Kachkar in memory of Armenian Genocide victims erected in GermanyNovember 22, 2017 - 12:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A khachkar has been installed in the German city of Cologne to honor the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide. Vicar of the Armenian Diocese of Germany Vardapet Serovbe Isakhanyan anointed the monument, after which those in attendance walked to the Surp Sahak Mesrop-Church for a memorial service. The head of Cologne’s Armenian community, Armenia’s ambassador to Germany Ashot Smbatyan, deputy mayor Elfi Scho-Antwerpes and several lawmakers delivered remarks. The German Bundestag passed a resolution on July 2, 2016 to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The move stirred a diplomatic crisis with Turkey, which denies the Genocide to this day. The khachkar was erected with the efforts of Saint Petersburg-based Armenian philanthropist Hrachya Poghosyan. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Russia confirms start of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh The Kremlin has confirmed reports about the start of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh. France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan France on April 16 said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan. Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent. |