States News Service Friday E5P FUND PROVIDING 2 MILLION TO LANDFILL IN ARMENIA LONDON The following information was released by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): By Loretta Martikian EBRD-managed fund to provide grant for construction of EU-compliant facility Supporting Armenias effort to become greener, the E5P fund is co-financing the construction of a new landfill for solid waste for the Gegharkunik and Kotayk regions with a 2 million grant. The EBRD, which manages the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership fund (E5P), and Armenias Ministry of Finance signed the relevant agreement today. The grant will support the construction of a new landfill with modern solid-waste management processes, covering the collection and disposal of municipal solid waste. It will provide major environmental and social benefits for local residents. Work on the project started in December 2014 when the EBRD committed a 3.5 million loan, which was complemented by a 3.5 million grant provided by the EU Neighbourhood Investment Facility. The EU-compliant solid-waste management system will cover eight municipalities, seven in the Kotayk region and one in the Gegharkunik region. The project was expanded in 2016 with an additional 2 million sovereign loan from the EBRD. At present it covers all seven municipalities in the Kotayk region (Hrazdan, Abovyan, Nor Hachn, Byureghavan, Charentsavan, Eghvard, Tsakhadzor) and all five municipalities in the Gegharkunik region (Sevan, Vardenis, Gavar, Martuni, Chambarak). It is the EBRDs first solid waste project in Armenia and supports the governments plans to modernise and upgrade the countrys waste management system to European standards. The E5P grant of 2 million will complement the additional 2 million EBRD loan and co-finance transfer stations, waste collection and transfer trucks, waste containers and other specialised equipment. The total project cost is 11 million. E5P is a multinational fund managed by the EBRD. The EU is the largest donor and Armenia is also a contributor to the Fund. Angela Sax, Acting Head of the EBRD in Armenia, said: We are very grateful to the E5P donors especially the European Union and Sweden and the government of Armenia as well as the local municipalities for our successful cooperation. The E5P grant is a very important contribution to this project, which will bring much-needed improvements in waste management infrastructure. It will complement the EBRDs loan financing and ensure the successful continuation and completion of the project. Ewa Manik, E5P Principal Fund Manager at the EBRD, added: The project will bring substantial benefits to residents and the environment, will have a strong demonstration effect and will help to develop better public awareness of the benefits of anti-littering measures and recycling. The EU Ambassador to Armenia, Piotr Switalski, emphasised: The EU is the main contributor to the E5P Fund. This project is part of the larger support that the EU is providing to Armenia in the waste management sector. To date, we have committed 22.4 million in non-refundable grants, which shows the importance the EU attaches to environmental issues in the country. Our support is provided through five different projects in Kotayk, Yerevan and Vanadzor as we are co-financing with partners such as the EBRD, EIB or KfW. Since the start of its operations in Armenia, the EBRD has invested over 1.1 billion in 158 projects in the countrys financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with 88 per cent of these investments being in the private sector. Background information on E5P The E5P is a multi-donor fund operating in the Eastern Partnership countries of Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The European Union (EU) is the largest overall contributor to E5P, with committed funds of 70 million. For E5P in Armenia, the EU has committed 10 million, which is boosted by additional commitments from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden and from the Taiwan Business-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund. The pledged funds are to help Armenia improve energy efficiency, contributing to energy security, economic competitiveness and policy dialogue, while having a positive impact on the environment. Armenia is also a contributor to E5P, with committed funds of 1 million. The main objective of the initiative is to use grants to leverage loans from international financial institutions for municipal energy efficiency and environmental projects such as the rehabilitation of water and wastewater systems, solid waste management, street lighting and the insulation of public buildings.
Author: Andranik Taslakhchian
Հույն գործընկերների հետ քննարկվեցին համագործակցության հեռանկարները
Please find the attached press release of the Ministry of Diaspora. Sincerely, Media and PR Department (+374 10) 585601, internal 805 ---------------------- Հարգանքով` Մամուլի և հասարակայնության հետ կապերի վարչություն (+374 10) 585601, ներքին 805
212. ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարն ընդունեց Հունաստանի փոխնախարարին (Autosaved).docx
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
JPEG image
IMG_8924.JPG
JPEG image
IMG_8990.JPG
JPEG image
IMG_8996.JPG
JPEG image
El Ayuntamiento de Valencia reconoce el genocidio armenio
Valencia Extra– España
9 jun. 2017
Foto: Diego Delso
09/06/2017 – Redacció VLC Extra
La Junta de Gobierno Local ha aprobado hoy una moción en la cual reconoce el genocidio del pueblo armenio. El año 1984, la ONU y en 1987, el Parlamento Europeo, reconocieron los hechos de la masacre armenia, calificándolo como crimen contra la humanidad. La moción, impulsada por la concejalía de Cooperación, dirigida por Berto Jaramillo, además de sumarse a este reconocimiento oficial, también condena los crímenes. El Ayuntamiento de València da respuesta a la petición planteada por la Asociación Armenia Ararat, que ya ha conseguido que más de 24 ciudades y un gran número de países reconozcan la masacre.
Este año se cumple el 102 aniversario del Genocidio Armenio, considerado como el primer genocidio del siglo XX. Entre los años 1915 y 1921 tuvieron lugar un conjunto de masacres y deportaciones de la población armenia del actual territorio de Turquía, especialmente durante el régimen de los Jóvenes Turcos, en el cual murieron 1.500.000 ciudadanos y ciudadanas armenios y otros 2.000.000 tuvieron que abandonar sus hogares y esparcirse por todo el mundo, formando la gran Diáspora Armenia.
Las masacres se caracterizaron por su brutalidad y la utilización de marchas forzadas con las deportaciones en condiciones extremas, que generalmente llevaban a la muerte a muchas de las personas deportadas. Un exterminio que el abogado polaco Rafael Lemkin, calificó de genocidio, utilizando este término por primera vez en el vocabulario internacional.
Actualmente el Estado de Turquía niega la existencia del genocidio, lo cual han reconocido países como el Uruguay, Argentina, Bélgica, Canadá, Chile, Chipre, Francia, Grecia, Italia, Líbano, Lituania, Holanda, Polonia, Rusia, Eslovaquia, Suecia, Suiza, El Vaticano, Venezuela y Alemania, así como 44 estados de los Estados Unidos de Norte América. Cinco comunidades autónomas de España (País Vasco, Cataluña, Baleares, Navarra y Aragón) y 24 ciudades (Mislata, Burjassot, Bétera, Xirivella, Manises, Silla, Aldaia, Alzira, Carcaixent, Elda, Alaquàs, Paiporta, Alacant, Torrent, Santa Coloma, Pinto, Santa Margarita, San Sebastián, Puente Genil, La Roda de Andalucía, Benalmádena, Mérida, Málaga, Sabadell,) también lo han hecho.
Book: Berkeley Press Releases New Book, "The Armenian Lobby & U.S. Foreign Policy," by Raoul Lowery Contreras
PR.com June 7, 2017 Wednesday 6:30 AM EST Berkeley Press Releases New Book, "The Armenian Lobby & U.S. Foreign Policy," by Raoul Lowery Contreras by Berkeley Press Los Angeles, CA, June 07, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Berkeley Press announces the release of a new book, "The Armenian Lobby & U.S. Foreign Policy," by Raoul Lowery Contreras. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the Armenian lobby in the U.S., and brings to light its impact on U.S. foreign policy. The Armenian lobby, primarily composed of Armenian-Americans, is organized into several major groups. Through a variety of strategies and methods, the lobby has secured support for the Republic of Armenia and a range of Armenian issues from members of the U.S. Congress, as well as state and local officials. The first of its kind to be published in the United States, this book offers a meticulous assessment of the Armenian lobby's inner workings, as well as its achievements and failures. These observations will add to the growing amount of literature on the impact of ethnic lobbies in American politics. The book is available at Amazon: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.amazon.com_Armenian-2DLobby-2DU-2DS-2DForeign-2DPolicy_dp_1888205741&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=iskXI_5NakWZwLOdRl3ytoNyEIyOIcxm2A65HP-J5Go&s=QUWxsvVEZY5KhvYloLkN5n1sIfyvTbIHuyj_LnJups4&e= ISBN-13: 978-1888205749 Raoul Lowery Contreras is a graduate from San Diego State University, where he majored in Political Science, History, and Economics. Currently; he writes for Fox News Latino, The Hill, American Thinker, Daily Caller, CalNews.com, and MOSH.US. His articles have also appeared in Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Boston Globe, San Diego Union, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, Miami Herald, and Sacramento Bee. Contreras recently published with Floricanto Press: "Murder in the Mountains" (May 2016). Prior to becoming a nationally syndicated author, he was a political campaign consultant for Ronald Reagan and the Governor of N.Y. He also served as a consultant for Congressman Darrell Issa (CA) and as an official statewide spokesperson for a variety of local, state and national initiative campaigns.
ANKARA: Turkey rebuffs US resolution condemning Washington incident
Daily Sabah, Turkey June 8 2017 Turkey rebuffs US resolution condemning Washington incident DAILY SABAH ISTANBUL Turkey has rebuffed a U.S. House of Representatives resolution that condemned the Washington incident, and accused legislators of steps that "distort and politicize" matters. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hüseyin Müftüoğlu in a statement said yesterday that the resolution was "against the spirit of alliance and partnership" between Turkey and the U.S. "The U.S. House of Representatives last night put on its agenda and passed an undue resolution that was previously voted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The steps taken by the U.S. legislative branches to distort and politicize the matter are not constructive," the statement said.House Republicans and Democrats unanimously approved a measure Tuesday that underscored their fury over Washington incidents during President Erdoğan's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in May. The incident took place when a group of PKK supporters and some protesters carrying Armenian flags started shouting slogans against Turkey and President Erdoğan at the Lafayette Square Park, just north of the White House. Later, when Erdoğan arrived at the embassy building, protesters continued the insults, shouted slogans and threw water bottles prompting some Turkish citizens and the head of the president's security detail to step in. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier cited the U.S. authorities' failure to take precautions as the main reason behind the incident.
Armenian Genocide: Monash Council (Australia) could debate events from a century ago in Ottoman Empire
Herald Sun, Australia
June 5 2017
UPDATE: MONASH Council is distancing itself from the furore that has erupted over several councillors looking at plans to discuss officially recognising the controversial Armenian genocide with the Mayor saying their actions were “regrettable’.’
The Monash Leader reported that councillors Josh Fergeus and Theo Zographos wanted to debate the issue.
But Mayor Rebecca Paterson said she was disappointed they had raised events which happened 100 years ago.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should the council debate the issue? Tell us below
“Of course, this is not a matter for Monash Council or for any other local council,’’ she said.
“Focusing on issues like this sends all the wrong messages to the Monash and wider Victorian community, especially when it relates to issues which have absolutely nothing to do with our responsibilities as a local council.’’
Many readers said it was not the role of the council to discuss whether or not there had been a genocide.
“I have spoken to a majority of my colleagues and we feel this is an inappropriate matter for consideration in our council chamber,’’ Cr Paterson said.
“We neither support nor oppose recognition of these events as a genocide. None of us are experts in such matters. It is not relevant to anything which Monash Council is responsible for.
“But most unfortunately, it seeks to pit one part of our multicultural community against other parts.
“This matter may be appropriate to be debated in the Australian Parliament, but it is not appropriate for the council chamber. It is regrettable that their actions are impacting on our community and the way in which Monash Council is viewed.”
The council looked set to debate the issue at a recent meeting, but the motion was withdrawn just before the agenda was finalised.
However, Cr Josh Fergeus said the debate “remains a live issue” for the council that will require “detailed consultations” with the community.
The term Armenian genocide refers to events from 1915 to 1923 between the Ottoman Empire and Armenian and Greek subjects.
The empire’s successor, the government of Turkey, rejects the use of the term genocide, saying the number of deaths is inflated.
But Monash Ratepayers acting president Chan Cheah said the council should drop the genocide debate because it happened a century ago on the other side of the world.
And the Australian Turkish Advocacy Alliance wrote to councillors on Friday morning (May 26) imploring them not to support any motion that gives recognition to the atrocities as a genocide.
The alliance’s secretary Baris Atayman said such a move would cause “division, hate and racial disharmony” in Monash.
“This is a divisive move that is in direct contrast with the multicultural values we affirm as sacred in Australia,” Mr Atayman said.
“Local councils in our country are not the platforms for delivering judgments over history or making up Australia’s foreign policy.”
The Australian Government does not recognise the events as a genocide.
Dr Cheah said council resources should not be wasted on the issue.
“I know a lot of the councillors are in political parties, so if they want to pursue such agendas, they should do it on their own instead of using council resources,” he said.
“There are a lot of planning issues going on they should be spending their time on, rather than pursuing individual, politically exciting issues.”
Cr Fergeus said the council had been having internal discussions about the issue and he had been approached by members of the Greek and Armenian communities in Monash.
Cr Fergeus admitted the “vast majority” of people in Monash would not benefit from the council recognising the genocide but said the symbolic gesture would be important to local Greeks and Armenians.
Cr Theo Zographos said he wanted to discuss the issue in a civil and fair way.
“I look forward to having the opportunity to do that over the coming months in relation to the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek communities,’’ he said.
“They have played a large role in making our city what it is today. We need to honour those lives lost along with those who are survivors and their ancestors among our community today.”
Cr Zographos said discussions would not come at a cost to ratepayers.
BAKU: European Parliament: Status quo in Karabakh conflict fragile
Trend, Azerbaijan
20:48 (UTC+04:00)
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 25
Trend:
Status quo in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is fragile, RIA Novosti quoted David McAllister, chairman of the European Parliament’s committee on foreign affairs, as saying May 25.
This conflict has no military solution, McAllister said in Yerevan, Armenia, adding that a long-term settlement based on international law is needed.
McAllister said the EU supports the OSCE Minsk Group's efforts in this work, calling on the parties to respect the ceasefire and their commitment to peaceful settlement of the conflict.
He noted that Brussels is concerned about an arms race in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, confrontational rhetoric and incidents on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, which lead to casualties.
McAllister said the EU urges the sides to resume negotiations without preconditions on the basis of the OSCE Minsk Group proposals.
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.
ARF Eastern U.S. Issues Statement on Washington D.C. Attack
The Armenian Weekly
We strongly condemn Tuesday’s unprovoked attack by members of Turkish President Erdogan’s security detail upon peaceful demonstrators in Washington, D.C.
Erdogan’s bodyguards were involved in two other attacks on U.S. soil in 2016: during a speaking engagement at the Brookings Institute in April and at the funeral of Muhammad Ali in June. Such actions may be the norm under Erdogan’s repressive regime, but they must not be tolerated in the U.S.
These attacks also expose the failure of America’s policy of appeasement toward Turkey. By facilitating Armenian Genocide denial, by remaining silent regarding Turkey’s illegal blockade of Armenia, by disregarding its support for ISIS and al Qaida, by overlooking Turkey’s suppression of its religious and national minorities and its widening repression against its citizens-at-large, the U.S. has only emboldened the Erdogan regime to become more aggressive, both inside and outside of Turkey.
By coddling dictators such as Erdogan and allowing Turkey to export its “democratic” values by silencing its opposition through threats and violence, the U.S. administration displays weakness, encourages further incidents, and puts American citizens at risk.
We call on the U.S. government to quickly and thoroughly investigate this incident, report its findings to the public and take the necessary steps to prevent such actions from occurring again, including bringing an end to America’s failed policy of appeasement of Turkey.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Eastern U.S. Central Committee
Yerevan electing City Council
Residents of Yerevan are heading to polls to elect the City Council. All polls opened at 8:00 and will close at 20:00.
Three political forces are running in the elections – Yelk bloc, Yerkir Trirani Party and Republic Party of Armenia.
Seventeen organizations with 5,136 observers are carrying out an observation mission.
State Senate approves freeway sign for Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial
Photo: Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee
Asbarez – Senator Anthony Portantino’s legislation, SCR 25, which will install a sign at the Fair Oaks Avenue exit off Interstate 210 in Pasadena to direct the public to the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial, passed the Senate Transportation Committee with unanimous support.
“Just a few short days ago, at the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial we commemorated the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Hundreds of community members came to the memorial to pay tribute to the victims and to remember the lessons learned from the first genocide of the twentieth century. This kind of community commemoration makes accessibility to this memorial so important. I am proud to carry this legislation that will install a freeway sign to help direct visitors to the memorial, and I am happy to have the unanimous support of my colleagues along the way. Installing a freeway sign will help direct visitors, raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and serve as a reminder that fighting crimes against humanity is an ongoing process that requires our continuous attention,” commented Portantino.
The Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial was unveiled in April 2015 in the northeast corner of Memorial Park in Pasadena to honor the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and all victims of crimes against humanity. The monument is a site of religious and cultural commemoration for more hundreds of thousands Armenian Americans of Southern California and a source of community pride. It was constructed by the nonprofit Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee with unanimous support from the Pasadena City Council. Senator Portantino served on the board of the nonprofit prior to joining the State Senate. He was the only non-Armenian to have served on the Board.
Sen. Portantino represents nearly 930,000 people in the 25th Senate District, which includes Altadena, Atwater Village, Bradbury, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Verne, Lake View Terrace, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Pasadena, San Dimas, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland-Tujunga, and Upland.