Month: December 2020

The challenges we faced in 1988 are ahead of us again, Vazgen Manukyan says

Aram Torosian
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 5 2020

'It is noteworthy that we have gathered in the same square, where in 1988 our people came together in unity, inspiration and belief to build a free, independent and fair state," Vazgen Manukyan, the opposition's candidate for the PM stated on Saturday at Liberty Square in Yerevan. Manukyan addressed the rally organised by the Salvation Front for the Motherland, calling for Pashinyan's resignation and the formation of an interim government.

Manukyan reminded that in those days the Armenian people promised to extend a hand to their sisters and brothers in Artsakh, promised to ensure their security and Artsakh's reunification with Armenia.

"Most of those promises were fulfilled. We created an independent state. Despite all challenges, we built that state. We won the war. The Artsakh and Armenian armies were considered the strongest in the region. In cooperation with Diaspora, we were increasing our influence on the international arena," Manukyan said, adding, 30 years later, the Armenian people has again gathered in the square with hurt dignity and significant human and territorial losses.

"What we have done for Artsakh is almost lost. Armenia itself is under threat. The existence of Armenia is endangered today as Azerbaijanis are determining our borders without any resistance from state bodies. This is the real situation. Should we accept this reality? The challenges we faced in 1988 are brought to us again. And we must solve them," Manukyan said.


Civil war will be the end of not only Artsakh but the Armenian statehood – Levon Ter-Petrosyan

Emil Karabekian
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 5 2020

Armenia's first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan has expressed concern over the political crisis in Armenia, his spokesperson Arman Musinyan reported.

"The first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan is deeply concerned about the escalating developments in the struggle for power which may lead to a civil war prompted by an accidental offense or a provocation, irrespective of the will of the conflicting parties. That will be the end of not only Artsakh but the Armenian statehood," Musinyan conveyed the first president's thoughts. 

At the same time, Levon Ter-Petrosyan has expressed hope that Nikol Pashinyan and the candidate for the PM's post from the united opposition Vazgen Manukyan will exert every effort to avoid such developments.



Ishkhan Saghatelyan: We are not electing a king or a savior, but an adequate person

Janet Ekmekjian
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 5 2020

"If we had remove Nikol Pashinyan from office six months ago, there wouldn't be a war. If we had removed Pashinyan in the first days of the war, victory would be the outcome of the war," Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Body representative Ishkhan Saghatelyan stated at Liberty Square during the rally organised by the Salvation Front for Motherland.

In Saghatelyan's words, Armenia would be in more advantageous position if Pashinyan had been removed even on the day of signing the humiliating document. "Every day of Pashinyan's rule is a disaster for our people and country," said the ARFD representative.

Saghatelyan went on stating that with Nikol Pashinyan's removal, stability and solidarity will be established in the country, the the state interests and the people will be defended, the humanitarian crisis as well as social and economic collapse will be prevented, providing an opportunity to hold free and fair elections.

"A leader kneeled in front of Turks, a failed leader, surrendered to Turks,  can not defend the interests of our people," Saghatelyan stressed, adding Pashinyan may seek a way out of the ongoing crisis through organizing snap elections, while  clinged on power, he will falsify the results.

"Let us state that no option is acceptable for us. There is one way out and that is for Nikol to go," said Saghatelyan.

Speaking of Vazgen Manukyan, the united opposition's candidate for the post of the prime minister, Saghatelyan pointed to the latter's experience and capability to bring solidarity and peace.

"Over the past 30 years, two cases of consolidation of opposition forces took place in Armenia. The first was in 1996 and the second is now. In both episodes, the consolidation took place around Vazgen Manukyan. We are not electing a leader, a king or a savior for us, but an adequate person, an interim government responsible for crisis prevention and capable to overcome the challenges our country faces," said the ARFD member.



