Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Saturday NK conflict must be settled based on Artsakh self-determination right – Nalbandian YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The significant difference of Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s approaches in the NK conflict settlement issue is that Azerbaijan attempts to present some made up proposals, as if made by the Co-Chairs, present some made up negotiations processes, which are false, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said in an interview. “The NK conflict settlement process, surely you know, is a long lasting process. Why can’t we reach some results, I said this in my speech in the OSCE ministerial council in Vienna and I put forward 9 reasons. Those 9 reasons are those obstacles, which Azerbaijan is putting forward for many years, and due to these very obstacles it isn’t possible to advance. The difference between us and Azerbaijan, the significant difference lies in the very thing that Azerbaijan is attempting to present some made up proposals, as if made by the Co-Chairs, present come made up negotiations processes which are false, because the statement made at the three co-chairing countries’ ministerial level during the Vienna summit – by Lavrov, Tillerson and the French delegation head, once again reaffirmed that no, there are specific proposals, principles, which are the basis of this negotiations process”, the minister said. Asked how can the tension be eased in the line of contact, the minister said: “This was talked about and we had agreed during the Vienna and St. Petersburg summits. And you know very well, and not only you but everyone, that Azerbaijan was doing everything to pretend that there are no agreements, was taking every step to fail these agreements from realizing, and it even was saying that as if Armenia had put forward pre-conditions. This was very far from the truth, and the latest statement of the co-chairs proves this, that no, all agreements must be implemented. But not only this. Let me open a bit the bracket. I asked my colleague, I said ok, the presidents agreed to take additional steps for minimizing the tension. Can Azerbaijan today reaffirm the commitment for the 1994-1995 trilateral, termless ceasefire agreement? And this isn’t only our demand. This is the urge which the co-chairing countries voice for many years. You know, both Armenia and Karabakh have always said that yes, they are committed to this agreement, while Azerbaijan is doing everything to step back from this agreement. If Azerbaijan is unable to reaffirm its commitment for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, how can we speak about minimizing tension in the line of contact, about true, significant minimization”. Nalbandian stressed that it’s about intensifying the negotiations. Nalbandian mentioned the principles brought forward by the co-chairing countries. “We are committed to reach settlement based on those principles. Those three principles are: territorial integrity, the equality and self determination right of peoples and non use of force or the threat of force. And I asked my colleague, whether or not today he is willing to reaffirm commitment for these principles, because there was a time when Azerbaijan agreed to them. During the 2009 OSCE ministerial council in Athens, Azerbaijan factually agreed, and we made a five-sided statement – the FMs of Armenia and Azerbaijan with the co-chairing countries, where these very principles were written. During the latest Vienna meeting Azerbaijan was once again unable to reaffirm commitment. And what happened? The co-chairing countries once again reaffirmed in their statement, yes, the international community’s approach is that settlement must be based on the fundamental principles of these three international rights, which Armenia has for numerous times supported and supported settlement based on these principles. “ The FM also stressed that a provision cannot be singled out from the proposed settlement document, like Azerbaijan is doing. According to him, it is a packaged proposal, and here there is the main proposal- the final status of NK, which must be decided based on the self-determination right of the people of NK. “This self-determination must be realized through the free expression of will, which must have international legal binding force, binding for Azerbaijan also”, he said. Nalbandian stressed that the NK conflict doesn’t get a solution because Azerbaijan opposed not Armenia’s approach, but opposes the stance of the international community.
Category: 2017
Armenia will be logical, prosperous country, optimistic and confident for future – PM Karapetyan’s New Year address
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Saturday Armenia will be logical, prosperous country, optimistic and confident for future – PM Karapetyan's New Year address YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan released a statement ahead of New Year and Christmas holidays, the government’s press service said. “Dear Compatriots, I have the honor and the opportunity to address you with New Year and Christmas congratulations. May your families be blessed with much happiness, homely warmth, love and solidarity in the New Year! As usual, we summarize the outgoing year in the run-up to the New Year. The annual economic performance will be better than we expected in 2016, and positively different from the indicators of other countries in the region. To cope with all the problems facing the country, we must work hard and ensure sustainable growth every year. No one will develop and build the country for us. Armenia is to be a logical and prosperous country, optimistic and confident about the future. We need an atmosphere of tolerance in the country; mutual respect and consolidation around the goal of developing the country. Every one of us can take a share in that nationwide drive for consolidation. Anyone, who protects the country and works hard, studies, wakes up early and is thoughtful of his surroundings and the country, as a whole, should feel wanted by his fellow countrymen. We can develop our country together and, as a result, have a powerful, equitable, well-developed and prosperous Armenia strong with ever-growing and happy population. Dear Compatriots, On this festive days, I suggest that you fill up your homes with affection and care, embrace your parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren, exchange kind remarks, rejoice, forgive ... Join your family members, relatives and friends in a bid to get rid of your everyday concerns and stock up on a positive supply of energy for the coming year. Be assured that we are going to have an awesome and wonderful country. Happy New Year and Merry Christmas”, the PM said in the statement.
Sports: Man Utd fans urge Henrikh Mkhitaryan to stay after sister’s Dortmund hint
Squawka Football News
Dec 31 2017
image: http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Mkhitaryan.jpg
Henrikh Mkhitaryan‘s future at Manchester United is once more a popular talking point after his sister posted a tweet, since deleted, igniting speculation he could rejoin Borussia Dortmund in January.
The Armenian international joined United from Dortmund in 2016 but endured a slow start to life at Old Trafford, with Jose Mourinho originally unwilling to use the midfielder.
Mkhitaryan, 28, eventually broke into the team through his successes in the League Cup and Europa League, which led him to start the current season in impressive form alongside new signing Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford.
However, the 28-year-old has since fallen back down the pecking order with Jesse Lingard hitting a good run of form.
Asked about a mooted Bundesliga return, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke expressed doubts over the re-signing of Mkhitaryan, from a financial point of view, though speculation persists.
image: http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/henrikh-mkhitaryan-sister-dortmund-fans_150k4ks4rd99r14ytx3d6tj5kt.png
See the tweets at
Sports: Arthur Abraham: I want good year for Armenian people, peace, success in each family
News.am, Armenia
Dec 31 2017
I lost a match this year, which I regret for, but I will do everything possible to bring back the title of the world champion. But beyond sport, the year was very good and memorable, Abraham told NEWS.am Sport.
The former WBO super-middleweight title holder Arthur Abraham summed up 2017 and talked about next year's programs with NEWS.am Sport.
He noted that all the happy moments of the year are mainly connected with my son, the first tooth, the first step, the first word.
According to him, the most impressive meeting of 2017 was the meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican.
According to him, the most impressive meeting of 2017 was the meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican.
“I want good year for Armenian people, peace, success in each family,” the boxer noted.
Sports: Henrikh Mkhitaryan has fallen by the wayside at Manchester United – is Jose Mourinho to blame for his struggles?
The Independent, UK
Dec 31 2017
Dec 31 2017
Mkhitaryan gives the impression of holding a talent to be nurtured. It is clear he has it within him to play at United’s level; what is less clear is whether Mourinho has it within himself to rouse it
Travel: Go monastery-hopping in Armenia
Femina, India
Dec 31 2017
Photograph: Vitaly Titov/123RF
Armenia's culture is deeply rooted in religion, and it's something that forms a major part of the people's lives. It's no surprise that the country's major tourist attractions are its beautiful stone monasteries. Go monastery-hopping on a trail that will take you to some of the country's best.
Head first to the Khor Virap Monastery, which lies 44km south of Yerevan. The monastery started out as a dungeon (khor virap means ‘deep well’). When pagan King Trdat III (or Tridates) ruled over Armenia, his Christian assistant Gregory (Grigor) Lusavorich attempted to spread his teachings to the people. Angered by his audacity, the king had Gregory thrown into a dungeon. He was left down there for 13 years. The king then fell ill and Gregory was summoned to try and save him. Gregory cured the king of his madness, making a believer out of him. From then on, he was allowed to preach Christianity freely, and was named St Gregory the Illuminator. Following this, the king made Christianity the state religion. Pagan temples were destroyed and churches built over them, and the Armenian Apostolic Church was born. The monastery compound also houses the 17th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God, one of Armenia’s most important pilgrimage sites.
Next on the monastery trail, visit the legendary Noravank Monastery. Located in the Vayotz Dzor region near the fiery-red Noravank Gorge, the 13th-century monastery complex is a massive monument. Inside the area, there are four churches, some of which have been severely damaged. There’s the 9th-century St Karapet Church, which is the oldest, the main St Stepanos Church and the St Gregory the Illuminator Mausoleum-Church. And finally, the two-storeyed Surp Astvatsatsin Church. Possibly the most elegant of the medieval classical Armenian churches, steep staircases lead to the second story of this church and cling to the façade of the building.
Head next to Geghard Monastery, partially carved into the rock of the mountains of the Azat River Gorge. Some of the churches within the monastery complex have complex architectural structures, giving the chambers such amazing acoustics they put modern-day auditoriums to shame. Not very far from Geghard lies the first-century basalt Garni Temple, or the Temple of the Sun, in Kotayk, which is the only surviving sample of Hellenistic architecture in the area.
College Town: Clark Prof Taner Akcam receives honors from World Without Genocide
The Telegram, MA
Dec 30 2017
College Town: Clark prof receives honors from World Without Genocide
Clark University history professor Taner Akcam will be honored with the 2018 Outstanding Upstander Award from the World Without Genocide organization. [Submitted Photo]
By Bonnie Russell / Telegram & Gazette Staff
Clark University history professor Taner Akcam will be honored for the decades he has spent gathering historical evidence to document the 1915 Armenian genocide, the mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians that took place at the hands of the government during the Ottoman Empire.
Mr. Akcam will be honored with the 2018 Outstanding Upstander Award from the World Without Genocide organization.
According to its website, World Without Genocide, housed at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, works “to protect innocent people around the world; prevent genocide by combating racism and prejudice; advocate for the prosecution of perpetrators; and remember those whose lives and cultures have been destroyed by violence.”
Mr. Akçam, one of the first Turkish intellectuals to acknowledge and openly discuss the Armenian genocide, holds an endowed chair at Clark’s Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. An outspoken advocate of democracy and free _expression_ since his student days at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, he is an internationally recognized human rights activist.
“We have long admired your bold and dedicated work to document the atrocities perpetrated by the Ottoman government against the Armenian people. You have persisted in speaking out about the genocide, despite being marked for death by Turkish ultranationalists,” Ellen J. Kennedy, executive director of World Without Genocide, wrote to Mr. Akçam.
One example is Mr. Akcam’s challenging of Article 301, a provision of Turkey’s criminal code that permits the arrest of individuals who use the term “genocide” to describe the killing of about 1.5 Armenians during the Ottoman Empire. The European Court of Human Rights ruled in Mr. Akcam’s favor stating that Turkey violated his right to free _expression_, which was reported in an Oct. 29, 2011, Telegram & Gazette article by Bronislaus B. Kush.
Mr. Akçam presented the case in 2007, following the murder of journalist Hrant Dink, who had been convicted under Article 301.
Mr. Akçam’s most recent discovery, an Ottoman document that he states is “the smoking gun,” which demonstrates the government’s knowledge of and involvement in the systematic elimination of the Armenian population, was discussed in an article by Tim Arango published on April 22 in The New York Times.
In an email, Mr. Akcam explained that he had first discovered “a memoir of an Ottoman bureaucrat Naim Efendi, which is considered lost.” The memoir includes about 52 telegrams belonging to the Ottoman Government regarding the deportation and extermination of Armenians.
“The second discovery is a different telegram sent by a central committee member of the Union and Progress Party (which organized the genocide). The telegram is a smoking gun and includes the killing orders,” he said.
Mr. Akcam’s forthcoming book, “Killing Orders,” combines these two different areas of research to provide evidence that refutes arguments by Turkish denialists regarding the inauthenticity of the telegrams.
Previous recipients of the World Without Genocide award include Eli Rosenbaum, director of human rights enforcement strategy and policy at the U.S. Department of Justice; Claudia Paz y Paz, former Attorney General of Guatemala; and Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo, former prosecutor at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia.
Mr. Akçam will formally receive the award at the organization’s annual gala in May 2018 in Minneapolis.
ARMENPRESS sums up key economic events of 2017
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Friday ARMENPRESS sums up key economic events of 2017 YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Starting from the formation of new government up to investments, signing of Armenia-EU agreement, high economic activity index: 2017 was full of numerous economic events. ARMENPRESS has identified the most important economic events and the macro-economic indicators of 2017. Armenia-UAE Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi The Armenia-United Arab Emirates Investment Forum was held in Abu Dhabi in spring with the participation of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. The Forum aimed at boosting the economic ties between Armenia and the Arab states, as well as the contacts between the businessmen. Presentations on agriculture, animal husbandry, energy, healthcare, pharmaceutics, IT, tourism were held, the successful stories of foreign companies in Armenia, as well as a number of investment programs were presented. As a result a memorandum of understanding on investments worth 100 million USD was signed between Armenia’s ministry of energy infrastructures and natural resources and UAE Ocean Holding LLC. The Ocean Holding LLC aims at directing investments for construction and operation of solar power plants in Armenia by using the best technologies available in the field. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s official visit to Armenia and the session of Eurasian Inter-governmental Council in Yerevan Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who arrived in Armenia to participate in the session of the Eurasian Inter-governmental Council, announced that the line of economic difficulties between Armenia and Russia is overcome, and the trade turnover is being restored. At the meeting with reporters the Russian PM said Russia will keep the special gas tariff for Armenia in 2018. The session of the Eurasian Inter-governmental Council was held in Yerevan with the participation of the heads of government of the EAEU member states. The PMs reached an agreement on the program of forming a single oil market, and the works over gas will continue. Establishment of Investors Club of Armenia and announcement of first major programs In early 2017 the Investors Club of Armenia officially launched with the participation of the Armenian PM Karen Karapetyan and more than 3 dozen businessmen of the Armenian Diaspora of Russia. In autumn the Tashir Group of Companies announced about the plans to make more than 1 billion USD investment in Armenia’s energy field in the upcoming years together with the Investors Club of Armenia and international financial organizations. 900 million USD from the investments will be directed for the reconstruction of energy infrastructures and installation of energy audit devices, 200 million USD will be used for the construction of Shnogh hydropower plant. Presentation of third series banknotes sketches On November 22, on the occasion of the Day of Armenia’s National Currency, the Central Bank presented the sketches of third series banknotes to be issued in 2018. The banknotes will feature poet Paruyr Sevak (1000 AMD), chess grandmaster Tigran Petrosyan (2000 AMD), writer and dramatist William Saroyan (5000 AMD), composer Komitas (10,000 AMD), painter Ivan Aivazovsky (20,000 AMD), and Saint Gregory the Illuminator (50,000 AMD). The printing will be conducted by Giesecke&Devrient company.The banknotes will be put into circulation on November 22, 2018 on the 25th anniversary of the national currency. Signing of Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement On November 24 Armenia and the European Union signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in Brussels. The sides expressed commitment to strengthen the comprehensive political and economic partnership and cooperation based on common values and close ties. According to specialists, the agreement will directly contribute to economic growth and job creation in Armenia. Meghri Free Economic Zone launched At the end of the year the Meghri Free Economic Zone launched its activity with the participation of Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. The total cost of the construction of the Meghri FEZ is 32 million USD from which 28 million USD are capital expenditures. During the FEZ activity it is planned to attract 50-70 operating companies which will make nearly 100-130 million USD investments, will create about 1500 jobs and will export goods and services worth 250 million USD. The companies operating in the FEZ will be exempt from profit tax, VAT, excise tax and customs duties, paying only the income tax. Macro-economic indicators and monetary-loan policy 7.3% economic activity growth was recorded in the 11 months of 2017. The export for the first time exceeded 2 billion USD. In January-November a double-digit growth was recorded in the services field (14.2%), trade turnover (14.4%), industrial production volume (12.3%), external trade turnover (26.4%), export (23.5%) and import (28%). Finance minister Vardan Aramyan told reporters that the economic situation in 2017 was good than expected. He expressed confidence that by the end of the year the real growth will be in 5.5-6%. Under the 2017 budget the GDP growth was expected to be 3.2%, but during the year the government revised the prediction for the economic growth, reaching it to 4.3%, and it predicts 4.5% economic growth for 2018. In 2017 the Central Bank continued conducting a promoting policy. Since 2015 the refinancing rate was reduced 12 times, and at the moment it is 6%. Ani Nazaryan
Georgia offers Armenia to become ‘noble partner’ again
Ekho Kavkaza, Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe's Russian-language Caucasus service
Dec 27 2017
Georgia offers Armenia to become 'noble partner' again
by Vladimir Unanyants
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Russian]
The head of the Georgian and Armenian defence ministries discussed future cooperation and current relations between the two countries in the military sphere. Negotiations held within the frames of the visit to Tbilisi of a high-ranking delegation from the neighbouring country also touched on the participation of Armenian soldiers in multinational drills held in Georgia every year under the NATO aegis.
While Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan spoke with the top Georgian leadership, his namesake and at the same time, Defence Minister Vigen Sargsyan discussed military cooperation of the two countries with his Georgian counterpart Levan Izoria. They spoke without interpreters – in Russian, but behind the closed door. Journalists had to content themselves with the report of the press service of the Georgian Defence Ministry.
In particular, the sides discussed the participation of Armenian soldiers in annual multinational drills that are held in Georgia under the NATO aegis. Yerevan held a dual position this year: At the beginning of August, it dispatched its soldiers to the Noble Partner drills in Tbilisi, but then unexpectedly defused to participate in similar manoeuvres – Agile Spirit – held at the beginning of September.
Now, three months after the regrettable incident, Levan Izoria expressed hope that Armenian soldiers would be trained side by side with Georgian and NATO soldiers in the coming year, 2018. Before that, they can improve their combat skills in the mountain training school in Sachkhere.
For his part, Sargsyan thanked his Georgian counterpart for the proposal, but it is clear that he did not agree immediately. The Armenian delegation was going to Moscow from Tbilisi and it would have been incautious to give any promises in the current situation. Russia is Armenia's chief partner and the leadership of the country cannot afford not to take its opinion into account.
At the same time, Yerevan is nevertheless gradually developing cooperation with the West in general and NATO in particular. Therefore, Armenian pundit Ruben Mehrabyan is sure that both South Caucasus countries can find points of contact on these issues:
"Incidentally, this was discussed also during the visit of NATO Deputy Secretary General [Rose Gottemoeller] to Armenia. Armenia should definitely diversify its security policy. In this sense, relations with Georgia are of strategic importance for Armenia not only in the bilateral, but also the Euro-Atlantic context. Therefore, I think that 2018 is going to be much more fruitful than 2017."
Georgian military expert Vakhtang Maisaia also said that Georgia and Armenia have sufficient common interests in the military sphere.
"First, this is participation in peacekeeping operations under the UN aegis and the NATO aegis. You know that the Armenian Armed Forces are participating also in the peacekeeping mission) in Afghanistan, i.e. they are also taking part in such kinds of operations. There are also special trainings within the frames of the Partnership for Peace [Programme]. There are crisis management operations and counterterrorist efforts. This is a common platform for relations. Thus, although we are positioned on various geopolitical poles, there are a lot of points of contact and mutually linked spheres, where it is possible to cooperate also in the field of military policy."
At the same time, Ruben Mehrabyan stressed that Yerevan should observe its national interests without regard the desires and geopolitical priorities of the northern neighbour [Russia].
"I think it is counterproductive and detrimental to Armenia's interests and the interests of Armenian-Georgian relations to hew to Moscow's moods and whims."
According to Mehrabyan, it is necessary to behave similar to natural phenomena in relations with Moscow – like "heat" and "cold". In other words, it is necessary to take the factor into account, but at the same time, try "not to freeze in winter and get burned in summer".
Jonni Melikyan: ‘The president’s visit to Georgia may become a turning point’
Aravot, Armenia
Dec 28 2017
Jonni Melikyan: 'The president's visit to Georgia may become a turning point'
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of Aravot]
Expert in Georgia issues Jonni Melikyan has described [Armenian] President Serzh Sargsyan's visit to Georgia as positive and constructive.
He noted at the press centre of the Armenpress [news agency] yesterday [27 December]: "There are preconditions that can turn this visit into a turning point". He noted that multilateral meetings were held and they also encompassed the spheres of economy and security and almost all aspects of relations between the states were discussed. "However, a lot depends on the reaction of the Georgian side," he added.
Melikyan gave a positive assessment to the fact that according to the data of 11 months of the expiring year, the trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia increased by 24 per cent. He stressed that it was mostly exports that increased, while imports diminished. Seven million tourists from various countries visited Georgia in the expiring year and 1.5 million of them were Armenians. Jonni Melikyan stressed that it was an important index for Georgia in financial terms.
Jonni Melikyan noted that it was important for the development of relations between the two countries to implement a single programme of operating as transit countries. He said that President Serzh Sargsyan's statement on the creation of joint enterprises was important. He expressed confidence that the Georgian side should take an interest in it, as the market of the EEU [Eurasian Economic Union, of which Armenia is a member] was important for it and Armenia was a EEU country that was the closest to it [Georgia].
The expert also said that it was important to end the practice of voting against each other in international organisations. President Serzh Sargsyan also spoke about this. Mr Melikyan recalled that there was such an agreement from the 1990s, but it was broken during the years of [former Georgian President] Mikheil Saakashvili's tenure. Voting against each other in international organisations often creates obstacles in relations between the states.
"I do not know, whether the issue was discussed or not, but it would be good if the demarcation of the border were completed. Georgia now has determined border only with Turkey," the speaker said, adding: "The coming year, 2018, may become a year full of new approaches and new energy in Armenian-Georgian relations".
Considering Armenian-Georgian relations in the context of the agreement signed with the EU, Jonni Melikyan said that he did not think this could change a lot.
The expert in Georgia issues also touched on the likelihood of using routes alternative to the Lars [checkpoint on the Georgian-Russian border that Armenian cargoes and passengers pass on their way from Armenia to Russia], in particular, the Abkhaz railway line [in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia]. He believes that the Armenian side's position must be that the process should unfold without any preconditions.
Speaking about problems in Javakhk [Georgia's predominantly ethnic Armenian-populated Javakheti region], he noted that there were social problems in other Georgian regions, too: "The Armenian side may say that it can make certain investments, but they are Georgia's domestic problems and they cannot do more". Incidentally, the speaker stressed that according to the new Georgian constitution, the Georgian side cannot strip citizens with dual citizenship of Georgian citizenship.