Author: Hunanian Jack

The documents of the crew members of the downed Azerbaijani military helicopter were presented to the Military Attachéof the foreign Embassiesaccredited to Armenia.

The documents come to prove that the helicopter had been flown to the frontline from Baku region a few days ago and had concrete targets it had to hit during its combat flights.

This is actually the final proof of the fact that the large-scale military actions had been pre-planned, Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhanisyan wrote on Facebook.

 

The situation in Nagorno Karabakh will be discussed at the plenary session of the European Parliament today.

Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini will make a statement, which will be followed by a debate.

Lusine Avanesyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Stepanakert

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic welcomes the statement of the OSCE Minsk Group, but has certain reservations, Spokesman for the NKR President David Babayan told a press conference today.

According to him, the statements should be more targeted and should express a clear stance on Azeri actions. “We are ready to assume responsibility, but we are not the party violating the ceasefire,” he said.

David Babayan said “all members of the OSCE Minsk Group are interested in the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. “If the clashes grow into large-scale military actions, the whole region will turn into a battle scene, many countries will get involved whether they want it or not,” he added.

The Spokesman said he expects hot discussions during the forthcoming visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

In response to a question by the , Babayan said they have all grounds to assert that there are terrorists and extremists fighting on the Azerbaijani side. “We’ve heard from our soldiers that they have seen people speaking Turkish and Arabic, wearing uniforms differing from that of the Azerbaijani army.”

As for Ankara’s role, David Babayan said “Turkey is inciting clashes” and quoted the leader of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party Selahattin Demirtas as saying that “Turkish President Erdogan and Prime Minister Davutoglu are personally responsible for the current escalation.”

 

 

 

The agreement on Mutual Military Assistance between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh is being developed and will be submitted for parliamentary ratification as soon as it is signed,” Vice-President of the National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov told reporters today.

Speaking about the importance of the agreement, Secretary of the Republican faction Gagik Melikyan said: “It’s actually the first step towards the recognition of Nagorno Karabakh’s self-determination. De facto independence will be substituted by De jure. It’s high time to recognize the right of NKR to self-determination.”

“If Azerbaijan continues in the same spirit, it will lead to the necessity of recognizing the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,” Melikyan said.

Edward Sharmazanov, in turn, chided the unacceptable stance of the international community, which lays part of the blame on Armenia.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian briefed Knesset’s Vice-Speaker Tali Ploskov on the situation in the Karabakh conflict zone established as a result of the large-scale military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan.

The Minister noted that Armenia and the international community are united in the opinion that the Karabakh conflict should be solved exceptionally in a peaceful way.

The interlocutors discussed issues on Armenia-Israel cooperation agenda and hailed the active collaboration on the parliamentary level.

Tali Ploskov noted that centuries-old friendly relations have been established between the Armenian and Jewish peoples and pledged to take additional steps towards their reinforcement.

Plans for an Armenian American Museum are heading back to the drawing board after City Council members voted Tuesday to shift the project’s potential home from next to the Glendale Civic Auditorium to Central Park downtown, the reports.

A new negotiating lease agreement was approved with a 4-0 vote so the museum’s committee can develop a new proposal over the next year.

In late 2014, the council gave the go ahead to look into developing the project next to the auditorium, a site known as lot 31, but an outpouring of negative feedback over additional traffic compelled council members to change their minds.

Some officials and supporters of the original site praised it because it would have been across the street from Glendale Community College and could serve as an educational resource.

However, if it’s located downtown, the museum would complement recently completed efforts such as the new Museum of Neon Art and the Glendale Central Library, which is undergoing a significant face-lift, said Councilman Vartan Gharpetian.

“Having that synergy between the museum, the library, [the Museum of Neon Art], the Americana, I think that it’s a must that we need to design this building that way,” Gharpetian said.

Initially, the museum’s committee expressed disappointment about the site change, but project chairman Berdj Karapetian told the council that despite pushback from nearby residents, both parties are working in agreement.

“We hope that this process of coming together will continue, and the collaboration that we will see on this project in the Arts and Entertainment District will make it a better place for all of us,” he said.

Once built, the museum is expected to house permanent and traveling art exhibits.

A conceptual design was released late last year, but it will have to be redone to better accommodate Central Park, said Tigranna Zakaryan, spokeswoman for the committee.

The council members’ direction also came before the committee embarked on a costly environmental impact review, which it will still have to undertake if it wants to build in Central Park.

The museum’s original proposed site is 1.7 acres, while the park is mostly grass and slightly smaller at 1.3 acres. It is considered a passive park, meaning there isn’t much room to play sports.

Councilwoman Paula Devine echoed Gharpetian’s comments, saying part of the new design should allow for continued open space for public use and concert-like events.

“I want [the committee] to maintain the essence of Central Park so that we can still use it as a gathering place,” she said.

The park is also home to the comfort-women statue, a memorial to thousands of South Korean women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese during World War II. Councilman Zareh Sinanyan said whatever plan that moves forward should be sure to keep the statue on the property.

Despite being willing to give up most of Central Park to make way for the museum, the council is trying to find more spots to establish open space within downtown.

For example, the city is looking to open a pair of new parks on school campuses, Gharpetian said. Wilson Middle School and Columbus are likely the first schools in mind for those projects, he added.

The committee is expected to return to the council in a year with a completed environmental review and a report on fundraising progress.

Zakaryan has declined to comment on the project’s finances.

 

 

 

The Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences hosted an event dedicated to Greece’s liberation from Ottoman rule on March 25, 1921 and the centuries-long friendship between the Armenian and Greek peoples.

Attending the events were the Greek Ambassador to Armenia Ioannis Taghis and representatives of the Greek community.

Addressing the event, Vice-Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov congratulated the representatives of the Greek community and noted that “Armenians and Greeks have always supported each other at times of hardship.”

According to Sharmazanov, a testament to the centuries-long friendship between the two peoples was the raising of the Armenian Issue at the Ottoman Parliament by Greek lawmakers in 1870s . He reminded about Greeks fighting next to Armenians during the battles of Sardarapat and Artsakh.

Speaking about the Greeks of Armenia, Sharmazanov said “they’re ready to serve a bridge between the two friendly peoples tied by the past and the present.”

“There are many similarities between Armenians and Greeks, they have fought together to get rid of Turkish yoke,” the Vice-Speaker said.

“Of course, Turks are unhappy with the fact of Armenia and Greece working together, fighting together,” Sharmazanov said. He added, however, that “our joint struggle is not targeted against Turks.” “We are fighting for the sake of our peoples, our friendship, we are fighting for the enduring independence and freedom of Armenia and Greece, as well as Cyprus and Nagorno Karabakh,” he said.

“If we come across obstacles to that independence, in the face of Azerbaijan and Turkey, we must unite to fight against the evil. Armenians and Greeks have proved that one cannot be annihilated of one does not want to be annihilated.”

“History shows that Armenia and Greece have been struggling side by side against a common enemy, which has reinforced the ties between the peoples,” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to Armenia Ioannis Taghis said, in turn.

From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, We extend our pontifical blessings and congratulations to all women and girls on the occasion of March 8.

The mission of the Armenian women in the advancement of our national life – preservation of spiritual values and educational and cultural development, is witnessed throughout our centuries-old history. But it is also seen in the defense of the homeland and in the resistance and struggle to overcome difficulties and challenges. Armenian women, with great God-loving and patriotic achievements, and with glorious example of courage and valor, continually give inspiration and strength to our nation’s children

We offer our appreciation to you, dear women, that today also with love and faith you bring your efforts and dedication to all areas of our state and public life, so that Armenian life always be flourishing, the Armenian family be reinforced, and our native land be prosperous.

Our wish is that with the blessings of Almighty God, you may always be full of joy and happiness, always beautiful, blessed with virtues and charity.

We pray that Almighty God protect all women under His Holy Right Hand, grant vibrant years filled with happiness and myriads of heavenly rewards.

May the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the sanctity of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever.

Amen

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released a series of photographs of their trip to the French Alps – their first family holiday since the birth of Princess Charlotte, the BBC reports.

The six family photographs were taken after the royals arrived in the Alps for a short holiday on Wednesday night.

They were taken the next day – when Prince George and Princess Charlotte played in the snow for the first time.

Kensington Palace said it had been a “very special and fun” family holiday.