Author: Bedik Zaminian

President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan attended today a festive concert named Generation of Independence. The concert was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and took place at the Karen Demirjian Sport and Concert Complex.
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Presidential Address on the occasion of Independence Day

Distinguished President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan,

Your Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,

Your Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,

Dear Colleagues,

Dear Compatriots,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of Independence Day.

We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our independence with our heads held high. We have gone down a difficult but decent path. What did we have at the beginning of that road? We had a country, one third of which was literally leveled to the ground by a devastating earthquake. People had no place to live, to say nothing of jobs. In that situation, we received hundreds of thousands of refugees from the neighboring country. Moreover, we were standing at the verge of a full-scale war. We started under energy crisis and blockade. Probably neither of the former Soviet Republics had such unfavorable starting position. But we did not falter in our choice, remained true to our resolve to build an independent and democratic state.

Our people overcame all hardships with the peculiar tenacity, wisdom, diligence, and courage. Our people revealed the ability to defend Armenia and Artsakh, to develop economy and social life.

I said it before, I reiterate it once again: for me, the greatest achievement of the new twenty-five years old Armenia is the generation born in independence. In past twenty-five years, a new generation grew up in Armenia for which to be a citizen of Armenia is not just a destiny but also an honor: a new generation, which is open to the world and is educated better that the previous generations; a new generation which is politically literate and believes in the noblest and most humane values; a generation whose mentality is based on the principles of freedom and democracy.

This is a new generation which does not and will not tolerate any kind of tyranny or dictatorship, will not tolerate any step aimed at the restriction of their rights and freedoms. And finally, this is a generation which is ready to fight and defend the Fatherland, and fight like lions.

We may build one structure more or one structure less, but we have to build a competitive and successful society. Our greatest wealth are our children who will tomorrow become that society. Moreover, even today they already represent that society and bring honor to our country. We take pride in those children who every year win numerous medals at international Olympiads.

The independence generation in our country has high standards and high demands. They also have discontent, and that discontent is an important and necessary element of progress. Could you imagine what it would be like if they were content and happy with the existing reality? They show discontent, they protest, criticize, and demand because they want to live in a better country; they want to live in a freer, more lawful, more prosperous country. They do not let the representatives of the senior generation lose vigilance and thereby, they are speeding up the reforms.

Why this is the most important thing for me? State is a tool which is called to serve people and not vice versa. The independence generation wants to improve that tool. And that generation is on the right path. We are walking down a very complicated but the most promising path of building democratic stability. It is indeed very difficult to cover in a couple of decades a distance which others covered in hundreds of years. But it is possible because the course is charted.

Dear Compatriots,

Last twenty-five years of Armenia’s independence have proved once again that nobody is going to solve our problems for us. We are able and will be solving them in the order of priority. We have wonderful friends, partners and allies all over the world. We thank them for cooperation, but let us not forget that responsibility still rests with us, only and only with us. The independence generation is gradually coming to assume that historic responsibility. Before speaking of the mote in one’s eye, they speak of a beam in our own. This is the right path because solutions to all problems are within us. The more mature we as a society, the faster we will solve our problems.

Dear Compatriots,

We are following the path of honest work, honest earning, and the truth telling path. Our society is our wealth. Whatever good there is in our country, it’s been done by them – the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, regardless of who was leading the country.

Today our country has entered a new, accelerated phase of reforms. These are not just personnel changes as some would like to think. These are structural changes which will bring about a qualitatively new state. This is not just wishful thinking; this is a succession of the preset, defined steps. We know where we are going and how to get there. If an entire nation wants to renovate its house, it will do it. Nothing will make us deviate from that route, while the amended Constitution will become a bright beacon illuminating that route.

The Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspors trinity is our strength. Whatever we have done in a quarter of a century, we have done together. Tomorrow we will do even more. In the process we have not only used the existing potential but have also accumulated new experiences and new potential. We have formed new platforms and tools which open new horizons before us.

I once again congratulate us all on the occasion of Independence Day. The realization of our national aspirations is in our own hands. It will take time and work to do. I wish us all peaceful skies and new achievements for the glory of our country and our nation.

National Hero of the Republic of Armenia Movses Gorgissian used to say, “Long live the Armenia which will come tomorrow.” He was speaking of an independent and free Armenia. Today we are saying, “Long live the Armenia which has come”, but immediately follow by saying “Long live the Armenia which will come tomorrow,” and we mean a more prosperous and secure Armenia.

Long live the Armenian nation!

Long live the Republic of Armenia!

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov received today the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov, James Warlick, and Piere Andrieu, and the Personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk.

Urgent issues of the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process, including the process of implementation of the agreements reached at the Vienna and St. Petersburg, as well as the current situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact.

Armenian troops are participating in the Unbreakable Brotherhood 2016 joint peacekeeping exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The drills kicked off in Belarus today and will continue through August 27.

The opening ceremony was attended by Belarus’ Defense Minister Andrey Ravkov, CSTO’s Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov, Head of the CSTO Joint Staff, Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov, high-ranking officials from CSTO member states.

The exercise involves more than 1,500 officers and peacekeepers from the Armed Forces, the Internal Troops and the Police of all of the CSTO’s six member states – Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Tajikistan – as well as over 500 aircraft, armored and automotive vehicles.

The apricot blessing ceremony took place at St. Zoravar church on the opening day. The honorary stars of cinematographer Albert Yavuryan, directors Edmond Keosayan and Dmitry Kesayants were unveiled at Charles Aznavour square among other prolific masters of the Armenian Cinema.

Welcoming speeches were offered by Harutyun Khachatryan, Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film festival General Director, and Ralph Yirikian, General Director of VivaCell- MTS, General Sponsor of GAIFF for ten years.

During the opening ceremony it was announced that the European Film Academy is honoring Yerevan’s Parajanov Museum by awarding it “Treasure of European Film Culture.”

Earlier the Academy had decided to establish a list of Treasures of European Film Culture, much like the UNESCO World Heritage list, summing up places of historical cinematic value that need to be maintained and preserved not just for now but for generations to come.

At the end of the ceremony the opening film by celebrated Armenian filmmaker Hamo Beknazaryan “Zareh” was screened.

– The leaders of Germany and Turkey sought on Saturday to clear the air in their first private talks since the German parliament infuriated Ankara by branding the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces a genocide, but they did not overcome their differences.

Chancellor Angela Merkel met Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Warsaw to discuss the tensions in their often prickly but strategically important relationship.

Ties between Turkey and Germany – vital partners in efforts to curb mass migration to Europe – have been strained since the Bundestag passed the Armenian resolution on June 2. Ankara recalled its ambassador and threatened unspecified retaliation.

Turkey has since denied German parliamentarians access to the Incirlik airbase where 250 German soldiers are taking part in NATO operations against Islamic State militants in Iraq, causing anger in Berlin.

“We discussed all outstanding issues,” Merkel told reporters at a brief news conference. “The atmosphere was constructive … and very businesslike in an effort to solve the existing conflicts.”

Asked whether the issues had been resolved, she said: “The differences don’t just disappear through such a discussion. But I believe it was important that we talked them through.”

A source close to the Turkish presidency said Erdogan had expressed his disappointment over the Bundestag resolution to Merkel, who said she would do her utmost to ensure this event would not harm German-Turkish relations.

The source said Merkel also expressed satisfaction with the way Turkey was keeping its word in preventing refugees and migrants crossing the Aegean Sea to Greece after more than one million flooded into Europe last year, most ending up in Germany.

The Turkish source said Merkel had raised the issue of the Incirlik airbase and had asked Erdogan to restore access for lawmakers, who approve all military spending and investment in infrastructure at the base.

Erdogan replied that the airbase was not a place for “public shows and marketing” but Turkey would consider the request in the light of German statements on relations, the source said.

The two leaders also discussed intelligence cooperation in the fight against foreign fighters recruited by Islamic State in Syria, some of whom have returned to carry out attacks in Europe.

Manchester United new boys Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly posed for pictures after returning from training as they continue to prepare for life at the Red Devils, according to .

Jose Mourinho was also snapped outside the Lowry Hotel with the United stars not involved at Euro 2016 back for pre-season.

Mkhitaryan and Bailly have joined Zlatan Ibrahimovic as new recruits at Old Trafford following the appointment of Mourinho as manager.

Mkhitaryan has joined on a four-year deal from Borussia Dortmund after United splashed £26.3million for the winger.

The Armenian told MUTV: “ I am very excited – it’s a big opportunity for me to play for Manchester United, a new challenge for me. I will try to do my best.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Francois Hollande on Thursday discussed by phone the settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine, the Kremlin reported.

“Vladimir Putin informed Francois Hollande of the June 20 three-party meeting with Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan in St. Petersburg,” the statement said.

“The leaders of Russia and France expressed the hope that the results achieved at that meeting would contribute to the promotion of the peace process. The parties agreed to continue active joint work within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group in that important sphere,” it said.

The two presidents also discussed other urgent issues on the international agenda witha special emphasis on efforts to settle the Ukrainian crisis.

 

Leading members of the Armenian diaspora and those interested in technology companies and startups in Armenia convene today at the at Synopsys in Mountain View, according to

The daylong gathering provides an opportunity to network, share ideas and identify investment opportunities in Armenia with CEOs, venture capitalists, academics, and entrepreneurs. The Forum is organized within the framework of the ArmTech Congress and held under the high patronage of the Prime Minister of Armenia.

Between 2008 and 2013 Armenia saw 22% growth in its technology sector year-over-year, and continues to foster startups and talent through education initiatives as well as recently adopted legislation designed to make launching and growing a startup, incubator, accelerator, or research organization much easier.

Sponsors of the event include Microsoft, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, the Union of Information and Technology Enterprises, the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technologies, and PicsArt, a photo app company with 65 million active users founded by two Armenian entrepreneurs. Organizers include the Government of the Republic of Armenia, ArmTech Congress, CEED, World Bank Group, Synopsys, and the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF).

The four panel discussions at the Forum will address critical issues including:

• The IT Industry in Armenia Recent Developments and Success Stories
• Building an Ecosystem for Global Startups and Connecting to Global Markets
• Challenges and Opportunities of Investing in Armenia
• The Role of Education in Unlocking Startup Talent

“This year the forum will focus on the progress and successes of our organizations and startups, especially in the U.S. market,” said Bagrat Yengibaryan Ph.D., Director of the EIF. “We’re going to discuss the importance of education and explore the challenges for the further development of the IT sector in Armenia,” he continued.

“The goal of the Forum is to let the world know Armenia is open for business,” said Peter Righi, CEED Global Director. “Armenia is no longer just an outsourcing market. It’s a growing hub of innovation with world-class IT talent and it’s critical to show what the Armenian government and private sector has done to grow the sector and prepare companies to plug in to the global marketplace. Today gives us the venue to showcase some of the talented people at the forefront of this trend.”

Asbarez- A ballet titled “Meran Vor Aprink” (They Died So We May Live), dedicated to the Armenian Genocide, was honored with television’s prestigious Emmy Award at the 45th Annual Emmy Awards 2016 Ceremony. The Emmys were presented to the film’s Executive Producers, Diane and Charles Paskerian.

The Emmy Award is presented for outstanding achievement in television by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), San Francisco Northern California Chapter, including Hawaii, Reno, and Sacramento, Oregon. This year there was a record number of 757 English and 179 Spanish entries in 67 categories. “Meron Vor Abrink” was listed under the Arts/Entertainment-Program/Special category.

Davit Karapetyan, Principle Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, was so inspired when he saw San Francisco’s Armenian Genocide Memorial “Mount Davidson Cross” for the first time, he envisioned choreographing a 100th Genocide Ballet Dance Video as a “Tribute to the Survival of our Ancestors through creative dance and music. We agreed to raise necessary funds for talent and crew….and the “creative process began!”

The ballet took over a year to produce, with original choreography by Davit Karapetyan, fourteen San Francisco Ballet dancers including Karapetyan, Vanessa Zahorian, and a crew of 23. Writing, editing, and development input was done by Diane and Charles Paskerian. Filming took place at Baker’s Beach and the Mount Davidson Cross.

The video project was enthusiastically endorsed by the Bay Area Centennial Committee and the Council of Armenian American Organizations of the Bay Area. The Council is charged with maintaining and supporting the Armenian Genocide Memorial Cross at Mount Davidson, the home of the Annual San Francisco Easter Sunrise Service for almost 100 years, and supporting Armenian Genocide education. The historical cross is the tallest Armenian Genocide Monument in the World.

The ballet may be viewed in the Youtube video below: