Author: Lara Chatinian

President Serzh Sargsyan has issued an address on the occasion of Labor Day

Dear Compatriots,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of Labor Day.

On May 1, laborers all over the world traditionally celebrate their holiday and praise honest work. This is truly a holiday of human dignity.

Peaceful work, honest gain, and mutual respect are timeless values which because of the rich traditions formed through the millennia have found their steady place in our reality. These values were passed from generation to generation by our parents and forefathers, and we have to pass them on intact to our children and heirs.

Today, when Armenia is an independent state, we are obligated to revisit these traditions and reinforce them. Diligence, creative and innovative approach to work, solidarity of the different strata of the society constitute the most solid base for our Fatherland’s sustainable development. I am confident that this is the best road towards the implementation in Armenia of fundamental changes and modernization of our economy.

Dear Compatriots,

The working people – you, are the foundation of our country’s prosperity.
I once again congratulate you on this great holiday and wish that your life is full of interesting and productive work, new ideas and enterprising activities which will bring light, warmth, and prosperity to each Armenian family.

AFP – EU president Donald Tusk said the bloc already misses Britain but would act as one to defend its interests after London triggered the two-year exit process on Wednesday.

“What can I add to this? We already miss you. Thank you and goodbye,” Tusk said in Brussels after receiving a letter from British Prime Minister Theresa May requesting the EU divorce.

“There is no reason to pretend this is a happy day,” he said in a short statement to reporters, adding: “In essence this is about damage control.

In a historic moment at around 1:26 pm (1126 GMT), Tusk accepted the letter from Tim Barrow, the British ambassador to the EU, as they shook hands against a backdrop of EU and Union Jack flags.

But the former Polish premier added that the European Union would stay together during the talks on Britain’s exit.

“Paradoxically there is also something positive in Brexit. Brexit has made us, the communuity of 27 more determined and more united than before,” he added.

“Today I can say that we will remain determined and united, also in the future, during the difficult negotiations ahead,” he added.

The remaining EU 27 members issued a statement through Tusk saying they would priotise an “orderly” divorce — in contrast to May saying in her letter that she wanted to discuss new ties and the split in parallel.

“In these negotiations the Union will act as one and preserve its interests,” they said in the statement.

“Our first priority will be to minimise the uncertainty caused by the decision of the United Kingdom for our citizens, businesses and Member States,” they added.

“Therefore, we will start by focusing on all key arrangements for an orderly withdrawal,” they said.

The EU27 said they would “approach these talks constructively and strive to find an agreement” and added that “we hope to have the United Kingdom as a close partner” in future.

Tusk will issue more detailed political guidelines for the Brexit negotiations, which EU leaders will sign off on at a summit on April 29.

Armenian Weekly – This year marks the 102^nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, in which 1.5 million Armenians were massacred by the Ottoman Empire.

Each year The Massachusetts Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee holds a remembrance event to honor and commemorate those who lost their lives.

This year’s program will focus on four pillars; Art, Service, Science, and Commerce. These four pillars are also a representation of the abstract sculpture piece and labyrinth at the Armenian Heritage Park.

The event, open to the public will be held at the Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy at 3 p.m. It will feature several guests, including the Primate of the Armenian Diocese (Eastern) His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Middlesex County Peter Koutoujian, and former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans. The commemoration will also feature performances by the Sayat Nova Dance Company and violinist Sammy Andonian.

Through the event, the Massachusetts Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee seeks to commemorate the loss of 1.5 million Armenians during the genocide and to reflect on the lessons it holds for our lives today.

Fambox, a startup operating in Gyumri’s Technology Center (GTC), will develop a project for the World Bank’s Headquarters in Washington using the MarkLogic database.

GTC manager Amalya Yeghoyan says the cooperation is unprecedented for Armenia. “This is the first time the World Bank acts as a client and business partner, not as creditor,” she said, speaking to .

Fambox submitted a trial project before receiving an order from the World Bank, said David Hyusyan, the Company’s Founding Director.

The project will cost $50,000 in the initial stage. It will help create new jobs and open up good perspectives for young specialists of the sphere.

“This will also make Armenia better known to the world and will raise the country’s international standing,” said Technical Director Emil Yeritsyan.

Fambox was among the 12 winners of the competition of innovative ideas announced by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) in 2015. The Gyumri Technology Center was established in 2014 by the Government of Armenia and Enterprise Incubator Foundation with financing from the  World Bank.

On February 7 Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan met with Frank Engel,  Member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg in Brussels.

During the meeting issues related to the freedom of expression, journalistic activities, as well as such actions in Artsakh were discussed. Frank Engel highlighted that the journalists’ activities in Artsakh have immense importance and should be enhanced. He stressed that the extradition of Alexander Lapshin cannot affect the further visits to Artsakh.

According to Frank Engel, henceforth visits to Artsakh must be even more frequent. In addition, MEP noted that the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh and the civil society should be involved in international discussions and meetings.

Arman Tatoyan stressed the importance of Frank Engel’s position and noted that “all effort are being exercised to contribute to the visits to Artsakh and the involvement of Artsakh’s democratic institutions.”

The parties reached agreement to cooperate towards that end.

During the meeting issues related to the human rights situation in Armenia, as well as the regulations of the RA new law on Human Rights Defender were discussed.

President Serzh Sargsyan, who conducted a working visit to the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh on December 8-11, in the evening of December 11 in Stepanakert met with art workers of Armenia who are visiting Artsakh.

The President of Armenia expressed readiness to hold such gathering days ago during his meeting with the Minister of Culture of Armenia Armen Amirian. The meeting, which took place in the capital of Artsakh was also attended by the Ministers of Culture of Armenia and NKR.

First, at the request of the participants, the President of Armenia spoke about the purpose of his visit to Artsakh, meetings and discussions held in the framework of the visit, results of his visits to the defense positions of the Defense Army and then answered the questions raised by the art workers, listened to their concerns regarding problems existing in the area and proposals on the possible avenues to address them.

Time magazine has named Donald Trump its Person of the Year – calling him “President of the Divided States of America,” CNN reports.

“I don’t think that we have ever seen one person, operating in such an unconventional way, have an impact on the events of the year,” said Time editor Nancy Gibbs.

She called this year’s choice “one of the more straightforward years.” Trump beat runner-up Hillary Clinton for the distinction, which Gibbs said is given to the newsmaker who has the biggest influence on world events, for better or worse.

Placing third was “the hackers,” to cover people who breached the records of major government organizations, politicians, celebrities and everyday citizens.

The short list also included President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, scientists who developed new DNA-related technology and Beyonce.

Gary Neville says he would leave out both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney from Manchester United’s starting XI, reports.

In a talk at the Oxford Union, the former United defender said he would play Marcus Rashford up front, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial both starting in wide positions.

Neville went for David De Gea in goal, a back four of Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind, and a midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick.

Neville made his United debut in 1992 and went on to play 602 games for the club under Ferguson before retiring in 2011.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to the President Elect of the United States of America Donald Trump which reads,

“Honorable Mr. Trump,

Please accept my warmest congratulations on your election as the President of the United States.

The American people has enthusiastically voted in support of your outstanding leadership qualities, your experience and vision, thus entrusting you with the honorable responsibility to lead the nation. I have no doubt, that under your able leadership the United States will achieve further progress and advancement in the years to come.

As the United States and Armenia prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, I seize this opportunity to express my gratitude for the substantial support extended by the United States over the last quarter of a century to help Armenia build democratic institutions and strengthen its economy.

In Armenia we highly value the important role played by the United States, in its capacity as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk group, in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

I am confident that under your presidency, the Armenia-US close partnership would continue to develop dynamically – expanding and reaching new heights in diverse areas. I also believe that we can continue to count on the active engagement of the Armenian-American community – a strong bridge between our nations.

As you embark upon your new responsibilities, I would like to assure you and the people of the United States of our continued friendship and sympathy and wish you utmost success in leading your country and the American people to progress and prosperity.

Please accept, Honorable Mr. Trump, the assurances of my highest consideration.”