Author: George Mamian

Arminfo, Armenia

July 12 2018

Lacote: There can be no military solution to Karabakh conflict

July 12

Yerevan

Marianna Mkrtchyan. France, as one of the countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels, reaffirmed the commitment to fulfill the commitments undertaken to facilitate the search for ways to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacote stated at a press conference in Yerevan on July 12, commenting on the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan Zorab Mnatsakanyan and Elmar Mammadyarov in Brussels.

The Ambassador noted that it was an expected meeting. " There can be no military solution to Karabakh conflict, and only peaceful negotiations can lead to resolution," the Ambassador said. The French President and Armenian Prime Minister emphasized this stand on yesterday meeting, the Ambassador said. At the same time, Lacote stated that Paris positively assesses the statements made by the Armenian side at various levels about the desire to settle the conflict peacefully through negotiations. The diplomat also added that he is well aware of the influence the unresolved conflict makes on Armenian society. Answering the question about France's position on Pashinyan's statement that Artsakh should be included in the negotiation process, Lacote noted that France welcomes any initiatives that will lead to progress in the negotiations, but on the issue of format, a consensus should be reached between all participants in the process.

To note, on July 11, a meeting between Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov was held in Brussels. This was the first meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries after the change of power and forming of a new government in Armenia as a result of democratic movement. Foreign Minister of Armenia thanked the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs for organizing the meeting and underscored the importance of the peace process under their aegis and the need of maintaining the negotiation dynamics. The meeting was of familiarizing nature and was aimed at getting to know each other's viewpoints. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan underlined that the negotiation process has no alternative and in this context highlighted the importance of steps aimed at creating environment conducive to peace, building confidence, reducing tensions, as well as strict adherence to the ceasefire and the cessation of aggressive rhetoric. He emphasized that realistic and constructive engagement of all sides of the conflict is of primary importance for the success of the efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace. The interlocutors exchanged views on the issues related to Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement negotiation process. The Co-Chairs presented their upcoming plans to the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Further steps were touched upon.

ArmenPress, Armenia

Armenian Embassy expresses concern over use of "Armenian mafia" term by Spanish interior ministry

YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Embassy in Spain issued a statement expressing concern over the term “Armenian mafia” used by the Spanish interior ministry and media outlets in the reports about more than 100 people, including Armenians, who were detained last week as a result of the operations of the law enforcement agencies in the country.

The Embassy said this formulation significantly damages the reputation of several tens of thousands of law-abiding and exemplary Armenians living in Spain.

Armenpress presents the full statement:

“The Armenian Embassy in Spain always keeps in its spotlight all the developments relating to our citizens. Over the past week more than 100 persons have been detained as a result of the operations of the law enforcement agencies in different parts of Spain: according to available information, there are persons of Armenian descent and Armenian citizens among the detained.

The statement released by the Spanish interior ministry on June 26 used the term “Armenian mafia”, which has also been used in Spanish media reports.

The Embassy expresses its concern over such formulations. They significantly damage the reputation of several tens of thousands of law-abiding and exemplary Armenians living in Spain.

The Embassy considers important to refrain from such unacceptable formulations, especially when not all of the detainees are Armenians, their being members of one criminal organization has not been proved yet and there is no court verdict that has entered into force against them.

Being confident in the skillfulness of legal operations of the Spanish law enforcement agencies, at the same time we consider ineffective the emphasis on ethnic origin in the fight against criminal groups, which doesn’t contribute to the formation of multinational society and deepening tolerance in Spain, which is one of the priorities of the Spanish government and is being successfully carried out for years”.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

MediaMax, Armenia

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Mediamax

 

 

World Cup silver medalist Edgar Stepanyan had successful performances in several tournaments in the United States and drew the attention of top American teams.

 

The cyclist has told Mediamax Sport the managers follow all his performances and results.

 

“They noticed my potential and they think an athlete like me could have a place in their squad. Owner of my current club Velo Pasadena Hrach Gevrikyan is negotiating with BMC manager and I have sent them results of the VO 2max I passed recently. They said I complied with their standards and were surprised to find out I haven’t been in a professional team before,” said Stepanyan.

 

The Armenian cyclist thinks it is too early to speak about the transfer. BMC participates in Tour de France and will form the new squad in November, so Stepanyan has to wait till then.

 

“If I really get into such a team, my career will change drastically for the better. BMC is one of top 21 clubs in the world and competes in Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta Espana and other big tournaments,” added Stepanyan.

PanArmenian, Armenia

June 8 2018

ArmenPress, Armenia

ARMENPRESS exclusive: Hélène Ségara talks Armenian roots, Aznavour and upcoming plans after mesmerizing Yerevan performance

YEREVAN, MAY 29, ARMENPRESS. She had a unique love for music since early childhood. Her Armenian mother opposed her girl in becoming a singer, but at the age of 11 the future star took part in her first competition – and won!

