суббота, 28 марта 2015 г.
среда, 25 марта 2015 г.
пятница, 20 марта 2015 г.
Karabakh military pursues and crushes attacking Azerbaijan detachment
STEPANAKERT. – An enhanced team from Azerbaijan’s special military detachment launched an attack, on Thursday at around 8:30am, on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army positions stationed in a northerly (Gyulistan) direction.
As a result of the skirmish that lasted about two hours, the Armenian military position holders and the relief forces compelled the adversary to flee. Subsequently, they pursued the said Azerbaijani military team and completely crushed them nearby their own military position.
Unfortunately, NKR Defense Army servicemen Hakob Khachatryan (born in 1996), Eduard Hayrapetyan (born in 1995), and Arshak Harutyunyan (born in 1995) bravely died and four other soldiers were wounded while confronting the adversary, the NKR Ministry of Defense reported.
Karabakh soldiers wounded during Azerbaijan attack are in very critical state
YEREVAN. – Two of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army servicemen, who were wounded as a result of Thursday’s attack by the Azerbaijani army forces, are still in very critical condition, and they are kept at the NKR capital city Stepanakert Military hospital. The director of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Central Clinical Military Hospital, Aram Asaturyan, told about the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.He informed that the matter of whether to transport these soldiers to Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan has not yet been discussed.“One of the military servicemen was wounded in the head; the other’s leg was amputated,” Asaturyan added.
четверг, 19 марта 2015 г.
1915 The Movie - Official Trailer (2015)
Exactly 100 years after
the Armenian Genocide, a mysterious director (Simon) stages a play to bring the
ghosts of a forgotten tragedy back to life. 1915 is a mind-bending
psychological thriller that will forever change the way we think about the past.
Written and Directed by: Garin Hovannisian & Alec Mouhibian.
Starring: Simon Abkarian, Angela Sarafyan, Sam Page, Nikolai Kinski, and Jim Piddock.
Featuring an original score by composer Serj Tankian, of System of a Down.
In theaters April 17. On Demand April 22. Pre-order now (and get instant soundtrack download):
Written and Directed by: Garin Hovannisian & Alec Mouhibian.
Starring: Simon Abkarian, Angela Sarafyan, Sam Page, Nikolai Kinski, and Jim Piddock.
Featuring an original score by composer Serj Tankian, of System of a Down.
In theaters April 17. On Demand April 22. Pre-order now (and get instant soundtrack download):
среда, 18 марта 2015 г.
Erdogan “complains” to Putin about Sargsyan
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN AT THE 5TH MEDIA FORUM “AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT ARARAT”
Distinguished journalists,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I greet you in the Republic of Armenia, and welcome your participation in the framework of this important and large-scale event. The presence of 150 well-recognized journalists from the different corners of the world itself speaks for the international community’s attention to this forum, as well as of its interest towards Armenia. I hope that, besides your work, you, the participants of the forum bearing the beautiful heading “At the Foot of Mount Ararat,” will have the opportunity to familiarize with the Armenian culture and cuisine, and admire the wonderful view of biblical Mount Ararat.
It is obvious that in our days, media outlets have huge potential to disseminate universal values, fight against their encroachment and consolidate the international community. Today, a highly representative group of international media outlets has gathered under the same roof. You have already built an effective media platform for the discussions pertaining to the Armenian Genocide with the objective to once again uncover the realities regarding one of the most serious crimes committed in the 20th century. This forum, why not, is also a unique platform to thoroughly and comprehensively present the achievements of the Republic of Armenia in various areas, and challenges faced by our country.
In 2015, Armenia, Armenians all over the world and the international community remember and commemorate the Armenian Genocide committed in the Ottoman Empire one century ago. The genocide took lives of one and a half million Armenians, hundreds of thousands of people became refugees or were forcefully converted into other religion. Each Armenian from any corner of the world continues to feel the consequences of the Mets Yeghern psychologically, culturally, linguistically and politically.
We wish we could have also commemorated the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide together with the Turkish people, thereby heralding a new haven of the rapprochement of the two nations and normalization of their relations. This was the goal pursued by the protocols between Armenia and Turkey signed back in 2009 and of my invitation to the President Erdoğan of Turkey to join us on April 24 in honoring the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims. Unfortunately, once more we encountered denial, one that acquired a particular manifestation this year.
I regret that the Turkish authorities instead of availing themselves of this Centennial to confront their own history and reconcile, put themselves in an awkward position by obviously distorting the well-known chronology the Battle of Gallipoli, and thereby embellishing their policy of denial with new manifestations.
The Turkish policy of denial pursued not only vindicates the crime committed by the Ottoman authorities – the dispossession of Armenians - but also sets a dangerous precedent for the recurrence of new genocides. The Holocaust, the Rwandan and Cambodian genocides, the ethnic cleansing and destruction of cultural heritage carried out by the Islamic State in recent years have all been striking examples of this. Their efforts to avoid responsibility or consign the Armenian Genocide to oblivion can be characterized as continuation of the crime and encouragement of new genocides.
Nevertheless, I must note that larger and larger segments of the Turkish intelligentsia and progressive youth are demonstrating courage to confront their historical past, desiring to live a dignified life and relieving themselves of such a heavy burden of sin.
It is a matter of plain fact that the policy pursued by the current Turkish government rules out the possibility of bringing the famous Protocols into life at which official Ankara looked from the perspective of the absurd preconditions perpetually set forth by it. For that very reason I decided to recall them from our parliament. Thus, the process did not reach its logical conclusion, and everybody knows which party is to blame for its failure. This does not mean that we are closing the window for rapprochement with Turkey. Nevertheless, we are not going to get involved in a process, which may fall victim to the third country’s unconstructive whims and, most importantly, without hope of restoring mutual trust.
Initially, we thought that the policy “Zero Problems with Neighbors” proclaimed by the Turkish authorities enshrined Turkey’s sincere intentions to normalize relations with neighboring countries, including Armenia. I do not want to comment on the nature of current relations between Turkey and other states, but as the subsequent developments demonstrated, Turkey had to face the reality of “Zero Neighbor and Numerous Problems.” In fact, Turkey’s real intention was not to have zero problems with neighbors, but to impose its own perception of those relations on the neighbors, which was nothing else than a manifestation of Neo-Ottoman policy.
The State Commission for coordination of the events for commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centenary was established. Its members encompassed heads of all the largest Armenian institutions. The Commission adopted All-Armenian Declaration, which determined the united will of the Armenian people; by that Armenia and the Armenian people reiterated their commitment to continuing the international struggle for the prevention of genocides, restoration of the rights and establishment of historical justice for the nations subjected to genocide. In that perspective, the Armenian Genocide Centennial events are not solely of all-Armenian nature; they are a unique appeal to prevent any encroachment upon universal values. For that very reason I have invited the leaders and high-level officials of various countries to visit Armenia on April 24 and, thus, send a powerful message of the inadmissibility of the crime of genocide to the world.
Dear friends,
Dear friends,
The Republic of Armenia will also continue its fight against the crime of genocide within the framework of international organizations. In 2013, at its 22th session, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted the resolution on the prevention of genocide initiated by Armenia. This year we are going to table another draft resolution.
It is inspiring that the representatives of the international community are also engaged in Armenian-led initiatives. Moreover, its members continue to bring their weighty contribution towards the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.
We are forever grateful to all those states and peoples who both in times of the calamity and during the subsequent years, have granted asylum to thousands of Armenians, giving them an opportunity to survive and preserve their identity and become full-fledged members of society in the given countries.
While attaching importance to the recognition and condemnation of genocides as a means of preventing their recurrence, we also extend our gratitude to all those states and organizations who continue to reflect upon the crime committed against our nation. This bears witness to the civilized world’s sincere commitment to the protection of universal values, which inspires nations subjected to genocide to believe in the restoration of justice and violated rights, just condemnation of the crimes and inadmissibility of impunity.
The resolution titled “The Armenian Genocide and European Values” adopted recently by the EPP Political Assembly on March 3, 2015 was a striking example of such a commitment. It contained serious political messages on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, its condemnation and denial, and called upon Turkey to confront its past. Such a position on the Armenian Genocide adopted by Europe’s largest and most influential political force should indeed play a guiding role for European institutions and EU member states.
It is clear that in today’s world the guarantee of stability and normal development is peaceful co-existence and tolerance. This is the very principle guiding us through the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, thereby not allowing Azerbaijan to ruin peace negotiations with its bellicose statements and provocative actions. In contrast to Azerbaijani authorities, whose provocative actions endanger the stability of not only their state but also of the region, Armenia is fully aware of the grave consequences of such adventurism. Therefore, by containing Azerbaijan’s military provocations, we try to avoid a new spark of the conflict, which will seriously deteriorate the already unstable situation in our entire region.
We do not incite hostility and hatred among our people, which has been an inseparable component of the policy carried out by the Azerbaijani authorities for years. In contrast to the Azerbaijani President who declared that the Armenian people are the number one enemies of Azerbaijanis, I would like to highlight once again that the Armenians do not have enemy nations.
It was Azerbaijan’s decades-long anti-Armenian policy and the determination to restore historical justice that ultimately drove the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to exercise their inviolable right to self-determination – to build their own homeland on their own land. Regardless of Azerbaijan’s threats and provocations, the wheel of history is impossible to roll back: the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is already a well-established reality and it is not feasible to break the freedom-loving spirit of its people. To ascertain it, I am calling upon you to visit Nagorno-Karabakh to get acquainted with the Artsakh state-building on the ground and represent the objective reality to your public.
The Armenian position on the settlement of the conflict remains the same: it must be settled within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, through peaceful negotiations on the basis of the three famous principles of the Helsinki Final Act put forth by the Co-Chairs. Azerbaijan’s efforts to alter the format provided by the Minsk Group, talk to the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh from a position of force, provocations and blackmail will not yield a lasting solution. This is an unequivocal truth.
The Armenian position on the settlement of the conflict remains the same: it must be settled within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, through peaceful negotiations on the basis of the three famous principles of the Helsinki Final Act put forth by the Co-Chairs. Azerbaijan’s efforts to alter the format provided by the Minsk Group, talk to the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh from a position of force, provocations and blackmail will not yield a lasting solution. This is an unequivocal truth.
On January 27, 2015 the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group issued a statement in Krakow on Azerbaijan’s destructive policy, in which they called upon Azerbaijan to live up to its commitments to the peaceful resolution of the conflict. I strongly believe that continued sending of targeted messages calling to exercise restraint will incite certain degree of vigilance with their true addressee.
Distinguished participants,
Although the recognition of the Genocide and settlement of the NK conflict are of vital importance to us, our agenda is, of course, much broader.
For centuries, our people have gone through hardships, which have not been able to ruin Armenians’ resolute determination to preserve their own identity, master their own destiny and, ultimately, build an independent state. And we have managed to achieve our cherished goals, which sometimes could have even looked like a dream.
In spite of the hardships that have fallen to our lot during the years of our statehood, we have managed to build a democratic state with a liberal economic model. We have not been alone in carrying out the difficult task of state-building; we have always enjoyed the support of friendly countries and their readiness to stand beside us in tough times.
Among our country’s important political achievements is certainly the establishment and development of civil society, which has actively engaged itself with the government’s various initiatives, especially in the recent years. In terms of indicators in the areas of human rights, rule of law, economic policy and development Armenia leads in the region, and considerably excels many countries of the region in a number of indicators.
With its accomplishments and limitations, the free press that comprehensively covers and introduces the public to the country’s domestic and foreign affairs, is also a top achievement since we gained our independence. According to the World Press Freedom Index 2015 annual report released by the Reporters Without Borders, Armenia was ranked the 78th out of 180 countries, occupying a leading position among the CIS countries, and even surpassing some EU member states such as Greece (91) and Bulgaria (106). It is obvious that we are not satisfied with that indicator, but we try to assess it from a comparative perspective, and if we see a real difference in a five-year or three-year period, yes, we more or less appreciate it.
We have got actively working political opposition. I myself attach great value to the establishment of constructive opposition and perfectly understand that it is a key component of a democratic consolidation.
Armenia has been actively engaged in the initiatives of the Open Government Partnership, which pursues the objective of promoting effectiveness, accountability and transparency in governance.
In this context, we also place great weight on the constitutional reform that we have initiated in Armenia. It is aimed at improving the constitutional mechanisms for realization of the rule of law and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, ensuring steady balance between the branches of government and promoting good governance. Right now we have reached the stage of finalizing the revised text of the constitution; a process which hinges on the principle of utmost transparency and engages all interested parties.
We are fully aware that building a democratic society and country is an ongoing process, and we are ready to make consistent efforts to reach our goal.
Distinguished journalists,
Armenia’s foreign policy has always been based on the principle of complementarity of different systems and accommodation of the interests of great powers involved in the region. Joining the CSTO, the Republic of Armenia has simultaneously enhanced its cooperation with NATO, by contributing to the strengthening of international peace and security through its participation in the peace-keeping missions. Our country has developed and continues to develop allied strategic partnership with Russia. The Armenian-Russian allied inter-State relations are anchored in the close historical ties that existed between the two nations. The close collaboration with the RF is a key component of our security, economic development and stability. The RF is Armenia’s largest trade partner: in 2014, our trade accounted for more than 1.4 billion dollars, there are 1.3 thousand enterprises with Russian capital in Armenia and the amount of Russian investments in our economy have exceeded three billion dollars. I am confident that for very many persons sitting in the hall these numbers seem small and ridiculous, but believe me that for a small state and a small economy such as Armenia these numbers are extremely important. We cooperate with Russia in different sectors – energy, infrastructure, industry etc. According to non-official data, there are around 2 million Armenians living in the RF. We also continue to deepen our collaboration with the RF within the framework of international organizations – the Eurasian Economic Union, CIS and CSTO. We attach great importance to the Russia’s efforts aimed at a peaceful settlement of the NK conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Our foreign policy is also aimed at reinforcement of our friendly partnership with the US and of the special relationship with France.
Since independence, Armenian-American relations have continued to develop dynamically. Currently our bilateral agenda includes various sectors – political, economic, human, security and other dimensions – in which we have been making further progress year to year.
I must express my content with the fact that owing to mutual efforts our partnership has now reached its highest level in the history of Armenian-American relations. The reciprocal visits at various levels conducted in the recent years bear testimony to this.
We highly appreciate long-standing US support for the RA’s economic development, multi-sectoral reforms, consolidation of democracy and civil society, which pursue the objective to strengthen our statehood.
We also place great value on the US role in the maintenance of security and stability in the region, especially on its active involvement in the peaceful settlement of the NK problem.
Armenia is very keen on continuing interstate relations based on shared values and the age-old friendship between the Armenian and French peoples. We value the achievements embellishing our interstate relations during the last two decades, which involve regular promotion of political, economic, cultural, scientific and educational cooperation, and effective implementation of the assistance programs.
The consistent and concerted efforts in the relations between Armenia and France have resulted in a crucial haven, special relations we enjoy. France’s role is invaluable both in the condemnation and international recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the highest level, and in the peaceful resolution of the NK conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.
Of course, deepening and broadening of our traditionally friendly partnerships with neighboring countries, particularly, with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Georgia are top priorities for our country.
We highly appreciate our mutually beneficial and multifaceted cooperation with Iran, which is rooted in historical and cultural similarities, reciprocal economic interests and in common approaches to a number of regional issues.
The multifaceted relationship between Armenia and Iran is maintained at the high level. This is testified by our active and high-level political contacts, and agreements reached therein pertaining to the effective implementation of joint political, economic and humanitarian projects.
We are closely following the negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the P5+1 over Iran’s nuclear program. We wish the issue to be resolved as soon as possible, and the settlement to be acceptable to all the parties. We are hopeful that the agreements that have already been achieved will result in a comprehensive settlement of this issue.
I must express my content with the fact that in recent years the high-level contacts between Armenia and Georgia have tangibly intensified. Our active interstate dialogue rooted in the traditional, historical and good-neighborly friendship and mutual understanding between our peoples establishes serious prerequisites to outline new dimensions in our partnership. As a result, we are building effective mechanisms to swiftly address any issue on our current bilateral agenda.
We have always attached great importance to Georgia’s role not only in the development of our bilateral relations, but also in strengthening and maintaining security in the South Caucasus.
The level of our political cooperation has provided favorable conditions for promotion of bilateral economic cooperation. In this regard, we have made considerable progress in the development of a relevant legal framework.
From January of 2015 onwards we have been a full-fledged member of the Eurasian Economic Union. Since independence active involvement in regional integration processes has been and continues to be a priority for the Armenian foreign policy. In the 21st century regional integration unions play a major role in helping small states follow ongoing trends in the global economy and fully integrate into it. In this regard taking into account the present structure of our country’s economy, the geography of export and our economic ties with EEU member states, the accession to the EEU opens up new prospects for our country to develop. Free movement of goods, capital, services and labor give our businessmen substantial opportunities to penetrate new markets and reinforce their positions there. All this will naturally stimulate employment opportunities in Armenia, increase of foreign direct investments and development of our economy.
Distinguished journalists,
Being a full-fledged member of the European family and civilization and building our development on the European principles and values, we continue to make vigorous efforts to enhance our relations both with individual European countries, and with the EU and our Western partners. The cooperation between Armenia and EU has been marked by major achievements, which is a result of our concerted efforts, political will and mutual commitment. Throughout these years, the large-scale reforms in Armenia have been at the forefront of our dialogue. To raise the effectiveness of those reforms, we have transformed the executive structure, establishing the Ministry of International Economic Integration and Reforms, which will coordinate those processes.
We intend to maintain these achievements and, moreover, to deepen and buttress them with further initiatives. This is proved by the Armenia-EU Joint Statement adopted in Vilnius in November of 2013, in which the parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further enhancing and strengthening multi-sectoral cooperation. We are taking active steps both towards development of a new legal framework for our relations with the EU and pushing forward our agenda with NATO.
Meanwhile, I have to note that under conditions of the boisterous pace at which globalization has proceeded in the 21st century, when the world is moving towards formation of a single common area, when it seems that the economic borders between the states are losing their importance, it is meaningless to speak about conflicting integration models. In this respect, as I have said on numerous occasions before by joining the EEU, Armenia could serve as a connecting link between the business communities of EEU states and Western countries.
Our country’s foreign policy agenda has been expanding with every passing day through embracing new partners. Our relations with the countries of the Latin American and Asian countries have intensified, and we continue to maintain traditionally good relations with the Arab world. Among the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, we have kept on promoting close cooperation with China, Japan and with a host of other states. In a few days, I am going to pay a State Visit to China, which I am sure will give a new impetus to the development of our bilateral relations in various fields.
Of course, our foreign policy and security cannot remain unaffected by events unfolding in neighboring regions and, in general, in the international arena. By this I refer to the alarming developments in Ukraine and the Middle East. Today, the so called Islamic State based in the territories of Syria and Iraq poses a real threat to both regional and international security. In the Middle East, the cradle of ancient civilizations, those very civilizations risk being destroyed. Armenian communities in Syria and Iraq are also affected by that situation. The Armenian Genocide survivors, who had found shelter in Syria and Iraq, now have to face the mentioned challenges. Armenia has already accepted more than ten thousand refugees from Syria.
Armenia condemns the crimes and atrocities committed by the Islamic State, the Al Nusra Front and by other terrorist groups, and calls on the international community to take decisive steps against this newly-emerged calamity. In this context, Armenia expresses its full support to the complete implementation of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
Distinguished journalists,
I think this is all and now I am ready to respond to your questions.
Social Democratic Hunchakian Party Marks 128th Anniversary
YEREVAN – On Saturday March 14, 2015, Armenia’s Social Democrat Hunchakian Party Executive committee marked the 128th anniversary of party’s formation. The commemoration began with renowned tenor Artak Alavertean performing the anthems of the Republic of Armenia and the SDHP.
After a moment of silence honoring the memory of those martyrs who died defending the ideals of the Party, The Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people were observed, speeches were given by His Eminence Archbishop Voskan Kalpakian, SDHP Sarkis Dkhrouni Youth movement member Varik Panoyan, SDHP Armenia Executive Chairman Narek Galstyan, and SDHP Central Committee Chair Hagop Dikranian.
Archbishop Voskan Kalpakian addressed the ideology of selflessness ingrained within the SDHP, which is conveyed by its historic leaders and members who became martyrs for the Armenian nation.
Mr. Panoyan, discussed the difficult conditions facing the nation’s youth; the lack of jobs, the general negative perception of youth towards a future in Armenia, and the need to combat that perception by instilling good governance and opportunities for all.
In his speech, Mr. Galstyan conveyed the present status of the SDHP in Armenia, and highlighted the Party’s years of experience which has guided it through the present day political difficulties in Armenia’s political sphere. In that respect, he stressed that there are few political parties in the world that have 128 years of experience and contribution towards their nation.
SDHP Central Committee Chair Hagop Dikranian who served as the keynote speaker, reflected on the party’s founding and the various phases the party has gone through, the successes it has achieved, and continued efforts towards achieving its objectives, all of which have a bearing on today’s Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as the adopted policy positions of the SDHP.
вторник, 17 марта 2015 г.
ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA SERZH SARGSYAN AT THE OPENING MEETING OF THE FOURTH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE EURONEST PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
Distinguished Chairman of the National Assembly,
Distinguished Co-Chairs of the Assembly,
Distinguished members of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly,
Distinguished Co-Chairs of the Assembly,
Distinguished members of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly,
It is a pleasure to greet you in Yerevan on the occasion of your participation in the Fourth Ordinary Session of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly.
This week can be considered to be a truly “European” one for us: we are glad to host the EURONEST Session in Yerevan, after which I will depart for Brussels to participate in the EPP Summit. Both in Yerevan and Brussels I am scheduled to meet with the high level EU officials, and a few days later the Session of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee will take place here in Yerevan. It is good that relations between Armenia and EU are developing dynamically.
I believe strongly that discussions to be held and resolutions to be adopted in the parliamentary dimension under the extensive list of agenda items of the EURONEST Session will contribute to the deepening of cooperation between the European Union and partner nations in a number of areas.
Among those items are infrastructure and transport cooperation, energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy, dialogue in the area of culture. It is also a high time to exchange opinions in reviewing the European Neighborhood Policy and on the preparations for the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit.
I highly value the inter-parliamentary cooperation in the framework of the Eastern Partnership. It is significant and plays an important role in the whole system of our relations with the European Union. The Yerevan Session of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly is a good opportunity to conduct a broad and open exchange of views and opinions, genuine dialogue on the issues that are important for our society.
I believe that inter-parliamentary discussions will let us form correct assessment of the challenges that our nations face as well as let us attempt to find joint avenues to overcome cooperatively those challenges.
It is noteworthy that our cooperation towards making system of pan-European values the citizens’ property, its promotion and rooting engages both the parliamentary and civil society circles. Armenia today is a country of free speech and free media, we have got freedom of assembly, established civil society, which is well aware of its rights, and how it can struggle for its rights.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
Building on shared values Armenia is committed to the development of cooperation with the European Union directed at continued improvement of the democratic institutions and judiciary system, good governance, fight against corruption, consolidation of civil society, further improvement of the business environment for the expansion of trade and investment, continued implementation of mobility and partnership and expansion of the sectoral cooperation.
We attach great importance to the steps to secure people to people contacts and free movement with the EU. We also anticipate support of the parliamentarians in the forthcoming launching of the dialogue with the EU for a visa-free regime to be established for our citizens.
We are convinced that by joining efforts we will be able to arrive at joint approaches based on opportunities instead of incompatibilities, and thus secure for our citizens an opportunity to take best advantage of various integration formats, which in its turn will consolidate cooperation and let us avoid new confrontations on the European continent.
We build upon the premise that it is possible to accommodate both the Armenia’s membership to the Eurasian Economic Union, with all commitments stemming thereof, and the European Union’s deep and comprehensive agenda. Moreover, we will attempt to explore compatible middle ground through establishment of close ties between the various integration processes, and thus contribute to the consolidation of shared pan-European values free of contradictions and dividing lines.
Honorable Members of the Assembly,
This year the whole Armenian nation has been joined by the civilized world in commemorating victims of the Armenian Genocide that took place in the Ottoman Empire in 1915.
We recall with gratitude and highly value the role of the European Parliament in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. It was the first among pan-European institutions to adopt in 1987 a resolution condemning that crime perpetrated against Armenians in the territory of the Ottoman Empire and calling upon the Turkish government to recognize it.
The Armenian Genocide is not only the tragedy of our nation but also a world-scale crime against civilization and humanity, which reminds us of the failure to learn from history, dangers of a genocide denial, as well as the long-term negative consequences of letting this type of crime to go unpunished and unrecognized.
The respect towards human rights is the pillar of the European Union values upon which our cooperation is built. In that context I highly value The Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the world 2013 adopted by the European Parliament on March 12, which contained a separate paragraph addressing the Armenian Genocide Centennial and called upon all Member States to acknowledge it, and encouraged the EU institutions to contribute further to its recognition.
I regret that Azerbaijani side evades meeting us halfway by responding to our steps towards constructive dialogue.
It is though more disturbing that our neighboring State demonstrates unconstructive and maximalist stance in the very process of the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict by backtracking on the already agreed points, by consistently trying to change the format of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship or to launch negotiations on the great treaty without registering agreement on the basic principles. It should be obvious that the keys to the settlement of this issue are not located in Paris, Moscow or Washington, but in Baku, Stepanakert and Yerevan. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan invents far-fetched excuses in order to avoid the settlement based on the principles proposed by the Co-Chairs.
I think such tactics of that country deserves unequivocal assessment of the international community and European institutions.
Regardless of Azerbaijan’s unrealistic claims and periodic provocations carried out on the Line-of-Contact there is no alternative to the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. It has been the position of international community, especially in the recent years, that there is no alternative to the comprehensive settlement of this conflict but by the exercise of the people’s right to free expression of their will and self-determination, which is grounded in the European and universal values. This conflict can be comprehensively settled through the free exercise of this right by the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. That is the approach upon which the proposal of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs is built.
Distinguished Members of the Assembly,
I again warmly welcome you upon the commencement of the Fourth Ordinary Session of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly, and wish you constructive discussions and fruitful work.
Thank you for your attention.
Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution will be unveiled on March 18
The Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution will be unveiled on Wednesday in front of the Capitol.
The resolution will be unveiled by Congressmen Robert Dold , Adam Schiff , David Valadao, and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), as well as other Members of Congress and members of the Armenian community.
This bipartisan resolution will call on President Obama to work toward equitable, constructive, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations based upon the Republic of Turkey's full acknowledgment of the facts and ongoing consequences of the Armenian Genocide. The resolution will also establish a fair, just, and comprehensive record on this international crime against humanity.
Սերժ Սարգսյանը ժամանել է ԱԺ Տեսանյութ
Քիչ առաջ ԱԺ է ժամանել ՀՀ նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանը:
Նշենք, որ այսօր Եվրանեսթ ԽՎ չորրորդ լիագումար նիստի պաշտոնական բացման արարողությունն է: Պաշտոնական բացմանը սպասվում է ՀՀ Նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանի, ՀՀ ԱԺ նախագահ Գալուստ Սահակյանի, Եվրախորհրդարանի փոխնագահ Ռիչարդ Չարնեցկու, Հայաստանում ԵՄ պատվիրակության ղեկավար Տրայան Հրիսթեայի, Եվրանեսթ ԽՎ-ի համանախագահ Բորիս Տարասյուկի և Եվրանեսթ ԽՎ-ի համանախագահ Հեյդի Հաուտալայի ուղերձները:
Դիպուկահարի գնդակից վիրավորված 85-ամյա պապիկը դեռ քայլել չի կարողանում
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Տավուշի մարզի Մովսես գյուղում փետրվարի 4-ին ադրբեջանցի դիպուկահարի կրակոցից վիրավորված 85-ամյա Լեւոն Անդրեասյանը, որ մոտ մեկ ամիս առջա դուրս է գրվել Կենտրոնական կլինիկական զինվորական հոսպիտալից, դեռ քայլել չի կարողանում: Այս մասին այսօր` մարտի 17-ին, NEWS.am-ին ասաց Լեւոն Անդրեասյանի հարսը՝ Ասմարիկ Աթոյանը:
«Մի օր լավ է, մի օր վատ: Դեռ քայլել չի կարողանում, միայն մեր օգնությամբ կարողանում է նստել անկողնու մեջ: Հենակ էլ բերեցինք, չկարողացավ քայլել: Ոտքի երկաթները հանելուն դեռ երկար ժամանակ կա»,- ասաց Ասմարիկ Աթոյանը:
Նշենք, որ Լեւոն Անդրեասյանը ստացել էր ծնկի եւ ոտքի ազդրոսկրի կոտրվածք:
Հիշեցնենք, որ 85-ամյա ծերունուն հրազենային վնասվածքը ստացել էր այգում աշխատելու ընթացքում: Փաստի առթիվ հարուցվել է քրեական գործ:
Սահմանադրական բարեփոխումները մտել են քաղաքական քննարկումների շրջափուլ
ՀՀ նախագահը փորձ է կատարում քաղաքական, միջկուսակցական, կառուցողական քաղաքական նոր մշակույթ ձեւավորել, սա բնորոշ է ՀՀ նախագահին, եւ Սահմանադրական բարեփոխումն էլ դրանցից մեկն է: Այս մասին այսօր՝ մարտի 17-ին, լրագրողների հետ հանդիպմանը ասաց նախկին վարչապետ, ԱԺ պատգամավոր Խոսրով Հարությունյանը:
Նա շեշտեց, որ սահմանադրական բարեփոխումների գործընթացը թեւակոխել է երկրորդ փուլ, դրանք արդեն մտել են քաղաքական քննարկումների շրջափուլ: Նախկին վարչապետը վստահ է, որ սահմանադրական բարեփոխումները հանրային կյանքն արդյունավետ դարձնելու ինստիտուցիոնալ մոտեցումներ են, եւ նախագահի առաջարկը՝ քննարկումներին մասնակցել բոլոր քաղաքական կուսակցություններին, ոչ այլ ինչ է, քան սեփական մտահոգությունները ներկայացնել հանրությանը, քանի որ պատասխանատու քաղաքական փուլ է
Պատգամավորի կարծիքով՝ հայաստանյան ընդդիմությունը փնտրտուքի մեջ է, ինստիտուցիոնալ կայացման մի նոր շրջանում է գտնվում: Խոսրով Հարությունյանն ասաց, որ իր մոտ այնպիսի տպավորություն է, որ մեր ընդդիմությունը կոմպլեքսավորված է, որեւէ կառուցողական բան չկա ընդդիմության ներսում: Նախկին վարչապետը շեշտեց, որ ընդդիմադիր չի նշանակում միայն հայհոյել, չի նշանակում որեւէ կառուցողական գործընթացների չմասնակցել: Նա հույս ունի, որ վերակազմավորվելուց հետո «Բարգավաճ Հայաստան» կուսակցությունն այդ բարդույթներից ազատվեր:
четверг, 12 марта 2015 г.
Russia and Armenia leaders discuss upcoming personal contacts
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan discussed the upcoming personal contacts during a phone conversation on Thursday.
The leaders discussed key issues of Armenia-Russia partnership, in particular issues of cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy and oil and gas industry.
Armenia-Kuwait investment proposals to be made (PHOTOS)
The interlocutors underscored the need to deepen cooperation between the commerce and industry chambers of the two countries, and considered the development of collaboration in several domains to be full of prospect. The parties also reached an agreement on making investment proposals that will contribute to the expansion of Armenia-Kuwait economic cooperation. In addition, both sides noted that there is great potential for such collaboration.
Abrahamyan added that Armenia can become a good platform for Kuwait to enter into the Eurasian Economic Union market, and stressed that the Government of Armenia stands ready to assist each and every investor.
The interlocutors also reflected on Armenia’s investment climate, and some other issues of mutual interest.
Carrefour Armenia opens (PHOTOS)
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Wednesday attended, in Yerevan Mall, the official opening of the first Armenian branch of the world-renowned French Carrefour hypermarket chain.
The initial lease for this hypermarket space in Armenia’s capital city was signed on May 13, 2014, and Sargsyan and French President François Hollande—who was in Armenia at the time on a state visit—were on hand at this event.
After Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan and Carrefour Armenia Country Manager Christian De Nale formally opened the hypermarket on Wednesday, President Sargsyan and the invited guests toured Carrefour Armenia. 
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