Premium Official News June 21, 2017 Wednesday UNIDO project in Armenia helps train hundreds of young entrepreneurs, create over 100 new jobs Vienna: United Nations Industrial Development Organization has issued the following news release: A total of 117 jobs have been created in Armenia and some 400 young entrepreneurs trained – of which nearly half were women – under a project implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by Austria. In addition, 85 loans were disbursed for a total of Euro 535,338, and guarantees issued for a total of Euro 560,500. These are just some of the results of the project, which was launched in 2013. Today it received a final review and was highly commended during the closing Project Steering Committee meeting in Yerevan. Present at the meeting, Tigran Khachatryan, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investment of the Republic of Armenia, stressed the importance of the project for promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development. He pointed to the need to provide further technical assistance to businesses that were funded under the project to ensure their sustainability and expansion. Thanking the Government of Austria and UNIDO for initiating and successfully implementing the project, Khachatryan suggested that all parties involved discuss the possibility of having a continuation of the project. “Unemployment and lack of state support for young people in the implementation of new business ideas are the main problems that youth in general face today in Armenia,” said Karen Ghazaryan, an Armenian paper napkin producer. “That’s why the UNIDO Youth project has such importance, especially in the peripheral regions of Armenia.” “Young entrepreneurs often have smart business ideas but no access to funding.” said Monica Carco who managed the project on behalf of UNIDO. “This project gave tools to young entrepreneurs in Armenia so they can find a way forward and contribute to their country’s Armenia’s economic growth.” The beneficiaries of the project came from four provinces in Armenia, namely Gegharkunik, Lori, Shirak, and Tavush. They engaged in different spheres of industrial production, including furniture, shoes, pastry, women’s wear, and agro food, as well as in the production of souvenirs, tiles and construction blocks. Some of the entrepreneurs also worked in the field of dental services, fast food, coffee store businesses, beauty and wedding salons, or specialized in car maintenance or in the IT sphere. “UNIDO’s youth project was a huge support to us. The access to funding in combination with the constant assistance from the UNIDO team and the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia gave us the opportunity to fund our start-up,” said Luiza Nalbandyan, an Armenian peanut producer. “With the help of UNIDO we were able to build a recognizable brand which was very helpful in expanding sales. To boost exports and knowledge about our products, we regularly participate in the exhibitions and fairs where our product is presented to potential buyers.” The Armenian Youth Revolving Fund was established as part of the project to continue helping young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into profitable businesses by offering them affordable loans. The project also focused on the tourism and hospitality sector, including Bed and Breakfast businesses, which was of particular importance to the Government of Armenia, “Overall, the project has helped promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Armenia through funding, coaching and sharing of technical expertise in marketing and sales. We managed to teach young entrepreneurs to use the right combination of financial and non-financial services, and as a result build sustainable businesses and create jobs,” Carco added.
Author: Ekmekjian Janet
BAKU: Co-chairs to brief Minsk Group members on Karabakh settlement process
APA, Azerbaijan
The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of Russia, Stephane Visconti of France, and Richard Hoagland of the United States of America) will travel to Vienna on 3 July to brief the Minsk Group members about their latest visit to the region, says a statement made by the co-chairs on June 19, APA reported.
The co-chairs also plan to meet again soon with the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers to discuss modalities of the forthcoming work, reads the statement.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict entered its modern phase when the Armenian SRR made territorial claims against the Azerbaijani SSR in 1988.
A fierce war broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. As a result of the war, Armenian armed forces occupied some 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory which includes Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts (Lachin, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan), and over a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced people.
The military operations finally came to an end when Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in Bishkek in 1994.
Dealing with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the OSCE Minsk Group, which was created after the meeting of the CSCE (OSCE after the Budapest summit held in December 1994) Ministerial Council in Helsinki on 24 March 1992. The Group’s members include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belarus, Finland and Sweden.
Besides, the OSCE Minsk Group has a co-chairmanship institution, comprised of Russian, the US and French co-chairs, which began operating in 1996.
Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of the UN Security Council, which were passed in short intervals in 1993, and other resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly, PACE, OSCE, OIC, and other organizations require Armenia to unconditionally withdraw its troops from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Sports: Henrikh Mkhitaryan about his favorite goal for Man United
Public Radio of Armenia
16:46, 14 Jun 2017
Henrikh Mklhitaryan has said the goal against Sunderland is one of his favorites.
“The scorpion kick against Sunderland on December 26 was the most beautiful, but the one in Europa League final was the most important one,” Manchester United midfielder, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Henrikh Mkhitaryan said at a press conference at UNICEF Armenia.
Asked about the best moment in his career, Mkhitaryan said “it’s yet to come.”
“I have had many pleasant moments in my career, but I can’t single out one of them now. I’ll try to have more good moments in my career to please my nation.
UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Armenia appointed Armenia captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan as National Goodwill Ambassador in November 2016.
Mkhitaryan supports UNICEF in advocating for children’s right to education, sports and play and uses his voice to bring awareness to the rights of the most marginalized children in Armenia.
ANKARA: European court sets precedent against FETÖ
Daily Sabah, Turkey
DAILY SABAH
ISTANBUL
Published
The European Court of Human Rights’ decision dated Nov. 17, 2016 on the Karapetyan and Others v. Armenia case is seen as setting a precedent against members of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) fired from state posts. The court decided that the Armenian government had not exceeded its margin of appreciation by summarily dismissing senior civil servants who had criticized the government. It recalled the importance of “the special bond of trust and loyalty between a civil servant and the state.” The Court found this loyalty to be even more important “in societies which are in the process of building up the institutions of a pluralistic democracy. So as to ensure the consolidation and maintenance of democracy,” it ruled, states may introduce “constitutional safeguards to achieve the aim in a democratic society of having a politically neutral body of civil servants.”
According to an analysis by the Star daily, the case has direct implications for the state servants who were fired for FETÖ links.
While the Armenian case involves state servants voicing criticisms against the government, FETÖ members have been directly implicated in trying to topple the government through spurious corruption allegations followed by last year’s military coup attempt.
FETÖ, led by Fetullah Gülen who currently resides in Pennsylvania, U.S., through its operatives within the judiciary, police, military, other state agencies and media, persecuted anyone they deemed as opponents over the years. FETÖ, recognized as a terrorist group by Turkey, is also active across the world through what they call educational institutions, which are mainly used to generate funds for their illicit activities and recruitment.
Last year’s deadly coup on July 15, undertaken by FETÖ operatives within the military, failed due to serious public backlash. The government declared a state of emergency a few days later, allowing the firing of tens of thousands of public servants linked to the terrorist group. The government has also set up a commission to review objections to the firings.
As a signatory to the European Charter of Human Rights, Turkey is obligated to abide by the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. Many FETÖ members who fled abroad and those who were fired were looking at the court as a sort of lifejacket to return to their posts. The court’s decision closes the door on public servants directly implicated in FETÖ-linked activities.
The Azerbaijani agitprop must at least understand one thing very clearly: Senor Hasratyan
168 Hours, Armenia
June 1 2017
.In regard to the May 31 disinformation and threats of the Azerbaijani propaganda machine and other issues of public interest, ARTSAKHPRESS had an interview with Colonel Senor Hasratyan, head of the information and PR department of the Artsakhi Defense Army.
ARTSAKHPRESS – Mr. Hasratyan, yesterday on May 31 the Azerbaijani side released a statement on Artsakhi ceasefire violations and at the same time on shelling their settlements. Is there any accuracy in this information?
Colonel Hasratyan – I’ve already had the occasion to answer this question and I have completely denied Azerbaijan’s agitprop’s May 31 and other disinformation. This is mainly in regard to the statements related to the made up and circulated ‘accusation’ and imaginable success of the Azerbaijani defense ministry’s press service, where the Azerbaijani side in one case attributes the ungrounded accusations of shelling their settlements to the Armenian forces, and in another case thunderously state that they have “destroyed one firing positions of the adversary” on the same and “caught a surveillance device by special measures.”
Regarding the ‘destruction’ or ‘catching’ of the firing position and the surveillance device, let me say that this information is nothing but a typical example of Azerbaijani primitive propaganda.
Regarding the shelling of peaceful settlements, I have to say that this kind of a tactics doesn’t have anything to do with the Armenian side neither in today’s “neither peace nor war” conditions, but even during the most heated and violent combat operations, something I can’t say about Azerbaijan. Moreover, in order for you to clearly understand the baseless and misleading essence of the Baku military agitprop’s provocative statements, let me notify that on April 30 and overnight April 31 no single ceasefire violation with the use of mortar weapons were recorded from the conflicting forces.
ARTSAKHPRESS – In addition to the accusation, the Azerbaijani side said in its statement that “in case of continuation of such provocations of the Armenian side” their artillery will open fire on Armenian settlements deeper from the frontline. What will you say in this regard?
Colonel Hasratyan – Making this kind of loud statements after false accusations is the typical style of the Azerbaijani agitprop. The number one task of our army is ensuring the complete security of our people, and we are ready for this at any moment in any event, especially that the Armenian Army has not only professional soldiers, but also opportunities surpassing the adversary’s armaments and strategictechnical characteristics. The Azerbaijani agitprop must at least understand one thing very clearly –making loud statements all the time in the information arena doesn’t mean succeeding in the real battlefield. The experience of wars, including our war experience, shows this.
ARTSAKHPRESS – And in the end, taking this opportunity, one more question. What is the reason of changing the frequency of daily statements regarding the tactical situation on the frontline?
Colonel Hasratyan – Lately, the media is quite often asking this question to the Army’s Command, and specifically to the press service. Let me try to present my view briefly in this regard. All of us, and especially reporters covering the Army, must realize one thing very clearly, that those decisions which are being made in our Armed Forces, are deeply thought through, and they stem from not the necessity of satisfying public interest, but are exclusively related to solving strictly important issues of strategic essence. This is one of the important peculiarities of the military, which each of us must realize and respect.
Film: Amen, epic drama about Armenian people, to premiere in Yerevan, Armenia June 23
Panorama, Armenia
Amen, an Armenian epic drama initiated by AMEN Project, will premiere at Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex on June 23. As the organizing company informs, the show is dedicated to the history of the Armenian people, its values and the unique place in the history of civilization.
Amen show is an epic drama about the historical journey of the Armenian nation, its origin and faith, cultural bias and values. The main objective of the epic drama is to show that in spite of suffering losses and hardships, the Armenian people continue to love, create and enjoy the life.
Amen is a unique musical project. It upholds the Armenian musical traditions, presenting them in the format of the modern stage show, where the original musical libretto and traditional ballet are combined with modern stage technologies.
In August 2017, Amen show-performance will be shown in Verona, Italy. Later on, it will hit the stages of the largest cities in the world – London, Paris, New York, etc. Amen will be accompanied by other events, namely photo exhibitions and performances, cultural meetings, etc.
The participants of the project are Hovhannes Ayvazyan (tenor, Armenia), Hrachuhi Bassenz (soprano, Germany), David Babayants (baritone, Armenia), Juliette Galstian (mezzo soprano, Switzerland), Gevorg Dabaghyan (duduk player, Armenia), Berch Karazian (lyric tenor, Armenia), Rosy Anoush Svazlian, (soprano, US, Italy), Hasmik Torosyan (soprano, Italy, Armenia), Barsegh Tumanyan (bass, Armenia, Kazakhstan), Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (principal conductor and artistic director Eduard Topchjan), “Hover” State Chamber Choir (artistic director Sona Hovhannisyan), Narek Dance Ensemble and the others.
Tourism: Armenia’s Jermuk among top five most popular spa resorts in CIS space
ARKA, Armenia
YEREVAN, May 29. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Jermuk is among top five most popular spa resorts in the Commonwealth of Independent States space, according to the data TourStat analysis agency presents referring to the online hotel reservations.
Every traveler to Armenia spends 10 days in the country and $48 per day, on average, for accommodation, meals and recreation procedures.
The other four spa resorts in the top ten are Azerbaijan (Naftalan), Belarus’ (Naroch), Kazakhstan’s (Saryagash) and Georgia’s Kobuleti. –0—
Top Senate appropriators threaten Turkey aid over attacks on US protesters
Congressional uproar over the May 16th brutal beating of peaceful American protesters in Washington, DC by Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s security forces pushed into a second week, with top U.S. Senate appropriators – Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) – threatening to cut US assistance to Ankara if the matter is not given “the highest attention and consideration it deserves by the Government of Turkey,” reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
In a May 18th letter to Turkey’s Ambassador, Serdar Kilic, Senators Graham and Leahy stressed: “We would like to remind you that peaceful assembly and freedom of speech are fundamental rights in this country. The aggressiveness and brutality demonstrated by the Turkish security personnel are interpreted by many of us as much more than an attack against peaceful demonstrators – it is an attack against these very rights.” The text of this Senate letter is provided below.
Across the U.S. Capitol, 29 U.S. Representatives, led by Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), called on the State Department to take swift action and hold perpetrators accountable. “This kind of behavior by a foreign security detail is reprehensible and cannot be tolerated. These actions are not only criminal, they are affronts to U.S. values,” House leaders told Secretary of State Tillerson in their May 19th letter. “Freedom of speech and freedom to protest may be prohibited in Turkey and offensive to the Turkish President, but they are bedrock U.S. principles that must be safeguarded.” The full text of the U.S. House letter is provided below.
Congressional co-signers joining Rep. Carolyn Maloney include Representatives: Don Beyer (D-VA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Robert Brady (D-PA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), David Cicilline (D-RI), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Charlie Crist (D-FL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Daniel Kildee (D-MI), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Bobby Rush (D-IL), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), and John Yarmuth (D-KY).
These legislators join a broad range of Senate and House leaders who spoke out last week for the attack, including Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) who called for Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kilic to be sent back to Ankara. Congressman Don Beyer, who has previously served in the U.S. foreign service as Ambassador to Switzerland and Lichtenstein, also called for Amb. Kilic’s ouster and signed on to this Congressional letter as well.
“We would like to thank Senators Graham and Leahy, Representative Maloney and her 28 colleagues, and all the Members of Congress who continue to press for concrete consequences to President Erdogan’s brutal attack on peaceful protesters in our nation’s capital,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “These Congressional protests need to be followed by serious policy-level actions – starting with the Administration’s immediate expulsion of Ambassador Kilic, a Congressional suspension on all aid to Turkey, and Ankara’s blanket waiver of immunity for any and all involved in this unprovoked assault.”
Recognition of Karabakh residents’ right to self-determination is compromise solution to Karabakh issue – Sargsyan
Interfax - Russia & CIS Military Newswire May 18, 2017 Thursday 11:45 AM MSK Recognition of Karabakh residents' right to self-determination is compromise solution to Karabakh issue - Sargsyan YEREVAN. May 18 Yerevan wants the Karabakh conflict to be resolved on the basis of mutual compromises and change of the status quo, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said. "Changes in the status quo are acceptable, but only provided that the matter is resolved in a comprehensive way. We have repeatedly spoken in favor of a compromise solution to the problem, the essence of which is in the recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh people's right to self-determination and its enforcement," Sargsyan said in his address on the occasion of the first session of the Armenian parliament elected on April 2. Armenia will not support a settlement of the problem through unilateral concessions, he said. "We do not want the status quo to stay and we do not want to place the burden of settling the issue on the next generation. The efforts we are making jointly with the mediators to settle this conflict are aimed at that," Sargsyan said.
Man Utd’s Ibrahimovic & Rojo suffer cruciate knee-ligament injuries
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Marcos Rojo have both suffered cruciate knee-ligament injuries and face lengthy spells out of action, the BBC reports.
Ibrahimovic landed awkwardly when challenging for the ball during the Europa League quarter-final second-leg win over Anderlecht.
The ex-Sweden international is United’s top scorer this season, with 28 goals.
Rojo was replaced on 23 minutes after colliding with a visiting player.
Ibrahimovic, 35, joined the club on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain last summer but is yet to agree an extension to his one-year United deal.
Rojo’s injury leaves United manager Jose Mourinho short of options at centre-back with England internationals Phil Jones and Chris Smalling already on the sidelines.
Eric Bailly and Daley Blind are United’s only fit senior centre-backs heading into Sunday’s game at Burnley, with the Manchester derby at Etihad Stadium to follow on Thursday.