Category: News

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs look forward to progress on key issues of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process.

“Meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh peace process have concluded in New York. We look forward to progress on key issues,” US Co-Chair of the Minsk Group James Warlick said in a Twitter post.

The Minsk Group Co-Chairs held meetings with Armenia’s Acting Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on the sidelines of the 71^st session of the UN General Assembly.

 

 

 

The bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial will be submitted to the French Senate in a few days, Mayor of the French city of Alfortville, Vice-Chairman of the Armenia-France Friendship Group at the French Senate Luc Carvounas told a press conference today.

Mr. Carvounas hopes they will find a common ground with forces standing against the adoption of the bill. “I assure I’ve voted in favor of the bill before. We have had good relations with Armenia for a long time and have worked on issued of Armenian Genocide. I don’t think we’ll deviate from the path.

Speaking about the Turkish-Azerbaijani lobby, the Senator said “they are working actively, but are unable to prevent the work of the parliamentarians.”

Luc Carvounas heads a French delegation that has arrived in Armenia to participate in the events dedicated to the 25^th anniversary of independence.

The delegation has also visited Artsakh and held a meeting with NKR President Bako Sahakyan.

Senator Carvounas first visited Armenia with a delegation headed by French President Francois Hollande on the Armenian Genocide centennial.

Oxford University has come top of the Times Higher Education world university rankings, the BBC reports.

Oxford knocks California Institute of Technology, the top performer for the past five years, into second place.

The rankings show a mixed picture for European universities, while Asian institutions continue to rise.

The Times Higher tables rank universities worldwide on measures including teaching, research and international outlook – for example, numbers of overseas students and staff.

Editor of the rankings Phil Baty said it was “fantastic news” Oxford had come top, but the UK’s vote to leave the European Union was a big threat to the sector.

Photo: Reuters

 

A boat carrying African migrants headed to Europe capsized off the Mediterranean coast near the Egyptian city of Alexandria on Wednesday, killing at least 42 people, Egyptian authorities said, AP reports.

The army gave the toll in a statement, saying it had “thwarted an illegal immigration attempt” and that the boat had been 12 nautical miles off the coast when it sank.

Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said that the total number of dead was still unknown. Local official Alaa Osman from Beheira province said the migrants were from several African countries. He said over 150 people have been rescued so far but that bodies are still being pulled from the water.

Egypt’s official news agency MENA said the boat was carrying 600 people when it sank near the coast, some 180 kilometers north of the capital, Cairo. Osman said the boat had likely come from Kafr el-Sheik province, further to the east.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan needs to play more at Manchester United and in his correct position. That is the view of Arsenal legend and pundit Ian Wright, the reports.

Mkhitaryan has been used as a winger in his short United career but Wright believes he needs to play in his preferred central position.

“I’d like to see Henrikh Mkhitaryan play because he was so good at Borussia Dortmund,” he told .

“He has come in and he hasn’t played.

“What should have happened with Henrikh Mkhitaryan is that when he has come on, he should have come on in the position that he’s used to.

“Simply because that’s where he has done his best work.”

Mkhitaryan joined United from Borussia Dortmund for £26m in the summer.

But the Armenia international has started just one of his four Premier League appearances to date.

The 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence was celebrated in Damascus on September 21.

Syrian Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reforms Ahmad al-Qadiri was a guest of honor at the reception hosted by the Armenian Embassy.

Attending the event were Grand Mufti of Syria Sheikh Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, Adviser to the President Bouthaina Shaaban, Minister of Tourism  Bishr Yazigi, Electricity Minister  Mohammad Zuhair Kharboutli, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lawmakers, political and public figures, religious leaders, members of the Armenian community.

Addressing the guests, Armenian Ambassador Arshak Poladyan refered to the path Armenia has covered during the 25 years of independence and the Armenian-Syrian relations. The Ambassador  presented the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy and wished peace and stability to the people of Syria.

A number of political and public figures, representatives of the Armenian community were handed awards and certificates of gratitude of the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora and the Armenian Embassy in Syria for their contribution to the reinforcement of bilateral relations between Armenia and Syria.

“When you dream about your next big trip, your immediate response isn’t likely to be Armenia. But that’s where you are woefully overlooking a beautiful spot that hasn’t yet been overrun by tourists,” the  writes.

In honor of Armenian Independence on September 21, the website presents 15 reasons why Armenia should be the next vacation spot.

Excerpts from the article are provided below:

With its rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and tasty local cuisine, Armenia is a perfect spot for a long trek or a short trip. Throw in the friendly atmosphere (and copious opportunities for extreme sports) and it is clear that Armenia’s reputation is due for a change.

The first Christian country in the world, Armenia officially took on the religion on a statewide level in 301 at the encouragement of Gregory the Illuminator. That century, the country began abolishing their pagan temples and building Christian temples and monasteries, some of which are still active and can be visited today.

Travelers can  visit the Monastery of Tatev, a gem of medieval Armenian architecture and spiritual life. The monastery can be accessed via the longest ropewalk in the world or Wings of Tatev cable car, the world’s longest non-stop double track cable car, according to the Guinness World Records.

Where culture is concerned, as Armenia is situated snugly between on the border between Europe and Asia, their identity is a unique blend of east and west. People are extremely kind and tend to appreciate tourists. It is not uncommon for locals to invite a traveler over for sweets, tea, or even a meal.

If none of that sold you on Armenia, I could always remind you it’s the land of Andre Agassi and Kim Kardashian.

Click to see the full article.

On September 21, 2016 “HayPost Trust Management” B.V. put into circulation two stamps dedicated to the 25^th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia.

The official cancellation ceremony of the stamps took place at the Presidential Palace. The cancellation was carried out by the Presidential of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan.

The stamps have been printed in “Cartor” Printing House, France, with face values of 200 and 300 Armenian drams.

The stamp with face value of 200 drams depicts “25^th anniversary” and “INDEPENDENCE” texts, as well as the waving tricolor flag of the Republic of Armenia on the background of blue sky symbolizing the twenty five years of independence and statehood of the country.

The stamp with face value of 300 drams depicts “25^th anniversary” which consists of a collage made with the sights of Yerevan showing thus the advancement of the country through twenty five years of its independence.

The stamps have been designed by the Managing Director of “HayPost Trust Management” B.V., Juan Pablo Gechidjian and the designers of “HayPost” CJSC Vahagn Mkrtchyan and David Dovlatyan.

Date of Issue: 21 September 2016
Face value: 200 AMD
Design by: Juan Pablo Gechidjian, Vahagn Mkrtchyan
Printing House: Cartor, France
Size: 40,0 x 30,0 mm
Print run: 50,000

Date of Issue` 21 September 2016
Face value: 300 AMD
Design by: Juan Pablo Gechidjian, David Dovlatyan
Printing House: Cartor, France
Size: 30,0 x 40,0 mm
Print run: 50,000

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement in recognition of Armenia’s Independence Day:

“Today, we join the Armenian community – here in Canada, in Armenia, and around the world – in celebrating the country’s 25^thIndependence Day.

“Canada and the Republic of Armenia enjoy a dynamic and friendly relationship, rooted in the shared values of democracy and freedom, bilateral relations, and our collaboration in international organizations such as La Francophonie.

“I look forward to working with President Serzh Sargsyan and newly-appointed Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan to further strengthen the relations between our two countries, and to work together on global and regional issues including peace, security, and development cooperation.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I invite all Canadians to reflect on the important contributions of Canadians of Armenian descent to our national fabric, and offer our best wishes to everyone celebrating today.”

Armenia’s Acting Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov, James Warlick, Pierre Andrieu and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk on the sidelines of the General Assembly session in New York.

The interlocutors stressed the importance of implementing the agreements reached at Vienna and St. Petersburg summits for furthering the peace process.

Edward Nalbandian noted that “Azerbaijan has been turning down the agreements reached on the presidential level for several months now, thus preventing the creation of favorable conditions for the progress of the negotiation process.”