On 6 December Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received a group of angiologists from Austria who arrived in our republic the other day.
President Sahakyan expressed gratitude to the Austrian doctors for visiting Artsakh and sharing their experience, underlining that it substantially contributed to the development of our republic’s healthcare sphere and qualifying their activity as a vivid manifestation of humanism and friendship.
Armenian Weekly —Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia announced on Monday that the Cilician Catholicosate will be submitting the legal case for the return of the Sis Catholicosate to the European Court of Human Rights on December 6.
“Tomorrow, the sixth of December will be an important day for the Armenian people in general and the Armenian church in particular,” Catholicos Aram I announced in a live video address from the current seat of the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon.
The Catholicos said that the decision was made after Turkey’s constitutional court denied the request of the Catholicosate.
“This is the first legal action taken against Turkey after the Armenian Genocide of 1915. This legal action is the result of a long and serious reflection, consultation, and study, and is based on the provisions of international law, including the decisions of the Lausanne Conference of 1932 pertaining to the minorities living within the boundaries of the Republic of Turkey,” Catholicos Aram said in his December 5 address.
The Catholicos first announced that the Cilician See was preparing to initiate legal claims against Turkey to regain ownership of the historic headquarters of the Catholicosate of Sis back in September 2014.
On April 28, 2015, the Catholicosate of Cilicia submitted a brief to the Constitutional Court in Turkey requesting the return of its historic spiritual center in Sis.
The Catholicosate’s St. Sophia church and monastery, and their surrounding lands, are located in the city of Kozan, in the Adana Province of the present-day Republic of Turkey. The headquarters, a center of Armenian religious life for more than seven centuries, was confiscated by the Turkish Government during the Armenian Genocide.
Below is the Aram I’s English address as transcribed by the Armenian Weekly.
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Tomorrow, the sixth of December, will be an important day for the Armenian people in general and the Armenian church in particular.
The lawsuit demanding the return of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Sis will be formally submitted to the European Court of Human Rights. In fact, this is the first legal action taken against Turkey after the Armenian Genocide of 1915. This legal action is the result of a long and serious reflection, consultation, and study, and is based on the provisions of international law, including the decisions of the Lausanne Conference of 1932 pertaining to the minorities living within the boundaries of the Republic of Turkey.
This is a very important action—legal action—taken by the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. In fact, for a hundred years, we laid the emphasis in our continuous efforts, within the framework of the Armenian cause, on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. I believe that this is the time that we move from the stage of recognition to reparation, of course, without undermining the pivotal importance of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
I do believe that this is the high time, and, in fact, our legitimate right and sacred obligation, to claim the restoration of the ownership of the centuries old seat of the Catholicoasate in Sis. We should not forget and the international community should know that besides the one and a half million victims of the Armenian Genocide, thousands of Armenian churches, monasteries, community and church properties, including the individual properties, were confiscated by the Turkish authorities. Furthermore, 48 hours were given to the Catholicos Sahak of Cilicia to leave the premises of the Catholicosate with his parishes.
These are not fictions; they are facts of history. And we never forget these painful experiences of our people a hundred years ago. And it goes without saying, that forceful confiscation of properties is against international law.
Tomorrow, in Brussels, a press conference will take place with the participation of four members of our legal team. And through this press conference, our representatives will explain the various stages and dimensions, and expectations pertaining to this lawsuit.
Dear fellow Armenians,
The Armenian cause is the case of justice. It is the cause of violations of human rights. It is the cause of our people. We never forget the Armenian Genocide.
Recognition and reparation: this is our clear and firm position as a people and a church.
Therefore, it is my firm expectation that our people will continue to support all actions, initiatives, and programs that are aimed at the restoration of justice.
Justice—we want justice from the international community. That is the clear and firm position of our people.
May God bless you all.
Armenia and the European Union will start talks on comprehensive air transport agreement. The negotiating groups will be formed in the near future.
“Under the planned agreement, Armenia will join the European Common Aviation Area. As a result, the parties will liberalize their markets, thus providing air companies with access to routes without restrictions, and therefore, use the capacities of the 500 mln market under unbiased and equal conditions,” the General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia said in statement today.
On 1 December 2016 the Council adopted a mandate that will allow the Commission to start negotiations on a comprehensive air transport agreement with Armenia.
Comprehensive EU-level aviation agreements aim to increase Europe’s international connectivity, ensure a high-quality service and more choice for the passengers, and boost the international competitiveness of the EU’s aviation industry.
The agreement with Armenia will take the form of a Common Aviation Area Agreement, since Armenia is one of the countries with which the EU is creating closer ties under its neighbourhood policy.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan packed on 6lbs of muscle in his extended lay-off – to prove to Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho he is ready for the Premier League, according to
The 27-year-old was exiled by the United chief for two-and-half-months because he “wasn’t ready” to play in key fixtures.
But the Armenia international has been coming in on his days off for extra gym and weight sessions.
He impressed Mourinho with his attitude – giving up his weekends to prove the United backroom staff wrong.
And the Armenian star has now been recalled, starring in the Red Devils 4-0 win against Feyenoord last week.
He also played in United’s heartbreaking 1-1 Premier League draw with Everton on Sunday.
An Old Trafford insider revealed: “United have kept close tabs and the feeling is his extra strength will be a huge bonus to him.
“He impressed with his commitment and surprised them by coming in to pump some iron and get more running into his legs.”
The 14th Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission session, which aimed to boost bilateral trade turnover, came to an end on Monday in the Iranian capital of Tehran, reports.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the session, Iran’s Energy Minister said holding of the meeting and exchange of delegations were signs of strong determination of both sides to bolster and expand cooperation as all levels.
“Iran pursues the policy of deepening multilateral ties with all neighboring states,” noted the official adding “progress and development of Armenia and success of its government and nation are deemed as onwards moving of Iran.”
The Iranian official maintained that volume of trade turnover between Iran and Armenia has been disproportionate to political relations of the two sides; “similar sessions are expected to pave the path for reinvigoration of bilateral ties.”
Chitchian, while recalling that Tehran and Yerevan inked a comprehensive cooperation document during the Joint Economic Commission session, urged all committees and working groups to implement provisions of the agreement.
“The document envisions cooperation in the fields of energy, electricity exchange, natural gas, Aras River environmental, banking and insurance, trade and economy.”
He added that based on the deal, which is signed on the eve of the visit of President Rouhani to Armenia, Iran will establish free trade zone on Armenian territory.
Also at the closing ceremony, Armenian Minister of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan said the 14th edition of the session marked a cornerstone for further collaborations between Tehran and Yerevan asserting “the event remains as a turning point in age-old relations between the two countries, a point which marks the commencement of an indefatigable endeavor.”
He further expressed optimism that, with perseverance, efforts of both parties would yield fruitful results in the near future.
The volume of trade turnover between Iran and Armenia currently stands at over 400 million dollars and given that the Caucasus region country is allowed to export more than 6,000 groups of commodities to the EU by payment of customs duties, Iran could grasp the opportunity to deploy its goods to Europe through Armenia at lower costs.
Photo: AP
In a speech hailing the work of Holocaust survivor and Nobel peace laureate Elie Wiesel, Barack Obama’s U.N. Envoy Samantha Power lamented the injustices that continue to this day. Among these, she listed: “Genocide denial against the Armenians.” Power didn’t elaborate, the Associated Press reports.
The term has long been taboo for U.S. officials, including President Barack Obama, who have instead talked of mass atrocity and historical tragedy. But Obama’s U.N. ambassador last week went further than her boss by describing the event as genocide.
According to AP, those five words risk infuriating Turkey, which has fiercely opposed any genocide reference and whose strategic role as a key American partner and NATO ally in an unstable part of the world has led U.S. officials to exercise extreme caution when referencing the century-old massacre. They’re also surprising given Power’s status as the nation’s second highest-ranked diplomat and what sounded like her implicit criticism of Obama.
When he first ran for president, Obama promised he would recognize the killings as genocide if elected. But he has repeatedly stopped short of doing so. Marking Armenian Remembrance Day in April, Obama called the killings the first mass atrocity of the 20th century and a tragedy that must not be repeated.
Before entering government, Power was a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who wrote extensively about America’s responses to genocide. Officials say she has lobbied hard behind the scenes for Obama to formally recognize the Armenian killings as genocide.
Kurtis Cooper, Power’s spokesman, said the genocide reference came in the context of honoring Wiesel’s life and were meant to “convince others to stand up, rather than stand by, in the face of systemic injustice, mass atrocities and genocide like the one he was forced to endure.” He said they don’t reflect a change in administration policy.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said there has been no change in U.S. policy.
“The president and other senior administration officials have repeatedly mourned and acknowledged as historical fact that 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire, and stated that a full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts is in all our interests,” Toner said.
President Ronald Reagan in 1981 did refer to the “genocide of the Armenians.” But presidents since have avoided such language.
President Jimmy Carter came close to saying genocide in 1978 by describing a “concerted effort made to eliminate all the Armenian people” and calling it “probably one of the greatest tragedies that ever befell any group.” He noted that unlike after the Holocaust, no justice occurred akin to the Nuremberg trials of top Nazi officials.
As a campaign surrogate eight years ago, Power released a video imploring Armenian-Americans to vote for Obama, saying he would follow through on his promise to talk frankly about what happened.
The tunnel that will cross the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, is set to be named after a perpetrator of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian genocides, or someone responsible for the death of thousands of Armenians and Bulgarians.
The competing names according toare between Kemal Ataturk, the first President of the Turkish Republic, and Abdul Hamid, the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reports.
CNN Turk have also revealed that Ataturk is winning the poll so far.
Ataturk was partially responsible for the genocide of millions of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians that began during the First World War.
Abdul Hamid, who struggled to maintain a fracturing empire, saw a pogrom against thousands of Armenians and Bulgarians.
Iran’s Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammad-Reza Nematzadeh said on Monday that Iran will contribute to construction and operation of Meghri Free Zone in Armenia, reports.
Nematzadeh made the remarks in a meeting with Armenian Minister of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan.
Nematzadeh said that Iran has good experience in setting up free zones and is ready to share experience with Armenia to help set up Free Trade Zone.
‘Iran and Armenia enjoy potential for expansion of economic and industrial relations and their level of exchanges should be upgraded.’
The minister said Iranian and Armenian private sectors are interested in promotion of trade and economic relations.
‘We should use the potential of the private sector for upgrading trade by removal of banking and insurance hurdles.’
The official said Iranian banking system and Export Guarantee Fund is ready to remove commercial barriers.
‘Holding joint meetings within framework of commission and visit of officials can serve as an effective factor to identify problems and barriers to go ahead with commercial, industrial and mineral cooperation.’
He said Iranian technical and engineering service companies are capable enough to contribute to designing industrial and commercial infrastructural projects in Armenia. ‘As for mineral exploration and exploitation, especially copper, iron ore and gold and designing steel production projects , Iran is also ready to put its technical and engineering potential at the disposal of Armenia.’
Iran is ready to sign preferential tariff deal with Eurasian union, said Nematzadeh, adding, ‘Regarding membership of Armenia in the Union, we expect its support to conclude the deal.’
The Iranian minister said that Iran has distinguished scientific status, especially in the nano-technology, bio-technology, information technology and telecommunications.
He called for signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) for transfer of technology and knowledge with Armenia.
The Armenian Minister welcomed contribution of Iranian investors to Armenian projects, especially its mineral projects.
‘For construction of free zone we will use Iran’s experience and expansion of the relations can further provide the ground for Iran’s membership in Eurasia.’
He said that Iran and Armenia have firm political ties based on good neighborly friendship and that economic and commercial relations between the two countries should be upgraded in pace with their friendly and political ties.
‘Iran’s insurance coverage to the industries can help development of the industry in Armenia.’
He said that his country specially and fully supports conclusion of a preferential trade agreement and Iran’s membership in Eurasia.
The Armenian minister said Iran’s help to set up Meghri free zone will serve as first step to that end. ‘Although the membership and conclusion of the agreement can lead to expansion of commercial and economic relations, the two-way ties should further expand irrespective of the issues.’
He noted that elimination of custom barriers is one of the most important barriers to promotion of bilateral commercial relations.
‘Armenian government pays special attention to elimination of barriers and problems facing the private sector and entrepreneurs and not only supports Iran’s stances but also considers it as partner of its interests.’
He said a deal on nano-technology had been signed during his recent visit to Iran.
‘The information technology exhibition will be held in Armenia in June 2017 with presence of well-credited international companies and active presence of Iranian companies in the expo is welcomed.’
The 14th Iran-Armenia Joint Commission session opened in Tehran on Monday morning co-chaired by Iranian Minister of Energy Hamid Chitchian and Armenian Minister of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan.
Photo: RIA Novosti
The air authorities of Azerbaijan have not allowed the Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft to fly to Syria through its air space, forcing the plane to return to the airport in Sochi.
reports, quoting a conversation between the command post and the pilot, that the plane was flying in the “Syrian” direction through Armenia.
“You can’t reach Yerevan. Azerbaijan won’t allow. The flight is prohibited,” the dispatcher said. The crew was later instructed to return to the Sochi airport.
Living in Talish will be as safe as in Mataghis or Martakert, authorities of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic assure. Some residents of the village that was abandoned after the April war, have now returned to their home. The authorities pledge to create conditions for the villagers to return to Talish and stay there.
The NKR leadership has invited architects from Armenia and Diaspora to participate in reconstruction works. Secretary of the NKR Security Service Vitaly Balasanyan, who keeps the reconstruction works in the spotlight, says today’s modernized defense systems allow to ensure the security of all borderline settlements, including Talish.
The power supply has been fully restored, the water supply system will start working in the coming days. The road to the village is being reconstructed. Vitaly Balasanyan says residents of Talish will enjoy tax and energy benefits.
Speaking to Public Radio of Armenia, Spokesman for the NKR Prime Minister Artak Beglaryan said it’s hard to estimate the number of Talish residents still living in Armenia. “The numbers change, because more and more families opt for return to Artsakh,” he said.