Author: Hagop Kamalian

Artsakh’s President receives Foreign Minister of Armenia

Hagop Kamalian

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 12:00, 4 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan received Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. On July 4

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Artsakh President’s Office, a wide range of issues relating to foreign political challenges were on the discussion agenda. Particular reference was made to the latest developments around the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict settlement. Within this context, it was underscored that the destructive and aggressive rhetoric of the Azerbaijan’s military political authorities deprives the parties of the opportunity to make progress in the peaceful settlement process.

President Harutyunyan reaffirmed the commitment of the official Stepanakert to the peaceful settlement of the conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk group and the need for full-fledged participation of the Artsakh Republic to the negotiations.
Artsakh Republic Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan attended the meeting.

Survey respondents consider COVID-19 the greatest problem facing Armenia

Hagop Kamalian

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 15:06, 3 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS. Most of the respondents of a survey, conducted by MPG LLC, a full member of the GALLUP International Association in Armenia, mentioned the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as the greatest challenge facing Armenia now.

“We asked the citizens to answer to the question “what are the three most important problems facing Armenia now”: 52,5% mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, 28.6% – the unemployment, 17.2% – the economic situation. Usually, unemployment has always been in the first place, but it’s understandable why we now got such a picture”, Director of MPG LLC Aram Navasardyan said during a press conference.

The survey was conducted by phone. A total of 1,002 citizens participated in the survey. Alternative research error – 3%. The selection is representative according to the age-sex and place of residence of Armenian citizens. The survey was conducted from June 10 to 27.

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Healthcare system will overcome coronavirus challenge becoming stronger – Minister Torosyan

Hagop Kamalian

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 19:53,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. Healthcare Minister of Armenia Arsen Torosyan is confident that Armenia’s healthcare system will overcome the coronavirus challenge becoming stronger and more capable, ARMENPRESS reports Torosyan said during a press conference on June 23.

‘’This serious situation will become a driving force for the development of the healthcare system. Now we expand our healthcare capacities which in the future will be used for the struggle against other diseases’’, Torosyan said, expressing regret for the victims that will be inevitable on this path.

21,006 cases have been reported in Armenia by June 23. 10,144 have recovered. 10.364 are active cases. Death toll is 372. A total of 98,117 tests have been done. Another 126 patients with coronavirus have died of other reasons.

State of emergency has been prolonged until July 13.

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan, Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenia committed to democracy-based partnership with EU – Pashinyan

Hagop Kamalian

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 20:10,

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan participated in the video conference of Eastern Partnership summit, which was also attended by European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, leaders of the Eastern Partnership participant countries Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Azerbaijan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emanuel Macron, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, as well as other European leaders.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, PM Pashinyan said in his speech,

‘’ Distinguished Presidents,

Dear Colleagues,

I am glad to meet you during this video conference. I hope that next time, at the beginning of 2021, we will be able to personally meet at the summit of the Eastern Partnership.

During the last two years Armenia implemented comprehensive reforms for establishing firm democratic institutions based on rule of law and accountability of the Government. Fight against corruption and reforms of the judicial system are included in our agenda.

But our efforts confront the tough resistance of the previous oligarchic and corrupt circles. Those who are afraid of lose their illegally obtained property rely on media manipulations and spread false information aimed at sowing distrust towards the government and blur the efforts aimed at struggling against the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite all those obstacles, we will confidently continue reforms for making democracy irreversible in Armenia.

Dear partners,

In each stage of reforms we have felt the unconditional support of our European partners. The EU is Armenia’s main partner is the efforts to develop state structures. In this context, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement is of exceptional importance.

Armenia is committed to developing partnership with the EU based on shared democratic values and cultural similarities. The Eastern Partnership is the driving force of our cooperation. It’s a platform for dialogue and cooperation with the EU and regional countries.

Maintaining its integrity and continuity is of paramount importance. Any attempt to create internal divisions will distort the philosophy and influence of the Partnership.

Armenia welcomes the joint policy communiqué to be implemented after 2020. The five goals outlined in the document are in line with our priorities. We believe that the goals set for post-2020 should provide strong ability of resistance and tangible results. The best way to ensure visible results for Armenian citizens would be to start a long-awaited visa liberalization dialogue. The measures taken to combat coronavirus are another piece of evidence of solidarity and cooperation policy encouraged by the EU and the Eastern Partnership. Armenia highly appreciates the support of more than 92 million euros, which is aimed at meeting the immediate needs of the crisis and mitigating its negative impact.

Global challenges require joint action, not confrontation. Any attempt to escalate tensions in the region in the wake of the pandemic is highly reckless and should be condemned by the international community. In this context, the EU’s consistently balanced position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in line with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ approaches, is a very important factor for maintaining peace and stability in our region.

Thank you for attention’’.

During the video-conference PM Pashinyan responded to the groundless and fact-distorting announcements of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev. Particularly, Pashinyan focused on the racist policy led by the Azerbaijani authorities up till now, bringing the example of glorification of Ramil Safarov who axed to death the Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan while sleeping in Hungary. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the people of Nagorno Karabakh is determined in its decision to shape its own future and is ready to protect its security by adequately responding to any hostility.

PM Pashinyan ones again called on the Azerbaijani president to demonstrate constructive approach and finally publicly agree with his formula, which is the following – any solution to Artsakh issue has to be acceptable for the people of Artsakh, for the people of Armenia and for the people of Azerbaijan.

Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

10 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Artsakh

Hagop Kamalian

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 11:40,

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. 10 new cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Artsakh, bringing the total number of cases to 78, the Artsakh Information Center said today.

11 more patients have recovered from the disease. The total number of recoveries has reached 54.

Currently 91 people are under quarantine.

No death case has been registered.

So far, 1,284 COVID-19 tests have been conducted.

On June 11 Artsakh extended the coronavirus-related state of emergency for another 30 days, until July 11.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Turkey says US is ‘safe harbor’ for group blamed for coup

Hagop Kamalian 
Houston Chronicle
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey on Friday accused the United States of
becoming a “safe harbor” for members of a network that it blames for a
coup attempt in 2016, after Washington criticized the conviction of a
U.S. Consulate employee on terror charges.
Metin Topuz, a translator and assistant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Agency in Istanbul, was sentenced to eight years and nine months in
prison on Thursday, convicted of aiding the network led by U.S.-based
Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen. The Turkish government blames Gulen
for the 2016 coup attempt and considers his network to be a terrorist
organization.
Topuz’s arrest in 2017 and subsequent prosecution caused tensions
between NATO allies Ankara and Washington. U.S. Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo issued a statement Thursday criticizing the conviction.
Pompeo said: “U.S. officials observed every hearing in the trial of
Mr. Topuz in Istanbul, and we have seen no credible evidence to
support this decision. As a result, this conviction undermines
confidence in Turkey’s institutions and the critical trust at the
foundation of Turkish-American relations.”
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy hit back, claiming that
other people with links to Gulen had “infiltrated” U.S. missions in
Turkey and accusing U.S. authorities of ignoring requests for the
extradition of Gulen-affiliated individuals.
“We are concerned that the United States has become a safe harbor for
members of (Gulen’s) terrorist organization,” Aksoy said in a written
statement.
Aksoy also called on the United States to respect the “judicial
independence” of Turkey's courts and to refrain from attempts “to
influence the judiciary.”
Topuz has maintained his innocence throughout his trial and is
expected to appeal the verdict.
Gulen, who has been in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999,
denies involvement in the coup attempt.

ECHR advisory opinion on Kocharyan case not subject to interpretation but translation – Gevorg Kostanyan

Hagop Kamalian
Panorama, Armenia
June 9 2020

Armenia’s former Prosecutor General, Doctor of Law Gevorg Kostanyan is concerned with the fact that acting Prosecutor General has commented on the ECHR advisory opinion concerning charges brought against former President Robert Kocharyan. “The Constitutional Court of Armenia is the only and unique addressee of the ECRH advisory opinion and only the Constitutional Court may assess the decision of the European Court,”  Kostanyan told an online interview on the 2nd TV Channel on Monday.

In Kostanyan’s words, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Prosecutor General himself have no capacity to elaborate on the decision of the European court. He then suggested that the ECHR advisory opinion is not subject to interpretations but to translation only.

“There is no need to interpret the advisory opinion as the document clearly sets all the principles, resolutions and approaches the Constitutional Court should consider to apply. Any interpretation  – be it from attorneys, state bodies or any other figure – has no relevance,” stressed Kostanyan, who served as Representative of the Republic of Armenia before the Court from 2004 to 2017.

He next noted that the advisory opinion contains references to precedents  and previous judgements thus providing the scope for the Constitutional Court in analyzing the case. In his words, the Constitutional Court may not go beyond the scope of those precedents which have been developed over the past 50 years and outline the main approaches. 

To note, Robert  Kocharyan has been charged under Article 300.1 of the 2009 Criminal Code ( “Overthrow of the Constitutional order”) with offences which were alleged to have been committed in relation to events which took place in February and March 2008, when protests broke out over a disputed presidential election. At that time, a different provision of the former Criminal Code, Article 300 (“usurpation of power”), was in force.

Speaking of the provisions set out in the advisory opinion, Kostanyan recalled the ECHR reference to the Criminal Code article that cites another legal act, the Constitution which means that the requirements of clarity and foreseeability should be applicable to respective norms of the Constitution.

“It is explicit that the Article 300.1 contained a reference to Articles 1 to 5 and 6 § 1 of the Armenian Constitution of 2015. In the version of 2008 Constitutions, those articles didn’t exist in their current sequence and content. Thus it is unacceptable to speak of the clarity and foreseeability  of the mentioned Article,” said Kostanyan.

Another restriction set by the ECHR for interpretation refers to the practical implementation of the legal norm.

“That is to say no derivation should for the application of Article 300.1 on the basis of formed practice in the country. In Armenia, we had the application of  Article 301.1 when in 2009 or 2010 the Prosecutor General’s Office quitted the criminal prosecution and the Court acquitted the defendants. We have the practice, and the ECHR set the rule for the Constitutional Court to not leave that practice,” said Kostanyan.

To remind, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered an  on former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s case sought by the Constitutional Court of Armenia on May 29. 

Armenia coronavirus: 391 patients are in serious condition, 59 in critical condition

Hagop Kamalian

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 11:32, 4 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Armenia has surpassed 11,000, Minister of Healthcare Arsen Torosyan said during today’s Cabinet meeting, adding that in the past one day the highest number of cases has been confirmed in the country – 697.

“391 patients are in serious condition, and 59 are in critical condition, 15 are switched to ventilators. There is also a dangerous trend that again cases are being registered in different production units. The experience shows that an outbreak is again possible after that. Therefore, the maintenance of rules is very important”, the minister said.

The minister added that the situation of daily hospitalizations remains tense. “As an example I would note that 15-20% of the confirmed cases needs to be hospitalized”, he said, adding that the number of cases should be reduced in order to be capable to treat the patients in hospital beds.

According to the latest data, 697 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 11,221. The death toll has reached 176. The total number of recovered people is 3,468. The active cases stand at 7,509.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Iran coronavirus cases rise by 2,886 in one day

Hagop Kamalian

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 15:47, 5 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. According to the latest data, the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iran has increased by 2,886, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 167,156, the Armenian Embassy in Iran said.

63 more patients have died. The death toll has reached 8,134.

2,573 people are in serious condition.

2,256 citizens recovered in the past one day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 129,741.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

COVID19 Relief: Knights of Vartan and Ayo Program of FAR Teamed Up

Hagop Kamalian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                           

June 6, 2020

PRESS
RELEASE

 

“Knights
of Vartan” Communication Office

2
Arshagunyats Ave,

Yerevan,
Armenia

Contact:
Gohar Palyan, Liaison

Tel:
+374 94 20 64 68

Web:
www.kofv.org

 

COVID19 Relief: Knights of Vartan and
Ayo Program of FAR Teamed Up

Yerevan – The Knights and Daughters of Vartan share the concern of
helping to combat the COVID19 pandemic and with Past Grand Commander Nigoghos
Atinizian and Mrs. Roset Atinizian’s matching fund of $5,000 joined Ayo program
of FAR and raised far over $10,000 for food and everyday necessities for people
in the Tavush border region of Armenia.

 

COVID-19
is spreading, and all cautions are needed to prevent it. For this purpose, the
lock down in Armenia has left scores of people with either limited income or no
income at all. They needed our help more than ever. Knights of Vartan Past
Grand Commander Nigoghos Atinizian initiated a matching fund. He and his wife, Roset
donated $5,000 to be matched by funds raised by the Knights and Daughters of
Vartan and friends.

 

 “People in Tavush region are hardworking and I
have met many of them during my frequent visits to Armenia. We know the
pandemic is temporary and one day we will overcome it. But there are families
who need our urgent support now and we would like to stand by their side during
this needed time” said Past Grand Commander Nigoghos Atinizian.

 

Just
one week after announcing the matching fund drive to the Knights and Daughters
of Vartan community across the United States, over $10,000 was raised for COVID-19
relief in the Tavush region.

 

The Tavush
region has the longest geographical border with Azerbaijan. The region is a strategic
location and for decades the Knights and Daughters of Vartan and its members have
been involved in numerous charitable projects to help support its people. Among
those efforts is the COVID-19 Relief project with Ayo. It is essential given
the current pandemic that now spreads in Armenia and in the world.

 

During
the last several weeks, and using the money raised during the matching
fundraising drive, the Ayo program staff has distributed 400 packages to some 400
families in the Tavush region. The packages include basic necessities as well
as food. We know that along with receiving their package of food, these
families also receive emotional support. They realize that they are not alone
and that during these difficult times, their brothers and sisters across the border
and around the world have them in their thoughts.

 

There
are several other projects that the Knights and Daughters of Vartan have
undertaken as members continue to show their support for their brothers and
sisters in Armenia.

 

“We
are so thankful to Past Grand Commander Nigoghos and Roset Atinizian for their
generous donation and to the members of the Knights of Vartan who rose to the
occasion to help our homeland.  As members of the Knights of Vartan we are
committed to helping our homeland along with our communities in the diaspora”
expressed Grand Commander Steven Adams.

 

Ayo! is a fundraising platform of Fund
for Armenian Relief (FAR). By providing a vehicle to raise money for local
development projects, it allows the people of Armenia to make positive changes
in their society.

For more information about the FAR visit www.farusa.org and about Ayo! Visit   www.weareayo.org. To support COVID19 relief in
Armenia via Ayo program please visit
. Thank you.

The Knights of Vartan Inc. is a
fraternal leadership and service organization of Armenian men dedicated to safeguarding
and perpetuating the Armenian heritage and its cultural traditions. Its
membership represents the spectrum of the leadership of the Armenian community.
It was founded in 1916 in Philadelphia and is based in the United States with 23
local chapters which support Armenian causes around the world.

 

For
more information about the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, visit .