Category: 2019

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Turkey’s foreign ministry issued a statement calling President Emmanuel Macron of France “arrogant” and “uninformed,” in response to the French leader’s announcement on Tuesday that April 24 will be designated as a national day of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in France, Asbarez reports.

“There are no lessons to be learned by us from arrogant French politicians, devoid of basic knowledge of history, representing a country known to us by its atrocities,” said the Turkish foreign ministry announcement targeting Macron.

“We have explained to French officials, on several occasions at every level and notably to the French President, that the events of 1915 constitute a legitimate subject of legal, historical and academic debate,” added the announcement.

“Nevertheless, it is understood that the French President Macron seeks to fulfill his election promise in the hope of receiving the votes of French electorate of Armenian origin,” continued the announcement.

“It is regrettable that a politician, uninformed in Ottoman history, ignores the French and European jurisprudence and takes a one-sided position with regard to a historical issue of highly sensitive nature for Turks for the sake of his personal political gains,” asserted Turkey’s foreign ministry, which, once again, called for the formation of a historical commission to “shed light” on history.

In response to a question about whether Ankara reacted to Macron’s announcement, France’s foreign ministry said that official Paris has “had several opportunities to exchange views with the Turkish authorities on this issue. They have been informed of our positions just as we have been informed of theirs.”

“In establishing this day of commemoration, the President is fulfilling his well-known pledge to honor French citizens of Armenian descent,” explained the French foreign ministry.

Macron made the announcement on Tuesday evening during a gala banquet organized by the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF), adding that plans were underway to declare April 24 a national day of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

He also clarified that prior to making the announcement he had contacted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to inform of him of his intentions.

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin “strongly condemned” Macron’s statement about the Armenian Genocide, reported the Anadolu news agency.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to Twitter to express his gratitude to Macron. His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia also thanked Macron for the designation.

“I salute the statement of Emmanuel Macron. Powerful manifestation and act of solidarity, determination to protect human rights and prevent mass atrocities,” Pashinyan wrote on Twitter.

A group of Armenian humanitarian experts have headed to Aleppo, Syria on Friday to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said in a Facebook post.

The 83-member group, including doctors, sappers, as well as personnel who will ensure their safety, will carry out humanitarian mine clearance activities, raise mine awareness among the population, as well as offer medical aid in Aleppo exclusively outside the zone of military operations.

The Armenian government made the decision to provide humanitarian aid to Syria taking into consideration the war-triggered humanitarian crisis in the country and especially in Aleppo, the UN Security Council Resolutions 2393 (2017) and 2401 (2018), a written request from the Syrian side, as well as the existence of a large Armenian community in Aleppo.

“Issues related to the Armenian specialists’ stay in the territory of Syria, their status, functions and security are regulated by the legislation of Armenia,” the spokesman said. 

Russia-Georgia-Armenia-Iran energy corridor project presentation will take place by the end of 2019, Russian deputy energy minister Anatoly Yanovski told Russian TASS.

“Studies have been conducted over the possibility to unite the energy corridors, observations were made from all the sides and this year the regular session of the task group will take place where the project will be presented,” Yanovski said.

It has been reported earlier that two energy corridor projects are being discussed between Russia and Iran one of which passes through Georgia and Armenia and the other through Azerbaijan.

Official from Russian Energy Ministry reported that the first pilot Russian power supplies via Azerbaijani territory to Iran are planned for 2019.

The activities of the Holocaust Memorial Day in Derby, England, this year extended over 5 days from 28 January to 1 February and included a variety of commemorative and remembrance events and multi faith religious services, The Armenian Mirror Spectator reports.

The commemoration service at the Chapel of St. Mary on the Bridge was memorable. It was an opportunity for remembrance and hope with readings from the Bible, the Qu’ran, and the Jewish Kaddish, accompanied by a roll call of genocides and music from the Cathedral Choir that also involved local school students. During this solemn reflection the poem by Paruyr Sevak, “We are Few, but we are called Armenians” was read in Armenian and in English.

Following the Service of Reflection, the Act of Commemoration took place at the memorial trees on Cathedral Green where stones were placed around the trees in commemoration of the victims of Holocaust and all Genocides.

The program of activities was opened by the Mayor’s reception in the City Council rooms. In attendance were diplomatic representatives from Jewish, Bosnian, Ukrainian and Armenian communities. The Armenian community was represented by the Consul of the Armenian Embassy in London Hayarpi Drmeyan, and the representatives of the Armenian Community Council in the UK headed by the Vice-Chairman Dr. Hratch Kouyoumjian and members, Viken Halajian and Vahan Krikorian. The Armenian Consul thanked the Mayor for his efforts in recognising and remembering the Armenian Genocide in the commemoration events. In their turn the ACC delegation thanked the Mayor, the Councillors and the HMD committee for their steadfastness in remembering and recognising the Armenian Genocide. The mayor was presented with several books on the Armenian Genocide and the remembrance pin.

The day of commemoration and celebration continued with performances and presentations by communities that have found sanctuary and safety in Derby. The afternoon program significantly included a reflection on the Derby response to the Armenian Genocide.

Derby became in 2019 the first major city in England to recognize and remember the Armenian Genocide, following a unanimous vote to do so, thanks to the efforts of photojournalist Russell Pollard and HMD member; a staunch supporter of historical facts. It should be also remembered that Edinburgh in 2005-2006 became the first city in the United Kingdom to have done so despite political pressure and representations from various quarters including the Turkish Embassy.