Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been pictured for the first time in training with Manchester United.
The Red Devils have been in training for around a week but no official images had been released by the club until now.
United face Wigan on Saturday in their first match of pre-season.
Today, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Bill, which covers assistance to Armenia and the region, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reported. The bill maintains Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and includes language for aid to nations hosting Syrian refugees.
Specifically, the SFOPS Report highlighted the need for additional assistance to “vulnerable populations in Syria and in neighboring countries,” comprised of Syrian refugees, Christians, and other minorities afflicted by the Syrian civil war and persecuted by the Islamic State (ISIS). According to the bill, funds “shall be made available for programs in countries affected by significant populations of internally displaced persons or refugees.”
The Committee also recommends the expansion of humanitarian programs to ensure services reach these vulnerable populations. In addition, the House has incorporated a section on Genocide Victim Memorial Sites, where funds are appropriated “to establish and maintain memorial sites of genocide.”
Similar to Fiscal Year 2016, this year’s Committee report did not delineate funding levels for the South Caucasus generally, however, the Senate approved version provided $24.1 million in non-military assistance to Armenia as well as called for continued aid to Nagorno Karabakh.
“As Congress finalizes the House and Senate Appropriations Bills, the Armenian Assembly will continue to push for additional assistance to help Armenia cope with the influx of refugees fleeing from violence in Syria, as well as for much needed humanitarian assistance to help Nagorno Karabakh rebuild after the April war launched by Azerbaijan,” Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny stated.
Earlier this year, 33 Members sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee outlining funding and policy issues for the region. Ardouny, in testimony submitted to the Committee, outlined nine key policy priorities for the Armenian American community, including assistance to Christian Armenians in the Middle East, the majority of whom are descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide. According to Ardouny’s testimony: “The Assembly also urge[d] enhanced assistance to Christian and other minority communities at risk in the Middle East, with a particular focus of concern regarding the continued unrest in Syria, particularly the battleground city of Aleppo where Armenian churches and other institutions have come under attack.”
The House Appropriations Bill, similar to the Senate’s, maintains Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act as well, restating the six customary exemptions for humanitarian and other assistance to Azerbaijan. Section 907 of the 1992 FREEDOM Support Act was enacted to address Azerbaijan’s hostile actions against Armenia.
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian participated in the Eastern Partnership Informal Dialogue Meeting of the Foreign Ministers. The full text of Minister Nalbandian’s speech is provided below:
Dear Pavlo,
Dear Johannes,
Dear Helga,
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to thank our Ukrainian colleague for hosting this informal ministerial dialogue.
This year we already have met twice – in Prague and Brussels, sharing our vision in regard to the cooperation with European Union and perspectives of multilateral relationship within the Eastern Partnership. We hope the EU will be able to overcome the situation created by the Brexit soon. As for Armenia, we will continue our efforts to further develop and deepen the partnership with the European Union, EU member states as well as the UK.
Months that passed since our last meeting in this format in Tbilisi were fruitful for the Armenia-EU cooperation. Negotiations on a new framework document between Armenia and the European Union were launched last December. This agreement will reflect the depth and essence of our bilateral relations and set new guidelines for enhanced and comprehensive partnership. Four rounds of negotiations have been held so far, recording a steady progress.
Dear Colleagues,
The outcomes of the Riga Summit and the Joint Declaration adopted in May 2015 provided a shared vision for our partnership and cooperation in coming years.
Agreement on the participation of Armenia in the COSME Programme (for small and medium-sized enterprises) was signed last December. A month ago Armenia joined Horizon 2020 programme (for research and innovation). We envisage becoming soon a part to the Creative Europe Programme, (which offers a broader frame for cultural exchanges) and we also expect the negotiations on the Common Aviation Area agreement to start this year.
The enhanced mobility remains one of the important prerequisites for making our societies closer. A month ago third meeting of the Joint Committees on monitoring the implementation of the Visa Facilitation and Readmission agreements took place in Yerevan. The parties highlighted their successful realization. We are looking forward to live up to our joint commitment to secure mobility and contacts between people by launching a Visa Liberalization Dialogue.
Dear Colleagues,
The Government of Armenia continues the reform process aimed at the consolidation and strengthening of the democratic institutions. On May 25th the National Assembly adopted the new Electoral Code. The Joint opinion of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR recognized “the tangible efforts made by the authorities to take into account the recommendations on the basis of broad engagement with domestic stakeholders” and stated that “the draft electoral code could provide an adequate basis for the conduct of democratic elections”.
To take an extra step forward the Government of Armenia continued to work with the opposition and civil society and a deal was signed between the Government and the representatives of the parliamentary opposition to introduce new amendments in order to conduct more fair, inclusive and transparent elections.
In this context, let me note that we highly appreciate the EU’s continued support and assistance provided to our country over the years, which has been instrumental for the effective implementation and sustainability of the reform process and institutional capacity building in Armenia.
Dear Colleagues,
The ENP Action Plan was our cooperation roadmap for the last decade. Now, after the ENP Review, we are looking forward to elaborating a new Partnership Priorities document that together with the new framework agreement will become the core of our enhanced political and economic cooperation with the EU.
Dear Colleagues,
Since we are here to discuss also the security challenges, I would like to bring to your attention recent developments regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
The Vienna and St. Petersburg Summits were first and foremost aimed at stabilizing the situation in the conflict zone in the aftermath of large-scale military offensive unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh in April, which was accompanied by the gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws. First of all, it is a necessity to implement what was particularly emphasized and agreed upon in the frameworks of the Summits in order to create conditions for the continuation of the negotiation process – the exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict, the full adherence to the 1994-1995 trilateral ceasefire agreements, which do not have time limitations, the creation of mechanism for the investigation of ceasefire violations, the expansion of the team of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.
Unfortunately, Azerbaijan after both Summits tries to ignore the reached agreements hindering the advancement of the peace process. Armenia will continue its efforts together with the Co-Chair countries aimed at exclusively peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Dear Colleagues,
Giving full credit to the effectiveness of this setting in following up, discussing and moving forward the issues ahead of us, Armenia would like to host the next Eastern Partnership Informal Dialogue Meeting of the Foreign Ministers in Yerevan. We count on your consent in this regard and hope to make a meaningful contribution to our cooperation through the Yerevan meeting.
Thank you.
The sides in Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have moved much closer to success than ever before but it is too early to disclose the details, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday after talks with his Azerbajani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov, TASS reports.
“We have grounds to think that we are now moving much closer to success than ever before,” Lavrov said.
However, the foreign minister said he will not disclose the details of agreements reached between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia at their meeting in St. Petersburg on June 20.
“For obvious reasons, we are not publicly disclosing details of those ideas that were discussed at the meeting. The leaders of the three countries agreed after the meeting on June 20 that they will carefully treat those sprouts of hope that are appearing. Not because we are hiding something, it is just an ethical norm at negotiations,” he added.
Talking about his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that took place on July 11, Lavrov said: “The conversation was rather useful, and this will help us move forward towards realization of the understanding reached by the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia at the meeting in St. Petersburg on June 20,” the foreign minister concluded.
Paul Pogba may stay put at Juventus despite talks about the French midfielder’s possible move to England or Spain, his agent Mino Raiola has said, Reuters reports.
The 23-year-old Pogba, who played a pivotal role in France’s run to the Euro 2016 final, has been strongly linked with a return to English Premier League club Manchester United with Champions League winners Real Madrid also eyeing him.
However, a fee touted to be around a world record 100 million pounds ($130.65 million) could see Real priced out of a move for Pogba, according to British media reports.
“There is a lot of talk about Paul’s future, but maybe he will not leave Juventus,” Raiola told The Times.
“He is in no rush to leave, and Juventus do not want him to go. They want him to renew his contract. Paul is not desperate to move. We are very happy at Juventus and they are a club that want to keep their star players.”
Pogba’s contract at Juventus runs until 2019, while Raiola has worked closely with United during the close season as he wrapped up deals for his clients, midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Radisson Blu upper upscale international hotel was solemnly opened in Armenia’s capital Yerevan today. President Serzh Sargsyan was present at the opening ceremony.
The President of Armenia toured the premises of Radisson Blu Hotel Yerevan, which joined the ranks of the luxury hotels in Yerevan, familiarized with the works and investments, created jobs (nearly 135), and services offered by the hotel.
“We are truly excited to bring our signature style and Yes/Can! service to Yerevan. We are thankful to our partner, Golden Palace LLC for the fruitful collaboration, the perfect new 5 star product, which is combined with an amzing location that has it all – tranquility, garden greens, proximity to all attractions, plus a magnificent view of the city and Mount Ararat. Putting all of these together does make the Radisson Blu hotel, Yerevan, the place to be and to experience memorable moments,” said George Miu, the General Manger of Radisson Blu Hotel Yerevan.
“We are delighted that Radisson Blu has chosen Armenia as its next stop to grow and develop in the area,” he added.
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Yerevan offers sumptuous accommodation to all types of travelers for any length of stay. The hotel’s prime location on Azatutyan Avenue places guests in a lush, beautifully landscaped area adjacent to Areni Lake and Victory Park, the highest part of the city. The hotel’s hilltop setting overlooks Yerevan with Mount Ararat rising majestically in the distance.
Photo: Getty Images
David Cameron will chair his final cabinet meeting as prime minister later as Theresa May prepares to take over, the BBC reports.
Mrs May had been expecting a nine-week Conservative leadership race, but rival Andrea Leadsom withdrew on Monday.
Mr Cameron will tender his resignation to the Queen on Wednesday, leaving Mrs May, home secretary since 2010, to appoint her own ministerial team.
Mrs May said she was “honoured and humbled” to be taking over and pledged to make a success of the UK’s EU exit.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan had a phone conversation with Iran’s First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri today.
The interlocutors hailed the relations between the two countries, which keep developing in an atmosphere of mutual trust.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to the further expansion and deepening of economic cooperation between Armenia an Iran.
PM Abrahamyan asked Eshaq Jahangiri to increase the volume of gas supply to Armenia, considering that the delivery of Russian natural gas to Armenia has been halted for a month because of reconstruction works on the damaged parts of the pipeline on the Georgian territory. The response from the Iranian side was positive.
Other issue of mutual interest were also discussed.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will pay a working visit to Moscow on July 14-15.
“Secretary Kerry will travel to Moscow where he will begin a series of meetings with senior Russian officials to discuss Syria, Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, among other issues,” Spokesperson for the US Department of State John Kirby told the daily briefing.
“The security of Nagorno Karabakh can be guaranteed only outside Azerbaijan,” Armenian President Serzh Sarsgyan said in an interview with Al Mayadeen TV, a pan-Arab news station.
“It’s up to the people of Nagorno Karabakh to determine their final status just like it happens all over the world. Had self-determination not been respected, the UN would consist of 60-70 states today. The same Armenia and Azerbaijan would not be independent countries,” President Sargsyan said.
“Nagorno Karabakh has never been part of Azerbaijan,” President Sargsyan said. He reminded that Karabakh was annexed to Azerbaijan at the decision of the Caucasus Bureau of the Communist Party.
“The same happened to Nakhijevan, which has been completely cleansed of Armenians, where the Armenian historical-cultural monuments have been razed to ground, and no one, including UNESCO, has able to prevent the crime,” the President said.
He stressed that it’s impossible to convince the people of Nagorno Karabakh to live under Azerbaijani jurisdiction.