Category: 2019

India appoints new Ambassador to Armenia

13:10, 8 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Deputy High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Mauritius Shri Kishan Dan Dewal has been appointed to serve as the next Ambassador to Armenia, the Indian foreign ministry said in a news release on March 8.

According to the report the new ambassador is expected to assume office shortly.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenia to participate in Viva Technology 2019 in Paris

13:48, 8 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenia will participate in the upcoming Viva Technology 2019 in Paris, one of the largest technological events of Europe. The event will take place May 16-18 and Armenia will have an individual pavilion at the expo, Minister of Transportation, Communication and Information Technologies Hakob Arshakyan said on Facebook.

He said Armenia’s participation at the event “as a new Silicon Valley of the region” has been initiated by the AGBU France and G2iA.

The ministry also called on interested Armenian companies and startups to be involved.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

BREAKING NEWS: Archbishop Mesrob II Mutafyan of Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul dies

14:58, 8 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Patriarch of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople Archbishop Mesrop Mutafyan has passed away after many years of battling dementia, Turkish media reported.

Details will be reported shortly.

Mutafyan, officially known as Mesrob II, began suffering from dementia in 2008 and has been in a coma since then.

He died aged 62 at the Yedikule Holy Savior Armenian Hospital in Istanbul.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Mesrob II’s death to signal election of 85th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople

15:59, 8 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Istanbul’s Surb Prkich Armenian Hospital Director Bedros Sirinoglu has said funeral arrangements for Mesrob II Mutafyan will be reported shortly by the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul.

Mesrob II died today aged 62 in hospital after many years of suffering from dementia. He was in a coma since 2008.

Mesrob II was elected 84^th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople in 1998.

Because of incapacitation, Archbishop Aram Atesian was appointed Patriarchal Vicar – an acting patriarch in 2010.

Despite the Turkish-Armenian community’s demand for new elections, the Turkish government has always rejected the holding of an election, citing a 1863 National Constitution article that prohibits new elections if an incumbent patriarch is alive.

In 2015, Mesrob Mutafyan was retired by the synod because of his illness.

The synod sent a request to the Istanbul Governorate asking permission to hold new elections. In 2017, a new church assembly was convened to begin the process of organizing elections. Archbishop Garegin Bekchian was elected locum tenens – or patriarchal vicar.

After many months of work, however, the Turkish government declared they do not recognize the church assembly’s decisions. The government said it doesn’t recognize Bekchyan as patriarchal vicar and that new elections cannot be held because Mutafyan is still alive.

Eventually Bekchyan left Turkey, and Atesyan continued serving as vicar. However, a large part of the local Armenian community was unhappy with Atesyan’s tenure.

After Mutafyan’s death, it is expected that the Patriarchate will begin the process of holding an election of the 85th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian de-miner’s foot amputated after landmine blast in Syria

15:46, 8 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 8 , ARMENPRESS. Doctors have amputated the right foot of an Armenian de-miner who was wounded when a landmine exploded in Syria, Nazeli Elbakyan, the spokesperson for the Armenian Center for Humanitarian De-Mining and Expertise, the agency that dispatched the experts, told ARMENPRESS.

“He is currently in an hospital nearby Aleppo. His life is out of danger,” she said, adding that the injured de-miner will soon be transported back to Armenia.

As reported earlier, an Armenian de-miner who was among the humanitarian support mission dispatched to Syria has been wounded while carrying out his duties on March 7.

The Center For Humanitarian Demining and Expertise, an Armenian governmental civilian agency that sent the specialists to Syria, said on Facebook that the de-miner suffered injuries to his right foot.

The cause of the incident was a booby trap landmine that was concealed in a plastic layer. He was immediately taken to a hospital to undergo surgery.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

‘He will remain in our memories as an unforgettable spiritual leader’ – MP Garo Paylan on Mesrob II’s death

16:10, 8 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Turkish-Armenian Member of Parliament of Turkey Garo Palyan has extended condolences over the death of Mesrob II, the Armenian Patriarch of Constaninople.

“Patriarch Mesrob II isn’t with us any longer. He will always remain in our memories as an unforgettable spiritual leader. May he rest in peace. My condolences,” Palyan said on Facebook.

Mesrob II died on March 8 in an Istanbul hospital.

He was in a dementia-related coma since 2008.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered condolences to Archbishop Aram Atesyan, the patriarchal vicar.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian FM, European Commission Vice President discuss digital cooperation agenda

18:30, 7 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with European Commissioner for Digital Single Market and Vice President of the European Commission Andrus Ansip on March 7.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, greeting the guest, Minister Mnatsakanyan noted that Armenia and the EU have accumulated vast experience of partnership and joint work during the last years and the recent visit of PM Nikol Pashinyan to Brussels was a good opportunity to outline the future practical steps aimed at expanding multidimensional cooperation.

The sides referred to the cooperation prospects over digital agenda. In this context the Armenian FM emphasized that the development agenda of the Government is based on fostering the development of IT, innovations and creative education.

Referring to the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership, Minister Mnatsakanyan noted that the Armenian side which has always been actively involved in Eastern Partnership format, will have its contribution also to the marking of the 10th anniversary of the Partnership, initiating an event dedicated to the youth and innovations.

The Armenian FM presented the preparatory works of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT-2019) to be held in Yerevan in October, underscoring that the conference is a major international event of that sphere.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Coordinating Council of Russian-Armenian Organizations calls on UNESCO to give assessment to extermination of Armenian khachkars in Azerbaijan

18:36, 7 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. The Coordinating Council of Russian-Armenian Organizations has addressed Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director General, drawing her attention on the extermination of the Armenian cultural heritage in Azerbaijan.

 “In connection with your first official visit to the Russian Federation from 5 to 7 March 2019 as Director General of UNESCO, the Coordinating Council of Russian-Armenian Organizations draws Your attention to the monstrous fact of vandalism that has taken place in the Republic of Azerbaijan. In the period from 1998 to 2005 in Azerbaijan, on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which in past has been a part of the historical Armenia, near the city of Julfa (Old Jugha), a targeted destruction of the cemetery has undertaken. This cemetery had thousands of medieval Armenian khachkars, i.e. tombstones.

According to the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and according to a number of Western media sources and Armenian sources, as well, destruction of ancient monuments of Armenian culture has been organized by the Azerbaijani authorities. All khachkars in the Armenian cemetery were smashed by people in military uniforms, with help of heavy construction machinery. Large fragments of tombstones were loaded by cranes into wagons and transported by rail, probably, for use as construction materials. As for smaller fragments of monuments, they were loaded into trucks and dumped into the Araks River. And Julfa cemetery itself, which was one of the most grandiose monuments of Armenian culture, was turned into a shooting range…

The international community, unfortunately, has left this blatant act without the proper harsh condemnation of Azerbaijan. There were no decisive sanctions against this country, which organized this barbaric act of genocide against Armenian culture. Meanwhile, in 2010, UNESCO (United Nations’ specialized institution on the educational, scientific and cultural issues) included Armenian khachkars into the list of objects of intangible cultural heritage of the humankind. It is now generally recognized that the Armenian khachkars are masterpieces of world art. The largest museums throughout the world consider it an honor to have at least one khachkar in their collection.

Before destruction, the Armenian cemetery in Julfa was the world’s largest surviving medieval cemetery of khachkars. At the beginning of 20th century, 6,000 have been numbered there. By the end of 20th century, this number decreased to 3,000. And at the turn of 20th and 21th centuries, Azerbaijani vandals have brought their dirty work to the end. Only preserved photos now evidence former beauty of these Armenian monuments and the talent of the Armenian masters who have created them. 

Dear Ms. Azoulay, the Coordinating Council of Russian-Armenian Organizations strongly condemns the barbaric attitude of the Azerbaijani authorities regarding the monuments of Armenian culture and art in the territory of present-day Azerbaijan. We appeal to You to assess the destruction of the Armenian khachkars in Julfa (Old Jugha). We also ask You to take measures to prevent anything similar in the future, both in Azerbaijan and around the world. For, the masterpieces of each nation are the patrimony of all humankind, undoubtedly.

Looking forward to Your constructive response”, reads the statement.

Russian President and PM send flowers and congratulatory message to Armenian PM’s wife

19:10, 7 March, 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. Anna Hakobyan, the wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia received congratulatory messages and flowers from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, March 8, Anna Hakobyan’s spokesperson Hasmik Harutyunyan told ARMENPRESS.

“I heartily wish this important holiday to warm you up with the warmth of spring, attention and care of friends and relatives. Let success accompany you in life, and atmosphere of harmony and love prevail in your home. I wish you good health and all the best”, reads the congratulatory message of Vladimir Putin.

Russian PM Medvedev said in his message that women make the world brighter, beautiful and kind. “Please, accept my heartily congratulations on the occasion of March 8. Women take care of the family, creating harmony and comfort in the home. And what is the most important – they always give the spiritual warmth to friends and relatives, surround them with care and attention. I wish the wonderful mood of the holiday accompany you for long”, reads Medvedev’s congratulatory message.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan