourFourTwo reminds.

Tens of thousands of people have filled Revolution Square in the Cuban capital, Havana, for a rally honouring Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, the BBC reports.

Proceedings began with the national anthem and speeches were made by visiting dignitaries.

President Raul Castro closed the rally, referring to his brother Fidel as the leader of a revolution “for the humble, and by the humble”.

Fidel Castro, who came to power in 1959, died on Friday, aged 90.

Left-wing Latin American leaders were among those attending the event but other countries sent lower-ranking emissaries.

Opinion on Fidel Castro, who ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost half a century, remains divided.

Supporters say he returned Cuba to the people and praise him for some of his social programmes, such as public health and education.

But critics call him a dictator, who led a government that did not tolerate opposition and dissent.

According to the minister counselor at the Armenian Embassy in the US, Armenia will continue economic cooperation with the US during the next US Administration.

Economic cooperation between Armenia and the United States will continue during the next US Administration, Minister Counselor at the Armenian Embassy in the United States Hrachia Tashchian told .

“We do not see any reason that could stop or halt the economic cooperation between Armenia and the United States,” Tashchian said on the sidelines of the third annual “Doing Business With Eurasian Economic Union” Conference in Washington. Tashchian stressed that the United States was a key economic partner for Armenia. “US-Armenia Intergovernmental Joint Task Force is among the main tools fostering cooperation and discussion of a wide range of issues – from energy security to the technical assistance in implementing civil aviation and tax administration reforms”, Tashchian said.

Trade and Investment Framework Agreement – another important tool of cooperation – signed last year and tailored to help the parties identify areas conducive to the development of mutual trade and investments.

Tashchian noted that over the last two years there have been two major US investments in the energy and mining sectors of the Armenian economy. The diplomat also mentioned the large presence of US IT companies in Armenia. Information Technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Armenian economy, and the Government strongly supports its further growth, Tashchian concluded.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Federal Republic of Brazil Michel Temer on the plane crash near Medellin town in Columbia which killed dozens, President’s Press Office reports.

At the this difficult for Brazil times, the President of Armenia expressed condolences and support to President Temer, the friendly people of Brazil and families of the victims, wishing them tenacity and patience.

At the same time, according to the President of Armenia, the very fact that there are survivors in the crash, gives strength to move forward.

Hollywood star Tom Hanks has called for support to the Children of Armenia Fund gala to be held on December 9, 2016.

In a video message shared on Children of Armenia Fund’s Facebook page the actor said he can’t attend the gala, but urged others to join it.

“I can’t be there, which makes me a fool, because I don’t pass up meals at Cipriani easily,” he joked.

“My great friend, Andrea Martin, who I love dearly, is taking on the spirit of Armenia itself by organizing this great gala,” Hanks added.

“Please join it, please help out, explore your Armenian roots,” the actor said.

The United States has pledged to fund concrete measures designed to improve confidence in the election process and help prevent fraud in next year’s Armenian parliamentary elections. The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) strongly encouraged the U.S. government support this initiative considering its importance to strengthening the democratic process in Armenia.

U.S. funding will support agreements signed by the Armenian government and three leading opposition parties on voting conduct for the April 2017 elections.  Funds will go toward equipment required for live online broadcasts of voting and ballot counting, as well as electronic verification of voters’ identity, and other amendments to Armenia’s Electoral Code. The United States joins the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Germany in providing financial support towards the new voting processes and equipment for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

“Both the government and the opposition deserve credit for working out the agreement which sets Armenia apart,” stated Armenian Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. “The need for national unity was dramatically reemphasized after the April war initiated by Azerbaijan and the ongoing ceasefire violations attempting to goad Armenia to respond,” the Assembly Co-Chairs continued.  “We commend the U.S. and the EU for providing financial assistance to support this initiative to further the rule of law in Armenia. We are nonpartisan in both the American and Armenian contexts but this type of support to improve confidence in the democratic process serves us all,” they concluded.

According to the statement by the United States Embassy in Armenia: “The U.S. Government welcomes the agreement that was reached in June and September between the Armenian government and parliamentary political factions – with input from civil society representatives – on strengthening the integrity and credibility of the Armenian election process. We consider this agreement a meaningful step towards restoring public trust and accountability in Armenia’s electoral processes.”

“With our fellow international donors, all of whom are working in partnership with the United Nations Mission to Armenia, the U.S. Embassy will help fund the efforts of the Armenian government, political opposition, and civil society to strengthen trust in the Armenian electoral process via same-day voter authentication and the publication of signed voter lists after the elections, all as agreed in the June and September agreements,” stated the U.S. Embassy in Armenia.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Armenian counterpart signed an agreement on establishing combined forces, a RIA Novosti reports.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan said the group would include Russia’s military base in Armenia, as well as units of the Armenian armed forces. The ministers signed a cooperation plan for 2017.

Russian President Vladimir Putin singed off on a decree to establish a combined task force on November 14. Previously, Russia and Armenia signed the agreement that established regional Unified Air Defense System as part of Joint Commonwealth of Independent States Air Defense System in December 2015.

Valérie Boyer, spokesman of François Fillon, was the guest of France 2 this Sunday November 27 to comment on the victory of his candidate at the primary of the right. The cross she wore attracted more attention than the speech she gave.

The deputy of Bouches-du-Rhône, known for her conservative positions, displayed an “Armenian cross,” a religious sign representing the “divine nature” of Christ, according to the .

“This is something I never take away, I always have it on me,” explained Valerie Boyer. According to her, “there is no comment to make, since it is not a symbol of.”

The cross was not seen as Valérie Boyer appeared on BFMTV a few hours later.

The cross raised a wave of criticism on social media, as under French legislation, the public display of religious symbols is prohibited in the country.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to Giorgi Kvirikashvili on his re-appointment as Prime Minister of Georgia.

The President of Armenia expressed hope that the readiness of the two friendly countries to strengthen the existing potential of cooperation and partnership will allow to continuously develop the brotherly relations of the Armenian and Georgian peoples and will give a new impetus to the mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the $1 million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity were established on behalf of the descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, and in gratitude to those who risked their own wellbeing to help them survive.  At the inaugural awards ceremony, held in Yerevan, Armenia, on April 24, 2016, Marguerite Barankitse from Maison Shalom and REMA Hospital in Burundi became the first laureate.

Barankitse was recognized for the extraordinary impact she has had in saving thousands of lives and caring for orphans and refugees during the years of civil war in Burundi. Consistent with the rules of this unique prize, the laureate selected the following three organizations as recipients of $1 million in humanitarian support: the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de La Grande-Duchesse du Luxembourg, Fondation Jean-François Peterbroeck (JFP Foundation), and the Fondation Bridderlech Deelen Luxembourg.

In a continuing effort to transform the Armenian experience from that of ‘victim’ to dignified, active global citizen, each year’s Aurora Prize ceremony is a celebration of the spirit of shared humanity – and resilience.  This time, that celebration will culminate on May 28, in Yerevan, Armenia.

Known as First Republic Day, May 28 embodies the resilience of survivors who, just three years after the Genocide, declared and sustained an independent Armenian Republic from 1918 to 1920. The ceremony and accompanying events will highlight this journey from death to life, from horror to hope, from tragedy to revival.

The 2017 Aurora Prize finalists will be announced on April 24, 2017, the annual day of remembrance for victims of the Armenian Genocide.  One of these finalists will then be named as the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate at a special ceremony on May 28, 2017, in Yerevan, Armenia. The Laureate and finalists will be chosen by the Aurora Prize Selection Committee from a total of 558 nominations submitted from 66 countries around the world.

Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, observed: “Underpinning the Aurora Prize is a desire to pay tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to help others survive and thrive. It is gratifying that in such a short time this initiative has found resonance and appreciation in communities and countries around the world.”

Ruben Vardanyan added, “On May 28, Armenian survivors dared to declare independence in the aftermath of the Genocide and in the midst of regional tumult. Their plight embodies our conviction that victims very soon became not just survivors but also active, committed members of global society.  The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative highlights the promise of transformation from helpless to hopeful, a possibility that is the right of all people.”

During the month between April 24 and May 28, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will organize a global program of activities to profile the inspirational stories of the 2017 finalists, as well as broader humanitarian endeavors.  The Aurora Dialogues – a series of thought-provoking discussions featuring international humanitarian figures – debuted in Yerevan during the inaugural Aurora weekend. Those dialogues will also be expanded and shared with communities around the world and will also be a major component of the Aurora May 28 weekend, in Yerevan.