Category: 2019

Sports: U19 ambassador Mkhitaryan’s Armenian pride

Bedik Zaminian
UEFA
 
 
U19 ambassador Mkhitaryan’s Armenian pride
 
Friday
 
 
 
Armenia’s most famous footballing son, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the U19 EURO ambassador and looks back at his own youth career.
 
 
The UEFA European Under-19 Championship kicks off in Yerevan on Sunday and hosts Armenia have gone right to the top in picking the ambassador for their first final tournament on home soil – the nation’s most famous footballing son, Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
 
With 27 goals, Mkhitaryan is his nation’s all-time leading international goalscorer, and the midfielder has played for Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and now Arsenal. His first appearance in a UEFA competition came at 15 in a U17 EURO qualifier against Turkey. He looked ahead to the finals and back at his memories of youth international football.
 
 
What was it like pulling on the Armenia shirt for the first time at youth level?
 
I felt very proud. It has always been a particular pleasure for me to play in the national team, because we would compete against different national teams and players. It was a very good experience for us at that age, as we wouldn’t play those type of matches every week in our league.
 
Tell us about your experience of playing in the U19s; what are players learning at this level?
 
You compete against stronger opponents than the ones you face in the local championship. At that level, I learned that football is quicker, with more pace and that you have to make faster decisions as you have less time to think. It also allows you to understand the exact level you are at when you play against other national teams, and what you have to improve.
 
Who was your favourite player at the time?
 
Zinédine Zidane was my favourite player. He was a Picasso on the pitch, playing incredibly with the ball, creating magic.
 
You are now Armenia’s record goalscorer – is there one moment in particular that you are most proud of in your international career?
 
I never like to praise myself. Whatever I do, I do it with pleasure. So after my playing career, I will start thinking of the things that I can be proud of. The way I created myself, what I have achieved and where I am now – are what I am proud of.
 
How important is it to football in Armenia to host this competition?
 
In Armenia, everyone loves football and I think people are very happy to host this competition, as it is a great opportunity to watch the future stars of European football.
 
What would your advice be to the players playing in the tournament this summer?
 
My advice would be to have fun and enjoy every moment, because these kinds of games and competitions could be once in a lifetime. I wish the best of luck to every player.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Armenian side expresses concern over statements by Polish FM in Baku

Albert Nalbandian
News.am, Armenia
Armenian side expresses concern over statements by Polish FM in Baku Armenian side expresses concern over statements by Polish FM in Baku

13:27, 11.07.2019
                  

During the meeting in Warsaw, the question of the statements made by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland in Baku was discussed, Anush Begloyan, My Step bloc MP told reporters.

According to the deputy, the statement of the Polish Foreign Minister caused concern of the Armenian side.

“We had a meeting at the Polish Foreign Ministry, at which this issue was discussed, and the Armenian side presented its position,” said Begloyan.

 At the same time, the parliamentarian recalled that the head of the Foreign Ministry of Poland during his visit to Azerbaijan stated that Warsaw supports and respects the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, but did not mention the right of peoples to self-determination.

The deputy assured that the Polish side took into account the concern of the Armenian colleagues, and “the Polish Foreign Ministry stated that they will continue to speak more constructively.”

Additional 25 billion AMD necessary for raising pensions in Armenia from 2020

Arsine Chaltikian
Aysor, Armenia

Additional 25 billion AMD will be necessary for raising the pensions in 2020, finance minister Atom Janjughazyan told the reporters today.

“The sum will be finally clear when our colleagues from labor and social affairs ministry say the exact sum,” the minister said.

Asked on the account of what means it will be done, Janjughazyan said, “It will be on the account of budget means.”

The Armenian government has approved the program of mid-term expenses according to which from January 1, 2020 the pensions in Armenia will raise by 10%.

Armenian government approves 2020-2022 medium-term state expenditure program

Emil Lazarian
ARKA, Armenia

YEREVAN, July 11. /ARKA/. The Armenian government held Wednesday night an extraordinary closed-door meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the press office of the government reports. 

The 2020-2022 program of medium-term public spending of the Republic of Armenia was discussed and approved at the meeting.

