Author: Liana Toganian

Artur Sargsyan – known as “bread bringer” – died at Armenia Medical center today.

Representatives of the center say he had been hospitalized earlier today.

Artur Sargsyan was detained in August 2016 after he broke the police cordon to deliver food to members of Sasna Tsrer group, who had seized a police station in Yerevan last July.

Sargsyan was released earlier this month.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with members of the Movement of French Enterprises (MEDEF), which acts as an important link between French firms and high-ranking officials and private sector representatives from different countries.

This structure responsible for international cooperation supports and contributes to the activity of French firms and creates conditions for them to realize their programs. It also enables French companies functioning abroad to raise issues of interest and problems with a view of seeking solutions.

Following the meeting the Tashir Group of Companies and the Schneider Electric Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

Addressing the meeting, President Sargsyan introduced the investment opportunities in Armenia and invited French companies to invest in the country. “I assure we’re ready to demonstrate an individual approach to every investor, taking into consideration his needs.”

Today marks the 25^th anniversary of the founding of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. On March 3, 1992, as decreed by the first president of the Republic of Armenia, there came into being an organization which was entrusted with a pan-national mission of foremost importance and named HAYASTAN ALL-ARMENIAN FUND.

On May 16, 1992, the fund’s 24-member Board of Trustees issued a statement, which said, “A devastating earthquake, thousands of homeless refugees, a dire situation faced by the Armenian population of Artsakh, an economy in shambles, and unrelenting blockades of the homeland: these and many other difficulties can be overcome only through the synergistic mobilization of the resources and efforts of the entire Armenian nation, and through united and harmonious work. Actively supporting the development and strengthening of Armenian statehood, which is the main prerequisite for the survival and prosperity of the Armenian people, and contributing to the economic, scientific, educational, spiritual, and cultural development of the homeland must be an honor and a matter of duty for each and every Armenian.”

Today, in the 25th year of its existence, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund encompasses affiliates across the globe, legions of volunteers devoted to its patriotic mission, benefactors and grassroots donors who view the development of the homeland as a sacred duty, and a wide range of vitally important projects that have been implemented through collaborative work. In the past quarter century, thanks to the powerful unity of Armenians throughout the world, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has carried out a long string of projects, including roads, hospitals, schools and kindergartens, water and gas pipelines, and initiatives fostering excellence in the arts, sciences, and culture. Our each accomplishment is a message to the international community that despite facing a myriad of challenges, independent Armenian statehood perseveres, and that we must and will do everything it takes to defend and bolster it.

The achievements of the newest chapter of our history are the legacy we must leave to the new generation, to which we must also pass on a strong belief in collective strength and unwavering dedication to the homeland.

Manchester United considered signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan before he joined Borussia Dortmund with Sir Alex Ferguson a fan of his ability, according to his former assistant Rene Meulensteen.

Mkhitaryan is thriving under Jose Mourinho after a £27million summer move from the Bundesliga club but his arrival at Old Trafford could have happened much sooner had the stars aligned under Ferguson.

Meulensteen, who formed part of Ferguson’s backroom team during his pomp, says he remembers watching Mkhitaryan at Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk before Ferguson decided against a bid because he did not think the midfielder was ready.

Speaking to talkSPORT the Dutchman said: “When he was much younger, before he joined Dortmund, we were actually looking at him. I remember the name very clearly!

“We felt he was not ready but he is, in my opinion, a typical Man United player. He is quick, he is creative, he has got assists in him, he has got goals in him.

“I am really, really pleased he has found his feet and is performing to his best.”

Today in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Mr.Karen Karapetyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

His Holiness welcomed the Prime Minister to the Mother See, noting the government’s efforts and programs launched to overcome the challenges facing the nation and her people. The Catholicos of All Armenians also acknowledged that the Prime Minister has always been a supporter of the Armenian Apostolic Church and her institutions.

The Prime Minister spoke appreciatively on the existing relations between the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the RA Government, attaching great importance to the cooperation between state and church.

During the meeting, His Holiness detailed the current activities of the Mother See. They also spoke about the progress of reforms in the country.

His Holiness expressed his wish that initiatives aimed at the progress and prosperity of the Homeland and her people, will be successfully carried out.

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan had a meeting with Guido Raimondi, President of the European Court of Human Rights.

Issues related to the cooperation between the Armenian Ombudsman’s Office and the European Court were discussed.

In particular, reference was made to the mechanism of Armenia’s intervention as third party in cases before the European Court. The SCHR President attached importance to this initiative of the Armenian Human Rights Defender, noting that it would be an example of best international practice and help raise the effectiveness of the European Court’s activity.

The parties agreed to ensure cooperation towards the implementation of the European Court rulings and purse the protection of human rights, in general.

There were several important messages in Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s comments on Nagorno Karabakh, Spokesman for the NKR President David Babayan says.

“The most important is that Russia and other Minsk Group countries exclude the use of force and stress there is no alternative to a peaceful settlement,” David Babayan told Public Radio of Armenia.

Besides, David Babayn said, “we should remember that all issues will be settled only after the status of Nagorno Karabakh is determined.”

“Lavrov made it clear that the Karabakh issue is not an internal affair of Azerbaijan and its settlement does not depend on Baku’s will.”

As for the Russian Foreign Minister’s regret for the lack of consensus on the implementation of an investigation mechanism, Babayan said “Azerbaijan foil s any step in that direction, despite the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg.”

Speaking about Lavrov’s reference to the four resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and the demand to “liberate the occupied territories,” the Spokesman said: “We have not occupied any territories. We have been forced to liberate some territories to form a buffer zone.”

“There cannot be a return to the borders of 1988 and 1991, because we’ll not be able to ensure our security having Azerbaijan as a neighbor,” David Babayan said.

Vice-President of the Armenian National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov is leaving for Iran to day to attend the funeral of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Parliament’s Press Service reports.

Mr. Rafsanjani died on Sunday in a hospital in Tehran after suffering a heart attack.

His body was taken to Jamaran prayer hall, the residence of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Rohullah Khomeini, where relatives, politicians and religious figures gathered to pay their last respects.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian briefed President Serzh Sargsyan on the Foreign Ministry’s activity towards ensuring Armenia’s active involvement in international organizations. Minister Nalabndian presented the achievements and future plans, the chairmanship of the International Organization of the Francophonie, the organization’s reference to Nagorno Karabakh in its recent statement.

Minister Nalbandian reported on a number of meetings to be held within the framework of international organizations – the priorities of Armenia at the meeting of Foreign Ministers in Vienna dedicated to nuclear security, the “Support to Armenia” mission within the framework of NATO, the Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Paris, the OSCE Ministerial meeting in Gamburg.

President Sargsyan called Minister Nalabndian’s attention to the directives to be given to diplomats during the traditional meeting with Armenian Ambassadors expected in Paris.

Serzh Sargsyan instructed to hold the next meeting with diplomats in Armenia. The President presented his views on intensification of economic diplomacy.