Category: News

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the $1 million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity were established on behalf of the descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, and in gratitude to those who risked their own wellbeing to help them survive.  At the inaugural awards ceremony, held in Yerevan, Armenia, on April 24, 2016, Marguerite Barankitse from Maison Shalom and REMA Hospital in Burundi became the first laureate.

Barankitse was recognized for the extraordinary impact she has had in saving thousands of lives and caring for orphans and refugees during the years of civil war in Burundi. Consistent with the rules of this unique prize, the laureate selected the following three organizations as recipients of $1 million in humanitarian support: the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de La Grande-Duchesse du Luxembourg, Fondation Jean-François Peterbroeck (JFP Foundation), and the Fondation Bridderlech Deelen Luxembourg.

In a continuing effort to transform the Armenian experience from that of ‘victim’ to dignified, active global citizen, each year’s Aurora Prize ceremony is a celebration of the spirit of shared humanity – and resilience.  This time, that celebration will culminate on May 28, in Yerevan, Armenia.

Known as First Republic Day, May 28 embodies the resilience of survivors who, just three years after the Genocide, declared and sustained an independent Armenian Republic from 1918 to 1920. The ceremony and accompanying events will highlight this journey from death to life, from horror to hope, from tragedy to revival.

The 2017 Aurora Prize finalists will be announced on April 24, 2017, the annual day of remembrance for victims of the Armenian Genocide.  One of these finalists will then be named as the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate at a special ceremony on May 28, 2017, in Yerevan, Armenia. The Laureate and finalists will be chosen by the Aurora Prize Selection Committee from a total of 558 nominations submitted from 66 countries around the world.

Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, observed: “Underpinning the Aurora Prize is a desire to pay tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to help others survive and thrive. It is gratifying that in such a short time this initiative has found resonance and appreciation in communities and countries around the world.”

Ruben Vardanyan added, “On May 28, Armenian survivors dared to declare independence in the aftermath of the Genocide and in the midst of regional tumult. Their plight embodies our conviction that victims very soon became not just survivors but also active, committed members of global society.  The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative highlights the promise of transformation from helpless to hopeful, a possibility that is the right of all people.”

During the month between April 24 and May 28, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will organize a global program of activities to profile the inspirational stories of the 2017 finalists, as well as broader humanitarian endeavors.  The Aurora Dialogues – a series of thought-provoking discussions featuring international humanitarian figures – debuted in Yerevan during the inaugural Aurora weekend. Those dialogues will also be expanded and shared with communities around the world and will also be a major component of the Aurora May 28 weekend, in Yerevan.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Federal Republic of Brazil Michel Temer on the plane crash near Medellin town in Columbia which killed dozens, President’s Press Office reports.

At the this difficult for Brazil times, the President of Armenia expressed condolences and support to President Temer, the friendly people of Brazil and families of the victims, wishing them tenacity and patience.

At the same time, according to the President of Armenia, the very fact that there are survivors in the crash, gives strength to move forward.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan participated in the 71^st regular sitting of the Council of Defense Ministers of CIS participating states in Moscow.

A number of documents regulating the cooperation between the Defense Ministries of the CIS participating states were discussed, key directions of joint work were outlined at the meeting.

Issues related to the joint air defense system, development of communication systems, humanitarian mine clearance, training of military personnel and joint field exercises, implementation of joint educational programs were discussed.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan had meetings with his Russian and Belarusian counterparts.

The Defense Ministers of Armenia and Russia signed the agreement on Joint Group of Forces and approved the 2017 cooperation program.

According to the minister counselor at the Armenian Embassy in the US, Armenia will continue economic cooperation with the US during the next US Administration.

Economic cooperation between Armenia and the United States will continue during the next US Administration, Minister Counselor at the Armenian Embassy in the United States Hrachia Tashchian told .

“We do not see any reason that could stop or halt the economic cooperation between Armenia and the United States,” Tashchian said on the sidelines of the third annual “Doing Business With Eurasian Economic Union” Conference in Washington. Tashchian stressed that the United States was a key economic partner for Armenia. “US-Armenia Intergovernmental Joint Task Force is among the main tools fostering cooperation and discussion of a wide range of issues – from energy security to the technical assistance in implementing civil aviation and tax administration reforms”, Tashchian said.

Trade and Investment Framework Agreement – another important tool of cooperation – signed last year and tailored to help the parties identify areas conducive to the development of mutual trade and investments.

Tashchian noted that over the last two years there have been two major US investments in the energy and mining sectors of the Armenian economy. The diplomat also mentioned the large presence of US IT companies in Armenia. Information Technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Armenian economy, and the Government strongly supports its further growth, Tashchian concluded.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to Giorgi Kvirikashvili on his re-appointment as Prime Minister of Georgia.

The President of Armenia expressed hope that the readiness of the two friendly countries to strengthen the existing potential of cooperation and partnership will allow to continuously develop the brotherly relations of the Armenian and Georgian peoples and will give a new impetus to the mutually beneficial cooperation.

On 29 November Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan visited the village of Talish and got acquainted with the process of implementation of his earlier instructions, NKR President’s Press Office reports.

Valérie Boyer, spokesman of François Fillon, was the guest of France 2 this Sunday November 27 to comment on the victory of his candidate at the primary of the right. The cross she wore attracted more attention than the speech she gave.

The deputy of Bouches-du-Rhône, known for her conservative positions, displayed an “Armenian cross,” a religious sign representing the “divine nature” of Christ, according to the .

“This is something I never take away, I always have it on me,” explained Valerie Boyer. According to her, “there is no comment to make, since it is not a symbol of.”

The cross was not seen as Valérie Boyer appeared on BFMTV a few hours later.

The cross raised a wave of criticism on social media, as under French legislation, the public display of religious symbols is prohibited in the country.

Tens of thousands of people have filled Revolution Square in the Cuban capital, Havana, for a rally honouring Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, the BBC reports.

Proceedings began with the national anthem and speeches were made by visiting dignitaries.

President Raul Castro closed the rally, referring to his brother Fidel as the leader of a revolution “for the humble, and by the humble”.

Fidel Castro, who came to power in 1959, died on Friday, aged 90.

Left-wing Latin American leaders were among those attending the event but other countries sent lower-ranking emissaries.

Opinion on Fidel Castro, who ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost half a century, remains divided.

Supporters say he returned Cuba to the people and praise him for some of his social programmes, such as public health and education.

But critics call him a dictator, who led a government that did not tolerate opposition and dissent.

President Serzh Sargsyan received today Heads of delegations of the Customs agencies of the Eurasian Economic Union member states who have arrived in Armenia to participate at the 21st session of the Joint Board of the Customs agencies of the EEU member states, President’s Press Office reports.

The President of Armenia welcomed the guests and stressed the importance of the Board’s meeting held today in Tsakhkadzor. Stressing that customs services represent an important structure which interact on a daily basis with the business community of the EEU member states, Serzh Sargsyan noted that impressions regarding the EEU are also being shaped based on their work and cooperation; the improvement of business environment considerably depends on the activities of the customs agency of any country, as well as the formation and development of the goods, services, capitals and labor markets at the common economic area.

The President of Armenia expressed hope that current issues and decisions adopted during the meeting in Tsakhkadzor will promote the resolution of the mentioned issues and implementation of the objectives set by the members of the Union in the framework on the integration processes.

Heads of delegations of the Customs agencies of the Eurasian Economic Union member states presented to Serzh Sargsyan the results of the 21st session of the Joint Board and expressed thanks to the Armenian colleagues for organizing the meeting at a high level. They underscored that any union is based first and foremost on mutual trust, and the works of the Joint Board of the Customs agencies is aimed at strengthening that trust through the daily close cooperation. The participants of the meeting reported to the President on the works aimed at the improvement of the new Customs law, problems and challenges existing in the Customs area, and prospects of development.

FourFourTwo has ranked Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan 60th in its list of  2016.

“Mkhitaryan’s meagre two starts in 2016/17 – Jose Mourinho being oddly reluctant to play the £27m signing – are comfortably outweighed by the playmaker’s phenomenal 2015/16. After all, Mkhitaryan was named Player of the Year by 235 Bundesliga pros surveyed in German magazine Kicker and came third in the official players’ vote. How quickly we forget. How quickly Jose forgets,” the website writes.

The Armenian was reborn under Thomas Tuchel in his final Borussia Dortmund campaign. Mkhitaryan scored or assisted – and this isn’t a typo – 55 goals in 52 games, which is frankly obscene. Operating sometimes behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but more commonly drifting in from the right, Mkhitaryan showed he’s a true raumdeuter, a space investigator, and one who knows where the goal is.

“If that’s not enough, he speaks seven languages fluently and his dad was called Hamlet,” FourFourTwo reminds.