Category: News

 

 

 

The Armenian Government today approved the bill on amendments to the structure of the executive body.

Under the proposed bill, the Ministry of Economy will be renamed Ministry of Investments and Support of Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources will be called the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources, the name of the Ministry of Transport and Communication will be changed into Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies. The Ministry of Urban Development will be excluded from the list.

According to Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, the Ministry of Investments and Support of Entrepreneurship will support the businessmen and address the issues they raise, consider their objections and proposals.

Speaking about the IT sphere, the Prime Minister said “the field has its peculiarities and it’s logical for the Ministry of Transport and Communication to address issues of IT, as well.”

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.

The President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades sent on Tuesday a congratulatory message to the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Armenia, underlining that “the bonds between Cyprus and Armenia are as strong and resilient as ever,” Cyprus Mail reports.

He further reiterates Cyprus’ commitment to the enhancement and deepening of bilateral relations and notes that “Cyprus will continue to stand in solidarity and in support of Armenia’s efforts for prosperity and regional peace”.

According to an official announcement, Anastasiades also notes that both countries share common values and traditions, as well as a historical and cultural connection.

He refers finally to the presence of a vibrant Armenian-Cypriot community in Cyprus, whose invaluable contribution and achievements, he notes, enrich all aspects of society.

System Of A Down frontman Serj Rankian has launched a petition on Change.org, calling for action for positive civic changes and reforms in Armenia.

“Friends (In Armenia and Worldwide) – Today marks the 25th anniversary of Armenian independence. We should take the opportunity to celebrate some of the successes of this small but beautiful nation while also tackling the troubling issues at hand,” Serj Tankian said in a Facebook post.

“Independence means little when a large segment of the public are discontent. That is why myself and a group of friends have drafted a statement of support for the people of Armenia and their call to action for positive civic changes and reforms. Please have a look at the campaign link on  and sign on if you agree,” Tankian said.

The petition reads:

We, as Armenians, residing in Armenia and throughout the diaspora, are collectively committed to immediate change and justice in Armenia. In the wake of yearly protests and recent upheavals during the spring and summer of 2016 that resulted in gross violations of human and civic rights,

We say
NO to systematic corruption, monopolies, judicial inequality, police brutality, partisan politics, unequal rights, national depopulation, and elections tainted by fraud, all of which have contributed to the ongoing unrest.

We say
YES to the equality of all people, the fundamental preservation and protection of human rights, direct engagement in fair and transparent elections, respect for the rule of law, fair wages, separation of powers, a free press and advocacy for the disenfranchised.  We say yes to tangible, democratic change through civic engagement with the citizenry of Armenia.

As a global community of Armenians, we would like Armenia’s political leaders to embody integrity, accountability, wisdom, intelligence, diplomacy, compassion, effectiveness and visionary thinking in addressing the pressing needs of the people of Armenia, thereby securing an egalitarian, just and constructive path towards real democracy where every voice matters.

Justice Within Armenia is a coalition of concerned Armenians around the world who believe in standing in solidarity with the people of Armenia and being present as eyewitnesses and monitoring free and fair elections while actively engaging with the Armenian populace in contributing to the present and future of our nation. We need to visualize an egalitarian state worthy of the resilience of our people and achieve it. Given our unique values and character, Armenia can and should become a country of opportunity, creativity, democracy and hope in a region rife with turmoil. The alternative is unthinkable.

Armenia has proudly showed off state-of-the-art Russian ballistic missiles at a military parade marking its independence day, the Associated Press writes.

According to AP, the Iskander missiles displayed Wednesday are capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometers with high precision, adding muscle to the Armenian military amid tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh.

A military parade dedicated to the 25th anniversary of independence was held in Yerevan.

 

“This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Armenia. I am confident that we will further take advantage of every possible opportunity to strengthen our cooperation in trade, transport, innovations, science, education, and other areas of mutual interest,” wrote Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

According to Linkevičius, Lithuania welcomes and wholeheartedly supports the ongoing negotiations on the new legally-binding EU-Armenia Agreement, which will open up new opportunities for enhanced bilateral trade, investments and people-to-people contacts.

On 21 November, Lithuania and Armenia will mark the establishment of diplomatic relations 25 years ago.

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.”