17:25,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the 15th edition of ReAnimania International Animation Film & Comics Art Festival, in the Sergei Parajanov Museum in Yerevan, the representatives of OnOff animation studio met the delegation led by the French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak, the Ambassador of France to Armenia, Olivier Decottignies, the Minister of MoESCS of the Republic of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, the Mayor of Yerevan, Tigran Avinyan, and Catherine Trotman, President of Eurimages, the largest European fund for co-production, film rental and exhibition support.

At the meeting, OnOff's co-founder, film director Tigran Arakelyan, along with the studio's executive producer, Susanna Khachatryan, introduced the animation film, ZAKO, directed by OnOff Studio and the ongoing activities regarding the film. The film is dedicated to the life story of artist Sargis Mangasaryan, who survived the Second World War thanks to his paintings. ZAKO is one of those exceptional films that gained the attention of the international animation community, even during its design and filming stages. In June of this year, OnOff signed an agreement with the prominent French company Sacrebleu during the ANNECY International Film Festival, marking a significant step towards co-producing this film. Therefore, the delegation of the French Ministry of Culture expressed their desire to learn more about the project. It's worth noting that OnOff also signed a memorandum of cooperation with another French entity, TCHACK, within the framework of the ReA Animation Film Festival.

Participants of the meeting highly appreciated the close collaboration between Armenia and France, particularly in the realm of cultural endeavors, including the production of animated films. Once again, the vital role played by the ReAnimania International Film Festival in nurturing such initiatives was underlined.

It's important to acknowledge that Yerevan Municipality serves as the main sponsor of the 15th edition of ReAnimania International Animation Film & Comics Art Festival and the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports is the primary supporter. The French Embassy in Armenia and the French Institute in Armenia have also played a crucial role in supporting the "ReA" film festival. 

 17:50,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Patriarchal delegates and leaders of the dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church in European countries, Archbishop Khazhak Parsamyan, Bishop Tatev Hakobyan, Bishop Serovbe Isakhanyan and Bishop Tiran Petrosyan held a meeting with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid  on October 25 in Vienna, the press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin informed.

During the meeting, representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church conveyed to Ms. Schmid the blessings and best wishes of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, as well as presented the works carried out by the Armenian Church aimed at establishing  regional peace, taking care of the needs and protection of the rights of forcibly displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the preservation of historical, cultural and religious heritage.

 The Holy Fathers emphasized that although the European Parliament has condemned the terrible crimes committed by the Azerbaijani authorities against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, and a number of countries have adopted resolutions condemning the genocidal actions of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan still ignores the calls and decisions of the international community.

They called upon international sanctions against Azerbaijan for the genocidal policy adopted by the Baku authorities and the ethnic cleansing carried out against the Artsakh Armenians.

Such an attitude of Azerbaijan should be a reason for the European Union to re-evaluate its relations towards the latter. It should undertake a thorough investigation of war crimes, as well as to create international guarantees to ensure the return of displaced Artsakh Armenians to their historical homeland.

Ms. Schmid assured that the OSCE and she personally will do everything possible to contribute to the establishment of lasting peace in the region. She emphasized that the right of return for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and their safe life in their homeland should be taken into account.

The Secretary-General also pledged that the OSCE will continue to support the humanitarian and psychological needs of the displaced persons.

At the end of the meeting, the Holy Fathers, on behalf of all the leaders of the Armenian Church in Europe, handed a letter to Mrs. Schmid in which the main points of their discussion were summarized.

 18:34,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The Council of Europe has emphasized its continued support to promote the establishment of a stable and long-term peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the principles of recognizing sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity.

This was mentioned in the resolution adopted as a result of the two-day summit of the Council of Europe, in which the regulation of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations is also touched upon.

The Council of Europe has underscored the importance of ensuring the rights and security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, including those who wish to return to their homes.

It expresses its support for the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement process with the mediation of Brussels and calls on the parties to engage in good faith and complete this process by the end of this year.

The resolution adopted at the EU summit also states that the Council  of Europe invites the High Representative and the Commission to present the best options  for strengthening the EU-Armenia relations in all dimensions.

 18:43,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Brussels intends to continue its mediation in the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel said at a briefing with journalists.

''We have discussed the situation in the South Caucasus. We are committed to promoting EU mediation efforts to achieve the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the basis of mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty,'' said Michel.

European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar announced earlier  the meeting planned for late October between the President of the European Council Charles Michel, the Armenain Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will not take place.

 19:23,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The Iranian Army's Ground Force has begun a massive military exercise in the central region of the country with the objective of assessing combat capabilities of various military units and testing new weaponry.

The drills started in the Nasrabad region of Isfahan on Friday..

A spokesperson for the drills provided details about the exercise, stating that it involves various units of the Army, including infantry, armored, missile, artillery, aviation, drones, as well as electronic, modern and cyber warfare units, IRNA reports.

 19:31,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS.  Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Vahan Kerobyan, had a meeting with Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, Timothy Minto, in London.

Kerobyan informed on his Facebook page, adding that issues related to trade, services, and investments were discussed during the meeting.

"We have also discussed the possibility of organizing direct flights between Armenia and Great Britain," wrote Kerobyan.

 20:16,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili has noted that the main goal and task of Georgia is to establish peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"I am glad that there are positive developments in this regard for the signing of a peace agreement. I hope that it will be implemented as soon as possible, as it is in our shared interest to make our region an area of peace and security," Papuashvili said, reports Sputnik Georgia.

According to Georgian parliament speaker, Georgia has always been a country that has given friendly Armenia and Azerbaijan an opportunity to meet for substantive discussions, maintaining neutrality towards both countries.

 20:52,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Israel offered the Hamas movement a ceasefire in exchange for the release of all hostages and the release of the bodies of dead citizens of the Jewish state from Gaza, Al Arabiya reports with reference to sources.

According to sources, Israel and Hamas, with the mediation of Qatar and Egypt, are negotiating the release of the hostages.

“Israel offered a ceasefire in exchange for the release of all hostages and the transfer of the bodies of the dead Israelis”the message says.

It is emphasized that Hamas rejected this proposal from the Israeli side and also demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners.

In addition, it is reported that Hamas asked for a long-term truce, but representatives of the Jewish state refused to respond to this proposal.

 21:16,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. On October 26, Tobias Billström, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden received Ambassador of Armenia Anna Aghadjanian, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Sweden informs. 

FM Billström reiterated Sweden's strong support to Armenia. Discussion focused on regional developments, ways to further expand bilateral agenda, as well as the cooperation through EU framework.

 21:30,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. On October 27, His Holiness Garegin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Catholicos of All Armenians, welcoming the visit of the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, referred to the restoration of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Hungary. His Holiness Garegin II noted that the minister's visit to Armenia will undoubtedly contribute to the further development and strengthening of Armenian-Hungarian relations.

During the conversation, the Catholicos of All Armenians touched upon the expansionist policy of Azerbaijan and the security challenges facing Armenia, and also noted the need for clear and consistent steps by the international community to curb the unrestrained aggressive aspirations of Azerbaijan.

The Catholicos expressed gratitude to the government of Hungary for the assistance in the repatriation of five Armenian prisoners of war in 2021, as well as for the support provided to Christian communities in the countries of the Middle East, the Armenian Church, Armenia and forcibly  displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh in these difficult days.

The Catholicos also touched upon the problems of the return of prisoners and the preservation of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In his turn, Minister Szijjártó valued the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in restoring diplomatic ties between Armenia and Hungary.

The minister emphasized that the Armenian and Hungarian peoples have a universal Christian value system, which is an important basis for further strengthening and development of relations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary also emphasized that Hungary is ready to implement various programs to support displaced Artsakh citizens, as well as take consistent steps in the direction of preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh.