Category: 2018

Sports: Armenian weightlifter Grigoryan wins silver in Junior European C’ship

Garnik Zakarian
MediaMax, Armenia
Oct 23 2018
 
 
Armenian weightlifter Grigoryan wins silver in Junior European C’ship
 
 
 
Armenian weightlifting team has won the first medal in the European Junior Championship held in Zamosc, Poland.
 
Armen Grigoryan (69kg) won the silver after lifting 136kg in snatch and 165kg in clean and jerk. The total result of 301kg took Grigoryan’s point tally just one point short of the winner’s, Paul Dumitrascu (Romania), but it was enough to put Grigoryan on the second place of the podium.
 
Today another Armenian athletes will enter the competition, Rafik Harutyunyan and Ara Aghamyan (77 kg) from the U20 team.

Azerbaijani Press: Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemns visit of the mayor of Saint-Etienne to Karabakh

Chakrian Hovsep 
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijani Opposition Press
 Monday
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemns visit of the mayor of
Saint-Etienne to Karabakh
Baku/22.10.18/Turan: The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan strongly
condemned the visit of Gael Perdrio, the mayor of the French city of
Saint Etienne to the city of Shusha occupied by Armenians in
Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan,
this step of the local government of France is in flagrant violation
of the norms and principles of international law and the laws of
Azerbaijan, as well as the national legislation of France. All this
serves to encourage the separatist regime created in the territories
of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia. During this visit, the mayor of
Saint Etienne is accompanied by the well-known lobbyist of Armenian
interests, Francois Roshbulan.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry recalls that the French Foreign
Minister stated in a statement dated May 24, 2018 that local
governments in France are prohibited from entering into any agreements
with separatist structures of unrecognized territories and carrying
out visits there, holding joint events. In this regard, the Foreign
Ministry of Azerbaijan indicated that the Declaration of Friendship,
signed during the visit, has no legal force.
Such illegal actions of local governments of France damage the
authority of this country, as a mediator in the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict and the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve
the problem peacefully. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry calls on the
French government to take measures to prevent illegal actions on the
part of local governments of this country.
The mayor of Saint Etienne, Perdrio, will be included in the list of
undesirable persons by the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, as having
violated the laws of Azerbaijan and visited the occupied
Nagorno-Karabakh region. -06D-

Azerbaijani Press: Farewell gift of American ambassador to Armenians. What does it mean?

Jhanna Virabian
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Oct 23 2018
16:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Abdul Kerimkhanov

Armenia’s hopes for the support of the United States failed, as the ambassador of this country expressed the view that the current status quo in the issue of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict is unacceptable.

“The settlement of the Karabakh problem without the return of certain occupied territories is impossible,” said the U.S Ambassador to Yerevan Richard Mills in his statement made a shocking effect in Armenia.

It also put Yerevan face to face with a harsh reality: the position of the U.S is unequivocal and categorical – no matter how much Armenia tries to keep the status quo so desired for it in the imitation of negotiations, the occupied lands will have to be returned.

For an occupant country, this is a diplomatic and political defeat, and sooner or later, Armenia will have to admit this fact.

Armenian Foreign Ministry clearly did not expect such a straightforward statement. Therefore, the Ministry had to mumble something unintelligible about the “repeatedly emphasized position of Armenia regarding the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”, which is “reflected in the program of the country’s government”.

Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan did not find anything better than to get off with a banal phrase: “We clearly presented our position, and I think there will be no changes.” Probably, realizing that something had to be said “to the crowd”, the “people’s hero” on the upcoming elections timidly described Mills’s statement as “the outgoing message of the outgoing ambassador”.

Pashinyan should bear in mind that any ambassador in any of his statements expresses exclusively the position of his state, and the duration of his stay in the country of accreditation is absolutely irrelevant. This is about the definition of the “outgoing message of the outgoing ambassador.”

In addition, this “outgoing” ambassador represents one of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, whose messages should be heeded. And this message was extremely straight and clear: settlement is impossible without the return of certain occupied territories, and this is the “harsh reality” for Armenia.

If the Armenian people want a peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, then, they should agree with the only possible and correct way, which offers Azerbaijan. Baku guarantees the security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, self-government, the implementation of investment projects by Azerbaijan, and peaceful interaction between the two peoples. But all this is possible only under the condition of liberation of the occupied territories, because the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is not and cannot be the subject of negotiations.

One may wonder, if Pashinyan headed for the destruction of all that was associated with the previous regime, wouldn’t it be better for him to prepare the Armenian people for the need to return the occupied territories as a top priority? Because only in this way he can save his people from the position of a hostage to the conflict and lead them to the “bright future” that he promised.

This is actually what the “outgoing” Ambassador Mills said.

ARMENIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM TO HONOR STATE SENATORS AT INAUGURAL GALA

Kalashian Nyrie
Press Contact:
Shant Sahakian
(818) 482-9858
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARMENIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM TO HONOR STATE SENATORS AT INAUGURAL GALA
Glendale, CA () – The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California will be honoring California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino and California State Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Kevin de León at its Inaugural Gala on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at the Glendale Hilton. Senator Portantino and President pro Tem Emeritus Kevin de León will be recognized for their leadership in securing $3 million in funding for the Museum from the State of California in the 2017-2018 State budget.
In 2017, Senator Anthony J. Portantino initiated the $3 million funding request for the Armenian American Museum in the California State Senate with the support of Senate President pro Tem Emeritus Kevin de León. The 2017-2018 State budget was approved by the State Legislature and signed by Governor Brown with $3 million earmarked for the Museum. The major budget approval brought the State of California’s total commitment for the landmark project to $4 million.
“The Armenian American Museum Board of Trustees are pleased to announce Senator Anthony J. Portantino and President pro Tem Emeritus Kevin de León as esteemed honorees of the Inaugural Gala,” stated Museum Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian. “We look forward to celebrating our State Senate officials for spearheading major funding for the historic community project.”
The Gala will be the signature event of the year for the Armenian American Museum. The inaugural event will bring together donors, supporters, public officials, and community leaders for a memorable evening to celebrate and support the landmark project.
The Armenian American Museum will be the first world class cultural and educational center of its kind in America. The Museum program will feature a Permanent Armenian Exhibition, Traveling Multicultural Exhibitions, Performing Arts Theater, Learning Center, Museum Archives, Café, and Gift Shop.
Additional Gala honorees and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.
To reserve tickets and learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the Inaugural Gala, visit www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org/Gala. The deadline for reserving tickets is October 31, 2018.
###
About the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California
The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is a developing project in Glendale, CA with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The Museum will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.
The governing board of the Armenian American Museum consists of representatives from the following ten Armenian American institutions and organizations: Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian General Benevolent Union Western District, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Relief Society Western USA, Nor Or Charitable Foundation, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.



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ARF to vote in favor of package of changes in Electoral Code

Dabaghian Diana

ARF to vote in favor of package of changes in Electoral Code

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14:56,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The ARF faction of the Armenian Parliament will vote in favor of the package of changes of the Electoral Code, ARF faction head Armen Rustamyan told reporters at a briefing, reports Armenpress.

“We view the Electoral Code separately. We have always voted in favor of the drafts which ensure progress. During the discussion with Ararat Mirzoyan we already said that as the direction of changes is right, we cannot oppose it”, Rustamyan said.

He added that there are positive shifts in the Electoral Code, and there is no reason to vote against. At the same time they consider wrong holding early elections by this Electoral Code.

He informed that their three proposals have not been adopted in the Electoral Code due to lack of time.

Earlier the ARF announced that it will participate in the snap parliamentary elections.

The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) said they will vote against the package of changes of the Electoral Code.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan


‘People will voice their word in the event of political conspiracies’, Pashinyan says navigating towards early elections

Maral Chavushian

‘People will voice their word in the event of political conspiracies’, Pashinyan says navigating towards early elections

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15:06,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Early elections of parliament must take place in Armenia, acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a live broadcast of Facebook. He expressed hope that political forces will not make any action contradicting this process.

“Tomorrow is the first deadline envisaged by law after my resignation, one more week is required to head for early elections. There is no other option of disbanding the parliament under the current Constitution. We either had to take the path of constitutional amendments and dissolve the parliament without my resignation, or we had to take the direction which we are on now. We decided not take the path of constitutional amendments. I felt that there would be comments alleging that I am clinging from office with both hands,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan stressed that all factions have announced they won’t nominate candidates for prime minister.

“A question arises whether conspiracies are possible during this period. Theoretically conspiracies can happen. If this happens, then the people must voice their word. I will address the people in the same way, I will call on them to gather and speak their voice. Therefore – follow the developments. Let’s be in constant contact in order to rapidly respond about issues and make decisions together. One thing is clear – we must go for early [elections], and I hope that the political forces won’t do actions contradicting it,” he said.

The first round of electing a prime minister will be held October 24, eight days after Nikol Pashinyan announced his resignation in a technical maneuver to trigger the dissolution of the incumbent parliament.

Under the law, parliamentary factions have seven days after the resignation to nominate a candidate.

The election takes place during a special session, but since the parliament will be holding regular sessions next week, the October 24 first round of election will take place within the framework of the ordinary sitting.

All factions have agreed that they won’t nominate candidates.

In an earlier statement, Pashinyan had said that his candidacy might be nominated in the first round as a formality in a pre-arranged scenario of not being elected.

Under the constitution, the parliament gets disbanded in the event of failing to elect a prime minister twice.

A second round of election takes place seven days after the first one.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan





Armenia President’s Office will make a statement on the controversial bill about Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly

Emil Lazarian

menia President’s Office will make a statement on the controversial bill about Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly

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17:35,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President’s Office is expected to make a statement regarding President’s actions concerning the controversial bill on amending the Rules of Procedure law of parliament that was adopted on October 2 and still hasn’t been signed into law by him.

Adopted bills should be signed into law by the president to come into effect.

Sarkissian’s office said the president’s office will issue a statement until the defined deadline.

“The deadline is October 24,” Sarkissian’s office told ARMENPRESS.

Under the law, the president has 21 days to either sign a bill into law or to forward it to the Consitutional Court to dispute its constitutionality.

The controversial bill is an amendment to the Rules of Procedure law of the parliament, whereby in the event of a parliament session being unable to be held because of lack of quorum, or if lawmakers are anyhow prevented from participating, it will be considered interrupted rather than failed, with a possibility of resuming at a later date.

The bill was perceived as an apparent limitation of possible circumstances of dissolution of parliament initiated by Republicans. It was adopted on October 2 by the parliament which is dominated by Republicans [HHK], and sparked demonstrations.  On that day, PM Nikol Pashinyan sacked Cabinet members and governors representing the ARF and Tsarukyan factions for supporting the bill.

Coincidentally, the first round of electing a prime minister will be held on the very same day – October 24.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Early elections will be held in December, the winner of which will be the people – Nikol Pashinyan

Lilit Nahapetian

Early elections will be held in December, the winner of which will be the people – Nikol Pashinyan

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18:43,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The parliamentary majority of Armenia spares no efforts to pursue a policy of sabotage, Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in a Facebook live broadcast, commenting on today’s voting of the package of amendments of the Electoral Code of Armenia.

“The amendments of the Electoral Code proposed by the Government have been wrecked. I want to say that the amendments were aimed for making the Electoral Code more democratic, simple and clear.  By this vote the National Assembly showed that early parliamentary elections are inevitable and without the early elections we will be unable to do anything. The parliamentary majority and their supporters spare no efforts to pursue a policy of sabotage. This was evident in the past few days. They hope that they will be able to turn the early parliamentary elections into revenge”, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan as saying.

According to him, if the early elections take place with the current Electoral Code, nothing will change, since the victory of the people is inevitable.

“I call on the citizens of Armenia to prepare for early elections for reaching the power change and the revolution to its end. Irrespective of the electoral code, the victory of the people is inevitable, and there will be no revenge. Fight against corruption will continue in Armenia for the sake of national unity. The revolution continues and it will reach its final destination. Early elections will be held in December, the winner of which will be the people. The parliamentary voting showed that the Government works in the atmosphere of sabotage”, Nikol Pashinyan said, emphasizing that sabotage has no chance to succeed.

 The Armenian parliament has failed to pass the bill package of Electoral Code amendments.

56 Members of Parliament voted in favor of adopting the bill, and three voted against.

63 votes were required for the bill to be adopted.

Most of the Republican Party (HHK) faction MPs did not attend the voting in an apparent boycott.

Only 59 MPs were in attendance and even if theoretically all would’ve voted in favor the bill still would fail to pass.

Earlier, the Venice Commission issued a statement over the amendment package, noting that the proposed amendments pursue legitimate goals and are mainly positive. The main idea of the amendments was to cancel the ranked voting system and introduce proportional electoral system. Also the threshold of entering the parliament would be reduced by 1%.




168: Nikol Pashinyan, Saad Harriri discuss development of Armenian-Lebanese relations

Tatoyan Vazgen
| 08:53 | October 21 2018
Categories
Official
Region

Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with acting Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Harriri on October 20 in the sidelines of his working visit to Lebanon.

As the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia informed, Nikol Pashinyan thanked Saad Hariri for a warm welcome and hospitality. “This is my first visit to fraternal Lebanon, a country with rich history of ancient civilizations. I am convinced that the visit will help us promote the agenda of bilateral cooperation. Of course, your father, Rafik Hariri, who was a great friend of Armenia, made an invaluable contribution to the deepening and strengthening of ties between our countries.”

Saad Hariri noted that Lebanon highly appreciates the ongoing cooperation with friendly Armenia and is interested in its further strengthening. He appreciated the role played by the Lebanese-Armenian community in his country’s development, as well as in the furtherance of Armenian-Lebanese ties.

The sides exchanged views on the situation in the two countries. Nikol Pashinyan took the opportunity to present the national movement in Armenia, which started in April-May this year, dwelling on the political transformations and the expected developments.

Nikol Pashinyan and Saad Hariri noted with satisfaction that a high-level political dialogue is on between the two countries. They agreed in that vigorous efforts should be made to upgrade the economic component of interaction. In this regard, they highlighted the role of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation.

The Acting Prime Minister of Armenia presented his government’s steps aimed at improving the business environment and protecting investments. He suggested organizing a visit of Lebanese business circles in order to introduce Armenia’s business climate on the spot.

The parties discussed issues related to cooperation in agriculture, transport, tourism, as well as in other spheres of mutual interest. They expressed satisfaction at the rise in tourist flows as fostered by direct air communication between the two countries.

Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the interest shown by Lebanese companies in making investments in Armenia and reaching out to third markets through Armenia/

The two heads of government exchanged views over the ongoing Armenia-Lebanon cooperation at international platforms, touching upon regional issues and challenges.

At the end of the meeting, the Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia signed the Golden Book of Honorary Guests.

168: Three reports on apparent electoral breaches received in RA Investigative Committee

Ara Felekian
| 16:13 | October 22 2018
Category
Society

As of 20:00 of 3 reports on apparent electoral breaches committed during elections of local self-government bodies held in 49 communities of 9 RA provinces were received in territorial subdivisions of the RA Investigative Committee.

Two of the materials with apparent electoral breach refer to breach of confidentiality of ballot, one refers to attempt of double voting. Preliminary investigation of criminal cases initiated on the base of the mentioned reports is conducted in Kotayk Regional Investigative Department.

Investigation is conducted as prescribed by law to verify circumstances mentioned in the reports. Additional information about procedural decisions made on the base of the results will be provided.

We remind that by the instruction of the Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee Hayk Grigoryan the whole staff of RA IC regional investigative departments worked on October 21 conditioned by elections of local self-government bodies held in 9 RA provinces.