Author: Ara Felekian

The solemn opening of the fourth international conference of Armenian libraries was held at Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository (Matenadaran) at the Mother See of Hoply Etchmiadzin today.

The conference titled “Preserving the past for the sake of future” is dedicated to the 350^th anniversary of publishing of the first Armenian Bible.

The event has been organized by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Ministry of Culture and the National Library.

The opening ceremony was attended by His Holiness Karenin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan.

“The anniversary of  publishing of the Armenian Holy Book is a remarkable opportunity for the Armenian people to once again value their written legacy and the tireless efforts and dedication our devotees have demonstrated to create this heritage. Printing is one of the greatest achievements of mankind, which made it possible for the achievements of human brain to disseminate and reach all layers of society. Printing became one of the favorable conditions shaping the modern civilization,” His Holiness Karekin II said in his opening remarks.

Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan voiced hope that the conference would serve its goals – to support the centers of Armenology, to help libraries register the Armenian printed heritage, to contribute to the long-term maintenance and popularization of the Armenian legacy.

“I hope new routes of cooperation will be found as a result of discussions, new models of digitization and preservation will be offered,” Armen Amiryan said.

Today, at the Presidential Palace started a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council in the restricted format with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambaev, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakijan Sagintaev, and Secretary General of the CSTO Nikolay Bordzyuzha. The session is chaired by the President of Armenia which was presiding in the Council between the sessions of 2015-2016.

Welcoming the participants of the session and noting that today Armenia’s presidency at the CSTO comes to an end, President Sargsyan underscored that Armenia attaches great importance to the success of the Yerevan summit.

“We have tried to do our best so that our mutual work is sapid and efficient, for the benefit of the cooperation of our countries in the Organization and for the development of the CSTO in general. It is expected that today we will discuss a wide range of issues related to the earlier adopted decisions. Discussed will be a number of documents, adoption of which will set the guidelines of our cooperation in the nearest future.

I am confident that traditions of a constructive mood and mutual assistance will be with us during this session too, which will allow to operatively endorse and adopt important decisions.

Once again, as the accepting side, I welcome you to Armenia. Welcome to Yerevan,” said the President of Armenia during his welcoming remarks addressed to the participants of the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

The session in the restricted format will be followed by the session in the extended format with the participation of the official delegations of the CSTO member states.

The Armenian national team has left for Poland, the Football Federation of Armenia informs.

The team will face Poland in a World Cup Qualifier. Twenty-two players have been called up for the match that will take place at Warsaw’s National Stadium at 22:45 Yerevan time.

Goalkeepers

Arsen Beglaryan FC Alashkert

Anatoly Ayvazov FC Shirak

Gor Manukyan FC Pyunik

Defenders

Gael Andonian Olimpique Marseille, (France)

Varazdat Haroyan Padideh FC (Iran)

Taron Voskanyan Karmiotissa FC (Cyprus)

Levon Airapetian Paykan F.C. (Iran)

Hrayr Mkoyan FC Esteghlal (Iran)

Gevorg Hovhannisyan FC Shirak

Andranik Voskanyan FC Alashkert

Artur Kartashyan FC Pyunik

Midfielders

Marcos Pizzelli Al-Fujeirah  (UAE)

Aras Ozbiliz, Besiktas J.K. (Turkey)

David Manoyan Karmiotissa FC (Cyprus)

Artak Grigoryan FC Alashkert

Karen Muradyan FC Alashkert

David Hakobyan FC Shirak

Zaven Badoyan FC Banants

Kamo Hovhannisyan FC Pyunik

Forwards

Ruslan Koryan FC SKA-Khabarovsk

Gegham Kadimyan Karpaty (Ukraine)

Vardan Poghosyan FC Pyunik

According to a decree signed by President Serzh Sargsyan, Vigen Sargsyan has been relieved of the duties of the Head of Staff of the President’s Office.

According to another presidential decree, Vigen Sargsyan has been appointed as Minister of Defense.

On September 21 – the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence – Armenian Acting Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian chaired the sitting of the UN General Assembly in New York.

A number of Heads of State offered speeches during the sitting.

All major political forces have halted the election campaign after the death of the son of a candidate running for Gyumri Mayor’s Office.

Arshak Grigoryna, the son of Vardevan Grigorian from Prosperous Armenia Party, was admitted to Gyumri Medical Center with a gunshot wound in the head at about 13:20 today.

The investigation has revealed that the young man was wounded as a result of gunshot in the basement of their house.

Criminal case has been launched under Articles 110.1 (Causing somebody to commit suicide or make an attempt at a suicide by indirect willfulness or by negligence, by means of threat, cruel treatment or regular humiliation of one’s dignity) and 235.1 (Illegal procurement, transportation, keeping or carrying of weapons, explosives or explosive devices, except smoothbore long-barrel hunting guns, ammunition) of the Criminal Code.

On 20 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received the delegation of the French Alfortville city at the head of its mayor Luc Carvounas.

Issues related to the cooperation between Alfortville and a number of Artsakh towns were on the  agenda of the meeting.

The Head of State highlighted such cooperation, noting that there were all preconditions for widening and deepening the relations.

Vice-President of the National Assembly, Head of the Armenian delegation to the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Edward Sharmazanov will pay a working visit to Saint Petersburg September 16-20.

Sharmazanov will monitor the Russian parliamentary elections within the monitoring mission of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly.

The Vice-Speaker is expected to meet with CSTO Executive Secretary Pyotr Ryabukhin and leadership of the Lennigrad Region.

On 7 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan visited the Getavan village of the Martakert region and partook at a solemn opening ceremony of memorial complex devoted to the memory of freedom fighters from Getavan perished during the Artsakh Liberation struggle.

The Head of the State highlighted the significance of such initiatives from the viewpoints of keeping the nation’s devotees memory bright and patriotic upbringing of the younger generation.

On the same day Bako Sahakyan was present at a “Hrashapar” service held at the Gandzasar monastery with the participation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos fo All Armenians.

National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan and other officials partook at the events.