Category: News

 

 

 

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.

President Serzh Sargsyan visited today Euromotors Company to attend the inauguration of “BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce” exhibition hall.

The opening ceremony was also attended by co-owner of Euromotors, Prince Group President Adel Al Marzuki, BMW Group Vice President Thomas Rhein, Company Sales Director Konrad Baumgartner, Regional Director Victor Eisenbraun, Director of Euromotors Jaber Al Marzuki, co-owner of Euromotors, founder of Multi Group concern Gagik Tsarukyan, Armenian officials.

Accompanied by them, the President of Armenia toured the newly built exhibition hall, which is the largest such facility in the region. After being told about the new jobs and the investments made so far, Serzh Sargsyan was shown the exhibits on display.

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.”

President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan attended today a festive concert named Generation of Independence. The concert was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and took place at the Karen Demirjian Sport and Concert Complex.
***

Presidential Address on the occasion of Independence Day

Distinguished President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan,

Your Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,

Your Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,

Dear Colleagues,

Dear Compatriots,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of Independence Day.

We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our independence with our heads held high. We have gone down a difficult but decent path. What did we have at the beginning of that road? We had a country, one third of which was literally leveled to the ground by a devastating earthquake. People had no place to live, to say nothing of jobs. In that situation, we received hundreds of thousands of refugees from the neighboring country. Moreover, we were standing at the verge of a full-scale war. We started under energy crisis and blockade. Probably neither of the former Soviet Republics had such unfavorable starting position. But we did not falter in our choice, remained true to our resolve to build an independent and democratic state.

Our people overcame all hardships with the peculiar tenacity, wisdom, diligence, and courage. Our people revealed the ability to defend Armenia and Artsakh, to develop economy and social life.

I said it before, I reiterate it once again: for me, the greatest achievement of the new twenty-five years old Armenia is the generation born in independence. In past twenty-five years, a new generation grew up in Armenia for which to be a citizen of Armenia is not just a destiny but also an honor: a new generation, which is open to the world and is educated better that the previous generations; a new generation which is politically literate and believes in the noblest and most humane values; a generation whose mentality is based on the principles of freedom and democracy.

This is a new generation which does not and will not tolerate any kind of tyranny or dictatorship, will not tolerate any step aimed at the restriction of their rights and freedoms. And finally, this is a generation which is ready to fight and defend the Fatherland, and fight like lions.

We may build one structure more or one structure less, but we have to build a competitive and successful society. Our greatest wealth are our children who will tomorrow become that society. Moreover, even today they already represent that society and bring honor to our country. We take pride in those children who every year win numerous medals at international Olympiads.

The independence generation in our country has high standards and high demands. They also have discontent, and that discontent is an important and necessary element of progress. Could you imagine what it would be like if they were content and happy with the existing reality? They show discontent, they protest, criticize, and demand because they want to live in a better country; they want to live in a freer, more lawful, more prosperous country. They do not let the representatives of the senior generation lose vigilance and thereby, they are speeding up the reforms.

Why this is the most important thing for me? State is a tool which is called to serve people and not vice versa. The independence generation wants to improve that tool. And that generation is on the right path. We are walking down a very complicated but the most promising path of building democratic stability. It is indeed very difficult to cover in a couple of decades a distance which others covered in hundreds of years. But it is possible because the course is charted.

Dear Compatriots,

Last twenty-five years of Armenia’s independence have proved once again that nobody is going to solve our problems for us. We are able and will be solving them in the order of priority. We have wonderful friends, partners and allies all over the world. We thank them for cooperation, but let us not forget that responsibility still rests with us, only and only with us. The independence generation is gradually coming to assume that historic responsibility. Before speaking of the mote in one’s eye, they speak of a beam in our own. This is the right path because solutions to all problems are within us. The more mature we as a society, the faster we will solve our problems.

Dear Compatriots,

We are following the path of honest work, honest earning, and the truth telling path. Our society is our wealth. Whatever good there is in our country, it’s been done by them – the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, regardless of who was leading the country.

Today our country has entered a new, accelerated phase of reforms. These are not just personnel changes as some would like to think. These are structural changes which will bring about a qualitatively new state. This is not just wishful thinking; this is a succession of the preset, defined steps. We know where we are going and how to get there. If an entire nation wants to renovate its house, it will do it. Nothing will make us deviate from that route, while the amended Constitution will become a bright beacon illuminating that route.

The Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspors trinity is our strength. Whatever we have done in a quarter of a century, we have done together. Tomorrow we will do even more. In the process we have not only used the existing potential but have also accumulated new experiences and new potential. We have formed new platforms and tools which open new horizons before us.

I once again congratulate us all on the occasion of Independence Day. The realization of our national aspirations is in our own hands. It will take time and work to do. I wish us all peaceful skies and new achievements for the glory of our country and our nation.

National Hero of the Republic of Armenia Movses Gorgissian used to say, “Long live the Armenia which will come tomorrow.” He was speaking of an independent and free Armenia. Today we are saying, “Long live the Armenia which has come”, but immediately follow by saying “Long live the Armenia which will come tomorrow,” and we mean a more prosperous and secure Armenia.

Long live the Armenian nation!

Long live the Republic of Armenia!