Sputnik News Service Sunday Lavrov Passes on Putin's Greetings to Azerbaijani President During Visit to Baku BAKU, November 19 (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov passed on Russian President Vladimir Putin's greetings to Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev during an official visit to Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku. "You [the Azerbaijani president] have recently met with the Russian president in Tehran on November 1. He sends you his warmest greetings," Lavrov said during a meeting with Aliyev in the Azerbaijani leader's residence. Lavrov stressed that Moscow remained committed to the implementation of all agreements it reached with Baku and noted that Russia, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, was interested in seeking a resolution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. In early November, Putin and Aliyev participated in trilateral talks in Tehran together with their Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, during which they emphasized the need to resolve unsettled conflicts in the region as soon as possible.
Category: 2017
Lavrov to Discuss Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement in Armenia on Nov. 20-21 – Ministry
Sputnik News Service Sunday Lavrov to Discuss Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement in Armenia on Nov. 20-21 - Ministry MOSCOW, November 19 (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold meetings with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian during his visit to the country on November 20-21, and will discuss Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Sunday. "The agenda of bilateral negotiations includes a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, interaction within EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union], CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization], CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States], coordination of positions in the United Nations, OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe], Council of Europe, BSEC [Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation]. The foreign ministers will discuss the problems of regional security, including the prospects for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution," the ministry's statement read. The conflict in Armenian-dominated Nagorno-Karabakh started in 1988 with the autonomous region announcing its secession from the Azerbaijan Socialist republic. In 1991, the region proclaimed independence from Azerbaijan and the creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. This move triggered a military conflict, which led to Baku losing control over the region. The warring sides agreed to a cessation of hostilities in 1994. The violence escalated again in 2016, leading to multiple casualties on both sides. The sides soon reached a ceasefire but clashes continued.
Comment by the Info & Press Dept. on FM Lavrov’s visit to Armenia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Nov 19 2017 COMMENT BY THE INFORMATION AND PRESS DEPARTMENT ON FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEY LAVROV'S VISIT TO ARMENIA MOSCOW, Russia Between November 20 and 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will make an official visit to Yerevan, where he will hold talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and will have a meeting with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. Sergey Lavrov will visit Armenia during the year of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (April 3) and the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance (August 29). The ministers will attend the opening of the exhibition titled Russia and Armenia: Friendship Tempered by Centuries and the ceremonious cancellation of an Armenian postal stamp dedicated to these events. They also plan to sign a plan of consultations between the foreign ministries of Russia and Armenia for 2018aˆ’2019. The agenda of the talks includes a broad range of topics related to bilateral cooperation, foreign policy coordination at the EAEU, the CSTO and the CIS, as well as the coordination of the two countries' positions at the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, BSEC and other international organisations. The foreign ministers will discuss regional security as well, including ways to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The strengthening of bilateral cooperation is boosted by the intensive top level political dialogue. On March 15, the President of Armenia made an official visit to Russia. On August 23, President of Russia and President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan held talks in Sochi. On November15, the two leaders attended the opening of the Days of Armenian Culture at the Tretyakov Gallery.
Azerbaijani Press: Lavrov: ‘Menu’ on Karabakh conflict settlement on negotiating table
APA, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2017
The ‘menu’ on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is on the negotiating table, Russian Foreign Minister said on Monday.
“All steps towards the resolution of the conflict have been discussed multiple times and have appeared in OSCE documents and statements of the co-chairs. The ‘menu’ is on the negotiating table,” Lavrov said at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku, APA reports.
He said that the documents on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’s settlement have been compiled as a package.
"It is impossible to exclude this element or another. The opposite party may think that the balance shifts. Diplomacy will find an option acceptable for both sides,” Lavrov noted.
Asked about the possibility of increasing the number of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, Russia’s top diplomat said it was the first time he had heard such a question.
"There is an agreed format for resolving the conflict. The three co-chairs do not work in isolation. The Minsk Group also has sides interested in the settlement process. You’re the first person I’ve seen asking about increasing the number of co-chairs of the Minsk Group. A new proposal may lead to the intentional or unintentional breach of the process,” added Lavrov.
Azerbaijani Press: Russia will work on peaceful solution acceptable to Karabakh conflict parties – Lavrov
APA, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2017
Russia, as one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, will continue to work on a peaceful solution acceptable to the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku on Monday, APA reports.
“At a meeting with my Azerbaijani counterpart, we discussed a number of areas that could lead to a solution,” added Lavrov.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict entered its modern phase when the Armenian SRR made territorial claims against the Azerbaijani SSR in 1988.
A fierce war broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. As a result of the war, Armenian armed forces occupied some 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory which includes Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts (Lachin, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan), and over a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced people.
The military operations finally came to an end when Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in Bishkek in 1994.
Dealing with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the OSCE Minsk Group, which was created after the meeting of the CSCE (OSCE after the Budapest summit held in December 1994) Ministerial Council in Helsinki on 24 March 1992. The Group’s members include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belarus, Finland and Sweden.
Besides, the OSCE Minsk Group has a co-chairmanship institution, comprised of Russian, the US and French co-chairs, which began operating in 1996.
Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of the UN Security Council, which were passed in short intervals in 1993, and other resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly, PACE, OSCE, OIC, and other organizations require Armenia to unconditionally withdraw its troops from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijani Press: Azerbaijani FM: Status quo in Karabakh conflict is ‘unacceptable and unstable’
APA, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2017
The status quo in respect of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unacceptable and unstable, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Baku on Monday.
“We today discussed Russia’s role in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I informed my Russian counterpart about the latest results of the negotiations on the conflict’s resolution,” said Mammadyarov.
The Azerbaijani foreign minister noted that he had recently held discussions on concrete topics in Moscow.
“I told Lavrov that there are a number of approaches that can lead to progress on this issue. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have repeatedly stated that no one accepts the current situation on the contact line of troops,” added Mammadyarov.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict entered its modern phase when the Armenian SRR made territorial claims against the Azerbaijani SSR in 1988.
A fierce war broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. As a result of the war, Armenian armed forces occupied some 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory which includes Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts (Lachin, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan), and over a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced people.
The military operations finally came to an end when Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in Bishkek in 1994.
Dealing with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the OSCE Minsk Group, which was created after the meeting of the CSCE (OSCE after the Budapest summit held in December 1994) Ministerial Council in Helsinki on 24 March 1992. The Group’s members include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belarus, Finland and Sweden.
Besides, the OSCE Minsk Group has a co-chairmanship institution, comprised of Russian, the US and French co-chairs, which began operating in 1996.
Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of the UN Security Council, which were passed in short intervals in 1993, and other resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly, PACE, OSCE, OIC, and other organizations require Armenia to unconditionally withdraw its troops from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Sports: Mkhitaryan battling to save his career in Manchester United: source
Pan Armenian, Armenia
Nov 20 2017
– 13:12 AMT
Mkhitaryan battling to save his career in Manchester United: source
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is fighting for his Manchester United career – just 16-months after joining, The Sun says in an article published on Monday, November 20.
Jose Mourinho and his United backroom staff are still understood to have major reservations over the 28-year-old.
He started this season well, but has struggled with injury in recent weeks and has shown alarming signs of fatigue.
Mkhitaryan was dropped by Mourinho in the opening months of the last campaign after issues over his fitness levels.
He was also axed from their weekend 4-1 win at home to Newcastle because of 'tactical reasons'.
But there are still concerns he is struggling to come to terms with the mental and physical restraints of the Premier League.
An Old Trafford source said: “There are still problems with Mkhitaryan. He is battling to save his career here.
“There are huge reservations over him from Jose and his backroom team. He has shown an alarming sign of fatigue in recent weeks.
“He could even be handed a rest after the international break after going away with Armenia. It's going to be a busy festive period."
http://panarmenian.net/m/eng/news/248999
Sports: Henrikh Mkhitaryan ‘fighting to save Manchester United career’ as Jose Mourinho loses patience gossip
Metro, UK
Nov 20 2017
Henrikh Mkhitaryan ‘fighting to save Manchester United career’ as Jose Mourinho loses patience
Reporter for Metro.co.ukMonday 20 Nov 2017 9:32 am
United fear the Armenian cannot handle the rigours of the Premier League and needs a rest (Getty) Manchester United are seriously concerned about the form and fitness of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the playmaker’s Old Trafford career is in the balance, according to reports.
The Armenian, who only joined the club 16 months ago, lost his place in the United starting XI for Saturday’s Premier League victory over Newcastle.
While Jose Mourinho cited ‘tactical reasons’ for the omission, The Sun now claim that both the manager and his backroom team have major reservations about his suitability to the team and English football.
Mkhitaryan was integrated into the first team slowly last season but appeared to have found his feet when he record five assists in his first three league outings of the current campaign.
However, he has not recorded an assist since September and was dropped against both Huddersfield and Newcastle, with reports now saying he has shown alarming signs of fatigue.
Mourinho is growing increasingly frustrated with the former Borussia Dortmund man and is seriously concerned that he is still unable to adapt to the mental and physical demands of the Premier League.
The Sun quote one source who says Mkhitaryan is ‘battling to save his career’, with a number of the club’s staff concerned about his lack of sharpness and fitness.
In fact, it is so bad that Mourinho is considering giving the 28-year-old a period of rest over the coming weeks so he can build up some energy ahead of the busy festive schedule.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba back from injury, and Juan Mata taking his place against Newcastle, Mkhitaryan is facing a massive fight to get back in the side.
United, meanwhile, have been linked with a host of big-name attackers who could also take the Armenian’s place in the team, with Antoine Griezmann and Gareth Bale believed to be top of Mourinho’s shopping list, while a move for Mesut Ozil has also been muted.
Sara Corning – an outstanding Canadian
Vanguard , Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada
Nov 20 2017
Sara Corning, a Yarmouth County native considered a heroine for her role in saving the lives of thousands of children nearly a century ago overseas, is being recognized by the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto, which will present their Outstanding Canadian Award for 2017 in honour of Corning.
The presentation will take place at a gala dinner event Nov. 26 in Toronto.
A native of Chegoggin who in 1923 was formally recognized in Greece for her humanitarian efforts – with an honour comparable to the Order of Canada – Corning has remained largely unknown in her own province and country, but her story is well known to Armenian and Greek communities in Canada.
“Risking her life for the most vulnerable of humanity, Sara helped rescue the orphans of the 1915-1923 genocide and cared for thousands who suffered in the former Ottoman empire, Armenia and Greece between 1919 and 1930,” said a statement from the Sara Corning Society.
Aside from her work abroad, Corning was a first responder Red Cross nurse in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion of Dec. 6, 1917, tending to many injured and dying victims at the YMCA and Camp Hill hospitals.
In early 2016, in an effort to make more people aware of Corning, the Sara Corning Society was formed.
“The society feels that Sara Corning deserves much greater recognition in her home country, bringing attention to her Red Cross nursing service and her humanitarian efforts, which resonate with all those who have been persecuted unjustly,” said Jennifer Rodney Chown, a society board member.
The Sara Corning Centre for Genocide Education in Toronto was named in Corning’s honour in 2011.
Corning died in her native Yarmouth County in 1969 at the age of 97.
The Armenian Community Centre of Toronto established the Outstanding Canadian Award over three decades ago and past recipients have included former prime minister Jean Chretien, author Margaret Atwood, astronaut Roberta Bondar and filmmaker Atom Egoyan.
Representatives of the Sara Corning Society have been invited to attend and speak at the Nov. 26 event, where the keynote speaker will be Jean Augustine, the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons and to serve in the federal cabinet.
Meanwhile, David Chown, a Corning Society board member, says the group is working on a number of things to help bring more recognition to Corning.
“The Sara Corning Society has several major initiatives in the planning process to increase the awareness of Sara’s humanitarianism that will shine a very positive light on Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Canada, and we anticipate that more announcements will be forthcoming,” he said.
Chess: Armenia grandmaster Levon Aronian sole leader of FIDE Grand Prix
Pan Armenian, Armenia
Nov 20 2017
– 11:12 AMT
Armenia grandmaster Levon Aronian sole leader of FIDE Grand Prix
Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian is the sole leader of the FIDE Grand Prix after the tournament's fourth round ended in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Aronian was, as always, his brilliant best as he defeated Anish Giri of the Netherlands in a beautiful game on Sunday, November 19.
Aronian had also defeated Ernesto Inarkiev (Russia) and draw with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) and Dmitry Jakovenko (Russia).
After four rounds, the Armenian grandmaster has three points and is followed by MVL, Peter Svidler (Russia), Ding Liren (China), Pentala Harikrishna (India) and Hikaru Nakamura (United States) with 2.5 points each.
Round fifth of the FIDE Grand Prix will be held on Monday.
The FIDE Grand Prix 2017 is a series of four chess tournaments that form part of the qualification cycle for the World Chess Championship 2018. The top two finishers will qualify for the 2018 Candidates Tournament.
Aronian who won the World Chess Cup in September, as well as Liren, who reached the finals, have already qualified for the Candidates Tournament.