Month: May 2021

 11:57,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 20 June early parliamentary elections in Armenia.

Mission leader Eoghan Murphy said at a news conference in Yerevan that the OSCE/ODIHR mission will observe the legal framework and its implementation, the campaign activities, and the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies.

Murphy added that the OSCE/ODIHR mission has arrived upon the invitation of the Armenian authorities to assess to what extent the elections are held in line with OSCE obligations.

The mission consists of 11 international experts from nine OSCE countries. “We’ve also requested OSCE participating states to send 24 long-term observers, to be deployed throughout the country from 26 May. We also plan to request 250 short-term observers from OSCE participating states to follow events on election day,” he said.

However, the possibility of sending the short-term observers remains dependent on developments in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, including health concerns, travel and border restrictions across the OSCE region, and related regulations within Armenia.

“Our mission will assess to what extent the elections are held in line with international obligations and standards for democratic elections, including the commitments agreed to by all OSCE countries, as well as with national legislation. Observers will look closely at the legal framework and its implementation, and will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, including voter registration, and the resolution of election disputes. Media monitoring will also form an integral part of the observation.”

Meetings with representatives of federal and state authorities, political parties, as well as with representatives from the judiciary, civil society and the media will take place throughout the observation. On election day itself, the ODIHR mission will join efforts with a delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).

An interim report will be published to update the public and the media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, a statement of preliminary findings will be presented at a press conference. A final report summing up the observation of the entire electoral process will be published approximately two months after the election process has ended.

ODIHR observation mission head comments on possible impact of border crisis on Armenia's elections

 12:06,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Eoghan Murphy, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, has commented on the possible influence of the current Armenia-Azerbaijan border tension on the holding of the upcoming early parliamentary elections in Armenia.

During a press conference today in Yerevan, asked how the elections will take place in such tense situation on the border, what obstacles can emerge, Eoghan Murphy said it’s just the second day they are in Armenia.

“We will observe the ongoing developments from the day we arrived in Armenia up to the election day and after it. In particular, we will observe how the legislation requirements are applied in Armenia. We will observe to what extent Armenia, being as a member state of the OSCE, fulfills its commitments and obligations in the election process. We will observe all this process. I can’t now make assumptions what can happen. Our team is here, and we are working”, he said.

Armenia will hold snap parliamentary elections on June 20, 2021.

Recently, on May 12, the Azerbaijani armed forces have illegally crossed into Armenia’s territory, in particular the Sev Lake in Syunik province. Thanks to the actions of the Armenian side, some of the Azerbaijani forces have returned back to their initial positions, but some Azeri troops still remain in some border sections of Armenia’s Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces. Negotiations over the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani forces are taking place.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:20,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. A report-resolution over Turkey will be put up to voting in the European Parliament on May 19, according to which the EP reaffirms it calls for recognizing the Armenian Genocide. It also calls on Turkey to refrain from any anti-Armenian propaganda and hate speech and fully respect its commitments on preserving the Armenian culture, the Armenian Embassy in Belgium told Armenpress.

“On May 19, during the plenary session the European Parliament in its report relating to Turkey is reaffirming its calls for recognizing the Armenian Genocide. It also calls on Turkey to refrain from any anti-Armenian propaganda and hate speech and fully respect its commitments on protecting the Armenian culture. The report also makes several references to Turkey’s negative role in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict”, the Armenian Embassy said in a statement.

The report-resolution condemns the fact that Turkey, instead of stopping the hostilities and calling for resumption of peaceful negotiations under the OSCE Minsk Group, has unconditionally supported Azerbaijan’s military actions, contributed to their continuation, thus leading to the escalation of tension. It also condemns the transfer of foreign militants by Turkey from Syria and other sites to Nagorno Karabakh.

The resolution calls on the Turkish government to protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities living in Turkey, including ethnic Armenian citizens and Christians, and to immediately adopt a comprehensive legislation that will ban discrimination.

The voting will take place today in the evening.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:39,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. In response to Russia’s proposal to launch delimitation and demarcation works, Armenia has emphasized the necessity of the Azeri troops withdrawing from Armenian sovereign territory before starting that work, and then only the conditions will be created for such discussions, the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan told ARMENPRESS when asked to present Armenia’s position on Russia’s proposal to start the delimitation and demarcation work between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“We highly appreciate the Russian side’s efforts for contributing to the resolution of the situation, by expressing readiness to continue close cooperation, at the same time we underscore that the complete preservation of territorial integiry cannot be subject of discussion for the Republic of Armenia. We note that the Azerbaijani side’s latest actions are explicitly aimed at not implementing its own obligations assumed under the 2020 November 9 and 2021 January 11 statements by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan,” he added.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 14:12,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. An interview with Jacob Claesson, Head of Operations, Evolution Georgia and Armenia. Evolution,

leading international B2B developer and provider of products for the online gaming industry, had

recently announced the opening of a broadcasting studio in Yerevan. In our interview with Jacob

Claesson we discovered the history of Evolution as well as the plans they have for Armenia.

Q: Tell us about the history of Evolution. How did it start and what are the key corporate milestones?

JC: Evolution is a Swedish company founded in 2006 on the notion to bring the experience from a land-based casino to an online environment. Evolution operates solely as a supplier to the online casino operators, the company does not sell anything directly to customers/players, all monetary transactions goes via the operators. This year, we celebrate 15 years of operation, recognizing our track record of ground-breaking news and industry leadership, including the establishment of a brand new product category with the Game Shows in 2012 and multiple examples of successful introduction of new combinations of game technology. 

 

During its 1,5 decade of operation, Evolution has become leading international B2B developer and provider of products for the online gaming industry with over 10,000 employees across 20+ locations working in the fields of product innovation, software development, game presenters and host as well as a range of support functions. Since 2010 Evolution has won the Best Live Casino Supplier of the Year at the EGR B2B Awards on an annual basis, which means Evolution has won that award EVERY year since it was initiated.  

 

Q: What makes Evolution stand out among its competitors? What makes Evolution special as an employer?

JC: We are recognized for providing an unparallel player experience through our advanced product innovation and technical solutions. We are a software company with A-Z product development in-house, including design, software and technical development. Evolution is also an equipment company: most of our games are innovated by us. It means that the physical equipment required to bring them to life often does not exist. So, we invent and build them ourselves. But first and foremost, EVO is a people company. Our people drive our innovation. Today we operate in more than 20 locations, with 10,000+ employers of about 80 nationalities. Our corporate culture with its strong and rooted values is what defines us as an employer.

• Evolution is an embodiment of ALIVE, an active, young organization, which is always looking for new opportunities and hungry for new things. We always go for 1^st
• We opt to do RIGHT – we aim to lead the way in fair gaming and contribute to the communities that we operate from.
• We work TOGETHER - our business model is based on teamwork, every part of the chain counts as our product is 50% IT and 50% human. We reward EVOlutioneers who step up for fellow colleagues and we strive to apply the human angle and support our people to grow and take on challenges.

Q: What benefits do you offer to your employees?

JC:  Most importantly, we offer an opportunity to take the first career step without any specific work experience. We offer an international and people-oriented atmosphere, an attractive and modern workplace and the opportunity to develop skills both within our Academy and further while working in Evolution, which are relevant for a future career, within Evolution or elsewhere. These include presentation technique trainings, English classes, as well as usage of internationally used tools and programs. Our employee becomes a member of our worldwide team and has the real opportunity to make career both in frames of local studio and across our other studios. Many in current management positions with us started in an entry-level job at Evolution. Becoming an EVOlutioneer means being alive, supportive and open to new opportunities. From our part we do strive to be an attractive, admirable and fair employer.

 

Q: Why Armenia?

JC: We chose Yerevan mainly for its availability of our desired workforce and the on-going development of the city. Like with our other sites, we want to become an attractive employer which can offer the Armenian youth the opportunity to take their first career step in an international company. As we train our teams in-house, we don’t require specific work experience, just a professional attitude to work and good level of English, since Yerevan’s studio will serve its operators all over the world with English speaking live dealer tables. We very much look forward to welcome our first group of motivated Armenian team members to their first training in our Evolution Academy.

 

Q: What are your plans for Armenia?

JC: Our plans for Armenia are longterm. With our increasing global demand for our services, we are expecting our Yerevan studio to be part of ensuring we meet the increasing interest in our services. By entering the Armenian market, Evolution will create 100s of entry-level job opportunities for local youth in Yerevan and its surroundings. Our aim is to be an attractive employer through offering our corporate culture, dynamic work atmosphere and benefits and by continue to grow the number of job opportunities that we offer the local market.

Open vacancies are found on Armenian career platforms, Evolution Armenia’s Facebook page, as well as Evolution’s career page https://www.evolution.com/careers/armenia/.

 14:21,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani side did not show up to the negotiations that were planned to resume today over the resolution of the border situation which was created after Azeri troops breached the Armenian border on May 12, the Armenian Defense Ministry said.

The negotiations were scheduled for 14:00, May 19, and the Azerbaijani side failed to appear.

“Despite the earlier agreement, the Azerbaijani side did not come to the negotiations,” the defense ministry said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 14:51,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. India follows, with concern, the situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, the spokesperson of the Indian ministry of external affairs said in response to media queries.

“Border incursions through military movements can destabilize the situation and lead to renewed hostilities. We call upon the transgressing side to pull back forces immediately and cease any further provocation.

India has always stood for peaceful resolution of bilateral disputes through political and diplomatic means. Peace and stability in the South Caucasus region is important from the regional security perspective”, the spokesperson said.

Recently, on May 12, the Azerbaijani armed forces have illegally crossed into Armenia’s territory, in particular the Sev Lake in Syunik province. Thanks to the actions of the Armenian side, some of the Azerbaijani forces have returned back to their initial positions, but some Azeri troops still remain in some border sections of Armenia’s Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces. Negotiations over the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani forces are taking place.

 

Editing by Aneta Harutyunyan

 17:19,

YEREVAN, 19 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 19 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.83 drams to 520.72 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.38 drams to 635.85 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 7.07 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.16 drams to 737.65 drams.

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

Gold price up by 169.01 drams to 31252.26 drams. Silver price up by 13.75 drams to 476.72 drams. Platinum price down by 133.20 drams to 20441.41 drams.

 17:27,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan had an urgent discussion with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović during which he presented the gross violations of the rights of the Armenian citizens, firstly the border residents which was caused by the recent illegal advancement of the Azerbaijani armed forces into Armenia’s sovereign territory, the Ombudsman’s Office told Armenpress.

Tatoyan also presented the results of the fact-finding activities of his Office carried out in Armenia’s Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces on May 14 and 15.

The Ombudsman’s Office stated that the additional details of the human rights violations will be submitted to international organizations in separate reports.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 17:41,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS.  A consultation took place today chaired by caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on economic issues.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, before starting the consultation, Nikol Pashinyan referred to the situation in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces.

‘’The Defense Ministry provides information to the public on daily basis. The situation is stable but tense, and I have to emphasize, unacceptable for us, because our position is clear and unequivocal – the units of the Azerbaijani armed forces must withdraw from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Of course, our Armed Forces carry out tactical maneuver, but our position is that this situation should be solved by diplomatic means, peacefully. This is our priority approach and goal.

You know that we have applied to the Collective Security Treaty Organization for implementing some of its functions'', Pashinyan said, noting that though the processes do not go on at desired pace, the CSTO has the security tools and the Armenian side will continue making constant efforts for putting them into operation. ''We will also continue our diplomatic efforts for providing the international community complete information and increasing the international pressure on Azerbaijan'', Pashinyan said, adding that the works with Armenia's strategic ally Russia will continue. ''You know that I have turned to the Russian President for assistance and consultations in this direction will also continue'', he said.

Speaking about the activities of Azerbaijan, Nikol Pashinyan named them unconstructive. ''They are taking measures for increasing regional tensions. Our assessment is that by this act they are trying to thwart the implementation of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021 statements. I want to remind that the statements are about the opening of regional communications and solution of transit cargo issues. I want to emphasize that the Republic of Armenia is not only interested in the opening of the regional communications, but we consider this one of our economic priorities. But I want to emphasize once again that Armenia has never and will never discuss anything in the logic of the ''corridor''. We are speaking about the opening of regional infrastructures'', caretaker Prime Minister Pashinyan said, expressing surprise over the Azerbaijani provocation, which took place in a period when it seemed that the trilateral commission led by the Deputy PMs of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan was carrying out quite constructive and effective works.