The Israeli Knesset will hold a special debate on April 24 timed to the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in early 20th century.

The debate has been initiated by Meretz.  MK Zahava Gal-On (Meretz) said that it is Israel's moral duty to remember the Genocide of the Armenian people. She referred to the reconciliation talks with Turkey as "an important and strategic process that I wholeheartedly support, but it needn't influence recognition of the massacre of the Armenian people. It's not that we have to either recognize the genocide or have relations with Turkey; we can do both. The link between the two harms Israel and its foreign relations."

Israel still has not official recognize the Armenian Genocide despite numerous discussions on the issue at the Knesset.

 "I have come to pay tribute to the memory of the big massacre victims," U.S.  Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern told media on April 24, when laying flowers on the Memorial for the Victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

The ambassador said that the big tragedy of the early 20th century took the lives of 1.5 million innocent people. Therefore, the ambassador said, he came to pay tribute to the memory of those victims.

Despite the efforts of the influential Armenian community, the USA has not recognized the Armenian Genocide yet. Nevertheless, over 30 States of America have already recognized the Armenian Genocide.  For many years the presidents of the USA have promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide during their presidential campaigns, but denied their words after election.

This year, Armenians worldwide mark the 98th anniversary of that tragedy.  Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by most of the United States as well as by dozens of countries, including Uruguay, Russia, Belgium, France, Argentina, Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania, the House of Representatives of the Canadian Parliament, the World Church Council and the Lower House of the Italian Parliament.  The European Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the fact of Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey on June 18 1987 and demanded the Council of Europe to exert pressure on Turkey in order that country recognizes the Armenian Genocide. Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915-1923.

Thousands of protestors will gather in front of the Turkish Consulate of Los Angeles this Wednesday, April 24th to demand recognition and justice for the first genocide of the 20th century.

In an attempt to raise awareness about Turkey's ongoing denial, Armenian Americans and anti-genocide activists will take to the streets to call for an end to decades of Turkish impunityб the Armenian Youth Federation reported.The demonstration is, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF).

"This protest goes beyond commemorating the 1.5 million lives lost during the Armenian genocide," states Lori Tashdjian one of the leading organizers of the event. "It highlights the necessity of ending the denial by the perpetrators of the first genocide of the 20th century, in order to bring to an end to the genocides that continue to plaque humanity in the 21st century."

To note, on April 24 the Armenian  people commemorates the victims of the first genocide on the 20th century that was committed in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by most of the United States as well as by  dozens of countries, including Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Uruguay, Russia, Belgium, France, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania.. The European Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the fact of Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey on June 18 1987 and demanded the Council of Europe to exert pressure on Turkey in order that country recognizes the Armenian Genocide.  Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915-1923.

  April 24 is a very important day for Armenia and France, French Ambassador to Armenia, Henri Reynaud, told news reporters, when visiting the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan on April 24, ArmInfo's correspondent reports.

The ambassador recalled that France has recognized the events of the early20th century in Ottoman Turkey as Genocide. On this day many cities in France organize events commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Ambassador Reynaud said that the French people share the pain of the Armenian people.  "Our countries and peoples have specific relations, and the big Armenian community in France largely contributes to these relations. We remember April 24. It is a very important date for us," he said.

This year, Armenians worldwide mark the 98th anniversary of that tragedy.  Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by most of the United States as well as by dozens of countries, including Uruguay, Russia, Belgium, France, Argentina, Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania, the House of Representatives of the Canadian Parliament, the World Church Council and the Lower House of the Italian Parliament.  The European Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the fact of Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey on June 18 1987 and demanded the Council of Europe to exert pressure on Turkey in order that country recognizes the Armenian Genocide. Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915-1923.

 Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) sent a letter today to the White House urging President of the United States Barack Obama to recognize the Armenian Genocide and put an end to the denial, Asbarez reports.

In his letter the congressman recalls that as a Senator, Obama strongly supported passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106). "American should never be associated with genocide denial. The victims of the Armenian Genocide deserve our recognition. It is in our national interest to recognize and remember the past. We must learn from these crimes against humanity to ensure that they are never repeated," Sherman wrote. 

"...As the 98th anniversary of this tragic event approaches, I urge you to proclaim that the Armenian Genocide is a fact and refer to these atrocities as "genocide" in your annual statement," the congressman wrote.

This year, Armenians worldwide mark the 98th anniversary of that tragedy.  Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by most of the United States as well as by dozens of countries, including Uruguay, Russia, Belgium, France, Argentina, Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania, the House of Representatives of the Canadian Parliament, the World Church Council and the Lower House of the Italian Parliament.  The European Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the fact of Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey on June 18 1987 and demanded the Council of Europe to exert pressure on Turkey in order that country recognizes the Armenian Genocide. Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915-1923.

 Today, on April 24, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Hovik Abrahamyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, parliamentarians, government members laid flowers on the Memorial for the Victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915-1923. His Holiness Karekin II served a liturgy in memory for the innocent victims. 

This year, Armenians worldwide mark the 98th anniversary of that tragedy.  Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by most of the United States as well as by dozens of countries, including Uruguay, Russia, Belgium, France, Argentina, Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania, the House of Representatives of the Canadian Parliament, the World Church Council and the Lower House of the Italian Parliament.  The European Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the fact of Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey on June 18 1987 and demanded the Council of Europe to exert pressure on Turkey in order that country recognizes the Armenian Genocide. Turkey still denies the genocide of
1,5 million Armenians in 1915-1923.

Armenians worldwide commemorate over 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey today, on April 24

 Areximbank-Gazprombank Group will shortly connect its corporate customers, receiving wages through plastic cards, to a cashback system.

The press service of the banks reports that in the future the system will become accessible to all of the bank's customers.

The system pays back 1% of the money spent by a holder of a plastic card when using it to buy a product or a service.

For the moment the system is accessible to the bank's employees only.  It covers more than 200 outlets, hotels, insurance companies, health centers and recreation facilities all over Armenia.

Haypost has enlarged its vehicle fleet with new vehicles worth $380,000, invested by the company's concessionary, haypost Trust management B.V.

During the presentation of the vehicles at Yerevan's Republic Square on Tuesday Director of Haypost Trust Management B.V. Juan Pablo Gechidjian said that HayPost has obtained 25 Renault Logan, Daewoo Matiz and Daewoo Damas cars and one Gazel-based PostMobile. He said that this will allow to increase the number of routes in Ararat, Armavir and Gegharkunik regions by 70 percent which will in its turn significantly improve the quality of the provided services.

By 2014 Haypost is planning to enlarge its vehicle fleet from 126 to 200 vehicles.

The press service of Haypost reports that all the vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking technology which allows to control the flaws of the fleet from the head office and are fuel efficient which has a direct impact on the ecology and helps to reduce the operational costs of the company.

As regards PostMobile, at the first stage it will regularly visit the rural communities of Aragatsotn region among which are both villages with existing post offices and villages where postal services were never available before.

PostMobile concept is developed based on the best practices of Haypost's partners – Pochta Rossii (Russia), La Poste (France) and Poste Italiane (Italy). It is a post office on wheels tailored to the climatic and landscape conditions of Armenia. It is equipped with power generator, heating and air conditioning, computer as well as security and video registration systems. The mobile post office has online connection to the head office using the same core software as the whole network. Installed GPS tracking system allows to control the itinerary from the head office which will lead to a significant
increase in security and quality of provided services.

The vehicle will visit communities at specified times and days each week and will park at pre-determined location.  The residents will be able to make utility and other payments, receive and make money transfers, buy insurance, subscriptions, postcatalog products, and use traditional postal services.

PostMobile will bring the modern services of Haypost to the remote rural areas thus making available for the residents to get the same high-quality services and products as in the post offices of the cities. Adopting new quality service Haypost Trust Management makes one step further on the path of modernizing and transforming the Armenian national postal operator into one of the leaders in the sector.

Haypost is negotiating with the State Income Committee of Armenia for being able to carry out the customs clearance of parcels received from abroad at its offices, Director of Haypost Trust Management B.V. Juan Pablo Gechidjian told journalists on Tuesday.

In response to a question by ArmInfo's correspondent, he said that people buying goods from electronic stores have no problems with receiving them by post. "Many of Haypost's services are much cheaper than similar services abroad," Gechidjian said.

Besides traditional postal services Haypost provides catalogue sale, insurance, post banking and courier delivery services.

"HayPost" CJSC is the official national postal operator of the Republic of Armenia. The company provides postal, payment and retail services.  HayPost currently operates through 900 of its postal offices across Armenia, from urban to the most remote rural regions.

On November 30, 2006, the Dutch HayPost Trust Management B.V. was given the responsibility to operate HayPost. The purpose of the Trust Management is to make HayPost increasingly commercial, transparent, efficient and accountable for its customers in Armenia and abroad.  Finally, the HayPost Trust Management will establish HayPost as a world class postal and financial services operator.

Clean Energy NGO and SolArt are going to launch joint projects aimed at developing solar energy. 

Clean Energy NGO's press release sent to ArmInfo says that the parties have signed a Memorandum on Cooperation to contribute to humanization and democratization of the energy sector. Vahe Davtyan, President of Clean Energy NGO, said that Clean Energy sets a goal to join the efforts of various players of the Armenian energy market in order to attract potential donors and investors to development of the alternative energy that has an immense potential. "Armenia has significant advantages of development, including the solar energy development given that the average annual amount of solar energy in Armenia is 1,720 KWh per 1 sq m, while in Europe it is only 1,000 KWh", Davtyan stressed. 

Artin Melikyan, Head of SolArt, pointed out that the active cooperation of Armenian companies operating in the alternative energy field plays an important role in implementation of important, promising and multipurpose projects. Therefore, he said that one should consider the alternative energy market players as links of a single chain. In this context, he welcomed Clean Energy's initiative to consolidate the potential for development of the given sphere.       

To note, SolArt specializes in development of hybrid technologies in the field of energy conservation and heating systems. Clean Energy NGO was founded in December 2012.  Its goal is to provide extensive support to establishment and development of Armenia's energy security. The organization supports projects on development of alternative energy in the republic.

 Armenian people want Turkey to compensate for damages, not to apologize, Vahan Hovhannisyan, member of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau, MP from ARFD Faction, said in Liberty Square on Tuesday, before the torchlight procession traditionally held on April 23, on the eve of the Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24).

Hovhannisyan said that Turkey is trying to liquidate the Armenian traces in historical Western Armenia by changing the names of the churches and settlements. He added that Turkey and its lap-dog (Azerbaijan is meant) are trying to isolate Armenia from all international projects. "An undeclared war is being conducted against Armenia, but we will liberate our territories step by step due to our solidarity", he said. 

ArmInfo's correspondent reported Liberty Square that the participants burned the Turkish flag and made their way to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. The residents of Yerevan switched off the lights in their flats and lit candles to pay their tribute to the Genocide victims' memory.

 Low awareness is the key obstacle to the inflow of Polish investments in the Armenian economy, Polish Deputy Economy Minister, Polish Co-Chair of the Armenian-Polish Intergovernmental Commission Tomasz Tomczykiewicz said during a a briefing after the Commission's 3rd meeting in Yerevan on Tuesday.

He explained that Polish investors are not aware that Armenia is a country where they can safely invest.

Tomczykiewicz said that Armenia and Poland are considering signing an agreement on mutual protection of investments.

He said that Poland welcomes Armenia's negotiations for signing an association agreement with the European Union as it will help to stimulate trade and to attract investments.

The National Statistical Service of Armenia reports that in 2012 the Armenian-Polish trade made up $42.4mln (16.3% more than in 2011), wherein the Armenian exports to Poland dropped by 35.3% to $599,300 (35.3% less than in 2011), while the Polish imports into Armenia grew by 17.7% to $41.8mln. Armenia exports to Poland rubber, drinks, salt, cement, stones, aluminum. Poland imports into Armenia soap, wood, electric equipment, paper, sugar, cocoa, glass, medicines.

 Lawyer of Vardan Sedrakyan, the former candidate for president of Armenia, Alexander Sirunyan, is expected to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Sirunyan told ArmInfo that the Court of Cassation rejected the claim.

To recall, Sedrakyan is charged with ordering murder of Paruyr Hayrikyan, former candidate for president.  Sedrakyan was arrested for a period of 2 months. The defense disputed the court decision in the Court of Appeal and then in the Court of Cassation. 

The assassination attempt against Paruyr Hayrikyan, candidate for president of Armenia, Leader of the Union for National Self-Determination Party, was made in the Tpagrichnery Street in Yerevan on Jan 31.  Hayrikyan was hospitalized with a gunshot wound in shoulder and underwent surgery.  A criminal case was initiated on Article 34-305 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (assassination attempt against a statesman, political figure or public worker in order to stop his activity). The case is in charge of the National Security Service.  On Feb 8 the National Security Service of Armenia detained
two men: Albert Poghosyan (1966) and Samvel Haroutiunyan (1972), who have already pled guilty.  Later, Vardan Sedrakyan said that the given persons repaired his apartment.

On April 23 compact disc sellers held a protest action in front of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's residence.  

The protesters handed their letter to Sargsyan's Administration. In their letter, the protesters ask the President to provide them with holograms so that they could sell their old goods. After that the owners of the stores will obey the law and will not sell their compact discs without holograms.   

The Administration accepted the letter and promised to take it into consideration. However, this reply did not satisfy the protesters. The case may last for months and over that period the owners of the stores are to pay taxes for the closed stores and maintain their families.   

To note, since from April 18 all the compact disc stores have been closed because 2.5 mln AMD will be imposed on the entrepreneurs selling the discs without holograms. In case of repeated violation they will be sentenced to 2 years in jail.

Earlier dozens of representatives of Armenian companies engaged in disc duplication organized a protest action against the Intellectual Property Agency in front of the Government building on April 18.

 At the Yerevan Council of Elders election Yerevan residents will undoubtedly take into consideration reappointment of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, which represents the ruling RPA, as well as the fact that the Armenian authorities preserved the incapable government, a member of the parliament from the Prosperous Armenia Party, the PAP press-secretary, Tigran Urikhanyan, said at today's press-conference  when replying at Arminfo correspondent's question.

He thinks it is unreal to fight total corruption and other shameful phenomena with a help of such a government, the members of which were slagged off by President Serzh Sargsyan several months ago. "When last year the president sharply criticized the government for numerous shortcomings, I was happy, as I hoped that the high rank leadership of the country finally took measures for raising of the management effectiveness. But the decision to preserve the staff of the government ruined all my hopes for the radical transformation. Prosperous Armenia Party reiterated its position regarding the present government many times, and this position has not changed", - Urikhanyan said.

The Armenian Police have refuted the statement by Armen Martirosyan, Vice Chairman of the Heritage Party, to Aravot newspaper saying that one of the police officers on duty during the opposition procession in the Baghramyan Ave was armed. 

The Police have disseminated a statement saying that no police officer on duty on April 9 was armed.

To recall, during the opposition rally on April 9, law-enforcers made offensive statements addressed to Armen Martirosyan and broke his nose. A criminal case has been initiated on the fact.

On 23 April the Israeli Knesset held a ceremony to mark the memory of the Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915, Israel National News reported.

MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud) said before the ceremony that he believes that "as human beings and as Jews, we must not ignore the catastrophe of another nation for any reason, including diplomatic considerations, important as they may be."

"We will mark the annual memorial day for the massacre of the Armenian people regardless of the relations with today's Turkey, which is an ally," - he added.

To note, official Israel has not recognized the Armenian genocide although the Knesset took several attempts to adopt the relevant resolution

Leader of Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan has had a meeting with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, but no agreements have been made, Prosperous Armenia Party Spokesperson, MP Tigran Urikhanyan said in a press conference, Tuesday.

He said that the president just informed Tsarukyan of his decision to reappoint Tigran Sargsyan to the post of the prime minister. 

Asked if Prosperous Armenia Party will join the ruling coalition, Urikhanyan said that the party has no intention to fight for some positions in the government.

"We do not need positions, if this will not improve the situation in the country and the living standards of our compatriots," Urikhanyan said.

Commenting on the upcoming elections to the Elders' Council of Yerevan and PAP's readiness to cooperate with other political forces after the elections, Urikhanyan said it is possible if the interests meet.  He said that it is his personal stance and no discussions were held in the party on the given issue.  Urikhanyan promised to inform the public of the party's decision.

 The U.S. Department of State makes contradictory actions with regard to Armenia. While the U.S. foreign political department congratulates Serzh Sargsyan for re-election to the post of president, the U.S. Department of State publishes a report criticizing the given election, Prosperous Armenia Party Spokesperson, MP Tigran Urikhanyan said in response to Armando's question in a press conference, Tuesday.

The parliamentarian thinks that the U.S. Department report might be a result of certain actions of the Armenian authorities in the foreign policy arena.

"I'd not like to go into details, but I think this supposition is accurate," Urikhanyan said.

The latest  2012 Report on Human Rights Practices issued by State Department says that the most significant human rights problems in Armenia during the year were limitations on the right of citizens to change their government, corruption and lack of transparency in government, and the limited independence of the judiciary.  "The government issued a report in December 2011 on its investigation into the deaths of eight civilians and two police officers following the 2008 presidential election but, as of year's end, had not held anyone accountable,"   the report says.