On September 2 Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sarkissian will leave for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to participate in the celebration of the 17th anniversary of the proclamation of NKR independence.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Tigran Torossian, issued a congratulating message on the Day of Knowledge.

On August 29 Serzh Sarkissian signed a decree on appointing Vasili Ghazarian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Kazakhstan (seat in Astana).

Serzh Sarkissian leaves for Sochi on a working visit on September 2. Armenia's President will have a meeting with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

Recognition of the independence of Southern Ossetia and Abkhazia is welcomed in Nagorno Karabakh, reports the NKR MFA.

Yesterday the Russian Federation recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Asked about Armenia’s stance on Russia’s behaviour, the Head of Media Relations Division of the RoA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tigran Balayan, said:

Under the patronage of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians T. Vardan, Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin, was designated Director of the Centre for Christian Upbringing.

Under a July 30 decree of Armenia's Prime Minister Tigran Sarkissian Rima Varzhapetian, Chairwoman of the Jewish Community of Armenia, was awarded with a medal of the RoA Prime Minister for her great contribution to the Armenian-Jewish friendly relations.

In connection with the decease of Lord Russell Johnston, a former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Serzh Sarkissian extended condolences to Terry Devis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Luis Maria de Puig, President of the Parliamentary Assembly.

Serzh Sarkissian and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians, will leave for the Crimea on July 28 to participate in the 650th anniversary of the foundation of Armenian St. Khach Church.

Under a July 24 decree of Serzh Sarkissian Armenian State Dance Troupe “Barekamutiun” was awarded the title of Honоured Ensemble of the Republic of Armenia for its high mastery in Armenian choreography, reports the RoA President's press service.

The newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea Kim En Jey (seat in Moscow) handed his credentials Serzh Sarkissian on July 23.

On July 21 Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received the Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay Bordyuzha.

On July 21Armenia's Defense Minister Seiran Ohanian received the military delegation of the People’s Democratic Republic of China headed by Major General Den Czyngun arriving in Armenia on a two-day working visit.

Lluís Maria de Puig, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), is to make an official visit to Armenia from 22 to 25 July to deepen co-operation between Armenia and the Assembly and to promote implementation of the Assembly’s Resolutions 1609 and 1620.

Armenia’s Ombudsman Armen Harutiunian has sent a letter to Samvel Nikoyan, Chairman of the NA ad hoc Committee investigating the March 1-2 occurrences.

On July 18 Serzh Sarkissian extended congratulation on the 70th anniversary of Armenia's prominent writer Perch Zeytuntsian.

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, who is presently on official duty in Washington, met U.S. Deputy Secretary of State on European and Eurasian Affairs Mr. Daniel Fried.

The Foreign Ministry of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic expressed readiness in assisting in a July 16 observation on the contact line of NKR and Azerbaijani Armed Forces near Yusifjanli settlement, Aghdam region.

Today Speaker of the RA National Assembly Tigran Torossian received CoE Human Rights Commissioner Tomas Hammerberg.

On July 14 Head of the RoA President's Administration, Hovik Abrahamian, met with Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Thomas Hammarberg.

On July 14 Serzh Sarkissian visited the Embassy of France in Armenia on the occasion of the National Holiday of France.

On July 11 Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sarkissian signed a decree on appointing Emil Babayan Deputy Justice Minister of the Republic of Armenia. The post had been vacant ever since Gevorg Kostanian was appointed Assistant to Serzh Sarkissian.

Forty years ago, world leaders proclaimed that individuals have a basic right to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. Millennium Development Goal 5, improving maternal health, affirms this right and yet shows the least progress to date. On World Population Day, let us focus on the critical importance of family planning if we are to successfully achieve the Millennium Development Goals.