PaperBoy

Distinguished Mr. Tusk, Distinguished Mr. Juncker, Dear colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen, I am grateful for the patient preparatory work and excellent organization of this Summit. I would like to mention that we consider 2017 as, indeed, one of the important milestones in the quarter of the century long history of the relations between Armenia and EU, which is signified today under the framework of this Summit by signing of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. It is a comprehensive document the reflects the significant developments of the recent period of our collaboration and defines the guidelines that are necessary to deepen these relations. This Agreement is not merely a legal document, but a reflection on the wealth of values of human rights and fundamental freedoms that we share. Important elements of the strengthening of democracy such as rule of law, consolidation of judiciary, development of public and social institutes, good governance ae the core of this Agreement. The efficient realization of these elements is of vital importance for our nation in order to implement successfully the envisaged reforms. It is exactly the development based on these shared values that ensures the long-lasting and sustainable development for any responsible member of the international community. I thank the leadership of the European Union for the support provided throughout this process. The importance of this Agreement is not limited to the Armenia-EU relations: many international counterparts of ours describe Armenia as a nation that brings various integration processes closer to each other, a nation that is led by desire to reconcile and complement interests in the spirit of cooperation and cohabitation, and it is something that seriously obliges us to meet the expectation. I would like to underline that throughout this process the objective Armenia pursued from the very outset was further deepening of our bilateral and multilateral relations. The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and European Union is our joint achievement, and I can become a positive precedent for other cooperation projects. I congratulate all of us upon this occasion. Dear colleagues, The achievements registered in the course of the past two years have been to a large extent conditioned by the results of the Riga Summit, in particular, by the joint endeavors taken for the implementation of the clauses related to Armenia in the Joint Declaration adopted at the Summit, Armenia, perhaps, is one of those EU partners that was able to almost fully implement commitments undertaken in 2015. We believe that Armenia’s determination in this process, as well as determination of our EU partners will soon result in further bringing our societies closer to each other, for which, of course, launching of the visa liberalization dialogue would be of great significance. Ladies and gentlemen, We arrived to Brussels convinced that this Summit will be an important milestone for the Eastern Partnership. From the outset Armenia supported this cooperation format since we believed that this partnership was draught in order to encourage sustainable regional development and serve as a unifying factor, thus removing the dividing lines and reinforcing the human and peoples fundamental rights. Mr. President, Once again, the President of Azerbaijan has voiced ill-grounded accusations against Armenia. As much as the Azerbaijani side may try to distort and misinterpret the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its peaceful settlement, the conflict has to be settled on the basis of three principles of international law: non-use of force or threat of force, territorial integrity and the peoples’ right to self-determination as proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, which is the only structure vested with an international mandate. The position of the international community on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is reflected in the statements issued by the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries. In this context, any solution to the conflict without the exercise of Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination is simply impossible. I also want to emphasize that each conflict is unique in its nature, essence and background, and in this respect, it would be wrong to apply similar approaches to different conflicts. Another remark: the UN has never adopted a resolution regarding the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The four resolutions adopted by the UN in 1993 were about the ceasing of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan has ignored so far. And now, as 25 years have passed, in my opinion, it is irrelevant to say that Armenia has not fulfilled its commitments. I strongly hope that resolution of the existing issues in the Eastern Partnership region will let us have a more peaceful and prosperous Europe. Armenia will continuously and faithfully be devoted to its vision of consolidation of peace and sustainable development. I thank you. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1267193.html

One of the qualifying rounds of the 2019 European Women’s (U-19) Qualifying Tournament will be held in Armenia, the press service of the Football Federation of Armenia reports. At the UEFA residence today, Armenia’s U-19 Women’s National Team was included in the 12th qualifying group where our team’s opponents will be Belgium, Iceland and Wales. The group tournament will be held in Armenia on October 2-8, 2018. Teams that take the first two places, as well as the two strongest teams in the third place, will enter the elite round, where 28 teams will be divided into seven groups and will compete for seven trips to the final. The latter will be held in summer of 2019, in Scotland. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1267191.html

The men of Shamut take sheep to pasture in turn. Today is Vahan’s turn. A few days ago a wold ate one of the sheep. Even losing one of the sheep is a great loss to the villagers. In this village of Lori region, young people prefer to live in the city. And adults help them as much as they can. Many families have students whose study fees are paid by the hard work of their family members. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1267187.html

The modern technologies, the smartphones and the mobile applications are reshaping the way people travel these days. Some think it ruins the journey, others argue that these devices and apps are actually very useful. Today, searching through the Google Play or App Store, you can find dozens of travel apps, some of which have over a million downloads. Selftravelguide.com has unveiled a list of some great Armenian mobile apps that can be very useful when traveling in Armenia - easy to use, and available for free. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/247981/

On a solemn night in Yerevan, stage lights at the Opera House went down, paving the way for the start of “We Promise”, a musical tribute to the Armenian Genocide, inspired by Terry George’s “The Promise” and based on its original score. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/246887/

National Assembly’s Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs and Protection of Human Rights today convened a regular sitting. At the beginning of the sitting, Committee Chairman Hrayr Tovmasyan announced that he had decided to prohibit journalists and cameramen from participating in sittings. From now on, media representatives can follow sittings live through monitors installed in the corridor. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263120.html

“State Treasury of Precious Metals and Stones” Agency of the Ministry of Finance has set the prices for precious metals for the upcoming week, the Ministry’s Press Service reported. According to the information provided the set prices are as follows: Gold: purchase price: AMD 18233.05, release price: AMD 19818.54; Silver: purchase price: AMD 241.02, release price: AMD 261.98; Platinum: purchase price: AMD 13844.43, release price: AMD 15048.29; Palladium: purchase price: AMD 13240.78, release price: 14392.15 Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263118.html

The United States has ended a program that shielded nearly 800,000 young, undocumented immigrants from deportation and allowed them to work and study in the country, Voice of America reports. New applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, will no longer be accepted, administration officials said. President Donald Trump approved the decision, but sent Attorney General Jeff Sessions before news cameras Tuesday to announce the controversial policy change. Demonstrators opposed to the administration’s decision massed in Washington and other cities beforehand, but there were no confrontations. “DACA is being rescinded,” Sessions announced. The action revoked President Barack Obama’s five-year-old administrative program. The future status of the hundreds of thousands of young, foreign-born students and workers is unclear for now, since they are no longer protected from summary deportation by the DACA program. Congress will have six months to act if it wants to continue to allow them to remain in the United States. The young immigrants typically entered the United States as young children. Many trace their heritage to Mexico or Central American countries, but some arrived so young that they have grown up knowing nothing other than American society and customs. Anyone who joined the “deferred action” program for work and study was required to have and maintain a clean criminal record. DACA did not promise participants citizenship or permanent U.S. residency, instead promising a reprieve from deportation. The program was initially intended as a stop-gap measure to protect aspiring young immigrants, while Congress was to come up with a more lasting solution to their problems. “I have a love for these people,” Trump said at the White House late Tuesday, “and, hopefully, now Congress will be able to help them and do it properly.” Earlier, he had issued a written statement declaring that federal immigration patrols would not make seeking out DACA recipients for detention and deportation a priority issue. Former President Obama, who has refrained from commenting on most of the policy changes Trump has enacted this year, spoke out strongly against ending the DACA program, and said the current administration was carrying out a purely political decision and targeting young people who “have done nothing wrong.” Obama said ending DACA was “self-defeating” and “cruel,” whether considered in political, economic or moral terms, “because [the young immigrants] want to start new businesses, staff our labs, serve in our military, and otherwise contribute to the country we love.” Once current DACA status expires for current recipients, they could be subject to deportation proceedings if detained, but government officials said no current beneficiaries would be affected before March 5, 2018. DACA recipients whose permits expire before that date will be allowed to renew their status, but they must act within one month. DHS officials said no other renewal requests would be considered and all new applications will be rejected. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263115.html

Fire crews in Armenia continue battling a woodland fire that hit the mountainous area near Byurakan village earlier this week. The fire has already destroyed huge areas of vegetation. http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/1-2.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2-2.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/3-2.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/4-2.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/5-1.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/6-1.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/7.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/8.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/9.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/10.jpg http://www.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/11.jpg Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263113.html

