Emirates News Agency, UAE July 19, 2017 Wednesday 3:32 PM EST Abdullah bin Zayed meets Armenian Foreign Minister to review bilateral relations YEREVAN, Armenia, 19th July, 2017 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Tuesday met with the Armenian Foreign Minister, Eduard Nalbandyan, as part of his visit to the country. The meeting touched on a variety of topics including ways of boosting bilateral relations between their countries in various fields, including politics, economics, trade and investment. The two ministers also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and reviewed a number of international issues of common concern, especially the situations in Libya, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE and Armenia have strong bonds of friendship and cooperation, and expressed his keen interest in strengthening those relations in all fields. The Armenian Foreign Minister welcomed Sheikh Abdullah's visit, stressing his government's desire to enhance bilateral cooperation. The meeting was attended by Dr. Jassim Mohammed Mubarak Al Qasimi, UAE Ambassador to Armenia.
Author: Mike Maghakian
Turkey hits back at Germany’s sanctions threat over activist arrests
Deutsche Presse-Agentur July 20, 2017 Thursday 6:34 PM GMT Turkey hits back at Germany's sanctions threat over activist arrests Friederike Heine in Berlin Berlin (dpa) - The Turkish Foreign Ministry has hit back at Germany, accusing Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel of "xenophobia" after he warned German citizens they could face arbitrary arrest in Turkey and threatened the country with sanctions. Gabriel's warning came after the recent arrest of six human rights activists in Turkey, including a German national. In retaliation, the Foreign Ministry in Ankara vowed to make "the necessary response" to what it called efforts to score political points at home through "xenophobia against Turkey and Turks." On July 5, Turkish authorities detained six human rights activists - including Idil Eser, director of Amnesty International's Turkey branch, Ali Gharavi of Sweden and Peter Steudtner from Germany - at a conference on digital security in Istanbul. Amnesty says they are accused of supporting an armed terrorist organization without being members. Gabriel warned that any German travelling to Turkey was at risk of arrest and that the country had revised its travel advice to better protect citizens. Gabriel said Steudtner "never wrote about Turkey, he had no contacts in the political establishment ... and never appeared as a critic," and that any Germany national travelling to Turkey could suffer the same fate. Among the diplomatic and economic sanctions being considered by Germany are the withdrawal export guarantees and the reduction of millions of euros in funding to Turkey from the EU, Gabriel said. A statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: "Our relations should not be carried out with extortion and threats, but rather on the basis of internationally recognized norms and principles." It added that Turkey wishes to maintain Germany as an ally. Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that law-abiding Germans had nothing to fear in Turkey. He added that by demanding the release of Steudtner, Germany was demonstrating a "lack of respect" and attempting to "give orders" to the Turkish judiciary. Gabriel said that he would work with Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Union officials to decide on diplomatic and economic sanctions against Turkey. In 2016, the German government guaranteed 20.6 billion euros (23.7 billion dollars) worth of exports to Turkey. Total exports to Turkey that year from Germany amounted to 1.2 trillion euros. The EU allocates an average of 600 million euros per year in pre-accession funds to Turkey. Merkel considered new measures against Turkey "necessary and inevitable in light of the development," her spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Twitter. Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for the European Commission, said there would be no withdrawal of EU funds to Turkey without the approval of all of the bloc's member states. "I don't see how we can continue guaranteeing companies' investments in Turkey," Gabriel said, in an apparent reference to Erdogan's decision to blacklist dozens of German companies it suspects of supporting terrorism. Local media reported Thursday that Ankara had suggested swapping German nationals being held in Turkey for Turkish asylum seekers in Germany it suspects of the coup attempt. "There is no official offer of a swap," Gabriel said. "There has been no correspondence and no phone call" in which such a swap was suggested, he added. Germany and Turkey have sparred over a numerous topics in recent months, including the pre-trial detention of a Turkish-German journalist Deniz Yucel and Germany's refusal to extradite asylum seekers Turkey says were involved in a coup attempt last year. Berlin has also been frustrated by Ankara's frequent refusal to let German lawmakers visit soldiers at two air bases, as well as attempts by Turkish politicians to hold campaign rallies in Germany. A decision last year by the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, to declare the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I a genocide sparked outrage in Ankara.
BAKU: Lapshin getting sentenced is triumph of justice
Trend News Agency (Baku, Azerbaijan) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency Thursday Baku: Lapshin getting sentenced is triumph of justice by Seba Aghayeva, Trend News Agency, Baku, Azerbaijan July 20--Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev, commenting on the court decision against blogger Alexander Lapshin, said that Azerbaijan is a rightful state and court's decision requires respect. In line with the decision of the court of first instance, Lapshin was sentenced to three years in prison, Hajiyev told Trend and noted that justice has been done. During the investigation and the trial, all the rights of Alexander Lapshin were ensured, according to him. "Taking this opportunity, we urge citizens of foreign states not to become a tool of Armenian propaganda, to refrain from illegal visits to the occupied Azerbaijani territories and illegal actions in those territories," Hajiyev said. "Azerbaijan will continue to take decisive and necessary steps to prosecute in line with national and international law, in order to prevent activities against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, and illegal actions in the occupied territories." Alexander Lapshin is a citizen of several countries and had a criminal collusion with Armenians in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. He also illegally visited these territories. Lapshin was accused of violating Azerbaijani laws on state border in April 2011 and October 2012. On Jan. 17, Alexei Stuk, deputy prosecutor general of Belarus, issued a ruling on Lapshin's extradition to Azerbaijan. Lapshin was brought to Azerbaijan on Feb. 7. On July 20, Lapshin was sentenced to three years in prison by the Baku Court on Grave Crimes.
Swedish MPs file genocide complaint against Turkey’s Erdogan
Public Radio of Armenia
16:51, 11 Jul 2017
A small group of Swedish lawmakers have filed a legal complaint accusing Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, reports AFP.
The complaint signed by five lawmakers from the Left and Green parties is the first of its kind in Sweden against a head of state, writes AFP.
The suit relates to the conflict in Turkey’s Kurdish majority south-east, which has been battered by renewed fighting between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces since a fragile truce collapsed in 2015.
“We are five lawmakers handing in a complaint… (requesting) punishment for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes,” Annika Lillemets, an MP for the Green party, told a news conference in Stockholm.
The complaint, filed to the Swedish International Public Prosecution Offices, names Erdogan and several ministers including Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
A Swedish law adopted in 2014 allows the country’s courts to judge cases of alleged crimes against humanity regardless of where they have been committed or by whom.
The law stipulates that “anyone, who in order to completely or patially destroy a national or ethnic group of people” kills, causes serious pain or injury is “guilty of genocide”.
The Public Prosecution Offices said it would now decide whether to initiate a preliminary investigation, adding that “it may take a while”.
If prosecutors decide to launch an investigation, Erdogan could risk an arrest warrant in Sweden, the lawmakers said.
Tourism: Tigranakert continues to be one of main touristic centers of Artsakh’s
Aravot, Armenia
July 7 2017
Tigranakert continues to be one of main touristic centers of Artsakh’s
During this period of the year, an unprecedented growth in the number of tourists visiting Tigranakert has been recorded. According to the latest data, as compared to the previous year, the growth has amounted to 220% and as compared to 2015 – 70%, informed the Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Artsakh Sergey Shahverdyan. “The total number of tourists visited Artsakh has also increased compared to the previous year by 40%, and to 2015 – by 20%. The mainstream of the foreign tourists comes from Russia, USA, and European countries”, he noted.
As stated by him, there is no question of tourist infrastructures in Artsakh and the current conditions are sufficient for the existing flow of the tourists. Referring to such activation of tourism, Sergey Shahverdyan has conditioned the situation by the following factors: “The increase of the visiting tourists is primarily conditioned by the factor of the efforts made by the National Committee of Tourism of Armenia, which is directed at involving Artsakh in tourist directions actively. In parallel with it, in the case of the Russian tourists, the opportunity to enter Armenia via domestic passport has served as a stimulation”, reported the deputy minister and added that throughout the season, a continual flow of tourists is to be expected.
Davit ABAGHYAN
Chess: Levon Aronian to face former world champion Garry Kasparov at Sinquefield Cup
Panorama, Armenia
July 6 2017
Armenian GM Levon Aronian will play with former world chess champion Garry Kasparov at the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, Missouri, which takes place from 14-19 August.
Kasparov who retired from professional chess in 2005, was given a wild card entry for the event’s Rapid and Blitz competition, the organizers of the tournament reported.
Current world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway will also play at the tournament, as will Hikaru Nakamura, ranked second in the world.
The 2017 Sinquefield Cup is an elite international event, featuring 10 of the strongest chess players in the world.
To note, at 54, Kasparov will be the oldest player competing for the Sinquefield Cup.
Sports: Why United fans love Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Manchester United, UK
July 3 2017
Why United fans love Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan earned the affection of Manchester United fans during his debut season at the club, playing an important role as the Reds won three pieces of silverware in 2016/17.
Mkhitaryan joined the club on 6 July 2016, and made history last term by scoring in five European away games – including the Europa League final triumph over Ajax.
As part of ManUtd.com's focus on Micki, we invited supporters on Twitter to have their say on our midfield Armenian and specifically tell us why they rate him highly as a player.
Here's a selection of our favourite replies…
@MUFC_Sarah – "Love him! He had a great season, scored some fantastic goals and will only get better for the experience in England next season."
@Edam26 - "The best midfielder and playmaker I have seen for a long time. Micki has the potential to be a legend at our club."
@Frear3 – "He's a terrific player, and the best is yet to come!"
@VintageUtd – "He's absolutely class. Saved us so many times with his crucial goals. His runs and finishing are so, so good. He's one of the best."
@YunHongOfficial – "Best playmaker in the Premier League!"
@Rio_F79 – "He's an honest, hard-working team player. He's our creative spark and can score some goals."
@Vivek21794 – "Messi is the Argentinian Mkhitaryan. That's how highly I rate him."
@Lilnick724 - "He's been one of my favourite players since his time at Borussia Dortmund. He's so unique and has good dribbling skills, and he's very versatile. I'm glad he signed for United."
@xZarryStylesx – "I rate him as a very skilful player who loves to dribble and score goals. He also scored the original scorpion kick!"
@Siamanto – "Mkhitaryan has vision, class, control, pace, passing ability and he can score goals!"
@Ssofiasanss – "Great addition to the team. Improved immensely throughout the season and is becoming a solid player in the midfield area."
@Rajas40 - "He's a super talented player, and look how humble he is too. He can only get better from here."
@MUFCFlash – "His ability is second to none. The way he dribbles past opponents at ease is amazing and his technique is absolutely world class."
@Squance_Matthew – "Magic Micki. That's all that needs to be said. The man's a magician on the ball."
@_Barrack__ – "The goal that gave us the Europa League trophy! All hail our midfield Armenian!"
ANKARA: Cradle of civilizations pictured from above
Daily Sabah, Turkey
ANADOLU AGENCY
Included in UNESCO's World Heritage List, Kars has been photographed from above by Anadolu Agency (AA) via a drone. The city, which is named the "World's City," "the Cradle of Civilization," "One Thousand Churches," and the "City with 40 Doors," has the first Turkish mosque on Anatolian soil at the Ani archaeological site, "Ebul Menucehr Mosque," as well as the "Amenaprgich Church," "Ani," "Ani Cathedral," "Dikrant Honentz Church" and "Abugamir Pahlavuni Church."
The Ani archaeological site near Arpaçay Valley located 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Kars city center was the Armenian capital during the reign of Pakraduni Heraldry between 961-1045 A.D. It has Islamic architectural buildings dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries, was included on the Temporary World Heritage List of UNESCO in 2012 and was registered as a world heritage site in 2016.
Countless civilizations including Saka Turks, Sassanids, the Bagratlı Kingdom, the Byzantines, the Şeddat Oğulları Chiefdom, Anı Georgian Atabegs, the Harzemşah State, İlhanlıs, Seljukians, Karakoyunlus, Akkoyunlus, the Ottoman Empire and Russians have resided in the city that dates back to the 3rd century B.C. The 21 remaining historical structures in Ani mesmerize both local and foreign tourists.
Ani was the first entry point for Caucasians into Anatolia and the pictures from above of these structures belonging to different generations is a sight to see.
The walls and sanctuaries still standing in this city of tolerance shed light on past civilizations. The site of "One Thousand Churches," and "the City with 40 Doors" has the first Turkish mosque on Anatolian soil called "Ebul Menucehr Mosque," as well as other notable structures such as the "Amenaprgich Church," "Ani," "Ani Cathedral," "Dikrant Honentz Church" and "Abugamir Pahlavuni Church," which are all cultural heritage sites.
The medieval city of Ani, built over a 68-hectare area in a tectonic region and protected by a 4.5-kilometer-long fortification system, welcomes guests throughout the seasons. The Ebul Menucehr Mosque, which is the first Turkish mosque in Anatolia, was built in 1064 A.D. and completed eight years later in 1072 and is a center of attraction for visitors.
Located on the historic Silk Road, the Ani archaeological site illuminates the remains of ancient times.
Incredible Historic Texture
Stefan Lindner, an Austrian tourist who visited the Ani archaeological site, told an AA correspondent that it was his first time in the area and he greatly enjoyed his visit.
Lindner explained that he has visited some of the regions in Turkey and that there are a number of unique and matchless places to be seen. "The historical texture here is incredible and nature is very beautiful. We're delighted to see this archaeological site. Now I want to discover everything about it," Lindner said.
Tourist Marten Stegfellner stated that he was very impressed when he saw the historical buildings and he said, "I come from Austria where there are high mountains. There are skiing areas nearby and it is a region with history, but I was incredibly impressed when I saw this here. I was really delighted. I hope that Ani is restored by the authorities. This place doesn't just belong to Turkey, but is a historical site that belongs to the whole world. I think it is very important to protect and to keep it as it is."
Hilal Topaktaş, a student at Kafkas University (KAU) Medical School, said, "I came to Ani for the first time. There are really beautiful buildings. Ani is a place where many civilizations have made their home and everyone should come and see it.
Culture: Young Armenian singer at BBC annual award (video)
Tert, Armenia
13:38 • 19.06.17
A BBC annual music award for young opera singers this year featured also an Armenian participant.
Anush Hovhannisyan, a student at the Yerevan State Conservatory, performed a song at the Cardiff Singer of the World 2017 concert.
The professional jury selected 20 out of 400 applicants who sought to participate in the event. They represent six different countries.
Watch video at http://www.tert.am/en/news/2017/06/19/soprano-anush/2405862
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Education: Students of Gyumri Photon college visit VivaCell-MTS solar base station
PanArmenian, Armenia
– 18:30 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – VivaCell-MTS specialists have held master classes on the territories of two base stations of the company operating by solar electric supply sources, located along the Yerevan-Gyumri section of an interstate highway.
Photon college in Gyumri is one of the high schools, included in the PTC experimental study program and conducts Basics of Telecommunications courses with the support of VivaCell-MTS.
The company’s specialists regularly organize professional trainings for teachers of the subject and students. To strengthen theoretical knowledge and to share practical skills, the specialists organize tours after classroom sessions, taking the students and teachers to the base station.
The base stations operating along the Mastara-Maralik motorway are special: their supply of electricity comes from solar batteries. This is a perfect solution especially for locations with sparsely-populated areas, where electricity supply is a problem. Using solar supply sources of electricity for VivaCell-MTS base stations reduces the consumption of electric power and the infrastructure maintenance expenses.
“In the age of technological development, an hour equals a second. Every day brings about new demands. We need to be always ready for new solutions, which are based on innovation, demand, responsibility, but never consumerism. These stations powered by solar energy are a result of such an attitude. Whatever you get with the course is based on more than ten-year experience of a leading telecommunications company. Appreciate it, never stop enhancing your mind and be responsible,” said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.
To remind, according to the quadrilateral memorandum (signed by RA Ministry of Education and Science, Synopsys Armenia, VivaCell-MTS, and Unicomp) the Basics of Communication has been included in the curricula of Gyumri Photon, Yerevan Quantum colleges, physics and mathematics school after Artashes Shahinyan, and mathematics and natural sciences school in Vanadzor, as well as the high schools under NPUA in Yerevan. Five more high schools will be involved in the program starting from 2018.