Month: December 2020

 13:38,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. A French-Armenian soldier identified as 23-year-old Dorian Issakhanian from the 1er Régiment de Chasseurs of the French Army is among the three French troops who were killed in action in Mali during the ongoing Operation Barkhane. They died after their armoured vehicle hit an IED in the Hombori area of Mali’s central Mopti province.

The Armenian Ambassador to France Hasmik Tolmajian offered condolences to the families of the three soldiers – Dorian Issakhanian, Tanerii Mauri and Quentin Pauchet.

“My tribute and condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers Dorian Issakhanian, Tanerii Mauri and Quentin Pauchet,” Tolmajian tweeted.

Monday’s deaths brought to 47 the number of French soldiers killed in Mali since France first intervened militarily in January 2013 in the anti-insurgent operation.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 13:54,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian on New Year and Christmas, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

“The Russian-Armenian relations, which are based on the principles of friendship and strategic partnership, have consistently developed in 2020. Active works have been carried out aimed at increasing the mutual cooperation in commercial, investment, energy, transportation and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

I am sure that our joint efforts in 2021 will contribute to strengthening the bilateral cooperation in various areas, to the launch of major joint projects, as well as to deepening the integration partnership within the Eurasian Economic Union. We plan to actively cooperate on post-crisis restoration issues of Nagorno Karabakh”, the Russian PM said in his letter.

The Russian PM wished a good health, happiness and welfare to President Sarkissian, and to the good people of Armenia – peace and prosperity.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:50,

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Lusine Gharakhanyan has been appointed minister of education, science, culture and sport of Artsakh.

The respective decision has been signed by President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan on December 30, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:17,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov held a meeting on December 28 in Moscow with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts.

“Several necessary issues were discussed during the meeting, including also the exchange of captives and the search for those missing. As a result of the meeting agreements were also reached on the implementation of works in different directions,” the Armenian National Security Service said in a news release.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 17:32,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Ayvazian held a telephone conversation on December 30 with Georgian FM David Zalkaliani, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

Minister Ayvazian congratulated his counterpart on being re-elected.

The Foreign Ministers referred to issues of bilateral and regional agenda. The sides emphasized the readiness to make efforts for strengthening the relations that are based on centuries-old friendly traditions.

The Armenian and Georgian FMs exchanged views on regional peace and security.

 14:55,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The Union of Writers of Armenia has commented on its Ukrainian counterpart’s decision on blacklisting Armenian authors.

The President of the Union of Writers of Armenia Edward Militonyan underscored that politics and culture should be differentiated. 

Asked to comment, Militonyan told ARMENPRESS that the literary ties between different countries are the spiritual and artistic wealth of any given nation.

“Ukrainian diplomat, translator and researcher on Armenian studies Oleksandr Bozhko regularly published the books of Armenian writers. He most recently translated into Ukrainian the late novelist Vardan Grigoryan’s book. He is always publishing the works of Armenian writers in the Ukrainian press. Meanwhile, on December 25 we presented several poems written by the president of the Ukrainian Union of Writers in the online edition of the Grakan Newspaper,” Militonyan said.

He added that politics should proceed on its own path and it shouldn’t be mixed with the spiritual and cultural arena.

“The translation of the best pieces of work from different countries is first of all enriching the country which is translating them and spreading good literature and the high cultural values. We, figures of culture, are inclined to bringing different nations closer to one another, and convey their spiritual values. This is our main objective. The foundation for the progress of mankind and peaceful co-existence in the world is in spreading the good and the beautiful,” Militonyan added, noting that politics could sometimes disturb the spread of these main values.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 15:36,

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The remains of 22 Armenian servicemen were found during search operations in Fizuli, Hadrut and the areas in between Kubatlu and Khndzoresk, the Artsakh State Service of Emergency Situations reported. This brings the total number of bodies discovered so far to 1133, State Service of Emergency Situations spokesperson Hunan Tadevosyan told ARMENPRESS.

“Today, 1 search team is working in Fizuli. On December 28 the Azerbaijani side did not allow to conduct search operations in Hadrut. The next day it was possible to negotiate and continue the work. Such cases happened in different parts. The martial law remains in place in Artsakh and therefore we plan to continue working in the next days in emergency mode,” he said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 17:44,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili sent a congratulatory message to President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian on New Year and Christmas.

Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia also congratulated President Sarkissian, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President's Office.