Month: December 2020

 09:52, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The 12-month inflation in Armenia’s consumer market comprised 1.6% (November 2020 against November 2019), whereas the one-month inflation – 1.3% (November 2020 against October 2020, the Statistical Committee reports.

The yearly inflation in food products and non-alcoholic drinks comprised 0.8%, the monthly inflation -2.8%, that of alcoholic drinks and tobacco – 10.2% and 0.4%.

Consumer prices of clothing and shoes declined 1.6% in November 2020 against November 2019, and by 1.9% against October 2020.

The 12-month inflation in housings services, water supply, electricity, gas and other types of fuel comprised 0.4%, the one-month inflation – 0.3%.

The prices in the healthcare sector rose by 2.8% within a year, whereas within a month it increased by 0.5%. The figures in the transportation field comprised 2.0% and 0.6%.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 11:10, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. 407 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Armenia in the past one day, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 142,344, the ministry of healthcare said today.

853 more patients have recovered in one day. The total number of recoveries has reached 117,649.

1349 tests were conducted in the past one day.

18 more patients have died, raising the death toll to 2344.

The number of active cases is 21,756.

The number of patients who had coronavirus but died from other disease has reached 595 (7 new such cases).

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 11:33, 7 December, 2020

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Artsakh continue search operations for the bodies of the servicemen killed in action.

Since November 13 the rescue squads and demining groups of Artsakh have been participating in the main search operations under the mediation of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and the Russian peacekeeping troops.

“Director of the State Emergency Service of Artsakh Karen Sargsyan is meeting with the parents of killed, missing or captured servicemen every day. They are discussing the results of the search operations, exchange views and accept mutual proposals.

The search operations for the bodies of the killed servicemen and their exchange have almost been completed in Shushi and Martakert directions, the search operations in the communities near the town of Martuni, the upper region of Askeran, as well as in the directions of Hadrut and Fizuli are underway.

After the negotiation of the sides, the search operations will soon continue in the southern section of Hadrut, Mekhakavan and other settlements which have come under the Azerbaijani control”, the statement says.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:29, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is happy to announce that Yazidi activist Mirza Dinnayi, 2019 Aurora Prize Laureate and Co-Founder and Director of Luftbrücke Irak (Air Bridge Iraq), has arrived in Yerevan. Mr. Dinnayi plans to attend several events before travelling to Artsakh and will remain in Armenia until December 11, 2020, the IDeA Foundation told Armenpress.

Mirza Dinnayi was named the 2019 Aurora Laureate on October 19, 2019, at the ceremony in Yerevan that was held during the Aurora Forum. Driven by his passion to save lives, this Yazidi activist has found a way to overcome numerous bureaucratic and logistic obstacles to help the most vulnerable members of the Yazidi community during numerous conflicts in Syria and Iraq. In the course of his visit to Armenia, Mr. Dinnayi will visit the Erebuni Medical Centre and Heratsi Hospital Complex to pay respect to those wounded during the war against Nagorno-Кarabakh.

On December 8, after meeting with the representatives of the local Yazidi community, Mirza Dinnayi will attend a special ceremony dedicated to the cancellation of a new international postage stamp created by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative in cooperation with HayPost. The annual tradition of issuing a fundraising stamp featuring the Aurora Prize Laureates was established in 2017 with the release of the first stamp depicting 2016 Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse. On December 9, Mirza Dinnayi will go to Artsakh to meet with local officials and people affected by the war. This visit is a part of Aurora's international program of inviting world humanitarian leaders to Artsakh.

“This year has proven to be exceptionally hard for all of us, and it’s now more important than ever that Aurora remains a shining beacon of hope for everyone in need,” said Mirza Dinnayi. “I’m delighted with this long-anticipated opportunity to return to Armenia and personally express my solidarity and support to the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and everything it stands for. It’s heartbreaking to see what Armenians, this courageous and ancient people, had to go through and are still going through. Our nations have so much in common, and it brings me exceptional joy to be here.”

Drawing on his vast experience of dealing with the aftermath of armed conflicts, Mirza Dinnayi will have a chance to take a closer look at some of the 20 projects in Artsakh supported by Aurora and talk to their direct beneficiaries. Following the ceasefire established on November 10 between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has stepped up to bring the people of Artsakh immediate humanitarian relief. In addition to launching the #AraratChallengeforArtsakh fundraising campaign, the Initiative has also called on its international community to share knowledge and provide support to ensure effective solutions on the ground in Armenia.

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About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, is transforming this experience into a global movement based on the universal concept of Gratitude in Action. By addressing real, on-the-ground challenges, the Initiative provides a second chance to those who need it the most. We believe that even in the darkest times, a brighter future is in the hands of those who are committed to giving others help and hope, and Aurora welcomes all who embrace this philosophy. This is achieved through the Initiative’s various programs: Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, Aurora Dialogues, Aurora Grants, Aurora Index, 100 LIVES Initiative and #AraratChallenge. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is the vision of philanthropists Vartan Gregorian, Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan who have been joined by thousands of supporters and partners. Our Chair, Dr. Tom Catena, draws on his experience is a surgeon, veteran, humanitarian, and the 2017 Aurora Prize laureate to spread the message of Gratitude in Action to a global audience. More information available on .

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 11:22, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Lawmakers observed a moment of silence at the beginning of today’s session in the Armenian parliament in honor of the victims of the 1988 December 7 Spitak earthquake and the Second Nagorno Karabakh War.

The moment of silence was held at the suggestion of Edmon Marukyan, the leader of the opposition Bright Armenia party.

The hearing is convened to debate a draft statement submitted by Marukyan, titled “On Defining an Action Plan for Overcoming the Current Situation in Armenia.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 12:47, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan paid a tribute today to the memory of the victims of the 1988 devastating earthquake in Gyumri.

The PM laid a wreath at the memorial located in the yard of the Holy Saviour's Church in the city.

The clergymen delivered prayer at the memorial.

Pashinyan had a brief talk to the residents of Gyumri who were near the Church. The Gyurmi residents expressed their support to the PM.

The ceremony was also attended by Mayor of Gyumri Samvel Balasanyan and chief of staff of the PM’s administration Eduard Aghajanyan.

The Spitak earthquake shattered the peace of Armenia 32 years ago. The devastating earthquake, measuring 10 degrees on the MSK scale, took place in 40% of the territory of Armenia at 11:41 (local time), December 7, 1988. Spitak, Leninakan, Kirovakan, Stepanavan towns, over hundreds of villages and settlements of Spitak, Akhuryan, Gugark, Aragats, Kalinino, Stepanavan were fully or partially demolished during a few seconds.

Edited and Translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:49, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian visited the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral Complex in Moscow, the MFA spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan said on Facebook.

“The Minister laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the Spitak earthquake in 1988.

Minister held a meeting with Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, head of Russian and Nor Nakhichevan Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church: discussed a number of issues on the agenda”, the spokesperson said.

The Armenian FM is in Moscow on a working visit.

Edited and Translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:57, 7 December, 2020

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan visited today the Stepanakert Memorial Complex to pay a tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of the 1988 devastating earthquake in Spitak, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The President of Artsakh was accompanied by Secretary of the Security Council Vitali Balasanyan.

The Spitak earthquake shattered the peace of Armenia 32 years ago. The devastating earthquake, measuring 10 degrees on the MSK scale, took place in 40% of the territory of Armenia at 11:41 (local time), December 7, 1988. Spitak, Leninakan, Kirovakan, Stepanavan towns, over hundreds of villages and settlements of Spitak, Akhuryan, Gugark, Aragats, Kalinino, Stepanavan were fully or partially demolished during a few seconds.

Edited and Translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:26, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Nearly 72% of Russians are interested in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, according to the results of the poll released by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center.

According to the survey, 72% of Russians follow the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, whereas 26% do not follow the regional developments at all.

Asked which side unleashed the conflict, 5% said Armenia, 12% said Azerbaijan and 5% said Turkey.

Edited and Translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:30, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met today with Speaker of Parliament of Artsakh Artur Tovmasyan, Mirzoyan said on Facebook.

During the meeting the Armenian and Artsakh Speakers of Parliament highlighted the resumption of peaceful negotiations for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement under the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship for ensuring the principles of peoples’ right to self-determination and the non-use of force.

They also discussed the necessity of ensuring domestic stability both in Armenia and Artsakh and focusing on the return of prisoners of war and the solution of social issues of Artsakh-Armenians.

Edited and Translated by Aneta Harutyunyan