Author: Karlen Baghdasarian

Photo: EMC

At least 35 people have been killed and 60 wounded in a suspected chemical attack on a rebel-held town in north-western Syria, a monitoring group says, the BBC reports.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that strikes on Khan Sheikhoun by Syrian government or Russian jets had caused many people to choke.

The Syrian Observatory cited medical sources in Khan Sheikhoun as reporting that the symptoms among those affected by Tuesday morning’s attack included fainting, vomiting and foaming at the mouth.

The victims were mostly civilians, and included at least nine children, it said.

The running order of the Semi-Finals of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest was released by host broadcaster UA:PBC today.

The order was decided by the producers, using the same format that has been in place since 2013, in order to create a more exciting television show and ensure that each song stands out. The decision was approved by the EBU Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand and the Chairman of the Reference Group, Dr. Frank Dieter Freiling.

In January the Semi-Final Allocation Draw took place, determining the countries that will participate in each of the two Semi-Finals of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. At the request of German broadcaster ARD, and following approval from the Reference Group, the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, Germany will broadcast and vote in the Second Semi-Final on Thursday 11th May. At the request of Swiss broadcaster SRF and approved by the Reference Group, Switzerland will participate in the Second Semi-Final which will have 19 participants and the First Semi-Final 18 participants.

The running order of the First Semi-Final of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest:

1. Sweden
2. Georgia
3. Australia
4. Albania
5. Belgium
6. Montenegro
7. Finland
8. Azerbaijan
9. Portugal
10. Greece
11. Poland
12. Moldova
13. Iceland
14. Czech Republic
15. Cyprus
16. Armenia
17. Slovenia
18. Latvia

The running order of the Second Semi-Final of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest:

1. Serbia
2. Austria
3. Russia
4. FYR Macedonia
5. Malta
6. Romania
7. The Netherlands
8. Hungary
9. Denmark
10. Ireland
11. San Marino
12. Croatia
13. Norway
14. Switzerland
15. Belarus
16. Bulgaria
17. Lithuania
18. Estonia
19. Israel

On March 22, the Delegation of the University of Defense of the Republic of Serbia headed by its Rector, Dr., Professor, Major General Mladen Vuruna visited the National Defense Research University, MoD, RA.

The Head of the NDRU, Doctor of Political Science, Professor, Lieutenant General Hayk Kotanjian received the guests. He presented the NDRU’s establishment process, its mission, goals and main tasks. The guests were also welcomed by the Deputy Head for Research of the NDRU, Head of the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), PhD in History Benyamin Poghosyan, who briefly presented the research activities of the University. The Head of the Center for National Security Policy and Information-Communication Technology of the NDRU, INSS Arman Grigoryan in detail presented the studies conducted in the NDRU on the areas of cybersecurity, information-communication technologies, as well as cyber-digital resource management.

The Head of the NDRU, Lieutenant General Hayk Kotanjian mentioned that based on the research conducted in the NDRU strategic assessments and recommendations are presented to the military-political leadership of Armenia.

The guests highly appreciated the NDRU’s activities and expressed satisfaction with the familiarization visit. They also expressed hope that the visit of the Delegation of the University of Defense of the Republic of Serbia to the NDRU will initiate cooperation between the two institutions.

President Serzh Sargsyan attended today the general meeting of the National Academy of Sciences  dedicated to the main results of the Academy’s 2016 scientific and administrative activities. The President of the Academy, academician Radik Martirosyan presented the most important results of the scientific works of the Academy’s structures and applied developments, spoke about activities in the area of international cooperation, training of scientific cadre, programs of the Academy aimed at the enhancement of scientific research and some other activities of the Academy in 2016.

Noting that currently the country has entered the pre-election period, the President of Armenia said that he would refrain from making a statement and expressed readiness to respond to the questions raised by the participants of the meeting and listened to their proposals.

Today, President Sargsyan also sent a congratulatory message to the academician of the National Academy of Sciences, professor Sergey Hambardzumyan on his 95th birth anniversary and on the occasion of the impressive jubilee wished him success, strength and tenacity to carry on with his patriotic activities.

Russia will return Mikhail Vrubel’s painting “Demon and Angel with Tamara’s Soul” to Armenia.  The painting was kept in the Museum of Russian Art in Yerevan and was stolen back in 1995.

After talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Russian party to find the work.

“The painting has been found thanks to efforts of relevant bodies in Russia, and President Putin today revealed plans to return it to Armenia,” President Sargsyan said.

President Sargsyan has issued an address on the occasion of Diplomat’s Day

Dear Diplomats,

I congratulate you on the occasion of Diplomat’s Day.
This year marks a jubilee, because 25 years ago, on this very day Armenia joined the United Nations Organization, thus fulfilling the cherished aspiration of our people to become a full-fledged member of the international community.

A quarter of a century ago, when Armenia appeared again on the world political map, the link between our country and the outside world was established first of all through our diplomats. It is no coincidence that this symbolic day has been declared and is traditionally celebrated as the professional holiday of Armenian Diplomats.

Indeed, the responsibility to protect the interests of independent Armenia, which has a millennia-old history, rich traditions and culture, and those of its citizens is a great responsibility. One of the peculiarities of diplomatic service is that most of its activities remain invisible to public eye. Be assured that your work is visible to us and is praiseworthy.

Today again our country faces multiple challenges. In the efforts to withstand those challenges we have great expectations and requirements from you, our diplomats. Just like the Armenian soldier on the frontline, so do you, abroad and in the central apparatus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should remain vigilant and always ready to counter any threat directed against our state and national interests.

The surrounding geopolitical realities have left their unique mark on our diplomatic service as well. Along with high professional requirements, which may be even higher than in case of diplomats of other countries, your work requires a selfless dedication to and love for Homeland. That is the case when you represent a country, which has to live under the conditions of war and blockade.

Armenia is a peace-loving country. We, the Armenians, have struggled for centuries for the right to live on the land of our ancestors, so we fully realize the value of peaceful life. Diplomats carry on their shoulders the most important share of the responsibility to ensure necessary conditions for a peaceful and sustainable development of our country. I am confident that you understand that responsibility and are ready to bear it with honor.

I am sure that you will continue to properly represent our country, our stance and approaches and through your active engagement will make them more audible and understandable within international platforms; that you will continue to bring your considerable contribution to the strengthening of our country’s external security.

Dear Diplomats,

Once again I congratulate you on the occasion of Diplomat’s Day and wish you an unlimited vigor to fulfill to the best possible extent the mission entrusted to you. I also wish you new achievements for the benefit and development of our Homeland.

NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will meet with the President of the Republic of Armenia, H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan on Monday, 27 February 2017, NATO’s Press Service reports.

The NATO Secretary General and the President of the Republic of Armenia will give a joint press conference at NATO Headquarters.

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier has said that “the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has seen a worrying deterioration on the ground.”

“The hostilities that had erupted in April 2016 contributed to the highest number of soldiers and civilians killed and wounded in a single year since the May 1994 ceasefire,” he said at a Security Council open debate on protracted conflicts in Europe.

Lamberto Zannier emphasized that the use of heavy weapons and the clear targeting of villages set a disturbing precedent, with a high risk of further fighting.

The NKR Defense Ministry reports 44 ceasefire violations by the Azeri side at the line of contact with the Karabakh forces overnight.

The rival used firearms of different calibers as it fired over 500 shots in the direction of the Armenian positions.

The Azeri forces used a 60 mm mortar and an antitank grenade launcher in the eastern direction of the frontline, the Ministry aid.

The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army keep the situation under control and confidently continue with their military duty all along the line of contact.