Month: September 2021

 11:08, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. 615 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded over the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total number of confirmed cases to 242,750, the Armenian Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

13 patients died, bringing the death toll to 4847. This number doesn’t include the deaths of 1157 (2 in the last 24 hours) other COVID-19 patients who succumbed to co-morbidities.

As of September 1, 11:00, the number of active cases stood at 9443.

7462 tests were administered in the past 24 hours.

The total number of recoveries so far stands at 227,293 (267 in the last 24 hours).

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:11, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory letter to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the Independence Day, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The letter reads:

“Your Excellency,

I warmly congratulate you and the good people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the Independence Day.

I am sure that your rich experience as a state figure will serve for the prosperity of Uzbekistan in the future as well.

I am convinced that the mutual relations of Armenia and Uzbekistan will also develop on the path of strengthening the cooperation both at bilateral and multilateral formats.

By using the chance, I wish you good health, happiness, and to the good people of Uzbekistan – peace and welfare”.  

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:11, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF) and Air Arabia Group, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) operator, today announced that the new national airline to be launched by their joint venture company will be named ‘Fly Arna.’

The name was chosen by the Board of Directors of the joint venture company from over 500 suggestions received in response to the ‘Name the Airline’ competition announced in July 2021. Following a comprehensive review, the name of the airline was chosen as ‘Fly Arna’ – with the word ‘Arna’ being derived from the name “Armenian National Airlines” by combining the first two letters of the words "ARmenian" with the first letter of "National" and the first letter of "Airline". The competition aimed to engage the citizens of Armenia to participate in naming their new national airline reflecting the commitment of ANIF and Air Arabia Group to promote stakeholder participation.

“I thank everyone for the active participation in the contest. It is both inspiring and a sign of a shared vision of a successful endeavour we all aspire for the project,” said David Papazian, CEO of ANIF. “Despite the current challenges of the pandemic, we are confident of the new opportunity that exists for “Fly Arna” to deliver a winning proposition that will benefit the nation and our people.”

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “The new name represents the aspirations of the people of Armenia and is the result of a national competition, underlining how the joint venture company prioritizes the interests of the community. “Fly Arna” will mark the beginning of a new era for Armenia’s aviation sector, and also create significant value to the economy by boosting the tourism, hospitality and business sectors.”

More than 800 participants suggested the 500 names via email and on ANIF’s social media pages. The name was chosen to be most inclusive and reflecting the spirit of the joint venture company to transform the aviation sector of the country.

“Fly Arna” will operate as a low-cost passenger airline with Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) as its base. The company will apply for the Airline Operation Certificate in the coming weeks. More details about the launch date, fleet, and destination network will be announced in due course.

ANIF and Air Arabia Group had announced the agreement to launch Armenia’s new national airline in July 2021.

 12:15, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenia won the International Army Games 2021 tournament’s Warrior of Peace competition with team score. Russia and Kazakhstan finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The winners were announced during the closing ceremony held at the Monte Melkonyan Military College in Dilijan, Armenia.

Senior Lieutenant Hayk Avagyan of the Armenian Armed Forces was named winner in the individual category of the Warrior of Peace competition.

The closing ceremony was attended by Minister of Defense Arshak Karapetyan, Armenian Army 3rd Army Corps Commander Alexander Tsakanyan, other high-ranking military officers and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 12:55, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is Russia’s ally, the two countries have a very rich bilateral agenda, such as mutual visits, implementation of large projects, development of economic cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during the meeting with the students of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

“This time it develops very intensively and confidently”, the Russian FM said.

He has also touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stating that there are agreements signed by the Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia. “These agreements clarify the proposals of the leaders over the unblocking of all transportation infrastructure and economic ties. This work cannot be done in a day, it is in process. The leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan personally deal with it”, Sergei Lavrov said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:59, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Romania Florin-Vasile Cîţu congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on re-appointment as Prime Minister of Armenia.

The congratulatory letter reads:

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

I am pleased to address my sincere congratulations and best wishes on your re-appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. It’s a position of high responsibility especially in the current regional and international context.

By using this chance, I would like to express my firm belief that the relations between Romania and Armenia, which are based on long-term friendship and mutual trust between our nations, will continue to develop in coming years.

The promotion of bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest must have a high place in our agenda. The implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the European Union, as well as many programs and tools provided by the EU will surely open new opportunities for cooperation.

Reaffirming my warmest wishes for success, please accept the assurances of my highest respect”.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:06, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Makun Bridge in Mets Tagher in Artsakh’s occupied Hadrut region has been destroyed by Azerbaijanis, Caucasus Heritage Watch said on Twitter.

The organization informed that the Bridge has been destroyed between April 8 and July 7 in the course of river engineering and road construction.

 13:53, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian congratulated President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the Independence Day, the President’s Office told Armenpress.

“Undoubtedly, the centuries-old friendly relations of our countries are a firm and stable base for the consistent development and expansion of the mutually beneficial cooperation”, the Armenian President said in his congratulatory letter. “I am sure that we will manage to implement new joint projects and raise the inter-state partnership of Armenia and Uzbekistan to a qualitatively higher level”.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:54, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. On September 1, at around 11:10, the Azerbaijani armed forces once again resorted to provocation, by opening fire from sniper rifles at the Armenian positions located in the Yeraskh section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the defense ministry of Armenia said in a statement.

Serviceman of the Armenian Armed Forces, junior sergeant Gegham Sahakyan, born in 1982, received a fatal gunshot wound as a result.

“The defense ministry shares the grief of the loss and extends condolences to the family, relatives and fellow servicemen of the soldier”, the statement says, adding: “The ministry strongly condemns the actions of the Azerbaijani side and warns that they will not go unanswered. The entire responsibility of the escalation of the situation falls on the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan”.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:52, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of Artsakh convened a special session chaired by Speaker Artur Tovmasyan on September 1 dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

The Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, the former Speaker of Parliament of Artsakh Ashot Ghulyan and an Armenian parliamentary delegation led by Vice Speaker Ruben Rubinyan were in attendance.

The parliament observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the three Karabakh wars.

Speaker Tovmasyan said the Azeri-launched wars against Artsakh in 2016 and 2020, with the latter also involving international terrorist groups, reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s explicit sinister intentions of an “Artsakh without Armenians”. “And after all this, to include any contentious issue of some kind of a status within Azerbaijan into the negotiations process simply doesn’t fit into any healthy logic.” “Despite entirely different positions around the settlement of the Karabakh conflict between the sides, we are definitely inclined towards the establishment of a proper environment aimed at continuing the negotiations process exclusively under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.  

“Independence isn’t only a declaration, it isn’t only a Constitution, first of all it is the dignity to live independently,” said Bishop Abrahamyan in his remarks.

In turn, Artsakh Foreign Minister Davit Babayan said: “This holiday is first of all the holiday of our fallen heroes, who sacrificed their lives for us to have our homeland. We are all obliged to strengthen Artsakh, which will mean to strengthen Armenia, for their memory.”
FM Babayan said that the priority for all Armenians must become the focusing on Artsakh.

Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan conveyed the greetings of Speaker Alen Simonyan, and described the Artsakh Declaration of Independence as the only way of preserving the existence of Armenians of Artsakh.

“This is the 30th anniversary of the will of Artsakhians,” he said. “The 30-th anniversary of exercising their own right. Eternal glory to all those thanks to whom this right was exercised.”

In turn, Hayastan faction MP Armen Rustamyan said: “It is important that we celebrate this day. This is a message to our neighbors: the will of the Armenians is unbreakable, regardless of turmoil we are able to rediscover ourselves and overcome challenges. We are in a common system. The security of Armenia is interlinked with Artsakh. We have very little time to accurately assess the situation and restore what has been lost.”

“The future of our people was determined, is determined and will be determined in Artsakh,” said MP Artur Vanetsyan from the Pativ Unem bloc.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan