Wednesday,
Aliyev Again Rejects Armenian Proposal To Include Karabakh In Peace Talks
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (file photo)
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has again rejected an Armenian proposal on
the inclusion of Nagorno-Karabakh as a full party to internationally mediated
negotiations for the settlement of the protracted conflict.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian reiterated the proposal at a press
conference in Yerevan on March 19, insisting that it will not constitute a
change of the current format of talks mediated by the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group, but rather will be the restoration of
the format that existed for several years after 1994 when Nagorno-Karabakh was
a separate party to the ceasefire agreement that put a halt to active military
operations in the region.
Aliyev, meanwhile, again referred to Armenia’s proposal as “a change in the
negotiations format,” which he said is unacceptable.
“Azerbaijan cannot agree to that. And envoys of the Minsk Group co-chair
countries made a serious statement, saying that the format of the negotiations
should remain unchanged. Similar statements were also made by high-ranking EU
officials. It is definitely a serious message to Armenia, and it also proves
that Azerbaijan’s position is getting more and more support,” Aliyev said on
Wednesday.
Speaking at yesterday’s press conference, Armenian Prime Minister Pashinian
emphasized that his statements on the need for Nagorno-Karabakh’s engagement in
the talks was not a “challenge”, but rather “an invitation to dialogue” in
which Armenia was ready to listen to Azerbaijan’s counterarguments.
“We will continue discussions on this subject with our partners and will try to
continue this discussion in the field of arguments, because negotiations are
negotiations only when we listen to each other. At least Armenia has shown its
ability to listen to its opponent, try to understand the other side, and we
expect the same from them. Where our partners consider that our position can be
viewed as excessively tough, we can soften this position, but we would expect
the same from our partners, because otherwise no conversation will take place,”
the Armenian leader said, in particular.
Meanwhile, at a press briefing in Yerevan today Armenian Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Anna Naghdalian said that the expected meeting between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders will not be “negotiations around the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement issue proper, but an endeavor to elaborate
appropriate interpretations regarding the principles and elements of the
settlement process.”
“There are different interpretations of the three principles and six elements
included in the document. Azerbaijan interprets them its own way, the Armenian
side also makes its own interpretation… Therefore, there is a need for a
meeting just to work out an appropriate interpretation for all three principles
and six elements, and only then understand how to move forward,” said
Naghdalian.
Opposition Lawmaker Sees ‘Growing Discontent’ In Armenia
• Ruzanna Stepanian
Gevork Gorgisian, secretary of the Bright Armenia parliamentary faction
There is a growing wave of social discontent in Armenia and it is dangerous if
the prime minister is not aware of it, an opposition lawmaker said on
Wednesday, commenting on the statement that Nikol Pashinian amde at a press
conference yesterday.
Pashinian, in particular, said: “There is no growing wave of discontent in
Armenia and I am saying this for the record. In the next five years we will see
if there is a growing wave of discontent in Armenia.”
Countering this statement, Gevork Gorgisian, secretary of the opposition Bright
Armenia faction in parliament, referred to a number of recent protests staged
by workers in different sectors of the economy.
“Now we are discussing the new tax legislation and there are lots of complaints
about it. Right now the National Assembly is discussing amendments to the law
on pawnshops, in which connection there are also different complaints in
society. We get complaints every day, we meet with citizens who represent
different sectors and have different issues while dealing mostly with
government institutions. And all this must be handled and something must be
done about it,” Gorgisian said.
The oppositionist claimed that daily contacts that he and his colleagues have
with citizens show that “people yet do not feel the real changes after the
revolution.”
“Very high expectations have been formed and now it is very dangerous that if
the society does not see at least some of the expectations being met, we will
face the risk of a very serious depression,” Gorgisian said.
According to the opposition lawmaker, the Pashinian government has also failed
to fight against systemic corruption.
On the contrary, Pashinian and other members of his government have repeatedly
stated that government corruption has been uprooted in Armenia.
Pashinian Congratulates Tokayev on Becoming Kazakhstan’s Interim President
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev being sworn in as Kazakhstan’s interim president
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Wednesday congratulated
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on his assuming the office of Kazakhstan’s interim
president following yesterday’s resignation of the Central Asian nation’s
longtime leader Nursultan Nazarbayev.
In his message published on the prime minister’s official website Pashinian, in
particular, said: “I cordially congratulate you on assuming the office of
[interim] president of the Republic of Kazakhstan. I am convinced that your
rich experience and knowledge will serve the best Kazakhstan’s further
development and progress.
“The warm friendship and mutual respect between our peoples are a solid basis
for the continuous strengthening of our inter-state relations. I express my
readiness to cooperate closely with you in bilateral and multilateral formats
for the further expansion and deepening of the Armenian-Kazakhstani relations.”
After announcing his resignation on March 19, Kazakhstan’s longtime ruler
Nazarbayev, among other foreign leaders, also had a telephone conversation with
Pashinian.
Armenia and Kazakhstan are both members of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic
Union and Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Alabama Recognizes Armenian Genocide
People lay flowers to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of mass killings of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks, at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan,
Armenia, April 24, 2018
Alabama has become the 49th U.S. state to officially recognize Ottoman-era
killings and deportations of Armenians as genocide.
Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama, proclaimed April 2019 as Genocide
Awareness Month.
“We welcome this proclamation by Governor Ivey, making Alabama the 49th state
in the union to officially re-affirm this international crime against
humanity,” said Armenian National Committee of America-Eastern Region Board
Chairman Steve Mesrobian.
“This proclamation serves as a powerful reminder that truth about genocides
should never be held hostage to the denial of its perpetrators and those who
continue to profit from that crime.”
Thus, all U.S. states except Mississippi have recognized the Armenian Genocide.
Since the 1960s, the Armenian community of the United States has sought
Washington’s reaffirmation that the massacres of 1.5 million Armenians in
Ottoman Turkey in 1915 constituted genocide and its condemnation of the crime.
However, the White House leaders have generally avoided the use of the term
genocide in their annual addresses and offered their support in the
reconciliation of Armenians and Turks.
The 44th and 45th U.S. Presidents, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, used the
Armenian expression “Meds Yeghern” in their April 24 messages.
Press Review
“Zhoghovurd” comments on the statement made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinian during yesterday’s press conference that despite the smear campaigns
on which “former government representatives every day spend millions of
dollars, they still cannot get the support of the people.” “Indeed, the
division between the former governing force and the people only grew wider over
the past two decades and the society for years rejected that government and
last year it finally succeeded in ousting it… But still one should not
underestimate the opponent no matter how unenviable its situation is,
especially that this opponent is spending huge sums of money for
counterpropaganda against the Pashinian government,” the paper says.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” writes: “The Armenian media field is full of reports about
planned protests and expected larger-scale demonstrations. An ordinary citizen
does not understand well what is taking place in the country. What is taking
place is that on the one hand there is quite a large segment in Armenia – the
former authorities and circles linked to them – those who got richer under the
previous government and who not only lost power and their comfort in the
passing months, but also at every moment face the prospect of appearing behind
bars. On the other hand, Armenia indeed has serious socio-economic, security,
demographic and other problems to solve which serious financial means are
required. The former authorities skillfully turn into occasions for propaganda
any attempt to change something, optimize or restore justice in the tax field,
awakening anti-government sentiments in society. In other words, they from the
beginning torpedo any attempt to increase the budget.”
“Zhamanak” comments on Pashinian’s statement that Armenia is discussing with
the European Union not the issue of shutting down the nuclear power plant, but
the issue of creating equivalent capacities: “At first glance, it seems that
equivalent capacities means the same amount of energy production that would
allow closing one energy producer, having a new one, and thus not having a
shortage of production. But the issue is more than that. For example, is a
thermal power plant equivalent to a nuclear power plant? It is clear that only
production capacity and cost of production cannot be considered equivalent in
the deep sense of this word, because Armenia receives gas from abroad and in
the case with the nuclear power plant it gets the nuclear fuel once and for
quite a long period of time…There is also perhaps the most important political,
geopolitical and even military-political component that a nuclear power plant
has and no other energy producing facility has. A nuclear power plant is more
than politics as nuclear technology at present is a desirable resource even for
very developed, strong states.”
(Lilit Harutiunian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org
Author: Kalantarian Kevo
Armenia sides with Russia again, this time in Syria
New Eastern Europe
Even after the change of power last year, Armenia continues to adhere to Russia on foreign policy and tolerate Russia’s massive role domestically. Most recently, this is demonstrated by Armenia supporting Russia’s vast military effort in support of the Syrian regime.
– Abbas Zeynalli Rusif Huseynov
On February 8th, the Armenian Defense Ministry declared that 83 Armenian specialists – doctors, de-miners and security officers – will be dispatched to the Syrian city of Aleppo. According to the news release, this group was to provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian people. Severe humanitarian conditions, UN Security Council’s Resolutions 2393 (2017) and 2401 (2018), Syria’s formal requests, as well as Aleppo’s big Armenian community have been referred to as the main reasons for the deployment of the so-called non-combat team, which is supposed to work in those areas which are not engaged in any military operations.
This action is actually not the first engagement of Armenia in the Syrian civil war. Since the outbreak of the conflict, thousands of Syrian refugees, mainly of Armenian origin, were accepted by the South Caucasian nation. However, some of the refugees were illegally settled in Nagorno Karabakh, an Armenian-occupied conflict area which is internationally recognised as part of neighboring Azerbaijan.
Answering Moscow’s call
While some questioned the legality of the action, as Armenian law has no provisions for protecting civilians or involving its military personnel in such humanitarian activities, several politicians spoke out against the government’s decision. For instance, Hovsep Khurshudyan believes that Russia dragged Armenia into the Syrian conflict, which will have unpredictable consequences for Armenia, which has not received and will not receive anything in return.
The first international reaction to the Armenian team naturally came from Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s key ally Russia, who covered the trip’s logistics and security issues. On the same day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu thanked his Armenian counterpart David Tonoyan, stating, “You were the first to respond to our call to provide assistance to the Syrian people”. The hypocrisy of this Russian statement, given that Russia is largely responsible for the Syrians’ suffering, is nothing new from Putin’s government[.
For a long time, at least since 2012, the Kremlin had been seeking support for its Syrian partner from its military allies. Although some news on a CSTO peacekeeping mission circulated in the following years, with Russia being especially interested in involving Central Asian Muslim countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, those speculations never materialised as other CSTO members seemed less enthusiastic to get engaged in the bloody conflict.
The negotiations on possible Armenian participation in the Syrian war started a few years earlier. In 2016, the Russian and Armenian foreign ministers discussed the deployment of army sappers to the Syrian town of Palmyra. These discussions took place during the presidency of Serzh Sargsyan, openly pro-Russian, who stepped down as a result of the Armenian revolution in spring 2018. The protests were led by Nikol Pashinyan, who had long criticised his predecessors foreign policies, opposing Armenia’s joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and calling it a “serious threat” to Armenia.
What revolution?
Therefore, Armenia`s teaming up with Russia in Syria now should raise some questions about Yerevan`s post-revolution government; Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his team have already worsened their relations with Moscow but was nto willing to make any dramatic U-turn westward either, despite the expectations both from within and outside of Armenia.
In fact, the current government’s Syria deal with Russia was announced back in summer 2018, when Pashinyan disclosed on August 17th 2018 that Yerevan and Moscow were to undertake an “unprecedented humanitarian initiative”, as he called it, in the Middle East. Later in September, both Pashinyan and Defense Minister Tonoyan confirmed Armenia`s plans of dispatching troops to Syria.
The negative reaction by the United States arrived immediately in September 2018, during the visit of U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton to Yerevan. The top official warned Armenia against sending its troops to Syria to back up government forces or their allies. “It would be a mistake for anybody else to get involved militarily in the Syrian conflict at the moment… There are already … seven or eight different combatant sides. To get involved with anyone of them for any other country would be a mistake,” he noted.
In February 2019, the U.S. Embassy to Armenia issued a special statement of the State Department, which “did not welcome” the initiative: “We do not support any interaction with the Syrian Armed Forces, regardless of whether it is about providing assistance to civilians or is of a military nature”.
This action was cited as why the planned visit of Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan to Washington was canceled by the U.S. State Department, which followed a conversation between Mnatsakanyan and John Bolton.
Interestingly enough, Armenian plans were announced and then realised amidst and despite the tensions between Yerevan and Moscow, as well as within the CSTO. Having not heavily interfered with the revolution and post-revolution processes in Armenia, the Russian authorities still did not welcome Armenia’s new officials warmly. Moscow seemed particularly upset with Pashinyan’s policies and attempts to bring to trial his pro-Russian predecessors.
As for the CSTO, during the Khachaturov case, when the post of Secretary General of the organization became vacant and the Armenian authorities tried to fill in the position with another representative[, they faced the resistance of other member-states, especially Belarus and Kazakhstan. The situation has fully exposed Armenia’s vulnerable position in the organization.
Among the main factors of Armenia`s decision to enter Syria could be Pashinyan`s desire to appease Putin, who considers any revolutions and attempts at democracy in Russia`s “near abroad” – neo-imperial objective – a threat. Moscow may have been especially interested in such a serious move in order to demonstrate to the Western community Armenia`s alliance with Russia despite the increased pro-Western sentiments in Armenian society, the cooling of Armenian-Russian relations and inner problems within the CSTO.
It is not the first time Armenia has openly sided with Russia against the West. After the violent and illegal annexation of Crimea into Russia, an event condemned by many countries, especially the Western community and those who support international rule of law, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was the first person to congratulate Vladimir Putin on a happy annexation. No surprise then that Armenia was also one of the 11 states which voted against the United Nations Resolution calling upon the states not to recognise changes in status of the Crimean region.
A humanitarian mission sent by the new government is said to either appease Putin or to acquire some concessions (e.g. non-interference in Armenia’s domestic policy) from the Kremlin.
No matter what could be the calculations of the post-revolution Armenian authorities who replaced a pro-Russian government, it is obvious that they cannot turn to the West or even balance between Russia and the West without overwhelming resistance from Russia’s government. Russia`s omnipresence in Armenia (Russian military bases, the dominance of Russian companies in the Armenian economy) leaves little or no room for maneuver for Yerevan, making it virtually impossible to shift its domestic and foreign policies.
It will be too difficult for Armenia to get rid of the Russian umbrella and diversify its foreign and security policies, given that the landlocked and resource-short nation has problems and sealed borders simultaneously with two of its neighbors – Turkey and Azerbaijan. Moscow`s relatively calm attitude towards the Armenian Maidan (unlike the cases of other color revolutions in the post-Soviet space) may also stem from the fact that the Russian authorities are fully aware of their strong positions in Armenia and realise that this country cannot dis-anchor from Russian sphere of influence. Perhaps the revolution did not change that much.
Rusif Huseynov is the Co-Founder of the Topchubashov Center, Azerbaijan. His main interest is peace and conflict studies, while his focus areas cover mainly Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Abbas Zeynalli is a Research Fellow from the Topchubashov Center, Azerbaijan. His areas of interest include the Middle East, Chinese foreign policy, the South Caucasus and European integration.
Armenia convenes Security Council session in Artsakh
Category
Politics
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has departed for the Republic of Artsakh on March 11.
Tomorrow on March 12, a session of Armenia’s Security Council will take place in Stepanakert, the PM’s office said.
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia to arrive in Armenia
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia to arrive in Armenia
14:34, 9 March, 2019
YEREVAN, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS. NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai will arrive in Armenia in the sidelines of “NATO week”. ARMENPRESS reports Appathurai will give a press conference on March 11.
NATO week is initiated by the embassies of NATO member states in Armenia with close collaboration with the Foreign and Defense Ministries of Armenia.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
Asbarez: With a Focus on Youth, ARF Western US Celebrates 128th Anniversary
BY ASBAREZ
GLENDALE—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States Central Committee celebrated the 128th anniversary of the organization during an event on Sunday, February 24 at the Glendale High School Auditorium, that featured as its keynote speaker the chairman of the ARF Bureau Hagop Der Khachadourian.
This year’s event was also dedicated to the Armenian youth, as the torchbearer of the Armenian Cause for the future, with the speakers emphasizing the imperative role the youth play in the advancement of the national aspirations of the Armenian Nation. A special video presentation highlighted the activities of the Armenian Youth Federation, the Armenian Youth Federation’s Junior Organization, the ARF Shant Student Association, AYF Camp and the organization’s youth-centric activities in the homeland.
A moving part of the ceremony was the procession of more than 100 AYF Junior novices who took their “Promise to Service,” officiated by Sanan Shirinian, a member of the ARF Shant Student Association and Principal of Orange County’s Ari Guiragos-Minassian School.
The commitment by the youth to shepherd the Armenian Cause into the future and the critical role young people have played in our history, as well as in the present, was highlighted by Mirna Kassamanian, who delivered remarks on behalf of the AYF.
“The future of the Armenian Nation rests on the shoulders of the Armenian youth around the world,” said Kassamanian, who pointed to the decisive role the youth played in last spring’s popular movement—Velvet Revolution—that toppled the oppressive Armenian government to usher in a new day for Armenia and all Armenians.
“That [Velvet] revolution stamped the soul of every young Armenian to aspire to climb new heights,” added Kassamanian.
In his keynote remarks, Der Khachadourian, the ARF Bureau chairman, eloquently and comprehensively outlined the positions of the party vis-à-vis the myriad and complex challenges facing the Armenian Nation. He explained that the ARF, having been born to serve the people, has the mammoth task of ensuring the strengthening of Armenia, being uncompromising in the Artsakh struggle and realignment of the Diaspora to effectively address the needs of the nation.
“In the 21st century, the Armenian people and the homeland represent a diverse reality, where on the one hand, the Armenian people during the last 30 years have attained massive achievements—Armenia is independent; Artsakh is liberated; the people of Javakhk have firmly planted their feet to their soil; and the Diaspora has matured politically and is at the forefront—huge achievements, about which we could only dream in our youth,” said Der Khachadourian.
“On the other hand,” the ARF Bureau chairman added, “the Armenian people naturally are facing enormous challenges—the Artsakh issue; the political and socio-economic situation in Armenia; the defense of the basic rights of the Armenians in Javakhk; the reinvigoration and strengthening of the Diaspora; the reawakening of the Armenian living on historic lands; and the new aspects of the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.”
Der Khachadourian said that the Armenian Revolutionary Federation has a unique role in all the aforementioned aspects, with it global presence, adding that ARF is not merely a political party that functions in the homeland, it is that large force that works for the realizations of the aspirations of the Armenian people.
The Bureau chairman meticulously outlined the ARF’s activities since last spring’s popular movement in Armenia, which toppled the old regime, as well as the steps the party has taken since the December 9, 2018 parliamentary elections, as a result of which, the party has become an extra-parliamentary force.
Der Khachadourian made it clear that the ARF is unequivocal in its unwavering efforts to strengthen the homeland. It is relentless in ensuring that compromises are not made in the Artsakh issue, the successes of which were won through the sacred blood of our people. The ARF, he said, will continue to advance a just resolution of the Armenian Cause and pursue the recognition of and reparations for the Armenian Genocide. Through its worldwide structure and vast Diaspora presence and influence, the party will stop at nothing to advance the just aspirations of the Armenian Nation, because “for us our biggest asset is our homeland and for the Diaspora, the biggest focus and ambition is a return to the homeland.”
Melkon Melkonian delivered the evening’s message on behalf of the ARF Western U.S. Central Committee. He boldly challenged those who have questioned the ARF’s motives and mission and delineated the many accomplishments by individual chapters and the region as a whole—all projects and programs that aim to strengthen the homeland and advance the Armenian identity abroad.
“For those who ask, what or what the Tashnagtsutyun is: It is that same organization who led the formation of the First Armenian Republic in 1918; it is that same organization that sough and executed justice for the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide; It is the same organization that organized and preserved our diasporas all over the world, by building schools, churches, and community centers to serve the needs of our people; it is the same organization that stopped at nothing to send aid to our brothers and sisters in Artsakh; it is the same organization that continues to tirelessly work for our people and nation,” said Melkonian in his remarks.
“Today standing before you, I do not want to merely recount our past successes, but I want to tell you—I must tell you—about our work and accomplishments; because as we celebrate today, we are also here to stand accountable to you, our people, from whom we were born, for who we exist. The success of that work does not belong to an individual, or even a group of individuals, it belongs to the collective strength of the ARF in our region,” added Melkonian, who went on to list some of the projects launched and initiated that have advanced the true calling of the ARF.
In keeping with tradition, the evening’s program began with a procession of flags and the signing of the National Anthems led by the Homenetmen Western Region scouts and marching band. Another presentation at the event, which has become customary over the years, was the in memoriam video, which honored those ARF members who passed away during the past year.
The program was interspersed with cultural performances, among them a dance performance by the Ararat Dance Ensemble under the direction of Albert Vartanyan; and rendition of patriotic song by the singer Mkrtich “makitch” Mkrtchyan. The evening finale was a thunderous performance by the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School Choir, directed by Lucine Melksetyan who was accompanied on the piano by Sofi Sarkisyan.
Lydian warns: Armenian government bears full responsibility for possible environmental degradation at Amulsar deposit
Arminfo, Armenia
Feb 18 2019
Alexandr Avanesov
ArmInfo.The Armenian government bears full responsibility for the deterioration of the environment, water and air in the Amulsar field in case any environmental problem occurs. This is stated in the warning of “Lydian” company received by the ArmInfo.
According to the source, since June 2018, Lydian, because of the blockade of roads, has not been able to resume work at the Amulsar field. Not only the construction work was not carried out, but also the construction of protective environmental protection systems, in order to manage erosion due to heavy spring precipitation and surface water, in accordance with the conditions and permits issued to the company. Lydian informed the government that the company was not responsible for any environmental problems, including the exclusion of surface waters, the occurrence of which was the result of the government’s inability to take measures to eliminate the illegal blockade from June 2018.
“Lydian” has repeatedly applied to the government to take the necessary actions. This winter, heavy snowfall was recorded at the Amulsar deposit. Under the conditions of illegal blocking, it was not possible to build systems to prevent the appearance of surface water. These activities had to be carried out before snowfall. In the event of resumption of work, it will take months to complete the construction of water management systems. In this situation, the Armenian government bears full responsibility for the deterioration of the environment, water and air in the Amulsar field in case any environmental problem occurs, the company warns.
To note over the recent six months, protest actions were held against several mining companies, including the Amulsar program, protesters blocked roads and created obstacles for employees. The protests against the Amulsar project led to a confrontation with the staff of Lydian Armenia, who demanded that the protesters not interfere with their right to work. Participants in the protest declared that there are environmental problems, which the company refutes.
Lydian Armenia is a subsidiary of British Lydian International, whose shareholders are major international institutional investors. The Amulsar project is the largest industrial project in Armenia today for the development of the Amulsar gold deposit, with a total value of $ 370 million. Preparatory work has been going on since 2006. The life of the Amulsar deposit should have been 10 years and 4 months; it was planned to mine an average of 200 thousand ounces of gold (about 10 million tons of ore) annually. The Amulsar program envisaged the creation of 1,300 jobs during construction (construction work will last about 2 years) and 650-700 jobs during the entire field operation.
82 MPs: for, against: 37. The National Assembly adopted the government’s plan
- 14.02.2019
- Armenia:
- arm
- rus
91
The discussion of the draft plan of the government for the next five years was completed in the National Assembly. The question was put to a vote and the plan was adopted.
82 deputies voted for the adoption of the program, 37 against. 9 out of 128 registered deputies did not vote. The final result will be recorded in the protocol, as it seems that a technical problem occurred with the voting of several deputies.
Let’s remind that 67 votes were needed for the adoption of the program.
The first session of the first session of the National Assembly of the 7th convocation has ended. The first session of the second session will take place on March 5.
It should be noted that the Enlightened Armenia faction of the National Assembly voted against the Government’s plan. Deputy Ani Samsonyan in this regard stated. “Hovhannes Tumanyan says: what can talent alone do? We need favorable conditions.”
Armenian FM, member of U.S. Senate Committee highlight protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Middle East
News.am, Armenia
Feb 15 2019
Armenian FM, member of U.S. Senate Committee highlight protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Middle East Armenian FM, member of U.S. Senate Committee highlight protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Middle East
22:21, 15.02.2019
Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Robert Menendez exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues, highlighted the protection of ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East during their meeting in Munich on February 15, the press service of the MFA Armenia reported.
The sides discussed a number of issues of Armenian-U.S. cooperation, highlighting the role of the U.S.-Armenian community.
At the request of the Senator, FM Mnatsakanyan presented the recent political developments in Armenia and the reform implementation process based on the broad mandate of the people, emphasizing that the priority of the Government is ensuring economic development based on high technologies and innovations.
Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 12-02-19
Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 12-02-19
17:20,
YEREVAN, 12 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 12 February, USD exchange rate down by 0.23 drams to 489.62 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.68 drams to 552.00 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 7.46 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.99 drams to 629.01 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price down by 142.74 drams to 20564.89 drams. Silver price down by 1.30 drams to 247.22 drams. Platinum price down by 131.84 drams to 12451.64 drams.
Armenia’s third president Serzh Sargsyan does not have status of defendant: SIS
Aysor, Armenia
Feb 8 2019
Armenia’s third president Serzh Sargsyan does not have a status of defendant at any criminal case at Special Investigation Service, SIS spokesperson Marina Ohanjanyan told Aysor.am.
“We officially reject such information. Serzh Sargsyan does not have status of defendant,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier Serzh Sargsyan’s attorney officially stated that Serzh Sargsyan has been summoned to the SIS and interrogated in the sidelines of the March 1 criminal case.
Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan has also been summoned and interrogated.
Armenia’s second president Robert Kocharyan has a status of defendant and is in custody.