Author: Badalian Vardan

Opposition ‘Armenia’ Faction: November 8 rally will mark beginning of pan-Armenian struggle

Badalian Vardan
News.am, Armenia
Nov 6 2021
10:26, 06.11.2021

It is necessary to form the new possible actions of the pan-Armenian national opposition in order to prevent the Turkification of Armenia and the eviction of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). Ishkhan, Saghatelyan, the National Assembly (NA) deputy speaker from the opposition “Armenia” Faction, stated about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“We do not need any additional information that could confirm our concerns. We do not try to confirm them or persuade anyone. We have had enough time to become convinced that the incumbent authorities are able to provide the country only with defeat and various disasters,” Saghatelyan said.

To the question why the opposition “Armenia” Bloc decided to resume the street struggle in November and not in September when the weather conditions in Armenia were more favorable, the vice-speaker of the parliament gave a negative answer.

“If we condition our actions on weather conditions, we must take into account both the summer heat and the winter cold. We do not believe that all problems will be solved in one step. That way we will not achieve our goal. It is a long-term and sequential process,” he said.

In his opinion, the Armenian diaspora should also join this movement. He is convinced that this struggle must become networked.

“We must show the incumbent authorities, the whole world, the enemy that new concessions will not be forgiven by the Armenian people—although we have not forgiven their past sins,” the opposition MP said, stressing the need to continue the struggle within the legislature.

According to him, the Armenian opposition continues to demand the resignation of the incumbent authorities and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

To the question whether second President Robert Kocharyan—who heads the “Armenia” Bloc—will take part in the November 8 rally, Saghatelyan gave a firm answer.

“He will participate and send a message,” the NA deputy speaker concluded.

To note, the “Armenia” Bloc will hold a rally on November 8, starting at 6pm, at Yerevan’s Freedom Square.

Artsakh State Minister speaks on opportunities for cooperation with elected officials of California

Badalian Vardan
News.am, Armenia
Oct 31 2021
16:25, 31.10.2021

At the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan met with a member of the California State Assembly, Senator Anthony Portantino, Senator Adrin Nazaryan, and Mayor of Glendale Paula Devine.
The State Minister thanked the elected officials of California for the constant support of the people of Artsakh, stressing the need to expand and develop relations. He stressed that the 2014 resolution on California’s recognition of Artsakh’s independence was not only a political act, but also opened a window for practical cooperation, towards which the Artsakh side is ready to take clear measures.
According to the source, Adrin Nazaryan and Anthony Portantino expressed their readiness to deepen the existing relations in all possible ways.
During the meeting with the Mayor of Glendale Paula Devine, they exchanged views on the sides of cooperation with the cities of Artsakh, mutually noting the importance of both material and technical support and programs aimed at capacity development.

Armenian President honored with the Vatican’s highest award

Badalian Vardan
Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 29 2021
, 12:15

 1 minute read

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has been honored with the Grand Collar of the Papal Order of Pius IX. The Pope bestowed the highest order for his outstanding contribution to the development of relations between Armenia and the Holy See.

Substitute for General Affairs to the Secretary of State Edgar Peña Parra handed over the award to the President during a meeting in Yerevan.

“The Pope has instructed me to present to you the highest award of the Vatican,” said the Deputy Secretary of State of the Holy See. “This is the evidence of the unique relations between our countries. By opening the Apostolic Diocese in Yerevan, we want to establish a very high level of relationship, to show the world the importance of the first Christian nation in history for us.”

It was noted that President Sarkissian is the first in Armenia and the only person in the region to be awarded the highest order of the Holy See, the Grand Collar of the Papal Order of Pius IX.

The President once again commended the continuous development of the interstate relations between Armenia and the Holy See and noted. “I am very happy that the Holy See will have a permanent representation here. This is good news for Armenia and the Apostolic Church.”

Noting that receiving the high award is a great honor, President Sarkissian said. “I take it as an assessment of my modest work, as well as an acknowledgment of the fact that I was the first ambassador of Armenia to the Holy See. I have always worked for the sake of close relations between Armenia and the Vatican. So I accept this, promising to do more. ”

The President of Armenia conveyed his warm wishes to Pope Francis and noted with gratitude that at times of hard and difficult challenges for our country, the Vatican extended a hand of solidarity to our state and people. “We all remember and appreciate the support we received from the Pope and the Vatican during the difficult days for Armenia,” said President Sargsyan.

Chinese Ambassador satisfied with level of development of Armenian-Chinese relations

Badalian Vardan

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 17:58,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of China to Armenia Fan Yong is very much satisfied with the development pace of the Armenian-Chinese relations, the Chinese Ambassador told ARMENPRESS at the solemn opening ceremony of Confucius classroom at the Armenian-Russian University.

“I can say that at the moment it’s not enough to say that I am satisfied with the level of development of those relations, but I am very satisfied,” the Chinese Ambassador to Armenia said.

Recalling that the relations between Armenia and China have a history of several thousand years, dating back to the time of the ancient Silk Road, Ambassador Fan Yong added that in the modern times the relations between the two countries are developing steadily.

“We are very happy to see that many young people in Armenia today are interested in China, Chinese culture and language. I came to Armenia last year, I can say that since then I see that the number of students and pupils studying Chinese is increasing, their level of language skills is improving. Every year, our embassy organizes an event that financially encourages students, pupils, and lecturers. And I have already found that there are students among them who are very good”, Fan Yong said, reminding that the Chinese Embassy also cooperates with ARMENPRESS news agency.

According to the Ambassador, they have come up with a very good plan, thanks to which more Chinese tourists will visit Armenia to see the nature here and the beautiful places.

“I hope that as a result of our further cooperation, the flow of Chinese tourists to Armenia will increase even more, we will be able to see an increase in the number of tourists,” said the Chinese Ambassador.



Government projects construction and industry to be 2022’s main growth contributors

Badalian Vardan

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 13:05,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The government projects construction and industry to be the main segment guiding economic growth in 2022, unlike the service sector in 2021, the minister of finance Tigran Khachatryan said at a joint parliamentary committee session debating the 2022 state budget draft.

He said that as of now the government’s forecast for 2021’s economic growth is around 6,5%, and 7% is the target placed in the basis of the 2022 budget. Khachatryan said the projections are accompanied by rather high inflation backgrounds of the current year.

“For next year we expect the inflation environment to return to the range defined by law, thus ensuring a more stable macro-environment,” he said.

“If this year the services were the main guiding sector for economic growth, next year it will be construction and industry. While in terms of expenditure components there will be greater impact with final consumption and export impacts.”

“In 2022 there will be a complete return to tax-budgetary rules. Current spending will not exceed tax revenues, and capital spending will be at least not less that the size of the state budget’s deficit,” he added.

The government projects capital spending to comprise 4,5% of the GDP in 2022.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank Vice Governor Nerses Yeritsyan called the 2022 state budget draft “ambitious”.

“Overall we can say that the 2022 state budget program is rather ambitious, and compared to the government’s mid-term spending program implies a significant acceleration of economic growth and potential,” he said, adding that government spending policy will be aimed at encouraging growth. 

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

The President of the Senate of France offered to sign a memorandum of cooperation with the National Assembly of Armenia

Badalian Vardan

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 21:26, 21 October, 2021

YEREVAN, 21 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan met with the Deputy Speaker of the Senate of the French Republic Pascale Gruny on October 21.

 As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan mentioned that the meetings with the French partners are always unique for their friendly and warm atmosphere. According to the President of the National Assembly, the support of France and its people to Armenia and Armenian people first in the fight against the coronavirus, then during the catastrophic war is a testament of sincere friendship. In this context, the adoption of resolutions condemning the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh and on the necessity of recognition of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh by the two chambers of the parliament was emphasized. The President of the National Assembly of Armenia noted that Armenia always highly appreciates the serious role of France as a Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group in the only internationally recognised format of the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

 The parties referred to the interparliamentary relations by pointing the remarkable role of the latter in developing and enriching the political dialogue between Armenia and France.

The Vice President of the Senate of France conveyed to Alen Simonyan the invitation of the President of the Senate to pay a visit to the Republic of France. He also presented the proposal of the President of the French Senate on signing a memorandum of cooperation with the National Assembly of Armenia.

The sides also had a conversation on the efficient Armenian-French parliamentary cooperation at multilateral platforms.

CivilNet: Armenia’s ruling party defeated in three major local elections

Badalian Vardan
CIVILNET.AM

18 Oct, 2021 07:10

On , Armenians in several villages, towns and cities headed to the polls to vote in local elections. In a major blow, the ruling Civil Contract party of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was defeated in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri, as well as in Goris in the southern region of Syunik. The ruling party did however secure victories in Dilijan, Tegh and Tatev.

Paris to Designate Armenian Quarter in City’s Center

Badalian Vardan
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

Armenia’s Ambassador to France, Hasmik Tolmadjian, attended the Paris City Council meeting, which voted for the new Armenian Quarter

The Paris City Council unanimously approved a measure on Thursday to create an Armenian quarter in the center of the city in the 8th arrondissement area of the French capital.

This area, which will be called “Esplanade d’Arménie” will encompass the part of Court Albert I where the statue of Komitas is located, the Garden of Armenia, and will extend as far as the Pont de l’Alma–-a location in the heart of the prestigious 8th arrondissement of Paris, right in the center of the capital.

Armenia’s Ambassador to France Hasmik Tolmadjian, who was present in the stands of the City Council at the event, immediately posted on Facebook, thanking Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, his deputy Arnaud Ngatcha, for this gesture of friendship and solidarity with Armenia.

Part of downtown Paris named after Armenia, embassy says

Badalian Vardan
Panorama, Armenia
Oct 15 2021

On Thursday evening, the City Council of Paris made an important decision, once again confirming the steadfast friendship between France and Armenia and the durability of the Armenian-French privileged relations, the Armenian Embassy in France reported on Friday.

By a unanimous decision of the City Council, the broad area between the Pont de l’Alma and Pont des Invalides bridges enclosed by the Seine River has been named Esplanade d’Arménie (Esplanade of Armenia) after Armenia.

Esplanade d’Arménie will be included in the official address register of Paris. The monument to Komitas, which was unveiled in 2004, and Yerevan Park, which opened in 2009, will also be located in the area.

“Thank you to the City Council of Paris led by Mayor Anne Hidalgo for this important initiative and the decision adopted, as well as Deputy Mayor Arnaud Ngatcha for authoring the draft decision,” the embassy said.

The Armenian ambassador to France was also invited to the meeting of the City Council.

TURKISH press: Azerbaijan ready to normalize ties with Armenia: FM Bayramov

Badalian Vardan
 ISTANBUL DIPLOMACY 
OCT 14, 2021 3:16 PM GMT+3

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov speaks during a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following their talks in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 26, 2020. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)

Azerbaijan is ready to normalize its relations with Armenia under the scope of international law principles, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said Thursday.

“Azerbaijan is ready to normalize relations with Armenia in line with international law, especially sovereignty, territorial integrity, despite all difficulties,” Bayramov said, speaking at the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council of Foreign Ministers in Minsk.

He noted that Azerbaijan was able to ensure its territorial integrity after three decades by liberating Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenian occupation, as he highlighted that Armenia has destroyed Azerbaijan’s cultural, historical and religious heritage.

Bayramov met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the meeting, and discussed bilateral relations, as well as the implementation of the cease-fire declaration.

Just over a year after the war over Nagorno-Karabakh, both Azerbaijan and Armenia have now taken their conflict to International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The case is to be heard next week. It is not yet known when the court will rule.

Prisoners of war have been tortured and executed and bodies of killed soldiers have been desecrated. Prisoners of war were not released despite international obligations, and cultural and religious sites were destroyed, the rights representatives said.

The background to the legal dispute is the war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which had been occupied for decades.

More than 6,500 people were killed in the fighting from Sept. 27 to Nov. 9 last year.

Azerbaijan had finally recaptured large parts of the territory lost in the early 1990s with the help of Turkey, with which it shares cultural and religious links. Armenia meanwhile sees Russia as its protecting power for similar reasons.