Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić.
The parties referred to the Serbian Presidency of the OSCE and the efforts targeted at solving the issues on the organization’s agenda.
The Foreign Ministers of the two countries discussed issues related to bilateral relations, and the efforts targeted at the reinforcement of friendly ties.
Wreckage of the Russian plane has been found in the Hassana area. It disappeared from radar screens when travelling at 9,500m, Egyptian officials said, the BBC reports.
Egyptian officials said most on board are likely to have died.
The plane was operated by the small Russian airline Kogalymavia, based in western Siberia.
Russian authorities say it was carrying 217 passengers, 17 of them children, and seven crew. Most were Russian tourists.
Egypt rules out that the Russian plane could have been downed by militants operating in the Sinai Peninsula, Sky News Arabia reported on Saturday citing sources in security agencies.
presents the list of the passengers on board.
The German Bundestag will not discuss the Armenian Genocide resolution this year, Professor Zhirayr Кocharian of the Berlin Open University told reporters in Yerevan.
“The Armenian community was pleasantly surprised by the unprecedented number of publications and discussions in Germany about the Armenian Genocide this spring. We were nearly confident that the Bandstand would soon adopt a resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide,” he said.
Zhirayr Кocharian has his own explanation for the active discussions in Germany. “The first reason was the powerful statement by the Pope, whose opinion is extremely important for the Catholic World. The second reason was the conflict between the Greens and Lefts with the government. Besides, there was a desire to punish Erdogan.”
Zhirayr Кocharian considers that Germany is unlikely to strike a blow to Turkey, at least in the near future. “However, the civil society in Germany is matured, and the country may recognize the Armenian Genocide under public pressure.” He believes that if Turkey once recognizes the Armenian Genocide, it will also happen under public pressure, as it was the case with the Holocaust.
Zhirayr Кocharian says it’s unserious to think that Germany accepted its guilt because it was too civilized. “Germany did it under the pressure of the international community, otherwise it would demonstrate the same civilized and moral approach towards the Armenian Genocide.”
Asbarez – A historical epic seven years in the making about the Armenian Genocide will make its Central Valley debut at the 2015 Fresno Film Festival.
“The Cut” will screen at 3:00pm on Saturday, November 14 at the historic Tower Theatre, as part of the November 13-15 Festival, which celebrates independent voices in cinema.
Beginning in Armenia in 1915, “The Cut” follows one man’s journey through the Ottoman Empire after surviving the Genocide. Nazaret (Tahar Rahim), a young blacksmith from Mardin, Turkey, is ripped from his family and is forced to work as a slave laborer. Years later, he begins a continent-crossing quest to reunite with his twin daughters.
Turkish-German filmmaker Fatih Akin directed and co-wrote the film with Armenian-American screenwriter Mardik Martin. Martin—best known for writing the Martin Scorsese films “Raging Bull,” “New York, New York” and “Mean Streets”—will make a special appearance to discuss the film, presented by Fresno Filmworks and co-sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State.
With few films touching on the genocide, let alone depicting it, Martin said in a news release: “A story about survivors of the Armenian Genocide is a sensitive subject to tackle. I never imagined anyone would have the courage to do it. Fatih has that courage. …I can only hope that the audience is able to delve into the feel of the era and its turbulence and upheaval. For me as an Armenian, this is an incredible adventure movie.”
With a large Armenian community in the Central Valley, Fresno Filmworks president Jefferson Beavers reiterated the importance of the screening.
“In this 100th anniversary year of the Genocide, I cannot think of a more culturally relevant or historically important film we could possibly show,” Beavers said. “It’s an honor and our duty, not just to our Armenian brothers and sisters, but to our entire community, to show this movie in Fresno.”
“It is wonderful that such an important film is being screened in Fresno. The Armenian Studies Program is pleased to be a co-sponsor. The film is especially timely and I think it will be well received in the community,” said Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Barlow Der Mugrdechian.
Dr. Sergio La Porta, Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies at Fresno State, said it can also be seen as a reflection of positive change within the Turkish community of artists and intellectuals.
“The idea that you have Armenian and Turkish people working together on this film—I think is a wonderful way in which art can bring two communities that have this historic injustice standing between them to bring them closer together to a point of mutual understanding,” La Porta said. “It’s especially great to have a Turkish director to be involved in this.”
In a letter addressed the Canadian Foreign Minister Robert Nicholson, Dr. Girair Basmadjian, President of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, has called attention to the recent aggression by Azerbaijan at the Armenian border and the line of contact with Karabakh, Horizon Weekly reports.
The letter reads:
Dear Minister:
I am writing to you on behalf of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) in regards to the recent escalation of tensions perpetrated by the Republic of Azerbaijan along its borders with the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorn-Karabakh Republic (NKR).
In late September, the Azerbaijani army shelled civilian targets in Armenian villages in the border region of Tavush in the north-east of Armenia. These unprovoked attacks killed three civilian women, two of whom were elderly. Azerbaijan also fired in the direction of the town of Noyemberyan in the same region for the first time in ten years. These artillery attacks led to shelling on both sides of the border which in turn resulted in the deaths of several Armenian service members. All of this activity was in violation of a ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and contrary to all norms of international law.
These attacks were timed to coincide with meetings of the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers and international negotiators from the OSCE Minsk Group. The attacks are an attempt by the Azerbaijani government to improve its bargaining position by involving Armenia in the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and the people of NKR. Armenian civilians and military personnel are paying with their lives to prop up the corrupt and dictatorial Aliyev regime and Armenian border villages are under constant threat so that Azerbaijan gains concessions in what is meant to be a peaceful bargaining process.
Following these attacks, the OSCE Minsk Group proposed various measures to monitor ceasefire violations and to reduce tensions along the contact lines between Armenia and Azerbaijan and NKR and Azerbaijan. All measures were rejected by Azerbaijan.
Canada’s government cannot sit silently while this conflict escalates. Prime Minister Harper has said in other instances that Canada cannot afford to sit by the sidelines while there are civilians being killed by a brutal dictatorship which does not seek peace. Yet Canada has not raised its peaceful voice in this case. Many of Canada’s allies have already delivered forceful responses to these attacks. The ANCC calls upon Canada to reiterate its support for the OSCE Minsk Group peace process and to condemn these attacks by Azerbaijan.
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$21 million loan for theThird Public Sector Modernization Project (PSMP III) for Armenia. This project will further assist the Government of Armenia in its on-going efforts to improve quality of the public financial reporting and to improve access to selected enhanced e-government services.
PSMP III supports three main components: (i) Public Financial Management Information Systems; (ii) e-Governance Solutions for Improved Service Delivery; and (iii) Capacity Building and Small Capacity Building Interventions.
The first component will assist the Government to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and comprehensiveness of its financial management and accounting through the development of a Government Financial Management Information System (GFMIS). The proposed GFMIS modules will include improvement, among others, in budget planning, budget execution, public procurement, debt management, accounting, budget reporting, and the general ledger.
“Strengthening governance through improved public service delivery is among the priorities for Bank support,” said Laura E. Bailey, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia. “I will particularly highlight the proposed Citizen-Government Interface for Accountability under the second project component. This will support the establishment of feedback mechanisms to facilitate citizen and business access to government services, address grievances, and monitor client satisfaction.”
The second component will support the implementation of select priorities as identified in Armenia’s e-Governance Strategy. Key elements will include: development of the enabling environment by strengthening policy, regulatory frameworks and building institutions and capacity within the government to undertake introduction of e-governance platforms, and introduction of foundational platforms and infrastructure necessary for government-wide e-services.
Other sub-components are focused on developing:e-Transport modules to improve efficiency and the quality of transportation services in Yerevan; additional modules to the current e-Consular system, including a consular registration process for travelers and issuing e-visas; and upgrading the current e-Licensing system through automation of the simplified procedure of licenses issued on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, management of electronic license registry, and streamlined reports and notifications.
The third component seeks to strengthen the capacity of the Civil Service Council and Armenian Academy of Public Administration to modernize the training system for public servants and raise the quality of trainings.
PSMP III continues the reforms supported under PSMP I and PSMP II (on-going). PSMP-I, implemented between 2004 and 2011, supported institutional reforms in the areas of policy formulation, local government and civil service, together with Public Financial Management interventions in the areas of public procurement and external and internal audit.
The World Bank will provide a US$21 million IBRD fixed spread loan with a 14.5-year grace period and a total repayment term of 25 years.
Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, the commitments to Armenia total approximately US$2,179.730 million.
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with Marcel Pesko, Director of OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to the prevention of conflicts over OSCE area.
Minister Nalabndian briefed the guest on the latest developments in the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict, noting that Armenia remains committed to the resolution of the issue exceptionally in a peaceful way with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.
Congratulatory address of President Bako Sahakyan in connection withthe Day of the Artsakh Republic
Dear compatriots,
On behalf of the authorities and personally myself I cordially congratulate you on the Day of the Artsakh Republic, a holiday of special significance in the life of our nation.
With the birth of the Artsakh Republic on September 2, 1991 the Armenian people had two free and independent states, the cherished for centuries vision, which had faced numerous challenges before reaching the current time, became reality.
It was a common human aspiration to live on the own land with the right of mastering our own destiny that is intrinsic to every nation.
Consolidating and joining our efforts we defended our national dignity and future in the battlefield, and have been building a democratic with unshakable eagerness to become a full member of the international community.
It is a challenging and honorable path which we pass hand in hand with our sisters and brothers from Armenia and the Diaspora. Together we will implement numerous projects and definitely attain the realization of national goals.
Dear compatriots,
I congratulate you once again on this significant public holiday and wish peace and prosperity to your families and our precious and cherished Artsakh Republic.
President Serzh Sargsyan is not going to claim either the President’s or the Prime Minister’s post, if a Constitution is adopted, Head of the Government Staff, Minister David Harutyunyan said after the sitting of the Republican Party Board Thursday.
The constitutional reforms are not an utmost objective for the Republican Party, said Edward Sharmazanov, Spokesman for the Republican Party. “It’s up to the citizens to decide. This is not the most urgent issue on our agenda. We have other problems, including those related to the social sphere and security,” he said.
He added that the proposed changes are initial, and the draft can change as a result of discussions with different political forces in the coming months.
“This is a rather extended document. The initial version is not a dogma. There is need for explanation on some provisions. The final draft will be developed as a result of discussions, all proposals will be taken into consideration,” Sharmazanov stated.
During the Thursday sitting the Republican Party discussed Chapters 4-7 of the constitutional amendments, chapters 1-3 were not considered.