01.02.2020 17:12
YEREVAN, February 1. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a discussion of the draft law on non-cash transaction that his government will be consistent in reducing the number of cash transactions since this issue is important not only from the point of view of the economy, the fight against corruption, but also in a civilizational sense.
He emphasized that the process of increasing the number and volume of non-cash transactions and digitizing electronic transactions and functions is one of the significant directions. He said this process will lead to serious changes in the quality of life of the citizens.
During the meeting it was noted that over the past two years, the number of cashless transactions has increased several times, including through foreign bank cards.
The participants also touched upon measures aimed at stimulating cashless operations, providing appropriate infrastructures and the forthcoming steps in this direction.
The head of government instructed the heads of relevant agencies to elaborate the draft law, taking into account the submitted proposals and observations. – 0–
16:57,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is suspending the visa-free entry regime for Chinese nationals effective February 1 until March 31 over the coronovirus outbreak, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan said on Facebook.
The World Health Organization has declared on January 30 that the coronavirus outbreak that has killed 213 people in China now constitutes a global public health emergency.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) addressing Republic of Artsakh parliamentarians during his latest visit in October, 2019
“Tragically, the Azerbaijani government’s approach toward the Armenian people has changed little since the pogroms were initiated. We still hear the same violent rhetoric and witness intimidation tactics aimed at the people of the Republic of Artsakh.” – Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone
WASHINGTON—Congressional Armenian Caucus founding Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-CA) called on his Congressional colleagues to join him in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the brutal anti-Armenian attacks in Baku, which resulted in over 90 murdered and some 200,000 displaced during January of 1991, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
“For over three decades, Azerbaijan has taken steps to cover up these crimes against humanity and dismiss the atrocities at Sumgait and Baku. Even more disturbing is that the perpetrators of this event and similar violent attacks have been lauded as national heroes by the Azeri government,” stated Rep. Pallone in his Congressional statement. “Tragically, the Azerbaijani government’s approach toward the Armenian people has changed little since the pogroms were initiated. We still hear the same violent rhetoric and witness intimidation tactics aimed at the people of the Republic of Artsakh.”
“As Congressman Pallone makes compellingly clear, the central lesson of the Baku Pogroms is that there is no going back – no return to Azerbaijani massacres, no restoration of Stalinist borders, and no retreat from Artsakh’s freedom,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “It’s in this light, that we remain so deeply grateful for all that Congressman Pallone is doing to strengthen Artsakh and break down barriers to U.S.-Artsakh relations – from his visits to Stepanakert to his leadership on the U.S.-Artsakh Travel and Communications Resolution.”
Rep. Pallone is the lead sponsor of the Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution (H.Res.190), which promotes stronger U.S.-Artsakh ties and supports Artsakh’s return to full participation in the peace process. The resolution currently has 23 co-sponsors.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) condemned the January, 1990, anti-Armenian attacks in Baku and called on colleagues to join him in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the crimes, which remain unpunished
From 1988 to 1990, the Armenian population in Soviet Azerbaijan was the target of racially motivated pogroms against Armenians in the cities of Sumgait (February 27 to 29, 1988), Kirovabad (November 21 to 27, 1988) and Baku (January 13 to 19, 1990). At the time, Members of Congress condemned these premeditated and officially-sponsored attacks against Armenian civilians and passed amendments and resolutions demanding respect for the democratic aspirations of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
These pogroms set the stage for two decades of aggression by Azerbaijan, during which it launched and lost a war against Artsakh, and later used its oil wealth to buy a massive military arsenal that its leaders, to this day, vow to use to renew their attempts to crush Artsakh.
The full text of Rep. Pallone’s complete remarks is provided below.
U.S. House of Representatives
EXTENSION OF REMARKS IN RECOGNITION OF THE VICTIMS OF THE BAKU AND SUMGAIT POGROMS
HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 32nd Anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom and the 30th Anniversary of the Baku pogrom.
On February 27, 1988, hundreds of Armenian civilians living in the city of Sumgait in Azerbaijan were indiscriminately killed, raped, maimed, and even burned alive for no reason other than their ethnicity. This senseless violence was instigated by hostile, anti-Armenian rhetoric from Azerbaijani citizens and officials.
Similarly, on January 12, 1990, a seven-day pogrom broke out against the Armenian population in Baku during which Armenians were beaten, murdered, and expelled from the city. Over 90 Armenian civilians were killed, over 700 were injured, and countless others were permanently displaced by the ethnic violence that ensued.
For over three decades, Azerbaijan has taken steps to cover up these crimes against humanity and dismiss the atrocities at Sumgait and Baku. Even more disturbing is that the perpetrators of this event and similar violent attacks have been lauded as national heroes by the Azeri government.
It is critical for the United States government to recognize and denounce violent assaults against any civilians. I continue to stand with the Armenian people in condemning this horrific massacre. Tragically, the Azerbaijani government’s approach toward the Armenian people has changed little since the pogroms were initiated. We still hear the same violent rhetoric and witness intimidation tactics aimed at the people of the Republic of Artsakh.
If we do not condemn crimes against humanity and allow them to go unpunished and unrecognized we only strengthen the resolve of those seeking to perpetrate these crimes in the future. It is especially critical to consider this as we prepare to commemorate the 105th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April.
I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus to remember the victims of the pogroms at Sumgait and Baku and condemn all acts of violence against people who are targeted simply because of their existence. I hope my colleagues will join me in rejecting violent rhetoric and intimidation. In doing so, we renew our commitment to achieving a lasting peace and more humane way of living in the Caucasus.”
13:08,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Top figures of the Armenian sport offered condolences over the death of US basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
Captain of the Armenian national football team Henrikh Mkhitaryan wrote on Facebook: “Saddening moment for the world of sports. An inspiration, an icon, an everlasting winner you have been for so many athletes. We will miss you Kobe”.
Greco-Roman wrestler, world and Europe champion Arsen Julfalakyan said he once saw Kobe Bryant in a cafeteria and thought how many people would like to be like him. “An athlete who has created a history of sports, was sitting calmly like the remaining athletes. This is very exemplary for the youth”, he said.
“Rest in Peace”, Olympic Games, world and Europe champion Artur Alexanyan said on Instagram posting Bryant’s photo.
US basketball legend, five-time MBA champion Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna are among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California, reports BBC.
Bryant, 41, was travelling in a private helicopter when it came down and burst into flames.
The LA county sheriff said there were no survivors.
Bryant played for the LA Lakers throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
Moments of silence have been observed at basketball games across the US.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Armenian President participates in 5th World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem
10:19,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian participated in the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.
The Forum, which is titled “Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism”, was held in Yad Vashem, the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust. Leaders from over 40 countries, including Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Slovakia, Iceland gathered at Yad Vashem, as well high-ranking officials from other countries.
President of Israel Reuven Rivlin opened the Forum and thanked the participating countries for the solidarity, calling on them to remember and never forget.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, US Vice-President Mike Pence and many others delivered remarks at the Forum.
On the sidelines of the Forum the Armenian President had brief meetings with US Vice-President Mike Pence, Prince Charles of UK, French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as the Presidents of Germany, Italy, Portugal, etc.
The Heads of state laid wreaths at the memorial dedicated to the Warsaw ghetto uprising which is authored by the world-famous Jewish sculptor and artist Nathan Rapoport, as well as paid tribute to the memory of the Holocaust victims.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Previously, only the National Security Service had the right to wiretap
The Armenian parliament adopted a Law on Wiretapping on January 21. Now, not only the National Security Service will be able to eavesdrop on conversations of citizens, but the police will be able to as well.
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Moreover, MPs adopting the law did not take heed the pleas of the government. The day before the vote, Deputy Minister of Justice Srbuy Galyan, on behalf of the government, called on the parliament to vote against the wiretap bill, which, incidentally, was developed by members of the ruling My Step party. The deputy minister called on MPs not to pass the bill given that the adoption of the law involves large additional costs for the purchase of technical equipment for the police.
In addition, the government had an idea to grant the right to wiretap conversations to a private company, assuring parliament the activities of this organization would be under strict control. However, the parliament preferred to give this right to the police.
The Ministry of Health urges you to familiarize yourself with the official information on the constitutional reforms exclusively from the website of the Ministry
Dear citizens
The “Constitutional Reforms” page on the “Facebook” social network was not created by the Ministry of Justice and has no relation with the Ministry.
To get acquainted with the official information about the constitutional reforms, it is necessary to follow the official of the Ministry of Justiceto the websiteor “Ministry of Justice”to the Facebook page:
RA Ministry of Health information and public relations department
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States Central Committee commends the U.S. House of Representatives for siding with truth and justice by reaffirming its policy regarding the Armenian Genocide and overwhelmingly passing HR 296, the long overdue resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, declaring this to be the official policy of the United States and encouraging education about its historical fact while rejecting any attempts to deny it.
In this victory for truth and justice we acknowledge the tireless efforts of the Armenian National Committee of America and its Eastern and Western regional boards, the plethora of chapters across the states with its multitude of activists and countless supporters whose unwavering dedication and hard work of over forty years realized this victory for the Armenian Cause.
It is evident that once again, as was the case during the devastating earthquake in Armenia, the liberation struggle and independence of Artsakh and the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, our community came together to make its collective voice heard, demanding justice for the Armenian people and realizing this crucial step in furthering the Armenian Cause.
So let us celebrate this victory and reinvigorate our spirit while reaffirming our commitment to staying the course and continuing the struggle for a truly free, independent, and united Armenia.
ARF Western U.S. Central Committee