10:02,
YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan will pay a working visit to Kazan, Russia, on April 29-30 to take part in the session of the Eurasian Inter-governmental Council, his Office told Armenpress.
Pashinyan will visit Kazan’s Innopolis innovate city and technology park during the working visit.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
12:52,
YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has sent letters to Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić and Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Helga Maria Schmid, over the urgent issue of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians who are held captive in Azerbaijan. Mr. Sarkissian noted that Armenia is expecting support from the international partners over the quick return of all POWs and detained civilians from Azerbaijan, the Armenian President’s Office told Armenpress.
In the letters the President emphasized that 2020 was a challenging year for Armenia not only due to the coronavirus pandemic, but also the war unleashed by Azerbaijan with the support and direct participation of Turkey against Artsakh on September 27.
“Despite the international community’s regular calls to immediately stop the war, Azerbaijan’s military-political leadership was massively and deliberately targeting the civilian population and infrastructure, with gross violations of human rights and the norms of the international humanitarian law.
This led to the loss of thousands of young lives, made thousands disabled, led to the displacement of the population and destruction of the Armenian historical and cultural heritage.
During and after the war Armenian servicemen and civilians have been captured, they are subject to tortures and inhuman treatment by Azerbaijan”, President Sarkissian said.
Emphasizing that today addressing the humanitarian situation in Artsakh is a key matter, and that the international community must show an urgent attention to it, the Armenian President said it’s highly important to conduct the exchange of all prisoners of war and detained civilians by the “all for all” principle, which is ignored by Azerbaijan.
Currently, Azerbaijan continues rejecting and obstructing the return of hostage-taken civilians and POWs with gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
In this context President Sarkissian highlighted the activity of the Ombudsman of Armenia, his fact-finding works, who always raises the concerns and problems of the Armenian side at the international arena.
In the end of his letters the Armenian President called on the CoE, the OSCE, their Secretary Generals to take all necessary measures in accordance with the international humanitarian law to ensure the immediate release and safe return of the prisoners of war and civilians.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
15:08,
YEREVAN, APRIL 26, ARMENPRESS. The summit between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden is planned for summer but its precise date and location will still have to be agreed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters today, reports TASS.
“Indeed, certain proposals have been voiced, I cannot confirm the date yet. There have been no agreements on date yet. We are indeed talking about summer months, <…> many factors will still have to be analyzed to reach any final agreements”, he said.
“No particular country [where the summit can be held] has been named”, Peskov clarified.
Putin and Biden had a phone call on April 13. The White House reported that Biden suggested a Russian-American summit in a third country in the coming months. The US leader later pointed out that he proposed a summer meeting in Europe to his Russian counterpart.
17:47,
YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS. The Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR have published an opinion on the amendments of the Electoral Code of Armenia. ARMENPRESS reports it has been published in the official website of the Commission.
The Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR noted with satisfaction that consultations among the political stakeholders and non-governmental organisations were broad and took place within an adequate timeframe in order to ensure that amendments of such fundamental texts receive the widest possible support amongst different political forces, civil society and expert community.
The Venice Commission and the ODIHR have taken note that these amendments are supposed to be applied to the forthcoming early parliamentary elections, which are tentatively scheduled for 20 June 2021. Any legislative change taking place so close before an election should be in principle avoided as it leads to uncertainty. Additionally, the public and all stakeholders have to adapt to new rules in a tight time frame. The abolishment of the territorial candidates lists does not alter the electoral system proper, but it does appear to formally change the way votes are turned into mandates in terms of geographical representation. However, the simplification of the proportional electoral system appears to enjoy a broad support by most of the political forces and the civil society. The changes have been discussed and prepared for a long time following an inclusive and transparent political process. In addition, although the next parliamentary elections would take place in less than three months, in purely technical terms the new system does not seem to have a major impact either on the capacity of the electoral administration to organise such elections, or on the understanding of the procedures by the voters.
''The package of amendments is to be broadly welcomed as it addresses the majority of recommendations raised in previous Venice Commission and ODIHR opinions'', reads the document.
California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino announced Thursday the establishment of the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange for the 2021-22 Legislative Session, Asbarez reports.
“I am proud to once again Chair the Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange and continue to strengthen this important partnership,” stated Portantino.
“California and the Republic of Armenia have a history of mutual cooperation and trade. By approving this Select Committee, the California State Senate expresses its commitment to expanding relations not only with Armenia, but also with the Republic of Artsakh. Given the recent tragic events that have devastated the country, it is more important than ever that California reaffirms its commitment to Artsakh’s sovereignty,” added Portantino.
At Portantino’s request, the California State Senate Rules Committee first established the historic Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange in 2017 to expand business opportunities through trade, economic development, cultural awareness, and education between California, Armenia, and Artsakh. Senator Portantino also helped negotiate the historic Memorandum of Understanding between California and Armenia and joined Governor Newsom in New York for its historic and official signing.
Armenia has a flourishing high-tech industry, robust arts community, and a digital business corridor that is underutilized. California is the clear industry leader in these areas. Both California and Armenian benefit from collaboration and cooperation. Tourism is also a place where California would benefit from direct marketing of our modern Golden State while also highlighting the amazing and vast historical sites and landmarks of Armenia.
Additionally, there are educational opportunities that need to be explored and cultivated. As California recently passed Armenian Genocide Education Curriculum for inclusion in social studies textbooks, the opportunity to facilitate teacher training and professional development trips would also be a priority of the Committee. Armenia’s educational systems are highly respected and in fact, cutting edge.
An after school program – the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies – is the envy of many countries and was funded and created by an Armenian American business leader from Texas. Currently, there is a strong local effort to bring TUMO to California and this is an important endeavor that the Select Committee could take on.
California has the largest population of Armenian Americans in the country, with the 25th Senate District having the largest concentration of residents of Armenian heritage outside of Armenia. The continued work of the Senate Select Committee will have a direct role in building stronger economic and cultural ties between California, Armenia, and Artsakh.
Members of the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange include Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno), Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee), Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), Senator Henry I. Stern (D-Los Angeles), Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), and Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita).
(CNN)Vartan Gregorian, the philanthropist and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient whose work revitalized the New York Public Library, died Thursday at age 87 while hospitalized for "testing related to stomach pain," according to a statement by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Djorkaeff stars in latest edition of Living Football
–The latest episode of ‘Living Football’ headlined by world champion Youri Djorkaeff
–The 1998 FIFA World Cup winner discusses that memorable breakthrough success
– Also in focus are the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and the US Virgin Islands
The current CEO of the FIFA Foundation, who is directing all his energy to "use the power of football to find solutions to social problems", looks back on the greatest moment of his professional career: helping Les Bleus lift the FIFA World Cup™ on home soil at France 1998. The foundations for that success were slowly pieced together by coach Aime Jacquet, who building on his side’s run to the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 1996, moulded it into a team capable of winning.
"Between 1996 and 1998, we didn't play very well but we did win all our matches," said the player known as 'The Snake'. "The media were very critical of the national team and the fans didn't like our playing style, which was very defensive."
Everything, however, came together in their opening game: a 3-0 win over South Africa.
"We felt like we were being carried on a wave, and the Marseille public were incredible," said Djorkaeff. "When we ran out on to the pitch, we saw all these people who adored us, who were backing us, painted blue, white and red. That freed us up.
"Christophe Dugarry's first goal was the catalyst for this World Cup and allowed us to tell ourselves, ‘Now we're at home and in our own back yard, and it's going to be very difficult for any team to beat us’.”
Djorkaeff also talks about the role played by his father, an Armenian immigrant and former France international. It was him that Youri was thinking of when taking his penalty against Peter Schmeichel's Denmark.
"I’d seen an article the same day with photos of my father, who was captain of the French team," he said. "One of them showed him converting a penalty – one of the few goals he scored for them.
"Then it occurred to me that maybe it was a sign, so I sent my spot-kick to the same side as my father. Peter got a hand to it but I still managed to score!"
Combining generations
Another world champion joined Djorkaeff via video link to share his memories of that World Cup: Patrick Vieira, who was only 22 at France 1998.
"In that side, he was like a big brother, an exemplar," said the former Arsenal midfielder. "My generation, that of Thierry [Henry], David [Trezeguet] and Robert [Pires], were the young guns of that French team. Our success was down to Youri’s generation, because they were able to manage their careers and were positive role models for us."
For his part, Djorkaeff lauded the role played by the younger team members during that tournament and the manner in which the different generations gelled.
"There was no split in the group, with young people on one side and veterans on the other, or between those who started and those who didn’t," he said. "The strength of that French team came from the way the young players adapted to an already-established group, combined with an understanding on the part of the senior players of the need to create the best possible environment for the youngsters."
This episode of Living Football also discusses the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023™ with former Football Fern Kirsty Yallop. Finally, we have a video from the US Virgin Islands, which shows us how FIFA's Covid-19 aid plan there has enabled football to bounce back.
https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/news/djorkaeff-stars-in-latest-edition-of-living-football
16:47,
YEREVAN, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan received European Union’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar and his delegation, the deputy PM’s Office told Armenpress.
The meeting was also attended by head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin.
The officials discussed the ongoing activities for regional transportation unblocking. Deputy PM Grigoryan presented the activity framework of the trilateral working group operating under the co-chairmanship of the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani deputy prime ministers.
A number of issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Azerbaijan's ''Park of human sufferings'' intended also for children – Human Rights Defender
17:31,
YEREVAN, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS. The Human Rights Defender of Armenia records that the ‘’Park-museum’’ of human sufferings opened in Azerbaijan is intended also for children, ARMENPESS reports the press service of the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia issued a statement, presenting some photos.
It’s mentioned that the park has been opened in Baku, ensuring maximal publicity and is extremely humiliating by nature, pursuing a goal to violate ethnic dignity.
This ‘’park-museum’’ openly confirms the policy of state-sponsored Armenophobia, hatred, racism and fascism of Azerbaijan.
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State Senator Anthony Portantino
SACRAMENTO—California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino announced Thursday the establishment of the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange for the 2021-22 Legislative Session.
“I am proud to once again Chair the Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange and continue to strengthen this important partnership,” stated Portantino.
“California and the Republic of Armenia have a history of mutual cooperation and trade. By approving this Select Committee, the California State Senate expresses its commitment to expanding relations not only with Armenia, but also with the Republic of Artsakh. Given the recent tragic events that have devastated the country, it is more important than ever that California reaffirms its commitment to Artsakh’s sovereignty,” added Portantino.
At Portantino’s request, the California State Senate Rules Committee first established the historic Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange in 2017 to expand business opportunities through trade, economic development, cultural awareness, and education between California, Armenia, and Artsakh. Senator Portantino also helped negotiate the historic Memorandum of Understanding between California and Armenia and joined Governor Newsom in New York for its historic and official signing.
Armenia has a flourishing high-tech industry, robust arts community, and a digital business corridor that is underutilized. California is the clear industry leader in these areas. Both California and Armenian benefit from collaboration and cooperation. Tourism is also a place where California would benefit from direct marketing of our modern Golden State while also highlighting the amazing and vast historical sites and landmarks of Armenia.
Additionally, there are educational opportunities that need to be explored and cultivated. As California recently passed Armenian Genocide Education Curriculum for inclusion in social studies textbooks, the opportunity to facilitate teacher training and professional development trips would also be a priority of the Committee. Armenia’s educational systems are highly respected and in fact, cutting edge.
An after school program – the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies – is the envy of many countries and was funded and created by an Armenian American business leader from Texas. Currently, there is a strong local effort to bring TUMO to California and this is an important endeavor that the Select Committee could take on.
California has the largest population of Armenian Americans in the country, with the 25th Senate District having the largest concentration of residents of Armenian heritage outside of Armenia. The continued work of the Senate Select Committee will have a direct role in building stronger economic and cultural ties between California, Armenia, and Artsakh.
Members of the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange include Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno), Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee), Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), Senator Henry I. Stern (D-Los Angeles), Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), and Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita).