Author: Ani Basmajian

Armenpress: Artur Baghdasaryan leaves active politics: Rule of Law party has new chairman

Ani Basmajian

Artur Baghdasaryan leaves active politics: Rule of Law party has new chairman

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14:26,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Leader of the Rule of Law party Artur Baghdasaryan announced during the party congress that he is leaving active politics, reports Armenpress.

Hovhannes Hovhannisyan has been elected new chairman of the party.

The party issued a statement which says: 
“The extraordinary congress of the Rule of Law party was held today which was attended by the leaders of the party’s regional structures from all provinces and the capital Yerevan.

Opening the session Artur Baghdasaryan thanked more than 12.000 citizens, supporters for voting in favor of the party, as well as once again congratulated all political forces elected to the parliament.

The participants of the Congress in their remarks stated that the Rule of Law party is one of Armenia’s active political forces during the past 20 years, which has been represented in the parliament for 18 years and has fought for social protection and welfare, as well as strengthening of justice and legality, initiating more than 250 laws, numerous programs and initiatives which contributed to solving the issues of hundreds of thousands of our citizens.

The party congress has taken into consideration the statement of Artur Baghdasaryan to suspend the powers of the party chairman.

“Dear people, dear delegates,

I want to announce that I am leaving active politics by laying down my powers of the Rule of Law party chairman and my future party activities. 20 years after the establishment of the Rule of Law party, I want to thank all my compatriots, all people who criticize, love and appreciate me, ask to forgive me for the mistakes and shortcomings during my political activity, to thank all those who appreciated and valued my work. I want to express gratitude to all journalists and media outlets for covering my activities, and want to specifically thank my teammates and all our people.  

Being engaged in public activity I will try to contribute to the solution of numerous issues in the country with my public proposals. I will return to active politics if people wish, when I feel that necessity. God bless our people”, Artur Baghdasaryan said.

Karine Sargsyan, Vahe Torosyan and Simon Hakobyan were elected deputy chairs of the Rule of Law party.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




A1+: Karen Kocharyan: Manvel Grigoryan’s brother’s sons threatened me (video)

Ani Basmajian
  • 12:03 | December 11,2018 | Politics
  • Հայ
  • Рус

Today, Karen Kocharyan, a political technologist, made a sensational announcement at the meeting with journalists.

“In September 1995, my father died, and not even after 40 days after that Manvel Grigoryan’s brother’s sons came and threatened me by saying that I should signed and donate the vouchers to them. I will not appeal anywhere, but if I apply, will it be the redistribution of property or restoration of justice?”


Canberra: Sen. Keneally Delivers Speech on Armenian Genocide

Ani Basmajian
Australian Parliament News
December 4, 2018 Tuesday 4:21 PM EST
 
 
SEN KENEALLY DELIVERS SPEECH ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
 
 
 
Senator KENEALLY (New South Wales) (19:33): I rise today in support of a motion that was debated in the House of Representatives on 25 June. On that day, a number of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle spoke of recognising our country's first major international humanitarian relief effort. In 1917, Australians from all across the country began raising money for the survivors of one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 20th century. Two years prior, a program of extermination had been inflicted on the Armenian people across the Ottoman Empire. The population were forced from their homes and subjected to involuntary labour, starvation and rape as they were marched across the ancestral homelands they had occupied for nearly three millennia.
 
All told, it's estimated that 1½ million people perished during this period. Their stories echoed so strongly here at home because many of our brave Anzacs bore witness to it. Our soldiers were brought into direct contact with the extraordinary suffering of the Armenian people while serving our country in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I. Their accounts inspired the thousands of stories that were published in Australian newspapers at the time detailing the systemic attempt to eliminate the Armenian people and their culture. These newspapers reported 'atrocities', 'massacres' and 'decimation' but never used the term 'genocide', simply because we hadn't yet invented a word that could fully encapsulate the myriad cruelties that were inflicted on the Armenian people.
 
In response to this tragedy, Australians from all walks of life banded together to raise funds to assist the orphans and survivors of the Armenian genocide, as well as other Christian minorities such as the Greeks and the Assyrians. The Armenian Relief Fund raised the modern-day equivalent of $1.5 million, and sent supplies on the government steamer Hobson's Bay to aid survivors. This is a proud moment in our history, and more than a century later the Armenian-Australian community is one of the many groups that contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of this nation. But we have not forgotten—indeed, we cannot forget—the special history we share.
 
As a Catholic, I was stirred by the words of Pope Francis in 2015 when he called on the entire human family to heed the warnings of this tragedy to 'protect us from falling into a similar horror'. Pope Francis called the genocide:
 
… the first of the deplorable series of catastrophes of the past century, made possible by twisted racial, ideological or religious aims …
 
And warned that:
 
Concealing or denying evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding without bandaging it.
 
As a former member of the New South Wales parliament, and indeed Premier of the great state of New South Wales, I am proud that a motion was passed in 1997 that acknowledged the Armenian genocide and honoured its victims. Today, that historic action is still commemorated with a memorial on the ninth floor of the New South Wales parliament building. Taking the step to recognise this event is so profoundly important to our society. It shows proper respect to survivors and it reinforces our steadfast opposition to any violent crime that seeks to dehumanise and destroy.
 
While I acknowledge that the word 'genocide' invokes sensitivities, I believe our failure to recognise these events undermines our relationships with our friends and allies. Australia plays a crucial role in promoting peace and human rights in the Asia-Pacific and across the globe. The harsh reality of the 21st century is that not all in the international community have learnt from the horrors of the era that preceded it. Ethnic and religious violence continues to plague countries around the world, and it serves only to undermine the fundamental laws of human rights that we hold to be true. We play a crucial role on the international stage in promoting these values but we fall short if we are not willing to acknowledge these acts when they occur, and particularly one that is so intertwined with the legacy of the Anzacs and our emerging nation.
 
If we are to stop the bleeding, we must denounce crimes against humanity whenever and wherever they occur. I am proud that our great nation helped the Armenian people in their time of need and that our actions served a community who today contribute so much to our modern multicultural society. It is important that we recognise our history, both our own and the one we share with the people of Armenia. I join my colleagues who have spoken in this house and in the other, both past and present, in calling on the federal parliament to acknowledge our first humanitarian effort as a country and to recognise the Armenian genocide.
 

Արա Բաբլոյանը կարեւորել է ՍԾՏՀ ԽՎ 52-րդ լիագումար նստաշրջանի անցկացումը Երևանում

Ani Basmajian
  • 26.11.2018

    •  

  • Հայաստան

    •  

  • arm

3
 84

ՀՀ Ազգային ժողովի նախագահ Արա Բաբլոյանը նոյեմբերի 26-ին ընդունել է Սեւծովյան տնտեսական համագործակցության խորհրդարանական վեհաժողովի գլխավոր քարտուղար Ասաֆ Հաջիեւին: Հանդիպմանը ներկա է եղել ՍԾՏՀ ԽՎ-ում ՀՀ ԱԺ պատվիրակության ղեկավար Գագիկ Մինասյանը:


ԱԺ-ից հայտնում են, որ Արա Բաբլոյանը կարեւորել է ՍԾՏՀ ԽՎ 52-րդ լիագումար նստաշրջանի աշխատանքների անցկացումը Երեւանում:


Խորհրդարանի ղեկավարի խոսքով՝ կազմակերպությունը բազմակողմանի տնտեսական համագործակցության յուրահատուկ հարթակ է, որը կարող է նպաստել տարածաշրջանային կապերի խորացմանն ու ամրապնդմանը:


Ազգային ժողովի նախագահը վստահեցրել է, որ լիագումար նստաշրջանի անցկացման համար հայկական կողմը արել է հնարավորը եւ ակնկալվում է արդյունավետ աշխատանք:


Ասաֆ Հաջիեւը, շնորհակալություն հայտնելով ընդունելության համար, համոզմունք է հայտնել, որ նիստերը կանցնեն շահագրգիռ քննարկումների ու փոխհամաձայնության մթնոլորտում:


Զրուցակիցները քննարկել են նստաշրջանի աշխատանքներին վերաբերող ընթացակարգային հարցեր, անդրադարձել սեւծովյան տարածաշրջանում առկա իրավիճակին, ներկայացրել իրենց տեսակետները որոշ խնդիրների առնչությամբ:

Armenpress: Discussion with Belarussian President on issue of CSTO Secretary General was constructive, says Armenia’s acting first deputy PM

Ani Basmajian

Discussion with Belarussian President on issue of CSTO Secretary General was constructive, says Armenia’s acting first deputy PM

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12:48, 28 November, 2018

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Acting first deputy prime minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan says the discussion with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on the general secretariat of the CSTO during the narrow-format session of the heads of government of the EAEU member states in Minsk was constructive, reports Armenpress.

Mirzoyan told reporters in Yerevan that they have discussed various issues, including issues not relating to the Eurasian Economic Union.

“We have also talked about the issue of the CSTO Secretary General. I will not release any details as it was a closed discussion, but I want to assure that the discussion was quite constructive”, he said.

Ararat Mirzoyan reminded that another meeting of the heads of the CSTO member states will be held soon and expressed hope that this issue will be solved that time.

On November 2 Armenia’s Yuri Khachaturov was dismissed from the position of the CSTO Secretary General after Armenia applied to the CSTO member states to launch the process of recalling him as criminal case was filed against Khachaturov over the 2008 March 1 unrest in Yerevan. It was expected that the new CSTO Secretary General would be elected on November 8 during the CSTO Collective Security Council’s session, but a decision was made to solve the issue during the December 6 session.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Baku resents of not being invited to the annual Assembly of the "Eastern Partnership" Civil Society Forum in Tbilisi

Ani Basmajian
Arminfo, Armenia
Nov 22 2018
Baku resents of not being invited to the annual Assembly of the "Eastern Partnership" Civil Society Forum in Tbilisi

Yerevan November 22

Marianna Mkrtchyan. Baku resents of not receiving an invitation to participate in the tenth annual Assembly of the EU's Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, which is scheduled for December 10-12 in Tbilisi.

As haqqin.az writes, paradoxically, only representatives of the Azerbaijani government have not been invited to the event, which will be held under the auspices of the Eastern Partnership in Tbilisi, meanwhile at the debate, in particular on the issues of "Time for Change in the Eastern Partnership": are we coping ? "the speeches of Vice-Premier of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Vice-Premier of Moldova Yuri Leanca, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Oleg Kravchenko, Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan are scheduled.

At the same time, the Internet portal, citing diplomatic sources in Brussels, writes that in the European Union it was decided to limit the participation of official Baku by a representative of the Azerbaijani embassy in Georgia, moreover, the Azerbaijani diplomat will participate in the meeting as an observer.

"According to diplomatic sources, the head of the Armenian government Nikol Pashinyan will take part in the Assembly as an honorary guest. The European Union invited the Armenian prime minister to take part in the discussion on December 11. It is noteworthy that the involvement of the Prime Minister of Armenia in the Assembly's work will take place the very next day after parliamentary elections in Armenia, and apparently, Pashinyan uses the platform provided for him to declare victory of democratic values in his country. However, according to the Brussels diplomats, the absence of representatives of the Azerbaijani government at the discussion platform of the Eastern Partnership can not at all be associated with Pashinyan's supposed victorious march. Most likely, the reason is the draft Final Declaration that will be brought to the Assembly's members. The draft declaration recognizes territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Ukraine and Georgia in the context of the "aggressive policy" of Russia and there is no identical wording expressing the attitude of the European public to the integrity of Azerbaijan and the consequences of the Karabakh conflict ", haqqin.az writes.

At the same time, the site, referring to sources in the government of Azerbaijan, notes that official Baku plans to enter into a dialogue with the EU and official Tbilisi, and begin a trial around the current situation: "The perplexity of the Azerbaijani government causes this frankly scandalous and provocative situation on the territory of the strategic ally of official Baku – friendly Georgia." To recall, the Eastern Partnership is a special project of the European Union, created for the development of EU integration ties with six post- Soviet countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

Artsakh students become winners in volleyball competitions

Ani Basmajian
  • 16:49 | November 23,2018 | Sports
  • Հայ
  • Рус

Teams of both boys and girls, consisting of pupils from 8-12 grades of the Artsakh Republic public schools, became winners in volleyball competitions in the Spartacus program.

The second place for the boys’ teams was occupied by the team of Lori region, the third place was taken by the team of Gegharkunik province. The second place in girls’ competitions was won by Aragatsotn province’s team and the third place was taken by the team of Kotayk region.

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan sends note of protest to French Foreign Ministry

Ani Basmajian
15:43 (UTC+04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 17

By Matanat Nasibova – Trend:

Azerbaijan’s Embassy in France has sent a note of protest to the country’s Foreign Ministry, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s acting spokeswoman Leyla Abdullayeva told reporters in Baku Nov. 17.

She was commenting on the visit to France by the “head” of the separatist entity created in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

“In this regard, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry made a specific and categorical statement,” she said.

Abdullayeva noted that Azerbaijan assesses such a step by France, a country that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which created conditions for the visit of the “representative” of the illegal regime and for holding certain meetings there, as encouragement of the occupation regime.

“We believe that this step by France casts doubt on its objectivity and impartiality,” she added. “In this regard, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Paris handed over a note of protest to the French Foreign Ministry.”

On Nov. 15, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said that France’s constant double standards approach makes Azerbaijan reconsider its ties with that country.

"Bako Sahakyan’s visit to France, presenting himself as the “head” of the separatist regime established in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, is another unsuccessful attempt to encourage that puppet entity at the international level," the Foreign Ministry said.

“France, which created conditions for that visit and accepted "representatives" of the illegal regime, by this step not only violates the spirit of bilateral relations and the signed agreements, but also demonstrates disregard for supremacy of norms and principles of international law and the undertaken obligations,” reads the statement.

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.


Republic and Free Democrats parties to participate in early parliamentary elections with “We” alliance

Ani Basmajian

Republic and Free Democrats parties to participate in early parliamentary elections with “We” alliance

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13:42,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Today the Republic and Free Democrats parties signed a memorandum of understanding about their participation in the upcoming early parliamentary elections with “We” alliance, reports Armenpress.

The MoU was signed by the Republic party chairman Aram Sargsyan and Free Democrats party leader Khachatur Kokobelyan.

The early parliamentary elections in Armenia will be held on December 9, 2018. The parties and party alliances can submit their applications before November 14, at 18:00. The registration will be carried out by the Central Electoral Commission before November 19, at 18:00. The election campaign launches on November 26 and will end on December 7.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan not to participate in early parliamentary elections

Ani Basmajian

Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan not to participate in early parliamentary elections

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15:35,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Gyumri Samvel Balasanyan will not participate in the upcoming early parliamentary elections and is going to support acting minister of emergency situations Felix Tsolakyan during the elections, reports Armenpress.

“I will not participate in the early parliamentary elections, my sons as well, I am non-partisan. I have one vote and will give it to my best friend Felix Tsolakyan”, the Gyumri Mayor told reporters in Yerevan.

The early parliamentary elections of Armenia will be held on December 9, 2018.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan