Category: 2020

Speaker of Georgian Parliament highlights the role of Armenian community in the country’s development

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
March 3 2020

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today met with Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze on the sidelines of his official visit to Georgia, the press service at the government reported.

Appreciating the ongoing cooperation between the Armenian and Georgian governments and parliaments, Mr. Talakvadze emphasized that Prime Minister Pashinyan’s visit will help strengthen and expand ties between the two nations. He highly valued the partnership between the Armenian and Georgian parliamentarians on both bilateral and international platforms.

The Speaker of Georgian Parliament highlighted the role played by Georgian Armenians in his country’s development. In this connection, he noted that the Armenian community serves as a bridge for boosting interstate cooperation.

In turn, Nikol Pashinyan said the inter-parliamentary dialogue is of special importance in interstate relations. He appreciated the ongoing close interaction between lawmakers as they can go a long way toward strengthening the bonds of friendship between Armenia and Georgia.

Pashinyan and Talakvadze agreed that intensive dialogue can open up new opportunities for joint programs and projects. In conclusion, Pashinyan signed the Georgian Parliament’s Honorary Guest Book, the source said.

‘We understand about both the economy and healthcare’: Hrachya Hakobyan to Gagik Tsarukyan

Maghakian Mike
Aravot, Armenia
March 3 2020

                                                       
March 03,2020 21:26 11

Will the referendum be postponed due to the coronavirus? Reporters asked My Step deputy Hrachya Hakobyan about this in parliament. He said, “It’s still too early to speak about postponing the referendum. We have a month until then and we don’t know how the virus will spread or go away. If it goes away and can be controlled, we won’t have to postpone the referendum. But if it gets worse, I think we can review the process of postponing the referendum.”

Aravot Daily spoke about the head of Prosperous Armenia, Gagik Tsarukyan, and his dissatisfaction with the way the authorities handled the coronavirus. Tsarukyan had said that, one month ago, the virus had spread all across the world. The government should have issued orders, but it seems that face masks and disinfectants are not available at pharmacies. Upon being asked if he accepts this criticism, Hrachya Hakobyan responded, “I don’t accept it because we did everything. As we can see, however, this terrible virus has spread everywhere, and it has now reached Armenia.” According to him, the reason why there are no face masks in pharmacies is due to the fact that people started to panic.

Aravot also spoke about Tsarukyan’s statement where he said, “This isn’t an economy, didn’t we know that people suspected of having the coronavirus need to be quarantined for 14 days? Why did we let those people return and spend time with their families?” Hrachya Hakobyan said, “We understand about both the economy and healthcare. Everything is under control. They are trying to spread rumors through panic.”

Hripsime Jebejyan

‘No one called to see how I’m doing’: Officer wounded by Azerbaijani sniper

Chakrian Hovsep
Aravot, Armenia
March 3 2020

                                                       
March 03,2020 19:10 25

Aram Hakhverdyan was the Armenian soldier who was wounded by shots fired by an Azerbaijani sniper on February 15th. He received a wound on his head and had surgery at the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Defense Central Clinical Military Hospital.

On February 15th, at the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan towards Tavush-Ghazakh, an Armenian soldier was wounded by Azerbaijani fire. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about this during the meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Munich Security Conference, and said, “Stop this process.”

“I was severely wounded and operated on. But I was treated with indifference by the Ministry of Defense, commanders, and by the Armed Forces. No one called me to see how I’m doing. I served for ten years at the borders. I am an officer and I’m offended. I will not be able to serve anymore after the surgery because the law forbids it based on head trauma and the loss of some functions. I will be forced to leave the army. I would like to know the reason for this indifference. The incident took place at a foothold where two other people have also been wounded. It’s a poor place for a foothold because it’s too close to the enemy,” Aram Hakhverdyan told Aravot Daily in an interview.

According to the officer, he was released from the hospital and was ordered by the doctor to rest. “People from the ministry can come and say that they know I have two children, but they’ll help me with a little bit of money in advance. I have recovered physically, but I am hurting on the inside from this indifference.”

Arpine Simonyan

P.S. The Ministry of Defense did not wish to respond to the officer’s statements. It refused to give an explanation.

Book: ONEArmenia and author Vahan Zanoyan launch Armenian wine history and tasting tour

Emil Lazarian
Aravot, Armenia
March 3 2020
ONEArmenia and author Vahan Zanoyan launch Armenian wine history and tasting tour

                                                       
March 03,2020 15:47 15

THE TRIANGLE. YEREVAN, SANTA MONICA—ONEArmenia (1A) and author Vahan Zanoyan have launched a multi-city US book and Armenian wine tasting tour, in support of 1A’s WineCubes of Armenia project, helping winemaking families in rural Armenia become active players in the country’s booming wine industry.

The book tour revolves around Zanoyan’s latest novel, Waking Noah’s Vines, which tells the tale of a group of adventurous vintners from around the world, who embark on a wine-infused journey to revive the 6,000-year-old wine industry in Armenia after the country gains independence from the Soviet Union. Inspired by the real life revival of Armenian wine over the past decade, Zanoyan, who is a major consumer of Armenian wine, is determined to introduce the country’s ancient winemaking tradition to the world.

All royalties from the book’s sale, and ticket sales from the book and wine tasting tour, are going to WineCubes of Armenia. The project is giving small-scale winemaking families the tools they need to produce high-quality wine, and then showcase it to tourists. That includes access to a state-of-the-art wine making facility in Yerevan, and a WineCube, an elegant tasting room built directly in their vineyard. Armenia’s first WineCube is already up and running in Areni village, where husband-wife duo Nver and Narine Ghazaryan are showcasing their family wine brand, Momik Wines, launched through 1A’s Farm-To-Bottle project in 2018.

Author Vahan Zanoyan

In addition to going over the creative process behind Waking Noah’s Vines during the tour, Zanoyan is diving deep into the history of winemaking in Armenia, and how the predecessors of the Armenian people laid the foundations for the country’s growing wine industry today. “We’d be different today, genetically and culturally, if our pre- pre-ancestors had not begun with the vine,” says Zanoyan.

Zanoyan and 1A will visit the following cities to uncover the secrets of wine, and share a selection of fine Armenian wines with local communities:

  • New York, NY – March 7, Tufenkian Carpets Showroom
  • Paterson, NJ – March 8, Krichian Cafe
  • Chicago, IL – March 12, Residence of H. Consul of Armenia
  • Sunnyvale, CA – March 28, Sunnyvale Community Center

Signed copies of Waking Noah’s Vines will be available for purchase at each stop of the tour. For more information about how WineCubes of Armenia is bringing sustainable wine tourism to Armenia’s rural vineyards, visit onearmenia.org/campaign/wine

About the author: Vahan Zanoyan is a traveler, global energy consultant and anti-trafficking advocate. He has published two volumes of poetry in Armenian and four novels in English: A Place Far Away (2013) and The Doves of Ohanavank (2014), both of which were inspired by a chance meeting with a young victim of sex trafficking, and The Sacred Sands (2016), based on his experiences as an international energy consultant. Waking Noah’s Vines is Zanoyan’s latest novel.

About 1A: ONEArmenia is a nonprofit organization based in Yerevan and Santa Monica, committed to raising the standard of living in Armenia through innovative projects that accelerate job creation in agriculture, technology, tourism and made-in-Armenia products. Since 2012, 1A has crowdfunded for and implemented 21 different projects with grassroots organizations in Armenia that share its values of radical transparency, collaboration and sustainability.

Sports: Mkhitaryan reveals brutal thing Mourinho accused him of after Man Utd exit

Emil Lazarian
Team Talk
March 3 2020
 
 
Mkhitaryan reveals brutal thing Mourinho accused him of after Man Utd exit
 
Date published: Tuesday 3rd March 2020 1:04
 
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has spilled the beans about a brutal confrontation he once had with Jose Mourinho just a matter of months after the Armenia playmaker had left Old Trafford.
 
Mkhitaryan joined United during Mourinho’s first season in charge at Old Trafford, but struggled to make a lasting impression at United with the Portuguese firebrand struggling to get the best out of the former Borussia Dortmund man.
 
Mkhitaryan made 63 appearances during 18 months with the Red Devils, scoring 13 times, before being sacrificed in an ill-fated swap deal for Alexis Sanchez with Arsenal in January 2018.
 
Mourinho spoke of his regret after Mkhitaryan’s departure, admitting perhaps it would be something he comes to regret, saying: “I believe Mkhi is going to be even better than he was with us. With one and a half years in England, adapted, knows, Arsenal play the way they think, I think is a good move for everybody, that’s why I’m also happy for Mkhi.
 
Could he perform better with us, could I take more from his talent, maybe, could he give a little more also to adapt to us, maybe but I don’t think regrets, he’s in our history, so good feeling for everybody and a very specific transfer between rivals in a big country which I have to say must happen more times.”
 
However, Mkhitaryan also failed to live up to expectations at Arsenal, with the player on the move again 18 months later when he left the Gunners to join Roma in a season-long loan deal.
 
Mourinho himself went on to leave United when he was sacked by the club in December 2018 and Mkhitaryan claims the Portuguese somehow blamed the player for the bad press he received during the latter stages of his time as manager at Old Trafford.
 
“Once Mourinho saw me at breakfast and said to me: ‘Because of you, the press criticises me,’” he told Forza Roma.
 
“I replied: ‘Really ,mister? I’m not doing it on purpose’.
 
“Back in Manchester United there were paparazzi three days a week. They filmed you as you got in the car, how you were dressed.
 
“Once you arrived at the sports centre they were already there. Every step was controlled.”
 
 Mkhitaryan has also admitted Mourinho is a difficult manager to play under and says pleasing him was always tough to achieve.
 
“Yes, I could say yes,” the Roma winger added.
 
“He’s a winner by nature. He wants you to win and you do what he asks you.
 
“It’s difficult for anyone. There have been differences and conflicts, but they have not had a strong impact on good work and the three trophies won.”
 
 Mkhitaryan opens up on Arsenal move
 
The Armenian has since found better form with Roma, scoring six times in 17 appearances for the Serie A side and has suggested he is happy to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
 
Discussing his move to Arsenal, the club he joined in a swap deal for Sanchez, Mkhitaryan said: “I knew that Wenger and Arsenal were interested in me at the time of the conflicts with Mourinho.
 
“Wenger wanted me with the Gunners. Going to them was fulfilling the dream I had as a child.
 
“Many French players had worn that shirt in the past: Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, Petit, Vieira.
 
“I was very passionate. Then, with the arrival of the United Arab Emirates, they started having economic problems and started investing in young people.
 
“Moving to Wenger’s Arsenal was a dream, a fairytale.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Artsakh President attends event devoted to birthday anniversary of academician Grigory Gabrielyants

Hovhannisian John

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 10:24, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan attended an event on March 2 dedicated to the birthday anniversary of adviser to the President, academician Grigory Gabrielyants, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The event was held in the State Museum of Fine Arts in Shoushi.

Minister of state Grigory Martirosyan and other officials were present at the event.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




More suspected COVID-19 cases test negative in Armenia

Jirair Kafian

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 09:48, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. 8 more suspected cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) tested negative in Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced.

He said the only patient who was diagnosed with the virus on March 1 remains in normal condition. “He doesn’t even have fever”, he said.

The premier said the quarantined contacts of the patient are also feeling well.

“I will update in case of the situation changing”, the PM said.

Earlier on March 2, nine suspected cases of the virus also tested negative.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Pashinyan addresses congratulatory message on Businessman’s Day

Garnik Zakarian

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 10:26, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed a congratulatory message on the Businessman’s Day, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The message says:

“Dear businessmen,

I congratulate all of you on the Businessman’s Day. It’s symbolic that this day has been selected on the birthday of famous entrepreneur and philanthropist Alexander Mantashev. This day is a chance not only to honor Alexander Mantashev, but also those entrepreneurs of Armenia who continue Mantashev’s work.

As I have stated many times, we imagine in the role of conducting Armenia’s economic revolution our business community and consider you, the businessmen, our government’s number one ally in the country’s development process. In 2019 we jointly managed to record high economic results which became possible thanks to our joint activities and cooperation.

I am confident that Armenia’s business community, people who are engaged in entrepreneurship are exceptionally talented and I am also sure that this year you will generate higher results in your companies, by creating greater outcomes for Armenia and its people.

And I want to assure you that the government of Armenia will do everything possible to improve the business climate and expand the opportunities for new investment projects. As I have stated in the past, today as well want to note that the characterizer of a businessman in our country is the reputation gained with fair, legal and hard work based on one concrete goal – to become rich and enrich the homeland, the people and the state.

Dear businessmen,

I wish you good luck, a lot of energy and new ideas”.

In 2017 Armenia declared March 3 as the Businessman Day.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Armenian President congratulates Bulgarian counterpart on Liberation Day

Mary Lazarian

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 10:07, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev on the country’s national day – the Liberation Day, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

“Armenia highlights the bilateral and multilateral traditional cooperation with Bulgaria and is ready to further strengthen the relations in the future. For this purpose we have the most important – a common value system and a centuries-old friendship between our peoples. I wish you good health, success, and peace and prosperity to the Bulgarian people”, the Armenian President said in his congratulatory letter.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Armenia upgrades Iran border shutdown in heightened COVID-19 countermeasures

Chakrian Hovsep

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 10:27, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is upgrading and extending its border shutdown with Iran for another two weeks as the Islamic Republic is facing the COVID-19 outbreak, Healthcare Minister Arsen Torosyan announced.

He said the decision of the government’s task force will be formalized and published today and come into force March 4.

The initial, partial two-week shutdown of the border was announced by Armenia on February 24. Now, the closure will be extended for another two weeks (until March 24). The initial closure featured some exceptions, namely for cargo traffic, but the upgraded countermeasure also restricts the freight transport.

As of March 3, Armenia has one novel coronavirus patient – a 29-year-old Armenian national who traveled from Iran. The patient is hospitalized and is feeling well, authorities said. His direct contacts are quarantined.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan