Author: Garo Vardanian

Armenpress: Joint statement by Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Garo Vardanian

Joint statement by Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

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 00:22,

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, and the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stéphane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) have held frequent consultations remotely since mid-March, including a joint video conference on 21 April. Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, also participated in these consultations, Armenpress reports citing the OSCE website.

During the consultations, the participants discussed the impact of the global health crisis on the region and recent developments on the ground.  They also considered next steps in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process in line with their joint statement issued in Geneva on 30 January 2020.

It was acknowledged that, due to the extraordinary situation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of previously agreed humanitarian measures was postponed.  The face-to-face Ministerial meetings and the visits of the Co-Chairs to the region agreed upon in Geneva have also been postponed.  Nevertheless, the necessary work to prepare these activities continues.

The Co-Chairs underlined the importance of observing the ceasefire strictly and refraining from provocative actions in the current environment and called on the sides to take measures to reduce tensions further.  They also expressed appreciation for the continued work of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office under the present circumstances and stressed the need for monitoring exercises to resume as quickly as possible.

Considering the great challenges now confronting all populations without regard to political boundaries, and which serve as stark reminders of the preciousness of every human life, the Foreign Ministers and the Co-Chairs expressed the hope that the resolve seen in the global pandemic response will bring a creative and constructive impetus to the peace process. The Co-Chairs drew attention to the 23 March appeal by the Secretary General of the United Nations for global ceasefire measures during the current health crisis and to the Co-Chairs' 19 March statement.

The Foreign Ministers and Co-Chairs agreed to remain in close contact and to continue negotiations in person as soon as possible.

New cenbank president to take office June 13

Garo Vardanian

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 11:21,

YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Martin Galstyan will assume office of the President of Central Bank on June 13th, replacing Artur Javadyan.

The Armenian parliament installed Martin Galstyan to serve as the next president of the Central Bank on April 17th. 

Galstyan, a Member of the Board of the Central Bank, was confirmed to the position by 104 votes in favor. 15 lawmakers voted against. He was nominated by the ruling My Step bloc.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Artsakh coronavirus cases reach 7

Garo Vardanian

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 16:55,

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS. A new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in the Republic of Artsakh, Artsakh’s information center reports.

“The ministry of healthcare of Artsakh informs that the results of the 10 out of 11 tests conducted yesterday have been received, and 9 citizens tested negative for coronavirus. The new case has been confirmed in one of the representatives of the medical staff who contacted a resident of Karvachar who has been transported to the Republican medical center earlier. Currently works are being done to isolate the direct contacts of the healthcare worker”, the statement says. “We will inform about the test result of the remaining one citizen later after getting the result”.

The information center again urges to follow the official news to avoid fake and unverified reports.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Artsakh has reached 7. 2 patients have already recovered.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




More Armenians to be evacuated from Moscow amid coronavirus crisis

Garo Vardanian

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 17:26,

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS. Red Wings airline will operate the third charter flight from Moscow to Yerevan on April 12 at 15:40 to evacuate Armenian nationals who were stranded at the Russian capital due to cancelled flights amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Armenian Embassy in Russia said.

Listed passengers are advised to report to the Domodedovo airport’s 25-30 check-in desks at 12:00, the embassy said.

All arriving passengers will be quarantined for 14 days in Armenia.

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Newspaper: Armenia authorities seeking ways out of "deadlock" on Constitutional Court

Garo Vardanian
News.am, Armenia
April 8 2020

09:27, 08.04.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – Past daily of Armenia writes. According to Past’s sources, the issue of dismissal of 7 judges of the CC [Constitutional Court] remains on the political agenda of the authorities; it is even more priority than overcoming the current and expected crises.

In particular, it is envisaged to make decisions in that direction based on the situation, using the mechanisms that do not prevent the Constitution. According to the newspaper’s information, the most preliminary option for the settlement of the issue is currently being discussed; namely, resolving the issue in the parliament by voting because it is not clear how long this situation will continue.

By the way, an attempt is already being gradually made to put forward the thesis that "the people have given a mandate to the ruling force," and [therefore] the ruling [parliamentary] faction, as if, has to solve the issue in the parliament very quickly.

Unnecessary optimism may harm: PAP deputy on Armenian PM’s statement about possibility to return to regular life

Garo Vardanian
Aysor, Armenia
April 6 2020

The 11 new cases of coronavirus are inspiring hope, but it is necessary to follow the dynamics tomorrow, the day after it and the following days too, deputy from Prosperous Armenia faction Sergey Bagratyan told Aysor.am, referring to the idea voiced by Armenia’s PM about possibility to return to regular life from Monday if the restrictions of Commandant’s office be followed during the week.

“It is possible to think about returning the regular pace of life in only 4-5 days after new cases are not being recorded. Today’s 11 cases are a good news, but it should not raise unnecessary enthusiasm. It is necessary to be cautious. Probably the PM tried to share his delight, it is clear, he is emotional, let God bring his optimism to reality,” the deputy said, warning again that it is necessary to be very cautious taking into consideration that the tempos of the disease in the world are reducing and then growing again.

“We must not hurry not to make a mistake,” he said.

Referring to the damages coronavirus caused to economy, the deputy said, “Naturally we would like the economy to restore a day earlier but we have an issue. What is the dilemma? Healthcare and economy. I mean if we do not pay necessary attention to the healthcare, we will have losses in the economy and the opposite, having issues in the economy we will not manage to fund the healthcare sector. This dilemma must be settled in parallel,” Bagratyan said, adding that the economic collapse may result in collapse of the healthcare.

ANCC Congratulates the People of Artsakh on Presidential and Parliamentary Election

Garo Vardanian

Armenian
National Committee of Canada

Comité
National Arménien du Canada

 

Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622

E-mail/Courriel:[email protected]

www.anccanada.org

 

-PRESS RELEASE-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1, 2020                                                            

Contact: Sevag
Belian (613) 235-2622

 

ANCC
Congratulates the People of Artsakh on Presidential and Parliamentary Election

 

(OTTAWA) – Yesterday, the free people of Artsakh turned out
in unprecedented numbers to elect their next president and parliament.

Five
political parties from across the political spectrum will now form the 7th
parliament of the Republic of Artsakh. With no presidential candidate
achieving the required 50% threshold, the top two candidates, former Prime
Minister Arayik Harutyunyan and Foreign Affairs Minister Masis Mayilyan, will
face each other in a second round on April 14th.
 

The
Armenian National Committee of Canada congratulates all the political parties
that participated and achieved victory in yesterday’s election and commends the
people of Artsakh for overcoming difficult circumstances and Azerbaijani
propaganda to vote for their representatives.

Commenting
on the elections, ANCC Co-presidents Hrag Tarakdjian and Shahen Mirakian issued
the following statement;

“Free and fair elections are at the core of Artsakh’s
nation-building process and its commitment to strong democratic
standards. 

With over 72% voter turnout, the people of Artsakh have once
again spoken loud and clear, demonstrating their commitment to chart their own
course and defend their hard-earned sovereignty.

Despite Azerbaijan’s continuous attempts to internationally
isolate Artsakh and impose its agenda of war and aggression in the region,
Artsakh continues to remain committed to the negotiation process, dismissing
all alternatives to the peaceful resolution of the conflict.  

It is very unfortunate, however, that the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), of which Canada is a member,
continues to show utter indifference and disregard to the free will of the
people, dismissing the results of the election. We are profoundly concerned by
the unconstructive statement made by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs yesterday,
undermining the democratic process initiated and led by the people. The right
of self-determination must be upheld in any conflict settlement and these
elections are a powerful and remarkable testament to that principle of utmost
importance. It is disappointing that the OSCE continues to disregard this
reality.

This election process – which was marked by healthy political
competition and friendly discourse – is a great testament to the fact that
Artsakh is not a mere conflict, but a country full of potential and prospects.

We commend each and every citizen of the Republic of Artsakh
for their important participation and contribution to this vital process and
congratulate the new members of parliament, wishing them a successful term in
office” read
the statement.

The
ANCC will continue to monitor the second round of the presidential election and
will issue a statement accordingly, after April 14th.

-30-

******

The ANCC is the largest and
the most influential Armenian-Canadian grassroots human rights organization.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout Canada and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-Canadian community on a broad
range of issues and works to eliminate abuses of human rights throughout Canada
and the world.

—
Sevag Belian – Executive Director
Armenian National Committee of Canada
T: (613) 235-2622 | C: (905) 329-8526
E:

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Asbarez: ANCA Welcomes First Round of U.S. Funding to Armenia’s Coronavirus Response

Garo Vardanian
March 27, 2020

ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian, in a letter to U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy earlier this week, called for U.S. support for Armenia’s efforts to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America on Friday welcomed confirmation, shared with it by the State Department, that the global U.S. COVID-19 emergency aid package—which will provide $274 million in resources to 64 of the world’s most at-risk countries—will include $1.1 million for Armenia.

“We welcome this first round of additional U.S. healthcare resources for Armenia related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian. “The ANCA encourages the immediate reprogramming of funds already appropriated by Congress for Armenia to help meet this crisis. As we have been from the beginning of this global pandemic, we will remain engaged with Executive and Legislative branch leaders to support joint U.S.-Armenia efforts to contain COVID-19 and to care for those suffering from this virus.”

Earlier this week, ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian encouraged U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy “to ensure that needed U.S. foreign assistance resources are directed to help Armenia deal with this health emergency, in cooperation with Armenia’s Ministry of Health and in support of other public health stakeholders, such as the American University of Armenia’s Center for Health Services Research and social service organizations like the Armenian Relief Society.” Hamparian’s March 24th letter to Ambassador Tracy went on to note that “Funds appropriated by Congress can play a vital role at this crucial moment, as can U.S. technical assistance in public health reporting, data collection, and capacity building.”

The additional U.S. health assistance will help Armenia prepare laboratory systems, activate case finding and event-based surveillance, support technical experts for response and preparedness, and bolster risk communication.

Donations for anti-coronavirus efforts over 512 million AMD – PM Pashinyan thanks each contributor

Garo Vardanian

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 20:08,

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, ARMENPRESS. A total of 512 million and 607 thousand drams has been donated to the Armenian government for its anti-coronavirus efforts, the government said.

The treasury account (900005001947) was opened on March 17th for citizens and organizations willing to make donations.

The government said a total of 2582 payments were made since.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan also commented on the issue today.

''More than $1 million donations were received for fight against coronavirus in Armenia. Thank you all for your contributions! Each and every penny will be spent to help our society to overcome the pandemic'', Pashinyan tweeted.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan