16:00,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan has attended the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
President Khachaturyan will then participate in the panel discussions during the forum. He will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of a number of countries.
18:12,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. On January 16, the first president of the Republic of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan met with Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani at his private residence. Arman Musinyan, the spokesperson of the first president, said on social media.
During the two-hour conversation, the strengthening of Armenian-Iranian friendship, deepening of bilateral economic and cultural relations, as well as regional security issues and ensuring uninterrupted operation of communication routes and development were discussed in detail.
18:24,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the discussion of the issues included in the agenda of the fifth session of the Investment Committee continued.
First, the technical and economic feasibility study of the project "Creation of a dry port in Shirak Province" approved in the 3rd session was presented. The project will contribute to speeding up the movement of cargo, increasing the quality and volume of cargo transportation. As a result, a multi-model dry port will be created through industrial parks that are a free economic zone, Armenia will become a transit transport and export-focused manufacturing hub, the PM's Office said in a readout.
It is noted that Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, detailing, noted that as a result of the implementation of the project, thousands of jobs will be created in Gyumri, as well as a transport hub, which will be connected by air, land and railway to the nearby ports and major transport routes. According to Vahan Kerobyan, the project will have a great economic impact not only on Shirak Province, but also on the whole of Armenia. The Minister of Economy also added that the project is integrated into the "Crossroads of Peace" project and is the northwestern node of the "Crossroads of Peace", which, if implemented, will ensure Armenia's connection with other countries in the region.
According to Vahan Kerobyan, the Government has its share of the investment, which amounts to 37 million USD, but also large foreign investors will be involved, who should be the operators of the dry port and whose investment volumes will be significantly larger. "Also, we should attract industrial companies that will create their capacities in the industrial park. The implementation of the project is planned during 5-7 years", added the Minister of Economy.
As a result of the discussion, a decision was made to give preliminary approval to the project. The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Economy to create a "road map" for the implementation of the project to clarify what needs to be done further.
According to the source, within the framework of the agenda, new projects were presented to the committee members. Within the framework of the road construction project of the city of Yerevan, the projects "Construction of the road section of the Tbilisi highway-Yeghvard highway" and "Construction of the new Rubinyants-Acharyan road" were presented.
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan emphasized that the construction of the bridge connecting Tbilisi Highway to Mikoyan Street is an extremely important project that connects the M4 highway to the North-South bypass road and added that another bridge is being built over the Hrazdan River, which will have a significant impact from the point of view of offloading motor transport from the Arabkir administrative district.
Presenting the second project, the Mayor emphasized that as a result, traffic on Acharyan-Myasnikyan streets will be significantly reduced and added that this project will also have a positive impact in terms of traffic jams in Yerevan.
"Surely, these two programs should be implemented with the support of the Government. These are big projects, and these projects will have a significant impact not only in the city of Yerevan itself, for the citizens of Yerevan, but also for the cargo carriers, who will have the opportunity to bypass the city of Yerevan," said Tigran Avinyan.
As a result of the discussion of the projects, a decision was made to carry out a technical and economic feasibility study at the first stage, based on the results of which it will be possible to implement the projects.
Tigran Avinyan noted that the construction of the Tbilisi-Mikoyan road section and the bridge will take approximately 4-5 years, and the road connecting Rubinyants and Acharyan streets will be possible to implement a little faster.
Next, the "Hydrogen economy" project was presented. The Minister of Economy noted that various countries are trying to include green hydrogen production in their energy transformation and added that Armenia is considering the solar energy option of green hydrogen production from renewable energy resources.
As a result of the discussion of the project, it was decided to create a working group dealing with hydrogen issues, which will include both officials, representatives of private consulting companies, and scientists. The purpose of the formation of the working group is the development of Armenia's hydrogen strategy.
18:36,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. A discussion was held at the office of the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, Arayik Harutyunyan, dedicated to the preparations for holding the UEFA Futsal Champions League 2024 final in Armenia, the press service of the Government of Armenia said in a statement.
Karen Giloyan, the deputy minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Armen Melikbekyan, the president of the Football Federation of Armenia, Karen Ghazaryan, the director of the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex, and others attended the discussion.
