18th Anniversary of Spitak Earthquake Marked in MinskDecember 7, 2006 - 17:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A mourning ceremony took place in Minsk in commemoration of the victims of the Spitak earthquake of 1988. The representatives of Diaspora and the Armenian Embassy staff were present at the ceremony. It was held near the Khachkar, which was erected in Minsk Military Cemetery and devoted to the victims of the Spitak natural disaster. Armenia's Ambassador to Belarus Oleg Esayan and Georgy Eghiazarian, the head of Armenian Diaspora in Minsk delivered a speech during the ceremony. Those present remembered the tragic days of Armenian people. The former Soviet countries supported Armenia in December 1988. Belarus was the first, which extended a helping hand to the sister nation. Belarusian rescuers and constructors made an important contribution to the reconstruction of suffering region. Those present honored the victims of earthquake with a minute of silence. Wreaths were laid to the monument and acolytes chanted a service. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |