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The Armenian Church celebrates the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ. The churches will hold various events on this occasion.

It is celebrated on the 40th day of Easter within 35 movable days starting from April 30 till June 1 always on Thursday. The celebration also is called Jangyulum (‘gyul’ means a flower) in Armenia.

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The Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia reports that the works of creating a wildlife friendly park on the Iran-Armenia border.

The news about the park was released by Iran’s official IRNA news agency, quoting Sadig Najaf, Director of the Araz free economic zone, Iran: “The project is aimed at advocating wild-life in the region. Besides, the park will present the eco-tourism possibilities of the two countries.”

(Armenia has a 40-kilometer border with Iran.)

Karen Papoyan, assistant to Minister of Nature Protection of Armenia, told ArmeniaNow that the project was initiated by the Iranian side.

“Thus, we will have a green area in the southern part of Armenia which will constantly be in the focus of attention. Funds will be invested there for animals’ reproduction; works will be done for the maintenance and increase of the area’s flora,” Papoyan says, adding that the project will also promote tourism development.

Papoyan reports that most part of the project’s funds will be provided by the Iranian side; and the group of specialists from both countries after mapping the area, will try to finalize the project.

“There is an agreement that on April the presidents of the two countries will meet on the border and they will see the green areas of the park and will reach agreements over further deeds,” Papoyan says.

Inga Zarafyan, head of Ecolur NGO also appreciates this project.

“We lose our green areas day by day, and the creation of even a small area rich in flora, is a great achievement,” Zarafyan says.

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An exhibition titled “The ancient Armenian book in Amsterdam” was opened at the Armenian National Library today within the framework of celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing.

The most notable events in the history of Armenian printing of the 15th century took place in Amsterdam. In 1660 Matheos Tsareci from Etchmiadzin established an Armenian publishing house in Amsterdam. From 1664 it was headed by Voskan Yerevantsi. His student Matheos Vanandetsi published Khorenatsi’s “Armenian History” here in 1695. In 1695 the same publishing house also put out the first geographic map “Hamataratz Ashkharatsuits”

Fortunately, a few issues published in Amsterdam have been preserved and brought to Armenia. They are now kept at the National Library of Armenia. These exceptional items are on display within the framework of “The Armenian ancient book in Amsterdam” exhibition.

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The European Commission and the European External Action Service (EAS) adopted their annual European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) package, on 15 May, assessing the progress made in 12 neighbouring countries over the past year and sharing recommendations for the way forward, European Commission official website said.

The communication – ‘Delivering on a new European Neighbourhood Policy’ – drafted jointly by High Representative Catherine Ashton and Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle, finds that the EU has responded with “determination” to a fast-changing situation in its neighbourhood. “Applying the reform-rewarding logic of ‘more for more’, the EU has supported those partners embarking on political reforms,” a Commission statement said.

“I have always said that we will be judged on our work with our immediate neighbours, and I am convinced that we are moving in the right direction,” Ashton commented.

However, with regard to the 12 countries’ progress – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine, Algeria, Israel, Libya and the Occupied Palestinian Territory – the Commission sounds less enthusiastic.

Within the Eastern Partnership, the negotiations for an EU-Armenia Association Agreement (AA) progressed at a good pace. Armenia made substantial progress in implementing the “key recommendations” allowing for the launching of negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Overall, Armenia made good progress in the areas of Democracy and Human Rights.

On the basis of this year’s report and with a view to sustained implementation of the ENP Action Plan in 2012, Armenia is invited to ahead of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled in 2013, address the shortcomings identified by OSCE/ODIHR concerning the May 2012 Parliamentary elections, in order to fully meet recognized international democratic standards, step up efforts with Azerbaijan to reach agreement on the Madrid Principles in accordance with the commitments made by the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the framework of the Minsk Group, provide unconditional access for representatives of the EU to Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding regions, fully investigate the deaths that occurred during the clashes of March 2008 and the allegations of ill-treatment in police custody and violation of due process, ensure finalisation and implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan, adopt amendments to the legislation on broadcasting in compliance with the recommendations of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, and ensure pluralism in the broadcasting media, finalise the draft law on Conscience and Religious Freedoms, in line with international standards as well as the legislation on alternative civilian service, in conformity with Venice Commission and OSCE recommendations, adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, including further steps leading to the harmonisation of legislation with the EU acquis in the areas of gender equality and non-discrimination, strengthen enforcement of the Anti-Corruption Strategy and boost capacity for combating corruption.

Armenia is encouraged to strengthen the implementation of the reform agenda presented by the Armenian authorities, including measures to reform public administration and the judicial sector (especially increase the independence of the judiciary, improve the training of judges, review the code of criminal procedure, pursue the Police Reform Programme), to continue to advance sectoral reforms and regulatory approximation to the EU acquis in trade and trade-related areas based on the key and additional recommendations identified in the preparation for the DCFTA, work towards the earliest possible closure of the Medzamor Nuclear Power Plant and adopt a detailed decommissioning plan for this plant, taking into account the result of stress tests.

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If one day the Internet disappears, 2 percent of active social websites users would commit suicide.

As NEWSru.com reports, American scientists tried to find out how the disappearance of the Internet would influence people. In total, 2,000 male users and 2,000 female users participated in the survey. 67 percent announced that they would move to a place which does not have internet problems. For them it is more important to stay connected on Facebook, Twitter etc., than patriotism and affection towards their country. 14 percent stated that they would fall in a depression and would not know what to do.

11 percent announced that they would be happy as they admit their Internet addiction. 6 percent would replace the Internet by video games. 2 percent announced that they will commit suicide as all the important events of their lives are occurring online. They do not imagine their life without the Internet and virtual communication. It is interesting that most of the potential suicide committers are women.

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Beverages which contain caffeine are dangerous. This is proven by the fact that excessive consumption of cola killed 30-year-old Wellington resident Natasha Harris.

As MEDdaily.ru reports linking at the German news agency Der Spiegel, 10 grams of caffeine is considered lethal.

A cup of strong coffee contains around 80 milligrams of caffeine. This means that if an adult drinks a dozen cups of coffee he might die.

One tenth of the lethal dose leads to tachycardia, increased blood pressure, arrhythmias, and problems with blood circulation. Also, nausea is the natural reaction of the body, trying to throw out the poison.

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Armenia will have five representatives at the 2012 European Archery Championships, which will get underway in Amsterdam on May 21.

Led by their coach Boris Vasilyan, archers Arshak Petrosyan, Hovhannes Petrosyan, Vasil Shahnazaryan, Gohar Shahnazaryan and Nune Vasilyan will represent Armenia at the event. The Championships will come to a close on May 26.

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Over 200 Armenians visited the historic but crumbling Sourp Magar monastery in Cyprus on Sunday, May 13 in an annual pilgrimage in honor of Saint Makarios, the Hermit of Alexandria.

Cyprus Mail reports that Cypriot Armenians were joined by those from the UK, Syria, Lebanon and Armenia to visit one of the two most important Armenian religious sites in Cyprus. The monastery near Buffavento castle, founded in the early 11th century by Christian Copts, was transferred to the Armenian community in the early 1400s.

The monastery, for centuries a place of pilgrimage for locals and travelers en route to the Holy Land, has fallen into dangerous disrepair since the Turkish invasion.

“It’s very sad. People came out of Sunday’s service crying,” a spokeswoman for the representative of the Armenian community, MP Vartkes Mahdessian said.

She said that they had to cordon off sections of the monastery to prevent people from going into dangerous areas.

The Armenian community has been visiting the monastery as a community each year since 2007 when Mahdessian arranged for an organized visit after he came to office.

Before the Turkish invasion of 1974 families would travel to the monastery to make preparations for the Saint Makarios’ name day celebrated on the first Sunday of May (this year’s service was moved back for practical reasons).

“The vast lands of the monastery, which is nearly 8,500 donums, includes 30,000 olive and carob trees, extends up to the sea and is known to be picturesque and idyllic,” Mahdessian said in an announcement.

In the 20th century it was used as a summer resort for the Armenian community where scouts and students would camp, “including students of the Melkonian Educational Institute, many of whom were orphans of the Armenian Genocide,” Mahdessian said.

The monastery once held manuscripts dating back to 1202 as well as ecclesiastical relics.

To visit the monastery for Saint Makarios’ day, the community applies via the Foreign Ministry which relays their wish to the United Nations who act as intermediaries to get permission from the ‘TRNC’.

Together with the church of the Virgin Mary in occupied Nicosia, the monastery is the most important Armenian church monument on the island.

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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, shaking hands with a 21-year-old Armenian student

News.am

Looking into the eyes of the former U.S. President Bill Clinton, a 21-year-old Armenian student needed a minute to realize whether it was a dream or reality.

“How can I, a mere student and recent immigrant, meet a president? How can I be here today and press the hand of one of the most influential people in the world?” she thought.

Suddenly she captured reality and remembered what her aim was for the meeting.

Without further thought she held out her hand to shake hands with Clinton, and realized that she had only one minute to tell all she could about what’s important for her and her nation.

“Mr. President, I must thank you for the opportunity given to me for participating in this conference. As a recent immigrant to the United States, I am literally living the American Dream. Thank you for everything you have done for the Armenians. But my dream is that one day the Armenian Genocide will be recognized by the U.S. government,” the Armenian student told Clinton.

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