Author: Kevo Kalantarian

Four Armenian cities – Sisian, Sevan, Dilijan and Gyumri – have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC).

More than 1,000 cities and communities around the world have become or are in the process of becoming learning/educating cities. These cities are keen to benefit from participating in international policy dialogue, action research, capacity building and peer learning, and to effectively use learning city approaches to promote lifelong learning for their citizens.

The overall aim of the GNLC is to create a global network to mobilize cities and demonstrate how a city’s resources can be used most effectively to provide learning opportunities to citizens. The goal is to enrich human potential, promote equality and social justice, maintain social cohesion, and create sustainable prosperity.

The GNLC is intended to help cities create a better future for their citizens and the planet by transforming themselves into learning cities.

The UNESCO GNLC offers members the opportunity to be acquainted with best practice and tools to advance lifelong learning in their communities. Members of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities may also be motivated to aim for recognition for their actions by applying for the UNESCO Learning City Award. The next Awards will be conferred to cities that have shown exemplary progress in implementing the Key Features of Learning Cities in 2017.

Liverpool Football Club and Manchester United Football Club are calling on their fans to help eradicate any offensive or discriminatory behaviour ahead of their Premier League clash at Anfield on Monday 17 October.

The clubs continue to work together and respect the great rivalry between them but will not condone any offensive or discriminatory behaviour in Anfield Stadium or Old Trafford.

In a joint statement, the clubs said: “Both clubs, their supporters and football fans around the world are looking forward to this historic and passionate match between two of the sport’s biggest and oldest rivals.

“There is great rivalry between our fans and we ask all supporters to be respectful and help eradicate all forms of offensive and discriminatory behaviour from the game.

“If any supporters are found to be engaged in any form of offensive or discriminatory behaviour by stewards or via CCTV then they will be immediately removed from the stadium, risk arrest, prosecution and be reported in accordance with the club’s ground regulations.

“This is an unrivalled fixture in the Premier League calendar and we thank all fans for their continued support in this important area of the game.”

According to the host broadcaster, Liverpool and Manchester United games are the biggest club games in world football and will likely be seen by an estimated 700 million people in over 200 countries.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received today the delegation of the German Bundestag headed by Vice-President Johannes Singhammer.

Minister Nalbandian noted that the frequent visits of German lawmakers to Armenia are a testament to the importance of parliamentary diplomacy.

Edward Nalbandian availed himself of the opportunity to express gratitude for the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the German Bundestag, and for the principled stance of German MPs on the issue.

Johannes Singhammer presented the goals of German MPs’ visit to Armenia and the results of the meetings.

Minister Nalbandian briefed the guests on Armenia-EU relations, the ongoing negotiations on a new legal framework.

Edward Nalbandian referred to Armenia’s approaches towards the situation in the Middle East, the issues of minorities in the region, the struggle against terrorism and other regional processes.

Minister Nalbandian presented the efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs towards elimination of consequences of Azerbaijan’s April aggression and settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

President Serzh Sargsyan visited today the DigiTech Expo-2016 annual technological exhibition opened at the Yerevan Expo Exhibition Complex of the Yerevan Scientific and Research Institute of Mathematical Machines.

The main goal of the Exhibition, which will be held September 30-October 2 under the title A Feast for the Technological Armenians, is to create a favorable communication environment for the companies, customers and the public engaged in the technological sphere as well as to present the real situation with the Armenian information and telecommunication technologies, achievements, and prospects.

The President of Armenia toured the exhibition hall, familiarized with the products and services presented by the companies, conversed with the representatives of the companies about their work and future development programs. Among over 120 companies participating this year at the DigiTech-2016 besides the prominent local companies, there are leading firms from the Russian Federation, US, China, and India.

At a separate hall of the Yerevan Expo the organizers and responsible officials of the exhibition presented to Serzh Sargsyan the process of implementation of the innovative technologies in the military equipment production, reported on the results of this stage of the cooperation established by the Presidential directive between the companies engaged in the military production and companies producing information technologies, forthcoming plans aimed at the full utilization of the potential existing in the area of information technologies for the benefit of development of the military industry of Armenia.

Kyrgyzstan’s President Almazbek Atambayev has arrived in Moscow for a treatment, press service of the Kyrgyz president told on Friday.

“Following recommendations from specialists and at the invitation of the Russian side, the rpesident today, on September 23, has arrived in the Central Hospital in Moscow for further treatment with doctors, who earlier tested him and made treatment for a heart disease,” the press service said.

“On September 19, 2016, at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, the president felt bad – at the airport the Kyrgyz delegation planned a connection on the way to New York to participate in the 71st session of the UN General Assembly. The medical tests have shown symptoms of a heart disorder and the president was recommended to undertake urgent medical tests and to have doctors observe him.”

“As the president had to undergo medical tests,” he is now on a short break from September 20, the press service said.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement in recognition of Armenia’s Independence Day:

“Today, we join the Armenian community – here in Canada, in Armenia, and around the world – in celebrating the country’s 25^thIndependence Day.

“Canada and the Republic of Armenia enjoy a dynamic and friendly relationship, rooted in the shared values of democracy and freedom, bilateral relations, and our collaboration in international organizations such as La Francophonie.

“I look forward to working with President Serzh Sargsyan and newly-appointed Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan to further strengthen the relations between our two countries, and to work together on global and regional issues including peace, security, and development cooperation.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I invite all Canadians to reflect on the important contributions of Canadians of Armenian descent to our national fabric, and offer our best wishes to everyone celebrating today.”

President Serzh Sargsyan has signed a decree appointing members of government.

David Harutyunyan has been appointed as Head of Government Staff.

Ashot Manukyan has been appointed Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Ignaty Arakelyan has been appointed Minister of Agriculture.

Vahan Martirosyan has been appointed Minister of Transport and Communication.

Vardan Aramyan has been appointed Minister of Finance.

Vache Gabrielyan will retain his post as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of International Integration and Reforms.

The 8th International Hrant Dink Award will take place in Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center on Thursday, September 22, 2016 between 20.00-22.00.

On 8 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received judge advocate general, deputy attorney-general of the Republic of Armenia Artavazd Harutyunyan, NKR President’s Press Office reports.

Issues related to cooperation between the corresponding structures of the two Armenian states were discussed during the meeting.

NKR prosecutor general Arthur Mosiyan and deputy judge advocate of the Republic of Armenia Arsen Sardaryan were present at the meeting.

On August 10, President Serzh Sargsyan will conduct a work visit to the Russian Federation.

In the framework of the visit, President Sargsyan in Moscow will meet with President Putin. At the high-level negotiations the parties will discuss pivotal items on the cooperation agenda of the two strategic partners such as political, trade, economic, and humanitarian, as well as issues related to the development of integration processes in the Eurasian area.

Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin will also exchange views on some pressing international and regional issues.