Author: Andranik Taslakhchian

By the Presidential degree, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence a group of individuals were bestowed high state awards – orders and medals, for their contribution to the state building, strengthening of defensibleness and security, upholding of law and order, development of the economy, strengthening of Armenia-Spyurk relations and contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity, momentous achievements in the areas of science, education, health care, culture, and arts. Awarded were also honorary and military titles.

Today, at the award ceremony, which took place at the Presidential Palace, Serzh Sargsyan handed the awards to the individuals who have registered considerable achievements in different areas. The President of Armenia congratulated all awardees on the occasion of Independence Day and receiving awards, and wished them all the best.

Congratulatory speech by President Serzh Sargsyan at the award ceremony

Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. This great holiday suggests also making a glance back, reckoning over and assessing the journey we’ve made, its momentous milestones. Almost from scratch, we created new state, public, and political institutions. On each intersection of this difficult and honorable road and at each zigzag were standing people – devotees and personalities. They were standing at the origins of our statehood and until now they have their authoritative voice in our life.

Today we recognize them and pay tribute.

Dear Awardees,

I cordially congratulate you on receiving Fatherland’s high awards. You are different and your activities are different too – a military serviceman, an author, a scientist, a public, a state, and a political figure. However you all, we all are fulfilling one common task. Your work and line of conduct, your activities have already earned you our people’s esteem. Your stance, composure, and opinion about the problems we face and ways to solve them are important and have their impact on our society.
These days, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia, we are handing awards to the individuals who have been bearing great historic responsibility, and they do it with honor, with great dedication. We are awarding the individuals who have long ago become symbols. We also decorate individuals who have made a considerable input to different areas of our society’s life¸ young people who have already brought their important contribution to the development of our country. Distinguished Attendees, you all represent people who are being awarded today. We are happy and proud that you are with us, that you have your unique place, role, and also opinion.

Dear Awardees,

On behalf of the Republic of Armenia and my own behalf I congratulate you. Thank you for being what you are. I wish you excellent health, long years, and unbound energy in all your undertakings because you have been doing very gratifying work for our people, and I am confident will continue to do everything possible. You will do it for Armenia. Thank you, and once again my congratulations.

Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink would be 62 today.

Dink, the highly esteemed former editor-in-chief of weekly Agos, was murdered in broad daylight in front of his newspaper’s building on Jan. 19, 2007 by a 17-year-old Turkish nationalist.

The triggerman, Ogün Samast, was convicted of premeditated murder and sentenced to 22 years and 10 months of prison after a two year-trial.

Armenia’s newly appointed Prime Minister has said his program will consist of two stages, and does not promise rapid changes in the first one.

“As for the second stage, we need time to decide which direction we’re chosing for our country,” Karen Karapetyan said at his first Q&A session at the National Assembly.

He advised not to expect rapid changes in the economy but added that “there will be signals on the direction of future development of economy.”

The Prime Minister said the program of the previous government will be used and added that “creation of favorable conditions for those who create added value will be a priority.”

Referring to the formation of the Cabinet of Ministers, he said the emphasis will be put on maximal professionalism irrespective of party affiliation.

On September 13 Tigran Mkrtchyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to Lithuania, had a meeting with the members of Armenia friendship group in Lithuania’s Seimas.

Greeting the Ambassador, Dangutė Mikutienė, the head of the friendship expressed confidence that the previously formed friendly relations will have continuation.

The Ambassador noted that necessary steps will be undertaken aimed at further deepening of Lithuania-Armenia political dialogue, activation of mutual visits, ensuring of the continuous increase of trade volumes, organization of cultural events.

The Ambassador presented the main directions of his mission, in particular underlining the importance of economic and cultural diplomacy.

Ambassador Mkrtchyan thoroughly talked about the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy, the efforts exerted by Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in the peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler Mihran Arutyunyan lost to Davor Stefanek of Serbia in men’s Greco-Roman 66 kg final and claimed a silver medal at Rio Olympics.

Arutyunyan had earlier beaten Rasul Chunayev of Azerbaijan in the semifinal.

Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan has offered condolences to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls over the deadly attack in Nice.

The Armenian National Assembly voted 102 to 8 today to ratify the Agreement on Joint Air Defense with Russia, a bill that had stirred controversy among the public.

The concerns were connected with the fear of sharing the control of one of the most important elements of the country’s defense with a second country.

The agreement between the two countries was signed in Moscow in December 2015.

Speaking about the agreement yesterday, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyanb said “it will provide us with an opportunity to involve the fourth-generation multi-purpose fighter jets of the 102^nd Russian military base in Armenia, as well as all capacities of the aerospace to solve air defense issues in the Caucasian region.”

He assured that “all capacities of the Joint Air Defense System, the aviation forces and means will be planned and used under the leadership of RA Armed Forces and the aviation.”

 

 

 

The current process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide should culminate in a recognition by Turkey, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan told reporters following the government sitting today.

The Deputy FM stressed the importance of the adoption of an Armenian Genocide resolution by the German Bundestag, particularly the acceptance of its complicity in the crime.

“It’s at least strange that the accomplice accepts its responsibility, while the perpetrator of the crime keeps denying its guilt.

Shavarsh Kocharyan said he regrets for the Archbishop Aram Atesyan’s letter to Erdogan, but refrained from further comments. He added, however, that the statement was a result of the fact of Armenian being under constant pressure in Turkey.

The situation was calm at the line of contact between th armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan last night , NKR Defense Ministry reports.

The parties remained committed to the agreement on ceasefire.