Azerbaijani press: Colonel general: Azerbaijani people always ready to liberate occupied territories

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 23

Trend:

The statements made by the Armenian leadership and the Foreign Ministry from the position of an invader, avoiding the agreements on the peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict testify to the real goal here, and certainly gives grounds for Azerbaijan to exercise the right to liberate its lands by military way, Assistant to the Azerbaijani president, Head of the Military Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Colonel General Maharram Aliyev said in an interview with Trend.

“At the same time, Azerbaijan stated that in negotiations it stands for the peaceful settlement of the conflict on a legal basis,” the colonel general added. “From this point of view, I think that the Armenian leadership’s incessant attempts through various tricks to evade this process, leave Azerbaijan no other choice.”

“I would like to remind another important factor,” Aliyev added. “Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has reiterated his decisive position from a number of important international tribunes. While speaking both at the Munich Security Conference and at the Valdai Club, held with the participation of the heads of state of the CIS countries, President Aliyev emphasized that Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan will never put up with an aggressive policy,” the colonel general said.

“President Aliyev’s statement “Karabakh is Azerbaijan!” is still greatly disturbing Armenian military and political circles,” assistant to the president added. “I think that by making awkward statements, they are trying to hide fear. In general, the Armenian side, which rejects the negotiations, is doomed to realize that such behavior promises nothing for the country or people.”

While answering the question related to the degree of interest of the Armenian people in the continuation of the conflict, and whether it is possible to consider the notorious opinion of the Armenian authorities with the opinion of people from one angle, assistant to the president said that he does not think so.

“The ordinary Armenian people do not share the interests of the authorities, which constantly change,” the colonel general added. “History and documents prove that the basis of the conflict was laid by representatives of the foreign Armenian lobby, as well as Dashnaktsutyun representatives, coming from the interests of ultra-nationalists and terrorists.”

“That is, ordinary Armenian people did not participate in the preparation of this insidious plan,” the colonel general said. “We have repeatedly seen the situation when people loudly protest against the war, mothers of young men who are sent to serve in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and die there, demand to put an end to the conflict. While commenting on this issue, President Aliyev emphasized that if an Armenian soldier does not want to die in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, let the Armenian leadership put an end to the aggressive policy and withdraw its armed forces from the Azerbaijani lands.”

“Azerbaijan, which has a strong army, its armed forces, which have advanced military-industrial capabilities, hold high positions in various army ratings and polls,” assistant to the president said. “Therefore, I think that if Azerbaijan sits at the negotiating table, then the factor of military strength and military power is taken into account.”

“The facts reflect these realities,” assistant to the president added. “For example, today everyone, beginning from the Armenian military-political circles and ending with ordinary citizens, know and understand that Azerbaijan’s success in April 2016, as well as the victory in the Gunnut village in 2018, may be continued and the banner of victory may fly over all occupied territories.”

“Therefore, Armenians may think that by making absurd and dull statements they will be able to get away with it, but they are fundamentally mistaken,” the colonel general added. “The Azerbaijani armed forces have a solid position not only in the region, but also in ensuring and protecting international security. For many years, Azerbaijani servicemen have ranked first both within the NATO training and in large-scale military exercises which are held in different countries, as well as in the fight against international terrorism. ”

The colonel general emphasized that the Azerbaijani people are waiting for the order of the supreme commander-in-chief and always demonstrate the readiness to mobilize for the liberation of the occupied territories.

“This is an undeniably fair voice of our country, our people,” the colonel general said. “Therefore, the aggressors should remember that besides strong diplomacy, Azerbaijan also has a factor of military rhetoric. That is, as opposed to the absurd, worthless opinions of the Armenian military-political leadership, aimed at the public, the statements of the Azerbaijani leadership are accompanied with practical actions. ”

While commenting on Armenia’s helplessness towards the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the colonel general said that Armenia, isolated for many years from regional and international projects, also suffers from the powerful blows of the virus.

“I would say that during the period when the whole world is struggling against COVID-19 and even leading countries are experiencing various crises, notorious behavior of Armenia, which has no military, social and economic support, in the hope of an unknown ‘miracle’ leaves an impression of frivolity,” the colonel general added.

“Instead of making useless statements, it would be better for the Armenian leadership to take measures to prevent coronavirus infection in the military,” assistant to the president said. “According to the Armenian media, there are enough cases of infection in the army. After the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the political and economic foundations and opportunities are changing in the world, so Armenia one way or another should understand this.”

“If the Armenian leadership wants the country to survive, fortify its position, it is necessary to avoid the useless statements and to observe the agreements to resolve the conflict,” the colonel general said. “If there is an outbreak of a virus in the army of one country, then what advantage does this army have? Therefore, I think that Armenia has no way out.”

“I think that the Armenian military-political and diplomatic circles must review these facts, conduct analysis, demonstrate common sense,” the colonel general said. “Otherwise, the Azerbaijani army under the leadership of the supreme commander-in-chief will overthrow the enemy in a short period of time, and the tricolor Azerbaijani flag will fly over the liberated territories.”

Tbilisi TV Tower lit up in Armenian flag colors in sign of solidarity during coronavirus pandemic

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 12:33,

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS. City authorities in the Georgian capital have illuminated the Tbilisi TV Tower in the colors of the Armenian flag in a sign of solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Tigran Virabyan said on social media.

“My colleague in Tbilisi, the Deputy Mayor Sopio Khuntsaria informed that the Tbilisi TV Tower has been painted these days in the colors of the Armenian state flag,”he said.

Virabyan quoted Khuntsaria’s comments: “We stand with you in this fight. Together we will overcome the epidemic”.

Virabyan thanked his Georgian counterpart and expressed words of support as well. “Together we are strong, everything will be all right”.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Armenpress: Armenians in entertainment come together for all-star COVID-19 relief concert

Armenians in entertainment come together for all-star COVID-19 relief concert

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 16:42,

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenian singers and entertainers from around the world are collaborating to perform an international, online interactive concert amid the coronavirus pandemic. The proceeds of the May 2 concert will be directed to Armenia’s coronavirus response, to assist the healthcare system to acquire medicine and necessary equipment.

The more than 40-singer ensemble of the Together We Can concert will feature stars such as Harut Pambukhchyan, Iveta Mukuchyan, Hayko, Aram MP3, Tata, Arame, Armenchik, Garik & Sona, Andy and many more.

“One ticket, one saved life” – says the promo.

Reporting and writing by Angela Hambardzumyan

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Armenian PM addresses congratulatory message on Police Day

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 14:15,

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed a congratulatory message on the Police Day, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The message says:

“Dear Police Officers,

Congratulations to all of you on your professional holiday – Police Day!

The police force is the most important institution to enforce the rule of law in the country; the better you work, the higher is the civil wellbeing of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Each of you communicates with dozens, hundreds of people on a daily basis. In view of the above, you have to comply with the following crucial task: our citizen should feel protected when they see a police officer; instead, police officers should live up to citizens’ trust by their presence and through proper exercise of their duties. This is a prerequisite for ensuring a high level of public order in the country as it will increase the effectiveness of our efforts to combat and prevent crime.

Citizens should have unconditional trust in the police, and this situation can be achieved through systemic reforms, where every police officer will have the task of improving his or her skills and knowledge on a daily basis, where the Government shall take steps to provide the necessary equipment and facilities to police officers in a bid to ensure that they enjoy a decent salary and an effective social security system.

As much important is the regulatory framework, which should clearly articulate the powers and responsibilities of the police, the red lines that the police cannot cross: the rule of law and the fight against crime cannot be achieved at the expense of human and civil rights.

There should be no corruption in the police, and the police must first fight to root out corrupt behavior among insiders. This is the agenda that we will have to jointly implement in the coming years. The police are in for comprehensive reforms, as a result of which we will have a more efficient and modern police force.

Dear Police Officers,

I would like to take this opportunity to commend you for your work in the coronavirus epidemic. Here you are on the front line.

I would like to once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you and your families who have experienced your professional challenges in their daily life.

I wish you all a dignified and safe service!”

Armenian, Iranian FMs hold telephone conversation

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 18:54, 8 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, ARMENPRESS. At the initiative of the Iranian side, Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the interlocutors exchanged views on the measures aimed at fighting coronavirus. The Iranian Minister offered condolences to Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on behalf of the Iranian Government over the deaths resulted by the coronavirus and expressed solidarity with the Armenian people.

FM Mnatsakanyan presented the anti-coronavirus efforts of the Government of Armenia and highly appreciated the solidarity expressed by Iran. The sides referred to global fight against coronavirus and the Armenian-Iranian cooperation in that situation.

A broad scope of issues of bilateral cooperation was discussed during the phone conversation.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Georgian and Armenian teenagers brought to Tbilisi from USA on special flight

JAM News
12.04.2020
    JAMnews, Tbilisi

79 Georgian and 35 Armenian teenagers flew to Tbilisi on April 12 on a special flight from the United States, where they were studying as part of international student exchange programs.

The American government organized the flight to Doha, the capital of Qatar, and the Georgian government booked the flight from Doha to Tbilisi.

Upon landing at the Tbilisi airport, all children underwent mandatory thermal screening.

Then, Georgian citizens were taken by bus to Tbilisi and the Kakheti region, where they were placed in two hotels for the duration of a two-week quarantine. They are under round-the-clock doctor supervision and the quarantine zone is guarded by police.

Armenian citizens left for Yerevan from the airport.

As of April 12, there are 242 reported cases of coronavirus in Georgia. 60 patients have recovered, and three people have died.

Three infected Georgian citizens were sent home to Georgia from abroad for treatment.

4,929 people are in quarantine, and 405 are under stationary surveillance.



Armenia expected to prolong coronavirus state of emergency and lockdown

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 13:05,

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has chaired a meeting of the Coronavirus Response Task Force on April 11.

Healthcare Minister Arsen Torosyan briefed the task force on the coronavirus statistics and the health condition of patients, Pashinyan’s Office said in a news release.

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, who serves as Superintendent of the Emergency Situation leading the task force, recommended extending the state of emergency for 30 days and maintain the nationwide lockdown. The initial state of emergency was declared on March 16th and was supposed to end on April 14th. The lockdown was ordered later for a shorter period of time.

The meeting also focused on the business shutdowns and timeline of the possibility of lifting these restrictions.

Issues related to the organization of activities in social, educational, cultural and public life was also discussed.

The Prime Minister told the task force to prepare the draft decision of the Cabinet regarding the extension of the state of emergency.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Armenian Minister of Health: “The spread of coronavirus is out of control”

JAM News
 
11.04.2020

    JAMnews, Yerevan

On the morning of April 10, the number of cases reached 937. Of those, 149 have recovered, and 777 are still hospitalized and under medical surveillance. Two deaths were reported during the day, bringing the total for the country to 12.

Coronavirus continues to spread across Armenia, and as the Minister of Health stated, the situation is no longer under government control.

In this regard, Arsen Torosyan suggested that the government extend the state of emergency, which was declared on March 16 and was scheduled to end on April 14.

The Armenian authorities have yet to come to an official decision. In any case, doctors decided to prepare for the worst.

At the same time, Armenia is receiving financial and humanitarian aid from different countries and organizations.

More information on the minister’s predictions about Armenia’s plan to overcome the epidemic.

The situation has gotten out of control

Recently, the number of people infected each day began to decrease, which gave rise to hope that the disease had peaked and that the curve is now sloping downward. However, the Minister of Health is of the opposite opinion. Arsen Torosyan presented his less than optimistic predictions to the parliamentary health committee:

“We can’t assume that proliferation has stopped and that we’re already past the peak. Why? Because whereas earlier, for example, we had 50 cases, but from a single source of infection, now, when we look at cases all from the same large industrial enterprise, now we have 16, 20, 30 cases, but from 10 or 20 different people. Consequently, the coronavirus infection has spread out of control.”

After making this statement in parliament, Arsen Torosyan announced his proposal to extend the state of emergency:

“We believe that this is important in terms of ensuring the efficacy of our efforts to prevent coronavirus.”

He believes that even if the state of emergency is lifted, it will be impossible to quickly return to the way things were before. Long-term measures must be taken in order to break the viral chain of infection:

“We need to monitor, identify and treat new cases of infection, and those who come in contact with the infected should be isolated. And we need to do this until a vaccine for the virus is developed, or until people recover.”

One option being discussed is extending the state of emergency by one month.

What aid is Armenia receiving?

Doctors believe that for now, the country has enough supplies to handle the expected increase in the number of coronavirus patients.

At the same time, Armenia has been receiving assistance since the beginning of April in its fight against coronavirus from various countries and organizations.

The European Union announced that they would be allotting 92 million euros to implement projects to combat coronavirus. The EU delegation in Yerevan said on its Facebook page that this sum will be directed towards urgent and short-term needs:

“The funds will be used to supply medical equipment and supplies, retrain medical staff and laboratory staff, support small and mid-sized businesses and the business community, as well as provide social and humanitarian assistance to victims of the coronavirus outbreak.”

Russia provided Armenia with coronavirus test systems to be used in the labs.

In addition, two Russian Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft carrying military specialists and medical equipment have already landed in Yerevan.

A mobile laboratory was also given to the country so that they could diagnose coronavirus among military personnel – both on Armenian bases and the Russian military base located in Gyumri.

A large batch of medicines, medical supplies and equipment arrived from China, which consisted of:

120 ventilators,

2 oxygen filling stations,

60,000 tests,

60,000 medical masks,

280,000 protective masks,

20,000 protective goggles,

100,000 hazmat suits.

The packaging attracted special attention. All medical equipment arrived in boxes with the inscription:

“May our friendship be higher than Mount Ararat and longer than the Yangtze River.”

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative also provided aid to Armenia. They wired the Ministry of Health $120,000 for the purchase of mechanical ventilation devices.

“The outbreak of the epidemic forced the world, including the Armenian healthcare system, to quickly mobilize its forces and use all its resources to have a timely response. The response of our state to this health crisis was adequate. However, we must not underestimate the importance of having the necessary equipment,” said the Armenian Minister of Health.

Turkish Press: Armenia, Israel requested COVID-19 assistance from Turkey, presidential aide says

Daily Sabah, Turkey
Armenia, Israel requested COVID-19 assistance from Turkey, presidential aide says

Crucial supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical staff have been delivered from Turkey to a Royal Air Force base for distribution around the country, amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Carterton, U.K., . (Handout via Reuters)

Armenia and Israel have requested Turkey for assistance in the fight against coronavirus, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalın said Saturday.

“These kinds of requests (for assistance) came from Armenia, Israel. Here we didn’t differentiate between countries or regions, and we won’t, independently from our political relations,” Kalın said, stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic was an emergency.

Ankara has strained relations with Armenia and Israel. Political ties between Ankara and Yerevan remain frozen owing to the Karabakh conflict as well as the legacy of killings during World War I, which the Armenian diaspora and government describe as “genocide” – a description which Turkey refutes. Meanwhile, Israel’s discriminatory treatment of Palestinians remains a major source of tension in Israeli-Turkish relations.

Kalın said Turkey will try to accommodate all requests for help to the extent of its capabilities.

“Nearly 100 countries requested Turkey’s assistance. The priority here is to adjust our national capacity. We have sent aid to 10-12 countries, perhaps more, in line with our opportunities,” Kalın said.

“Let’s reduce the pain, let’s share the pain. This is a global problem. Global problems can only be fought through global cooperation,” he added.

In recent weeks, Turkey has delivered medical equipment to three of Europe’s worst-hit countries – Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Aid was also sent to Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo and others.

Since the virus emerged last December in the Chinese city of Wuhan, it has spread to at least 184 countries and regions.