Prime Minister Pashinyan stressed the need to consistently implement the measures envisaged under the aforementioned spending program, and gave specific instructions to the heads of relevant departments in terms of implementing capital expenditures, attracting investments, increasing exports, etc. -0—

Minister assures Lake Sevan green color waning

Eduard Nalbandian
Panorama, Armenia

The green color of Lake Sevan has decreased and the water levels have increased around 1sm than last year, Armenia’s Minister of Environment Erik Grigoryan told reporters at a briefing on Thursday.

Speaking of the cleaning works, the minister informed that a price quote has been submitted to the government about installment of cleaning stations in three cities – Martuni, Gavar and Vardenis – near the lake. Around 770 ha territory are planned to be cleaned in the course of two years added the minister.

Grigoryan added over the past years the cleaning works in the lake had not been implemented properly

To remind, users on social media and environmentalists have been sounding the alarm since late June after the detection of blue-green algae, which has turned the waterway a soupy pea-green colour.

Francois Rochebloine deems unacceptable cancelation of friendship declarations between French, Artsakh cities

Tambiyan Samvel
Panorama, Armenia
Politics 18:25 11/07/2019 Armenia

“As a former MP, Honorary member of the parliament and founding member of the French-Artsakh friendship circle I consider unacceptable the decisions of administrative courts in France to declare invalid the friendship declarations signed between the French and Artsakh cities,” Francois Rochebloine, former member of the French National Assembly, member of the France-Artsakh Friendship Circle said a in a statement.

François Rochebloine reminded that Artsakh is isolated and the people there live under blockade with Azerbaijan threatening a war every day. He next expressed regret over the position of the French foreign ministry, adding France’s voice has been diminished in the South Caucasus.

«The cancelation of this friendship declaration is a message to Baku that France approves their threats to use force against Artsakh,” the former MP noted, calling on all deputies, members of local administrations and senators to continue backing Artsakh.

To remind, over the past week administrative courts in France declared invalid the friendship declarations signed between the French cities of Valence, Bourg-les-Valence, Bourg-de-Péage and Arnouville with Artsakh cities. However, the mayors of the communities in question the towns stated intention to maintain the friendly relations with the people of Artsakh, despite the courts’ verdicts.

Iran president invited to Eurasian Economic Summit in Armenia 1 October

Garnik Tadevosian
president.ir , Iran
Iran president invited to Eurasian Economic Summit in Armenia 1 October

[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Persian]

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has been invited to attend the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Summit in the Armenian capital Yerevan due to be convened on 1 October, the president’s website report on 10 July.

According to the report, he was invited in course of a telephone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Armenia has the term presidency of EAEU until 31 December 2019.

During the conversation, Rouhani expressed satisfaction over agreements between Iran and five Eurasian countries. He added that the implementation of the agreements would boost economic and trade cooperation between Iran and Eurasian states.

The Iranian parliament on 10 June ratified an agreement that allows the government to join a free trade zone with the EAEU countries.

According to the president’s website, Pashinyan said: “Armenia seriously pursues the implementation of the agreements made between the two countries.”

Referring to his country’s presidency of the EAEU, he said: “The agreement of forming free trade zone between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the EAEU member states has been approved by the parliaments and is ready to be implemented.”

The EAEU comprises the five nations of Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.

Armenia deep concerned over Turkey’s actions northeast of Cyprus

Hunanian Jack
Cyprus News Agency
Wednesday
Armenia deep concerned over Turkey’s actions northeast of Cyprus
 
Armenia expresses its deep concern over Turkey`s attempt to conduct new drillings northeast of Cyprus and reiterates its full support to the Republic of Cyprus.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia wrote on its twitter account that “we express our deep concern over #Turkey’s attempt to conduct new drilling operation in northeast of #Cyprus”.
 
It adds that “Turkey’s continued provocative actions in Eastern Mediterranean put security and stability of region @ risk.We reiterate our full support and solidarity w/ Republic of Cyprus”.
 
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
 
Turkey issued in May a navigational telex, announcing its intention to start drilling off Cyprus until September 3. Since May 4, the Turkish drill ship ‘Fatih’ is anchored in an area that falls within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus.
 
A second Turkish drill ship, ‘Yavuz’, arrived off the island’s northeastern coast on Monday. The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini issued subsequently a statement, warning Turkey over its intended new drilling operation at the northeast of Cyprus. She recalled that Turkey`s continued actions have a serious negative impact across the range of EU-Turkey relations and that “as mandated by the European Council, the Commission and the EEAS are about to present options to the Council for appropriate measures.”

California State Sen. Portantino: Ambassador Baibourtian Joins Senator Portantino in Sacramento for Armenian Trade Office Bill Hearing

Hunanian Jack
The California Senate Democrats
July 9, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 AM EST
California State Sen. Portantino: Ambassador Baibourtian Joins Senator Portantino in Sacramento for Armenian Trade Office Bill Hearing
 
SACRAMENTO, California
 
The California Senate Democrats issued the following news release on behalf of California State Sen. Anthony J. Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge:
 
Today, SB 302 authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) passed the Assembly Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy Committee. The bill seeks to reestablish the trade office between California and Armenia which was ended in 2008. Ambassador Armen Baibourtian flew to Sacramento to offer his testimony in support of SB 302 as it would be the first international trade office reestablished since California ended the program.
 
“I am very happy to be in a position to foster strong economic ties between California and Armenia which can be formalized under SB 302. California is an international economic driver and home to the largest Armenian American Community in the country that has a large presence in our business community. We should seize upon the opportunity presented by our healthy economy and these inherent advantages and use the trade office to help both economies. I’m am looking forward to watching the momentum behind this effort build and to the success it will inspire,” commented Senator Portantino.
 
SB 302 is Co-authored by Senators Scott Wilk (R- Santa Clarita) Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), Scott Winer (D-San Francisco), Henry Stern (D- Calabasas), Assemblymembers Autumn Burke (D- Inglewood) and Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley). Portantino, Wilk, Stern, Low and Burke have all travelled to Armenian.
 
“These are exciting times in California and in Armenia. I am very pleased with the progress of the Trade Office and I look forward to the work ahead to make it a success. I as well as the Armenian community are grateful to Senator Portantino for his friendship and his stewardship of this laudable effort,” commented Ambassador Baibourtian.

Azerbaijani Press: What Is Brewing in Karabakh?

Alex Nanijanian
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijani Opposition Media
July 9, 2019 Tuesday
What Is Brewing in Karabakh?
 
Baku / 09.07.19 / Turan: The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Russia discussed the settlement of the Karabakh conflict among other things at the OSCE ministerial meeting in Slovakia, Armenian media reported today.
 
There is nothing special in this message, considering that yesterday Mnatsakanyan was in Karabakh, where the local leadership was assured that Yerevan does not intend to make concessions in the matters of settlement and the decisive word for Karabakh.
 
This information is also nothing new, if not for nervousness in Karabakh itself, where they no longer hide their displeasure with the policies of the Nikol Pashinyan government.
 
The situation is skillfully exacerbated by fake reports of Pashinyan”s readiness to “surrender” Karabakh (letter from Pashinyan addressed to NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg), persecution of those who criticize Pashinyan”s actions (resignation of the head of “Karabakh Security Council” Vitaly Balasanyan) and the dismissal of a number of high-ranking military in Karabakh.
 
Against this background, the “Karabakh Security Service” issued a statement that it would take decisive measures against attempts to “violate the constitutional order”.
 
This warning was heard 10 days before the end of the collection of signatures, which was initiated by the former “commander of the Nagorno-Karabakh forces”, Samvel Babayan. He is trying to take part in the election of “President of Karabakh”, which will be held in 2020. However, now he cannot be a candidate, as he has not lived in Karabakh for the last 10 years. Therefore, Babayan initiated the collection of signatures to amend the legislation in order to eliminate this restriction.
 
Samvel Babayan conducts active agitation, convincing people that they hinder him, because they are afraid. But the most interesting thing is that Babayan threatened that if they (local authorities) interfered with him, he would bring his supporters to the streets.
 
The warning of the “Security Service” indicates that the authorities in Karabakh will not allow Babayan to power.
 
At the same time, in the media controlled by the authorities, information is published that Samvel Babayan intends to provoke unrest and destabilize the situation. This is done in order to resolve the issue of the Karabakh settlement in the format of the transfer of Karabakh under the mandate of Russia.
 
It should be noted that part of the political forces of Armenia and the population of Karabakh support Babayan. In particular, the influential Dashnaktsutyun party intends to begin consultations on the nomination of a single candidate. There is an opinion that Dashnaks will bet on Babayan. -02B-