12th case of novel coronavirus confirmed in Georgia
12:03, 7 March, 2020
YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. The 12th case of the novel coronavirus has been confirmed in Georgia, Newsgeorgia reported.
Currently 140 people are under quarantine, and 42 receive stationary treatment.
The first case of Covid-19 has been reported in Georgia on February 26.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
11:18,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. On February 14, on the margins of the Munich Security Conference, Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, the MFA told Armenpress.
Minister Mnatsakanyan congratulated Grlić Radman on the occasion of assuming the presidency of European Council, reiterating Armenia’s support to the priorities of Croatian presidency.
The sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues of the Armenian-Croatian agenda, particularly emphasizing joint efforts towards enhancement of meetings, mutual visits on different levels and political consultations.
The full use of the potential of cooperation on multilateral platforms was especially emphasized. Touching upon the EU-Armenia partnership, the sides stressed the role of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in promotion and legal regulation of relations between Armenia and the EU, as well as its member states. The interlocutors exchanged views on the preparation for the upcoming EaP summit.
In the context of promoting people-to-people contacts, Foreign Minister of Armenia highlighted the importance of launching the dialogue on visa liberalization with the EU countries.
16:45, 6 February, 2020
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. Lawmaker Taron Simonyan from the opposition Bright Armenia (LHK) party argues that the parliament cannot call for a referendum around the ruling bloc’s bill regarding the high court without passing it through the first reading.
Earlier the ruling bloc, the My Step faction, itself said they will not pass their own bill in order for it to go for a vote in a referendum.
But Simonyan claims the move is impossible. “We must confirm it at first reading, and then it must go to the Constitutional Court. After the Constitutional Court’s positive conclusion you can vote it down at the second reading, and then only you can raise the issue of referendum,” the opposition lawmaker said.
He did however note that the goal is understandable, but he asked whether the measures and methods used aren’t superficial. “In my deepest belief they are superficial. As a result of this you are ignoring many legal clauses, violating them, and in the future this entire process will have to bear these violations,” he said.
The parliament majority, the My Step bloc, will not pass its own bill on replacing the high court judges at first reading in a technical maneuver to propose to call a referendum on the matter, lawmaker Vahagn Hovakimyan from the ruling party said in parliament earlier today.
“The My Step faction will not adopt this bill on first reading and by virtue of the powers vested in parliament under paragraph 3 of Article 202 of the Constitution it will recommend putting up for vote the decision on presenting this bill for referendum. This is the application of direct democracy, this is the conviction and belief of our political force. We have faith in our people, and we have to listen to our people,” he said.
The MP said that during this period of time the parliament and the Cabinet have done their best to resolve the crisis around the Constitutional Court.
He recalled the parliament’s earlier motion that was sent to the Constitutional Court requesting to terminate the powers of chief justice Hrayr Tovmasyan, which however was denied. He also recalled the voluntary early retirement plan for justices, which was approved by the Venice Commission.
The parliamentary majority’s bill on making constitutional amendments seeks to enable replacing the Constitutional Court justices who were appointed under the previous constitution.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.29
Trend:
The meeting of foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Geneva with mediation of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office lasted for 7 hours, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva wrote on Twitter, Trend reports.
“The parties and co-chairs advocate for intensifying negotiations and achieving tangible results on all issues of the negotiation agenda. The meeting will continue tomorrow,” she wrote.
Avet Adonts, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, on Wednesday met with China’s Ambassador to Armenia Tian Erlong. During the meeting, the situation related to the spread of the novel coronavirus in China was discussed, the Foreign Ministry’s press service reported.
Ambassador Tian underscored the readiness of the Chinese side to continue close cooperation with the Armenian side to resolve different issues arising from the spread of coronavirus. During the meeting, the problems facing the Armenian citizens in China’s Hubei Province and the steps to be undertaken to address those problems were comprehensively touched upon.
The deputy FM noted that around 400 citizens of Armenia currently residing in different provinces of China, 7 of whom in Hubei, were registered at the Embassy of Armenia in China and the embassy is in constant contact with all of them. The Armenian Embassy also takes measures to address the questions and issues of the Armenian citizens as far as possible.
Avet Adonts also added that the Foreign Ministry of Armenia and the Embassy of Armenia in China have been in constant contact with the Chinese government and other partner countries concerning the evacuation of the citizens of Armenia.
14:15, 1 February, 2020
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia Zareh Sinanyan is in Georgia on a working visit.
ARMENPRESS reports during his 5-day visit Sinanyan will meet with the Armenian MPs of the Georgian parliament, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvili and Governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti region Besik Amirkhanashvili.
The High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia will visit Armenian scientific, educational, cultural centers, schools and churches in Tbilisi, Akhaltska and Akhalkalaki and will meet the representatives of the Armenian community.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
Campaign organizers wanted for HyeCount Census2020 campaign
HyeCount is hiring full-time campaign organizers for its 2020 Census campaign.
The Constitutionally-mandated census carries significant political, economic, and social repercussions, from deciding the number of seats for each state in the U.S. House of Representatives to allocating close to $700 billion in federal funds for housing, education, healthcare, and more to state and local governments, as well as providing grants to community-based organizations.
In order to secure this crucial funding for our community programs, schools, and centers, the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region has partnered with Census2020 to ensure a complete count of the Armenian-American community through a public education campaign urging community members to identify themselves as Armenian in the Census.
Campaign organizers will be tasked with educating members of the Armenian-American community on the importance of identifying as ‘Armenian’ in the Census so as to maximize the collective voice of our community.
These positions will report to two project coordinators. Campaign organizers will be required to work six days a week (and are free to choose which day they take off), and six-hour days.
Organizer responsibilities will include:
Organizer qualifications include:
The ANCA-WR offers competitive hourly rates.
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume by email to [email protected] or fill out the application form.
Some circles are seeking to use the Armenian allegations over the events of 1915 to create divisions within the Turkish community, the country’s communications director said Jan. 14.
Fahrettin Altun’s remarks came after a meeting of the High Advisory Board under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the capital Ankara.
In a statement following the event, Altun said the 1915 Armenian incidents were among the agenda items covered during the meeting, adding some actors were seeking to use the so-called “genocide” claims in a bid to damage the harmony of the Turkish people.
He said the officials evaluated national and international opinions on the issue along with the correct diplomatic moves and attempts to hinder acts of disinformation on the case.
“The members of the High Advisory Board once again emphasized its determination to maintain our solidarity and union and the protection of our country’s interests,” Altun said.
Turkey’s position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.
Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as “genocide” but describes the events as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.
Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to examine the issue.