Armenia Foreign Minister has brief conversation with Turkey’s new president
News.am, 28 August 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian attended, on Thursday in Ankara, the inauguration of Turkey's newly elected President, ex-PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
During the ensuing reception for the heads of delegations, FM Nalbandian had a short conversation with President Erdogan, and handed him Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s official invitation to attend the Armenian Genocide commemoration ceremony, which will take place on April 24, 2015—that is, on the centennial of the genocide—, in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan.
General News on Armenia
Opposition Criticizes Armenian Attendance at Erdogan’s Inauguration
Asbarez.com, 28 August 2014, https://asbarez.com/126458/
Armenia’s main political parties at odds with President Serzh Sarkisian on Thursday criticized him for sending a high-level Armenian delegation to the inauguration of Turkey’s new President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Hakob Chakryan: “Armenian FM’s participation in Erdogan’s inauguration correct”
Public Radio of Armenia, 28 August 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
For the first time ever Armenia has been invited to attend the Turkish President’s swearing-in ceremony. Armenia participates in the inauguration ceremony on the level of the Foreign Minister. According to expert of Turkish studies Hakob Chakryan, this is the lowest level of participation and added that the President’s participation would be unacceptable and condemnable.
Ashot Melkonyan : “Armenia-Turkey issue close to actualization today”
Tert.am, 29 August 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/
In an interview with Tert.am, the director of the National Academy’s Institute of History, Ashot Melkonyan, addressed the current stage and the future prospects of the Armenia-Turkey relations, noting that the process seems to be at the threshold of actualization today. The historian said he thinks that the current state of affairs will cause Turkey to bring to the agenda the frozen bilateral protocols signed in Zurich, Switzerland in 2009 (Turkey later abandoned the deal in an attempt to avoid offending Azerbaijan, its “younger brother”).
French FM responded to Armenian: Turkey is an ally of France
News.am, 28 August 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Turkey is an ally of France. The answer came in response to a question asked by editor of Europe & Orient magazine Jan Varoujan Sirapian during a Twitter Q&A session.
European Court data on Armenia released
Azatutyun.am, 28 August 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
The European Court of Human Rights has handed down almost 50 rulings against the Armenian authorities in the past seven years, costing them over 576,000 euros ($770,000) in damages, a senior official said on Thursday.
Hraparak: Medvedev’s visit to Armenia may not take place
Panorama.am, 29 August 2014, https://www.panorama.am/en/
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Armenia, scheduled for the first week of September, is not certain yet and it is possible that it may not take place, Hraparak writes.
Spokesman for Karen Demirchian Complex decries Government takeover
Asbarez.com, 28 August 2014, https://asbarez.com/126437/
Koryun Grigoryan, a press officer for Armenia’s largest sports and concert arena in Yerevan, the Karen Demirchian Complex, condemned the government’s decision to renationalize the facility in payment for its owner’s debts to the government totaling about $25 million, saying the real cost of the facility is $120 million.
Yerevan to Host Jewelry Trade Show
Asbarez.com, 28 August 2014, https://asbarez.com/126428/
The Armenian Jewelers Association (AJA) has invested over $10 million in organizing a jewelry exhibition in Yerevan, deputy minister of economy Tigran Harutyunyan said on Thursday. Titled “Yerevan Show 2014” the exhibition will be held October 25-28 in Yerevan.
Orange Foundation implements new community development projects in Gegharkunik
Panorama.am, 28 August 2014, https://www.panorama.am/en/
Orange Foundation continues its activity in the regions of Armenia. Following the projects implemented in Tavush region, a number of initiatives are now taken in Gegharkunik, which representatives of the Foundation have visited to conclude the results of “Lunettes pour l’Armenie” program dedicated to children, open an Integrated Development and Rehabilitation Center in Vardenis town and a computer center in Akounk village, the press service of Orange Foundation reports.
Pasadena (California) to Host Discussion on Armenia’s IT Industry and the Diaspora
Asbarez.com, 28 August 2014, https://asbarez.com/126462/
Three entrepreneurs from Los Angeles who have established various successful Information Technology related businesses in Armenia will present their stories, successes, and difficulties. They will address how to be profit-driven, establish and maintain high standards, how to compete and operate in Armenia, and most importantly how to commit time and resources. This lecture hosted by the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA), will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Turks promise to restore Cathedral of Ani
Armenpress.am, 28 August 2014, https://www.hurriyetdailynews.
The excavations in the Armenian historical capital Ani made by the Turkish research centers this year have been completed. Armenpress reports that the governor of Kars Günay Özdemir informed Turkish “Haberler” news site about it.
General News on Nagorno-Karabakh
A military serviceman found dead on combat position
Mediamax.am, 29 August 2014,https://www.mediamax.am/
The body of soldier Vladimir Hayrapetyan (born in 1995) with a gunshot wound on the forehead was found in one of the combat positions of N military unit of Armenian Armed Forces at around 18:30 on August 28.
Red Cross: Over 400 people missing in Armenia as a result of Karabakh conflict
News.am, 28 August 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
In Armenia, there are more than 400 people registered as missing in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Since the beginning of its humanitarian mission in the region in 1992, the ICRC has been working closely with the authorities towards clarifying the fate of those people and addressing the needs of their families.
Azerbaijani official who “caught Armenian subversive” dismissed from work
Armenpress.am, 28 August 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
The Azerbaijani authorities obsessed by the capture of an Armenian are in the funny and ridiculous situations on that front. The executive authority representative of Kemerli village in Kazakh region Adegyozal Dursunov who was the first to state about capturing an Armenian citizen, was relieved from his position.
Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire 20 times on August 28
Public Radio of Armenia, 29 August 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
According to the data of the NKR Defense Army, about 20 cases of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side were registered at the line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.
Armenia's Foreign Ministry issues statement on Resolution of California Senate recognising Karabakh's independence
Armenpress.am, 28 August 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
The Press, Information, and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress” that the statement runs as follows: “We welcome the resolution of California Senate on recognition of Independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The more Azerbaijan continues to undermine the efforts of Armenia and the international community aimed at the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the more new decisions and resolutions can be expected paving way towards the international recognition of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.”
Rafik Grigoryan: “Armenia’s border communities need not only soldiers but also population”
Tert.am, 28 August 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/
The proposal to grant privileges to the population of Armenia’s border villages is being treated differently by different regional governors. Rafik Grigoryan, the governor of the Eastern region of Gegharkunik, says he strongly supports the legal measure initiated by the Government and the parliamentary political forces.
Russian Ambassador: Investigation mechanisms needed in Karabakh conflict area
News.am, 28 August 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
Russia welcomes any meetings aimed at settlement and peaceful resolution of Karabakh conflict, Ambassador Ivan Volynkin told reporters. Asked whether Russian side will be consistent in investigation of the death of Karen Petrosyan in Azerbaijan's captivity, the diplomat said it does not depend on the Russian side only. “An investigation must be carried out in multilateral basis to involve all the parties. Everything will depend on the arrangements that the parties will reach. Investigation mechanisms should work well to reduce possible risks of incidents,” Ambassador added.
Children of Armenia Convey Message of Love and Patriotism to Soldiers of Artsakh
Asbarez.com, 28 August 2014, https://asbarez.com/126470/
The Children of Armenia Fund’s Interactive Theatre Group from the Armavir province of Armenia held a series of inspiring patriotic performances at a number of military bases in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The performance’s underlying message emphasizes the significance of solidarity and unity and demonstrates how results and accomplishments can be achieved cohesively through collective high morale and dedication toward the fatherland.
News from Azerbaijani sources
Four Armenian servicemen hit a mine
News.az, 29 August 2014, https://news.az/articles/
Four Armenian servicemen have hit a mine in Berd city of the frontline Tavush region.
Armenian armed forces once again violate ceasefire with Azerbaijan
Trend.az, 29 August 2014, https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/
Over the past 24 hours Armenians opened fire at the Azerbaijani armed forces in the village of Aghdam in Tovuz region from the positions near the village of Mosesgekh in Armenia's Berd region, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said Aug. 29.
“Nagorno-Karabakh: history read through sources” book published in Moscow
Today.az, 29 August 2014, https://today.az/news/politics/
“Nagorno-Karabakh: history read through sources” book narrating on the history of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute by full member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Ramiz Mehdiyev has been published in Moscow.
The book looks into the real history of the South Caucasus referring to the ancient, medieval sources. It proves that the Armenian ethnos emerged in the present form only in the early 19th century.
In conclusion, Ramiz Mehdiyev expresses hope that “the Armenian national elite, as the most educated group of the nation, will take liberty to set not barbarian goals but aims bringing benefit, good, light and hope for the better future of the people since Azerbaijan will never recognize as the interstate border the dividing line, which emerged after the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan in 1994”.
News from International sources
Armenian Gas Deal Draws Georgian Budget Concerns
Georgia Today, 28 August 2014, https://www.georgiatoday.ge/
A Georgian is investing $600 million in the Armenian economy, it has been revealed, as the media of Georgia’s neighbors Armenia and Azerbaijan responded to Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s visit to Yerevan. The news has been perceived as sensational. Georgia, whose budget heavily depends on foreign investments, making such a large financial injection to a neighboring country’s economy, instead of its own, has caused alarm.
News from Turkey
A portrait: Erdoğan’s epic political journey
Hürriyet Daily News, 28 August 2014, https://www.hurriyetdailynews.
One shall give credit where credit is due: Turkey’s President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has proven he could deliver most of his promises after having entered politics as a full-time assignment back in 1994, when he was elected mayor of the country’s largest city, Istanbul.