Author: Kalashian Nyrie

Some parts of Rovshan Askerov’s interview related to Armenia are surprising – MFA Armenia comments on Azerbaijani expert’s announcement

20:33,

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Ethnic Azerbaijanis, as well as citizens of Azerbaijan enter the territory of Armenia without any obstacles, while the entry to Azerbaijan of people with Armenian surnames but holding citizenship of other countries, including Russia, is banned, ARMENPRESS reports spokesperson of the MFA Armenia Anna Naghdalyan said, answering the question of “Interfax” about the announcement of “What, Where, When?” program expert of Azerbaijani origin holding Russian citizenship Rovshan Askerov, who claimed that his entry to Armenia is banned.

“Some parts of the interview of “What, Where, When?” program expert Rovshan Askerov related to Armenia is merely surprising, since it’s over 2 years the Russian citizens visit Armenia with internal passports, which has significantly facilitated their entry to our country, making Armenia one of the traditionally most demanded directions for Russian tourists.

Moreover, the geography of those visiting Armenia covers all the countries of the world with no exclusions, with no ethnic discrimination. It should be noted that ethnic Azerbaijanis, as well as the citizens of Azerbaijan enter Armenia without any obstacles, while the entry to Azerbaijan of people with Armenian surnames but holding citizenship of other countries, including Russia, is banned.

Armenia is always open for all visitors, including Mr. Askerov”.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Restoration works of St. Giragos Armenian Church begin in Diyarbakir, Turkey  

10:58,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. The St. Giragos and catholic churches in Turkey’s Diyarbakir province are being restored, Dailysabah reported.

Funding is provided by the ministry of environment and urban development.

The government has provided 15 million Turkish liras for the restorations works.

The St. Giragos Church has been built in 1376 and is one of the biggest Armenian churches in the Middle East. The first church ceremony after 32 years of pause was held in November 2012. The renovation works of the Church have been carried out by the financial support of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul. The Diyarbakir Municipality also provided assistance.

In 2015 the local churches of Diyarbakir greatly suffered due to the Turkish-Kurdish clashes.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia, Georgia have historic opportunity to raise relations to new level: Pashinyan hosts President Zourabichvili

17:11,

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Georgia have a historic opportunity to raise the relations to a new level, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during the meeting with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili in Yerevan, reports Armenpress.

“I am happy to welcome you and your delegation in Armenia. I think currently we have a historic opportunity to raise the relations of our countries to a new level. I have made my first official visit to Georgia as Prime Minister. This highlights our government’s and my personal attention and sense of importance towards the Armenian-Georgian relations. I have stated that we should rely on common strategic interests in our relations and I am happy that I received a similar reaction from the Georgian government. And now it’s the time to implement this mutual perception”, Nikol Pashinyan said.

In her turn the Georgian President expressed confidence that the Armenian-Georgian close relations will enter a new stage.

“Many things unite us, geography, history. In addition to these two, our common vision on the future unites us. I think we will be able to use our opportunities. We can do a lot together, have to do a lot together”, the Georgian President said.

The meeting of the Armenian PM and the Georgian President was followed by a luncheon.

Salome Zourabichvili arrived in Armenia on March 13 on a two-day official visit at the invitation of President Armen Sarkissian. The Georgian President’s delegation includes justice minister Thea Tsulukiani, Vice Speaker of Parliament George Volski, MPs, as well as other officials.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Georgian President visits TUMO center in Yerevan

20:37,

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili visited TUMO center of creative technologies on March 13 and got acquainted with its educational program.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from TUMO center, the Georgian President accompanied by her delegation and Minister of Education and Science of Armenia Arayiok Harutyunyan, toured in the center.

Pegor Papazian, Head of Development of TUMO Center presented to the Georgian President the ongoing projects – the TUMO studios, TUMO-EU Convergence Center and the process of TUMO international expansion.

Salome Zourabichvili also got acquainted with the process of the classes. “In our new technopark in Georgia we have a startup ecosystem and a project like TUMO can be a great supplement”, she said.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Israeli tourists’ interest towards Artsakh gradually grows

09:03,

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Artsakh has put a task to ensure 20-25% tourism growth for 2019 compared to 2018.

Sergey Sargsyan – head of the tourism infrastructures, programs and control division at the department of tourism and state environment protection of Artsakh’s ministry of culture, youth affairs and tourism, told ARMENPRESS that in 2018 28.588 tourists visited Artsakh, which is an increase of 23% compared to 2017.

“But now there are plans to ensure 20-25% tourism growth compared to 2018. The interest towards Artsakh is gradually increasing among the tourists. The statistics shows that there are more tourist visits not only from the traditional tourism market countries, but also from other states”, he said.

In 2018 tourists from 87 countries, mainly from Russia, US, France, Germany, Iran and China, visited Artsakh. There was an unprecedented visit from Israel. Previously a maximum of 10 people from Israel were visiting Artsakh, but in 2018 their number was 112.

Tourists visiting Artsakh have very different interests. Some prefer to enjoy the nature, the rural tourism, the others prefer visiting historical-cultural sites. Another group visits Artsakh for event tourism or prefer active rest. Overall, the most visited sites are Stepanakert, Shushi, Gandzasar, Dadivank and Amaras.

“Cuisine is also an interesting tourism direction. Tourists are impressed with the Artsakh cuisine. You know that the Zhingyalov hats is already a brand, and every tourist visiting Artsakh definitely tastes it. In addition, there is also an interest towards rural tourism when tourists visit rural places, stay in guest houses for some days to taste the traditional dishes, enjoy the environment. They even order dishes”, Sergey Sargsyan said, adding that there is also an interest towards Artsakh’s wine and brandy. Tourists like the alcoholic drinks made of fruits of Artsakh very much.

Zhingyalov hats is a type of flatbread stuffed with finely diced herbs and green vegetables.

The representatives of the field state that the last two months of 2019 have also been active conditioned by the fact that a major event is expected to take place in Artsakh. The Europe football cup championship of non-recognized states will be held in June, which supposes a great flow of guests which will contribute to the infrastructure development, increase in number of hotels and guest houses, as well as raising awareness on Artsakh.

“The football fields are being restored, the fund of hotel economies is enriching, service quality increases and roads are being renovated. We expect that during these days our hotel fund will be totally busy”, he added.

A number of events are also planned during 2019 on the sidelines of which a tourist flow is expected. The Zhingyalov hats festival will take place in Artsakh the goal of which is to introduce its cuisine features, contribute to boosting the community life and the community development, as well as ensure a great flow of tourists to Artsakh.

The Artsakh wine annual festival will be held in September during which the works of the winemakers are being presented.

The Independence Day (September 2) is considered one of the most important holidays. Celebrations are being held across the country on that day.

A harvest festival is being held in Stepanakert in October.

A marketing work is being carried out aimed at raising the level of awareness on festival and other similar events. On the sidelines of this works are being implemented both with the media and the tour companies. The tour companies are informed about the expected events in Artsakh at the beginning of the year.

Interview by Anna Gziryan

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan