On 25 September President Bako Sahakyan signed a decree, according to which serviceman of the NKR Defense Army’s N division Sevak Khachatryan was posthumously awarded with the “For Service in Battle” medal for bravery shown during the defense of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic state border, NKR President’s Press Office reports.
Category: News
Deacon Hovhannes Nersesian wins 2nd place at International Pavel Lisitsian Competition
Deacon Hovhannes Nersesian of St. Sarkis Cathedral of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese, soloist at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre after Alexander Spendiaryan has won the second place at the 4th international Pavel Lisitsian Competition.
The contest featured 48 vocalists from 12 countries – Armenia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, China, Mongolia and others.
The event was held in North Ossetia from September 15 to 18. People’s Artist of Ukraine Larissa Gergieva was the President of the jury. She’s also the founder and director of the festival.
Newly unveiled Forest of Hope in Canada commemorates Armenian Genocide
Newly planted trees now stand as a symbol of peace in Markham. On Saturday, the Canadian city hosted a park dedication ceremony to mark 100 years since the Armenian genocide, the reports.
Federal, provincial and municipal government officials and members of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee for Canada waited in anticipation as the Forest of Hope was unveiled.
The new Forest of Hope will be a place of peace and hope for the Armenian community across the GTA.
“This small forest conveys an enormous message of new life,” said provincial minister of international trade, Michael Chan, during the official opening ceremony of the memorial.
“These young trees will establish deep roots, grow tall and their branches will reach for the sky — just like the Armenian community.”
Canada is one of two dozen countries that recognize the events as the first genocide of the 20th century.
“We know the meaning of genocide, its history and the importance of education,” said Armen Yeganian, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Canada.
“We have to continue to educate, not just today, tomorrow or the first 100 years. But always, because unfortunately it still continues to happen.”
The Forest of Hope is one of about a 100 projects to commemorate the genocide’s anniversary across the country started by the Canadian arm of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, which was founded four years ago.
“And this is the best one, because it calls for hope and peace,” Yeganian said.
The Forest of Hope is located in Ashton Meadows Park near Woodbine Avenue north of 16th Avenue.
The park was designed by renowned landscape architect Haig Seferian and consists of 100 different trees, with different blooming time throughout the year.
“Despite being displaced, the Armenian community is determined,” said mayor Frank Scarpitti.
“The next generation of Armenians will be just as proud as the first Armenians who came to Canada. That’s a wonderful thing.”
Russian Gov’t approves joint air defense agreement with Armenia
Photo: Sputnik/ Pavel Lisitsyn
The Russian government has approved an agreement with Armenia to establish a joint regional air defense in the Caucasus, a decree published on the official portal for legal information stated Monday, Sputnik News reports.
At the time of the signing, the regional air defense force was estimated to incorporate 19 aviation units, 47 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19 radio-technical units and three separate electronic warfare battalions.
“Approve and submit for ratification to the Russian president the agreement between Russia and Armenia to establish a joint regional air defense in the Caucasus region of collective security, signed in Moscow on December 23, 2015,” the decree reads.
Armenian envoy calls for closer Tehran-Yerevan ties
Armenian Ambassador to Tehran Artashes Tumanyan called bilateral relations between Tehran and Yerevan as “historical,” calling for efforts to strengthen the ties in all spheres, economy in particular, reports.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Tehran on Sunday, Tumanyan said the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has great economic infrastructures, is a close friend of Armenia.
However, he said, bilateral trade between the two nations is at a low level as the volume of trade between the two countries does not exceed $300 million per year.
“We have good relations with Iran’s chambers of commerce,” the Armenian diplomat noted, but said the two sides need to know each other better.
Iran and Armenia, have enjoyed amicable relations in a whole host of fields. Armenia announced in early June that it has approved signing an agreement with Iran to abolish the visa regime between the two countries.
The agreement, signed during a visit to Tehran by Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, allows Iranians and Armenians to travel to the other country without needing a visa.
Seyran Ohanyan visits families of servicemen fallen in April war
Armenia’s Acting Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan visited the Armed Forces divisions located in the northeastern section of the country’s border.
He visited the military positions and examined the living conditions of the soldiers. He also followed the process of ongoing construction works.
Seyran Ohanyan visited the families of servicemen killed in the April war – Benyamin Yeghoyan, Armenak Urfanyan, Sargis Sahakyan and Vladimir Alikhanyan.
The Acting Defense Minister underlined that the feats and sacrifice of their sons will serve an example for the youth.
Seyran Ohanyan pledged the Defense Ministry’s support to the solution of the problems the families face.
50 cases of ceasefire violation by Azeri side reported over the weekend
About 50 cases of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side were registered at the line of contact with the Karabakh forces over the weekend.
The rival used firearms of different calibers as it fired over 600 shots in the direction of the Armenian positions, The NKR Defense Ministry reports.
The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army confidently continue with their military duty and resort to response action sin case of necessity.
Fire breaks out at one well of Azerbaijan’s Guneshli oil field
A fire broke out at one well of Azerbaijan’s Guneshli oil field during maintenance works on Monday, Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR said in a statement, Reuters reports.
The accident does not pose any threat to 49 workers on the oil platform, SOCAR said, adding the workers would not be evacuated.
Armenian Acting FM meets with UN Secretary General
On September 24, while participating in the activities of the 71st regular session of the UN General Assembly, Edward Nalbandian, the Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia, had a meeting with Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General.
The UN Secretary General expressed gratitude for the active involvement of Armenia to the activities of the Organization during his tenure and emphasized that the Armenian diplomacy has played a significant and constructive role in the international arena not only regarding its priorities, but also towards the settlement of the issues the Organization faces.
Edward Nalbandian outlined that the efficient cooperation with the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is highly appreciated in Armenia. The Minister thanked the UN Secretary General for his leadership, initiatives and exerted efforts aimed at the advancement of the UN Charter values, goals and principles.
The interlocutors discussed a number of issues on the UN agenda.
Ban Ki-moon presented to Edward Nalbandian his book, which summarizes his last ten years’ activity in the capacity of the Secretary General of the UN.
Aid convoys reach besieged Syrian towns
Photo: ICRC
Aid has been delivered to four besieged towns in Syria for the first time in almost six months, the International Committee of the Red Cross says, the BBC reports.
Seventy-one lorries reached rebel-held Madaya and Zabadani, near Damascus, and government-controlled Foah and Kefraya, in Idlib province, on Sunday.
They brought food, medical supplies and hygiene kits for 60,000 people.
Last week, the UN suspended aid deliveries across Syria for 48 hours after a deadly attack on a convoy.