Azerbaijani Press: Baku ready to help resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict – FM

APA, Azerbaijan
May 18 2018
Baku ready to help resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict – FM

[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of APA]

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said that Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the APA news agency reported on 19 May.

"As always, Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to a fair resolution of the Palestinian issue. We reiterate our solidarity and support for a fair and comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be resolved peacefully based on a 'two states principle', recognising West Jerusalem as capital of Palestine," Mammadyarov was quoted as saying while addressing a meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on 18 May.

He urged the OIC to step up its efforts to "put an end to and condemn bloodshed".

Mammadyarov said that US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the relocation of the US embassy came at odds with international law. "This step taken despite numerous warnings has shattered hopes of reaching a fair and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and opened up a way for a humanitarian disaster," he said.

Mammadyarov also lambasted Armenia's role in the Karabakh conflict.

"Despite the UN Security Council resolutions and decisions taken by a number of international organisations, including OIC, Armenia has been holding 20 per cent of our territories under occupation for 25 years, leading to terrible humanitarian outcomes for the local Muslims and Islamic culture," he said.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are locked in a conflict over Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which, along with seven surrounding districts, came under the control of Armenian troops in the early 1990s. Dozens of Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers were killed during an outbreak of fighting between the two sides in April 2016, the worst escalation since cease-fire deal was signed in 1994. Peace talks between Baku and Yerevan have been mediated by France, Russia and the United States, in their capacity of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Wales and Armenia twinned in Senedd’s landscape paintings

The Western Mail, Wales, UK
May 2, 2018 Wednesday

Wales and Armenia twinned in Senedd's landscape paintings
An exhibition of paintings at the Senedd illustrates the close ties between Wales and Armenia, explains Martin Shipton
 
by Martin Shipton
 
 
WALES and Armenia are roughly the same size in terms of population – and a compelling exhibition of impressionist paintings near the Senedd's public café shows how there are strong similarities between the countries' hilly landscapes too.
 
A number of books have been written about the links that have been established between the two nations: their common ecclesiastical heritage, for example.
 
The pictures, curated by Welsh Armenian couple Gary and Mariam Torosyan, sometimes leave the viewer wondering which country is being depicted.
 
Some of the paintings on display are the work of Mariam, who was born in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, and who trained in art school in Russia.
 
Gary, who was born in Cardiff and whose father, John, is an energetic spokesman for the small Welsh Armenian community, said: "It's a collection of mostly Armenian artworks, which are here to show Armenian culture and the Armenian style of painting. Some of the artists are quite well known in Armenian circles, while some are not so well known.
 
"The most prominent is probably Lems Nersisyan, and there's also Faenberg Sargsyan. Their paintings are not that valuable at the moment, but hopefully one day they will be.
 
"Most of the paintings are impressionistic landscapes. There are a couple of caricatures too.
 
"We also included some paintings by Llinos Thomas, the daughter of Canon Patrick Thomas of Carmarthen [who has written two books about Armenia]. We've tried to put a few paintings in that show the link between Wales and Armenia."
 
A couple of scenes painted by Mariam – one of Armenia, the other of Wales – are very similar, especially given her style of painting.
 
There are also Welsh crosses and Armenian crosses in the exhibition, demonstrating the similar Christian heritages of the two countries.
 
Mariam said: "If you see the colours of the paintings, you can understand how similar the mountain landscapes are in both countries."
 
Gary said: "I liken the Brecon Beacons to the Armenian Highlands. If you get a hot summer in Wales, then the Brecon Beacons turn all yellow. It's exactly what happens in Armenia. Because it's a lot warmer climate you get it every year there.
 
"It's a mountainous country – so is Wales. It's about the same size and people don't look that different.
 
"I don't know if there's a proven link, but it's been said the Welsh and Armenians come from the same people a very long time ago. One comparison is certainly the friendliness of the people. For us, as a community, we certainly feel very at home here.
 
"There have been Armenians living in Wales for many years: there was certainly a community here before my grandfather came. They moved to Wales in the 1970s, although they lived in the UK from the 1960s. What's nice about Cardiff is it's very similar to Yerevan in terms of population."
 
¦ The exhibition can be seen until May 25.

Turkish press: Armenia opposition leader calls for fresh protests after parliament rejects PM bid

COMPILED FROM WIRE SERVICES
ISTANBUL
Published4 hours ago

Opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian, center, during a parliament session to choose a replacement of Prime Minister in Yerevan on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. (AP Photo)

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian on Tuesday urged his supporters to launch a campaign of civil disobedience and block key transport links including an airport after he failed in his bid to get elected as prime minister.

"From 8:15 am tomorrow (Wednesday) all roads should be blocked, I announce a general strike," Pashinian told tens of thousands of supporters gathered in the capital Yerevan's Republic Square.

