Author: Karapet Navasardian

Piotr Switalski: modernization of EU visa policy will most likely not affect Armenia

Karapet Navasardian
Arminfo, Armenia
Piotr Switalski: modernization of EU visa policy will most likely not affect Armenia

Yerevan July 16

Naira Badalian. Schengen visa for Armenians may not rise in price. This was stated by the head of the EU delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalski on July 16 at a press conference commenting on possible possible outcomes of the Schengen Code reforms for Armenian citizens.

According to the Ambassador, due to the strong migration pressure, the Schengen Code reforms were launched earlier in the European Union. It was done to protect their own borders. “It is planned to introduce certain elements that contribute to increasing the level of controllability of people’s movement,” Switalski said.

So, on June 19, 2018, the EU ambassadors approved the mandate on behalf of the Council for negotiations with the European Parliament on introducing amendments to the visa regime. To express its position on the proposal “On Amending the Schengen Border Code with regard to the temporary restoration of control at internal borders,” as the ambassador said, the Council of Europe has been given six months. As a result of the adoption of this proposal, in addition to procedural changes to the entry of Schengen visa, basic visa prices may increase from 60 euros to 80 euros, and for countries with existing agreements on visa facilitation with the EU from 30 euros to 40 euros.

Nevertheless, as Piotr Switalski pointed out, there are no procedural changes for Armenia, the country, with a simplified visa regime. Most likely, according to Piotr Switalski, the citizens of the country will also not be affected by the increase in the cost of the Schengen visa.

Earlier, ArmInfo reported that in June the Schengen Code reforms were launched. The process should give Europeans more effective means of controlling borders to counter the influx of migrants, as well as to provide some simplification of the procedure for issuing visas to “respectable travelers”. However, the payment for this will be an increase in the base price of the Schengen visa from 60 euros to 80 euros, and for countries with existing agreements on visa facilitation with the EU, from 30 euros to 40 euros.

Azerbaijani press: Elchin Ahmadov: Blood of Azerbaijanis killed by Armenians will be avenged

Karapet Navasardian
/ 13:15
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The State of Azerbaijan is carrying out significant work to expose Armenia’s policy of aggression, Professor Elchin Ahmadov, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of the Public Union “The Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh” told APA.

 

Above all, Armenia and leaders of the self-proclaimed “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic”, which was created in the occupied Azerbaijani territory and is not recognized by any country, are agitated by the Azerbaijani president’s resolute and principal position, his continual speeches exposing Armenia’s aggressive policy, noted Ahmadov.

 

He emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev’s speech have always been based upon history, law and justice.

 

“President Ilham Aliyev’s statements about returning to historical Azerbaijani lands, such as Zangazur and Goycha, as well as the speech he delivered during the military parade dedicated to the centenary of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan on June 26 seem to intimate the enemy and force them to make ridiculous statements,” he said.

 

Ahmadov noted that President Ilham Aliyev was right to note that Azerbaijan has a might army capable of liberating the occupied lands at any time.

 

“The Armenian army, which was built through donations, is nothing similar to this powerful army of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani army is capable of annihilate any strategic objects in Karabakh, as well as in Armenia itself. It is hilarious of the illegitimate Nagorno-Karabakh regime’s officials to give stupid statements from time to time. In the first place, let me tell you that the “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” is nonexistent, because it has not been recognized by any country,” he said.

 

The Public Union representative went on to say: “The April battles dispelled the myth of the “Nagorno-Karabakh army”, because there was not a single Karabakh Armenian among those killed during the hostilities. Those killed were military servicemen sent from Armenia to Karabakh. Currently, the majority of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh are from Armenia and Syria. Armenians with no resources were settled there. Their number does not exceed 20-30 thousand. For this reason, President Ilham Aliyev has always emphasized that Nagorno-Karabakh is historically Azerbaijani land. Currently, the number of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh has been increased artificially at the expense of Armenians moved from other places.”

 

He warned that the leaders of Armenia’s criminal regime and Nagorno-Karabakh separatists should not forget that Azerbaijan will not only restore its territorial integrity, but also raise the Azerbaijani flag in Nagorno-Karabakh, Khankendi and Shusha.

 

Ahmadov emphasized that the Azerbaijani people will avenge the blood of Azerbaijanis killed in Khojaly, Garadaghly and Nagorno-Karabakh.

 

“Let them not forget this. Therefore, President Ilham Aliyev always emphasizes that no matter what; we will restore our territorial integrity and raise the Azerbaijan flag in Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani historical land. The David Balayans should never forget this. It will happen soon. Their statements are intended for domestic audience and are nothing other than trying to influence people. The statements made by the Azerbaijani President have always been based on history, on the law and justice. This is the resolute and principled position of the Azerbaijani state, president and people,” he added.

Azerbaijan’s deputy foreign minister arrives in Armenia

Karapet Navasardian
| 18:52 | June 26 2018
Categories
Armenia
Politics
Region

High ranking diplomats from Azerbaijan and Turkey will participate in the Ministerial Council meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Yerevan on June 27.

Spokesperson of the MFA Armenia Tigran Balayan told that deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mammed-Guliyev will represent his country at the meeting, while Turkey will be represented by the head of the Multilateral Economic Cooperation Department of the foreign ministry.

It’s scheduled that Armenia will pass the Chairmanship of BSEC to Azerbaijan, and deputy foreign minister of Armenia Karen Nazaryan and BSEC Secretary General Michael Christides will issue a stamen for media.

Armenia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine are members to the organization.

Arrest warrant issued for remanded MP’s wife

Karapet Navasardian
| 17:19 | June 25 2018
Category
Society

The Special Investigative Service has issued an arrest warrant for Nazik Amiryan, the wife of Member of Parliament Manvel Grigoryan – the influential former general who is currently remanded in custody pending trial for grand theft and illegal possession of firearms.

Earlier on June 18, anti-corruption officers of police discovered two vargo vehicles loaded with military food supplies in a Yerevan parking lot. The drivers of the vehicles, members of the Yerkrapah Volunteer Union – an NGO formerly chaired by the general – have claimed that they loaded the supplies – canned meat made for the military and not available for sale anywhere – at the instruction of Nazik Amiryan from the headquarters of Yerkrapah Volunteers Union on June 16. About 3000 cans were found in the cars.

An investigation is underway.

Armenia holds panel on Digital Technologies and Humanitarian Response at the United Nations

Karapet Navasardian 
ArmenPress, Armenia
Armenia holds panel on Digital Technologies and Humanitarian Response
at the United Nations
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. On 19 June, the Permanent Mission of
Armenia to the UN, in partnership with the Armenian General Benevolent
Union (AGBU), organized a panel on Humanitarian response at the UN
Headquarters in New York. Bridging technology, innovation,
development, human rights and humanitarian agendas, the panel
discussed the role of social media and emerging information and
communications technologies in engaging populations affected by
crisis, ARMENPRESS correspondent reports from New York.
In his opening remarks, Mher Margaryan, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of
Armenia to the UN, highlighted that effective community engagement
remains an important priority in overall coordination of humanitarian
response. He noted that the UN system should do more to engage
affected populations and support those who amplify their voices.
The panel, moderated by Lara Setrakian, CEO, Co-Founder of News
Deeply, included Alexandra Sicotte-Lévesque, a representative of the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) and Andrej Verity, a representative of the UN Office for
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Panelists discussed the
ways, in which digital technologies can help improve and consolidate
the work of humanitarian actors, how their impact on the ground can be
assessed in terms of the quality and effectiveness.
The panel brought together representatives of the UN member states, UN
agencies, academia, as well as a large number of civil society
representatives. Also participating was travel blogger and journalist
Alexander Lapshin who, while presenting his case, reflected on
instances of attacks, threats and intimidation against journalists and
media activists, as well as attempts to politicize the issue of access
to conflict zones.
Below is the transcript of Mr. Margaryan’s remarks at the event.
“It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to a panel discussion on the
role of social media and digital technologies in times of disasters
and crises organized by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, in
cooperation with our long-standing partner, Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU).
The topic of today’s panel is central to addressing the very many
challenges and disturbing realities of our times, in so many parts of
the world. Improved humanitarian coordination and response will be
critical to help mitigate situations of crisis where the right to life
of the human being is increasingly threatened. Community engagement
remains an important priority in overall coordination of humanitarian
response, and deserves special focus.
26 years ago, when Armenia became a UN member state, we had to make
our way in the world of humanitarian and development assistance,
which, back then, had a different set of actors, policies and
problems. Since then, the international cooperation landscape has
become much more complex, in particular, in the face of multiple
challenges and threats we are facing.
The global wave of displacement has brought about a large number of
risks and instabilities, which require a collective response on an
international level, including through better coordination on matters
of border management, migration and fight against trafficking –
important areas of international cooperation effectively embraced and
supported by Armenia.
Armenia is deeply concerned and is closely following the ongoing
refugee crisis and the developments in our wider region. More than
22.000 displaced persons have sought protection in Armenia over the
past few years.
We continue to implement facilitated integration and settlement
programs for the displaced people, and, in this regard, it is
important to give due acknowledgements to the invaluable role of
international institutions, non-governmental sector, Diaspora and
faith-based organizations for having supported our country in
alleviating the needs of refugees over the years. In Armenia, we have
been privileged to have a vibrant and ever-stronger civil society,
which is an integral part of our public life, and we see merit in
continuously supporting the efforts of the civil society, also on a
global level, as an important contribution to humanitarian and
development response.
Within the United Nations, Armenia has been consistently supporting
the promotion of human rights, including, most notably, through the
concept and the practice of prevention. This implies a focus on the
early action to prevent situations, which, if not addressed, result in
conflicts and atrocity crimes. To this end, since 1998, Armenia has
been leading the international efforts to underpin the significance of
the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide, as well as to construct solid foundations for prevention. In
2015, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution tabled by
Armenia, which proclaimed the 9th of December as an International Day
of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide
and of the Prevention of that Crime. This landmark resolution followed
up on resolution unanimously adopted by the UN Human Rights Council,
upon Armenia’s initiative. High-level events in observance of the
9thof December have since been held regularly at the United Nations
and across the world, to pay tribute to those who fell victims of past
inaction. The establishment and the regular observance of the
International Day adds to the continued efforts of Armenia to promote
consolidated international action against the crime of genocide.
Armenia continues to exert resolute efforts in promoting consolidated
international action against the crime of genocide. Since 2015 Armenia
has been regularly hosting a Global Forum Against the Crime of
Genocide, attended by political, public, religious, academic, civil
society and media representatives from all over the world. The 2018
Global Forum will focus on the role of education and media in
eliminating hatred, intolerance and xenophobia. We encourage all
member states and all relevant bodies and entities of the United
Nations to bring their participation.
Over the past three years, the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity has
been honored in Armenia, in recognition of modern day humanitarians.
Earlier this month, a 1 mln. dollar Prize, established on behalf of
the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their
saviors, was awarded to its third recipient since 2015, to offer life
and hope to those in need of humanitarian assistance.
Today’s panel will look into the role of social media and ICT in
engaging populations affected by crisis. We look forward to an active
dialogue on how social media and ICTs can help improve and consolidate
the work of humanitarian actors, how their impact on the ground can be
assessed in terms of the quality, relevance and effectiveness and what
are the major challenges undermining the credibility and validity of
such communication channels.
With this, I am happy to introduce our distinguished panelists, - Ms.
Alexandra Sicotte-Lévesque, who is the Manager for Community
Engagement at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent (IFRC). Prior to IFRC, Alexandra was the Global Adviser for
Community Engagement at the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (UNOCHA) supporting field offices in implementing community
engagement strategies and leading policy at headquarters.
I am also pleased to introduce Mr. Andrej Verity, Information
Management Officer at the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs and a co-founder of the Digital Humanitarian Network.
Alexander brings over 17 years of experience in information management
field, with at last 13 years in the humanitarian realm.
And finally, it is my pleasure to introduce the moderator of today’s
panel, Ms. Lara Setrakian, who, for so many of you, I am sure, needs
no introduction. Lara is the CEO and Executive Editor of News Deeply,
a network of digital media platforms that convene stakeholders and
passionate communities on the world's biggest challenges, previously,
a correspondent for ABC News and Bloomberg Television, covering the
Middle East. Lara is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum
and a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
With that, I am very happy to pass the floor to Lara, who will take
this conversation forward.
I thank you”.

168: Kim Kardashian for US President? ‘Never say never’, says Mrs. West (video)

Karapet Navasardian
| 11:33 | June 16 2018
Category
World

Armenian-American reality TV star Kim Kardashian West says she hasn’t ruled out going into politics, CNN reports.

Last week US President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of Alice Johnson, a first-time nonviolent drug offender who’d been serving a life sentence since 1996, after Kardashian West made a case for Johnson in an Oval Office visit.

It’s a victory that has changed her life, Kardashian West told CNN in an interview.

“I honestly saw that if I could use my platform just to do something for one person, that it opens the conversation for so much more and for other people to want to do the same thing,” the reality star said.

“If more people would just put their personal feelings aside and talk about really important issues that have to be discussed, then so much more can get done,” she said.

Asked if she would ever run for office of President, Kardashian West said it isn’t likely right now. Still, she won’t rule it out completely.

“I guess never say never. But that’s not going to be like, Kim’s running. That’s not where I am,” she said.

Kardashian West says she wants to help other incarcerated women, “starting one person at a time,” and has no interest in following a specific party line.

“No matter who you talk to, no matter what political party, people feel what’s right is right and that’s what I love about this, is that it can just be so bipartisan,” Kardashian said.