The $1 million award for the first Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity will fund projects in Rwanda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazil. The proceeds will support initiatives that are combatting child poverty, advancing aid and rehabilitation for child refugees and orphans.
Despite the neighborly relations originated between the two, it’s less likely that Iran forgets what the Azerbaijan’s position has been for many years, while becoming one of the leaders of anti-Iranian struggle. Thus, Iran on the one hand will continue developing its relations with Azerbaijan, attempting to implement joint programs with that country, and will develop relations with Armenia on the other, thus, not violating the balance.
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are closely watching developments in Turkey, which has seen mass arrests, the declaration of a state of emergency and a slide towards authoritarianism.
Probably, on August 10 answers to these questions Russia’s president Vladimir Putin will give to Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan within the latter’s working visit to Moscow. He will give, prior to being informed on the positions of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Iran, and most importantly, of the president of Turkey in all regional issues, including those of Armenia.
At the end of the siege of police headquarters in Yerevan, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today sought reassurance from the foreign minister of Armenia that journalists’ rights and safety during times of civil unrest would be protected.
Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian says the peaceful settlement of the situation in the Police station was possible thanks to the Armenian leadership’s prudent, patient and balanced approach.
“Armenian law enforcement bodies fully control the situation and have undertaken all necessary means to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the National Security Service calls on the mass media to use the information from official sources, as in case of the contrary that would assist the illegal actions and would pose threat for people’s life and health”.
The head of the Public Council of Armenia Vazgen Manukyan considers unacceptable the attempts to solve any issues with illegal actions. In a conversation with “Armenpress” Manukyan commented on the hostage situation in Yerevan. “Solving problems with illegal actions is unacceptable, I’m not a supporter of these kind of actions. They only harm Armenia. There are other way to resolve issues,” Manukyan said.
“A group of armed people have taken as hostages a small group of policemen and in order to release them they demand the release of Jirayr Sefilyan who was imprisoned with the charges of illegally obtaining, keeping, transporting weaponry. A policeman has been killed, two have been wounded. In order to stop and disrupt the criminal actions of the armed group that illegally holds the area, the Special Forces have released two hostages.
