Author: Chalian Meline

Premier: I am dissatisfied with my work, because I believe that I could have done more and even the impossible

Chalian Meline
Arminfo, Armenia
May 6 2020

ArmInfo. “I am dissatisfied with my work, because I believe that I could have done more and even the impossible,” RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on May 6 from the rostrum of the Parliament, answering a question from the National Assembly MP Hrant Ayvazyan about whether he was satisfied with the work of the previous Minister of the Environment Erik Grigoryan, dismissed the day before. Expressing gratitude to Erik Grigoryan for the work done, Nikol Pashinyan noted that at each stage there are questions that require decision-making. “He did his best to achieve the maximum possible result for this stage,” the head of government emphasized. In particular, water meters have been installed at small hydropower plants, thanks to which the water needed for irrigation and solving environmental problems is now saved. In the Ararat Valley, many wells that were previously illegally exploited were mothballed.  About 1,000 jobs were created as part of the new forest planting program, for which workers receive wages. However, as Nikol Pashinyan noted, today the task is to achieve the maximum possible and even impossible result. In 2018-2019 it was possible to do the impossible, now the task is to do even more impossible in 2020 and subsequent years.  Moreover, many environmental problems have not yet been resolved.     To recall, the day before, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian dismissed  Minister of the Environment Erik Grigoryan from his post.  The corresponding decree is published on the website of the head of state.  Grigoryan was appointed to this post on June 1, 2019.   

Armenian church in Istanbul attacked

Chalian Meline
Public Radio of Armenia
May 9 2020


Dznunt Surp Asdvadzadzni Church in Istanbul was attacked on May 8, Agos reported.

According to the source, a man attempted to set the church gate on fire.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople notified the police of the incident. It said the attack caused no casualties or material damage.

Agos quotes Istanbul Governor’s Office as saying that a suspect named M.K. was rounded up by the police and an investigation about the incident was under way.

It says the church had been attacked in the past years, statements containing discrimination and hate speech had been written on its door.

Nikol Pashinyan: It all started with the adoption of the law "On Confiscation of Illegally Acquired Property"

Chalian Meline
Arminfo, Armenia
May 8 2020

ArmInfo. “I condemn any violence, in any manifestation, including moral-psychological one,” Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan stated from the RA NA rostrum on May 8, commenting on the conflict between head of the “Bright Armenia” faction Edmon Marukyan and member of the “My Step” faction Sasun Mikayelyan.

Pashinyan said: , the prime minister  emphasized.

The head of the Cabinet noted that women MPs from the ruling bloc on  social networks are being threatened with reprisal, as well as  threats to kill their children also sounds. “The goal of everything  that is happening is clear – to undermine the trust that has  developed between the country’s authorities and the people,”  Pashinyan emphasized.

,   Pashinyan said.  He also emphasized that it was unclear why Edmon  Marukyan interrupted his speech, and with a militant manner turned to  Sasun Mikaelyan. 

, the Prime Minister emphasized.  

Pashinyan noted that, however, in everything that happens, he  condemns himself and the ruling parliamentary bloc. . Indeed, if a number of people  confiscate their property, how will they pay for services to their  accomplices>, the head of the Cabinet asked.  

The prime minister also said that hatred and violence are  unacceptable in the new Armenia.  “We will live in a new Armenia, in  which there is no place for violence,” he noted.  

It should be noted that the work of the National Assembly of the  Republic of Armenia was interrupted today due to the conflict that  arose between  head of the “Bright Armenia” faction Edmon Marukyan  and MP from the My Step faction Sasun Mikayelyan. Other members of  parliament were involved in the assault.  Clarification of relations  with the participation of parliamentarians continued during the  announced break, after which the conflicting parties finally  dispersed.

Azerbaijani press: GUAM condemns occupation of Azerbaijan’s Shusha by Armenian armed forces

Chalian Meline
POLITICS8 May 2020 16:37 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8

By Sadraddin Agjayev – Trend:

The Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM) has condemned the occupation of the Azerbaijani Shusha city by the Armenian armed forces, GUAM’s Secretariat stated, Trend reports on May 8.

“We reaffirm our support to independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders,” the statement said.

Today (May 8) marks the 28th anniversary of the occupation of the Shusha region of Azerbaijan by Armenia.

EU Delegation to Armenia issues statement on Europe Day

Chalian Meline

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 12:23, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The Delegation of the European Union to Armenia and the EU member states accredited to Armenia issued a joint statement on the occasion of the Europe Day.

Armenpress presents the statement:

“On the 9th of May we mark Europe Day – and this year it is the 70th Anniversary of the historical “Schuman Declaration”. In a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable by building the European integration process on a set of fundamental principles and values, and by pooling resources. On the 75th Anniversary of the end of WWII, – the greatest catastrophe in Europe’s history – we pay the highest respect to the millions of victims, as well as celebrate peace, reconciliation, unity, solidarity and cooperation – the underlying values of the European Union. Staying united, extending a helping hand, supporting our partners in Armenia is of utmost importance during the COVID-19 crisis. The focus on the future and the determination to improve people’s lives is what guides our relations that are expanding and strengthening. The current challenging situation has tested our enhanced partnership and has proven its rigour and future potential for resilience and modernization”.

Armenia’s Pashinyan calls to "pay acquaintance’s utility on behalf of government"

Chalian Meline
News.am, Armenia
May 2 2020
Armenia’s Pashinyan calls to “pay acquaintance’s utility on behalf of government” Armenia’s Pashinyan calls to “pay acquaintance’s utility on behalf of government”

00:02, 01.05.2020
                  

EBRD to continue close cooperation with Armenian government

Chalian Meline

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 15:34,

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a video conference today with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The sides discussed the cooperation between the Armenian government and the EBRD.

Mr. Chakrabarti welcomed and praised the Armenian government’s large-scale anti-crisis measures conditioned by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and stated that the EBRD fully supports the steps and programs of the Armenian side. He said the Bank will continue actively the programs aimed at supporting SMEs in Armenia, as well as the investment programs in infrastructure, energy, transportation, foreign trade and other fields planned before the crisis.

PM Pashinyan thanked for the readiness to close cooperation and stated that the Armenian government attaches great importance to the capital infrastructure investment programs and will continue the actions on this direction, thus boosting the economy.

During the video conference the Armenian PM and the EBRD President also discussed the current situation caused by the coronavirus, as well as its economic consequences.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Two more Public TV employees dismissed after leakage of behind-the-scenes footage of PM’s address

Chalian Meline
Panorama, Armenia

The Council of the Public TV Company of Armenia issued a statement expressing regret over the incident related to the leakage of the behind-the-scenes footage of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s live address to the nation.

“The Council respects the decision of the executive director to bear personal responsibility, accepting his resignation. At the same time, the Council expresses its appreciation to Margarita Grigoryan for her effective, professional and dedicated work as Executive Director of the Public TV Company,” the statement said.

Armen Sargsyan, the deputy director for creative affairs, has been selected as acting executive director of the TV channel, the council said.

Petros Ghazaryan, the director of the media service, and Vardan Hakobyan, the producer of the TV company, have been dismissed upon their resignation. The deputy director of the TV station, Ruben Shahinyan, has been appointed acting director of the media service.

In the near future, the council will set up a commission and announce a tender for the position of executive director of the Public TV Company, the statement said. 

Chinese medical supplies arrive in Yerevan, Armenia

Chalian Meline
Xinhua, China

Source: Xinhua| 2020-04-10 16:06:40|Editor: huaxia
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Workers transfer medical supplies from China at the Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia, April 8, 2020. A batch of humanitarian aid including disposable surgical masks, protection suits, and ventilators from China to support Armenia’s fight against COVID-19 arrived at the country’s Zvartnots International Airport on Wednesday. (Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Xinhua)

Workers transfer medical supplies from China at the Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia, April 8, 2020. A batch of humanitarian aid including disposable surgical masks, protection suits, and ventilators from China to support Armenia’s fight against COVID-19 arrived at the country’s Zvartnots International Airport on Wednesday. (Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Xinhua) 

Initial court hearing in Hrayr Tovmasyan v. Nikol Pashinyan case set for May 13

Chalian Meline
Panorama, Armenia

The initial court hearing in Hrayr Tovmasyan v. Nikol Pashinyan case has been set for May 13, Panorama.am learned from DataLex, an online database providing information regarding court cases in Armenia.

According to the source, the sides were notified of the date of the court hearing on March 31.

The Constitutional Court chairman filed a civil lawsuit against the prime minister in February, demanding an apology for his “slanderous remarks” made in the town of Kapan.

The case was assigned to judge Gayane Khachatryan of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction on 21 February.

Speaking at a big press conference in Kapan on 25 January, Pashinyan stated that Tovmasyan had “repeatedly offered him his services”, which was strongly denied by Tovmasyan in a subsequent statement.

“From now on, I will wait patiently for 20 days for Pashinyan to publish any objective fact or credible evidence substantiating his allegations. In case of a failure to do so, I will ask my lawyers to file a lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan for slander,” Tovmasyan said.

In a Facebook post later in the day, the PM promised to publicize the requested credible proof upon reaching Yerevan. As proof of what he was saying, he posted a photo of a pen on Facebook, claiming that it was a gift from the top court head to him.