Category: News

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian participated in the OSCE Informal Ministerial Meeting in Potsdam. Minister Nalbandian’s full speech is provided below:

I would like to thank Minister Steinmeier for this important initiative to exchange views in preparation for the OSCE Ministerial Council in coming December, to deploy efforts to make Hamburg meeting joint success.

Indeed, success is not merely measured by the number of adopted decisions, but the quality of our dialogue.

It is evident that any challenge in the OSCE area needs to be dealt through dialogue. We can debate endlessly the essence and scope of the OSCE principles and commitments, which should shape this dialogue. However, if we do not agree on one basic principle then apparently all our efforts will be in vain. The non-use of force or threat of use force constitutes that very principle. Unconditional adherence to non-use of force is essential for any security related endeavor in the OSCE area.

The April preplanned large-scale military offensive of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh, accompanied by atrocities and gross violations of the international humanitarian law was not merely another escalation of this conflict. It was a challenge to common security and stability of the OSCE area. It seriously threw back the process of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution.

Such attempts of using force as an instrument of pressure on the negotiating process, if not adequately addressed, may pave the way for serious destabilization with unpredictable consequences for entire region. To restore the trust in the process of the conflict resolution, measures should be taken to prevent use of force and create conditions conducive for the advancement of the peace process.

This was the main aim of the two Summits on Nagorno-Karabakh held in Vienna in May and in St. Petersburg in June. First of all, it is a necessity to implement what was particularly emphasized and agreed upon in the framework of these Summits – the full adherence to the 1994-1995 trilateral ceasefire agreements, which do not have time limitations, the creation of mechanism for investigation of ceasefire violations, the expansion of the capacity of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

Conflicts in the OSCE area are not identical when it comes to principles upon which they should be resolved. Each and every conflict has its own features and should be approached based on its specificities. There is one common principle that should be pushed in all conflict situations and that is non-use of force.

«Either our way or the war» approach is a dead-end. This type of language was used in the OSCE by Azerbaijani diplomats who, ignoring the approaches expressed in five statements of the presidents of the Co-Chair countries on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution, are trying to present their own perceptions or interpretations as the only peaceful way of the settlement. When even diplomats talk in such a language then the problem goes far beyond a mere lack of a good will.

The rights of people residing in the conflict areas need to be put in the heart of both crisis management and conflict resolution. The recognition and the realization of the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh is essential in any substantive progress within this conflict settlement.

Dear Colleagues,

Effective arms control regime and its full implementation are crucial in ensuring practical application of the principle of non-use of force or threat of force.

We read with great interest the August 26 article of the Chairman-in-office containing a proposal to re-launch the arms control. Armenia has always been supporter of improved cooperative security arrangements aimed at enhanced transparency and predictability in the OSCE area based on the principles of restraint and risk reduction. It is in this vein that Armenia is going to engage in the discussions regarding the future of arms control in Europe. The uncontrolled and skyrocketing accumulation of offensive weaponry should be prevented.

We appreciate efforts aimed at updating the Vienna Document. But, we need also to employ more efforts to ensure the implementation of the current Vienna Document and OSCE commitments related to the arms control. We saw repetitive violations of essential provisions of the Document including those related to notification of military exercises and verification.

Dear Colleagues,
We have consistently highlighted protection of rights of people living in the conflict areas, enhancing OSCE capacities first and foremost in the conflict related field missions, strengthening confidence building measures in all three dimensions. Full implementation of commitments related to conflict cycle particularly the Vilnius decision should come first in this regard.

In conclusion I would like to stress that Armenia will continue its support to the German Chairmanship in preparation of the Hamburg Ministerial Council.

Thank you.

 

 

 

Turkey’s military actions in the north of Iraq continue. Armenian experts say the actions will be long-term and the result is hard to predict.

“There is an impression that everyone is playing with everyone, and everyone is playing against everyone,” expert of Turkish studies Levon Hovsepyan told a press conference today.

The power centers have lit a green light before Turkey, but have imposed certain restrictions. Meanwhile, Turkey is violating the restrictions, which may force the green light work against Turkey itself.

Levon Hovsepyan is confident Turkey has certain agreements with the power centers, namely Russia and the United States. He rules out that Turkey could have launched military actions without those agreements.

According to him, the green light may become a headache for those who have lit it.

“Turkey has actually created the security zone in Syria, which the US stands against, and which Russia is not interested in. However, it’s in Russia’s interest that the relations between the US and Turkey will continue to aggravate in that context,” Hovsepyan said.

Expert of Arabic studies Sargis Grigoryan shares the opinion. “Turkey made its presence in Syria more substantial. Now Ankara is represented there with its own forces, which gives it wide opportunities,” he said.

Experts say it’s hard to predict the developments, as there are a number of factors that need to be taken into account. They say, however, that one thing is clear – Turkey has entered a game, which is hard to withdraw from. It won’t be easy for the power centers, either, especially with regard to restraining Turkey, since the latter’s military presence in Syria is already a fact, and Ankara will strive to further expand this.

Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Stepanakert today to participate in the events dedicated to the 25th anniversary of proclamation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

At Stepanakert Airport President Sargsyan was welcomed by NKR President Bako Sahakyan.

 

“The construction of the radio station in Yerevan has been completed. The station will start operating in five days,” the “Soviet Armenia” newspaper informed on August 27, 1926.

The Voice of Yerevan was first heard on air on September 1, 1926. The Public Radio of Armenia celebrates the 90th anniversary today.

Yerevan is speaking… these words have been on the air for 90 years now, spreading the voice of the Armenian state worldwide. With a rich history, but always young, the Public Radio of Armenia celebrates the anniversary with a new season.

“We present more than 20 new programs, which aim to serve the public interests and enhance the legal awareness of the citizens,” says Arman Saghatelyan, Executive Director of Public Radio of Armenia.

“The schedule of the Public Radio will be enriched with new programs covering political, social, economic, healthcare and other spheres. New voices will be heard along the familiar ones, which, I’m confident, will become no less beloved in a short period of time,” he adds.

The respectable age and the glorious past of Public Radio of Armenia are both a source of inspiration and a great responsibility for its employees.

According to Arman Saghatelyan, the Public Radio of Armenia is not alone on the sphere. “On the contrary, it works in a competitive field and an environment where interests collide, where there are several factors needed to reinforce the success – effective governance, international experience and staff potential,” the Executive Director says.

He’s confident that the decades-long experience and the modern approaches of media governance are promising a brilliant outcome.

“The radio is moving forward with an aim of adding the socially-active segments of society to the list of its active and devoted listeners,” Saghatelyan says.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a compensation deal with Israel Wednesday in an attempt to mend fences between the two countries, Anadolu Agency reports.

In line with the deal, Israel would pay $20 million compensation to the families of the victims of a 2010 Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara, a Gaza-bound aid ship.

The sum will be transferred in a one-time deposit to a bank account opened by Turkey and shared through diplomatic channels, and the transaction will be completed within 25 business days after the bilateral agreement comes into force.

Diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel were disrupted in May 2010 when 10 Turkish activists were killed on the Mavi Marmara, which was headed for Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.

After the transfer, distribution and delivery of the sum will be handled by Turkey, with Israel playing no role.

The agreement will come into force when both sides notify each other through diplomatic channels that the internal legal procedures have been fulfilled.

In addition to the compensation, Israel has agreed to Turkey’s humanitarian presence in the Gaza Strip.

A contemporary art exhibition hall opened at “Zvartnots” International Airport of Yerevan today. The exhibition opened at the airport departures hall will not only make the passengers’ journeys more interesting, but can also be a serious support for contemporary Armenian artists.

ArtAm at the airport’s departures hall is an artistic space aimed at dissemination and development of the Armenian culture and artists. Located at Zvartnots International Airport, its aim is to bring the Armenian culture closer to the community by making art and cultural heritage an active element of cognition and delight for its visitors.

By creating this artistic space to serve the society, Zvartnots International Airport expresses its commitment to the development of the Armenian culture.

The first collection of twenty-five paintings to be staged at ArtAm is authored by Hasmik Avetisyan.

The exhibitions will be changed every month, thus letting each painting to be displayed for a month in a place, where a vast number of people pass through.

On 1 September in the frameworks of the festive events devoted to the 25^th anniversary of the Artsakh Republic’s proclamation President Bako Sahakyan attended the mass cross race of the youth started in the Stepanakert Renaissance square, NKR President’s Press Office reports.

The Head of the State highlighted holding such events in the republic from the viewpoint of physical and patriotic upbringing of the younger generation.

NKR National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, prime-minister Arayik Haroutyunyan, other officials, representatives from Armenia and the Diaspora were present at the event.

President Serzh Sargsyan has issued the following statement on the occasion of Knowledge and Schooling Day:

Dear schoolchildren and students, teachers and parents,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of the September 1 – Knowledge Day.

Once it was important to propagate the importance of knowledge; however, in the 21st century there is no doubt about that. Knowledge has become the most powerful weapon and tool in the world for every individual and society at large. In Armenia, we are highly aware of that. We all see the readiness and dedication, which parents put in to provide their children with good education.

We are improving our educational system consistently. We do realize that we have issues at schools and higher education institutions which need to be fixed. These issues have mainly to do with the level of education, which cannot satisfy us. We are not content just because perfection has no limits but also since in the contemporary world the pace of development has increased dramatically. We have to keep up with the world. We have to accelerate the development of education.

We also must make good education affordable for all. No teenager should lose the opportunity to receive good education only because he or she cannot pay for it.

Judging from the results demonstrated by our schoolchildren at the international competitions, our schools are not doing badly. Our school is competitive; however, we cannot be complacent, and it is necessary to raise the bar of our requirements every year, otherwise, we will be lagging behind the developing world.

I once again congratulate you all on the occasion of the Knowledge Day and wish you an academic year full of success and achievements.

Photo: NASA

 

There has been an explosion on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the aerospace company SpaceX was readying an unmanned rocket for launch, the BBC reports.

The cause of the blast is not clear and it is not known if anyone was hurt.

Nasa said SpaceX was test-firing a rocket which was due to take a satellite into space this weekend.

Pictures from the scene show a huge plume of smoke rising above the Cape Canaveral complex.

The force of the blast shook buildings several miles away.

Local emergency officials described the incident as a “catastrophic abort during a static test fire”.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II,
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS,
ON THE OCCASION OF THE DAY OF KNOWLEDGE
( September 1, 2016 )

From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin we extend Our Pontifical blessings on the occasion of the Day of Knowledge, congratulating all the teachers, students and schoolchildren of educational institutions.

The mystery of the day expresses the desire and love of our people towards science and enlightenment, which has become a guarantor of our national longevity. Our nation celebrates every new Academic year with hope and expectations, that the soul and minds of our children be strengthened through the light of knowledge which is spread from the educational institutions. Education and knowledge are a God-given gift, enabling humanity to make their live safe and happy by recognizing his Creator and the world.

We extend our prayers to Almighty God asking to make the new academic year productive with His heaven-sent divine blessings, to grant strength and energy to teacher-lecturers and all devotees of education in order to educate a nation of deserving and talented children.

With the blessings of our Lord, may the new Academic year be fruitful with abundant merits for the sake of strengthening the Homeland and progress of our nation.