Author: Antranik Varosian

Sports: Armenian Side, Lori FC Sign Plateau United Midfielder, Sunday Ngbede

Antranik Varosian
FootballliveNG, Nigeria
Aug 29 2018


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Editor

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The 20 year old midfielder was part of the Plateau United side that won the 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Title contributing five goals.

Ngbede also registered a goal in the 2018 CAF Champions League campaign and he featured in all four matches before the team’s exit to the CAF Confederation Cup.

The creative winger whose greatest strength is precision with the use of the ball and great pace to get past his opposition is set to spot the no. 26 jersey for Lori FC in the new season after the club confirmed it at his unveiling.

Sunday Ngbede will be the fifth player to have left Plateau United this season, other players who have left for the proverbial golden fleece are Emeka Umeh, Peter Eneji, Okemuute Odah and Raphael Ayangwa.

Plateau United would now be hoping that the mass exit of several key players to foreign leagues would not be counter productive when the league resumes on September 2nd following a prolonged break in league matches.

https://footballlive.ng/armenian-side-lori-fc-sign-plateau-united-midfielder-sunday-ngbede/


Merkel heard what she wanted to hear in Armenia

Antranik Varosian
Vetsnik Kavkaza
Aug 28 2018
27 Aug in 17:32 Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

As part of the South Caucasus tour, German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Armenia, where the visit was called historic. Germany is Armenia’s third largest trade partner after Russia and China. According to the National Statistical Service, in the first half of this year Armenian-German trade increased by 53.6% compared to the same period of last year to $216.6 million. Armenia exports copper, ferromolybdenum and aluminum foil production to Germany, in recent years clothes and other goods also have been exported in small amounts. There are 150 companies with German capital in Armenia, the largest of which is the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine.

Armenia imports more than 800 types of goods from Germany, including cars, medicines, household items, various equipment. For more than 20 years, Germany has been a donor country for Armenia and contributed to its reforms, as well as the development of hydropower and regional structures. Merkel highly appreciated the peaceful nature of the “velvet” revolution, which took place in the spring and said that Germany “wants to help Armenia in making these bold changes.” During the visit, the sides specified areas for deepening cooperation. In particular, they discussed education, research and economics.

Armenian experts drew attention to the fact that Merkel’s visit coincided with the new conditions that emerged in the country after the “April” revolution: an active fight against corruption, the creation of more healthy and equal business conditions, the protection of small and medium-sized businesses from the previous heavy taxation burden. These and other circumstances can play a significant role in providing a new impulse in the development of bilateral relations, including attracting German investments in the Armenian economy.

“In political terms, we have a dynamic and reliable partnership with Germany, however, the great economic potential has not been used yet,” Armenian Ambassador to Germany Ashot Smbatyan said.

During the Chancellor’s visit, foreign policy issues were also discussed. Merkel again advocated the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They also touched on Armenia’s cooperation with the EU, including the implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia does not build foreign policy on the principles of counterbalance and has no intention to make sharp changes in its foreign policy: “We intend to develop relations with Russia within the Eurasian Economic Union and CSTO. At the same time, we intend to develop relations with the EU.” In response, the German Chancellor expressed the opinion that Armenia could serve as an example of how a country can cooperate with Russia and the European Union at the same time.

Armenian experts note that against the background of the processes taking place in some post-Soviet republics, namely their aspirations to enter the EU and NATO, the European leader heard what she wanted to hear in Armenia. Given a number of serious issues, including Russia’s painful reaction to these trends, the Germans seek to place the issues of possible accession of the former Soviet republics to the EU on hold. Given the existence of certain contradictions between Germany and the United States, Berlin seeks to find the right format for its relations with Russia, avoiding all sorts of problems and complications in every possible way.

German chancellor offers assistance in settling Karabakh conflict

Antranik Varosian
TASS, Russia
Aug 25 2018
World

August 25, 14:02 UTC+3 BAKU. August 25.

              

BAKU. August 25. /TASS/. Germany would like to offer support in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a meeting with Azerbaijan’s President Ilkham Aliyev in Baku on Saturday.

The details of the talk are posted on the website of the Azerbaijani president.

“We are talking about the issue, which hinders this region very much. This is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and we, on the part of Germany, would like to render support in resolving it,” Merkel said.

The German chancellor also said that Azerbaijan and Germany could expand their economic ties.

“We can expand ties in the economic sphere and Azerbaijan is Germany’s largest trade partner in this region,” Merkel stressed.

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in February 1988, when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region declared departure from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. During the armed conflict of 1992-1993 Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh region as well as and seven neighboring regions.

Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been going on since 1992. Russia, the US and France are co-chairs of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that acts as a mediator in resolving the crisis.

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No applications received by CEC for participation in Council Elections yet

Antranik Varosian
  • 15:28 | August 24,2018 | Politics
  • Armenian:

An unprecedented active participation in the Yerevan Council of Elderly elections is expected. More than a dozen political forces have declared that they will participate in the election, with the expectation of winning. And even though parties can already submit applications to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), no application has been submitted to the commission yet. The deadline for applications is August 29, and according to the years of experience, all parties and alliances will submit the application on that day.

The CEC will deal with the registration of electoral lists until September 3. The period for the election campaign is September 10-21. September 22 is a day of silence, and the election, as it is known, will be on September 23. The preliminary results of the election will be published 24 hours after the end of the voting, which is until 20:00 on September 24. By September 25, at 11:00 am, applications for recalculation or invalidation of voting results can be submitted to the precinct election commissions.

Asbarez: We Have Lost a Patriot and a Revolutionary

Antranik Varosian
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20 hours ago

Hacob and Mina Shirvanian cut the ribbon to the Shirvanian Youth Center in Gyumri in July 2016

BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN

Perhaps what defined Hacob Shirvanian’s unwavering commitment to the Armenian Cause was his father, Vagharshsk’s prominent role in the defense of Van-Vasbouragan during the Armenian Genocide. That history and the knowledge that persistence and resolve will lead to perseverance made Hacob a true national hero.

Hacob Shirvanian passed away on Thursday, leaving behind a legacy of activism, benevolence and courage. More important, however, was his zealous patriotism, which propelled him to become such a staunch believer in justice for the Armenian people and an advocate for advancing the new generations of Armenians who would carry the torch to further the aspiration of our Nation.

Few years ago, Hacob said that his only wish was for the youth in Armenia to prosper and flourish so our homeland can be strong and filled with brightness and innovation. This was immediately before he announced a generous donation, as a result of which today hundreds of young people in Gyumri call the Shirvanian Youth Center a home away from home and, on a daily basis, are engaged in preserving our culture, heritage, language and our country’s future.

Hacob’s passing truly leaves a void in our community because he touched so many individuals through his drive for advancement, his uncanny ability to elevate those around him and his infectious personality, which made it a delight to be around him.

His imprint on countless Armenian organizations, schools and cultural centers have made it possible for generations to advance and become resilient fighters of a cause, which Hacob believed was just and justified.

Hacob was also a staunch reader and supporter of Asbarez. Every time I would see Hacob he would always bring up an article or a commentary that he had read in the paper. The discussions that would often ensue would always be grounded in our shared conviction of strengthening our homeland and our nation. I welcomed his criticism, because I knew it came from his desire for others to always strive to do better and I became better person—a better editor—for it.

Last December, Hacob lost his soul mate and inspiration—his rock—his wonderful wife, Mina,  herself an advocate, activist and a revolutionary. Together, they inspired and humbled us. Now Hacob has joined his beloved Mina, and together they can rest in peace, leaving us to advance their individual and collective legacies.

On behalf of all of us at Asbarez, we offer our most heartfelt condolences to the Shirvanian family.

Azerbaijani forces made nearly 200 ceasefire violations in Artsakh line of contact in one week

Antranik Varosian
| 15:22 | August 25 2018
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During the period from August 19 to 25, the Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire regime nearly 200 times in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact by firing more than 2500 shots from various caliber weapons at the Armenian positions, Artsakh’s defense ministry reported.

The Defense Army units mainly refrained from taking countermeasures and continued confidently fulfilling their military tasks.

Christ Hovsepyan: The presence of red lines is illegal (video)

Antranik Varosian
  • 15:59 | August 22,2018 | Social
  • Armenian:

Today, the head of “My Human Rights Defender” NGO, Christ Hovsepyan, called on drivers not to pay 12,000 drams for red lines, as, according to him, the presence of paid parking spots, red lines in Yerevan is illegal.

“There is no clear agreement between the Police and the City Hall that allow road police to provide information about drivers. And the City Hall is deprived of the power to fined drivers because the function is only given to the RA Police. The first reason of red lines’ being an illegal decision is this one. “Security Dime” company is video-recording and, in this case as well,  the municipality is considered the body conducting the proceedings ,but the municipality does not have that authority, so this is the second reason,” Hovsepyan said.

Letter to the Editor of The Sunday Times, UK by Lord Darzi

Antranik Varosian
The Sunday Times (London)
Sunday
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
 
The legacy of violence
Many people may not know today is World Humanitarian Day, with its theme of “Civilians are #NotATarget”. This could hardly fall at a more opportune time as so many across the world still are; in Syria and in Africa, and in the very recent past in the Balkans.
 
It is too easy for us to forget the horrors of previous generations and play politics with the past. Growing division at home and abroad reminds us that we must never be complacent about the need for greater unity.
 
As an immigrant to Britain, born to Armenian parents displaced by the genocide of 1915, I am only too keenly aware of the devastating effect that period had on the people who survived and their descendants.
 
The legacy of conflict continues to shape those who survive it. But we all have two choices in the aftermath of violence: either remain a victim or, once surviving and thriving, to continue the cycle of gratitude and giving.
 
On today of all days, I am hopeful victims and those who work to protect them, in and out of government, around the world, will make the right choice.
 
Professor Lord Darzi, Imperial College London and member of the selection committee for the Aurora prize for Awakening Humanity, the largest individual prize in the world for humanitarianism

Azerbaijani Press: Armenian politician calls for return of occupied lands to Azerbaijan

Antranik Varosian
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Aug 3 2018
 
 
Armenian politician calls for return of occupied lands to Azerbaijan
 
3 August 2018 11:00 (UTC+04:00)
By Naila Huseynli
 
Member of the Armenian National Congress Zoya Tadevosyan stated the necessity of Armenia’s withdrawing from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan. She made this statement during the recent meeting with reporters.
 
Tadevosyan noted that the occupied seven regions around Nagorno-Karabakh, which the Armenian side calls “liberated” territories must be returned to Azerbaijan if the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict requires this, the Armenian media reported.  
 
“In fact, you are well aware, and everyone understands in this audience that those are occupied territories,” she said.  
 
The Armenian politician stated that the territories occupied during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are not the territories of “Karabakh”.
 
In reply to the journalists’ question whether this statement means that these territories are occupied, Tadevosyan answered with the question: “Are these the Armenian lands?”
 
As to question whether she thinks that they should be returned, Tadevosyan stated that “None of you need to take offense at me, but I do not decide this. This issue has always been raised by [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairs, and generally discussed at the negotiating table. Dear journalist, do not take offense at me and demand something for which I am not responsible for. If the issue is about the settlement through the return of territories, then, of course, this is correct.”
 
Tadevosyan commented on the fact that the Armenian side considers these territories to be “liberated” and not occupied.  She stated that this is the position of the Armenian side, while the international community holds a different opinion on this issue, considering them captured or occupied.
 
On another question, whether she asked the opinion of the people of the separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh about this issue, Tadevosyan responded: “I did not ask anyone about anything, I’m stating the fact.”
 
Earlier, the leader of the Armenian National Congress party that Tadevosyan represents now, Levon Ter-Petrosyan lost his presidential post because of his views on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
 
Armenia still remembers Ter-Petrosyan’s speech at the ANC congress in December 2016, when he said that delaying the settlement of the conflict will further weaken Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, and the next decision will be even worse than what is on the table today.
 
Armenia occupied 20 percent territory of Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. Dozens were killed and nearly 1 million were displaced as a result of the Armenia’s armed aggression.
 
The ceasefire in 1994 froze the conflict. Unfortunately, Armenia continues to violate four UN Security council resolutions on immediate withdrawal of its armed forces from occupied territory including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan.
 
Negotiation and mediation efforts have failed to produce a permanent solution to the conflict due to Armenia’s unconstructive position on the issue.