Category: News

ranks Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan 36th (between Mesut Ozil – 37th and Harry Kane – 35th) in its list of world’s 50 best football players of 2016.

Chief editors and correspondents from Goal‘s 38 editions across the globe all cast their votes. Players were judged on their level of consistency over the past year, their big-game performances, footballing legacy and the success of their team at both club and international level.

“The 27-year-old’s Old Trafford career may not have got off to the best start but the attacking midfielder was sensational for Borussia Dortmund last season, racking up 11 goals and 15 assists in the Bundesliga alone. One imagines that if he gets a regular run of Premier League games, then Mkhitaryan will quickly set about proving just why United paid £35.7m (€42m) for his services,” Goal writes.

Chief editors and correspondents from Goal‘s 38 editions across the globe all cast their votes. Players were judged on their level of consistency over the past year, their big-game performances, footballing legacy and the success of their team at both club and international level.

 

 

 

Based on US President-elect Donald Trump’s speech, one can assume that the “world is going be a safer and a more peaceful place,” President of the European Integration NGO, MP Karen Bekaryan said in an interview with Public Radio of Armenia.

According to him, “Trump’s first messages lead to peace and prevention of conflicts.”

However, Bekaryan said “only time will show to what extent we can trust his words.”

“The first speeches and steps are more of a PR action. For real politics we have to wait a little,” he added.

“The first signs will be visible during the first 3-6 months of Trump’s presidency, when he has to react to a clear situation at some part of the world and make political decisions, ” Karen Bekaryan added.

Trinity International Auctions offered a double treat at its tenth annual fall auction on October 15. The firm presented its staple selection of classic and contemporary fine art from around the world.

Leading the day overall was a work by Martiros Saryan (Armenian, 1880–1972). “Poppies and Camomiles,” an oil on canvas alive with color and verve, realized $67,375. Measuring 30½ by 24½ inches, signed lower left and dated 1959, the work was accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Expert Center of Culture Values, Ministry of Culture, Republic of Armenia, Daily reports.

Another Saryan work, “Spring in Yerevan,” 1955, oil on canvas, 20½ by 29¼ inches, was bid to $50,200.

It was not the first time Trinity has had success with this artist. In February of this year, Saryan’s vibrant “Still Life with Flowers and Fruits,” 1952, topped that sale as well, going out at $93,100.

Martiros Saryan was a founder of the Armenian national school of painting. A master of the still life genre, he was devoted to the glorification of nature, which both of these works so vividly exemplify.

Other Armenian artists achieved notable results in this sale. Realizing $24,500 was “Sultry Day,” 1960, anoil on canvas measuring 28 by 40 inches by Minas Avetisian (1928–1975), a colorful infusion of sunlight tones and buildings and trees. “Flowers and Fruit on a Blue Table,” 1961, by Harutyun Kalents (1910–1967) was bid to $17,150.

 – The Armenian community of Argentina issued a statementsigned by all the Armenian institutions of the country in which they expressed “their deep concern and rejection of the political persecution that is taking place in Turkey by the regime of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against opposition leaders and media” and called on the Argentine government to “adhere to international condemnations such as those of the United Nations and the European Union, and to speak firmly against the persecutions and restrictions on freedom of expression of the government of Erdogan to avoid the disastrous consequences that arose after every authoritarian turn in the country, as their most recent history demonstrates.”

“This situation has been aggravated by the failed coup attempt last July, whose details have not yet been fully clarified, and has reached an extreme point last week with the arrest of twelve deputies of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), two mayors from Diyarbakir and nine journalists from Cumhuriyet (totaling 142 journalists arrested since July),” said the statement.

“Garo Paylan, deputy of Armenian origin in the Turkish parliament representing the HDP, compared the current situation in the country with the arrest of Armenian politicians and intellectuals on April 24, 1915,” added the text.

On a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Noting that Armenia is interested in intensifying the political dialogue and developing comprehensive cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, President Sargsyan voiced hope that agreements reached during the visit will contribute to the further development of ties.

Serzh Sargsyan hailed the fact that the relations between Armenia and UAE have entered a new, more practical stage of development, over 20 agreements on cooperation in different spheres have been signed between the two countries, more documents are expected to be signed within the framework of the visit.

The interlocutors agreed that the interstate relations between Armenia and UAE are successfully developing on the basis of the centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Arab people.

President Sargsyan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan emphasized the importance of the activity of the Intergovernmental Commission in promoting the current pace of trade-economic cooperation.

The parties agreed to intensify the work towards attracting more UAE investments in the Armenian economy and find effective mechanisms to implement the investment projects.

The interlocutors referred to a number of issues on bilateral agenda, the urgent international issue, the crisis in the Middle East, the problems and challenges existing in the South Caucasus, the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to the President Elect of the United States of America Donald Trump which reads,

“Honorable Mr. Trump,

Please accept my warmest congratulations on your election as the President of the United States.

The American people has enthusiastically voted in support of your outstanding leadership qualities, your experience and vision, thus entrusting you with the honorable responsibility to lead the nation. I have no doubt, that under your able leadership the United States will achieve further progress and advancement in the years to come.

As the United States and Armenia prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, I seize this opportunity to express my gratitude for the substantial support extended by the United States over the last quarter of a century to help Armenia build democratic institutions and strengthen its economy.

In Armenia we highly value the important role played by the United States, in its capacity as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk group, in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

I am confident that under your presidency, the Armenia-US close partnership would continue to develop dynamically – expanding and reaching new heights in diverse areas. I also believe that we can continue to count on the active engagement of the Armenian-American community – a strong bridge between our nations.

As you embark upon your new responsibilities, I would like to assure you and the people of the United States of our continued friendship and sympathy and wish you utmost success in leading your country and the American people to progress and prosperity.

Please accept, Honorable Mr. Trump, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

On the morning of November 9, a diverse group of government officials, politicians, civil society representatives, students, educators, and members of the press joined U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, Jr. for an Election Watch Party at the U.S. Embassy.  As the results of the U.S. presidential and congressional elections were broadcast live from the United States, both American staff and our Armenian guests experienced the excitement of the democratic process in action as polls closed and votes were tabulated across the U.S.

More than 800 invited guests had the opportunity to interact with American diplomats and discuss the elections as real-time results were reported by various U.S. TV channels.  In addition to the live coverage, the Embassy provided a range of informational materials about the U.S. elections and the U.S democratic process.

In his remarks to the assembled audience, Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr. emphasized that “today is a special day, one that comes along every four years, when the United States reaffirms and celebrates its democratic tradition, 240 years strong, of calling upon the people to elect their next president.  As passionate and intense as this year’s election campaign has been, Americans know that as a result of yesterday’s vote, executive power will be transferred peacefully on January 20, 2017 in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and rule of law.  As Secretary Kerry said just last week, ‘we’re now engaged in the 58th free and open presidential selection process for the 58th consecutive time.  Compared to a lot of places in the world, that’s pretty amazing’.”

President Obama, who is nearing the end of his second and last term, will step down when his successor is inaugurated on Friday, January 20, 2017.  Ambassador Mills reaffirmed to the gathered Armenian guests that the excellent partnership between the U.S. and Armenia, which are celebrating their 25^th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, will stay strong regardless of who is elected the next president of the United States.
“The U.S. remains committed to our shared goal of an independent and prosperous Armenia at peace with its neighbors, and regardless of who the next president is, the U.S. government and the U.S. Embassy will remain steadfast partners and friends to Armenia, as we work together to ensure the democratic and prosperous future that the Armenian people deserve.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump with his victory in the US presidential election, voicing hope that joint work will resolve the crisis in bilateral ties, the Kremlin said Wednesday, Sputnik News reports.

According to Kremlin, Putin sent a telegram to Donald Trump congratulating him on his victory in the US presidential election and wishing him success in the responsible job as head of state.

“In a telegram, Putin expressed hope toward joint work to lift Russian-US relations from the state of crisis, as well as to address the pressing issues of the international agenda and the search for effective responses to global security challenges,” the Kremlin said.

In the telegram, Putin voiced hope that the crisis in US-Russia relations will be overcome through joint work. Putin also said he hopes that dialogue between Moscow and Washington, taking into account positions of both countries, meets the interests of the US and Russia.

On November 2 and 3, the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan hosted a two-day workshop that brought together Armenian government officials, representatives of Armenian banks, and U.S. government experts in order to raise awareness of financial sector controls that can help prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The workshop gave 39 representatives from Armenian banking institutions the opportunity to discuss shared challenges with representatives from the U.S. Departments of State, Treasury and Justice, as well as from the FBI. Participants learned new ways to ensure sanctioned countries do not bypass international sanctions by using financial loopholes. They focused on areas such as strengthening institutional capacities, developing interagency mechanisms, and coordinating law enforcement efforts to combat proliferation financing.

The participants learned the important role that awareness plays in preventing financing of weapons proliferation. “This workshop allowed qualified and knowledgeable officials to enhance their ability to prevent and detect illicit financial activities, an area in which national authorities play a key role,” said Jason Ray, FBI Assistant Legal Attaché.

The workshop was organized by the U.S. Embassy’s Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS), which helps to harmonize national export control systems with international standards. Administered by the U.S. Department of State, EXBS operates in more than 65 countries, and is designed to strengthen a country’s export control system by providing legal and regulatory advice, training of licensing officials, enforcement and interdiction equipment, and industry to government outreach. Better export control systems help to fight against the proliferation of mass destruction, their delivery systems, conventional weapons, and related materials.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been criss-crossing America in a final push for votes before election day, the BBC reports.

Both have been holding rallies in the battleground states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Mrs Clinton urged voters to back a “hopeful, inclusive, big-hearted America” while Mr Trump told supporters they had a “magnificent chance to beat the corrupt system”.

Polls give Democrat Mrs Clinton a four-point lead over Republican Mr Trump.

A record number of Americans – more than 46m – have voted early by post or at polling stations.

There are signs of a high turnout among Hispanic voters, which is believed to favour Mrs Clinton.