Author: Tambiyan Samvel

Lavrov: Documents under consideration imply phased approach to NK settlement

Tambiyan Samvel
Panorama, Armenia

The UN Security Council resolutions were adopted during the military activities and first of all demanded cessation of all military hostilities and the beginning of  negotiations,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday at a videoconference roundtable with members of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.

In the words of the Russian minister, the documents contained reference to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, yet they also demanded end of the war. The minister next referred to key phases of the settlement process. “We have now the format of the negotiations with Armenian and Azerbaijani side involved along with the OSCE Minsk Group and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the conflict. This format is useful,” Lavrov said at the question by an Azerbaijani media representative. 

The Russian diplomat also recalled the Madrid principles and other documents negotiated by Russia in 2010-2011 – the so-called Kazan document. “There is also a project that was disseminated last April during the meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs attended by OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and those are are under active discussions,” added the minister.

“These documents envisage phased settlement of the conflict, assuming at the first stage the solution of the most pressing issues – leaving number of districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh region and unblocking transport, economic and other communications. I am confident that when we arrive at the decision of signing those documents that would be the most important step in the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions,” said Lavrov. 

Armenia’s coronavirus cases climb to 1,159 as of April 16

Tambiyan Samvel
Panorama, Armenia
Health 11:32 16/04/2020 Armenia

Armenia has confirmed 48 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of cases to 1,159 in the country as of 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

61 more patients have recovered from the disease. A total of 358 people have now been discharged from hospital.

The number of COVID-19 deaths has increased to 18 in Armenia.

As many as 9,632 tests have been performed in the country since the disease outbreak.    

Armenia MFA comments on statements of Turkish side amid fight against COVID-19

Tambiyan Samvel

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 17:39,

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan commented on the statement of the Turkish side according to which within the framework of the fight against COVID19, Armenia asked Turkey for assistance, and Turkey is ready to provide that assistance.

Armenpress presents the MFA spokesperson’s full comment:

Question: The Turkish side states that within the framework of the fight against COVID19, Armenia asked Turkey for assistance, and Turkey is ready to provide that assistance. At the same time, the Ambassador of China to Turkey was asked by the Foreign Ministry of Turkey to provide clarifications regarding the inscription on the aid boxes provided to Armenia. How would you comment on that?

Answer: We have already stated that Armenia undertakes consistent efforts to organize the return of its citizens facing difficult situations to their homeland, especially from countries severely hit by the COVID19 pandemic. In this context, I should note that last Friday 73 of our citizens upon their request already returned from Turkey to Armenia. For this purpose, the Foreign Ministry of Armenia through its representatives interacted with relevant authorities of Turkey and Georgia. The cooperation with the Turkish side occurred exclusively within this framework, and out of this framework Armenia has not asked for any other assistance.

It is noteworthy that the framework of possible cooperation between the two countries is significantly limited, as a result of the ongoing land blockade imposed on Armenia by Turkey and of the absence of diplomatic relations, and thus it requires genuine goodwill and trust building. Unfortunately, some statements made by the Turkish side in the context of fighting against COVID19 do not contribute toward creating a depoliticized and humanitarian environment of cooperation. It is particularly regrettable, that these statements targeted  the assistance provided by the third country to Armenia by unnecessarily politicising and showing disrespect for the friendship between the peoples and their national symbols.

Armenian, Russian FMs highlight mutual assistance in fighting the pandemic

Tambiyan Samvel
Vestnik Kavkaza
April 8 2020
8 Apr in 19:00

At the initiative of the Armenian side, a telephone conversation took place between Armenian FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, Armenpress.am reports.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of MFA Armenia, the FMs referred to the measures aimed at the prevention of the novel coronavirus, emphasizing the importance of mutual assistance and exchange of information.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Sergey Lavrov also referred to a number of issues on Armenia-Russia agenda, as well as cooperation in the sidelines of regional and international organizations.

The sides also discussed the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

Political strategist: The outcome of the second round of elections in Artsakh, was in any case predetermined

Tambiyan Samvel
Arminfo, Armenia
April 7 2020

ArmInfo.Masis Mayilyan’s refusal to participate in the second round of the presidential election in Artsakh goes beyond standard scenarios. Political strategist Vigen  Hakobyan expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.

As a result of the presidential elections held in Artsakh on March  31, not one of the candidates won 50% of the vote. The second round  of voting is planned for Arayik Harutyunyan (with the most votes in  the first round,  49.6% ) and Masis Mayilyan (26.7% ). However, on  April 5, Masis Mayilyan called on the Artsakh people to boycott the  second round, making it impossible to carry out the threat of the  spread of the coronavirus.

“Taking into account the results of the first round and already  noticeable serious disagreements in the tandem of Masis Mayilian –  Samvel Babayan, the outcome of the second round was  any case  predetermined. I do not exclude the situation in which Mayilyan could  refuse the second round with the filing of Yerevan. Moreover, since  according to available information, both he and Harutyunyan left for  Yerevan after the election, “Hakobyan noted.

The political strategist explains Harutyunyan’s success in the first  round by two years of his work in this direction, accompanied by a  rejection of the image of a government official and, accordingly,  from an official point of view on a number of issues. In this light,  he highlighted certain problems observed in the same period between  Stepanakert and Yerevan and, of course, his financial and  administrative resources, the latter first of all, consisted of the  heads of rural and urban communities, who are members of  Harutyunyan’s “Free Homeland” party.

Among the features of the first round, the political strategist  singled out Yerevan’s rather loyal attitude towards Harutyunyan. The  latter, in turn, stated that he might not agree with the Armenian  authorities on one single issue – Artsakh’s issue. According to the  political strategist, Harutyunyan thus hinted that his position as  President of Artsakh in resolving the conflict with Azerbaijan could  be tougher than the position of Armenia.

“Thus, Harutyunyan makes it clear about the possibility of the  distribution of roles between Yerevan and Stepanakert in the  negotiations on the Artsakh issue. Such tactics have been repeatedly  used in the negotiations, both as a result of coordination and as a  unilateral initiative of the Artsakh authorities. It is known that  the position of Yerevan and Stepanakert did not always coincide.   These relations were especially difficult during the presidency of  Levon Ter-Petrosyan,” Hakobyan concluded.  

Parliamentary elections are over in Artsakh and five political forces  have won seats in the National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh. These  are: the political alliance representing the Free Fatherland and  Christian-Democratic parties received  40.4% of ballots, the United  Fatherland party – 23,63% of ballots, the Justice party of Artsakh –  7.9%, the ARF-D – 6.4% and the Democratic Party of Artsakh – 5.81%.

Asbarez: Egypt’s Armenian Community Donates Funds to State’s COVID-19 Efforts

Tambiyan Samvel
April 6, 2020

With the pews empty, Armenian religious leaders performed Palm Sunday Mass, which was broadcast on Facebook Live

While Armenians in Egypt were celebrating Palm Sunday, the Primate of the Armenian Church of Egypt, Bishop Ashod Mntastaganian announced that the Armenian community would donate 1 million Egyptian pounds (around $65,000) to Tahya Misr, the state charitable fund, in order to assist Cairo’s efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Ah ram Online reported the donation news and quoted Mnatsaganian thanking the Egypt for being home to thousands of Armenians.

“We owe it to this Holy Land. It is the least we can offer as a helping hand to fight this pandemic in a country that showed a warm attitude towards our nation in the past and continues to do so at present, for which we are grateful,” Mnatsaganian said in a telephone conversation with Ah ram Online immediately after the Palm Sunday Mass.

The Palm Sunday Mass was was broadcast on Cairo’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Church’s Facebook page.

In 2018, the community also donated one million Egyptian pounds to the Amiri Main University Hospital in Alexandria during a celebration of “Egyptian-Armenian Fraternity,” organized by the country’s Ministry of Emigration and Expatriate Affairs.

World Bank Supports Armenia to Combat Human Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

Tambiyan Samvel
Mirage News
April 3 2020

  

In response to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic globally, and recently in Armenia, the World Bank is supporting the Government’s response to protect its people amid the coronavirus outbreak. At the request of the Ministry of Health of Armenia, the World Bank has allocated $3 million to address the country’s urgent needs for equipment and supplies needed for the intensive care of people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. These funds are supporting the procurement of 50 artificial pulmonary ventilation (APV) devices worth $1.35 million under the ongoing Disease Prevention and Control Project (DPCP).

This procurement became possible due to the application of the streamlined procedures of the World Bank in emergency situations. The technical expertise provided by the World Bank helped to carry out rapid market analysis to ensure value for money amid acute shortages in global supply of medical equipment and increasing prices. As a result, Armenia’s health system will be equipped with additional high-quality devices necessary for treating an increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

“In these dramatic times the Bank stands ready to support the country’s response to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic,” says Sylvie Bossoutrot, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia. “I would like to recognize the unprecedented dedication of health professionals in Armenia to protect the people. I would also like to strongly encourage each citizen of Armenia to strictly abide by the requirements of these emergency times and observe social distancing and isolation measures aimed at minimizing the impact of the pandemic.”

Similar arrangements will be applied to purchase additional ventilators, as well as personal protective equipment to address immediate healthcare needs. In addition, the World Bank stands ready to reprogram parts of its active ongoing portfolio in Armenia to support the government’s response to COVID-19 in various areas.

The World Bank’s financial and technical support is closely coordinated with that of other international organizations and development finance institutions. In particular, the above equipment will be procured directly through United Nations agencies’ supply channels in view of the current constraints for these types of medical emergency equipment in the global market.

The World Bank Group is rolling out a $14 billion fast-track package to strengthen the COVID-19 response in developing countries and shorten the time to recovery. The immediate response includes financing, policy advice and technical assistance to help countries cope with the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. The IFC is providing $8 billion in financing to help private companies affected by the pandemic and preserve jobs. IBRD and IDA are making an initial US$6 billion available for the health-response. As countries need broader support, the World Bank Group will deploy up to $160 billion over 15 months to protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery.

/Public Release. View in full here.

Azerbaijani soldiers open fire at civilian facilities, injuring a child

Tambiyan Samvel

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 21:39,

YEREVAN, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani troops made a subversive penetration attempt in the direction of Armenian positions in Noyemberyan region of Tavush Province. The adversary has been repelled but at the same time they targeted Baghanis and Voskevan villages and injured a child from Voskevan, ARMENPRESS reports spokesperson of MoD Armenia Shushan Stepanyan informed.

”Today at about 19:00 the Azerbaijani troops made a subversive penetration attempt in the direction of Armenian positions in Noyemberyan region of Tavush Province. Thanks to the activities of the Armenian border guard units the adversary has been repelled. Information on casualties are being clarified. The Armenian side has suffered no casualties. Two servicemen received light injuries during the operation. At the same time they targeted Baghanis and Voskevan villages, as a result a child was injured, who was in the balcony of the house at that time”, Stepanyan informed.

She also noted that the situation on the border has calmed down, and the Armed Forces of Armenia will take adequate measures for restraining the shameful activities of Azerbaijani troops during the period of pandemic and the Azerbaijani military-political leadership will bear the entire responsibility of the consequences.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenia PM sends telegram of condolence on death of Krzysztof Penderecki

Tambiyan Samvel
News.am, Armenia

17:17, 29.03.2020
                  

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has sent a telegram of condolence on the death of great Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki which particularly reads as follows:

“I was saddened by the news about the death of great Polish composer and pioneer in music Krzysztof Penderecki. He was truly one of the most outstanding representatives of classical music of the 20th century, as well as the two decades of our era. The works of Penderecki were popular in all parts of the world, and famous soloists and orchestras would perform them. Brilliant evidence of this are the several international music awards and the appreciation expressed by the state and the public.

The talented composer also maintained close ties with Armenia, the land of his ancestors, and would visit Armenia on various occasions. His contribution to world music has always been properly appreciated in Armenia as well.

The tremendous musical legacy of Penderecki will surely live on and enrich each and every one of us.”

Hotels in Armenia to house asymptomatic coronavirus patients

Tambiyan Samvel
Public Radio of Armenia


The Armenian Government will negotiate with hotels to organize the isolation of patients, who have tested positive for the coronavirus, but receive no treatment.  

The Prime Minister said at a government sitting that they will agree a price with hotels. According to him, this will be a kind of support to hotels as the tourism sector is completely down.

Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said the option is widely acceptable in the world. He noted that 1,000 patients in Israel have been accommodated in hotels.

The Prime Minister noted that analysis shows that the scenario of COVID-19 spread in Armenia is not the worst one, it is developing close to the best scenarios in the world.

He added, however, that to keep the situation under control we have to abide by the lockdown rules.