Category: 2019

This is a century when glorious revival of Armenian people will take place – PM Pashinyan attends “Summit of minds”

12:04, 8 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 8 ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan attended the opening ceremony of the “Summit of minds” in Dilijan city.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan said in his speech,

“Honorable President of the Republic of Armenia,

Respectful Members of the Cabinet,

State officials,

Dear Ambassadors, guests,

I salute the Armenian “Summit of minds” which being established and traditionally held at the French city Chamonix is for the 1^st time held in the Republic of Armenia. And I want to specially thank President of the Republic of Armenia for this event, as well as all those mentioned by the President.

An old Indian proverb asks what is more than stars, and naturally asks the question – minds are more than stars. By the way, this is about the minds of one person, not the minds of the entire humanity. In general, the mind is the most important thing that has shaped our reality.

In fact, the entire civilization is based on one factor – it’s the human mind. In general, there are just 2 factors that have had an impact on our planet – one is the cosmos impact factor and the other is the human mind. And when we try to speak about the main topic of today’s discussion, economic, investment tendencies in the world or region, and even geopolitics we will see that the greatest investments are made in the sphere of human minds.

Today, the driving forces of the economy have become the spheres that are directly linked with mind. And we have reached a point that human mind is not enough and a global process of developing artificial mind, artificial intelligence has started. In fact, this is the main economic tendency of the 21^st century, of the modern world.

When we look at the global economy structure of the last 20-30 years, we will see that it’s the most dramatic change. The forces that are maximally based on human minds, talent and intellect have become economic leaders. Now we live in an amazing period when human mind has started to have impact not only on the planet Earth, but has started to make changes in other planets and there is no doubt that this tendency will continue and strengthen parallel with the development of artificial intelligence.

On the way here from Yerevan we can see numerous shops, small and medium businesses on the road and some of them are successful, some not so and it can be noted at first glance. And when we start thinking what makes a successful business different from an unsuccessful one, the first idea that comes to mind is that the businesses that have the greatest share of mind, idea are the most successful. As economists say, in a situation where conditions are equal, the businessmen who have invested the maximal share of mind and idea are the most successful.

And I think that this phenomenon, tendency describes today’s Armenia, because the 21^st century is really the century of mind, century of the victory and development of mind, and this is the reason we believe the 21^st century is the century of Armenia, also the century of the citizen of Armenia, the century of the Armenian people, because this is a century when, we believe, a glorious revival of Armenian people will take place.

When it was the century of sea, we had no sea, when it was the century of oil, we had no oil, when it was the century of luck, we had no luck, when it was the century of power, we had no power, and finally the century of mind has arrived and there is no doubt that we have the mind and therefore, our main task is defined – we have to work for the development of our mind, we have to create conditions for the development of mind, so as it can be realized and has the opportunity for reproduction. This is also the reason we say that our goal is to make Armenia heaven for talented people, for mind, and we believe that each individual is unique, and our task is to create an atmosphere where people’s talent will grow, create intellect, create artificial intellect, and will serve that artificial intellect to human mind, to human, spiritual and moral values, universal stability, peace and welfare.

Therefore, it’s reasonable to hold the “Summit of minds” in the Republic of Armenia today, right now. I want to once again thank all those people who made today’s summit in Armenia a reality.

I am thankful”.

Every year the “Summit of minds” takes place in France’s Chamonix, but this year it has been decided to hold in Armenia, Dilijan. Armenia is the first country to host the event out of Chamonix.

Over 100 prominent political and military figures from Armenia and abroad, scientists and businessmen participate in the event. A number of thematic discussions are planned, which will focus on the geopolitical processes in Eurasia and the Middle East, high technologies and management, artificial intelligence, digital economy and so on. The event will be over on June 9. The key partner of the summit is “The Monthly Barometer” prestigious analytical center. Among the participants of the event are French Prime Minister (2005-2007) Dominique de Villepin, United States National Security Advisor at Obama administration, retired United States Marine Corps general James Jones, Special Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation and Ambassador at Large Mikhail Shvydkoy,  Director of Investment and Enterprise at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) James Zhan, Former UK Health Minister, Professor Ara Darzi, President of the Italian National Research Council Massimo Inguscio, Siemens CEO Jan-Marc Lischka and others.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

“Summit of minds” is good platform for Armenia to get very important answers about the world

12:11, 8 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 8 ARMENPRESS. The “Summit of minds” taking place in Armenia is a very important platform to discuss a number of global issues. For Armenia it’s very important for understanding where the world moves and where the world will be in 20-30 years and planning our path, ARMENPRESS reports President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian said in his speech at the “Summit of minds” in Dilijan.

President Sarkissian compared the “Summit of minds” with Noah’s ark, which gave a new start. “When I personally look at the new world, I see signs of flood in many places, I see signs of flood in our behavior, how we act, what we do with the nature. All these reminds that there are signs of flood and we do something wrong. We mistreat nature. Looking at global politics, we see there are huge uncertainties in the world connected with the future of Europe, connected with the Brexit, in the USA – connected with the upcoming elections, in the Middle East and many other places. Today the world is full of new ideas or those coming from ancient times. Lots of populism, fake news, misunderstanding. Finally, what will happen to the world? We lose more and more trust, lose the ability of dialogue. In this sense, the “Summit of minds” is like a small ark. Today it’s not the Noah’s ark, it’s an Armenian ark, where people come to discuss how to save the planet”, the President said.

According to Sarkissian, it’s very important for Armenia to hear what the world says, to ask the “Summit of minds” what’s going on in this world, what to do and how to do, where are we moving to and what we can do as the Republic of Armenia. The President noted that those are global issues but are also connected with Armenia, since it’s very important to understand where the world goes and where it will be in 20-30 years and it’s very important for Armenia to have its own a program and path and understand what and how to do.

In the words of Armen Sarkissian, the “Summit of minds” is a think tank that thinks about the future of the planet. He noted that it always took place in a wonderful place, in Chamonix city. The President said that it’s a great honor for him to be able to persuade Thierry Malleret and other partners to hold it in Armenia.

Among the participants of the event are French Prime Minister (2005-2007) Dominique de Villepin, United States National Security Advisor at Obama administration, retired United States Marine Corps general James Jones, Special Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation and Ambassador at Large Mikhail Shvydkoy,  Director of Investment and Enterprise at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) James Zhan, Former UK Health Minister, Professor Ara Darzi, President of the Italian National Research Council Massimo Inguscio, Siemens CEO Jan-Marc Lischka and others.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Nikol Pashinyan congratulates Theresa May on UK National Holiday – Queen’s Birthday

12:14, 8 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 8 ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the occasion of the United Kingdom’s National Holiday – Queen’s Birthday.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, the message runs as follows,

“I cordially congratulate you on the United Kingdom’s National Holiday – Queen’s Birthday. I wish the friendly people of Great Britain peace and further progress on this festive occasion.

It is my pleasure to note that as underpinned by close historical affinities, our relations are now developing in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect.

Armenia is keen to expand the scope of interaction with the United Kingdom in all areas of mutual interest.

I can say confidently that there are all the necessary prerequisites to impart new quality to the Armenian-British mutually beneficial cooperation by complementing it with effective programs.”

“Deserved victory” – Mkhitaryan on Armenia vs. Lichtenstein 3:0 EURO 2020 qualifier

22:39, 8 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenia defeated Lichtenstein 3:0 in the EURO 2020 qualifier on June 8^th in Yerevan, and Captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan described the victory to be a “deserved” one.

“The plan worked in the first half-time, but we didn’t play the way we had to in the second one. What matters is that we won. This was a deserved victory. I regret that I didn’t score the opponent’s goal during several attempts, but what matters here is the team’s victory,” Mkhitaryan told reporters after the match.

The Armenia captain said they will do their best to be in maximum shape for the next match due on June 11^th against Greece in Athens.

Gevorg Ghazaryan opened the score in the 2^nd minute following an assist from Varazdat Haroyan.

Alexander Karapetyan scored another goal in the 18^th minute.

Tigran Barseghyan wrapped up the match with another goal in the 80^th minute.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian PM offers birthday greetings to Georgian counterpart

13:30, 9 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent birthday greetings to Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, the PM’s Office said. 

“Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your birthday anniversary. I wish you and your family peace, health and happiness. I also wish you every success and new achievements in your position of high responsibility.

I am confident that with joint efforts we will be able to further strengthen the centuries-old friendship of our peoples and expand cooperation between our states. I am full of optimism with regard to the future of our peoples.

I am convinced that as underpinned by shared values, the Armenian-Georgian relations will continue develop for the sake of our countries’ progress and prosperity,” PM Pashinyan said in a letter.

Azerbaijan violates ceasefire regime 250 times

13:05, 8 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 8 ARMENPRESS.  The Azerbaijani troops violated the ceasefire regime nearly 250 times on Artsakh-Azerbaijan contact line in the period of July June 2-8, during which over 2500 bullets were fired in the direction of Armenian border guards from different caliber weapons.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of Artsakh, on June 4 Azerbajani forces also fired 60 millimeter mortars (4 projectiles) and AGS-17 grenade launcher (25 projectiles)

The front line units of the Defense Army of Artsakh took relevant actions to silence the provocations of the adversary, continuing to keep full control of the situation and confidently carry out their military duty.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

World order established following WWII collapses – former French PM calls on to understand each other on the way to new world

13:50, 8 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 8 ARMENPRESS. Dominique de Villepin, a French politician who served as Prime Minister of France from 31 May 2005 to 17 May 2007 under President Jacques Chirac, thinks that the “Summit of minds” in Dilijan can foster better mutual understanding and use of imagination. ARMENPRESS reports Dominique de Villepin said that currently there are wrong ideas in the world, misunderstandings, conflicts and people feel the consequences on their skin.

“For years I have been amazed at that how little imagination is used in the world. Diplomacy is the  sphere where people use their brains and ideas to make a better world, but when you look at the current situation of the world, we see that the world order established following the World War II has completely collapsed. We do not see what kind of new world we will have, what kind of institutions that will create new ideas and concepts and will define the world in which we will live we will have”, former French Prime Minister said.

For solving this issue Dominique de Villepin thinks it’s necessary to understand each other and use the imagination.

He reminded how France and Germany had for centuries fought against each other, but after the WWII decided that the worst enemy can become the best friend.

“Establishing best relations is just a matter of practice. If we want to achieve that we have to start from ourselves, we have first of all start changing ourselves which will give us an opportunity to have better relations with others”, the former French PM concluded.

Among the participants of the event are French Prime Minister (2005-2007) Dominique de Villepin, United States National Security Advisor at Obama administration, retired United States Marine Corps general James Jones, Special Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation and Ambassador at Large Mikhail Shvydkoy,  Director of Investment and Enterprise at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) James Zhan, Former UK Health Minister, Professor Ara Darzi, President of the Italian National Research Council Massimo Inguscio, Siemens CEO Jan-Marc Lischka and others.

 Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Catholicos of All Armenians receives Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Pavel

17:30, 8 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 8 ARMENPRESS. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslav, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Pavel at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, ARMENPRESS reports head of public relations department of the Mother See Fr. Vahram Melikyan wrote on his Facebook page.

His Holiness Pavel has arrived in Armenia at the invitation of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Ambassador of Armenia to Belarus Armen Ghevondyan was also present at the meeting.

The Armenian Catholicos underlined with satisfaction, that the visit of the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Pavel not only reaffirmed the personal friendly and warm relations, but also is aimed at fostering fraternal relations between Churches and further strengthening of partnership. Catholicos Karekin II recalled the years of their postgraduate studies at the Moscow Theological Academy 

His Holiness Karekin II highlighted such visits, citing also his regular meetings with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, during which they discuss the problems and challenges facing the Churches and the ways to overcome them.

 Thanking for the warm reception, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Pavel said that it was a long time he wanted to pay a visit to Armenia. He noted that he is well aware of the heroic historical path of the Armenian people and the Armenian Church and in different places of his service he regularly interacted with the bodies of the Armenian Church and the representatives of the Armenian community.

The two spiritual leaders exchanged views on the activities of their Churches.

At the end of the meeting the Armenian Catholicos wished his spiritual brother health and long years of productive activities.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan