Category: 2017

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


Patriarchal locum tenens Archbishop Bekchian to arrive in Istanbul on June 1



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Patriarchal locum tenens of Istanbul’s
Armenian Patriarchate Archbishop Garegin Bekchian – the Primate of
Germany’s Armenian Diocesee, will arrive in Istanbul on June 1, Agos
daily reports.

A special welcoming ceremony will be held, as well as liturgy will be
delivered at Kumkapı’s St. Mary church.

Bekchian was elected Patriarchal locum tenens in the Spiritual Council
of Istanbul’s Armenian Patriarchate on March 15. However, after his
election, Archbishop Aram Ateshian refused to leave the post of
patriarchal vicar which resulted in certain tension in the
patriarchate.

On May 24 Ateshian announced his resignation, officially inviting
Bekchian to Istanbul.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


PM attaches importance to engagement of all Armenians' potential in reforms



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen
Karapetyan on May 30 hosted the delegation led by Chairman of the
Central Board ofRamgavarAzatakan/ DemocraticLiberal Party Sergio
Nahapetian, press service of the Government told Armenpress.

The PM attached importance to the party’s activity in strengthening
Armenia-Diaspora ties and maintaining Armenian identity in Diaspora.
Karen Karapetyan said the Government is interested in engagement of
potential of all Armenians in the reforms aimed at boosting
investments, improving business environment, and his message addressed
to Diaspora-Armenians was directed for that purpose.

On behalf of the party Sergio Nahapetian expressed readiness to
support implementing the Armenian Government’s programs and reforms,
as well as solving vital issues.

The sides exchanged views on issues related to Armenia-Diaspora
cooperation, preservation of Armenian identity, strengthening ties
with Fatherland, development of Armenia and Artsakh.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


"Even without investigative mechanism it's clear who's breaching
ceasefire" - Nalbandian



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia states for the record that a
situation is maturing when OSCE – having international mediation
mandate, should not only make statements but also actions to restrain
Azerbaijan’s unconstructive policy, Armenia’s FM Edward Nalbandian
said during a joint press conference with OSCE Secretary General
Lamberto Zannier.

“The Co-Chairs pointed out that it was Azerbaijan who breached the
ceasefire and opened fire. Azerbaijan was opposing the introduction of
investigative mechanisms in order to not allow the Co-Chairs or
relevant participants of the mechanism to point out who is violating
the ceasefire and who is opening fire. While this was obvious even
without a mechanism, and this was shown by the statement which the
Co-Chairing countries made”, Nalbandian said.

The FM mentioned that this wasn’t the first addressed statement,
similar statements were made by the OSCE Minsk Group numerously –
urging Azerbaijan not to escalate the situation in the region,
reaffirm commitment to the peaceful solution of the conflict and
refrain from transferring it to another format.

“Yes, statements were made numerously, however Azerbaijan continues to
not only ignore, but rather do the very opposite”, he said.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Igor Popov of
Russia, Stephane Visconti of France, and Richard Hoagland of the
United States of America, released a statement on May 18 on the May 15
Azerbaijani missile launch in the line of contact.

The statement namely said “According to information collected from
multiple reliable sources, on 15 May, Azerbaijaniarmedforces fired a
missile across the Line of Contact, striking military equipment”.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


Armenian President participates in National Program for Educational
Excellence event



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
participated in the National Program for Educational Excellence event
on May 30 in the session hall of Matenadaran, where the previous works
of the program were discussed, the launch of creating a school network
with the new “Ararat Baccalaureate” educational program was signaled,
and the first schools joining the program from both Armenian provinces
and Artsakh were presented.

The President awarded certificates of appreciation to the best
candidate schools that participated in the creation of the network and
gained high results in exams.

The President’s Office told ARMENPRESS during the event the President
greeted the participants and congratulated all teachers and
educational institutions which were qualified in the Ararat
Baccalaureate.

The President delivered opening remarks at the event.

The text of Serzh Sargsyan’s speech is available in Armenian.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


OSCE Secretary General assures closure of Yerevan Office is not the
end of cooperation



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. The closure of OSCE Yerevan Office is
only the closure of one chapter and opening of new paths to work
together, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said at a joint
press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in
Yerevan on May 30, reports Armenpress.

“I am here because unfortunately we couldn’t reach consensus on the
continuous activity of the Office. I am here to talk to the staff and
organize the process of closure. Unfortunately, we have to complete
the works with Armenia, however, there are many important topics in
the agenda. We need to find different formats for working together and
to assure that closure of the Office is the closure of only one
chapter. The OSCE will continue assisting Armenia in elections. There
are important programs relating to cooperation with the OSCE or other
international organizations, and we are going to continue following
them. I want to thank the Armenian Government for good cooperation and
state that we will continue working on that paths”, the OSCE Secretary
General highlighted.

Asked about Azerbaijan’s role in the closure of the Yerevan Office and
the OSCE’s non-response to that country’s unconstructive behavior,
Lamberto Zannier said: “You know that OSCE operates by consensus and
it doesn’t blame any country that violated the consensus, that didn’t
join the consensus. But, of course, I personally regret that the
mission will not continue, and I must say that we need to try to find
ways to continue the works done here”.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


'French Days of Medicine' to be held in Armenia



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. ‘French Days of Medicine’ will be held in
Armenia on July 6-8, French Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Jean-Francois
Charpentier told a press conference in Armenpress.

“The event has a commercial approach. French healthcare companies will
meet with their Armenian partners. The companies will be linked with
production of medical equipment, pharmaceutics. Although the event is
commercial-oriented, it will not hinder to hold new meetings,
establish new contacts, as well as find further cooperation ways
during those days”, the Ambassador said.

The event is organized by Business France company and the Armenian
Healthcare Ministry.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


Armenian FM brands Aliyev's NK settlement statement 'absurd'



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has always been in favor of
meetings with Azerbaijan on both foreign ministerial and presidential
levels, and if the condition matures and works are done for
organization, a meeting will be possible to be held, Armenia’s foreign
minister Edward Nalbandian told a joint press conference with OSCE
Secretary General Lamberto Zannier.

The Armenian FM reminded that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs will
visit the region during the next ten days. “If the necessity and
proposal happen, perhaps we will also discuss the issue of further
meetings. I believe currently we can speak only about a ministerial
meeting, in order for relevant work to be carried out for organizing a
presidential meeting in the future also”, Naldandian said.

Edward Nalbandian also commented on the recent statement of
Azerbaijani president, when Aliyev said the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
should be settled ‘based on the principle of territorial integrity’.

“I treat this kind of statements the same way I treat other claims
stating that supposedly Azerbaijan is a global multicultural center,
which respects all fundamental freedoms, human rights and is a
tolerant country, which can serve as an example to other countries and
other similar absurd claims”, Nalbandian said.

Nalbandian reminded that the international community and the Co-Chairs
have numerously said that the issue must be solved based on the three
well-known principles, which are one whole: non-use of force or threat
of force, self-determination right and territorial integrity, as well
as the elements which are in the well-known five statements of the
presidents of Co-Chairing countries.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


Armenian defense minister meets with President of Cyprus



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Defense minister Vigen Sargsyan
had a meeting on May 30 – the second day of his official visit – with
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.

The Cypriot president welcomed that Armenian delegation and expressed
conviction that it will boost the enhancing of Armenian-Cypriot
cooperation, which is anchored on centuries long friendship.

Vigen Sargsyan thanked for the warm reception and briefed President
Anastasiades on the details of his talks with Cyprus’ defense
minister, and mentioned the directions where the defense ministries of
the two countries can cooperate.

The Cypriot president appreciated the role of the Armenian community,
which has harmoniously integrated itself into the public life of
Cyprus, at the same time preserving its culture, language and
religious identity. At the request of the Armenian Defense Minister,
President Anastasiades presented the latest developments over the
Cyprus issue.

The Nagorno Karabakh conflict was also discussed during the meeting.
Vigen Sargsyan thanked the Cypriot President for the constructive and
consistent stance in the Artsakh issue.

The sides both agreed that great potential exists for the development
of partnership between the two countries, which must be used.

On the same day, minister Sargsyan had a meeting with Demetris
Syllouris, president of Cyprus’ Parliament.

Syllouris welcomed Sargsyan’s delegation and highlighted the visit,
mentioning that historical friendly ties must be enriched with
practical steps too.

Mentioning the 2015 Armenian Constitutional changes referendum, Vigen
Sargsyan notified that Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary
administration system, where the role of the Parliament will
drastically increase. In this context, according to Sargsyan,
cooperation of inter-parliamentary groups are even more highlighted,
as well as partnership of parliamentary delegations in international
platforms, which will make resisting common political challenges more
effective through joint efforts. Issues related to both the Cypriot
and Artsakhi conflicts were also discussed.

Later on the same day, Vigen Sargsyan also met with Cyprus’ foreign
minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

The Cypriot FM mentioned the ages long friendship of the two peoples
as an important prerequisite for deepening the Armenian-Cypriot
partnership. Kasoulides also highlighted the Armenian community’s
factor, which has fully integrated itself into the social-political
life of Cyprus, by preserving its national identity.

According to the Cypriot FM, defense minister Sargsyan’s visit can be
a powerful signal for deepening the Armenian-Cypriot relations, namely
in the defense sector.

Ioannis Kasoulides recalled his Armenia visits with warmth.

The Armenian defense minister thanked for the warm reception of the
Cypriot side and presented the details of his talks. Sargsyan
mentioned that modern challenges force to combine powers for
effectively resisting them.

According to Sargsyan, the formation of new tension hotbeds, is
inadmissible and is fraught with unpredictable consequences.

In this context, according to the minister, the combination of efforts
of countries having common interests is being more emphasized and the
development of effective dialogue.

The Artsakh and Cyprus conflicts were also discussed.

In the Cypriot FM’s belief, it is wrong to draw parallels between
these two issues, because unlike Northern Cyprus, which is occupied by
Turkey, Artsakh is the historic land of Armenians, they have always
lived there, fought for their security and declared independence.

Vigen Sargsyan thanked the Cypriot FM for the clear and consistent
stance in the NK conflict, and mentioned that it is extremely
important for Armenia.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


 Armenian FM, OSCE Secretary General discuss parliamentary elections of Armenia


YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward
Nalbandian met with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier in Yerevan
on May 30, “Armenpress” was informed from the press service of MFA
Armenia.

The meeting kicked off by the private conversation between Nalbandian
and Zannier, afterwards, meeting with the presence of the delegations
took place.

Minister Nalbandian pointed out with satisfaction Armenia’s
involvement in all the platforms of activities of the OSCE, assessing
the implementation of the OSCE programs in Armenia as exemplary.

The Armenian FM expressed regret over the discontinuation of the only
OSCE Office in the South Caucasus located in Yerevan, recording that
Azerbaijan did not stand back from abusing its right of veto in the
sidelines of the OSCE, banning the future operation of the office.
Minister Nalbandian hoped that the works and the projects of the
office will be continued in other formats.

OSCE Secretary General Zannier also referred to the closure of the
OSCE Yerevan Office, expressing regret for that the organization was
unable to thwart the process. Zannier also noted that stopping the
operation of the OSCE Office in Yerevan does not mean that that the
OSCE will suspend the implementation of various projects in Armenia,
noting that Armenia and the OSCE have a saturated agenda, therefore,
the sides will seek for other formats to continue the active
cooperation.

During the meeting the interlocutors also touched upon the
parliamentary elections of Armenia that took place on April 2. It was
recorded that an unprecedented large number of observers were
observing the election process. The assessments of the international
observer missions were highlighted, according to which the election
was well organized, the fundamental human rights were respected, while
the results of the election reflect the will of the people of Armenia.

Minister Nalbandian presented to the OSCE Secretary General the
efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries aimed
at propelling the peace process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The
implementation of the agreements reached in 2016 in Vienna and St.
Petersburg was highlighted.

Other issues of the OSCE agenda were also discussed at the meeting,
including the implementation process of the priorities of the Austrian
chairmanship, as well as many other urgent issues of international and
regional security.

After the meeting, Minister Nalbandian and Secretary General Zannier
held a joint press conference.

 Baltic News Service / - BNS
 Tuesday 1:51 PM EET


Estonian parlt committee chairs on a working visit to Armenia





TALLINN, May 30, BNS - Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the foreign
affairs committee of the Estonian parliament, and Hannes Hanso,
chairman of the national defense committee, are on a working visit to
Armenia on Tuesday and Wednesday, where their meetings with the
representatives of the government and the parliament will focus on
bilateral relations and the European Union's Eastern Partnership
program.

"The Eastern Partnership program of the European Union is one of the
central foreign policy issues of the Estonian EU presidency, and
therefore the meetings in Armenia will focus on it," Mihkelson said.
"Although Armenia has decided to join the Eurasian Economic Union,
which is led by Russia, there will certainly be room for cooperation
also with the European Union."

Mihkelson said that Estonia has shared with Armenia its best
transition and reform experience practices in building up democratic
institutions, and is ready to do that also in the future. So far the
development cooperation has concerned the e-state and the educational
sector. There have been several projects to support the development of
democracy, the IT sector, and business.

Mihkelson emphasized that the main challenge of the Eastern
Partnership policy in the coming years is deepening the relations
between Armenia and the EU, and the continuing democratization of the
country. He expressed hope that the framework agreement between
Armenia and the EU would be signed during the Estonian EU presidency.

Hanso said that in recent years the foreign and security policy
priorities of Armenia have been aimed at the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) and Russia. In his opinion, there is high
potential for developing bilateral relations mainly in business,
education, civil society and the IT services sector.

"Keeping in mind the close defense cooperation between Armenia and
Russia, we do not see the need or wish for closer defense cooperation
with Armenia at the moment. But it is important to keep the
communication channels open and to hear also Armenia's positions. And
we are always ready to discuss new ideas and initiatives," Hanso said.

Hanso said that the relations between Armenia and Russia are good only
conditionally, and actually Russia only wants to have more control in
the region. "At the same time we know that nobody wants the status of
a little brother," he said. "The Armenian society is rather
disappointed with Russia's behaviour, and sees through the propaganda.
Therefore it is very important to support the development of civil
society."

During the visit Mihkelson and Hanso are also scheduled to meet with
Eduard Sharmazanov, deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament; Edward
Nalbandyan, minister of foreign affairs; Artak Zakaryan, first deputy
minister of defense; Armen Ashotyan, chairman of the National
Assembly's standing committee on foreign relations, and Kohyun
Nahapetyan, chairman of the National Assembly's standing committee on
defense and security, with whom they will discuss bilateral relations
and Armenia's relations with its neighbors and the situation in the
south Caucasus in general.

Mihkelson and Hanso on Wednesday will attend a conference on the
relations between the EU and Armenia, where the European Union's
neighborhood policy and ties with Russia and China will be discussed.
Mihkelson and Hanso will also be informed about the Armenian
e-learning portal Dasaran, which enables to provide equal access to
education for all children in Armenia. At present the portal connects
all public schools across Armenia and has nearly one million
registered users.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8832, [email protected]

Baltic News Service