At15, she left school and began singing in clubs and restaurants of France. Her debut CD failed to gain commercial success, but the singer didn’t lose hope and her first failure was followed by multiple successes.

According to international press and critics, the best actress of the role of Esmeralda in Notre-Dame de Paris(musical) is Hélène Ségara.

In an ARMENPRESS exclusive Hélène Ségara talked about Armenia, her Armenian roots, collaboration with Charles Aznavour and Michel Legrand, the Notre-Dame de Parismusical and other topics.

Hélène Ségara arrived to Yerevan for the Republic Day celebrations on May 28. She performed two songs at the May 28 grand concert in Yerevan’s Republic Square. She sang Charles Aznavour’s Poir Toi Armenie and the old Armenian Dle Yaman song.

‘Visiting Armenia makes me emotional'

I get the same feelings each time I come here. When I came here for the very first time I had the feeling like I’ve been here before. It seemed like the blood of my family had awakened. The grandfather of my mother was born in Mush. He fought under the command of general Andranik, fought for his fatherland. And this makes me emotional each time I come here.

'My mother didn’t want me to sing'

She was afraid that show-business would be dangerous for a young lady. But I told her that singing is my passion and I have to pursuit my passion. My mother went to school with Charles Aznavour’s daughter. She met Charles Aznavour years later. After meeting him my mother told me that she is very proud over my career.

Tears of Charles Aznavour and Hélène Ségara

We met for the first time when I was making my first steps in my career, I was very shy. Charles needs time to discover people. We didn’t talk much the first time.

Years later we visited Armenia as part of an official delegation. Me and Charles were out for dinner together. During the dinner, a singer sang Dle Yaman. When I heard this melody I began to cry. Charles said: “I know, this song makes me cry too”. This is why I included this song in one of my albums, I wanted the French to discover this song. It is also one of the favorite songs of my mother.

When I first came to Armenia with Aznavour, I wrote a song about the story of a family, about the Genocide, it is called Dans nos souvenirs. I wrote this song for my daughter. I said that it has the following message: “Doesn’t matter if you haven’t been to Armenia, one day you will come here with me, and you will understand how we have struggled, how we have lived. This is why you are here today. And when I performed this song in Yerevan, I cried. It is hard to sing when you have so many emotions.

Chalres Aznavour told me that he discovered Armenia late. The more you stay here the more you discover about your family and roots.

In the context of love and peace

I give concerts in different countries of the world. I take the message of love and peace with me. I sang Ave Maria from Notre-Dame de Paris musical on my knees even in Arab countries. Ave Maria is a prayer, a message of love. I don’t understand why people wage war because of faith….

Notre-Dame de Paris

I like Notre-Dame de Paris musical a lot. When I was little, my mother used to call me Chingine, because I wanted to be a Gypsy, I didn’t wanna wear shoes. When I was offered to play Esmeralda, I told myself – God, this is me”. Garou, me and other members of the team had a truly magical chemistry going on. I like the songs of the musical a lot, I want to perform them during the course of my entire life. This is one of my best memories…

Bocelli, Legrand and other artists…

Every time I have a concert somewhere people say : you must sing your song with Andrea Bocelli [Vivo Per Lei duet]. We are still very close. I am lucky to have had the chance to sing with him. He has one of the most beautiful voices.

I’ve collaborated many times with Legrand, we are very close, I sang with him. We have recorded a duet together – La valse des lilas.

There are so many artists with whom I would want to collaborate. I am very close with Celine Dion, we sang together for a TV show, but we don’t have a recorded duet. She is a very pleasant person. I like Barbra Streisand’s voice. I also like the so-called less popular singers.

One of my favorite bands is Radiohead. I also like the famous System Of A Down.

'I want to protect my daughter'

My eldest son is 28 years old, he is a musician, my second son is 15, he is a fan of science and math, and my daughter will turn 14.

She sings very well. If she will want to pursue singing, I hope I will be able to protect her. I want her to remain my little girl, and that no one hurts her. A singer’s profession is very hard, it has both good and bad sides.

Upcoming plans

I am working on many projects now. I am on a global tour, I came to Armenia from Ukraine. In the recent years I am among the jury of France’s Got Talent, I’ll be among the jury until Christmas. In addition there are many TV shows and I am preparing a new album.

#CultTalk (Culture Talk) is a new ARMENPRESS exclusive featuring interviews with both Armenian and foreign artists, singers, actors and other show-business stars.

Presented by Roza Grigoryan

Photo credit – Mkhitar Khachatryan

English –translator/editor:Stepan Kocharyan

The Guardian, UK

Boris Johnson pranked in phone call by Russian posing as Armenian PM – video

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