Category: 2019

Donald Tusk to visit Armenia

17:46, 6 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. President of the European Council Donald Tusk will pay a visit to Armenia on July 10.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Donald Tusk and PM Pashinyan will meet on the same day, after which they will give a joint press conference.

President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian will also receive Donald Tusk.

PM Pashinyan and President of the European Council Donald Tusk will visit Europe Square in Yerevan together.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenia, Singapore discuss cooperation opportunities in technological sector

09:32, 8 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s official visit to Singapore continues. On July 8 PM Pashinyan met with the representatives of Temasek Holdings foundation led by co-chair of the investment group Nagi Hamiyeh, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

During the meeting Nikol Pashinyan stated that the Armenian government is interested in discussing the cooperation opportunities with the Temasek Holdings, given the latter’s productive activity in a number of sectors of the economy, including high technologies. Pashinyan said the technological sector is one of priorities of the Armenian government as Armenia plans to build a technological economy the locomotive of which will be the IT field. He said since the Soviet times Armenia had a developed engineering system, currently engineering companies successfully operate in the country. The PM informed that in the past 7 years the IT field in Armenia has grown 5 times. Pashinyan introduced the government’s actions aimed at fighting monopolies, corruption, adding that institutional reforms are being carried out in a number of directions. “We invite you to get acquainted with Armenia’s technological opportunities and activities of companies”, the PM said.

Nagi Hamiyeh stated that there is a small, but organized Diaspora in Singapore the representatives of which successfully operate in different areas, including technological. The company representative added that Temasek Holdings is ready to discuss the cooperation and investment opportunities with the Armenian government, including in the field of engineering education. The co-chair of the investment group introduced the foundation’s activities in Singapore, China, US and India.

Thereafter, the sides discussed the prospects of creating a joint venture foundation, implementing startup programs, exchange of experience and technical cooperation.

The company representatives were invited to attend the 2019 World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) to take place in Yerevan in autumn. They accepted the invitation with pleasure. The sides agreed to continue the discussions in Yerevan.  

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Centre-rights win Greece parliamentary elections

09:59, 8 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS. Greece’s centre-right opposition party New Democracy has won the nation’s snap general election, BBC reported.

With most districts counted, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras admitted defeat to his rival, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

New Democracy has 39.85% of the vote so far, with Mr Tsipras’s leftist Syriza party in second place with 31.53%.

Current projections give New Democracy an outright majority, as the winner receives 50 extra seats in parliament.

Nearly all districts have returned their results, official figures show.

Armenian PM addresses congratulatory message on Constitution Day

11:00, 5 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed a congratulatory message on the Constitution Day, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The message reads:

“Dear compatriots,

I congratulate all of us on the Constitution Day,

The events of the past year in our country, which were in full accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, once again prove that our actions are directed for ensuring and strengthening the rule of law and right.

The unconditional fulfillment of the Mother Law – the Constitution, is the sacred duty of all of us, and we will continue consistently the steps aimed at the reforms of the legal field and establishment of a real independent judicial system. We feel the complete support of the society on this matter, which gives additional impetus to our actions.

With our decisive actions we will rule out possible encroachments against the constitutional order and will completely exercise the rights and freedoms of the Armenian citizens guaranteed by the Constitution.

Dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

I once again congratulate you on this important holiday, wishing peace, happiness and all the best to all of us. 

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

‘Constitutional provisions also contain philosophy, value system’ – President Sarkissian’s message

11:00, 5 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian addressed a congratulatory message on the Constitution Day on July 5, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The message runs as follows:

““The Armenian people — taking as a basis the fundamental principles of the Armenian Statehood and the nation-wide objectives enshrined in the Declaration on the Independence of Armenia, having fulfilled the sacred behest of its freedom-loving ancestors for the restoration of the sovereign state, committed to the strengthening and prosperity of the fatherland, with a view of ensuring the freedom of generations, general well-being and civic solidarity, assuring the allegiance to universal values — hereby adopt the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia”.

The Armenian people enshrined this belief in the preface of the Constitutional adopted through the July 5, 1995 referendum. By then, the Constitution of Armenia underwent radical changes for two times, staying committed to this belief.

Dear compatriots,

I congratulate all of us on this important state holiday – the Constitution Day. Today we also celebrate the Day of State Symbols. The Constitution, together with the state flag, emblem and anthem, is making the essence of statehood as a whole. Constitution is the Mother Law of the Republic, the main legal guarantor of protection of rights and freedoms of each of us. The strengthening of a constitutional culture is a key precondition for the formation and development of democracy, rule of law and social state system.

Our vision on state is determined by Article 1 of the Constitution – “declaring the Republic of Armenia as a democratic, legal and social state”. This unchangeable provision, in reality, is not purely declarative. It is enshrined as a key principle, value, goal, ideal legal and public standard to which both the state bodies and each citizen of Armenia should always seek through constant improvement, daily work and behavior.

In general, in line with the legal content, there is a philosophy, value system in the constitutional provisions. The respect to the Mother Law is a respect not only to our state and statehood, but our past, present and future, us and our generations, and our vision on state.

We all are equal before the Constitution. We all are bearers of statehood, are its part and thus the keepers of the Constitution with our actions, behavior and thinking.

Moreover, not only and not so much the formal formation of constitutional provisions is important, but also the formation of a constitutional culture, constitutional thinking, the honest and logical interpretation and use of the Constitution are a priority. Even the Constitution which contains the most perfect formulations will turn into a document with no value if it is unfairly interpreted or used.

Constitution is also a legal document living and developing under the conditions of the challenges and imperatives of the time. Any change, improvement or evolutionary interpretation of the Constitution should be based on the principle of the rule of law and derive from the general principles of law, by contributing to our state’s quick, calm, normal, stable and constant development.

At all times, the Constitution should remain as a uniting point for our society, people and citizens.

Only the country that completely lives with the Constitution, the state which has a power and society respecting the Constitution, can develop and have a steady place in the world that lives in complex conditions and changes.

Once again congratulations to all of us on today’s holiday! I wish you peace, welfare and optimism!”

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian PM pays tribute to memory of Vietnam’s fallen heroes and founder Hồ Chí Minh

11:48, 5 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. The official visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his wife Anna Hakobyan to Vietnam has kicked off, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

Together with spouse Anna Hakobyan and the government’s delegation, PM Pashinyan today visited the Memorial of Heroes Perished for the Sake of Vietnam’s Independence and Freedom, as well as the Mausoleum of Hồ Chí Minh, founder of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Armenian PM laid wreaths at the Memorial and the Mausoleum, by paying a tribute to the memory of the fallen heroes and Hồ Chí Minh.

Thereafter, the PM and Mrs. Anna Hakobyan visited the Temple of Library of Hanoi. During the tour the PM and his spouse got acquainted with the materials and the history of the Temple. Vietnam’s main education center has been located here in the 10th-11th centuries. The Temple is named after Confucius. After the tour the Armenian PM left a note in the Honorary Guest Book of the Temple.

In the daytime Pashinyan will meet with Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Thereafter, the two PMs will hold a joint press conference summing up the results of their talks.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Presidents of Armenian, Russian Central Banks discuss cooperation within EAEU integration

11:53, 5 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. The private meeting of the Presidents of Central Banks of Armenia and Russia Artur Javadyan and Elvira Nabiullina was held on July 4 in St. Petersburg on the sidelines of the 28th International Financial Congress, the CBA told Armenpress.

The sides discussed the cooperation of the two structures at the bilateral format and within the EAEU integration processes.

The meeting was followed by a signing of an agreement between the two Central Banks on cooperation and exchange of information in the field of financial markets control.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian, Artsakh foreign ministries to hold regular consultations on NK conflict

11:58, 5 July, 2019

STEPANAKERT, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. Foreign minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who is in Artsakh on a working visit, met on July 5 with Foreign minister of Artsakh Masis Mayilyan, the Armenian MFA told Armenpress.

The Armenian FM highlighted such format meetings which are a good opportunity to thoroughly touch upon and assess the current stage of the Nagorno Karabakh peace process and outline the future actions. “This reflects our priority goal: the strengthening of engagement of Nagorno Karabakh, and ensuring this has been our goal from the very first days. This is a very practical, pragmatic goal, because if we really want a practical progress in the peaceful settlement, the engagement of the main subject of this conflict is important”, the Armenian FM said.

The Armenian and Artsakh FMs also touched upon a number of issues relating to the peaceful settlement process of the NK conflict. Both emphasized the need of taking real steps to form a favorable environment for the progress of peace process.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Masis Mayilyan also discussed the cooperation between the two foreign ministries in various areas and taking bilateral actions to expand Artsakh’s engagement in the international processes.

At the end of the meeting the FMs signed a plan of consultations between the Armenian and Artsakh foreign ministries according to which the two ministries are expected to hold regular consultations on the Artsakh conflict and matters of foreign policy interest during 2019-2020.

Thereafter, the two FMs held a press briefing with the media representatives.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

A group of officials bestowed with titles and class ranks at Armenian Presidential Palace

12:28, 5 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. On July 5, the Day of the Constitution of Armenia, representatives of the law enforcement and security agencies received titles and class ranks based on the proposal of the Prime Minister and the decrees of the President.

Head of the Special Investigation Service Sasun Khachatryan was bestowed with a class rank of the Third Class State Counsellor of Justice.

Director of the National Security Service, Colonel Artur Vanetsyan was bestowed with a Major-General military rank.

First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Major-General Onik Gasparyan was awarded with a Lieutenant-General military rank.

Chairman of the Investigation Committee Hayk Grigoryan was bestowed with a class rank of the Third Class State Counsellor of Justice.

Head of the State Protection Service Grigory Hayrapetov was bestowed with a Major-General military rank.

Head of the Armed Forces Signal Troops, Colonel Temur Shahnazaryan was bestowed with a Major-General military rank.

Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan was bestowed with a class rank of the Third Class State Counsellor of Justice.

Police Chief, Police Colonel Valeri Osipyan was bestowed with a Major-General military rank.

During the awarding ceremony at the Presidential Palace, President Armen Sarkissian congratulated the officials and considered symbolic that the regular titles and class ranks are bestowed on the Constitution Day.

“You are fulfilling your mission of defending the borders of the homeland, maintaining constitutional and public order, strengthening legality in the country with a dignity and dedication. What you do is not a simple duty, but a hard and honorable work and service which directly and indirectly concerns both the present and the future of our country and people. By properly fulfilling your duties you protect both the security of the state, the rights and freedom of citizens and of course, the Constitution. I am confident that from now on you will do your work and service with a greater responsibility and dedication, focusing on the interests of Armenia, our citizen and our whole nation”, President Armen Sarkissian said.

Head of the Special Investigation Service Sasun Khachatryan told reporters that it’s a great honor to be bestowed with that class rank and is the greatest appreciation of his work. “I want to thank all those who appreciate that work, in particular the Prime Minister and the President of our country. I want to congratulate all on the Constitution Day”, he said.

Director of the National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan also offered congratulations on the Constitution Day and thanked for appreciating his work.

“Being bestowed with the highest military rank on the Constitution Day is very important and obliging. The rank of a General is not only a happiness for the one who receives it, but first of all a great responsibility. I wish all those who received these titles will worthily serve our state”, he said.

Police Chief Valeri Osipyan told reporters that he was waiting for this title still from ordinary times. “When I started my job in the Police 30 years ago, I had a wish to reach this result from that time. Let me not to assess my work, let the people and my colleagues do that”, he said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

President of Artsakh meets participants of “Towards Holy Etchmiadzin, Towards Sacred Artsakh” forum

13:02, 5 July, 2019

STEPANAKERT, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan on July 5 met with participants of the “Towards Holy Etchmiadzin, Towards Sacred Artsakh” Pan-Armenian Youth forum in Stepanakert Culture and Youth Palace, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The President noted the importance of holding such events in Artsakh highlighting the substantial role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in cementing the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity, maintaining the Armenian national identity, developing and strengthening the Armenian statehood.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan and other officials attended the event.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan