March: 17, 2026
During the past weekend, the “campaign bus” led by Nikol Pashinyan, with its regular passengers, CP members, was singing and dancing in the Vayots Dzor region. Like the previous marz visits, this time Nikol Pashinyan traded in the markets, ate in front of cameras, convinced people that there was peace, and thinking that everyone was satisfied and happy, he went to Syunik marz.
In 2023, when Nikol Pashinyan went to Vayots Dzor Marz again, Narine Asatryan, a mother of many children forcibly displaced from Berdzor, threw a raincoat in his direction, remembering the thousands of victims, the destroyed homeland, her lost house in Berdzor, thus expressing her anger. After that incident, Narine Asatryan was charged under part 3 of Article 44-452 of the Criminal Code, which provides imprisonment for 2-5 years.
He was guilty recognized He was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for committing the crime provided for by Article 44-452, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code. By applying Article 84 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, Narine Asatryan was sentenced to probation for a period of 2 years, and the probation service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia was placed under probation.
The court obliged Narine Asatryan, without the decision of the competent authority exercising control over the convict’s behavior, not to allow him to leave the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
Today, we asked Narine Asatryan whether she met him during Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Vayots Dzor marz.
After hearing Nikol Pashinyan’s name, Ms. Narine said, she no longer gets nervous when hearing that name.
“I’ll bear your pain, don’t give me that name, who is he who says that there is no question of Artsakh, forget it, he has his head against the wall?” I don’t want to say other words, who is he, when that person talks about that topic, my nervous system gets disturbed. Who is it, what is it that has brought our Armenian nation to this law, if he wants to become a Turkish fan, let him go, but away from us.” of 168.am Narine Asatryan said in a conversation with
He found it difficult to say whether anyone forcibly displaced from Artsakh went to meet Nikol Pashinyan in Vayots Dzor or not.
“Yesterday I was watching that person’s live broadcast, I was at work, I could hardly stop myself from calling a taxi to go upstairs. I am convicted because of it, today is the day to sign, there are 3 months left for me to be released completely.
Let the National Security Service also listen: the blood of thousands of our boys should come from their noses, at least after all this, they should keep a little restraint, the people are in a state of paralysis.
If at least a part of our nation were dignified, naturally we would not be in this situation,” emphasized Narine Asatryan.
Let’s also remind that Narine Asatryan came to Armenia with her children after the 44-day war. After the war, he returned to Artsakh to live in his permanent home in Kashatagh, but in August 2022, when the Armenian authorities handed over Berdzor, Narine Asatryan’s family was forcibly displaced and moved to Armenia, to Malishka settlement. He was one of the last residents of Berdzor who left his home.
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We ask the Human Rights Council to stand by our people, aspiration
March: 17, 2026
Famous Armenian-American lawyer, “Kerkonyan
In his speech, Kerkonyan noted that after the forced deportation of 150 thousand native Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan continues to prevent their safe return, violating the decision of the International Court of Justice of November 17, 2023. According to him, in fact, just two months ago, Azerbaijan expelled the 11 Armenians remaining in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“But this is not enough, Mr. Vice President, Azerbaijan continues to destroy Armenian culture and religious heritage, violating the requirements of the decision of the International Court of Justice of December 7, 2021, seeking to erase even the evidence of our people’s presence in Nagorno-Karabakh, a presence that has lasted for 4,000 years.
Today, Azerbaijan is deviously detaining 20 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, subjecting them to false trials and torture, without access to a lawyer or even evidence against them. By expelling the Red Cross, Azerbaijan deprived these detainees of independent humanitarian observation. These violations require a response from the board.
Mr. Vice President, the elected representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh are ready to participate in the peace forum initiated by the Swiss Parliament last year. We ask the Human Rights Council to stand by our people, because we strive for the most fundamental human rights, the right to return to our native homeland,” said Garnik Kerkonyan.
On his Facebook page, referring to his above speech, Kerkonyan wrote:
“JUST PEACE.
The right of forcibly displaced Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh to return to their native homeland remains on the agenda of the international community, and today also in the UN Human Rights Council. Real and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan must address the right of the people of Artsakh to collectively return to their homeland, under security and protection and with the undisturbed preservation of their fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination. Ethnic cleansing is not the way to peace. It has never been like that.”
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Macron says French officer killed in Iraq
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday condemned an attack in Iraqi Kurdistan that killed one French officer and wounded several soldiers in the Erbil region.
Six French soldiers providing counter-terrorism training in the region were wounded in a drone attack, France’s army said on Thursday, just hours after an Italian base was also targeted in the area.
France has hundreds of troops based in the Erbil region as part of a broader international coalition to fight Islamic State militants in the area, according to France 24.
In a post on X, Macron said Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion “died for France” and several French soldiers have been injured in the attack.
“The war in Iran cannot justify such attacks,” Macron said.
France 24 reported that a pro-Iranian group in Iraq warned that French interests “in Iraq and the region” would be “under targeting fire” after the arrival of a French aircraft carrier.
The statement on the Telegram page of the Ashab Alkahf group came as French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of the French soldier.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Armenian Alphabet Monument Unveiled Near EU Parliament in Strasbourg
A monument dedicated to the Armenian Alphabet was unveiled in Strasbourg, in an area adjacent to the administrative building of the European Parliament.
The statue, presented by Armenia, is titled “Armatagir – The Power of Dialogue” and was offered as a token of gratitude for the continued and unconditional support provided by the European Parliament. The artwork is composed of letters from the Armenian alphabet.
During the unveiling ceremony, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola highlighted the importance of dialogue, describing it as a cornerstone of democracy that unites people and drives progress.
“Ultimately, this is the essence of the work of the European Parliament: building dialogue among ourselves, with citizens, and with the world around us,” she said, adding that the artistic representation of the Armenian alphabet strengthens the language’s place within Europe’s rich and diverse dialogue.
Metsola also quoted renowned Armenian poet Silva Kaputikyan, saying: “Wherever you are and wherever you go under this moon, do not forget your mother tongue.”
The Armenian alphabet, invented in the 5th century, remains one of the most important pillars of Armenian cultural identity.
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Armenpress: Putin and Trump hold phone call
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, RT reported citing Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.
The American president initiated the call to discuss the latest international developments, according to the report.
The conversation focused on the Iran conflict and the trilateral talks between Moscow, Washington and Kiev aimed at settling the Ukraine conflict, according to the aide.
The dialogue between the two presidents was “business-like, open and constructive,” RT quoted Ushakov as saying, adding that both leaders expressed their readiness to continue regular contacts.
Putin and Trump talked for about an hour, he stated.
The US president reaffirmed Washington’s interest in seeing the hostilities between Moscow and Kiev end and reaching a long-term settlement of the Ukraine conflict. Putin thanked Trump for his administration’s continued mediation efforts, according to Ushakov.
Putin also shared his thoughts on the ongoing conflict in Iran and told Trump about his conversations with the leaders of the Gulf nations and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian he had last week. Trump, in turn, expressed his opinion about the situation, Ushakov said, adding that they had a very “substantive” discussion on the issue.
Trump has described his conversation with Putin as “a very good call,” telling a press conference later on Monday that the leaders discussed both the Iran war and the “never-ending fight” in Ukraine.
The last time the two presidents held a phone call was in December.
Earlier on Monday, Putin warned that continued conflict in the Middle East risks seriously disrupting global oil and gas flows, particularly given the de-facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key seaborne route.
According to TASS news agency, this was the 11th phone call between Putin and Trump since the latter took office in 2025.
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs has accelerated the process of issuing driver’s licenses
Good news for citizens applying for a driver’s license. The Ministry of Internal Affairs informs that important changes have been made on the instructions of the Minister of Internal Affairs in order to organize services for citizens faster and more conveniently.
All Saturdays in the month of March have been designated as working days in the registration-examination units.
“New technical solutions have been implemented in the queuing system, which have already given their results. queues have decreased significantly.
We continue to work so that citizens receive better quality services,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports.
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Aliyev says peace with Armenia exists “not only on paper”
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev lauded the peace with Armenia on Thursday, saying that peace has been established “not only on paper.”
He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 13th Global Baku Forum.
“I have repeatedly stated that we have achieved peace with Armenia not only on paper. Seven months ago, the peace agreement was initialed and a joint statement was adopted. At the same time, we are living in a real world of peace. The situation on the border is calm, there are no longer any exchanges of fire, and there are no casualties or losses.
The 28-year mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group failed. The goal of the co-chairs was not to resolve the conflict but to freeze it and use it as leverage over the two countries. Therefore, we concluded that this mediation should be abandoned.
This is not merely a theory but real experience. We have lived through it, and today we see its results. Therefore, I believe this experience will certainly be taken into account when seeking solutions to existing conflicts,” the President of Azerbaijan said in his remarks, according to APA news agency.
Aliyev also stated that peace with Azerbaijan will allow Armenia to become a transit country.
“We are closely working on the expansion of the Middle Corridor, which also passes through the territory of Armenia. For the first time in the history of its independence, Armenia could become a transit country. It is not yet one. Thanks to this, we will be able to establish a direct connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and our exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic,” he said.
He also noted that Azerbaijan has removed restrictions on the transportation of goods entering Armenia from different directions.
“We have lifted restrictions on the transportation of goods entering Armenia from various directions. We have resumed trade and significant exports of petroleum products to this country,” Aliyev added.
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Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 11-03-
YEREVAN, 11 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 11 March, USD exchange rate down by 0.14 drams to 377.27 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.37 drams to 437.9 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0465 drams to 4.7436 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.31 drams to 507.31 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price up by 1473 drams to 63191 drams. Silver price up by 61.3 drams to 1073.8 drams.
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French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s visit to Armenia concluded
20:01,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The official visit of French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s to the Republic of Armenia has concluded, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said on social media.
“ I bid farewell to my colleague at the airport,’’ wrote Papikyan.
Armenia freezes participation in Russia-led security bloc – Prime Minister
Reporting by Ron Popeski; editing by Miral Fahmy/Andrew Osborn