Turkish, Armenian Presidents receive Peace and Sport Image of the Year AwardDecember 5, 2008 - 16:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Serzh Sargsyan Turkey and Armenia have been presented with Peace and Sport Image of the Year Award by Monaco-based Peace and Sport Organization.The organization said in a statement posted in its web-site, "this distinction for the best image of fraternization through sport was awarded for a photograph of the historic handshake between Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan during the World Cup qualifier between Turkey and Armenia on Sept. 6, 2008. Mahmut Ozgener, president of the Turkish Football Federation, received the award on behalf of President Gul from Prince Albert II of Monaco. Ozgener said during the ceremony that President Gul's historic visit to Armenia proved that sport was a powerful instrument bringing peoples together and ensuring world peace, the Anatolian Agency reports. The Peace and Sport Organization aims to use sport to educate individuals and communities across the world about peace. It acts to promote sport as a basis for efficient political actions and a tool for peace. 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 | 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Armenia: Top cleric to retain title as he bids to become interim PM Galstanyan said earlier that the interim government would be tasked with stopping the “destruction of our homeland”. Ex-mayor of Karabakh capital arrested in Yerevan Ex-mayor of the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert David Sargsyan has been arrested for 20 days. 269 people evacuated amid severe floods in Armenia’s north According to the Interior Ministry, 269 people have been evacuated from their homes in Lori and Tavush provinces. |