"A revolution of love and tolerance is continuing," he said, also urging people to turn out for a huge rally Wednesday evening as the crowds chanted "Nikol! Nikol!".

The Armenian parliament had rejected making the opposition lawmaker who led weeks of anti-government rallies the country's prime minister Tuesday as tens of thousands of supporters awaited the vote outside.

After a nine hour session, the chamber voted 45-55 against appointing Pashinian, who was the only candidate nominated to replace the ex-president who resigned as prime minister due to the protests.

"The political force which declared a war against its own people has destroyed itself," Pashinian said in parliament after the vote.

"No one will be able to take victory away from the people."

Between 30,000 and 40,000 opposition supporters spent the day peacefully rallying outside the parliament building to support Pashinian. The vote's outcome enraged many of them.

"They spat on us but we're not going to tolerate this," bakery owner Samvel Rustamyan, 46, said while jeering and punching his fists in the air. "This government just won't resign on its own will. It's tens of thousands of us, and we need to them go. We can't take this anymore."

Pashinian told colleagues in parliament before the vote that Armenia would be roiled by a "political tsunami," if the majority party did not support him.

"I would like to warn you that your attempts to interpret the tolerance of the popular movement as weakness could cause unexpected and undesirable consequences," Pashinian said, addressing members of the ruling Republican Party from the rostrum. "Get sober until it's too late, because your behavior could cause a political tsunami."

The Armenian Constitution dictates that parliament will convene next week for another vote.

Pashinian spearheaded the protests that forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign after less than a week as premier. Sargsyan led Armenia as president for 10 years until term limits forced him to step down and was made prime minister in mid-April.

The opposition in this Caucasus Mountains country saw Sargsyan's move into the prime minister's chair as an attempt by him to stay in power indefinitely.

While Pashinian was the only candidate for prime minister, the chamber is controlled by Sargsyan's Republicans. Not a single Republican lawmaker appeared to have voted for him.

Before the vote, lawmakers grilled Pashinian during a question-and-answer session. Later, dozens of them took the floor to speak about Pashinian's candidacy.

Republican deputies accused Pashinian of exploiting the young people who have been his core supporters. Some said Pashinian does not have a program to offer the country.

Opposition members of parliament joined Pashinian in warning that a vote against him would be a vote against the tens of thousands of people who joined the anti-government rallies in recent weeks.

"The only thing that people on this square will accept is Pashinian's win, changes in the country and the ouster of the old clan," said engineer David Babayan, 47, who came to the Republic Square with his wife and 10-year-old son.

Damascus: Poladian: Turkish acts in Syria are extension of what they committed against Armenians

Syrian News Center, Syria
Tuesday
 
 
Poladian: Turkish acts in Syria are extension of what they committed against Armenians
 
 
On April 24, the Armenians commemorate the anniversary of the genocide in which 1 & a half million Armenians were killed at the hands of the Ottoman Empire between 1915 & 1923 in one of the most repulsive massacres in human history. Armenian Ambassador to Syria Dr. Arshag Poladian said that history repeats itself & what Turkish politicians are perpetrating against the Syrian people nowadays is an extension of what they have done to the Armenian people in the past. The Ambassador said that although 103 years have passed since the Armenian genocide, the Armenian people are still struggling to regain their rights & their stolen territory, adding that the issue of the Armenians is presented in international forums & the Armenian people insist on recognition & condemnation of the genocide. Poladian pointed out that the Armenian tragedy was a crime of annihilating an entire nation & erasing its heritage & civilization as it was the result of a tendency to establish a Turkish empire from Anatolia to the easternmost part of Asia. The historical area of Armenia is more than 300000 square kilometers which is 10 times the size of the current Republic of Armenia.
 

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan’s defense ministry: No military equipment accumulated on frontline

20:33 (UTC+04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, April 23

Trend:

There is no accumulation of military equipment on the frontline, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in a message on April 23.

"It is not excluded that supporters of the bloody and criminal regime, whose power ended in Armenia, are attempting to resort to various provocations with a view to aggravate the situation on the contact line of the troops," the ministry said.

In this regard, the Defense Ministry announced that the operational situation along the whole frontline zone is under complete control of the Azerbaijani troops.

"Azerbaijan's army units seriously follow the ceasefire regime. We are not supporters of the escalation, and the Defense Ministry does not accumulate military equipment on the frontline," the ministry noted.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that any enemy provocation aimed at aggravating the situation on the contact line of the troops will be immediately, decisively and severely suppressed.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.


Wynn’s Flora Aghababyan Shares Her Favorite Places To Dine in Las Vegas

Eater Las Vegas
 
 
Wynn’s Flora Aghababyan Shares Her Favorite Places To Dine in Las Vegas
 
The pastry chef even shares some favorite desserts
 
by Susan Stapleton  Apr 18, 2018, 2:00pm PDT
 
 
Flora Aghababyan Wynn
 
Sin City is home to a lot of restaurants and bars, but there are tons of hidden gems that the majority of Las Vegans aren’t unearthing. To help guide readers to these potential discoveries, Eater Vegas enlisted some of the city’s food players to share their recommendations for a feature dubbed Dining Confidential.
 
Those whimsical cakes at Wynn and Encore Las Vegas come at the hands of Flora Aghababyan, the master cake artist for the resorts. She grew up in Armenia, learning to bake as a child. After working in several Russian and Armenian bakeries, Aghababyan moved to the United States in 2000 to work as a pastry chef at Chalet Pastry in Hollywood, and later moved to Las Vegas to focus on multi-dimensional cakes and pastries at the Bellagio. By 2007, she joined Wynn. She appeared on Food Network Challenge, and her cakes and pastries have been featured in People, Star, Wedding Style, and Brides magazines. Pastry Professional Magazine even named her one of the top 10 cake artists in North America. She even won the grand prize at the Grand National Wedding Cake Competition in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2010 for her interpretation of the Ettal Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Bavaria, Germany. Here, Aghababyan shares some of her favorite places to dine in Las Vegas.
 
Do you remember your first trip to Vegas? What happened that was memorable?
 
I was living in LA and many of my friends were telling me that I just had to go to Vegas. I was always working and was in need of a mini-vacation so I came here because it was close and I’d heard so many great things about it. At that time, I was managing a bakery in LA whose owners just so happened to be looking into Vegas for expansion so they offered to transfer me here and I said yes right away — while I was on vacation! It may have been fate.
 
What made you decide to move to Las Vegas?
 
This job opportunity popped up at the same time that I was here so I felt compelled to just stay. Within months, I got offered amazing opportunities to works with Caesars and Aladdin (which is now Planet Hollywood) simultaneously, and shortly after, I joined the Bellagio team within the same year I moved here. I worked there for five years.
 
Where do you like to eat breakfast in Las Vegas?
 
It’s not often that I eat out for breakfast, but when I do on the occasional weekend, I really like Veranda at the Four Seasons. They have plenty of light and healthy options, and a great selection of omelets to start your day with.
 
What about lunch?
 
I really like Leone Café in Tivoli Village. They have great desserts and coffee options, and lovely outdoor seating. I prefer lighter dishes so their salads are a great choice. They toss them with fresh fruits and all sorts of nuts, served with the perfect amount of dressing.
 
If you’re going out for dinner, which restaurants do you like to frequent? What makes them special? Any dishes you can recommend?
 
For dinner, I love Sen of Japan on Desert Inn. It’s cozy and charming, and the chef is so friendly and always has fantastic recommendations. The fish is consistently fresh so everything tastes great, but definitely go for the weekly specials. The Cajun albacore with garlic ponzu is delicious, as well as the garlic yellowtail, and fluke crudo with truffle oil.
 
Where do you like to dine for a special occasion?
 
Joël Robuchon is the ultimate special occasion restaurant. When my friends visit Las Vegas from all over Europe, they want the glamorous and exciting Vegas atmosphere, but in a sophisticated and intimate setting — and this place is it. The staff makes you the center of attention and no detail goes unnoticed. I remember a beautiful pan-fried sea bass with lemongrass foam, the bread cart with delicious saffron rolls and savory cheese breads, and this little whimsical dessert called Le Papillon; it’s like a fairy tale in a glass! I also love Picasso for special occasions. I recently went for my birthday and can’t wait to go back.
 
Are there any brunches in town you like to frequent?
 
I love Tableau here at Wynn. They change the menu often so you know the ingredients they are using are very seasonal and fresh. The garden and pool views are just gorgeous and often make me think I’m on vacation and my cake studio isn’t really below us.
 
Let’s say you want to hang out with your friends or family after work. Where do you like to go?
 
When my friends or out-of-town family want to grab dinner, I like going to Mon Ami Gabi. It’s a large restaurant but feels intimate at the same time. You have to grab a seat on the patio for magical views of the fountains, and you absolutely must save room for the flourless chocolate cake. If we’re dining off-strip after work, I like taking my friends to Sen of Japan or Meraki Grill.

AYF-WUS Issues Statement on Protests in Armenia

Armenian Youth Federation

Editor’s Note: The Armenian Youth Federation Western US Central Executive issued an announcement on Wednesday regarding the days-long protests taking place in Armenia in opposition to the Tuesday’s election of Serzh Sarkisian as Armenia’s prime minister. In the announcement, below, the AYF says, “Civic participation is essential to return power to the people and hold the government accountable.” Also on Wednesday, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee issued a statement on the same issue, the English version of which will be posted on asbarez.com on Thursday.

The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States (AYF-WUS) supports the right of every Armenian citizen to peacefully protest and express their views.

In the past week, thousands have taken to the streets of Yerevan, discontent with the state of affairs in the country, primarily the ascension of Serzh Sarkisian to the post of Prime Minister.

The AYF-WUS, alongside concerned Armenians throughout our communities, continues to monitor the developments with a watchful eye toward the protection of the rights of all Armenians. We express our concern about violent clashes between police and demonstrators and condemn the use of excessive force.

Historically, the AYF has organized protests and acts of civil disobedience as a means of political _expression_. We fully understand the importance and efficacy of such direct action to engage the masses in critical issues. We wholeheartedly endorse the right to exercise the freedom of speech, assembly, and dissent as cornerstones of all mature democracies.

It is our conviction that Armenia’s future lies in the hands of the indomitable and incorruptible spirit of its citizens. We believe the new constitution and transition to a parliamentary form of government will bring about fundamental institutional change. These reforms, if properly implemented, will address the failures of the prior political system. Civic participation is essential to return power to the people and hold the government accountable.

It is incumbent upon us to work hand-in-hand, across borders and across generations for the betterment of our homeland. Nation-building is an ongoing, laborious, and arduous task that requires steadfast principle and active engagement. We remain committed to this process undeterred.

Armenia’s ruling party nominates its chairman for the post of prime minister

ARKA, Armenia

YEREVAN, April 14. /ARKA/. Meeting in the resort town of Tsakhkadzor today the Executive Body and the Board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) has formally decided to nominate the party chairman Serzh Sargsyan for the post of prime minister.

The proposal was made by the deputy chairman of the party Karen Karapetyan, the HKK said in a statement placed on its official website. According to the statement, the candidacy of Serzh Sargsyan will be officially put forward by the HHK parliamentary faction on April 16.

A day earlier, Nikol Pashinyan, the head of the parliamentary opposition faction Yelk, started a round-the-clock action in protest against the possible premiership of Serzh Sargsyan. The protesters have jammed the traffic movement in the downtown Yerevan near the French Square, closing it and several nearby streets for traffic.

Serzh Sargsyan was replaced by Armen Sarkissian, who was inaugurated as the fourth president of Armenia on April 9. He became the first head of state, elected by the parliament after the country's transition to a parliamentary form of government. On the same day, the powers of Serzh Sargsyan were terminated, and the government resigned.

In 2015 Armenian voters approved shifting from the so-called semi-presidential form of government to a parliamentary republic. Under the change, the presidency is largely a ceremonial position. -0-


Eurovision: Shooting of Armenia’s Eurovision postcard starts in Portugal – Photos

Public Radio of Armenia
17:44, 13 Apr 2018

The shooting of the Eurovision postcards has started in Portugal, press service of the Armenian Public TV informs.

This year the postcards aired ahead of every performance will present places of interest in Portugal, the country’s historical and cultural heritage.

“I’m very glad for the opportunity to be here before the start of the contest. The shooting takes only a day, but I have got to know much about the Portuguese culture,” Armenia’s entrant Sevak Khanagyan said.

“The idea of postcards is also very important, and I think viewers should like it. After the shooting is completed, I’ll leave for Amsterdam to participate in a pre-Eurovision concert,” Sevak said.

Sevak Khanagyan has been on a promo-tour since April 7. He has already performed in Moscow and Tel Aviv. He will next perform in Amsterdam this well and will leave for Madrid on April 21.

We have decided to nominate Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy for Prime Minister – Karen Karapetyan

ArmenPress, Armenia
We have decided to nominate Serzh Sargsyan's candidacy for Prime Minister – Karen Karapetyan



YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan spoke about his Saturday meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan, answered the question referring the next Prime Minister and presented his visions, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Government of Armenia.

– Mr. Prime Minister, you met with President Serzh Sargsyan on Saturday. What questions did you discuss during that meeting and did you refer to the expected transactions, especially to the issue of the next Prime Minister of Armenia?

– I briefed President Serzh Sargsyan on the works done by my team. We discussed our present and future opportunities and how to reach them. I am convinced we have very good opportunities to record achievements in the upcoming years. According to our predictions, we will record economic growth and in case of a political dialogue we will be able to implement important reforms and we also clearly understand how we should do that.

Yes, we also referred to the issue of the candidate for the post of the Prime Minister, we talked about the Constitution, and the new model of governance. We shared the opinion that under the conditions of the challenges and issues facing the country the smooth transaction to the new governance model is of key importance. Also, taking into account the achievements reached under the existing configuration of state governance we have decided to offer our party colleagues to preserve the existing configuration for this period of time, meaning to nominate Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy for the post of the Prime Minister.

Because, I reiterate, it’s of key importance to switch to the new model in a smooth, productive way with diminished risks.

English –translator/editor:Tigran Sirekanyan