Author: Kalashian Nyrie

US-based Armenian students asking Armenia government to help them return

Kalashian Nyrie
News.am, Armenia

17:55, 29.03.2020
                  

A group of US-based Armenian students have addressed the Government of Armenia with the request to provide diplomatic and organizational assistance to help them travel to Armenia. The text of the request was written by three of the students and posted on the Facebook page of one of the students, and another ten students signed under the text.

“8 reasons why we want to return to Armenia and right now

1. We all live in the US, the country with the most expensive medical care in the world, and most of us can’t afford to pay that much for medical insurance.

2. Three days ago, the US recorded the most cases of COVID-19.

3. Most of us were told about the closure of universities three to four days ago, and so we didn’t know what to do.

4. Universities are gradually depriving most of us of nutritious food and forcing us to live by ordering from stores that lack food.

5. Universities are forcing us to eat at public diners where we are at a high risk of being infected.

6. All the other students at universities are transported to a shared hostel.

7. Most of us relied on our jobs for income and financial assistance, but since jobs have closed, we don’t have funds to earn a living.

8. This situation also has a serious psychological impact on us. We are far from our families and relatives, and we are concerned about each other’s health and safety. This stressful situation also has an impact on our physical health, weakening our immune system and making us even more vulnerable to the coronavirus.

We understand that everyone is in a crisis and is facing a difficult situation and that there are people who are in much more critical conditions. We wouldn’t like to cause our country financial difficulties since we know that there are more urgent expenses. Therefore, we are ready to cover our travel expenses and ask and hope the government to provide only diplomatic and organizational assistance. We also understand the risks of bringing the virus to Armenia with us and are ready to stay under quarantine for two weeks until we are safe so we can join our families.

Authors:

Tatev Gevorkyan

Eliza Melkonyan

Seda Bagiryan

Signed by:

Inna Sahakian

Elina Sargsyan

Manana Hakobyan

Hovhannes Aleqyan

Anush Mehrabyan

Ofelya Baghdasaryan

Kristina Aleksanyan

Rob Ert

Tamara Kocharyan

Julieta Serobyan,” the text reads.

Eduard Martirosyan appointed NSS Director

Kalashian Nyrie

Save

Share

 18:23, 19 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. By the decree of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, Eduard Martirosyan has been relieved from the post of acting Director of National Security Service (NSS)of Armenia and and has been appointed NSS Director , ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office.

President Sarkissian appointed Eduard Martirosyan NSS Director based on the relevant proposal of PM Pashinyan.

Eduard Martirosyan was the acting NSS Director replacing former Director Artur Vanetsyan.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenpress: Coronavirus cases reach 136 in Armenia

Kalashian Nyrie

Coronavirus cases reach 136 in Armenia

Save

Share

 10:11, 20 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. 14 new cases of the novel coronavirus have been diagnosed in Armenia, bringing the total number of infections to 136, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.

So far one patient has recovered.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian FM congratulates Iranian people on Nowruz

Kalashian Nyrie

Save

Share

 16:33, 20 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Foreign minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan congratulated the Iranian people on their New Year – Nowruz.

“Wishing happy, prosperous, peaceful and healthy Novruz to all who celebrate today! 
To our good neighbours in Iran in particular I wish strength and resilience in confidence and solidarity!”, the Armenian FM said on Twitter.

Study: Small and medium-sized businesses in Armenia are mainly trade outlets and beauty salons

Kalashian Nyrie
News.am, Armenia

18:13, 10.03.2020
                  

Most small and medium-sized businesses are in the trade and services sector. This is what Director for Development at Ameria Bank Tigran Jrbashyan declared today as he presented the study entitled “Current State of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses and Prospects for Development”.

According to him, this image makes Armenia stand out from CIS countries and countries of Eastern Europe with which Armenia was compared during the implementation of the study. “When we talk about the policy on small and medium-sized businesses and the strategy on development of small and medium-sized businesses, we need to take into consideration the fact that we are mainly dealing with small trade outlets and beauty salons, not small enterprises,” Jrbashyan stated.

Based on the study, the turnover of small and medium-sized businesses comprises nearly AMD 3.5 trillion and is mainly concentrated in Yerevan. Jrbashyan also cited data from another study according to which Armenia is among the four countries where businessmen “don’t set the goal to change the world”, but have the goal to ensure financial profit.

Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia Babken Tunyan, who was attending the discussion, said he wasn’t surprised by the situation and stated that most enterprises in Armenia are in the trade sector since businessmen are trying to make a living and it would be illogical to set a goal to change the world. Tunyan said citizens of Armenia have failed to achieve success in their country for many years and said he was certain that approaches will change in the country over time.

However, Jrbashyan didn’t link the results of the study to social issues and drew the attendees’ attention to the fact that Armenia is joined with Italy where there are no such problems.

Armenian nationals in Greece advised to contact embassy due to coronavirus situation

Kalashian Nyrie

Save

Share

 15:05,

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenian nationals who are currently in Greece are advised to contact the Armenian Embassy amid the novel coronavirus outbreak in Europe.

“We call on Armenian citizens to provide information by sending their name, surname, residence address/region, city, address/ phone number at [email protected]”, the embassy said, adding that “providing such information doesn’t lead to any kind of obligations”.

The embassy can also be reached at +30 2106831130 (extension 207).

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Varant and Hoori Melkonian Donate $100,000 to AYAC

Kalashian Nyrie
March 9, 2020

Varant and Hoori Melkonian with Catholicos Aram I bestowing a medal of honor

The Armenian Youth Association of California board announced that long-time community activists and benefactors Varant and Hoori Melkonian have donated $100,000 to help defray costs of the addition of a second floor to the organization’s existing center in Glendale.

Established in 1991, the Armenian Youth Association of California has become an important Armenian cultural center for the community. As a result of the hard work and contributions of its members and supporters the organizations paid off the mortgage on its center.

An increase in membership and activities, the organization saw the need to expand and improve the center. The AYAC is embarking on a capital improvement program that includes the addition of a second floor to further enhance its cultural and social activities. This addition, the AYAC said, will enable a younger generation to become engaged in cultural and educational activities.

AYAC Board of Directors and members expressed their deepest gratitude to Mr. & Mrs. Melkonian for their substantial donation. In a statement they said that “they pray that the Almighty grant them good health and long life to continue their benevolent work in helping the Armenian community and becoming an example for others to follow in keeping and advancing Armenian culture.”

Opposition leader unhappy with government’s coronavirus countermeasures

Kalashian Nyrie

Save

Share

 12:50, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Leader of the Prosperous Armenia (BHK) opposition party Gagik Tsarukyan says quarantining the first coronavirus patient’s contacts at a defunct hotel in Tsakhkadzor is negatively impacting tourism at the resort town.

Tsarukyan claims many holiday-goers have cancelled their bookings at the town after the news of the quarantine.

The opposition leader said he is unhappy with the government’s preventive measures against the novel coronavirus. “Coronavirus is spreading around the world. Hospitals, pharmacies should had been instructed a month ago on securing necessary medical items, face masks. A month later, when the virus has reached our doors, we see there is shortage of masks and medicine,” he said.

On March 1, Armenia reported its first novel coronavirus case. The patient’s direct contacts have been quarantined at the defunct Golden Palace hotel in Tsakhkadzor. The Golden Palace hotel is a government-owned facility which was not functioning as the authorities were trying to auction it off. The venue was quickly equipped with necessary conditions and the quarantined persons are receiving high-level accommodation and care, authorities said.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Sports: Women’s national team holds a training camp ahead of friendly matches

Kalashian Nyrie
Panorama, Armenia
March 2 2020

Sport 18:17 02/03/2020Armenia

Women’s national team of Armenia is holding a training camp at Football federation technical center/football academy on February 28-March 6. As the FFA website reported, our team will also have 2 friendly matches against Lithuania on March 4 and 6 at Pyunik school.

Head coach Manuk Sargsyan called up 23 players for the training, the source said.

CIVILNET. First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Armenia. No Major Health Threat, Says Minister

Kalashian Nyrie

CIVILNET.AM

1 March, 2020 14:37

By Emilio Luciano Cricchio 

Armenia has confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus. A 29 year-old man who had flown in from Tehran on February 28 has tested positive.

Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan held an emergency press conference today, stating the man had virtually no symptoms, but did have a temperature of 38 degrees. Moreover, Torosyan noted that the man had entered Armenia with his wife, who tested negative. 

32 people who had direct contact with the patient have also been quarantined by Armenian authorities. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a post on Facebook that the man contacted a doctor after noticing a high fever and that now he is in good condition and receiving medical attention. 

The border with Iran was closed on February 24 and air travel was restricted. However, Armenian citizens returning from Iran were exempt from the new restrictions, as well as Iranian citizens returning to Iran. 

“The entry of Armenian citizens cannot be restricted, this is based on humanitarian principles,” Arsen Torosyan said during the press conference. 

Torosyan added that flights from Tehran to Yerevan were organized for Wednesdays and Fridays, noting that medical specialists accompanied passengers, examined passengers and provided them with masks. “(So far), they had no symptoms and were sent home.”  

Torosyan also said that those arriving from Iran were wearing masks and left the airport via a separate path. 

When asked why no quarantine was imposed on all those arriving from Iran, Torosyan responded, “No international health organization has proven this to be effective,” and Armenia had followed the same procedure as many foreign countries.

The minister also said that the travel restrictions with Iran may be extended, given that many Iranians come to Armenia to celebrate the Iranian new year in March. 

According to Torosyan, anti-epidemic measures are being implemented in Armenia, which comply with international standards. 

The minister said all measures are being taken to prevent local outbreaks. “Yesterday’s incident  does not pose a serious public health threat. Moreover, there is no danger for this person either, as he is now isolated and receiving treatment,” the minister said.

Arsen Torosyan informed that so far 117 tests have been carried out, one of which has been positive. “32 people have been isolated. But our border is open to our citizens and must remain open. Cargo is also still being transported, which is also important for our economy, as about 20% of Armenia’s imports come from Iran,” remarked Torosyan.

Torosyan noted that it is practically impossible to test all arrivals and that tests do not always guarantee detection. “The virus must be reproduced in the human body in order to detect it,” Torosyan said.

According to the minister, there is no need to close schools and other educational institutions in Armenia right now, as children of that age are not at risk. “Those over 50 are at risk,” he said. 

Those under suspicion of possibly being infected with coronavirus are being isolated at the luxury Golden Palace Hotel in Tsaghkadzor, which is currently not functioning as a hotel.  

Arsen Torosyan also advised the wearing of medical masks when communicating with someone with a potential illness. In addition, infected people should wear a mask. He also reminded citizens to frequently wash their hands, use alcohol-based sanitizers, avoid crowded places and to avoid kissing or shaking hands when greeting each other. 

As for the possibility of restricting flights between Armenia and Italy and Georgia, the minister said there is no need for such actions, as “The source of the coronavirus infection in Italy has been isolated.”  

“There is no local spread of the epidemic in Georgia either. Two came from Iran, and one from Milan,” the minister said.