CSTO leaders urge to implement Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements on Karabakh

December 1, 2017 By administrator

The heads of the states of CSTO adopted a statement to support the mediation efforts of the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.

The statement adopted during the CSTO Collective Security Council in Minsk says the OSCE Minsk Group “is the only structure having the relevant mandate of the international community, whose mission is to assist the parties in achieving a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by political and diplomatic means.”

It is mentioned that thanks to the efforts of the three co-chairing countries, the principles and elements have been developed as the basis for resolving the dispute.

“Confirming the need for an exclusively peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, we express our support for the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on the settlement of the conflict on the basis of the norms and principles of international law, the provisions of the UN Charter, as well as the Helsinki Final Act, in particular those concerning the non-use of force or threat of use of force, territorial integrity of states, equality and the right of peoples to self-determination.

We support the implementation of the agreements reached at the summits held in Vienna, St. Petersburg and Geneva in 2016-2017 aimed at preventing the escalation of the situation, observing the cease-fire, taking additional measures to reduce tensions in the conflict zone and intensifying the negotiation process,” the statement reads.

Armenian, Azerbaijani religious leaders to meet in September

August 28, 2017 By administrator

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and spiritual leader of Azerbaijan Allahshukur Pashazadeh will meet in September, spokesperson for Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Fr. Vahram Melikyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“According to preliminary information, the meeting is set for September 8 in Moscow,” he said.

The meeting is organized under mediation of Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus Kirill.

Syria-Update: Russian Air Force kills several terrorist leaders in Syria over past week – Defense Ministry

December 4, 2015 By administrator

Several terrorist leaders have been killed in Russian airstrikes in Syria over the past week, the Defense Ministry said.

In Latakia province, a dugout with the leader of a large terror group named Abu Abdu and several other field commanders has been destroyed, General-Major Igor Konashenkov, a Defense Ministry spokesman, told a media briefing on Friday.

“Also during the week, several [terrorist] leaders were eliminated near the village of el-Latamna in Hama province,” he added.

Illegal oil trade by the terrorists was also targeted by the Russian Air Force, with Konashenkov speaking of “12 oil pump stations, eight oil fields and refineries, and over 170 oil tanker trucks” being destroyed over the past seven days.

“Over the past week, between November 26 and December 4, Russian aircraft have performed 431 sorties from the Khmeimim airbase [in Syria’s Latakia province] and carried out 1,458 pinpoint airstrikes against terrorist facilities in the provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa,” he said.

According to Konashenkov, terrorist command centers, strongholds, militant training camps and arms depots were targeted.

“I want to emphasize that all our bomber and attack planes received cover from Su-30 [fighter jets],” he stressed.

The measure was implemented after the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by the Turkish Air Force on November 24.

Konashenkov urged the US-led coalition to share any intelligence it has on the illegal oil trade by Islamic State.

“Most of the drones of the so-called coalition are carrying out surveillance over the areas of [IS] oil production and along the Syrian-Turkish border, which is the main smuggling route for oil,” he said.

“It seems obvious that our colleagues, who perform such large-scale video monitoring in these areas – if they had such a desire – could have shared with the public the information on what’s happening on the Syrian-Turkish border and on the volumes and destination of the oil smuggled by the terrorists,” Konashenkov added.

Earlier this week, the Defense Ministry presented maps and satellite images that it says prove that Turkey is the main destination of smuggled oil, accusing the country’s leadership, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of financial ties with terrorists.

Konashenkov also spoke of the heavy losses suffered by the terrorists in Syria as a result of Russian airstrikes.

“According to the information confirmed through various channels, the militants are suffering serious losses, are demoralized and are trying to leave their positions,” he said.

The Russian Air Force has been conducting daily airstrikes against Islamic State, al-Nusra Front and other terror groups since September 30 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

France World leaders react to ‘barbaric’ #Paris attacks

November 14, 2015 By administrator

World leaders, senior religious figures and top officials have reacted to Friday’s attacks in and around Paris, which killed more than 120 people in the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II.

US President Barack Obama
Obama called the attacks on Paris “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians” and vowed to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said refused to speculate on the perpetrators of the attack.

He called the attacks an “attack on all of humanity” and a “heartbreaking situation.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin
In a telegram to French President Francois Hollande, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the attacks were “the latest testimonial to the barbaric essence of terrorism which throws down a challenge to human civilization.”

“It’s obvious that an effective fight against this evil demands a real unity of the forces of the international community. I would like to confirm the readiness of Russia for the closest cooperation with our French partners in investigating the crime that took place in Paris.

The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan

The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Saturday sent condolences to President François Hollande of France.

Sargsyan extended his commiseration in connection with Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

“Armenia stands with the brotherly France, and is ready to render full assistance at this difficult time.

United Nations
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned “the despicable terrorist attacks” in Paris.

The UN Security Council also deplored “the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attacks,” and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of “these terrorist acts to justice.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Merkel said she was “deeply shaken by the news and pictures from Paris.”

The German leader issued a statement saying her thoughts were with the victims “of the apparent terrorist attack.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron
The British prime minister said on Twitter: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“Our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to our French cousins in this dark and terrible time,” Trudeau said.

He said Canada has offered “all of our help and support to the government of France.”

Jordan’s King Abdullah II
King Abdullah II “expressed strong condemnation and indignation at the cowardly terrorist act” and solidarity with the French people, in a statement published by state news agency, Petra.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement saying, “Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with French President Francois Hollande and with the people of France in our common battle against terrorism.”

Egypt President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi
The Egyptian president issued a statement Saturday calling for “concerted international efforts” to combat “the scourge of terrorism, which aims to destabilize security and stability in various parts of the world, without distinction.”

Gulf states
In the United Arab Emirates, the state-run WAM news agency said President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a telegram to Hollande offering his condolences and pledging support for France. WAM says Al Nahyan also called for the world to do “what it takes to face terrorism and eliminate it.”

The ruler of Kuwait, Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, offered his condolences to France, while stressing that “these criminal acts of terrorism … run counter to all teachings of holy faith and humanitarian values.”

In Saudi Arabia, the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted a Foreign Ministry official denouncing Friday’s attack.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
The state-run IRNA news agency quoted Rouhani as saying Saturday that Iran “itself has been a victim of the scourge of terrorism” and the fight against terrorism must go on.

Rouhani also cancelled his scheduled visits to France and Italy, which were due to begin in a few days. France was one of the world powers involved in recent negotiations regarding the Islamic Republic’s controversial nuclear programme.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Assad denounced the “savage act of terror” the likes of which “Syria has endured for over five years and said the attacks were a result of French policy in Syria.

Head of Cairo’s Al-Azhar mosque
The head of Sunni Islam’s leading seat of learning, Cairo’s Al-Azhar, decried the “hateful” terrorist attacks and urged global unity against extremism.

“The time has come for the world to unite to confront this monster,” said Ahmed al-Tayyeb.

The Vatican
The Vatican deplored the terror attacks as “an attack on peace for all humanity.”

Father Federico Lombardi, who is the director of the Holy See Press Office, said in a statement early Saturday that the violence requires “a decisive, supportive response on the part of all of us as we counter the spread of homicidal hatred in all of its forms.”

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP, REUTERS)

Lebanese Leaders to Attend April 24 Commemorations in Yerevan

April 4, 2015 By administrator

Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gebran Bassil

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—Lebanon will be represented at commemoration ceremonies in Yerevan marking the centennial anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, the Beirut-based Aztag Daily’s Editor-in-Chief Shahan Kandaharian has told Armenpress.

“On April 24, a four-member delegation of the Lebanese Government, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Industry, will visit Yerevan. Besides the executive body, a parliamentary delegation will visit Armenia as well, including the Vice President of the National Assembly and deputies,” Kandaharian said.

ANCA Leaders Consult with Menendez, Royce on Crisis in Syria and Iraq

October 10, 2014 By administrator

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) recently held consultations with the chairmen of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee on a broad range of Armenian American policy priorities, including the welfare of Armenian communities amid a worsening ISIS crisis, an increasingly strained U.S.-Turkey relationship, and growing instability throughout the greater Middle East.

In separate meetings with Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), ANCA leaders discussed the threat posed by Turkey-backed ISIS aggression in Syria and Iraq, and the welfare of Armenian and other at-risk minority communities in the region, as part of the larger landscape of Armenian American concerns. In each meeting, key points included efforts to end White House complicity in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide prior to the centennial of this crime, U.S. legislation seeking Turkey’s return of Christian churches, the security of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, and the further strengthening of U.S.-Armenia relations. These meetings are part of the ANCA’s ongoing engagement with policymakers in the White House, State Department, and Congress on the full range of Armenian American advocacy priorities.

“We thank both Chairman Menendez and Chairman Royce for sharing their insights, for working with us to explore principled and pragmatic solutions, and – most importantly – for exercising their thoughtful and decisive leadership on issues of urgent concern to the Armenian American community,” said ANCA Board Member Raffi Hamparian, who took part in both meetings. “With so many crucial challenges facing the Armenian nation – and so much room for improvement in the Obama Administration’s deeply flawed policies on these issues – we place special meaning on our relationships with friends in Congress, and look forward to working in cooperation with legislators from both parties and across our country to advance our shared interests and common values.”

In April of this year, Chairman Menendez led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s successful adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res. 410), the first such action by a Senate Committee in more than two decades. On the House side, in June of this year, Chairman Royce spearheaded the adoption in the Foreign Affairs Committee of H.R.4347, the Turkey Christian Churches Accountability Act, a bipartisan measure to help secure Turkey’s surrender of stolen Armenian and other Christian Church properties. Chairman Royce also led an April 24, 2014, Congressional delegation to Armenia, where he joined with House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY) and fellow Committee members David Cicilline (D-RI), and Lois Frankel (D-FL) in marking the Armenian Genocide at the Dzidzernagapert memorial.