Author: Elizabeth Jabejian

Armenia to lift all restriction on freedom of movement from May 4

Elizabeth Jabejian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 1 2020


Restrictions on the movement of people will be lifted from May 4, Deputy Minister of Economy Varos Simonyan told a press conference today.

At the same time, the public transport will still not be allowed to work, as it is risky from the point of view of the spread of the virus.

The Deputy Minister said almost all restrictions will be lifted, only some will still be applied to certain types of economic activity. Large shopping centers will still remain closed.

All types of manufacturing activity will be allowed. Only restaurants and cafes that can organize their activity in open-air areas will be reopened.

Parks will reopen, sports clubs will resume training. The activity of cleaning services, as well as beauty salons will also be allowed.

Safety guidelines will be released for every type of activity.

Azerbaijan breaches Artsakh ceasefire 170 times in one week

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 13:26, 2 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire more than 170 times from April 26 to May 2 and fired around 1200 shots from various caliber small arms at Artsakh servicemen, Artsakh’s defense ministry said.

In addition to the abovementioned violations, the Azerbaijani military also fired eight 60mm mortar shells at Artsakh military positions in Martuni in between 15:00 – 17:25 on April 29.

The Artsakh military said they “took countermeasures to suppress the adversary attack”. It did not report casualties.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan




European Business Association ‘concerned’ over persecution of Galaxy Group of Companies, its co-founder Gurgen Khachatryan

Elizabeth Jabejian
Panorama, Armenia
May 1 2020

The European Business Association has expressed concern over the persecution of Galaxy Group of Companies and its co-founder Gurgen Khachatryan. 

The European Business Association in Armenia, which was officially established with the support of the Armenian delegation to the European Union and in the activities of which progressive businesses were involved, issued a statement on Friday.

The latter referred to the events linked to Galaxy Group of Companies and its co-founder and the chairman of the board of directors at Ucom, Gurgen Khachatryan. The statement reads:

“We are closely following the events related to our affiliate Galaxy Group of Companies and we express our concern over that.

Galaxy Group of Companies, which manages 15 companies, is an important player in the Armenian economy in terms of the number of provided jobs, the amount of tax paid, and the significant impact on annual GPD. Galaxy Group of Companies manages the sole Armenian telecom, Ucom, which is of strategic importance. It is also the official partner and representative of a number of major corporations in the EU member states in Armenia through joint investment projects and activities.

It is important to mention that any action towards the group and its key players conditioned by these factors should be prudent and comprehensive as well as built exclusively on legal basis, as its chain impact on the economy of Armenia is extensive and can cause damage to the RA labor market, economy and the country’s reputation in terms of attracting foreign investment.”

On April 28, Gurgen Khachatryan reported that at the level of high-ranking officials of the country he had been demanded both directly and indirectly to alienate Ucom. He also informed that in case of non-compliance, he would be accused of committing a particularly serious crime, which would be followed by pressure on his businesses in quite a short period of time. On April 30, the Khachatryans’ house and offices were searched and a motion for arrest was filed in the court.

Armenpress: Armenian PM, Iranian President highlight int. and bilateral cooperation against coronavirus

Elizabeth Jabejian

Armenian PM, Iranian President highlight int. and bilateral cooperation against coronavirus

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 19:40,

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, PM Pashinyan congratulated Hassan Rouhani and the entire Iranian people on the occasion of Ramadan.

The interlocutors exchanged information on the situation over coronavirus in their countries and the measures aimed at preventing its spread. They exchanged worlds of condolences for the victims of pandemic and highlighted the necessity of international and bilateral efforts for overcoming this global threat.

The sides expressed satisfaction over the fact that despite the temporary restrictions on communication, the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries continues and highlighted the implementation of future steps in that direction.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

COVID-19: Iran reports 1,112 new cases in past 24 hours

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 14:58,

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. According to the latest data, the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iran has increased by 1,112, bringing the total number of cases to 92,584, the Armenian Embassy in Iran said.

71 more deaths have been registered in the past one day. The death toll has reached 5,877.

2,983 coronavirus infected patients are in serious condition.

The number of recovered people increased by 1,506, raising the total number of recoveries to 72,439.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia: school leaving exams cancelled due to coronavirus, students will only take uni entrance test

Elizabeth Jabejian
JAM News
28.04.2020
    JAMnews, Yerevan

In light of the state of emergency, Armenia decided to get rid of final exams for graduating classes. This was announced during a live broadcast delivered by Arayik Harutyunyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

Armenia declared a state of emergency on March 16. It was scheduled to end on April 14th. But seeing as the country was unable to stop the spread of coronavirus, the government extended the quarantine for another month, until May 14.

The “final bell” has been cancelled for high school graduates in Azerbaijan. This graduation event has been postponed indefinitely.

Those applying to universities need only take one exam. Which subject it will be in has not yet been reported.

University exams and the “final bell”

In Armenia, not only high school graduates, but 4th and 9th grade students are currently taking qualifying exams, the so-called “transitional exams.”

“We decided not to conduct transitional exams in schools for grades 4 and 9. Annual grades in all subjects will be summarized on the basis of grades received by students before March 13 and transferred to electronic gradebooks,” reported the minister on live television.

Students in general education schools and trade schools are also receiving their final grades. Those who passed their midterms in December are given the right to choose between their midterm grades and their final grades for the academic year.

High school students will receive their diplomas by May 25, and college students will receive their diplomas by June 5.

The minister says that the decision to issue diplomas on this date was made so that it would not interfere with summer conscription for military service.

“Under the conditions of the state of emergency, it is our first priority not to violate the process of conscription for military service and to make the most objective assessments based on the interests of students,” said Arayik Harutyunyan.

The minister says that the graduates’ final bell will certainly take place, but not on May 25, as is usually the case.

“As soon as the Ministry of Health informs us that large gatherings are no longer dangerous, we will choose a date and celebrate the ‘final bell’ on a grand scale,” promised the minister.

About the graduates

This live broadcast by the Minister of Education was long-awaited. There is less than a month left before the traditional high school graduation date. Graduates, despite the coronavirus pandemic, are still preparing for their university entrance exams. And many are awaiting information about how the system will operate this year.

As a result, Arayik Harutyunyan announced that entrance exams for higher educational institutions will be held in early July, and students will be able to apply from May 25 to June 15.

“Graduates will only have to pass one entrance exam this year. Those applicants who have submitted applications and paid to take several exams before March 15 will receive a refund. We must discuss this decision with universities. After the 30th, we will announce which students will have to pass what exams in order to get into a particular university.”

As far as the procedure for conducting exams, the minister said that examination centers will be opened throughout Armenia. To avoid overcrowding, a limited number of applicants will be allowed into the exam halls..

Applicants will wear masks while taking exams. Examination centers will be provided with disinfectants.

“The examination will be carried out in compliance with all safety rules,” the minister assured, and asked parents not to accompany their children to the place where they will take their exams.

What people are saying on social media

Armenian social media users were divided on the subject. Some support the ministry’s decision, while others criticize it.

Here are some of the comments people left:

“This isn’t education! It’s insanity!”

“No need to expose children to unnecessary stress! It’s not the end of the world. you just need to organize everything as much as possible.”

“This is absolutely the right decision.”

“If children are going to be evaluated according to their grades prior to March 13, then what was the point in distance learning? They still continued to study and receive grades!”


Vice-Speaker: Mikael Minasyan will be held accountable and his stay abroad will not help him

Elizabeth Jabejian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo.Son-in-law of former President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, former Armenian Ambassador to the Vatican, Mikael Minasyan will be held accountable and his stay abroad will not help him. On April 28, in a conversation with  reporters, the National Assembly Vice- Speaker Alen Simonyan stated.

The Vice-Speaker noted that Mikael Minasyan  < is a myth from head to  toe> and he has not read his statements for a long time, which are  published together with his romantic photographs. Simonyan advised  the former ambassador to tackle the issue of wasted billions,  stressing that he would be held accountable for this and his current  stay abroad would not save him. including Minasyan and Serzh Sargsyan,  are now busy trying to start  political activity in the hope that this will help them avoid  responsibility for their actions, presenting it as political  persecution, “he said.

To recall, Mikael Minasyan was prosecuted as a defendant in a  criminal case on illicit enrichment, money laundering and the  inclusion of false data in the income statement. There is no exact  information regarding his current location; Minasyan himself  previously via Facebook reported the initiation of more than 10  criminal cases against people related to him and his family. Last  fall, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on Minasyan to return to  his homeland and answer questions from the Special Investigation  Service. In particular, it was about illegal, as the Prime Minister  noted, privatization of a strategic object in the Lori region.  According to media reports, this object is the Dzoraget hydroelectric  power station ().

Coronavirus: 1,276 more patients recover in Iran

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 16:15,

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. According to the latest data, the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iran has increased by 991, bringing the total number of cases to 91,472, the Armenian Embassy in Iran said.

96 more deaths have been registered in the past one day. The death toll has reached 5,806.

3,011 coronavirus infected patients are in serious condition.

The number of recovered people increased by 1,276, raising the total number of recoveries to 70,933.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian Genocide commemorated with videos by Fresno Mayor Brand and Congressman Costa

Elizabeth Jabejian
Your Central Valley, CA

Local News

by: Alliz Clavijo

Posted: Apr 23, 2020 / 09:20 PM PDT / Updated: Apr 23, 2020 / 09:23 PM PDT

President-elect of Artsakh presents his position on NK conflict settlement

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 10:41,

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS. Newly-elected President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan reaffirms that without the complete and full engagement of official Stepanakert no effective outcome is possible in the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The President-elect made a statement on Facebook which says:

“Deeply understanding the concerns of our society conditioned by the regular discussions with the participation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the leaderships of Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Azerbaijani-Artsakh conflict, I once again want to reaffirm our principled position on the issue that no effective outcome is possible to achieve without the complete and full involvement of official Stepanakert. We are interested in the peaceful and final settlement of the conflict and fully understand that it will have its decisive impact on the establishment of sustainable and lasting peace in the region, but we expect the same understanding and responsibility also from Azerbaijan. Of course, we highly appreciate the unique role of the leadership of Armenia on this issue, but we need to accept that the authorities of Artsakh have received the main mandate to negotiate on behalf of the Artsakh people over any proposal or document presented at the negotiation table.

Highlighting the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group in peacefully settling the conflict and closely following the video conferences held separately with the Co-Chairs and the foreign ministers, as well as involving all sides on April 20 and 21, unfortunately, we once again record that the Azerbaijani authorities continue avoiding to hold direct negotiations with the real side of the conflict. This greatly reduces the level of honesty and credibility of aspirations by official Baku, combined with the regular provocations in the frontline and the anti-Armenian policy.

As a President-elect of the Republic of Artsakh, I announce:

  1. The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh should participate in all stages of the process aimed at the peaceful and final settlement of the conflict on a full and complete basis:
  2. The security of the people of Artsakh cannot be endangered or bargained in any case:
  3. Without the recognition of the Artsakh people’s right to self-determination, no option of the conflict settlement can become a subject of substantive discussion between the sides:
  4. Attempts of using force and threat of force in the conflict settlement process should be ruled out with clear guarantees as the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples deserve living in peace, otherwise, the Republic of Artsakh is ready to give a disproportionate counterattack to Azerbaijan, which initiates the attack, by also transferring the military operations to its territory:
  5. Unilateral concessions or disproportionate, inadequate mutual concessions by the authorities of Artsakh on any option of the conflict settlement are ruled out:
  6. In the settlement of the conflict and its related processes, the Armenian refugees and internally displaced persons should have an equal engagement together with the Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons, and their problems must be solved simultaneously and in a similar way
  7. The international community (firstly, the OSCE and the Co-Chair countries) should rule out the violations and restrictions of the rights of the Artsakh people conditioned by the conflict and the international status of the Republic of Artsakh, including also the factual isolation from international human rights and humanitarian programs which Azerbaijan is trying to use as a mean of pressure contrary to the famous principles of the international law:

The authorities of Artsakh, both in the past and in the future, are ready to make the maximum efforts in an atmosphere of mutual respect to strengthen trust between the sides and demonstrate the necessary will and record a progress in the peaceful and lasting settlement of the conflict”.

 

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan