Author: Alex Nanijanian

Armenian PM receives Russian deputy prime minister

Alex Nanijanian

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 10:52,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received today Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Pashinyan’s Office reports.

The meeting was also attended by Armenian deputy PM Mher Grigoryan and Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin.

The inter-agency delegation led by the Russian deputy PM arrived in Armenia for the session of the Armenian-Russian inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation.

Welcoming the guests, PM Pashinyan highlighted the holding of the session of the Armenia-Russia inter-governmental commission in Yerevan, wishing a productive work.

The Russian deputy PM in turn thanked for the reception and said that the bilateral contacts have been quite intensive this year, as several business missions, representatives of Russian business, who are deeply interested in working in Armenia, have visited the country.

Pashinyan and Overchuk discussed also the agenda of the Armenian-Russian cooperation and the economic ties. They touched upon the 2021 bilateral trade turnover volumes and praised the growth registered in the field.

Both sides emphasized the importance of making joint efforts to develop the commercial and investment partnership and fully utilize the potential existing in the field.

The sides also exchanged views about the prospects of restoring the transportation communications in the South Caucasian region and the activity of the Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan working group led by the deputy prime ministers.

Parliamentary committee OKs Kristinne Grigoryan’s candidacy as next human rights defender

Alex Nanijanian

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 12:39, 17 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee of the Armenian Parliament approved the candidacy of First Deputy Minister of Justice Kristinne Grigoryan’s as the next Human Rights Defender of Armenia.

She still needs to pass a confirmation vote at a plenary session of parliament to be elected to the position. 

Grigoryan was nominated by the ruling Civil Contract party.

Russian MFA: Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations would contribute to recovery of general situation in region

Alex Nanijanian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 15 2021
19:23, 15.12.2021

We proceed from the fact that the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations would contribute to recovery of the general situation in the region and, of course, it would help create a healthy atmosphere of confidence and friendly-neighborliness, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova said today.

“From this perspective, Russia welcomes the disposition of Yerevan and Ankara to launch dialogue to discuss the issues of normalization of relations. Designating special envoys to achieve these goals is a logical and reasonable step. On our part, we are ready to support this process in every way…The organizing of the first session of the ‘3+3’ regional advisory platform in Moscow on Dec. 10 was also a contribution to rapprochement of Yerevan and Ankara, as well as the other participants in this format. Let me remind that during the meeting, an agreement was reached to focus on the practical issues…The specified prospect for resumption of direct flights to and from Istanbul and Yerevan are also in line with the goals and spirit of such agreements. Thus, once again, I emphasize that we will help and welcome all the steps of Armenia and Turkey that will help establish mutual confidence and assist in the rapprochement of the countries and peoples,” she stated.

Meeting between PM Pashinyan and EU’s Charles Michel kicks off in Brussels

Alex Nanijanian

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 18:46,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with European Council President Charles Michel has kicked off in Brussels, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan posted the video about the start of the meeting on his Facebook page.

[see videos]
After a private talk with the President of the European Council, a trilateral meeting between Pashinyan, Charles Michel and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is scheduled.

Nikol Pashinyan will take part in the sixth summit of the Eastern Partnership on December 15 in Brussels. In the sidelines of the event, the Armenian Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with European partners.

Armenia to appoint special representative for dialogue with Turkey – MFA

Alex Nanijanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 14 2021
, 11:06

 Less than a minute

Armenia will appoint a special representative for dialogue with Turkey, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vahan Hunanyan has said.

“Armenia, as always before, is ready for the process of normalization of relations with Turkey without preconditions, which is enshrined in the Armenian government’s program, the Spokesperson said in response to media questions.

“In this regard, we positively assess the statement of the Turkish Foreign Minister on the appointment of a special representative for the normalization of relations, and confirm that the Armenian side will appoint a special representative for this dialogue,” Hunanyan said.

The comments come after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Armenia and Turkey would appoint special representatives for normalization of relations.

Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh focus on restoring civilian life there, says top brass

Alex Nanijanian
TASS, Russia
Dec 9 2021
It is mentioned that the main objectives were “demining the area and objects, returning prisoners of war and detained individuals, searching for the bodies of those killed, ensuring the security of the delivery of humanitarian cargo and implementing infrastructure projects”

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. Russian servicemen are currently focusing on returning POWs, implementing infrastructure projects and resolving other humanitarian issues within the framework of the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said.

“In addition to monitoring the ceasefire and all military actions, the efforts of our peacekeepers are focused on restoring a life of peace to the region, while humanitarian objectives are being successfully dealt with,” he said at a briefing for foreign military attaches on Thursday.

The main objectives were “demining the area and objects, returning prisoners of war and detained individuals, searching for the bodies of those killed, ensuring the security of the delivery of humanitarian cargo and implementing infrastructure projects,” the general specified.

“The Russian armed forces continue to implement peacekeeping tasks in Nagorno-Karabakh. Over a year ago, the deadly war ended and conditions were created for the restoration of peace in the region. In order to reduce tensions and maintain adherence to the ceasefire, the Russian peacekeepers organized on-duty observation posts and patrols in the zone of the peacekeeping operation,” the chief of General Staff said. He also reiterated that “since this January, a joint Russian-Turkish center has been additionally operating in Azerbaijan’s Agdam Region to monitor the ceasefire and all military action.”


Newspaper: Armenia PM asks for political, propaganda support from extra-parliamentary political forces

Alex Nanijanian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 9 2021
09:50, 09.12.2021

YEREVAN. – Past daily of Armenia writes: Last Saturday [PM] Nikol Pashinyan took part in the regular sitting of the Consultative Assembly on Cooperation with Extra-Parliamentary Political Forces. Let us note that solely the political forces which are looking for every possible opportunity to collaborate with Pashinyan are participating in these sittings.

According to Past newspaper’s information, despite the quite full agenda, the main axis of Saturday’s meeting was on matters in connection with [Armenia-Azerbaijan border] delimitation and demarcation. According to our source, Pashinyan asked the political forces participating in the meeting for political and propaganda support in connection with the developments that are expected in the near future. In his speech, he detailed that he needs support—including on social platforms, too—amid the delimitation process and the possible unblocking of [regional] roads.

Armenia reports 1 dead, 8 wounded in clashes with Azerbaijan

Alex Nanijanian
NBC News
Dec 10 2021

Armenia’s Defense Ministry blamed the casualty on “aggressive actions” by Azerbaijan’s troops.
By The Associated Press

The Armenian military reported Friday that one of its soldiers was killed and eight more were wounded in yet another clash with Azerbaijani forces on the border between the two countries, where tensions have simmered for months.

Armenia’s Defense Ministry blamed the casualty on “aggressive actions” by Azerbaijan’s troops, alleging they attacked Armenian positions on the eastern section of the border. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, in turn, claimed Armenian forces opened fire first.

Both countries reported a similar clash on Thursday, with Azerbaijan reporting one casualty and Armenia saying two of its troops sustained injuries.

By The Associated Press

The Armenian military reported Friday that one of its soldiers was killed and eight more were wounded in yet another clash with Azerbaijani forces on the border between the two countries, where tensions have simmered for months.

Armenia’s Defense Ministry blamed the casualty on “aggressive actions” by Azerbaijan’s troops, alleging they attacked Armenian positions on the eastern section of the border. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, in turn, claimed Armenian forces opened fire first.

Both countries reported a similar clash on Thursday, with Azerbaijan reporting one casualty and Armenia saying two of its troops sustained injuries.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/armenia-reports-1-dead-8-wounded-clashes-azerbaijan-n1285746
Read also
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/armenia-reports-dead-wounded-clashes-azerbaijan-81676945 
https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/news/article/Armenia-reports-1-dead-8-wounded-in-clashes-with-16691383.php

First mass in nearly 100 years served at Armenian Catholic Church in Turkey’s Diyarbakir

Alex Nanijanian

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 14:28, 6 December, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. After the completion of renovation works, the first mass in nearly 100 years was served at the Armenian Catholic Church in the district of Sur in Diyarbakir, Turkey, the Doghan news agency reports.

The St. Hovsep Church was heavily damaged during Turkish-Kurdish clashes in 2015. The restoration was carried out by the Directorate General of Foundations of Turkey.

The spiritual leader of the Armenian Catholics of Turkey Archbishop Levon Zekiyan consecrated the church and then served a mass.

Zekiyan told Doghan news agency that after the renovation, the church’s premises were handed over for ten years to the Dicle University for educational and cultural purposes, under the condition that the Armenian community will continue holding religious ceremonies there.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan