15:54,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Azeri authorities have pressed war crime charges against Rashid Beglaryan, the Nagorno-Karabakh man who has been jailed in Azerbaijan after accidentally crossing into Azeri-controlled territory in August.
Beglaryan is facing multiple fabricated charges, according to local media reports.
Rashid Beglaryan, a local of Hin Shen village, got lost and appeared in Azeri-controlled territory in August, 2023. He was arrested by Azeri border guards.
17:10,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty.
In a readout, the Prime Minister’s Office said that PM Pashinyan mentioned the active nature of the relations between Armenia and the UK. He attached importance to the recently held first session of the Armenia-UK Strategic Dialogue. Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed certainty that the Armenia-UK cooperation has great potential and that mutual high-level visits will contribute to the full utilization of it.
UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty highlighted the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s recent official visit to the UK, which has intensified the expansion and deepening of bilateral ties. Docherty stressed the UK’s interest to deepen partnership with Armenia.
Issues pertaining to the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization of relations were also discussed. The importance of continuing the peace process based on the principles that were agreed upon during the trilateral meetings held in Brussels on May 14 and July 15 of 2023 was emphasized. The humanitarian issues of over 100,000 forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic cleansing, and the Armenian government’s measures to overcome these issues were discussed. In this context, humanitarian support by the international community to the NK population was highlighted.
Views were exchanged around regional peace and stability, as well as other issues of mutual interest.
17:29,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. On November 20, U.S. Ambassador Kristina Kvien hosted an event to launch a new Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation initiative. She was joined by Armenian Minister for Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, for the official signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.
Through the initiative, the 4th-5th Century Yereruyk Basilica in Shirak Province will be preserved with a $175,000 conservation grant from the U.S. Embassy.
“We are honored that our support through the Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation will contribute to the conservation of Yereruyk Basilica, safeguarding this treasure for the world, and making this example of Armenia’s unique cultural heritage accessible for future generations,” said the Ambassador.
Through the Ambassadors Fund, the U.S. Embassy has provided $1.4 million in funding to support 13 conservation projects since 2005.
18:36,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Ucom now offers the fastest home internet and the widest range of TV channels in the city of Ijevan, located in Armenia's Tavush region.
Ralph Yirikian, the Director General of the company, emphasizes Ucom's continuous efforts in enhancing and broadening the provision of quality communication services across different regions. This commitment stands as a fundamental belief and strategic focus for the company.
Ijevan's residents now have access to Ucom's three most sought-after services – mobile services, home internet, and IP TV – available in a single package. Ucom has tailored a special package for the regions of Armenia, providing these services at an affordable price of only 8000 drams per month, the company said in a statement.
This package offers home internet speeds of up to 150 Mbps, includes new-generation Wi-Fi 6 devices, provides access to over 210 TV channels, and offers 1000 minutes for calls to all local networks, US and Canada, along with 20 GB of mobile internet. Additionally, users can access Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, and 22 other popular mobile applications without consuming mobile data. This offer is valid only for residents of Ijevan. If the residents of Ijevan subscribe to the Unity regional package until January 31st, 2024, they will enjoy the services of the package for free for three months. Fixed Internet connection in both apartments and private houses shall be set in just 3 days.
"We've dedicated extensive preparation and care to this launch, ensuring that residents in our regions can access the fastest internet and the most TV channels in Armenia. This stands as a crucial aspect of Ucom's strategic plan,” – said the Director General of the company Ralph Yirikian.
As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Ucom, in collaboration with the Ijevan municipality, introduced the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology in the 'Fountain Park' of Ijevan. Ralph Yirikian, General Director of 'Ucom,' conducted a communication speed test with the Mayor of Ijevan, Artur Chagharyan.
"The introduction of this opportunity in Ijevan is truly exceptional, marking a pioneering initiative. We are thrilled to provide support to the residents of Ijevan. The expansion of internet access within our regions and communities will undoubtedly spur technological advancement. I am confident that our efforts in Ijevan will be well-received, fostering further adoption of Ucom services",- expressed Ralph Yirikian, General Director of Ucom.
Mayor Artur Chagharyan extended gratitude to Ucom, represented by Ralph Yirikian, for this thoughtful initiative. He highlighted, – "Both visitors and our city's residents will now frequent the area more often to stroll and utilize the complimentary Wi-Fi network introduced by Ucom. This marks a significant milestone for the development of our regional centre.
During his visit to Ijevan, the General Director of Ucom paid a visit to Yerem Ordinyan and his family, a resident of Ijevan, who became the first subscriber to the "Unity" package, granting him six months of complimentary usage.
Yerem Ordinyan shared: 'There has always been a family need for reliable Wi-Fi internet and a wide range of TV channels. Opting for the Ucom package allows us to save costs while ensuring top-notch services and support. We now enjoy excellent internet coverage on both floors of our house. This means my little Vardan can indulge in more cartoons, while we can explore a variety of interesting films and programs".
You can familiarize yourself with all 'Unity' packages from Ucom by following
https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1124545.html?fbclid=IwAR0hRC-Cdm-4uG_rIgvFDpdvn6EOIo2TDTlwOm6MY5Wo9EeYERpcPhomY_A
19:02,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. On 20 November, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed decrees "On setting the date for the elections of deputies" and "On setting the date for the elections to the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus", BelTA said.
According to the source, these documents, in accordance with the Constitution, call the elections to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the eighth convocation and local Councils of Deputies of the 29th convocation on the single voting day – 25 February 2024, and to the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the eighth convocation – on 4 April 2024.
19:20,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Anna Vardapetyan, Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia on Monday held a meeting with the delegation led by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence, Fabian Salvioli, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Armenia said in a statement.
''Anna Vardapetyan highly appreciated the importance of the UN Special Rapporteur's mandate and emphasizes her agreement with his statement made during the 4th Global Forum against the Crime of Genocide. According to which, the glorification of war criminals cannot be combined with democratic values. In this context, Anna Vardapetyan underscores the necessity to address war crimes properly, provide an adequate assessment, and implement effective measures aimed at their prevention,'' reads the statement.
According to the source, the Prosecutor General presented to the EU's special rapporteur the evolution of the powers of the Armenian Prosecutor's Office, along with the toolkit aimed at combating corruption, protecting state (community) interests, confiscating property of illegal origins, preventing torture, and the criminal struggle against them.
Conceptual changes in the criminal and criminal procedure codes were also discussed during the meeting.
19:33,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Gardman-Shirvan-Nakhijevan Pan-Armenian Union has welcomed the Order of the International Court of Justice of November 17, which was adopted on the request filed by the Republic of Armenia within the case brought against the Republic of Azerbaijan under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The union attached great importance to the decision as its implementation could serve as a foundation for preventing similar situations in the future, noting that without such measures, ensuring peaceful and safe coexistence in the region would be impossible.
''In its Order, the Court has obliged Azerbaijan to ensure the safe, unimpeded and expeditious return of the persons who have left Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 and who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Moreover, according to the decision of the International Court, Azerbaijan is obliged to ensure that persons who have remained in Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 and who wish to depart are able to do so in a safe, unimpeded and quick manner.
The Court has assigned Azerbaijan to ensure that persons who have remained in Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 or returned to Nagorno-Karabakh and who wish to stay are free from the use of force or intimidation.
According to the decision, the Republic of Azerbaijan shall, in accordance with its obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, protect and preserve registration, identity and private property documents and records, to accept them as a basis in its administrative and legislative practice.
Within 8 weeks after the publication of the decision, Azerbaijan must submit a report to the Court on the steps to be taken to ensure the implementation of the temporary measures.
We welcome this decision of the International Court of the UN, which reflects the actual and objective assessment of the realities. The decision is very important, because its implementation could serve as a foundation for preventing similar situations in the future. Without such measures, ensuring peaceful and safe coexistence in our region would be impossible.
However, one cannot but state that the ethnic cleaning in Nagorno -Karabakh after September 19 was the result of the impunity of the previously committed crimes.
Vivid evidence of this is the violent resettlement and cultural genocide of more than half a million Armenians from the historical territories of Gardman, Shirvan and Nakhijevan.
The protection of the rights of forcibly displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh may serve as the best precedent, which should be applied to ethnic Armenians forcibly displaced from the historical territories of Gardman, Shirvan, and Nakhijevan in 1988 -1992.
Gardman-Shirvan-Nakhijevan Pan- Armenian Union as an organization created to restore and protect the violated rights of displaced Armenians, calls upon international human rights organizations and international courts to study the mentioned issue, provide a fair assessment and propose relevant decisions," reads the statement.
20:01,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The representatives of the Armenian Human Rights Defender Monday visited the Central Clinical Military Hospital of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia and met the serviceman wounded in a cross-border shooting by Azerbaijan on Nov. 18 near the border village of Paruyr Sevak, Ararat Province, the Human Rights Defender’s Office said.
According to the source, the medical staff provided the representatives with information on the serviceman's health status and the ongoing recovery process.
Private discussions were held with the wounded serviceman and his family members.
21:37,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. On November 20, Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan had a meeting with Maka Bochorishvili, the Chair of the Committee on European Integration of the Parliament of Georgia, who is in Armenia to participate in the autumn session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
''The discussion revolved around the current level of dialogue between the two countries and the European Union, ongoing cooperation within the Eastern Partnership and other format as well as further steps.
At Bochorishvili's request, Deputy Minister Hovhannisyan provided updates on the security situation around Armenia, steps taken to normalize relations with Azerbaijan, efforts to unblock regional communication channels, and the activity and the importance of the EU monitoring mission in Armenia,'' reads the statement.
21:40,
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The opening ceremony of the "Junior Eurovision 2023" song contest, which took place in Nice on November 20, revealed that the competition will commence with the performance of the Spanish delegate and conclude with the delegate from the Netherlands.
Yan Girls will represent Armenia in the "Junior Eurovision 2023" Song Contest with the song called "Do It My Way". Armenia’s entry for this year was chosen through a competition announced by the Public TV of Armenia.
Nané, Nancy, Kamilla, Syuzanna, and Aida formed the group Yan Girls to participate in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Inspired by the legendary K-pop artists, Yan Girls brings the familiar sound to a completely new level with influences from traditional Armenian music elements. Young, colourful, rebellious and poppy, they sing about the importance of staying true to yourself, being confident and doing things the best way – their way. “Do It My Way” was composed by Tokionine, the lyrics are written by Maléna and Vahram Petrosyan – the same team behind JESC 2021 winning song “Qami Qami”. The music video is directed by Artur Manukyan.
The "Junior Eurovision 2023" song contest will be held on November 26 in Nice, France.