The recent reports in the Azeri mass media say that Azerbaijan has suspended all its negotiations with Russia on the purchase of new weaponry and military equipment. Actually, these reports might seem to be consistent given Moscow’s recent refusal to lease the Gabala radar station because of the unreasonably high price recently fixed by Baku – 300 mln USD against the former 7 mln USD. However, after all Azeri media almost simultaneously disseminated the information that European producers had unexpectedly softened the terms of weaponry sale to the South Caucasus countries this started resembling stove-piping.      

 It is early for Armenia to appeal to international courts concerning the Armenian Genocide, Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said at Tsitsernakabert. 

ArmInfo's correspondent quotes him as saying that Armenia should appeal to international courts not for recognition of the genocide but for elimination of its consequences – for compensation or restoration of rights. "So, we still have stages to go through," Kocharyan said.

He expressed satisfaction with the preparations for the 100th year of the Armenian Genocide. He said that in some countries the preparations involve not only local Armenians but even natives. "More and more countries are showing a humane attitude – for genocide is a crime against humanity and must be condemned by all humankind. Here we have certain progress but our final goad is that the Armenian Genocide is recognized by Turkey," Kocharyan said.

 Assembly of Armenians of Europe are going to fight till absolute recognition of the Armenian genocide and restoration of defied rights, the statement by
the organization says.

"As a result of the genocide, all the western Armenians were killed or deported and their property was confiscated by the Turkish authorities. All the intellectual and cultural values, including churches and monasteries as well as literature and art were ruined. It is impossible to compensate the murder of a million of people and destruction of their material and cultural property only by excuse or recognition of the fact of the tragedy. It is necessary to continue the fight till full restoration of justice and compensation for property", - the statement says.

The Turkish Government must recognize not only the Armenian Genocide but also the genocides of Yezidis and Assyrians, the head of the Yezidi community of Armenia Aziz Tamoyan told journalists on Wednesday.

He said that the Turkish authorities' denial policy is bad for the Turkish people as it shows to the world that Turkey oppresses its ethnic minorities.

 Armenian National Congress Party has organized a procession to the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan.

In the vanguard are the son of the party's leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan David Ter-Petrossyan, MPs Gagik Jangiryan and Aram Manukyan. It is not known yet if Levon Ter-Petrosyan will join the procession.

 The leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian has organized a procession from Liberty Square to the Armenian Genocide Memorial.

Before the procession he said: "Our strength is in our unity. We demand recognition of our rights and compensation. Apr 24 symbolizes a lost homeland. In two years, when it will be the 100th year of the Armenian Genocide, we must be here again but already as citizens of a legal state."

 Armenia should thoroughly inform the world community of the crime of 1915 to help it realize what it should do to prevent such crimes in future, Defense Minister of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan told media.

Stressing the necessity of learning lessons from history, Ohanyan said that for the Defense Ministry security guarantees and combat efficiency of the army is a priority.

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.

 A large crowd gathered at the Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality Theater on April 23 to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. 

According to The Armenian Weekly, the event, commemorating the 98th anniversary of the destruction of the Armenian community in the city, was organized by the Diyarbakir Bar Association (DBA) and the Diyarbakir Municipality, and featured a panel discussion with historian Ara Sarafian and the head of the DBA, Tahir Elci.

In his opening remarks, Elci noted that as Armenian intellectuals and community leaders were being rounded up in Istanbul on April 24, 1915 and during the weeks that followed, a similar process unfolded in Diyarbakir.

Stressing Kurdish participation in the genocide in Diyarbakir, Elci said that confronting the reality of the genocide by Kurds today is inevitable. Moreover, he argued that Kurds should support Armenians in the struggle against the state's ideology and denialism.

"We grew up with the stories of our grandparents about the massacres of the Armenians. Denialist discourse does not withstand legal and historic scrutiny," he said.  "Today, we commemorate the genocide in Diyarbakir for the first time.  This is a very important day for us. We bow respectfully before the memory of our Armenian brothers who were murdered in 1915, and condemn the genocide," Elci concluded.

Sarafian focused on the process of the destruction of the Armenians in Diyarbakir in 1915. He noted that he had come to Diyarbakir to conduct research on the genocide, and that locals had been very helpful.

After the meeting, members of the audience headed to the banks of the Tigris River and threw flowers in the water in memory of the Armenians killed there during the genocide.

A Yerevan-based Haykakan Zhamanak Daily reports that 2-3 companies will replace Armavia airline that has been announced bankrupt. 

The companies are not named, as negotiations and discussions on the given issue are currently underway. Sources in the government report that mechanisms of activity are being developed taking into account the current competition with Russian air companies in the market. 

On April 25 the Public Council will conduct hearings on the situation in the civil aviation fielding the country.  

