Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Procession with candles starts in Yerevan

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 26 2021
23:59, 26.09.2021

From Garegin Nzhdeh Square in Yerevan, a procession with candles, initiated by the opposition “Armenia” bloc, started in memory of the victims of the 44-day war.

Earlier, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, MP from the Armenia bloc Ishkhan Sagatyan noted that no political speeches are planned during the event.

“We call on our fellow citizens, regardless of their political views, to join the march and express their participation, our state will rise up and there will be someone to continue the work of our dead guys,” he noted.

The second President of Armenia Robert Kocharian also takes part in the procession.

Crosstone-monument in memory of fallen Berkadzor residents unveiled in Artsakh

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 25 2021

SOCIETY 17:07 25/09/2021 NKR

A ceremony of unveiling a crosstone-monument in memory of the residents of Berkadzor community fallen during the third Artsakh war took place on Saturday in Askeran region. Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan attended the ceremony, the president’s office reported. 

President Harutyunyan delivered remarks, stressing  to continue efforts aimed at empowering Artsakh with determination is the best way to honor memory of all those brave sons who had sacrificed their lives for the Homeland. 

Newspaper: How much spent from Armenia state budget for 30th Independence Day anniversary event?

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 25 2021
09:58, 25.09.2021

YEREVAN. – Past daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: The event held on September 21 at Republic Square [in the capital Yerevan], which was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia, gave rise to various discussions. At the same time, various figures related to the money spent [on this event] are also actively circulated.

Past newspaper had petitioned to the RA government with a written inquiry, asking to answer how much money was allocated from the state budget for the mentioned event. 

We have received a response from the Information and Public Relations Department of the Prime Minister’s Office (…). “The event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of independence (…) was organized by Domino Production LLC. (…). At the same time, we inform that no funds have been allocated from the state budget to carry out the event. Domino Production has drawn the necessary money for the implementation of the program from private sponsors,” the answer notes.

We have sent a written inquiry to Domino Production LLC, too, asking to answer where the [respective] financial sources are from, as well as to provide the full cost opening. As soon as we receive the answer, we will also present that information to the public. 


Opposition Hayastan bloc announces renewed “street struggle”

Emil Lazarian

Save

Share

 13:43,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. The opposition Hayastan bloc lawmaker and Vice Speaker of Parliament Ishkhan Saghatelyan announced that they are re-launching the “street struggle”.

“We can’t eliminate the challenges and threats facing our country only with parliamentary activities,” Saghatelyan told reporters. “We have called a march for September 26, and afterwards you’ll see numerous rallies and actions.”

He said Hayastan lawmakers will again travel to provinces from October.

“We have numerous planned events from September 27 to November 9,” he said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian, Jordanian FMs discuss deepening of bilateral relations

Emil Lazarian

Save

Share

 14:31,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in New York to participate in the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ayman Safadim, the Armenian MFA reports.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Jordan highly assessed the current level of political dialogue between the two states and emphasized the implementation of the agreements reached between the leaders of Armenia and Jordan during King Abdullah II’s visit to Armenia in February 2020. 

The sides discussed issues on further deepening of Armenian-Jordanian multidimensional relations. 

They also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and developments taking place in the regions of Middle East and the South Caucasus. 

Ararat Mirzoyan presented to his interlocutor the situation resulting from the provocative actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces against the sovereign territory of Armenia, the issues of repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians held in Azerbaijan. In the context of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Minister Mirzoyan stressed the need for the resumption of the peace process under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

Armenpress: Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 24-09-21

Emil Lazarian

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 24-09-21

Save

Share

 17:27,

YEREVAN, 24 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 24 September, USD exchange rate down by 1.51 drams to 482.24 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.24 drams to 565.81 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.05 drams to 6.61 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.81 drams to 660.72 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 448.89 drams to 27132.66 drams. Silver price down by 1.03 drams to 352.57 drams. Platinum price down by 125.49 drams to 15240.8 drams.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict awaiting its just settlement — Armenian prime minister

Emil Lazarian
TASS, Russia
Sept 24 2021
Nikol Pashinyan stressed that the conflict could not be considered resolved through the use of force

UNITED NATIONS, September 24. /TASS/. The conflict around Nagorno-Karabakh is awaiting its just settlement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in his pre-recorded speech at the general debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.

“There is no doubt that the situation created through the use of force cannot gain legitimacy from the point of view of international law,” Pashinyan said. “The right of the people of Artsakh (unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic – TASS) to self-determination cannot be suspended through the use of force; the conflict cannot be considered resolved through the use of force,” the prime minister went on to say.

“The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is awaiting its just settlement,” Pashinyan stressed.

Nikol Pashinyan added that Armenia was ready for a constructive dialogue that will help sustainable and lasting peace to come to the region.

“Armenia is ready for a constructive dialogue, which should lead to the establishment of sustainable and lasting peace in the region. In this regard, we propose to complete the process of return of prisoners of war, hostages and other captives without delay,” Pashinyan said. “It is also necessary to resume the peace process for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.”

Azerbaijan’s Aliyev offers Armenia peace in exchange for ‘Zangezur corridor’

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 24 2021
10:39, 24.09.2021

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has reaffirmed his country’s readiness to start negotiations on a peace agreement with Armenia, calling on Yerevan to choose between cooperation and territorial claims, TASS reports.

“As the [Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh)] conflict is over, Azerbaijan has already announced its readiness to embark upon the border delimitation and demarcation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and to start negotiations on peace agreement with Armenia, based on mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other. Such an agreement would turn our region into the region of peace and cooperation. However, we have not yet seen any positive reaction from Armenia regarding our proposal,” Aliyev said Thursday in his address at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

According to him, transport projects can become one of the spheres serving peace and cooperation. The Azerbaijani president noted that in this context, “the Zangazur [i.e., Zangezur] corridor connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its inseparable part Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic,” will create new opportunities for the region. 

Aliyev stressed that “Azerbaijan has created a new reality in the Southern Caucasus region which has to be taken into account by all.” According to him, “Armenia has to make a choice between regional cooperation and illegal and baseless territorial claims against its neighbors.”


Opposition MP: 110,000 people already left Armenia this year

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 24 2021
17:10, 24.09.2021

In 2021, 110,000 people have already left Armenia. Vahe Hakobyan, a member of the opposition “Armenia” Faction in the National Assembly, told this to reporters Friday.

He noted that emigration from Armenia has reached cosmic levels.

According to him, extensive emigration has started from Syunik Province, too.

“The biggest emigration is from this area. The authorities are ‘helping’ to empty the villages. People are leaving their residence in despair,” the opposition lawmaker added.

Armenian deputy parliamentary speaker: There are confidential ties and talks between Armenia and Turkey

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 24 2021
18:09, 24.09.2021

Armenia is expected to undergo the process of Turkification. This is what Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, member of the opposition “Armenia” faction Ishkhan Saghatelyan told reporters today.

“We have serious concern, and we also condemn the flirting between Nikol Pashinyan and Erdogan that began these past few days. It’s not by chance that yesterday Erdogan said Turkey is receiving positive signals from Armenia. It’s clear to see that there are confidential ties and talks between Armenia and Turkey, and this isn’t in Armenia’s interests.

Those who justify and say Armenia needs to hold talks with Turkey, it’s very clear that Turkey has set forth three conditions (renunciation of Artsakh, renunciation of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and recognition of Turkey’s territorial integrity), including the fourth one (corridor through Syunik Province). I want to ask the Armenian authorities which of these conditions they are ready to meet,” he said.

When told that the authorities claim that there won’t be a corridor, Saghatelyan said he doesn’t believe in the authorities since they have done the opposite of what they have said.