10:50, 16 March, 2022
YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to announce a total of more than $1 billion in new military assistance to Ukraine’s government as early as Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reports citing U.S. officials.
Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelensky is expected to make a plea to Congress for more aid.
The $1.01 billion is expected to include antiarmor and antiair systems, including portable air defenses such as Javelins and Stingers.
Armenia reports over 30 COVID-19 cases in a day
11:06,
YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. 32 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Armenia in the past one day, the ministry of healthcare reported.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country has reached 422,286.
The COVID-19 recoveries rose by 81 in a day, bringing the total to 409,277.
The death toll has risen to 8593 (1 death case in past day).
2416 COVID-19 tests were conducted on March 18.
The number of active cases is 2748.
11:33,
YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the PM’s Office said.
The message runs as follows,
“Your Excellency,
I warmly congratulate you on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Cyprus.
March 18 marks the consolidation of interstate relations based on centuries-old Armenian-Cypriot ties and strong friendship, common values, mutual respect and sympathy.
Armenia values the warmest interstate relations and effective cooperation established between our two countries over the past three decades, which are the evidence of the unwavering brotherhood and mutual support of the Armenian and Cypriot peoples.
It is no secret that Cyprus is one of the EU member states with which Armenia enjoys high mutual trust and strategic cooperation.
I am convinced that the rich experience and the multifaceted bilateral agenda gained during these years provide wide opportunities for revealing and comprehensively utilizing the full potential of the Armenian-Cypriot cooperation, giving a new impetus to the bilateral relations, raising them to a qualitatively new level.
The vibrant Armenian community gives a special content and warmth to the Armenian-Cypriot relations with its contribution to the political, economic and cultural life of the country, which has always been highly appreciated by the Government of Cyprus.
I once again congratulate all of us on the occasion of the 30th anniversary, wishing our countries and brotherly peoples prosperity, peace, fruitful cooperation full of jubilees.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration”.
Varuzhan Geghamyan, an Armenian expert on Middle East and South Caucasus, has reflected on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s latest statement, where he admitted that his country had been defeated for 30 years.
“For many years, for almost 30 years, we had been represented in the international arena as a defeated country – both in sports and in the political arena. Difficult as it is to acknowledge that, it is what it is. In other words, we must know and tell the truth the way it is,” Aliyev said on Thursday.
“Aliyev’s confession gives a pretty complete answer to what really happened because of the capitulation. Armenia was transformed from a country which defeated Azerbaijan into a loser,” Geghamyan wrote on Facebook on Friday.
“Recalling Aliyev's statements about Azerbaijan being forced to recognize Artsakh's independence behind closed doors [in October 2016], it immediately becomes clear what chances Azerbaijan actually had to win if the de facto pro-Turkish group had not seized power in Armenia.
“The regime that destroyed the real victory is now deceiving large masses of the Armenian people with a virtual victory, which is spread by the media empire affiliated to it,” he said.
(Nagorno-Karabakh)—and in response to the Azerbaijani “mugham.” Reporter Tatevik Aghajanyan wrote about this on Facebook, and she posted a respective video as well.
Due to the provocations being carried out by the Azerbaijani armed forces in recent days, the women and children of the village have temporarily been transferred from Khramort community of Askeran region to other settlements. As of yesterday, it was not clear when they would return to the village. The thing is that the positional advantage of the Azerbaijanis has put the people of Khramort under the direct fire of the adversary; and being on the hill, the Azerbaijanis are shooting at the village as a target.
Watch the video at
17:33,
YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. Acting President Alen Simonyan signed a decree March 11 on relieving Vahagn Khachaturyan from duties as Minister of High-Tech Industry.
Khachaturyan is the President-elect of Armenia and will be inaugurated as the 5th President of Armenia on March 13.
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Azerbaijani military opened fire on the Armenian positions in the western section of the border on Wednesday, March 9, the Defense Ministry reports.
The Armenian side took retaliatory measures to silence the Azeri troops, and the situation has been "relatively stable" ever since.
Armenia finds itself in the whirlpool of new military threats, public and political figure Avetik Chalabyan said on Thursday, referring to the Russian military operation against Ukraine.
“Regardless of the motives of the military actions, their possible outcomes and political leanings of each of us, this is a great tragedy. It could have enormous negative consequences for our entire region, even for the whole world,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Our war-torn country now finds itself in the maelstrom of new military threats. Each of us must realize the gravity of this moment, do everything possible to improve the security of our country and emerge from the possible new trials with minimal losses. May God bless us! Stay strong!” Chalabyan said.
A special session of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia was to be convened at noon Wednesday—and on the initiative of the MPs.
The draft NA statement tabled by the opposition "Armenia" Faction on condemning the ratification of the "Shushi Declaration" by the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Turkey was on the agenda.
However, this NA session did not take place due to the lack of a quorum.
The members of the ruling majority "Civil Contract" Faction did not show up to this session.
Acting NA speaker Hakob Arshakyan said that according to the NA Rules of Procedure, the registration of MPs continues until the necessary number of legislators is registered—but not for more than four hours.
The draft of this statement submitted by the NA opposition reads as follows, in particular: "The ‘Shushi Declaration,’ with its provocative and destructive nature, is unacceptable for the Republic of Armenia. It is a serious challenge to regional and global security, does not contribute to the peaceful development of our region, contradicts the Armenian-Turkish relations’ normalization on the principle of 'without preconditions,' and raises serious doubts about official Ankara's real behavior and intentions."
19:24,
YEREVAN, 17 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Chief of the Police of Armenia, Major-General Vahe Ghazaryan on February 17 received Ambassador of Lithuania to Armenia Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Police of Armenia, Vahe Ghazaryan, greeting the guest, congratulated on the occasion of the National Day of Lithuania. He highly appreciated the established cooperation between the Police of Armenia and the Embassy of Lithuania.
“Vahe Ghazaryan, highlighting the planned visit of the Chief of the Police of Lithuania to Armenia, hoped that it will further promote the collaboration of the law enforcement bodies of the two countries.
Major-General Vahe Ghazaryan expressed willingness to strengthen the cooperation.
Ambassador Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, thanking for warm welcome, referred to the programmes of the Embassy of Lithuania, which include a number of directions. ‘'She also highlighted the connection of the law enforcement bodies of the two countries, and pointed out a number of examples of effective cooperation.
The Chief of Staff of the Police Armen Mkrtchyan presented the reforms held in the Police. Mostly it was talked about the launch of the center of patrol service and the operative management.'' The Police of Armenia reports.
The sides discussed issues related to new directions of cooperation and also other issues presenting mutual interest.