Author: Hovik Karapetian

Armenian FM addresses letter to UN Secretary-General

Hovik Karapetian

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 17:47,

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan addressed a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirming Armenia’s commitment to the appeal for global ceasefire.

Highlighting the necessity to fight the pandemic through joint actions, the Armenian FM said in the letter: “The international support is equally important for the people who became vulnerable as a result of conflicts. In this regard, the support and availability of the UN professional structures, and first of all, the World Health Organization, is specifically important for people living in regions and affected by conflict. Armenia is ready to provide all the necessary conditions for the uninterrupted operation of the UN respective bodies regardless of the status of the territory.

This pandemic is a great challenge for the humanity, meanwhile the joint efforts for overcoming it can give a new impetus to the multilateral cooperation, the joint efforts to create an inclusive world free of wars and hatred. Taking actions to strengthen trust towards the prevention, mitigation and management of the disaster at this difficult time should be viewed as an opportunity for all peoples, including the conflict sides”.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




What is written on the boxes of assistance sent from China to Armenia?

Hovik Karapetian
News.am, Armenia
April 8 2020

23:55, 08.04.2020
                  

“May Our Friendship Higher than Mountain Ararat and Longer than Yangtze River” — this is the phrase on the boxes of assistance that China is sending to Armenia.

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, Commandant Tigran Avinyan had written the following on his Facebook page:

“In a couple of hours, a batch of medical supplies and equipment, obtained at the expense of state funds of Armenia and donated by Chinese state bodies and Chinese and Armenian benefactors, will arrive in Yerevan via a special flight from China to Armenia organized by the Commandant’s Office.”

One of the photos posted on Avinyan’s Facebook page shows the boxes on which one can read the wish for friendship in English.

Avinyan also said what is in the boxes and added another comment:

“120 ventilators,

2 oxygen supply stations,

60,000 tests,

60,000 face masks,

280,000 protective masks,

20,000 protective gloves,

100,000 protective outfits, as well as medicinal substances.

Two citizens of Armenia, who have been residing at the Embassy of Armenia in China for days, will also be arriving in Armenia via the special flight and will be under quarantine for 14 days.

We express gratitude to the Government of China for helping carry out the flight and to the government agencies engaged in the process.

We give special thanks to the pilots of the plane and the Embassy of Armenia in China.”


Armenia President’s Staff: Armen Sarkissian will definitely express position on Robert Kocharyan attorneys’ application

Hovik Karapetian
News.am, Armenia
April 10 2020
Armenia President’s Staff: Armen Sarkissian will definitely express position on Robert Kocharyan attorneys’ application Armenia President’s Staff: Armen Sarkissian will definitely express position on Robert Kocharyan attorneys’ application

18:32, 10.04.2020
                  

The Staff of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received the application of the attorneys of second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan on Wednesday. This is what Assistant to the President of Armenia Hasmik Petrosyan said in response to an inquiry from 168.am newspaper.

“There are no time limits prescribed for a response, but as Hasmik Petrosyan reportd, “the President will definitely express his position”,” writes the newspaper.

A while ago, it was announced that the attorneys of second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan has addressed President Sarkissian with the request to take steps, within the scope of his constitutional powers, to solve the current uncertain situation, especially taking into consideration the state of emergency declared due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fitch revises outlook on Armenia to negative: The COVID-19 shock negatively affects country’s economy

Hovik Karapetian
News.am, Armenia
April 6 2020
Fitch revises outlook on Armenia to negative: The COVID-19 shock negatively affects country’s economy Fitch revises outlook on Armenia to negative: The COVID-19 shock negatively affects country’s economy

13:52, 06.04.2020
                  

Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Armenia’s Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) to Negative from Stable and affirmed the IDRs at ‘BB-‘, the press release said.

“The coronavirus shock negatively affects the Armenian economy due to its exposures to commodities (a majority of exports), the Russian economy (for remittances, trade and FDI) and to tourism, only partially offset by the benefit of a lower oil price.”

“This is in the context of Armenia’s relatively high net external debt and structural current account deficit, which is only partly financed by non-debt creating capital inflows. Despite a robust macroeconomic policy framework and continuing commitment to reform, the economic shock has put public debt on a markedly higher trajectory, and there are downside risks to our forecasts should the COVID-19 outbreak not be contained in 2H20 in line with Fitch’s current baseline assumption.”

“Fitch projects that GDP growth partially recovers in 2021, to 5.5%, supported by a rebound in external demand, investment catch-up, and revival of private consumption and employment growth, with a moderate drag from fiscal tightening. However, in line with our global macro-economic forecasts, the pace of recovery will be highly dependent on the path of the health crisis and the extent to which the coronavirus outbreak can be contained in 2H20. If a second wave of infections materialises and lockdown measures have to be re-introduced, our economic and fiscal forecasts for Armenia could be subject to material negative adjustment.”

“General government debt is projected to rise from 53.6% at end-2019 to 59.2% of GDP in 2020 before falling back to 56.0% in 2021, upward revisions of 9.4pp and 7.4pp, respectively, since our last review, and well above the current ‘BB’ median of 46.5%.”

“The coronavirus shock has increased external risks to the Armenian economy. Fitch forecasts the current account deficit remains high, at 8.5% of GDP in 2020 and 8.1% in 2021, compared with the 2018-2019 average of 8.8% and the current ‘BB’ median of 2.9%.”

What comes to key assumption, the authors noted: “Fitch assumes that Armenia will continue to experience broad social and political stability and that there will be no prolonged escalation in the conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh to a level that would affect economic and financial stability.

Fitch expects macroeconomic indicators to move in line Fitch’s Global Economic Outlook forecasts, but acknowledges that these are likely to be subject to frequent and possibly significant downward revisions given the evolving nature of the global crisis.”

ANCA: OSCE Response to Artsakh Elections Betrays America’s Commitment to Democracy

Hovik Karapetian
April 2, 2020

The U.S. Declaration of Independence affirms certain unalienable rights, including free and fair elections as the basis for democratic self-determination.  “Sadly, this week’s OSCE Minsk Group statement on the elections in Artsakh falls far short of this democratic yardstick,” stated ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian.

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America on Thursday voiced sharp disappointment with the U.S. Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group for its role in a joint U.S.-French-Russian statement dismissing the March 31 Artsakh elections, underscoring that such reactions – in addition to setting back the cause of peace – denigrate America’s own founding commitment to free and fair elections as the basis for democratic self-determination.

“The United States can only apply one standard when it comes to elections – the benchmark set by our founders in the Declaration of Independence – establishing our unconditional support for the unalienable right to establish democratically elected governments deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” said ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian. “Sadly, this week’s OSCE Minsk Group statement on the elections in Artsakh falls far short of this democratic yardstick.”

“Instead of emboldening an already overly-aggressive Aliyev regime by echoing its patently anti-democratic talking points, American leaders should be praising Artsakh’s free and fair elections. The search for a peaceful resolution of outstanding status and security issues between Artsakh and Azerbaijan requires more democracy, not less – more diplomacy, not less – despite Aliyev’s dictates,” added Hamparian.

  • The OSCE/CSCE – of which the U.S. is a leading member – launched the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) peace process (now known as the Minsk Group, co-chaired by the U.S., France, and Russia) in March of 1992 with official, written reference to the “elected representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh” as a party to these talks.
  • Artsakh holding free and fair elections is entirely in keeping with the OSCE’s mandate that it be represented in the peace process by “elected representatives.”
  • The 1994 Artsakh cease-fire (known as the Bishkek Protocol) that has held for more than a quarter-century – despite countless Azerbaijani violations – featured the signature of the duly elected leadership of the Artsakh Republic, along with those of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
  • The OSCE Minsk Group – including the U.S. Co-Chairman – regularly consults, in Stepanakert, with the Artsakh government, seeking its support in bringing about a peaceful resolution of outstanding Artsakh status and security issues.
  • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 19, 1966, affirms the universal principle that: “All peoples have the right of self-determination.”


Last year, Azerbaijan declared persona non grata 238 foreigners for visiting Artsakh

Hovik Karapetian
Arminfo, Armenia
April 2 2020

ArmInfo. In 2019, 238 foreign citizens were included in the “black list of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan” for visiting Artsakh.

APA reports that this is stated in the report of the Cabinet of  Ministers for 2019.

It is noted that on the basis of received appeals and information  during 2014-2019, the names of 54 people were excluded from this  list. According to the same report, as a result of measures taken in  2019 to identify intelligence and subversive activities against the  Republic of Azerbaijan, 15 people were held accountable for  cooperation with special services of other states.

The report notes that from these persons information was received  about 12 citizens of the Azerbaijan Republic, 1 citizen of the  Russian Federation, 1 citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1  citizen of Georgia and 1 person involved in cooperation, 6 of them  were informed by the relevant state bodies.

ACNIS reView from Yerevan #10, 2020_Editorial_What is Missing in Armenian Society?

Hovik Karapetian
Editorial  

21 MARCH 2020  

A nation’s degree of advancement is reflected in its capacity for social consolidation in times of danger or anxiety.  It is during such periods that a public’s sense of solidarity, mutual respect, and responsibility become apparent.  In Armenia, as in many other countries, a state of emergency has been declared.

One can expect that in the future, when the coronavirus is a thing of the past, sociologists will conduct interesting studies on how various communities behaved at times of emergencies.  China showed an exceptional example of an organized state, which is difficult to say in the case of Western democratic countries.  Korea and Vietnam also stood out with their organizational skills.

Many are now discussing the superiority of the Asian race with respect to cohesion and taking on responsibility, as well as the benefits of a strong state–as opposed to Western democracies.  In such situations, the role of the centralized state is especially important.  For the Italians, the complicated situation was the opportunity to show solidarity through singing.  Italians are known for their national and mostly individual affinity for art.

In the United States, increase in food production has been paralleled with increase in arms sales.  That too has its explanation.  In a state of general panic, Americans think of self-defense, which is also typical of a people who stay loyal to the slogan “My home is my castle.” The Germans, as always, are meticulously reasoned, disciplined, and organized.  These have been indispensable features of the German nation’s behavior for centuries. Our history of the past thirty years shows that in times of danger, as it was during the days of the Artsakh war and the four-day war in April 2016, we have shown brilliant examples of a national clenched fist.  The large-scale demonstrations of 1996, 2008, 2013, and 2018 are also evidence of the ability to consolidate and self-organize, which also bear clear testimony to the potential of Armenian unity.  But now we seem to have run out of our erstwhile reserves of unity and harmony.  What is the reason?

In the state of emergency declared in connection with the coronavirus, our society, unfortunately, does not show solidarity and expressions of responsibility and respect for one another, as in the times mentioned above.  The sense of danger is especially characteristic of small nations.  Small communities are easier to unite and have a stronger instinct for self-defense.  Such qualities have always been characteristic of our nation.

But there are times when societies split.  We seem to be living in such a time.  We cannot overcome the phase of dichotomy that began during the 2018 power shift, and the reason for the separation is not between the “old” and the “new.”  The “old ones” can be only a few hundred people, but the dividing lines are in the tens of thousands.  From 2018 onwards we are unable to come to a social and political agreement, which is manifested by continuing accusations of hostility, hatred and malice, especially on social networks.

The political nation must and can agree on the rules of the game acceptable to all parties and a common value system.  It seems that this is what the Armenian society is missing today.

  

Masis Mayilyan and the "New Artsakh" bloc`s election headquarters cancel the pre-election meetings

Hovik Karapetian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo. Due to the spread of coronavirus infection,  Masis Mayilyan and the “New Artsakh” bloc’s election headquarters canceled all upcoming meetings stipulated by  the election campaign. Artsakh presidential candidate Masis Mayilyan  announced this on his Facebook page.

In particular, Mayilyan noted: “I want to emphasize once again that  Artsakh and Armenia are in a common security environment, therefore,  the strategy and tactics of combating the virus should be identical,  based on the experience already gained in the RA.

The election headquarters of Artsakh presidential candidate Masis  Mayilyan and the New Artsakh bloc will periodically inform the public  about their next steps>, the statement says.

Mayilyan also emphasized that he urges citizens to observe hygiene  rules and follow the recommendations of relevant departments.

“The security of our country and the life of every citizen are  absolute values, and we must do everything possible to preserve them  unconditionally,” the statement emphasizes. 

Armenia bans certain types of economic activity amid state of emergency

Hovik Karapetian
Public Radio of Armenia

Armenia will ban certain types of economic activity until the end of the state of emergency, Commandant Tigran Avinyan informs.

The decision will come into force on March 22 and will apply to the following types of commercial activity:

1. Shopping centers, except for retail trade of food, beverages, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, that is, i.e. all malls except for supermarkets inside the buildings;
2. Activities of bars, nightclubs, dance clubs;
3. Screening of films,
4. Casinos,
5. Bookmaker and Gambling Service Offices.

“The Commandant’s Office is making every effort to ensure the security of our people, mobilize the Armenian nation’s forces, and overcome the challenges we all face,” Tigran Avinyan said.

Armenian President phones Moderna’s Noubar Afeyan over coronavirus vaccine

Hovik Karapetian

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 11:14,

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian had a phone conversation with Armenian-American entrepreneur, philanthropist and venture capitalist Noubar Afeyan, the co-founder and chairman of the US bio-tech company Moderna Therapeutics, which has started clinical trials of a novel coronavirus vaccine in Seattle, Washington.

Afeyan, the co-founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, presented to the Armenian president the trial process and the creation of the vaccine, Sarkissian’s office said in a readout.

The president and Afeyan also talked about the situation in the world and in Armenia which has been caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak, the preventive actions and countermeasures.

“President Sarkissian, speaking about the preventive and overcoming steps in Armenia against the coronavirus spread, also attached importance to combining efforts and cooperation with international partners,” said the readout.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan