Author: Maral Chavushian

Armenia committed to principles and aims of the Council of Europe – FM

Maral Chavushian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 25 2021

Armenia has been faithful to the commitments undertaken at the accession to the Council of Europe, including the peaceful resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian said in a statement on the 20th anniversary of the country’s membership to the Council of Europe.

“By acceding to the Council of Europe, Armenia joined the family of European states, with whom it shares common history, values, and ideals, as well as a vision of a future Europe, where fundamental rights and freedoms are protected for all, without distinction or discrimination,” the Foreign Minister said,

He emphasized that Armenia acknowledges and values the input of this unique organization that has remained the main human rights and democracy watchdog in Europe for over 70 years of its existence.

“The two decades of Armenia’s membership to the Council of Europe were a period of active participation and sincere cooperation. Armenia has now joined over 70 Council of Europe conventions and partial agreements, essentially building legal bridges with the Member States of the organization. In 2013 Armenia held the Presidency in the Committee of Ministers, steering common European efforts for democratic action,” the Foreign Minister stated.

He noted that democratic reforms remain a key area of our interactions with the Council of Europe, where the organization, with its valuable expertise, has become a trusted partner of Armenia.

“The Council of Europe, its experts, its monitoring and specialized bodies, such as the Venice Commission, have all had a significant contribution in our efforts to build a just and democratic society, in devising policies that would better uphold human rights and the rule of law,” Minister Aivazian added  

“Armenia has been faithful to the commitments undertaken at the accession to the Council of Europe, including the peaceful resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The recent war in Artsakh had a devastating impact on the fundamental rights and the livelihood of its people. We trust that the Council of Europe recognizes these challenges and will take steps within its mandate to protect the rights, the freedoms and the dignity of all people living in conflict zones, including in Nagorno-Karabakh,” the Foreign Minister stated.

On this special occasion of the 20th Anniversary, he reiterated Armenia’s dedication to the principles and aims of the Council of Europe.

Religious services could be held at Ghazanchetsots Church, Primate of Artsakh Diocese says

Maral Chavushian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 29 2021

Religious services could be held at Ghazanchetsots Church, Tsitsernavank and other Armenian churches currently under Azerbaijani control, newly appointed Primate of the Artsakh Diocese Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan said in an interview with Public Radio of Armenia.

The Armenian side has sent letters to relevant bodies, requesting to allow conducting religious services at Ghazanchetstos cathedral and Tsitsernavank (just one kilometer from the Armenian border) with the help of Russian peacekeepers.

“The issue is on the agenda,” Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan said. He did not rule out a positive outcome.

The Armenian side has also applied to the Russian peacekeepers, requesting to carry out mission near Amaras Monastery so that the church can start providing religious services.

As for Dadivank monastery, it has been under the protection of Russian peacekeepers since November 25, The church is working on permanent basis, pilgrimages take place every Sunday.

Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan will offer the first Mass in the capacity of the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese on February 7. The service will be held at Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Stepanakert.

For the full interview in Armenian click here.

Prime Minister, French Secretary of State discuss issues of economic cooperation

Maral Chavushian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 28 2021

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, French Secretary of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs and his delegation.

The Armenian Prime Minister and the French Secretary of State had private talks, followed by an extended meeting.

Greeting the French delegation, the Premier said: “Our meeting follows up on the agreement reached with President Macron. It reflects the privileged relations between France and Armenia. There has traditionally been a sincere top-level dialogue between our two countries, and I want to express our gratitude to President Macron and Foreign Minister Le Drian for showing personal concern from the very first day of the war. Of course, we went through a highly challenging war; we have bitter feelings about it; we had a lot of casualties, and we are facing a very difficult situation.”

“This visit is extremely important in terms of using the opportunities we have to meet the emerging challenges. Our discussions and the agenda also have economic and humanitarian aspects, and I would like you to convey my deep appreciation to President Macron for such a prompt response to our conversations and agreements,” he added.

Thankful for the warm welcome, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne noted that his delegation comprised representatives from the French Treasury, the French Development Agency, and their visit followed up on the agreements and discussions held between the Armenian Prime Minister and the French President:.

“It was very important for our President to respond to each of your needs as quickly as possible. It was a matter of urgency in December as several charitable planeloads arrived in Armenia, which transported several tons of cargo owing to the joint efforts of different French charities and local authorities, which once again came to testify to the friendship between our two nations. After a period of urgent intervention, as you mentioned, medium and long-term economic programs are being prioritized now. In this regard, I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in intensive meetings in branch offices for a week now,” Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.

Issues related to the development of Armenia-France relations, including in terms of attracting investments and providing financial assistance were discussed at the meeting. The agenda of economic partnership was touched upon. The parties considered promising interaction in the spheres of transport, reservoir construction, agriculture, high technologies, digital innovations, public sector digitization, as well as cooperation in the development of regional communications.

In this regard, Prime Minister Pashinyan suggested considering the possibility of developing partnerships between the Armenian National Interest Fund (ANIF) and the French Development Agency, which was accepted by the French side.

Nikol Pashinyan next referred to the possibility of expanding the scope of educational cooperation, stressing that the activity of the French University in Armenia is a successful example of such interaction. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne noted that as represented by President Macron, the French side considers promising cooperation in the field of higher education and believes that efforts should be continued in that direction.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the prospects of the academic settlement. An agreement was reached to set up an interagency communication platform for continued contacts, as well as to continue working closely on mutually advantageous projects.

Azerbaijani press: Standard & Poor’s upgrades Azerbaijan’s credit rating outlook

Maral Chavushian
FINANCE 12:14 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.23

By Zeyni Jafarov – Trend:

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings upgraded the outlook on Azerbaijan’s ratings from ‘negative’ to ‘stable’ with maintaining long- and short-term sovereign credit ratings in foreign and local currencies at ‘BB+/B’, Trend reports referring to the reported data of S&P.

The report noted that the forecasts reflect the fact that in the next 12 months, as a result of the economic recovery and the relative rise in hydrocarbon prices, the financial and international positions of Azerbaijan won’t deteriorate.

According to the report, in order to further upgrade Azerbaijan’s rating, it’s necessary either to exceed the surplus of the foreign trade balance over expectations or to carry out a number of structural reforms by the government in order to make the country’s monetary policy more effective and strengthen the banking sector.

S&P said that the budgetary and external stock positions of Azerbaijan remain one of the strongest among sovereign states, which are rated in the ‘BB’ category, despite lower hydrocarbon prices and a slowdown in economic growth caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Large liquid government assets, projected at an average of about 74 percent of GDP in 2021-2024, will continue to provide protection against economic and financial shocks.

“Given our assumptions about the oil price and production volumes, as well as taking into account Azerbaijan’s participation in the OPEC + production cut agreement, we expect that external revenues and budget revenues will gradually increase in the medium term and government measures to restore the territories liberated from the Armenian occupation by imports will moderately impact fiscal and external flows at the moment,” added the report.

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Pashinyan has always been ‘a puppet in the hands of someone’, animator says

Maral Chavushian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 23 2021

Filmmaker, animator, Honored Culture Worker of Armenia David Sahakyants believes that the current authorities cannot be forced to step down through street protests organized by opposition forces and calls for other measures to achieve a breakthrough.

Speaking at a meeting of famous scientists, culture, art workers and lawyers on Saturday, David Sahakyants said that the undecided part of the society should be offered a way out of the current crisis in the country, adding the work should be carried out promptly.

“It must be made clear to the people through televised speeches that a planned coup took place in Armenia two years ago, this is a thought-out plan. [Nikol] Pashinyan was brought to power as part of a plan. I don’t know exactly from where,” the animator said.

“It’s important for people to understand that he hasn’t cared about the people from the very beginning. He has always been a puppet in the hands of someone. At this point he was a tool of big players, that’s why we ended up like this. And this will continue until he leaves,” Sahakyants stated.

According to him, it is necessary to join lawyers, demand a discussion with the Prosecutor’s Office and present existing problems.

Voting on electing members of Supreme Judicial Council begins in Parliament

Maral Chavushian

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 17:22,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Voting on electing members of the Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia has kicked off in the Parliament.

The voting is taking place in a closed format.

The voting will last until 18:30.

The ruling My Step faction has nominated Gagik Jhangiryan’s and Davit Khachaturyan’s candidacies for the members of the Supreme Judicial Council.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenpress: Armenian, Dutch FMs highlight restoration of NK peace process under OSCE Ming Group format

Maral Chavushian

Armenian, Dutch FMs highlight restoration of NK peace process under OSCE Ming Group format

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 20:40,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Ayvazian held a vide-conference with Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

The interlocutors discussed a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues, emphasized readiness to take measures for further deepening cooperation in the spheres of mutual interest. FM Ayvazian thanked his Dutch counterpart for the support and solidarity with the Armenian people in the fight against COVID-19.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and the Netherlands referred to the post-war situation in Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone. Minister Ayvazian presented the efforts aimed at the elimination of the consequences resulted by the Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh.

Minister Ayvazian emphasized issues of humanitarian nature as a priority for the current stage, particularly the safe return of POWs and other detainees.

The two Ministers highlighted the restoration of Nagorno Karabakh peace process under the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format.

Ara Ayvazian and Stef Blok also exchanged views on issues of regional security and stability.

National Salvation Movement Holds Townhall in Vanadzor, Car Rally in Yerevan

Maral Chavushian

January 18,  2020



National Salvation Movement supporters in Vanadzor on Jan. 16

Leaders of the National Salvation Movement held a town hall meeting in Armenia’s third largest city, Vanadzor on Saturday while its supporters staged a car rally in Yerevan on Sunday to amplify their demands for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation for signing the deplorable November 9 agreement that ended the military actions in Karabakh but forced the surrender of territories in Armenia and Artsakh to Azerbaijan.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia chairman and the movement’s coordinator Ishkhan Saghatelyan and the group’s candidate for prime minister Vagen Manukyan met with hundreds of supporters in Vanadzor to share their vision for the way out of the impasse created by Pashinyan’s signing of the November 9 agreement.

National Salvation Leaders Vazgen Manukyan (left) and Ishkhan Saghatelyan in Vanadzor

In his remarks, Saghatelyan outlined the movement’s plans, which includes the establishment of the national accord government, which will be led by Manukyan. He said that the main priorities of the that body will be to unite all Armenians and do away with the enmity and divisions created in society.

He warned that the enemy has already crossed into the territory of Armenia and the country’s national defense is threatened. Saghatelyan added that the national accord government would prioritize the strengthening of the defense apparatus as well as the Armenia’s borders.

Manukyan told supporters gathered in Vanadzor that it was possible to end the war much earlier and prevent further losses of life, adding that the November 9 agreement and the realities of its implementation have proven that “the Armenian side did not negotiate anything.”

Supporters of the National Salvation Movement gathered in Yerevan and took part in a car rally across the city to demand Pashinyan’s resignation.

The cars were adorned by the Armenian tai-color and pictures of Pashinyan with the slogan “traitor” emblazoned on it.

There was heavy police presence at Republic Square, with some law enforcement officials confronting the peaceful protesters. Member of the Homeland Party Davit Baghdasarian was arrested.

‘I couldn’t have imagined a more ridiculous accusation’: Armenian opposition activist released

Maral Chavushian
Panorama, Armenia

Jan 11 2021
 
 
Arsen Babayan from the opposition Homeland Party was released after being detained by police on Monday morning on his way to join other opposition activists in an attempt to prevent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s trip to Moscow for a meeting with the Russian and Azerbaijani leaders.
 
“I was told at the police station that I was suspected of carrying out an act of arrogation under the Criminal Code. I couldn’t have imagined a more ridiculous accusation,” he wrote on Facebook.
 
“As soon as they were told at the police that the scoundrel traitor [referring to Nikol Pashinyan] had passed through dignified citizens and fled the country through the efforts of police and the National Security Service troops, they set me free,” Babayan said, decrying his detention.