12:52,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 31, ARMENPRESS. 104 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 344 930, the ministry of healthcare reports.
Nearly 8000 COVID-19 tests were conducted on December 30.
211 patients have recovered in one day.
The death toll has risen to 7972 (4 death cases have been registered in the past one day).
The number of active cases is 3894.
The ban on the import of goods of Turkish origin will not be extended
18:58,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Based on the results of the interdepartmental discussions in Armenia, a decision was made not to extend the embargo on Turkish goods, ARMENPRESS reports the Ministry of Economy of Armenia informs.
In particular, the Ministry notes that the ban on Turkish goods over the past year has had both positive and negative economic consequences.
“One of the positive consequences is a number of newly established or expanded productions in the light industry, construction materials, furniture production, as well as in agriculture, but the main negative effect of the embargo is the significant impact on inflation, which was reflected especially in a number of consumer goods. There are many requests from our businessmen to lift the ban on the import of Turkish goods”, the Ministry said.
During this year, a number of businesses have started to produce goods to replace Turkish ones. The Ministry assured that there will be consistency in ensuring the viability and competitiveness of such companies in the new conditions, assisting them with additional tools if necessary.
“By lifting the ban on the import of Turkish goods, the principle of reciprocity is expected to create more favorable conditions for the export of Armenian goods,” the Ministry said.
By the decision of October 20, 2020, the Government of the Republic of Armenia imposed a temporary ban on the import of final goods of Turkish origin. The ban was then extended until .
13:39,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The economic activity index in Armenia grew 5,2% in 2021’s January-November compared to the same period of 2020, according to the Statistical Committee.
The volume of industrial output grew 2,7%, while construction volume grew 6,9%.
Trade turnover grew 7,9%, while service volumes (excluding trade) grew 7,3%.
The consumer price index grew 7,1%, the industrial output price index – 9,9%, while electric-energy output volume dropped 2%.
16,6% growth was recorded in the foreign trade turnover volumes – exports grew 19,4% and imports grew 15,1%.
The country that deliberately destroys cultural monuments is trying to cover up the numerous cases of vandalism committed, the Armenian Embassy in Greece said in a statement.
“Contrary to the rulings of the International Court of Justice, Azerbaijani officials continue to spread targeted racial hatred because they do not take any steps to stop the destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage,” the Embassy noted.
The comments come after Anastasia Lavrina and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Greece published a propaganda material (translated into Greek) telling about the Armenian side’s alleged “encroachments” on Russian Orthodox religious heritage on the territory of the Artsakh Republic.
The Embassy describes the video as “another provocative, groundless and false misinformation, which aims to spread hatred towards Armenians and try to drive a wedge in the relations between Armenia and its friends.”
“Artsakh has always been proud of the religious and cultural monuments in its territory, considering them a part of its historical and cultural heritage. The people of Artsakh are also concerned about the preservation of Russian religious and cultural heritage,” the Embassy said.
It emphasized that the state budget of the Artsakh Republic envisages expenditures for the preservation and restoration of historical and cultural monuments every year, as the preservation, study and use of historical and cultural monuments is one of the most important and special spheres of the history and culture of the Artsakh Republic.
13:49,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of birthday, the Presidential Office reports.
“I value your personal contribution to the strengthening of friendly relations and the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation between Armenia and France.
The centuries-old friendship between the peoples of Armenia and France and the high-level dialogue between our countries have an important potential to further expand the mutual partnership.
I hope with joint efforts we will contribute to the development of the Armenian-French comprehensive agenda and the implementation of new initiatives.
Armenia highly appreciates France’s consistent efforts, as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country, and your personal engagement in particular, aimed at strengthening the lasting peace and stability in the region.
France’s attention to the issues relating to the Armenian prisoners of war, the protection of Artsakh’s historical-cultural heritage which came under the Azerbaijani control, as well as providing important assistance to the Artsakh-Armenians deserves special appreciation”, the Armenian President said in his congratulatory letter.
The railway to the border with Armenia should be completed by the end of 2023, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.
Further, answering the questions of the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, he noted that stable cooperation with Azerbaijan is beneficial for Armenia. In this regard, the head of state expressed hope that relations with the Armenian side would normalize.
Armenian media personality, actor, and producer David (Davit) Gharibyan chatted with Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos on November 24 about his latest endeavors.
Regarding his future plans, he said, “We live in a time when the future is connected with the present in a rapidly changing exponential pattern and if everything goes according to plan, I will soon move to France to implement new fashion projects. I will continue to work in my country, combining it with French.”
“Let me inform you that the TV series ‘Ari Parenq’ is currently being broadcast in the USA and Armenia, of which I am one of the producers and there are plans to shoot ‘Ari Parenq 2’ in the future, or another TV series, already in the humorous genre, which will involve well-known TikTokers in Armenia,” he elaborated.
“I would also like to hold an award ceremony, which I will talk about in the future. I will continue my cooperation with my Bulgarian colleagues. I was very impressed by the Prince of Morocco, Mullah Ismail, with whom my telephone conversation was very encouraging and promising in terms of innovative cooperation. That’s all,” he said.
David Gharibyan and Nasko Lazarov. Photo Courtesy of hiLIFR
He opened up about some of his proudest moments of 2021. “One of the memorable days of this year is my visit to Bulgaria within the framework of ‘Mr. Bulgaria,’ where I was invited as a member of the jury. During that time, thanks to my good friend Nasko Lazarov, I met a number of new friends and colleagues, including Adrian Sina, the lead singer of Romanian Accent, the talented Romanian designer Catalin Botezatu, and the beautiful Bulgarian singer Andrea, as well as my compatriot, King of Poker Roger Hayrapetyan. I have a great desire to invite them to Armenia to get acquainted with our culture and traditions,” he said.
“I was very happy to go back to Barcelona, Spain, 10 years later, to visit my friends and to enjoy the Spanish fiestas, as well as my long trip to France, the most impressive moment of which was meeting my uncle in Paris, whom I had not seen for 30 years,” he said.
On his daily motivations, he said, “I do not want to sound arrogant, but I want to open a new creative page on the “Canvas of Unknownness” of space and time, weave my tapestry, from which warmth and light will be delivered, use my colors in the palette, leave my mark for the future.”
Photo Coutesy of hiLIFR
For his fans and supporters, Gharibyan said, “I think people in the field of art create for the sake of humanity, the well-being of people, without fans, it will be like a private house, without inhabitants, it will lose its role and significance. Dear fans, the breath and presence of each of you leaves its contribution to my works, it is a caring food for further creation. Know the truth, I always need your support.”
“I wish all the inhabitants of the Earth peace and health. No wars and epidemics. Good luck to you,” he concluded.
For more information on actor, producer, and media personality David (Davit) Gharibyan, check out his IMDb page, and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and check out his official website.
David Gharibyan and family. Photo Courtesy of David Gharibyan
The Armenian authorities refuse any anti-Turkish process. International Studies expert Suren Sargsyan wrote about this on Facebook. He added as follows:
“I believe you have noticed that Armenia’s authorities do not join any formal or informal anti-Turkish platforms, international alliances and formats. It is as a result of this very refusal that the [Armenian] authorities are in search of mediators, with a request to normalize relations with Turkey. This is a fact that cannot be denied.
“What is more worrying, however, is that the [Armenian] authorities have also stopped in any way resisting and in any way opposing and countering Turkey. Opposing in international relations is typical even of friendly but rival countries in order to advance personal interests. And this means giving up all opportunities having against Turkey, at some phase being deprived of all tools during the negotiations, remaining in the field of unilateral concessions.
“In fact, Armenia has ceased to be a headache for Turkey, whereas Turkey has not ceased to consider Armenia an enemy.”
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The Armenian and Russian Foreign Ministers discussed a wide range of issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The full restoration of the peace process for a lasting and comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs was emphasised.
Ararat Mirzoyan and Sergey Lavrov also discussed the process of fulfillment of the obligations undertaken by the parties under the trilateral statements of November 9, 2021, January 11, 2021 and November 26, 2021.
Minister Mirzoyan stressed that the bellicose statements made by the Azerbaijani leadership and the threats of use of force seriously endanger regional stability and security.
The Armenian and Russian Foreign Ministers also discussed issues related to the “3 + 3” format, as well as issues of mutual interest on the regional and international agenda.
Five of 10 prisoners of war formerly held by Azerbaijan have been charged with ‘violating the rules of duty’. Armenia’s Investigative Committee has submitted a motion to have them arrested.
A court has already granted permission for the arrest of one soldier, while a motion to have another soldier arrested has been rejected.
Neither the Investigative Committee nor the soldiers’ legal team has made public any specifics of the case.
The former POWs were reportedly taken captive during clashes on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border on 16 November, when, according to unverified sources, around three dozen Armenian service members were taken captive.
A day after the clashes Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan cast doubt on the circumstances around the soldiers’ capture stating that the government ‘does not understand’ how they ended up in captivity.
‘Every person serving in the Armed Forces has responsibilities’, Pashinyan said, ‘It must be clearly examined in all cases, what it means to be taken prisoner, and under what circumstances’.
On 7 December, a video was leaked in which Armenia’s Speaker of the Parliament Alen Simonyan denounced ‘deserters’ and that Armenian POWs ‘no longer exist’ for him.
The video sparked outrage among the relatives of POWs and missing soldiers, who then organised a rally outside of the government building in Yerevan, demanding a meeting and explanation from Simonyan. Simonyan met with the relatives on the evening of 8 December, details of the meeting have not been made public.
[Read more: Parents rally after Armenian parliamentary speaker says POWs ‘no longer exist’ for him]
After the video leak, Vahan Hovhanniyan, a lawyer who worked with a different group of repatriated POWs — who were captured in Nagorno-Karabakh in December 2020 — published excerpts of testimonies given by the soldiers upon their return to Armenia.
According to the transcripts, the soldiers stated that they chose not to fight and that over 60 Armenian soldiers surrendered to under a dozen Azerbaijani soldiers.
[Read more: Over 70 Armenian soldiers missing after fresh clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh]
At least 45 Armenian POWs have been held by Azerbaijan since last year.
According to a Human Rights Watch report published in March, Armenian POWs in Azerbaijani custody have been subject to cruel and degrading treatment and torture. According to other reports, a number of POWs appeared to have been victims of extrajudicial executions.
https://oc-media.org/armenia-moves-to-arrest-several-ex-pows/