Category: 2019

Government has strategy of not intervening in university situation – PM Pashinyan

11:31, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government aims at depoliticizing the universities, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during today’s Cabinet meeting, reports Armenpress.

“Many people blame that nothing has changed in the universities, the situation is the same like previously. We must record that the government has a strategy of not intervening in the university situation, and we put ourselves out of the interventions that are not envisaged by law. We have a work to do on the path of the universities self-government, we should urge the teaching staff and students to show constructive activeness on this path”, the PM said, adding that the task is to carry out major systematic changes.

Pashinyan stated that the scientific, research work must have a great investment in the high education.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian Government confirms opening embassy in Qatar

11:34, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Government has made a decision to establish an Embassy of Armenia to Qatar, stationed in Doha.

According to the government, the decision came taking into account “friendly relations of Armenia with Qatar, the high standard of living and investment opportunities of the country, growing tourism between Armenia and Qatar, as well as growing trade turnover”.

Qatar has also expressed readiness to open its own embassy in Yerevan in case Armenia makes the decision to open its representation in Doha.

In addition, Qatar is ready to provide nearly 110,000 dollars annually for three years, a territory for the embassy building, a residence for the ambassador and two vehicles.

The 110,000 dollars provided by Qatar will cover the maintenance expenses of the embassy, which is a total of 192,584 dollars annually.

Qatar is presently covered by Armenia’s Ambassador to the UAE, however after this decision a new and separate ambassador is expected to be named for Qatar.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian President sends congratulatory letter to Governor-General of New Zealand 

11:45, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to Governor-General of New Zealand Patsy Reddy on the country’s national day – the Waitangi Day, the Armenian Presidential Office told Armenpress.

In the letter the Armenian President wished Patsy Reddy good health and success, and peace and prosperity to the good people of New Zealand.

Waitangi Day is the national day of New Zealand and commemorates the signing, on 6 February 1840, of the Treaty of Waitangi. Ceremonies take place at Waitangi, Northland to commemorate the signing of the treaty, which is regarded as New Zealand's founding document. 

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Police Chief testifies in court at 2016 Yerevan hostage crisis hearing

11:58, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. A court hearing is underway at the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction on the 2016 Yerevan police station ambush case, which became known as the 2016 Yerevan hostage crisis.

Incumbent national Police Chief Colonel Valeriy Osipyan is testifying in the hearing as a victim.

In 2016, Osipyan served as Deputy Chief of the Yerevan Police Department. He himself was taken hostage during the ambush.

During today’s court hearing Osipyan presented all details from the events.

Two of the 10 assailants are currently under arrest. The remaining seven were released on bail.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

New governors of Shirak and Tavush provinces named: PM puts a task to attract investments

12:04, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. According to the decisions of the government, Hayk Chobanyan has been appointed governor of Tavush province and Tigran Petrosyan – governor of Shirak province, reports Armenpress.

During today’s Cabinet session Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated the new governors and wished them good luck.

“I want to tell the new governors that in fact the attraction of new investments and creation of jobs in all provinces that will lead to the change of the socio-economic situation is a priority task”, he said, adding that the public administration bodies and governors should encourage, invite potential investors to show what investments can be made for ensuring the development of the provinces.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Discussions on change of gas tariff continue: Gazprom Armenia not in a hurry to present details

12:17, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. Discussions are being held at all directions in connection with the change of gas tariff supplied to Armenia, Vakhtang Mirumyan – deputy director general of the Gazprom Armenia CJSC, told reporters after the session of the Public Services Regulatory Commission. He stated that as long as the discussions are not over, he cannot provide information about the change of the gas price and the subsequent developments, reports Armenpress.

“The press service of the Gazprom Armenia CJSC has issued a respective statement in regards to the gas tariff. There is no other information yet. Whether debt is accumulated or not, how the financial-economic activity must be carried out, I cannot say anything at this moment, all issues are currently being discussed. Moreover, these discussions are being carried out at all directions, including investment, capital renovations programs, losses and etc. The goal is to avoid harming the company’s activity, as well as leading to undesirable consequences”, he said.

Mirumyan informed that Gazprom Armenia CJSC is engaged in the discussions and is actively cooperating both with the Public Services Regulatory Commission and the authorized bodies of the energy field. As for the discussion timetables, he said two months are scheduled, but with the possibility to be extended.

Gazprom CJSC increased the gas price supplied to Armenia from 150 USD to 165 USD starting from January 1, 2019. Following this Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the gas tariff for the domestic consumer will not increase, noting that the Armenian government will continue the talks with the Gazprom Armenia CJSC to reach a final agreement.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Macron personally informs Erdogan on declaring April 24th National Day of Armenian Genocide Commemoration

12:48, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. President of France Emmanuel Macron has informed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the decision to declare April 24th a National Day of Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in advance.

Speaking at the annual dinner of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF), where he announced the initiative, he said he informed Erdogan in advance because “he wanted to keep an open dialogue with Turkey”, Euronews reported.

"We have disagreements over the fight against the Islamic State, human rights and civil liberties in Turkey and on the genocide," Macron said, according to Euronews.

"We also have points of agreement such as the necessity for a political transition in Syria. As such, dialogue with Turkey is indispensable," Macron said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Government releases its draft Action Plan

13:04, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. The draft Action Plan of the Armenian government has been posted on e-gov.am, reports Armenpress.

It will be submitted to the parliament after being approved by the Cabinet.

According to the draft, the Armenian government’s actions in the next five years will be directed for building a competitive and inclusive economy aimed at export.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Artsakh’s status and security among Armenia’s top priorities: Government’s Action Plan

13:25, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. The government has introduced Armenia’s foreign policy priorities in its draft Action Plan released today, reports Armenpress.

According to the draft, the Armenian government, while conducting a foreign policy, is guided by the collective interests of Armenia and its people.

The government’s foreign policy aims at preserving Armenia’s sovereignty, ensuring the security of Armenia and Artsakh, raising Armenia’s international reputation, constantly developing the mutually beneficial and equal relations with all states, increasing Armenia’s engagement in international and regional processes, deepening the cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats, sustainable development of Armenia and the modernization of the economy, ensuring access to new markets and attracting new foreign investments to Armenia and Artsakh.

The principled priorities of the government’s foreign policy are ensuring international and regional security and the peaceful settlement of conflicts, international and regional cooperation aimed at sustainable development, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, strengthening of democracy and prevention of crimes against humanity.

The draft says in the foreign policy field the government will towards settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict exclusively peacefully within the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship format, which must be based on the fundamental principles of the international law, in particular, the peoples’ right to equality and self-determination. Artsakh’s status and ensuring its security are Armenia’s top priorities in the negotiation process.

The government will also take actions to ensure the continuation of the international recognition and condemnation process of the Armenian Genocide. The recognition of this crime against humanity will lead to regional security, stability and solidarity between the peoples, as well as the prevention of crimes.

According to the draft, the government will actively work on ensuring Armenia’s active and initiating participation in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) by contributing to further raising the effectiveness of these structures.

The government will develop the strategic-allied relations with Russia considering this goal as one of its key priorities. The Armenia-Russia relations are based on friendship, equality and the readiness to solve the issues with joint efforts. The government views Armenia’s strategic partnership with Russia as a key component on ensuring Armenia’s security system.

The draft states that the government will consistently develop the friendly partnership with the United States. The government is inclined to deepen the partnership with the US aimed at assisting Armenia’s development and reforms agenda and expanding the dialogue for regional stability.

The government will deepen the friendly relations and will expand the partnership with the European Union, its member states and other European countries.

It will also develop the unique and friendly ties with Iran and Georgia. The government is also inclined to develop the relations with China and the partner states of the Middle East.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia’s Police Chief objects to granting amnesty to participants of 2016 Yerevan police station attack

13:33, 6 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. Police Chief of Armenia Valery Osipyan objects to granting amnesty to the participants of 2016 Yerevan police station attack. ARMENPRESS reports judge Mesrop Makyan informed that the National Assembly of Armenia adopted a law on November 1, 2018 on announcing amnesty for criminal cases on the occasion of the 2800^th anniversary of Erebouni-Yerevan and the 100^th anniversary of the 1^st Republic of Armenia. The amnesty law provides a separate point for the people who participated in Yerevan police station attack from June 17-31, 2016, but the amnesty also provides a reservation, according to which if the people who were taken hostage during those days or suffered physical damage object to granting amnesty, the investigation into the case will continue according to the standard procedure.

Police Chief of Armenia Valery Osipyan, who was taken hostage in 2016 by the gunmen when he was Yerevan Police Deputy Chief, objected to the granting amnesty. “I have lost friends. If I had not lost friends, maybe my position would be otherwise. I think everyone should be punished in line with the law”, Osipyan said.

To the question of the judge if he objects to granting amnesty, Valery Osipyan said, “Yes, I object”.

Only 2 of the 10 gunmen are currently kept in detention pending trial – Armen Bilyan and Smbat Barseghyan. The others have been released on bail or personal guarantee of MPs.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan