Armenian News... A Topalian 6 editorials

Panorama, Armenia

Sept 21 2019

Armenia marks the 28th anniversary of Independence

The Republic of Armenia marks the 28th anniversary of Independence on September 21.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Supreme Council of Armenia on August 23, 1990. Under the declaration, Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic was renamed the Republic of Armenia.

A referendum on secession from the USSR and the establishment of independent statehood was held on September 21, 1991. 94.9% of the Armenian citizens voted for independence.

Declaration of the Independence.

“The Supreme Council of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic expressing the united will of the Armenian people; Aware of its historic responsibility for the destiny of the Armenian people engaged in the realization of the aspirations of all Armenians and the restoration of historical justice;

Proceeding from the principles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the generally recognized norms of international law; exercising the right of nations to free self-determination;

Based on the December 1, 1989, joint decision of the Armenian SSR Supreme Council and the Artsakh National Council on the "Reunification of the Armenian SSR and the Mountainous Region of Karabakh;" developing the democratic traditions of the independent Republic of Armenia established on May 28, 1918, declares.

The beginning of the process of establishing of independent statehood positioning the question of the creation of a democratic society based on the rule of law,” reads part of the declaration.

The main celebrations of the 28th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence will take place in the country’s second largest city, Gyumri. 

Public Radio of Armenia

Sept 20 2019

Queen Elizabeth II sends Independence Day greetings to Armenia

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has congratulated Armenia’s President Armen Sarkissian on Independence Day.

“I extend my congratulations to Your Excellency on National Day and my warmest wishes of happiness and prosperity to the people of Armenia,” the Queen said in a message.

Armenia will celebrate the 28th anniversary of independence on September 21.

News.am, Armenia

Sept 21 2019

Arsenal congratulate Armenia on Independence Day

Arsenal congratulated Armenians on Independence Day on its official Facebook page by posting a photo of Mkhitaryan with Armenian flag on the background.

Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhiytaryan has joined Roma on loan.

RFE/RL Report

Armenia To Open Embassy In Israel

September 19, 2019

Nane Sahakian

The Armenian government decided on Thursday to open an embassy in Israel, saying that it wants to improve Armenia’s uneasy relationship with the Jewish state.

“Israel is an important player in the Middle East,” Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian said during a cabinet meeting in Yerevan. “The opening of the 

embassy will contribute to the deepening of bilateral relations and protection of Armenia’s interests in the region.”

The decision approved by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s cabinet says that the embassy should be inaugurated in Tel Aviv by the beginning of next year. It will not only “give new impetus” to Israeli-Armenian relations but also help to secure the Armenian Apostolic Church’s continued strong presence in the Holy Land and Jerusalem in particular, said the government.

Israel hailed the decision later in the day, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz calling it a “significant step in the development of bilateral relations.”

“The opening of the embassy is a new and important chapter in bilateral relations, and we are confident that this will further strengthen the friendship between the two peoples and enhance cooperation between the states in all areas,” said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Nizar Amer.

Armenia and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1992 but have had no embassies in each other’s capitals until now. Armenian ambassadors to Israel 

have been based in Paris, Cairo and even Yerevan.

Mnatsakanian indicated that the Armenian government would welcome the opening of an Israeli embassy in Yerevan. “That is on the agenda of our dialogue,” he said.

Armenian-Israeli relations have long been frosty, reflecting differing geopolitical priorities of the two states. Armenia has maintained a warm rapport with Iran, while Israel has pursued strategic cooperation with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenian leaders have expressed concern over Israel’s large-scale arms deals with Azerbaijan which have reportedly totaled at least $2 billion since 2012. 

The Azerbaijani army used some of its Israeli-made weapons, notably sophisticated anti-tank rockets, during April 2016 hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Relations between the two countries seemingly began to warm up with a July 2017 visit to Yerevan by Israel’s Minister of Regional Cooperation Tzachi Hanegbi. Hanegbi and then Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian signed agreements 

on avoidance of double taxation and mutual lifting of visa requirements for holders of Armenian and Israeli diplomatic passports.

Nalbandian visited Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2017. “We'll strengthen relations between Israel and Armenia in tech, cyberspace and agriculture,” Netanyahu tweeted after the talks.

Netanyahu reaffirmed his government’s readiness for closer ties with Yerevan when he congratulated Pashinian on becoming prime minister in May 2018.

In a January 2019 interview with “The Jerusalem Post” newspaper, Mnatsakanian said the current Armenian leadership wants to “develop relations with Israel, 

including in the military field.” Asked about a possible negative reaction from Iran, he said: “Relations with one country won’t jeopardize our connections with others.”

RFE/RL Report

Armenian Police Chief Also Sacked

September 18, 2019

The chief of the Armenian police, Valeri Osipian, was dismissed on Wednesday two days after the resignation of the head of Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS).

President Armen Sarkissian relieved Osipian of his duties in a decree requested by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

Pashinian did not immediately explain the move. He appointed Osipian as his chief adviser later in the day.

Osipian held a farewell meeting with senior police officers shortly before the announcement of the presidential decree.

“Mr. Osipian thanked all police officers for their cooperation,” the chief police spokesman, Ashot Aharonian, told reporters after the meeting. He did not give reasons for his dismissal, said Aharonian.

In an ensuing written statement, Osipian said he “will talk about the reasons for my departure later on.” He stressed that he always been guided by the police “officer’s honor and dignity.”

According to press reports, Osipian decided to step down at the end of Tuesday’s session of Armenia’s Security Council chaired by Pashinian. Some media outlets claimed that he angered the prime minister with his reluctance to order police forces to disperse protesters blocking the roads leading to the Amulsar gold deposit which is due to be developed by a Western mining company.

Parliament speaker Ararat Mirzoyan and a spokesman for the Security Council secretary, Armen Grigorian, denied those reports on Wednesday. They insisted 

that the council did not discuss Osipian’s future.

The police chief was sacked two days after the resignation of Artur Vanetsian, the influential NSS director. In a statement, Vanetsian effectively criticized Pashinian’s leadership style, saying that it runs counter to “the officer’s honor.” The premier rounded on Vanetsian through his press secretary.

Pashinian has yet to announce who will replace Vanetsian and Osipian.

Pashinian named Osipian to run the national police service in May 2018 two days after being elected prime minister following weeks of anti-government protests led by him.

Osipian was until then a deputy head of Yerevan’s police department responsible for public order and crowd control. He personally monitored many 

anti-government rallies staged in the Armenian capital during former President Serzh Sarkisian’s rule. Osipian frequently warned and argued with Pashinian 

during the 2018 “Velvet Revolution” that toppled Sarkisian.

During his tenure Osipian repeatedly claimed to have eliminated corruption in the police ranks. While not denying this, critics blamed him and the new 

authorities as a whole for Armenia’s rising crime rate.

Aysor, Armenia

Sept 20 2019

Armenia Wine Cognac - One of the Best in the International Competition

Armenia Wine Cognac has recently won a prestigious international silver medal in the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Along with the world-famous brands, the company’s 3-year-old and 5-year-old brandy got 90 points, and the 7-year-old one got 93.

International Wine & Spirit Competition has a 50-year history. The competition jury is composed of more than 400 professionals from over 30 countries. According to the competition's rating scale, a silver-medal Cognac is characterized by an exceptional balance and complexity of aromas that significantly distinguish it from its competitors. Olivier Chapt, a French brandy maker at Armenia Wine Company, points out that such an assessment is extremely gratifying but at the same time compelling.

“Such medals are of great importance to all of us, as it is very important to know that your work is valued. Of course, winning these medals was not that easy job to do. Long and difficult job stands in the background,” says the Cognac maker. He assures that the company will continue to reach new heights and make Armenia's name spread worldwide.

According to Olivier Chapt, the high quality of Armenia Wine Cognac is conditioned by the Armenian climate, soil and water, grape variety, as well as by the French technology and emplementation of latest equipment. The Cognac is aged in high quality barrels made of French oak, and the distillery is equipped with modern French equipment.

The winner Cognac is not available in the Armenian market yet. The company plans to launch it in the locall and internationall markets early next year. Olivier Chapt says that especially the 3-year-old Cognac will be popular with young people, as it is light and can be enjoyed at parties.

The longer the Cognac is aged, the more complex the texture and the newer aroma becomes. Olivier Chapt says, that although the best moment is to try the Cognac, you first need to feel the aroma.

“When you catch the scent of Cognac, a journey starts through its nuances: different fruits - fresh and dry, oak, and then vanilla, chocolate, and sometimes coffee. You breathe in the aroma, you breathe in again, and you only want one thing at the moment - to try the drink,” says Olivier Chapt, tasting the Cognac.

It should also be added that earlier four wines from Armenia Wine, were once again awarded gold and silver medals at the Berliner Wein Trophy, in Germany.