Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Armenian military orchestra to participate in Spasskaya Tower Festival

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Save

Share

 12:27,

YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS. The Orchestra of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces will perform at the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival, the Festival Board told TASS.

Folk songs and motives will be a part of the program of the Armenian military orchestra.

The Orchestra of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia was founded in 1992. It has participated in more than 2000 events. The first participation of the Orchestra to the Spasskaya Tower was held in 2017. The festival will take place at Moscow’s Red Square from August 26 to September 4, 2022.

Turkey ‘making the most’ of clash between two poles, Armenian expert says

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Panorama
Armenia –

Turkologist Varuzhan Geghamyan has commented on the UN-backed grain deal signed by Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on Friday. The agreement aims to unblock grain exports from Black Sea ports.

“It can be considered an important diplomatic achievement for Turkey, because now, in response to the West’s pressure to join the Russia sanctions, Ankara has an opportunity to play the mediator card, saying ‘if not us, who can negotiate with the Russians?’,” he wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

“Having properly assessed its geographical and geopolitical position, Turkey is making the most of the clash between the two poles, discreetly promoting its own interests in the entire Greater Middle East – from Syria to the Caucasus and Central Asia.

“However, it should be remembered that despite the external and not so substantial differences, Turkey’s foreign policy essentially coincides with the interests of the West, because Ankara’s influence in these areas is increasing mainly at the expense of Russia,” the expert said.

PM welcomes Iranian firms’ participation in Armenia’s infrastructure projects

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Iran – July 7 2022
Thursday, 5:48 PM  [ Last Update: Thursday, 5:48 PM ]

The photo shows a meeting between Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani (4th-L) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (3rd-R) on July 7, 2022, in Yerevan, Armenia. (Photo by Armenian prime minister office)

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says the Caucasus country embraces the participation of Iranian firms in its infrastructure projects while also highlighting the need to further enhance bilateral relations.

Pashinyan made the remarks on Thursday in a meeting with Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), in Yerevan.

Hailing the growing bilateral cooperation between Iran and Armenia, Pashinyan called for boosting the ties in all fields.

He welcomed the participation of Iranian companies in infrastructure projects in Armenia, noting that Yerevan is ready to enhance all-out ties in line with the interests of the Iranian and Armenian nations.

Resolving differences through dialogue

For his part, Shamkhani named maintaining regional security and increasing collective regional cooperation without the participation of foreign powers as “the most urgent” needs of the region on the path of development.

He highlighted the necessity of resolving differences through dialogue and avoiding violence, adding, “Any tension in the region will prepare the ground for the presence and role-assumption of trans-regional countries, and certainly, there will be no benefit in that.”

Expressing satisfaction with the level of political ties between the two states, he noted that “given the determination of the two countries’ leaders in expanding all-out ties, the level of economic cooperation should also expand accordingly, and even beyond that.”

Earlier on Thursday, Shamkhani held a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Armen Grigoryan, discussing the status of bilateral relations.

The Iranian delegation arrived in Yerevan on Thursday morning as part of a tour to the Caucasus countries.

Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Fatemi Amin said in early March that Iran and Armenia had agreed on launching infrastructure projects.

“During the meetings with Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan and Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan and the Armenia deputy PM, we made preliminary agreements on a range of issues such as building dams and roads by Iranian companies in Armenia,” Fatemi Amin said after visiting Yerevan.

“We agreed on building a transit road to complete the infrastructure projects in Armenia in the long run. Iranian companies will also participate in the relevant tenders,” he noted.

Iran has already announced its readiness to cooperate with Armenia in the construction of a new transportation route (Kajaran-Sisian road).

The 64-kilometer long route is part of the Iran-Armenia-Georgia Transportation Corridor which comes as part of Iran’s bid to launch the North-South Transport Corridor.

The International North-South Transport Corridor is a 7,200-kilometer-long multi-mode network of ship, rail, and road routes for moving freight between Iran, India, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, Central Asia, and Europe.

It is aimed at boosting trade connectivity among the regional as well as ultra-regional states. 

Rep. Schiff submits NDAA amendment calling for immediate release of Armenian POWS

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – July 6 2022
July 6, 2022, 10:22

 Less than a minute

Congressman Adam Schiff has introduced a bi-partisan amendment to the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) calling for Azerbaijan’s immediate release of Armenian POWs and captured civilians.

Amendment #698 is co-sponsored by Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), and Jackie Speier (D-CA).

The ANCA is leading a grassroots effort to secure additional co-sponsors prior to next week’s House Rules Committee consideration of the amendment.

NDAA amendments ruled “in order” by the House Rules Committee will be voted on by the full U.S. House.

Armenpress: Armenia should continue to maintain the parliamentary system of governance – PM Pashinyan

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Armenia should continue to maintain the parliamentary system of governance – PM Pashinyan

Save

Share

 11:15, 5 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of the Constitution Day. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, the message reads as follows,

“Dear compatriots, dear people.

Today, the Republic of Armenia marks the Constitution Day, on the occasion of which I congratulate all of us. The immutable articles of our Constitution defined the national-state vision of the Republic of Armenia.

Accordingly, the Republic of Armenia is a sovereign, democratic, social, legal state.

Power in the Republic of Armenia belongs to the people. The people exercise their power through free elections, referenda, as well as through state and local self-governing bodies and public officials as provided by the Constitution.

I must proudly record that after the non-violent, velvet, people’s revolution of 2018, Armenia is internationally recognized as a democratic state. The goal of giving the power to the people has been achieved, and our greatest task is to turn the democracy of the Republic of Armenia into a lasting factor ensuring the security of the country.

I have to also note that we have a lot of work to do on the way to ensuring the other fundamental constitutional goals and the reforms implemented by our government are aimed at those goals.

On the occasion of the Constitution Day, I would like to emphasize the provisions of Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, according to which the inalienable dignity of a person is the inseparable basis of his rights and freedoms. I have to say with pain that democracy, freedom of speech and _expression_ of opinion sometimes leads to hate speech, blasphemy, speech that degrades human dignity.

The strong legal system, the independent judicial system, the mechanisms for legality should also become reliable guarantees for the protection of human dignity, without limiting and damaging democratic values, and the solution of this issue is among the priorities of our agenda.

Dear compatriots, you are aware that the Specialized Commission for Constitutional Reforms has been formed and a draft concept of constitutional reforms should be presented by the end of the year.

Considering it obvious that the Constitution needs to be constantly developed and improved, at the same time I must emphasize my belief that Armenia should continue to maintain the parliamentary system of governance, because the events of 2021 proved that this system provides more effective mechanism for crises management, involvement and decisive participation of the people in the political debate.

Once again, I congratulate all of us on the occasion of the Constitution Day of the Republic of Armenia. I want the right, the law to become, if not the only, at least a key and decisive factor in the regulation of our public and civil relations”.

Turkish press: Türkiye offered Armenia to host 1st round of normalization talks: Foreign minister

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Iclal Turan   |04.07.2022


ISTANBUL 

Türkiye had offered Armenia to host the first round of normalization talks between the two countries in the Armenian capital Yerevan, the Turkish foreign minister said on Monday.

“We made an offer to Armenia, saying that we can have the first meeting in Yerevan, but Armenia is not ready for this yet due to domestic pressure,” Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint news conference of foreign and interior ministers of Türkiye and Austria in the capital Ankara.

Cavusoglu said that the Armenian diaspora was divided over the Turkish-Armenian normalization process, adding that there were some protests by extremist groups on Armenian streets.

“We thank Austria (for hosting the normalization talks), but why shouldn’t the next meetings be held in Türkiye or Armenia?” he questioned.

The Turkish foreign minister also reiterated that his country is in consultation with Azerbaijan at every stage regarding the normalization process.

“After all, we want to continue the process gradually,” Cavusoglu said.

“On the other hand, we support the normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he added.

Turkish and Armenian envoys for the normalization of ties held their fourth meeting in Vienna on Friday in which they agreed to open the land border between the two countries for citizens of third countries “at the earliest day possible,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The first round of normalization talks was held in Moscow on Jan. 14, where both parties agreed to continue negotiations without any preconditions, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The Turkish and Armenian envoys met for the second time in Vienna on Feb. 24, and the third meeting was held on May 3 in the same city.

Also, a historic bilateral meeting took place between the foreign ministers of Türkiye and Armenia on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on March 12.

As part of the efforts, Türkiye and Armenia have also resumed commercial flights as of Feb. 2 after a two-year hiatus.

Armenian PM receives President of National Endowment for Democracy

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Save

Share

 15:41, 4 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received American foreign policy expert and the President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy, Damon Wilson, the PM’s Office said.

The National Endowment for Democracy is an independent grant-making foundation supporting freedom and democracy around the world. 

During the meeting PM Pashinyan stated that the development and strengthening of democracy is one of the key priorities of the Armenian government, adding that democratic reforms are underway in Armenia in a number of areas. In this context he highlighted the support of the United States and other international partners in strengthening democratic institutions in Armenia.

In his turn Damon Wilson emphasized the commitment of the National Endowment for Democracy to closely cooperate with different Armenian structures towards the development of democracy.

The sides exchanged views also on the opportunities of mutual partnership.

Armenia, Azerbaijan trade new Karabakh accusations

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
The National Post

Author of the article:

Reuters
Publishing date:

Jun 27, 2022 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan traded new accusations on Monday with the president of Azerbaijan, saying his neighbor was failing to take action on a treaty to end 30 years of hostility over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The dispute over the region, a mountainous territory inside Azerbaijan controlled since the 1990s by ethnic Armenians, flared in 2020 into a six-week war in which Azeri troops regained swathes of territory. The two sides agreed to work on a peace plan after Russia brokered a ceasefire.

Pashinyan, quoted by Russian and Armenian news media, said Azerbaijan was politicizing peace efforts, including the issue of building a rail link through Armenia between Azerbaijan and its western enclave of Nakhichivan.

The target of large protests in recent weeks accusing him of making too many concessions on Karabakh, Pashinyan also said more than 50 Armenian servicemen faced treason charges.

While Pashinyan and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev have held a series of meetings in the past 18 months, progress towards a peace treaty has been slow.

“Azerbaijan refuses to talk, publicly accusing Armenia of refusing to talk,” Armenia’s Armenpress news agency quoted Pashinyan as telling an online news conference. “My assessment is one: it is done to legitimize a new war against Armenia.”

On the allegations against Armenian officers, Russia’s TASS news agency said Pashinyan told reporters that “a great many affairs are now happening behind closed doors and the public is unaware of them … More than 50 serviceman are accused of espionage and treason.”

The TASS account gave no further details.

Aliyev last week accused Armenia of inaction on the treaty.

Armenia was failing to abide by its “legal obligations” to allow free access for construction of the rail line, Azerbaijani media quoted him as saying after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Pashinyan said Aliyev was blocking progress on the issue by linking it to the return to Armenia of prisoners of war. (Reporting in Winnipeg by Ronald Popeski; editing by Richard Pullin)

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/crime-pmn/armenia-azerbaijan-trade-new-karabakh-accusations
ALSO AT
| Politics (devdiscourse.com)
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/2089099-armenia-azerbaijan-trade-new-karabakh-accusations
Armenia, Azerbaijan Trade New Karabakh Accusations | World News | US News

World Health Network declares monkeypox a pandemic

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Save

Share

 17:01,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. The World Health Network (WHN) has declared monkeypox a pandemic.

The WHN made a statement which says:

“In view of the growth of monkeypox in 58 countries through local community transmission around the world, with 3,417 confirmed Monkeypox cases reported across 58 countries, and the rate of growth of cases increasing week by week across multiple continents,

the severe pain, scaring, blindness, and death, which has been observed in cases of Monkeypox historically,

the greater severity of Monkeypox in children, who have thus far been spared during the current outbreak but are likely to be infected increasingly as community transmission expands,

the danger of transmission to wildlife, including rodents such as mice, rats, squirrels, and domesticated pets, which would become a reservoir that will expand across the world leading to ongoing risk of human infection and the need to modify daily life due to this ongoing risk to avoid exposure in many contexts,

The World Health Network (WHN) declares the monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Global Concern, by which it indicates that this outbreak is not limited to a single country or region and should be addressed by immediate actions taken wherever community transmission is taking place in order to ensure that the least effort is needed and the smallest impact is suffered due to this outbreak”.

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) is going to convene an emergency meeting to assess the global risk of the outbreak of the disease.




Asbarez: Kristina A. Kvien Nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Kristina A. Kvien


President Joe Biden nominated Kristina A. Kvien for the position of United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Armenia, the White House reported in a release on Thursday.

Kvien arrived at the U.S. Embassy Kyiv in May 2019.  From 2016 to April 2019, she served as Acting DCM/Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at U.S. Embassy Paris.    

Previously, Kvien served as Acting DCM and Economic Counselor at U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand; Economic Counselor at U.S. Embassy London; and Director for European Union, Ukraine, and Belarus Affairs at the National Security Council in the Executive Office of the President.  Kristina has also served at U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia; the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium; and the U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines.  At the Department of State in Washington, DC, Kristina worked on European Union issues and on bilateral relations with Slovenia.

On a related diplomatic matter. the U.S. Ambassadors to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Lynne Tracy, Kelly Degnan and Lee Litzenberger discussed U.S. policies and programs in the three states, the message distributed on the page of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia on Facebook reads.

At the U.S. Ambassadors Conference in Washington, the three ambassadors exchanged views around U.S. policies, programs in Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and their coordination.

They underscored the U.S.’s commitment to strengthening engagement, supporting independence and promoting a safer, more stable and prosperous future for the people of the region.