Opposition forces set December 8 deadline for Pashinyan to step down

Adrine Hakobian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 5 2020

The opposition forces set a December 8 deadline for PM Nikol Pashinyan to hold discussions with his team and resign, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Body representative Ishkhan Saghatelyan stated outside the residence of the prime minister.
Saghatelyan stressed that Pashinyan is living his last hours in the residence. 

"We have no preconditions but one demand – Nikol should go and that is all. Two issues can be discussed with him – the date and the time of his resignation. We can also promise he will not face physical threats from the people. If Nikol refuses to resign until 12.00 on December 8, we will start disobedience campaigns throughout Armenia. If he fails to go, we will remove him," Saghatelyan stated.

To remind, the participants of the nation-wide rally organised by Salvation Front for the Motherland headed to the residence of Prime Minister on Saturday to present their demands to Nikol Pashinyan. The march was led by Vazgen Manukyan and other leaders of the opposition.


Armenian Speaker of Parliament pays tribute to memory of fallen heroes in Yerablur Military Pantheon

Anna Tamamian

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 16:08, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan visited the Yerablur Military Pantheon to pay a tribute to the memory of soldiers fallen at the recent war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh.

“Speaker of Parliament Ararat Mirzoyan paid a tribute to the memory of the heroes fallen for the defense of the Homeland in the Yerablur Military Panthon”, the Parliament said on Facebook.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Helga Schmid appointed OSCE Secretary General

Garo Vardanian

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 16:39, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. German politician Helga Schmid has been appointed Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship said on Twitter.

The respective decision has been adopted at the 27th OSCE Ministerial Council.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Azerbaijan returns two Armenian civilian captives after negotiations with Russian peacekeeping chief

Garik Boshkezenian

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 16:44, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Two Armenian civilians who were held captive by Azerbaijan were returned at the mediation of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh.

The Russian peacekeeping contingent said in a statement on social media that their commander Lt. General Rustam Muradov personally negotiated their return.

The two civilians – Hambardzumyan Ademnik and Khachaturyan Ramid – are residents of the village of Khramort of Askeran. They were reported missing on November 30.

“At the request of the Russian side the representatives of Azerbaijan had informed that the abovementioned persons were detained in territory controlled by the Azerbaijani armed forces and were transported to Baku. The commander of the Russian contingent held negotiations with the Azerbaijani side and it was possible to achieve the release of these citizens. Today, Hambardzumyan Ademnik and Khachaturyan Ramid were transported to Yerevan and handed over to the border guard service of Armenia,” the Russian peacekeeping mission said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

‘History has examples when diplomacy took country out of difficult situation’, Armenian FM says

Rose Khoyetsian

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 17:08, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian asks to believe in and trust the Armenian diplomacy, stating that history has examples when diplomacy has taken the country out of the hardest situation.

“The Armenian diplomacy has been and remains in the forefronts of the defense of the Homeland. Especially today we consider it our duty to do the utmost to make sense of the sacrifice of our heroes and keep their memory alive in that way. Diplomacy loves silence, therefore it will fulfill its works silently, and their results will be more telling than any comment. History has examples when diplomacy has taken the country out of the hardest situations, therefore, I ask you to believe in and trust the Armenian diplomacy”, the FM told reporters in the Parliament.

The FM stated that “Armenia’s foreign ministry is one of the pillars of our sovereignty and statehood, and being as an apolitical structure, has one lasting goal – to defend the interests of Armenia and its people via a daily work”.

“Any attempt to discredit this structure and involve it in domestic political speculations is a blow to the statehood of Armenia. Especially these days, when the whole burden and responsibility after the end of the military operations is gradually transferred to diplomacy”, Ara Aivazian said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 04-12-20

Karlen Baghdasarian

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 17:14, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, 4 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 4 December, USD exchange rate up by 1.25 drams to 511.25 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 4.53 drams to 622.14 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.09 drams to 6.88 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 5.77 drams to 689.17 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 233.51 drams to 30118.46 drams. Silver price up by 4.08 drams to 397.28 drams. Platinum price up by 254.27 drams to 16815.12 drams.