Armavia national air carrier has launched bankruptcy procedure and stopped flights due to debts. The owner of Armavia, President of Mika Limited Mikhail Bagdasarov said in an interview with ArmInfo that the company's debt does not exceed $50 million, with the current debt being the main part of it.  Armavia's shareholders are MIKA LTD - 34.99% and Aviafin LLC - 65.01%.  Bagdasarov set up Armavia in 1996 and sold it to Russian S7. In 2005 pressured by the Armenian tax authorities, S7 gave the company back to Bagdasarov. It was the first to exploit SSJ-100. Armavia carried out over 100 flights to over 40 destinations in 20 countries.

 In Tsitsernakaberd the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Gagik Tsarukyan was not let to walk the way foreseen for members of parliament and officials, Arminfo correspondent reported from Tsitsernakaberd.

Tsarukyan and his son visited the memorial complex and laid flowers to the eternal light. He asked policemen, why they did not let him to walk the way foreseen for the officials, and they replied that he should walk the common road together with the people. He went the common way, but halfway he bypassed policemen and went on walking the way foreseen for the officials.

The Armenian people have not yet received even the least compensation for the Armenian Genocide. Even more, Turkey's denial policy, the world community's indifference and the blockade of Armenia are some kind of continuation of the events that occurred in 1915, former Foreign Minister of Armenia, MP from Prosperous Armenia Party Vartan Oskanian says in his Facebook page. 

He notes that among the thousands of people who visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial today, Apr 24, were Armenians who have fled to Armenia from the conflict in Syria. "They are the descendants of the people who were deported from their homeland during the Armenian Genocide, and today, like their ancestors, they are forced to leave their homes because of a conflict instigated with active efforts of the selfsame Turkey," says Oskanian.

He believes that the key goal of Armenia now must be to eliminate the consequences of the Armenian Genocide by laying relevant claims against Turkey. "So as to be able to do it we must be strong, united and democratic," says Oskanian.

 The foreign policy as well as the internal one conducted by Serzh Sargsyan is wrong, the leader of the opposition movement "New Armenia", Raffi Hovannisian, told journalists today, as ArmInfo correspondent reported from Tsiternakaberd.

He also added that Armenia should recall its signature from under the Armenian-Turkish Protocols. "If we do not respect our interests, the Armenian genocide will not be recognized", - he said.

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.

The author of the bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide, French deputy Valeri Buaye visited today Tsitsernakaberd, the Memorial to the victims of the Armenian genocide. 

Valeri Buaye was accompanied by the French Ambassador to Armenia, Henri Reynaud. She laid flowers to the eternal flight as a respect of the memory of innocent victims of the genocide.

To recall, on 22 December 2011 the National Assembly of France adopted a bill on criminalizing of the Armenian genocide denial. The bill foresaw fine in an amount 45 thsd EUR and imprisonment for 1 year. Valeri Buaye was the author of the bill.

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.

 His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, issued a statement, where they urge Turkey to return confiscated Armenian churches and church estates. The Information System of the Mother See reported that in particular the statement runs as follows:

"In 2015, the Armenian people of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Diaspora will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire.

In 1915, more than 1.5 million Armenians became victims of genocide. The survivors on the roads of exile found shelter in Eastern Armenia, present-day Republic of Armenia, Syria, Lebanon and other Arabic nations, and in a number of other countries of the world.

The Genocide victims and the internally displaced people who lived under the jurisdiction of the Ottoman Empire in Western Armenia, Cilicia, and other regions of the Ottoman Empire, along with their own personal estates, also lost estates and holdings owned by the church - churches , sanctuaries and monasteries; religious, educational and charitable institutional centers; treasures of cultural and religious value - cross-stones (khachkars), illuminated
manuscripts, icons and other items of value; and holdings owned by the State of Turkey under the classification of "abandoned estates".

98 years after the Genocide the present Turkish nation, as the successors of the Ottoman Empire, not only deny that its predecessors plotted and committed the Genocide, but also continues its anti-Armenian policy, still retaining confiscated church estates and properties, and religious and cultural treasures of the Armenian people.

Therefore, We call on the Republic of Turkey and demand the following:

To recognize the Armenian Genocide;

To fully compensate the Armenians who suffered losses and the violation of their human and national rights;

To immediately return the Armenian churches, monasteries, church properties, and spiritual and cultural treasures, to the Armenian people as their rightful owner.

Remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide with prayers, We condemn any violation against God- given life, human dignity and the peaceful coexistence of people  "For God is not the God of discord, but of peace " (Corinthians  14.33), and has called on people for love, solidarity and cooperation.

With gratitude We honor all nations and peoples who gave shelter to the Armenians displaced by Genocide, and showed compassion and brotherly love for the dispersed and exiled Armenians.

The Armenian nation will also be eternally grateful to all the nations who, guided by the principles of humanity and justice, have condemned and officially recognized the Armenian Genocide.

On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide we must put all our efforts into action to realize the demands of the Armenian nation for the sake of justice and defense of the rights of all Armenians."

Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Spokesperson of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Head of the RPA Campaign Headquarters at the elections to the Elders' Council of Yerevan, Eduard Sharmazanov recommends the Armenian National Congress not to turn the election campaign into a political show. Sharmazanov made such statement talking to ArmInfo. 

"Incidents with ANC activist Alik Sargsyan and iLur.am correspondent Hakob Karapetyan is legal case and must not be politicized. The law-enforcements should inquire into such incidents. Consequently, ANC should apply to the Police," Sharmazanov said. He highlighted that RPA is committed to freedom of speech in the country and condemns any incidents creating obstacles to the activity of journalists. 

"We have repeatedly declared that such phenomena are inadmissible to us," he said.

To recall, on April 23 ANC disseminated a statement saying that in the course of Mayor Taron Margaryan's meeting with voters in the Nor Nork Community, Aram Papyan, a member of the given community and the event organizer and his supporters beat up an opposition journalist Hakob Karapetyan.  They seized the camera of the journalist and deleted the record. The journalist got bodily harms.  Earlier on April 22, another activist of ANC Alik Sargsyan and his wife were trying to distribute booklets in Ajapnyak community. A group of young men attacked and started beating Sargsyan for distributing leaflets in their 'territory'. The young attackers did not conceal that they belong to the ruling Republican Party and said that the ANC members entered their "territory".  Sargsyan was hospitalized with numerous injuries.

 The Armenian National Congress has condemned beating of iLur.am correspondent Hakob Karapetyan in the course of Mayor Taron Margaryan's meeting with voters in the Nor Nork Community, says ANC's statement provided to ArmInfo.

"The given incident once again shows the real face of the head of the criminal authorities, Serzh Sargsyan, and his candidate for Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan," ANC states.  In the course of Mayor Taron Margaryan's meeting with voters in the Nor Nork Community, Aram Papyan, a member of the given community and the event organizer and his supporters beat up an opposition journalist Hakob Karapetyan.  They seized the camera of the journalist and deleted the record. The journalist got bodily harms. However, Hakobyan Managed to take the photo of Aram Papyan, who was beating him. Papyan is a member of the current Elders' Council and candidate of the Republican Party to the future Elders' Council of Yerevan.  ANC reports that police officers did not respond to the incident.  

Earlier on April 22, another activist of ANC Alik Sargsyan and his wife were trying to distribute booklets in Ajapnyak community. A group of young men attacked and started beating Sargsyan for distributing leaflets in their 'territory'. The young attackers did not conceal that they belong to the ruling Republican Party and said that the ANC members entered their "territory".  Sargsyan was hospitalized with numerous injuries.

 "I experience strong feelings every time when I visit Tsitsernakaberd", - Swiss Ambassador to Armenia, Konstantin Obolensky, said to journalists today while visiting the Memorial to the victims of the Armenian genocide and laying flowers to it.

To recall, National Council of Switzerland recognized the Armenian genocide in 2003.

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.

"Ravished Armenia" and  "Genocide of Armenians Through the Swedish Eyes" by Goran Gunner, which were published in English in 2013 with financial support of Ameria group, were presented yesterday in Yerevan.

Goran Gunner is a Theology professor at Stockholm University, specialist in missionary teachings and an editor-in-chief of "Swedish Church" popular edition.

"Ravished Armenia", one of the first documentary memoirs of an eyewitness of Armenian Genocide tells about a girl from Chmshkatsag, Armenian populated town in the Ottoman Empire and gives a detailed account of the terrible experiences she endured during the genocide. At the age of fourteen she was beaten and tortured in harems of Turkish officials and Kurdish tribesmen. However, she managed to escape. First, she moved to Norway and finally settled in the USA. "Genocide of Armenians Through the Swedish Eyes" reveals the positions and evidence of the missionaries on the Armenian
genocide.

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.         

 John Kerry, Secretary of State, touched upon frozen conflicts in his remarks with European Commission President Manuel Barroso at Meeting with European Commission Fellows.

"We're still locked into and frozen in time with a certain number of conflicts like Nagorno-Karabakh, Cyprus, Mideast peace process, North Korea, that are the residuals of conflicts of the last century.

And so the challenge for all of us is to try to resolve those and move fully to the future, where more countries can put more energy into educating people and building healthcare systems and infrastructure and providing for citizens rather than so much energy which gets diverted into a military solution or conflict or some kind of kinetic effort of one kind or another," Kerry said.

Fresno County became the first County officially recognized the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Andreas Borgeas.

"The Fresno County Board of Supervisors encourage and support the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s continuing efforts of to develop as a free and independent nation in order to guarantee its citizens rights inherent in a free and independent society, and respectfully urge the California State Legislature, the United States Congress and the President of the United States to support self-determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and its constructive involvement with the world community," the resolution reads.

In the document, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors asked President Barack Obama and US Congress to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

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.