Category: 2018

ITAR-TASS, Russia
 Friday 8:32 AM GMT
Putin confident Russia, Armenia will develop partnership in framework
of Eurasian integration
MOSCOW September 21
HIGHLIGHT: Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced confidence that
Russia and Armenia will enhance their partnership as part of
integration processes in Eurasia, the Kremlin press service said on
Friday.
MOSCOW, September 21. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has
voiced confidence that Russia and Armenia will enhance their
partnership as part of integration processes in Eurasia, the Kremlin
press service said on Friday.
The Russian president sent a telegram to Armenian President Armen
Sarkissian and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on occasion of a
national holiday, the Independence Day.
"Putin expressed confidence that joint efforts will ensure further
development of allied relations, bilateral multi-faceted cooperation
and also partnership cooperation in the framework of integration
processes on the Eurasian space," the telegram says.
The Russian leader is confident that "this meets the interests of
brotherly nations of Russia and Armenia and is in line with
strengthening regional security and stability."
Putin also praised friendly and allied relations between Russia and
Armenia, high level of bilateral cooperation in trade and economic,
scientific and technical, humanitarian and other areas.

Russian Government News
 Friday 4:34 PM EEST
Greetings to President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian and Prime Minister
of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on Independence Day, Armenia's national
holiday
Vladimir Putin sent greetings to President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian
and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on Independence Day,
Armenia's national holiday.
The President noted with satisfaction that the relations between
Russia and Armenia are based on friendship and alliance. He noted a
high level of bilateral cooperation in trade and the economy, science
and technology, humanitarian activities and other areas.
Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that joint efforts will ensure
further development of the alliance, multidimensional bilateral
cooperation as well as partnership in the Eurasian integration. The
President believes that this serves the interests of the brotherly
peoples of Russia and Armenia and the goals of strengthening regional
security and stability.

Sputnik News Service, Russia
 Friday 11:43 PM UTC
Armenia-Russia Ties Continue to Grow Despite Political Changes in
Yerevan - Ambassador
MOSCOW, September 21 (Sputnik) - The relations between Armenia and
Russia continue to develop despite serious political changes in
Yerevan, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toganyan said on Friday.
"Today, after major changes in the domestic political system, after
the revolution, our young government undoubtedly ascertains an even
deeper growth of ties with Russia … We state that today we are on the
verge of developing and promoting our relations in all spheres,"
Toganyan said at a reception on the occasion of Armenia's Independence
Day.
At the same time, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said
at the event that Moscow was committed to developing its partnership
with Yerevan.
The political crisis in Armenia broke out in April after ex-President
Serzh Sargsyan was nominated as prime minister. This was largely
regarded as a way for Sargsyan, who previously served as president for
two terms, to stay in power. Soon afterward, Sargsyan resigned amid
large-scale anti-government protests.
Oppositon leader Nikol Pashinyan became prime minister in early May.
The new head of government already has held numerous meetings with the
Russian leadership since assuming the post with both sides expressing
readiness to strengthen the long-term partnership.

NDP (New Democratic Party), Canada
 Friday
NDP STATEMENT ON ARMENIA'S ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE JAGMEET SINGH,
LEADER OF CANADA'S NDP, ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
OTTAWA, Canada
"Today, the Armenian community in Canada, and around the world, is
celebrating the Republic of Armenia's Independence Day.
Canada is one of only 29 countries that recognize the Armenian
Genocide that began in 1915 and claimed more than a million lives.
After the First World War, Armenians founded their first republic and
declared their independence, but by 1922 had become a member of the
Soviet Union. It took until 1991, for the Republic of Armenia to
regain its independence and it remains a symbol of pride and unity for
Armenians around the world.
Today, Armenia and Canada are cultural and commercial partners, thanks
to the vitality of the Armenian community in our country, and the more
than 50,000 people of Armenian descent who are part of communities
across Canada.
Today, New Democrats extend their best wishes to all Armenians on
Armenia's Anniversary of Independence."

Transportation Monitor Worldwide
 Friday
Armenian Americans urge FFA to launch non-stop flights to Armenia
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has called upon the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to facilitate the launch of
non-stop flights from the United States to the Republic of Armenia
easing transit for tourists, speeding up business travel and cargo
movement - while deepening the bilateral ties between two friendly
nations.
In a letter shared on the eve of Armenian Independence Day, ANCA
Chairman Raffi Hamparian encouraged Acting FAA Administrator Dan
Elwell to engage with Armenias civil aviation authorities on concrete
steps toward this powerful new connection between the American and
Armenian peoples.
Travel to Armenia marked double-digit growth over the past year, with
the demand for flights from the United States to Armenia continuing to
grow - driving tourism as a major engine of Armenias prosperity.
Currently, travelers from the U.S. need to purchase tickets using
connecting flights on foreign carriers, often with long layovers. This
effort is intended to create an effortless, convenient and speedy
connection in getting from one country to the other.
The ANCA is leading the effort to establish non-stop flights from the
United States to Armenia, shared longtime ANCA leader Zanku Armenian,
who has years of professional experience in aviation matters. The time
is ripe for the FAA and Civil Aviation Authorities in Armenia to
create a favorable legal and regulatory environment and foster
engagement with commercial stakeholders empowering the private sector
to initiate profitable non-stop flights. With a concerted effort by
both governments, we are optimistic that a private air carrier will
step forward to launch non-stop flights from Los Angeles or New York
to Yerevan. The demand for air travel from the United States to
Armenia is strong and growing. While this is an ambitious initiative
by the ANCA that was started well before the recent positive changes
in Armenia, the timing now is particularly favorable to establish a
new dimension to the bonds between our two countries, added Armenian.
Once government hurdles are cleared, the private carrier that steps
forward to establish this new non-stop route will enjoy the long-term
business benefits by being a first-mover on such an opportunity. This
is why the ANCA has been initiating dialogue with various U.S.
federal, state and local authorities and private sector parties to
advocate for this game-changing idea. 2018 Global Data Point.

Transportation Monitor Worldwide
 Friday
British architects call for preserving Armenia`s Zvartnots Airport
British architects are leading international calls for the
now-abandoned Zvartnots airport in Armenia to be saved from the
wrecking ball, the Daily Mail reported.
It looks like a monolithic space-city straight out of science fiction,
but in reality it was one of the jewels in the Soviet crown.
After it was built in the 1970s, more than 2,500 passengers crowded
through the country`s most modern airport terminal every hour.
Leading British architect Tim Flynn says the airport is an outstanding
piece of architecture. His London-based international practice has had
an office in Yerevan for 14 years.
And he hopes that the new, more democratic government in Armenia which
came to power after May`s Velvet Revolution will decide Zvartnots is a
historical building worth preserving. And yet he warns the longer it`s
left to crumble away, the chances of saving it diminish.
`I realise the new prime minister has a lot on his plate, but I hope
his conscience will lead to a change of plan. Whatever you think of
the old Soviet Union, the buildings from this period were
extraordinary and adventurous, a piece of history.`
The owners want to demolish more of the old airport to make way for a
multi-million pound expansion of the new international terminal. But
they are being fought by the daughter of the original airport
architect. Anahit Tarkhanyan believes the airport still has huge
potential and that many don`t realise what they`re giving up. She says
land-locked Armenia could benefit from a new renovated airport which
could become the centre of a network of regional airports. Now Anahit
is running for mayor of Yerevan, with a mission to fight the
demolition. 2018 Global Data Point.