15:00, 4 May, 2020
YEREVAN, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Air Force pilots are maneuvering their SU-30SM fighter jets above Yerevan in a preparation flyover for the upcoming May 9 Victory Day air show, Defense Ministry spokesperson Shushan Stepanyan told ARMENPRESS.
She said the Armenian Air Force will hold a nationwide air parade on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Victory Day.
“Since other events are not planned due to the coronavirus pandemic, only an air show will take place, and today preparation flights are taking place. The air show is organized with participation of Armenian and Russian pilots,” Stepanyan said.
Stepanyan did not reveal how many aircraft from the Armenian side will take part in the parade.
Earlier, the Russian military said 210 jets and gunships from their base in Gyumri will participate in the show.
Reporting by Karen Khachatryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
The deaths that occurred during World War I are the common pain of all, presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın has said, referring to the deaths of Ottoman Armenians in 1915 in a statement, released on the anniversary of April 24, which Armenians mark as a day of commemoration of what they call the “Armenian Genocide.”
“The losses of the First World War are the common pain of all of us. The loss of the lives of our Armenian citizens, who had to migrate with the decision of deportation and banishment, the killing of innocent Anatolian people in the Armenian revolts, and the deaths of nearly five million Muslims during the migration and wars between 1850 and 1920 is our common pain,” Kalın said.
Those engaged in hostilities for small political interests cannot cover up the facts of history, he said.
The deportation and banishment decision dated April 24, 1915, taken under the “destructive and traumatic conditions of the First World War, was not the product of a policy aimed at eliminating the Armenians, which were referred to as ‘nation-loyalty’,” said the spokesperson.
The “genocide lobby” and “anti-Turkey political circles,” are pursuing an effort to plant new enmity and hostility seeds distorting historical facts, said Kalın, emphasizing that Turkey and its nation will not credit these “exploitation, lies and slander campaigns.”
He stressed that those who “escape” from the historical facts “refuse to respond to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s calls for establishing a joint historical commission.”
The protocols signed in 2009, but not implemented, were a historic step for the solution of the Karabakh conflict, political and economic normalization, and the establishment of peace and stability in the southern Caucasus, he said, adding: “This step was left unrequited by Armenia and by the pressure of the genocide lobby.”
Countries that try to “convict the Turkish nation for a crime they have not committed” and take some parliament decisions must first look at their “dark history,” Kalın said.
Turkey’s position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.
Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as “genocide” but describes the events as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.
Armenians dispersed around the world, however, call it a genocide, pressing for its recognition by Turkey and other countries.
11:12, 2 May, 2020
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. 125 coronavirus cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours, the NCDC reported.
The total cumulative number of infections has reached 2273.
33 patients recovered in the past day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1010.
The total number of fatalities stands at 33.
As of May 2, 11:00, the number of active cases was 1227.
Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Armenian PM addresses congratulatory message on Labor Day
10:20, 1 May, 2020
YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed a congratulatory message on the occasion of the International Day of Labor and Workers, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.
The message says:
“Dear compatriots,
I congratulate all of us on the International Day of Labor and Workers.
Work is the only tool to solve the problems existing in our reality, and guided by the logic of human and national dignity, we should solve all issues facing us with our work.
Work is also the most creative platform for human cooperation, and the contemporary civilization has been created thanks to this cooperation. And therefore, the most important essence of work is not only using the existing opportunities, but also creating an opportunity for others.
My wish is for all of us to perceive work in this way because I continue to believe that personal effort and the productive work of that effort are the formula of solving all our problems. The efficiency of work is specifically important, but this is impossible without education, knowledge, skills. Education in its turn is work, and I see the solution of all our problems in the education-work-education formula.
Dear people,
This year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic many people are working in a remote mode, and many in more loaded and risky conditions.
Those working in healthcare, law enforcement, state security spheres, productions and import of food, medical items and medicines, deserve great appreciation, because their work ensures the viability of the country during the crisis.
Also, all employers deserve appreciation, who despite the economic difficulties continue keeping jobs, do not make cuts and also use the government’s anti-crisis programs, take actions to minimize the losses and develop further.
Despite the crisis the government of Armenia will continue its consistent policy of economic development by promoting the work and the working people.
Our anti-crisis programs are first of all directed to those people and companies who have worked in accordance with the Labor and Tax Codes of Armenia. By this we not only paid our tribute to these working people, but also took advantage of the fact that it’s easier to identify the registered employee in case when he/she losses job during the crisis and needs assistance. Having a registered job is an important guarantee for the protection of working rights, and I call on all employed people to demand employers to register their jobs and support the government in protecting their working rights.
Dear compatriots,
The Armenian people are known as hardworking, creative, talented people. And with their work and creative talent the Armenian people will build their dream homeland. This process has stated, will continue and will reach its victorious end despite the crisis.
Congratulations on May 1 and Love Live the creative work!”
Editing and translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Going above and beyond, Chamlian Armenian School hosted its first Driveway Parade in order to emphasize the readiness and willingness of its teachers to go the extra mile for their students. This unique experience provided an opportunity for Chamlian students to physically visit Chamlian, while maintaining physical distancing by remaining in their vehicles.
Students and teachers had the opportunity to connect on a personal level with waves, encouraging words, banners, and smiles! The Kindergarten department of Chamlian Armenian School, comprised of Anoush Garabedian, Carolina Chavez, Nora Krajian, Zorineh Mardirosian, and Anet Aboolian, along with Chamlian Principal Dr. Talin Kargodorian and administration staff Seda Batmanian, and Deeown Shaverdian greeted students in the driveway to remind their Chamlian Tigers that they love them and miss them beyond words.
Chamlian Armenian School continues to actively engage students within their exemplary Distance Learning Program and awaits the day to welcome back their beloved students on their beautiful campus!
16:01,
YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Economy of Armenia Tigran Khachatryan is forecasting low economic indicators from the beginning of the second quarter of 2020.
“We need to take into account that only two weeks of March 2020 faced a major negative economic affect due to the novel coronavirus. The fact that we had a positive economic activity in the first quarter was more due to the high economic activity in the first two months and the high economic activity in 2019. Unfortunately, starting from the beginning of the second quarter we will have low economic indicators, but we hope that the restoration will start in the third quarter”, the minister said at a press conference today.
Armenia’s economic activity index grew by 4% in January-March 2020 compared to January-March 2019, according to the data released by the National Statistical Committee.
In particular, the industrial production volume rose by 8.7%, that of the gross agricultural output – by 4.5%. Construction volume declined by 9.4% compared to January-March 2019. The trade turnover also registered a growth, 0.2%, and the volume of services increased by 5.5%. Consumer price index and the industrial production price index decreased by 0.1%. Electricity production grew by 14.8%.
Average nominal monthly salary increased by 9.2%, comprising 190,136 drams.
Foreign trade turnover declined by nearly 4%. But the export grew by 0.2%, the import decreased by 6.2%.
Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Armenia’s government on March 16 declared a state of emergency which was effective until April 14. But the state of emergency was extended until May 14 to further tackle the disease.
Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
The Armenian village of Norashen in the Ararat region has been temporarily closed for quarantine.
At the entrances to the village of Norashen, checkpoints have been established. Until April 19, there will be restrictions on the entry and exit of citizens and vehicles, except for goods with food, medicine and essential goods.
The Prime Minister says the decision was made due to the fact that one of the inhabitants of the village, who was in quarantine, attended a funeral, where he hugged his fellow villagers out of grief, who were then infected.
In the Armenian region of Shirak, nine doctors have become infected with the coronavirus in one hospital.
The health workers have already been delivered to the Gyumri Infectious Disease Hospital, and now the circle of contacts with them is being clarified in order to isolate them as well.
According to the governor, the primary source of infection is still unknown. The hospital will be placed under quarantine for several days.
According to official data, on April 16, 48 cases of coronavirus infection were registered in Armenia, while 61 people recovered.
“Therefore, we can say that we ended the day with a positive balance. The number of active cases decreased by 14. The total number of confirmed cases is 1159 … During this time, more than 1,500 people have left quarantine. Approximately 300 quarantined people had positive tests”, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said.