Shoghnan, 13, is walking in the corridor of School N1 named after Stepan Shahumyan. The girl, who moved to Armenia from Aleppo, has been attending this school for five years. She is happy; she smiles and is already fluent in Armenian. She is impatient to know whether any Syrian-Armenian children have been admitted to the school this year. She then sits at the desk, with a look fixed at the ceiling, takes a deep breath and tells her own story. “I was 8 when I moved to Armenia with my parents. We have lived in Armenia for five years. At that time the war in Syria wasn’t as hot as it is now. My family came to Armenia and didn’t go back. At that time we received news that the situation in Syria had worsened. Before coming here we saw how our relative was shot dead. I remember that once our school received a bomb threat call. Our parents took us home. Those were episodes from the war that wasn’t as hot as it is now. We thought that it would end in a month, but… I haven’t seen much but whatever I saw was enough for me to understand that war is not a good Shoghnan then tells about Armenian schools and education centers in Aleppo.” I used to attend a school in Armenia where children paid for education. You had to pay for studies in all schools in Syria. Schools in Syria were in better condition than those in Armenia. All classrooms were filmed. Teachers were very strict and demanding but at the same time very friendly. There were few Arabs at school. The principal taught us not to make a difference between Armenians and Arabs. There I wasn’t so good at Arabic and the same is with Russian here. I’m not one of the best pupils because of my Russian, but I am taking a course to improve it. We also receive good education in Armenia. I think the only difference is the condition of classrooms. Everything was new, well kept and modern in Aleppo.” Shoghnan wants to become a designer, but she is worried because the profession is not of great demand in Armenia. “Certainly, at the beginning it was hard for me and my family to get adapted to new life here but then everything settled down. When we arrived in Armenia I wanted to return to Syria. I still wish it. I study hard to become a designer but I don’t imagine my future in Armenia. Perhaps I shall go to some European country, improve my skills there, then return and work in Armenia. If something changes here and my profession becomes more demanded then I won’t leave the country,” she said. The 13-year-old girl wishes all Armenians to live in their homeland so that we could be more united. “Before the war in Syria, nobody thought about Armenia or about moving to Armenia. We still have our home in Syria that hasn’t been destroyed. All our relatives are in Syria. Here we feel lonely. Nevertheless, I feel safe and protected in Armenia. We experienced almost the same emotions during the April war. Now I want to return to Syria. My childhood, memories and everything are connected with Syria. I cannot forget all that. Now the whole Syria is ruined. There are few cities left that are not bombarded. Let all Armenians live in one place, let them come back to their homeland. Because of the war in Syria many Armenians moved to other countries and there is no unity in Syria anymore. My parents don’t want to go back to Aleppo but I will do it one day”. After the interview she came out to the school corridor with a bright smile. She wanted to see her knew friends. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263111.html

On August 23, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic) circulated in the United Nations (UN) a document, presenting its position regarding the Azerbaijani policy of isolation against Artsakh. Since September 1, the document was published on the UN official web-site and is available at https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N17/266/56/pdf/N1726656.pdf?OpenElement. The document states that the policy of Azerbaijan aimed at isolation of Artsakh is a blatant violation of the right to development enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The right to development is an inalienable human right that can be invoked both by individuals and peoples, and includes: full sovereignty over natural resources; self-determination; popular participation in development; equality of opportunity; the creation of favorable conditions for the enjoyment of other civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. By making a reference to a number of norms of international law, the document emphasizes that the realization of individual and collective human rights and fundamental freedoms, including economic and social rights, must not be dependent on the status of the territory where people live. Therefore, the lack of international recognition cannot affect the ability of a state to engage in international relations, including carrying out foreign economic activity. The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh express readiness for co-operation with UN member states to ensure a stable and transparent framework for economic activity in the Republic. The document concludes that: “The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh, for their part, are making every effort to ensure that everyone living in the Republic can equally enjoy all rights and freedoms, enshrined in fundamental international documents, to freely explore and realize his/her potential. By that the authorities of Artsakh contribute to the consolidation of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region of the South Caucasus”. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263109.html

The Azerbaijani Laundromat: the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which unites a number of journalists from a number of media outlets, called a complex money-laundering system that operated in a number of European countries between 2012 and 2014. The Azerbaijani Laundromat is the name given to a complex money-laundering operation that handled US$ 2.9 billion over a two-year period thanks to four shell companies registered in the United Kingdom. Between 2012 and 2014, Azerbaijan’s kleptocratic ruling elites pumped the money through the companies’ Estonian bank accounts. The companies’ true owners were hidden behind unknown offshore shareholders. Investigation revealed that Azerbaijan’s ruling elite operated a secret $2.9bn scheme to pay prominent Europeans, buy luxury goods and launder money through a network of opaque British companies Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263107.html

Firefighters in Armenia continue battling forest fires which broke out near Byurakan settlement three days ago. Strong wind helps spread the fire rapidly. Over 18 firefighting crews from Yerevan, Aragatsotn, Ararat, Kotayk and Gegharkunik are working in the area. Representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are also there. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263104.html

Elections to local self-government bodies will be held in Armenia’s Gegharkunik marz (province) on November 5. Residents in four consolidated communities – Chambarak, Shoghakat, Vardenis and Geghamasar – will elect head of the community and members of the local council, the CEC said on its website. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263102.html

Over 422 babies, including 224 boys and 198 girls, were born in Yerevan from 25 to 31 August. Overall, 34747 people applied to medical institutions subordinated to the Yerevan Municipality during the reporting period. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263100.html

Armenian U21 and Macedonia U21 teams will meet in Yerevan on September 5 as part of a UEFA U21 qualifier. This is the third game of the Armenian team in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 pre-qualifiers. Earlier, the Armenian U-21 team won Gibraltar (3:0) and then played a draw with Russia (0:0) in Moscow. Now, our team is leading Group f with four points. The game starts at 7p.m. Yerevan time. Admission is free, the FFA said on its Facebook page. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263097.html

In April 2017, the European Court of Human Rights delivered another judgment against Armenia. According to the ECHR decision, the Armenian Government is to pay EUR 4100 in compensation this year. The Armenian government will approve the decision on compensation at its upcoming session. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Armenia’s Ministry of Justice will receive about EUR 4100 from the the Government’s reserve fund to execute the Asatryan v. Armenia judgment and its requirements in due time. The Armenian Government has to pay the compensation until October 27, 2017. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263094.html

On September 2, 2017, the Commission on Education, Culture and Social Affairs of the Council of Elders held a regular session to discuss a number of measures, including the proposal of the Yelk (Way out) faction to rename streets in the Armenian capital. Eleven members of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) faction unanimously voted against the measure to rename Kasyan, Mikoyan, Frunze, Amiryan and Leningradyan streets, citing the absence of a public opinion survey. They added that they found it inexpedient to rename the aforesaid streets. There was only one case when the four HHK representatives refused from the logic of the previously determined voting and refrained from renaming the street connecting Isakov Avenue with Leningradyan street after Monte Melqonyan. Representatives of the Yelk faction empathized that with this attitude the HHK members are trying to avoid the responsibility for the implementation of the mandate given on May 14, as well as they make additional obstacles for the commission to exercise its authority, attempting to postpone the solution of the issue of serious public scrutiny. The members of the YELK faction also mentioned that some of the HHK representatives hadn’t examined the corroborations of the suggested measure. They simply followed their faction’s plan made in advance to overthrow the projects. During the discussion, the Commission also agreed to discuss public opinion disclosure mechanisms in particular through the implementation of a local referendum, which is fixed in the Constitution of Armenia and the Law on Local Self-governance in Yerevan as a means of expressing public opinion. Now the drafts will be included in the agenda according to the decision of Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, in pursuance of the decision of Articles 20, 22, 27 of the Yerevan Council of the EldersÕ› Decree on “Adoption of the Yerevan City Charter,” the YELK faction reports. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263091.html

The authorities are again playing with the reputation of our country, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Armenia (HDK) said today when commenting on Armenia’s decision not to participate in multinational wargames in Georgia. “If you continually try to sit on two or four chairs, you will gain nothing, there is no certainty, there is no strategy,” said Aram Sargsyan. “How often have you seen authorities consult with intelligent people and listen to their opinion? Likewise, I cannot understand the policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which can in no way decide on the matter of Nakhijevan, for example,” he continued. “Until 12 o’clock, you are a member of one security system, after 12 you switch to another system. Can we be sure that Russia can always be the guarantor of Armenia’s security? No, it is impossible, as Russia’s interests change rapidly, and we can say that cooperation with Russia in the security sphere does not have prospects for us,” said Boris Bavasardyan, the national coordinator of the Eastern Partnership Program’s (EaP) Civil Society Platform. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263089.html

The European Youth Chess Championships 2017 will be held in Mamaia, Romania from 4th-15th September. The Armenian Chess Federation reports on its website that 36 young chess players will represent Armenia at the championships. Haik Martirosyan, World Chess Champion of 2016, and Mamikon Gharibyan, European Champion of 2016, are among them. The Championship will be played in 6 age categories: U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18, boys and girls separately. The tournament will be played according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds, with time control 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one. Three Armenian chess players – Haik Martirosyan (U 18), Aram Hakobyan (U 16) and Mamikon Gharibyan (U 14) are among the favourites. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1263087.html

The underworld of New York is often portrayed as men’s warfare; however one of the most influential crime bosses in the history of the city was a Prussian immigrant Fredericka Mandelbaum. Also called ‘The Queen of Fences’, this woman became one of the strongest criminal figures of her day, buying stolen goods and reselling them, financing criminal endeavors, and even opening a school for young criminals. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/245255/

When the settlement of the western lands of North America started, men were the first to arrive. Some hoped to find gold, the others wanted to set up farms and begin a new life in a place with ample resources and unlimited freedom. However, there was one major problem: the lonely men needed women. Of course, there were females around, but their number was too small compared to the bachelors. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/244905/

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which has always welcomed implementation of green technologies, is going to use solar energy to provide its constructions with hot water. Besides, with the blessing of Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, photovoltaic array is being installed at the area by Optimum Energy company. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/243822/

Airplanes have been built for decades. As these planes become outdated or no longer needed, they must be stored in boneyards and eventually disposed of. Military and airliner boneyards are located around the world, from the UK to Australia, from Canada to Russia, and elsewhere. These "boneyards" around the world serve several functions: temporary storage, maintenance, parts reclamation, and scrapping. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/244557/

Back in October 2016, Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan instructed the heads of all governmental agencies to present proposals regarding reforms to be carried out within the public administration system. “Substitute the term ‘optimization’ with the term ‘drastic cuts’ to avoid misunderstanding,” the PM said at the time. PanARMENIAN.Net, in turn, presents the list of layoffs during the past year. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/242381/