Category: 2018

French Ambassador: We believe Armenia will host Francophonie summit

Andranik Taslakhchian
News.am, Armenia
Oct 3 2018
French Ambassador: We believe Armenia will host Francophonie summit

YEREVAN. – French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacote believes that the Francophonie summit will take place in Yerevan.

Asked to comment on the latest developments in the country, the envoy noted that the French diplomatic missions follow developments in Armenia without interfering in the internal affairs of the country.

“We believe that Armenia will host the Francophonie summit. This is a historical event and a unique opportunity for Armenia,” the ambassador told reporters on Wednesday.

As reported earlier, the situation aggravated in Yerevan yesterday after Armenian lawmakers adopted the scandalous bill on introducing amendments to the procedures of the National Assembly.

The bill was approved unanimously with 67 votes for. Members of the Yelq parliamentary group which was headed by Nikol Pashinyan before his appointment as PM, followed PM’s call and did not register for the vote.

A large number of citizens gathered in Baghramyan Avenue to protest amendments.

According to Armenian PM, the Republican Party of Armenia and the facilitating forces have officially declared the counter-revolution by introducing a draft law.

As a result, Pashinyan held talks with the lawmakers, however the sides have not reached an agreement and the negotiations will continue.

Armenia Sasna Tsrer armed group’s 2 still-arrested members go on hunger strike

Ani Tigranian
News.am, Armenia
Oct 3 2018
Armenia Sasna Tsrer armed group’s 2 still-arrested members go on hunger strike

YEREVAN. – Sasna Tsrer armed group members Pavel Manukyan and Armen Bilyan on Wednesday announced in court—in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan—about starting a hunger strike.

“Particularly in connection with my precautionary measure [of custody], today I declare in court [that] I’m going on hunger strike as a means of fighting,” Manukyan stated, above all, the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informed from the court. “I will [also] refuse all types of medical aid (…). I’m going on hunger strike until the precautionary measure [of custody implemented against me] is commuted.”

Sasna Tsrer member Armen Bilyan said he too joins this hunger strike.

Defendants Pavel Manukyan, Armen Bilyan, and Smbat Barseghyan are still in custody in connection with the criminal case involving the ten-member Sasna Tsrer armed group.

Earlier, the precautionary measure of custody that was implemented for the seven other defendants was commuted, and they were released from custody on the basis of personal pledges by several MPs.

In protest of the then authorities, the Sasna Tsrer armed group had taken over a police patrol regiment building in capital city Yerevan, held hostages, but later had surrendered in July 2016. Three police officers were killed during the two-week standoff.

Armenia PM: Sadly, series of “suicides” continues

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Oct 3 2018
Armenia PM: Sadly, series of “suicides” continues               

YEREVAN. – At yesterday’s meeting in the NA [National Assembly] President’s office with the [parliamentary] political forces, I said that snap [parliamentary] elections must be held in December; I also told about the [respective] mechanism.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday stated the abovementioned during the NA question and answer session with the government.

In his words, during this talk, the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party, and the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP)-supported “Tsarukyan” factions in parliament had stated that they were not going to nominate a candidate once the office of the PM became vacant, in order to pave the way for the snap parliamentary election.

“I believe our colleagues have clearly recorded the situation that exists,” Pashinyan announced, in particular. “On May 1, 2018, I proclaimed—from this podium—about the fact of some political forces’ committing ‘suicide.’ [But] I can say that, sadly, the series of ‘suicides’ continues.”

Earlier, RPA faction MPs Armen Ashotyan and Eduard Sharmazanov had told reporters that, at the aforesaid talk, no arrangement was made with respect to not nominating a new candidate once the incumbent PM resigned from office. NA “Tsarukyan” faction member Mikayel Melkumyan also had made a similar statement.

Armenian President Fires Six Ministers

Talar Tumanian
The Financial, Georgia
Oct 3 2018
Armenian President Fires Six Ministers

The FINANCIAL — Armenian President Armen Sarkisian has dismissed six government members representing the Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) parties amid an ongoing political crisis.

Energy Minister Artur Grigorian, Transport Minister Ashot Akopian, Economy Minister Artsik Minasian, Agriculture Minister Artur Khachatrian, Emergency Minister Grachya Rostomian, and Sports Minister Levon Vagradian have been relieved of their duties, the presidential press service said on October 3, according to RFE/RL.

The president’s decision came after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on October 2 recommended the dismissal of the six because their parties voted for a bill that makes it harder to hold early parliamentary elections.

The bill was passed with the backing of lawmakers from BHK, Dashnaktsutyun, and former Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), which holds the largest number of seats in the legislature.

The lawmakers’ move prompted thousands of Pashinian’s supporters to rally outside parliament in the capital, Yerevan, to demand fresh elections.
Pashinian, who met with the parliamentary majority leaders while the protesters were gathered outside, said early on October 3 that he had received assurances that the lawmakers will not block early general elections.

Snap general elections can be called in the South Caucasus country if lawmakers fail twice to choose a new prime minister and the legislature is dissolved. Pashinian has said he was ready to resign to trigger this procedure and parliamentary elections could be held.

Pashinian said the parliamentary leaders of HHK, BHK, and Dashnaktsutyun assured him that they would not field any prime-ministerial candidates should he follow through on his vow to resign to force new elections.

Pashinian, a former opposition lawmaker who took office in May after spearheading weeks of protests that forced Serzh Sarkisian’s resignation, has pushed for early elections following his bloc’s landslide victory in the mayoral race in Yerevan last month in a bid to unseat his political opponents, who have maintained a majority in parliament.

He made clear that he will tender his resignation “in the coming days” to ensure the elections are held “in the first half of December.” He said he might step down even before Armenia hosts a Francophonie summit on October 11-12.

In an apparent reference to French President Emmanuel Macron, Pashinian said he will talk to some leaders of the loose grouping of French-speaking nations to see if such a move would be appropriate.

Pashinian is due to fly to Paris on October 4 to attend the funeral of French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour, who died on October 1.

Nikol Pashinyan, head of RPA parliamentary faction Vahram Baghdasaryan meet at Marriott Armenia café

Vanyan Gary
ArmenPress, Armenia
Oct 1 2018
Nikol Pashinyan, head of RPA parliamentary faction Vahram Baghdasaryan meet at Marriott Armenia café


YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and head of the parliamentary faction of the Republican Party of Armenia Vahram Baghdasaryan have met at Marriott Armenia café.

ARENPRESS reports the meeting takes place in the framework of the last week’s announcement of the PM, according to which he planned to start meetings with the parliamentary factions to discuss the issue of holding early parliamentary elections

Photo by azatutyun.am

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

‘Your passion for this job will always lead by example for me’ – Andrea Bocelli’s farewell words to Aznavour

Kajoyan Gevork
ArmenPress, Armenia
Oct 1 2018
‘Your passion for this job will always lead by example for me’ – Andrea Bocelli’s farewell words to Aznavour

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Italian singer Andrea Bocelli has expressed condolences on the death of Charles Aznavour.

Aznavour, the French-Armenian legendary crooner and National Hero of Armenia, died October 1 at the age of 94.

“Charles, you have always amazed us with your art and brilliant irony. Just a few days ago on my birthday you told me: “60 years old, you are so young Andrea! I was once 60 too… but that was 30, actually 34 years ago. I hope to see you soon!”. The truth is that you were the youngest of us all and despite a career that spanned almost a century, you were always ready to perform in concert, anywhere, anytime. My fondness and respect for you will never diminish and your passion for this job will always lead by example for me: “If you want to be loved by the audience, you must love the audience”, this is what you used to say, and indeed, you undoubtedly infused this art with an incredible amount of love,” Bocelli said on Facebook.

Numerous artists, singers, politicians and public figures have expressed condolences over the death of Charles Aznavour.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

‘We’re left with eternity, to sing together’ – Julio Iglesias on Aznavour’s death

Emil Lazarian
ArmenPress, Armenia
Oct 1 2018
‘We’re left with eternity, to sing together’ – Julio Iglesias on Aznavour’s death

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has expressed condolences over the passing of French-Armenian singer, National Hero of Armenia Charles Aznavour.

Iglesias posted a photo of him together with Aznavour in their younger years on Instagram and wrote: “My dear mentor, we are left with eternity to sing together, rest in peace.”

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

‘Monsieur Charles, you will always remain For me Formidable’ – Celine Dion’s touching words on Aznavour’s death

Emil Lazarian
ArmenPress, Armenia
Oct 1 2018
‘Monsieur Charles, you will always remain For me Formidable’ – Celine Dion’s touching words on Aznavour’s death


YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Renowned singer Celine Dion has extended condolences over the passing of Charles Aznavour, the French-Armenian crooner who died yesterday aged 94.

“Today we say good-bye to Mr. Charles Aznavour, a child of Armenia, who became the most famous Ambassador of love songs à la Française.

As an Artist, the stage was his home until very recently.

His romantic ballads were part of so many generations that the entire world is now mourning him.

Monsieur Charles, you will always remain « For me Formidable. »

Love and condolences to the family.”

Numerous artists, singers, politicians and public figures have expressed condolences over the death of Charles Aznavour, the National Hero of Armenia.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

‘Eternal Glory to You, Dear Master, Dear Charles, Great Armenian’ – ex-president Serzh Sargsyan’s condolences on Aznavour’s passing

Karagyozian Lena
ArmenPress, Armenia
Oct 1 2018
‘Eternal Glory to You, Dear Master, Dear Charles, Great Armenian’ – ex-president Serzh Sargsyan’s condolences on Aznavour’s passing


YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. President of the Republican Party of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, the former President of Armenia, has expressed condolences over the passing of French-Armenian singer, National Hero of Armenia Charles Aznavour.

“It is impossible to describe in words the great sorrow which I live in now. The demise of Charles is a great, irreversible loss and pain for all of us, especially for those who have personally known him.

Charles Aznavour, the Armenian national hero, the ambassador of the Armenian people to the world, the artist of the century, the father of the French song, so loved by all of us Charles Aznavour, with his incomparable, unique, bright talent, his honesty, optimism and kindness was a man worthy of admiration in the whole world. He embodied the destiny of the Armenian nation, its revival, unwavering will, diligence and invincibility.

Charles’s life itself was a wonderful film, bright and full of humanism. This story, this miracle continues and will continue. Aznavour’s bright star will always lighten us all from heaven.

Eternal Glory to You, Dear Master, Dear Charles, Great Armenian,” Sargsyan said in the condolence message as reported by the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK).

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian radical group sets up party

Antonian Lara
News.am, Armenia
Sept 29 2018
Armenian radical group sets up party

[Armenian News note: The below is translated from the Russian edition of News.am]

An armed Armenian group has set up a political party

The group, Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils of Sassoun), is best known for its attack on a police station in Yerevan’s Erebuni district on 17 July 2016.

The group demanded that then President Serzh Sargsyan free the jailed leader of the radical opposition Founding Parliament movement, Zhirayr Sefilyan, and step down. The gunmen laid down their arms following a two-week standoff with Armenian security forces, which left three police officers dead. Most of the Sasna Tsrer members are veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh war with Azerbaijan of 1988-94.

Members of the group involved in the attack were jailed following the police station standoff.

After the change of power in Armenia in April-May, most of the gunmen were released from custody on bail pending a final court decision. Sefilyan was also freed on bail. His sentence was commuted from 10.5 years to 5.5 years by the Court of Appeals, pending his appeal to the Court of Cassation to drop all charges.

Snap parliament elections

The newly-set up party will be managed by a seven-member board, with Varuzhan Avetisyan being the coordinator. Avetsyan noted that a similar party would be established in Nagorno-Karabakh as well, the website said.

Sefilyan, who is not an Armenian citizen, cannot become member of the party. He said that he had already applied for citizenship and expressed confidence he will receive it under the current government.

Speaking to journalists, Avetisyan said the group has repeatedly stated it supports Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government, at least until the holding of an early parliamentary election in the country. At the same time, he noted that the victory in the revolution belonged to all people and not only Pashinyan. Earlier, the Sasna Tsrer members announced the group would run in the snap polls.

Vahan Badasyan, a former field commander of Karabakh army and ex-MP of the Karabakh parliament, said in his speech that the “velvet revolution” in Armenia did not happen in a day and that the Sasna Tsrer members played a role in it, News.am said.

“We must put an end to the previous regime’s actions that kept Artsakh [Karabakh] as a separate unit, which was in their personal interests. For the sake of a stable peace in the region, we must have one united Armenian state called the Republic of Armenia,” Badasyan was quoted as saying at the party’s congress.

Political ambitions

He also called for creating a Sasna Tsrer party in Karabakh as a symbol of a dream of Armenia’s and Karabakh’s unification.

Avetisyan described the presence of the Russian border guards on Armenia’s state border as a “shame”. He also called for reconsidering existing agreements on the presence of the Russian base in Armenia and the joint air defence system. He said in relations with Russia, Armenia should be ready for “alternative solutions”, the website said.

Badasyan said that there were “anti-national forces” in the Armenian parliament and other forces serving them. He said the parliament did not reflect people’s will and that the “national forces” should have their place in the upcoming parliamentary election, the website said.

In his speech, member of the Founding Parliament Garegin Chugaszyan also spoke for Karabakh’s de jure unification with Armenia, saying it would prevent further tension in the region. He said that Russia’s military presence in Armenia should be reconsidered and that Russian border guards should be withdrawn, the website said.