As FFA President Armen Melikbekyan noted, the semi-finals will be held on May 3, the match for the third place and the final will take place on May 5. All matches will be held at Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan. The final will be broadcast in more than 70 countries.
According to the source, the Spanish "Barcelona" and "Palma Futsal", as well as the Portuguese "Sporting" and "Benfica" will participate in the Futsal Champions League "Final of 4". It was noted that a large number of fans will visit Armenia. The visit of UEFA representatives is also expected in the near future in order to discuss the preparations.
Arayik Harutyunyan emphasized the necessity and importance of organizing the final at a high level in Armenia and expressed the readiness of the Armenian government to assist in these works.
18:48,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan on Tuesday received the delegation of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates, headed by Ali Rashid Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defense, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council, Grigoryan's Office said.
It is noted that, the interlocutors commended the intensive development of Armenia-UAE economic relations, within the framework of which the trade turnover in 2023 reached $2.8 billion, recording an increase of 185 percent as compared to 2022. The parties also discussed the possibilities of cooperation within the spheres of bilateral interest.
According to the source, The parties also discussed the possibilities of cooperation within the domain of bilateral interest.
Ali Rashid Al-Nuaim expressed support for the Crossroads of Peace project presented by the Armenian government, within the framework of which the parties discussed regional cooperation.
19:05,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenian speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan on Tuesday received the delegation led by the chairman of the Defense, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee in the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates and vice-president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi.
Welcoming the guest, Alen Simonyan noted that the UAE is one of Armenia's reliable and important partners. The results of the high-level political dialogue, friendly relations, and dynamic interaction established between the two countries are evident, the National Assembly of Armenia said in a statement.
“According to the results of 2023, the UAE is the second largest trade partner of Armenia. In 2023, the trade volume exceeded 2 billion USD.
The Speaker of the Parliament expressed confidence that the bilateral trade potential is not yet exhausted and affirmed that the Armenian government is ready to assist in promoting the process,’’ reads the statement.
According to the source, an agreement has been reached to enhance the institutional foundations of bilateral inter-parliamentary relations through the signing of a cooperation agreement.
Referring to the current security situation in the South Caucasus and Armenia's efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, the Speaker of the Parliament emphasized that Armenia has adopted a peace agenda and presented its 'Crossroads of Peace' project.
During the meeting, the comprehensive economic cooperation between Armenia and the UAE was touched upon.
20:30,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan had a meeting with the King Philippe of Belgium, the Presidential Office stated.
The situation in the South Caucasus region, the friendly relations between Armenia and Belgium, and the deepening of the Armenia-EU partnership were discussed during the meeting.
The discussion between the parties covered the situation in the South Caucasus region, the a friendly relations between Armenia and Belgium and the further development of the Armenia-EU partnership.
"In his speech, the King of Belgium shared his warm impressions from his private visit to Armenia and highly appreciated the role of the Belgian Armenian community in the country's life," reads the statement.
According to the source, the parties discussed the democratic reforms implemented in Armenia in recent years.
It is noted that at the end of the meeting, President Vahagn Khachaturyan invited King Philippe to visit Armenia.
21:24,
The purpose of the meeting was to emphasize the significance of the CEPA within the framework of Armenian-EU relations, as well as to assess the current stage of implementation and enhance efficiency, Grigoryan’s Office said.
"70 participants took part at the meeting of the CEPA and had an active participation in exchanging ideas among the partners. The meeting has become a unique platform to assess the progress of the CEPA and plan meaningful strategies to promote implementation.
The representatives of the Government of Armenia presented details of their experience gained within the framework of the implementation of the CEPA. They discussed issues related to successes, challenges, needs, and ways to work better together.
During the external session, the Armenian government outlined specific areas in which reforms related to the CEPA were successfully implemented, demonstrating tangible achievements recorded thanks to the agreement.
Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos highly appreciated the long-term cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and the efforts to promote tangible and sustainable results for the benefit of the citizens of Armenia.
Ambassador Maragos mentioned the common values and interests that exist between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia.
The ambassador reaffirmed support for democratic and economic reforms, which will contribute to the acceleration of the modernization process in Armenia," the statement reads.
Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan noted that the implementation of CEPA, despite the challenging situations that arose after its signing, has been continuous. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the EU for the accelerated procedure in supporting reforms and economic initiatives aimed at ensuring the rule of law.
Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan reaffirmed that Armenia is ready to deepen cooperation with the EU and move forward on the path of implementing key reforms. He emphasized the active role of the EU in imparting the knowledge and experience of EU member states at this stage of Armenia's development.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the implementation of CEPA through more effective cooperation, expressing their commitment to further strengthening the EU-Armenia partnership.
The International Armenian Literary Alliance, the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, and the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center will host “Literary Lights 2024,” their second annual monthly reading series featuring new works of literature by Armenian authors. Each event—held online—will feature a writer reading from their work, followed by a discussion with an interviewer and audience members.
Keep an eye on IALA’s website and socials for the exact dates of each event. Click here to read along with the series by purchasing titles from IALA’s online bookstore powered by Bookshop.
Register to attend the launch of Literary Lights 2024, featuring Tololyan Literary Prize recipient Aida Zilelian, author of “All the Ways We Lied.” Zilelian will be joined by Nancy Agabian, author of “Princess Freak” (2000), “Me as Her Again: True Stories of an Armenian Daughter” (2008), and the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction finalist, “The Fear of Large and Small Nations” (2023). The event will take place on Zoom on January 27 at 9 a.m. PST.
By turns heartfelt and heart-wrenching, “All the Ways We Lied” introduces a cast of tragically flawed but lovable characters on the brink of unraveling. With humor and compassion, this spellbinding tale explores the fraught and contradictory landscape of sisterhood, introducing four unforgettable women who have nothing in common, and are bound by blood and history. Learn more about the novel and author online.
Authors featured on Literary Lights 2024:
Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian
By Rev. Kevork George Terian
Once again, the Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian surprises us with the publication of another interesting and instructive book that deals with two very important aspects of our Christian life: our vertical relationship with our Creator and Savior and our horizontal relations with our fellow man. As a veteran minister and an experienced professor, the author points out that these two vital relationships are interconnected. The close correlation between the two is very obvious and undeniable. This truth becomes crystal clear to us in Matthew 22:37, where Jesus links loving God with loving our neighbors.
For human beings who are by nature sociable creatures, relationships are necessary, important and unavoidable; however, our vertical relationship with God must precede the horizontal relationships that bind us to one another. God’s pure and unselfish love for us obligates us to show the same love to one another.
Vertical and Horizontal Relations is a bilingual book consisting of 43 articles, 29 of which are in English and 14 in Armenian. Written in an accessible style, the author’s own life experience helps him connect with his readers. The English part of the book deals with major Armenian and American holidays and holy days, as well as views on issues such as Christian growth and maturity, pastor and parish relations, home as the first school of life and other topics. He also renders a scholarly analysis of the four Gospels.
In the Armenian section entitled Ooghahayatz yev Horizonagan Haraperoutyunner, Dr. Tootikian deals with a variety of theological, educational and patriotic subjects, conveying timely truths to his readers with deep pastoral sensibility and solid Biblical and cultural knowledge.
The greatest tragedy of our age is that our vertical relationship with God has become the most neglected relationship on earth. We must be cognizant of the fact that it is this vertical relationship that gives us access to God’s eternal Kingdom. Establishing intimacy with God, through a perpendicular relationship, will make the existence of the spiritual world become a tangible reality for us. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus tells us that our acts of mercy, like feeding the hungry, providing clothes for the poor and visiting the incarcerated, are considered to be services that are rendered to Him. By alleviating human suffering, we honor Christ Himself. Our vertical relationship with God should intersect with our horizontal relationships with people.
While our relationship with God is based on faith alone, we are told, in no mistakable terms, that the way we relate to other people will have a direct bearing on our experience of Him.
In a very convincing way, Dr. Tootikian shows that our relationship with our Creator not only supersedes all of our human associations in importance, but also safeguards their moral integrity and preserves their unselfish character. In a nutshell, without establishing a close vertical relationship with God, it will be next to impossible to have healthy and robust interactions with our fellow man on the horizontal level.
Rev. Kevork (George) Terian is the Senior Pastor at Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church in Downey, California.