Worldwide infections have surpassed 1.76 million with a death toll exceeding 103,000, according to U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University. Nearly 400,000 people have recovered.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 03/29/2020

                                        Sunday, 
Russia Reassures Armenia Over Border Closure
Belarus/Russia — Heavy trucks enter Russia from Belarus, March 17, 2020
Russia has assured Armenia that the coronavirus-related closure of its borders 
will not apply to cargo shipments between the two countries which are vital for 
Yerevan.
Moscow announced on Saturday that it will close all Russian border crossings on 
Monday as part of its efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. The decision 
raised concerns in Armenia whose economy is heavily dependent on trade with 
Russia.
“I want to say that such worries are misplaced because that decision will not 
affect Armenian cargoes in any way,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said after 
speaking with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin by phone later on 
Saturday.
“This fact was confirmed during my phone conversation with Russian Prime 
Minister Mikhail Mishustin,” added in a live Facebook broadcast. “Cargo will 
continue to shipped from Armenia to Russia and from Russia to Armenia just like 
it has until now.”
A readout of the phone call released by the Russian government likewise said 
that Mishustin and Pashinian “stressed the importance of maintaining the flow of 
goods between Armenia and Russia in full.” It said the two men also discussed 
measures against the coronavirus pandemic taken by their governments.
Russia is Armenia’s main trading partner and export market, with bilateral trade 
exceeding $2.2billion last year. Armenian exports to Russia rose by 10 percent 
to almost $735 million, according official Armenian statistics.
Georgia -- The Upper Lars border crossing with Russia, 30May2015.
The bulk of Armenian-Russian trade is carried out via Georgia and its sole land 
border crossing with Russia in particular. Commercial traffic through the Upper 
Lars crossing has reportedly been halted in recent days, leaving hundreds of 
trucks stranded at the Armenian-Georgian border.
Pashinian blamed the disruption on heavy snowfalls and said the Georgian-Russian 
border is now gradually reopened for freight shipping thanks to improving 
weather conditions. Pashinian and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia 
discussed the matter in a phone call on Friday.
“In recent days we have been actively working with our Russian and Georgian 
partners to normalize the movement of trucks,” the Armenian premier said on 
Saturday. “Our conversations on this subject are quite productive, and I want to 
thank our Georgian and Russian partners for the constructive dialogue.”
In a separate decision, the Russian government also suspended all regular and 
charter flights to and from Russia from March 27. It said Russian airlines will 
still be allowed to fly to other countries to bring Russian citizens back or if 
they are authorized by special government decisions.
According to Armenia’s Civil Aviation Committee, three Russian airlines were due 
to carry out Moscow-Yerevan flights on Sunday. It was not clear if Armenian 
citizens were allowed to board their planes.
Armenia Reports Two More Coronavirus Deaths
Armenia -- An empty square in the center of Yerevan, March 22, 2020.
Two more people in Armenia have died from coronavirus, raising to three the 
domestic death toll from the disease, Health Minister Arsen Torosian said early 
on Sunday.
Torosian said both victims, a 55-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man, also 
suffered from other, pre-existing medical conditions.
“Doctors did everything to save their lives, but unfortunately they did not 
succeed,” he wrote on Facebook.
Armenia reported its first coronavirus-related death on Thursday. Health 
authorities said the 72-year-old woman also suffered from other serious diseases 
and died at Yerevan’s Nork hospital where most people infected with the virus 
are currently treated. According to Torosian, 13 COVID-19 patients were kept in 
the hospital’s intensive care unit as of Saturday.
Meanwhile, the number of officially registered coronavirus cases in the country 
reached 424 on Sunday morning, up from 372 cases reported the day before.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said on Saturday evening that the situation 
“remains tense” but is “still considered manageable.” Pashinian urged Armenians 
to comply with stringent restrictions on people’s movement that were imposed by 
the Armenian government on March 26.
Earlier on Saturday, Torosian did not exclude that the one-week nationwide 
lockdown will be extended by the authorities.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
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