Category: 2020

 20:35,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS.  President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian held a regular working meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Presidential Residence on August 11.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office, Armen Sarkissian and Nikol Pashinyan discussed issues referring to the current problems facing the country and development programs.

The leaders of the country shared the opinion that despite the declining numbers of COVID-19 cases, it’s necessary to strictly follow the anti-pandemic rules, given the fact that many countries have returned to strict limitations after seemingly overcoming the pandemic.

Referring to the social-economic situation of the country, Nikol Pashinyan noted that 70 thousand jobs had been cut in April, but by June 50 thousand jobs were already restored. ‘’It was clear for me that if were had been guided only by health factors, now we would be facing social collapse’’, he said, adding that for now the priority task for the Government is to preserve and create new jobs. He emphasized that 100 billions MAD have already been invested by the state and banking system in social and economic directions.

Referring to the developments in Tavush Province in mid-July, the President and the Prime Minister emphasized that it was a direct aggression by Azerbaijan against Armenia, violating not only international laws, but also moral boundaries, given the fact that the international community is struggling against the global enemy – COVID-19. In this context, the leaders of the country expressed satisfaction for that the Armenian Armed Forces were able to once again prove that they have the strongest army in the region.

Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

 21:08,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. In the aftermath of the devastating explosion in Beirut that took place less than a week ago, AGBU Central Board engaged in worldwide appeals for urgent contributions to accelerate relief for Lebanese Armenians with a designated relief fund.  Immediate and generous support from across the globe resulted in over one million dollars raised over the weekend with both benefactors and grassroots donors rising to assist. The first million was doubled by a matching contribution from Chairman of the AGBU Council of Trustees, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, with the additional commitment to match all subsequent funds generated in the coming weeks to this urgent effort, ARMENPRESS was informed from AGBU website.

Among the first large contributions received of $100,000 or more include: Elie and Elzbieta Akilian (USA), Yervant Demirjian (USA), Haig and Elsa Didizian (UK), Nigol Koulajian (USA), Levon and Claudia Nazarian, Joseph and Jenny Oughourlian (UK), Berge and Vera Setrakian (USA), Sam and Silva Simonian (USA), Sinan and Angele Sinanian (USA) and an anonymous donor (USA). 

AGBU expresses gratitude to all of the benefactors as well as our remarkable grassroots donors, including young professionals and supporters from around the world.  

“We have been impressed by the surge of impressive contributions in less than one week” noted AGBU President Berge Setrakian.  “It is together that we can address the vast needs on the ground through our dedicated volunteer AGBU Disaster Relief Unit executing unprecedented work on the ground.”

AGBU is appealing to all Armenians worldwide to be a lifeline to their compatriots in Lebanon by donating quickly and generously to maximize the matching gift opportunity.

Due to the current complications of regular checks in the mail, online or phone donations are appreciated. Learn more about the relief fund established at Citibank (NY) and the work it serves visit: www.agbugiving.org/lebanon or call 212-319-6383 (M-F, 9am to 5 pm EST). For wire transfers, email  [email protected].

 09:05,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. The magnitude 4,2 earthquake that hit 12km south-east from the Turkish city of Igdir at 03:29 August 12 was also felt in Armenia, the Armenian seismic protection agency said.

The tremors were felt in the Armavir and Ararat Provinces at MSK 4, and in Yerevan at MSK 3-4.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 10:14,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Authorities are gathering information about Armenian citizens who are left homeless after the August 4 Beirut explosion and want to return to Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on social media, adding that nearly 100 people have already been airlifted from the Lebanese capital. 

“Around 100 of our citizens are returning to Armenia on board the planes that delivered aid to Lebanon. Two of the planes have already arrived, and the third one landed few hours ago. Armenian authorities are gathering information about Armenian citizens who are left homeless and are willing to return to Armenia. I had mentioned in one my speeches that we must speedily assess the needs of our returning citizens, in order for them to be able to settle down in their homeland without big difficulties. Welcome to Armenia, dear compatriots. We are happy to welcome you all and we are doing everything possible for organizing the repatriation of citizens willing to do so,” Pashinyan said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:27,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Two new Deputy Directors of the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia were named today.

President Sarkissian, formalizing the recommendation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, appointed Michael Hambardzumyan and Armen Abazyan to serve as deputy directors of NSS.

Editing by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:38,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenia extended the coronavirus-related state of emergency for another month at a Cabinet meeting on August 12.

“We are forced to extend the state of emergency once again, hopefully the last time,” PM Nikol Pashinyan said, adding that the state of emergency will be milder.

In turn, health minister Arsen Torosyan noted that the coronavirus guidelines and safety measures are giving results, citing declining numbers of new infections. 

The state of emergency will be in force until 17:00, September 11. Armenia is in a state of emergency since mid-March.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 12:02,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. The extended coronavirus-related state of emergency will have milder restrictions than before, Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan said at the Cabinet meeting amid the declining numbers of COVID-19 infections in Armenia.

Armenia is now open for foreign travelers as the ban on entry of non-citizens is being lifted.

“At the same time, it is envisaged that upon entering Armenia, if the traveler isn’t hospitalized they must self-quarantine for 14 days, however there is one innovation, they can get tested during these 14 days and in case of a negative result the self-quarantine regime is changed,” Badasyan said.

The nationwide ban on assemblies and strikes are also lifted and replaced with a regulation on authorization, with the condition of maintaining safety guidelines. Assemblies can take place only if participating persons wear masks and maintain 1,5 meters distance from each other.

Organizing celebrations and entertainment events are also allowed, but with a maximum of 40 participants and maintaining coronavirus guidelines.

The possibility of enforcing restrictions on shipments through the customs border is also lifted. The electronic surveillance regulation is narrowed down.

The state of emergency, declared in Armenia mid-March to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, was extended once again and will be in force until September 11.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 12:23,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says Armenia has the chance to appear in a “state of overcoming” in autumn as the coronavirus safety guidelines are showing results and the numbers are dropping.

“Today we have a chance to be in an entirely different state in autumn, in a state of overcoming, regardless of what will be happening in the world. This is in case we learn to live with the coronavirus. This means one thing – an exclusive discipline of mask wearing. If we secure a proper level of mask wearing we can note that practically we’ve solved the coronavirus problem. If not, we will once again return to what we had in July,” the PM said at a Cabinet meeting, referring to the high numbers of new infections during the previous month. However, even if that were to happen, the healthcare system is ready for it, he added.

Pashinyan said the healthcare sector has been supplemented with new capacities lately, which will help it be ready for various health issues regardless of the coronavirus.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 14:12,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan says hopefully the coronavirus-related state of emergency won’t be extended again after it ends in one month.

“I hope today the state of emergency is being extended for the last time,” Avinyan, the head of the COVID-19 response task force in charge of enforcing the state of emergency restrictions told lawmakers in parliament. “Today we assess the epidemiological situation in the country to be as average to mild. In terms of the healthcare system the situation is under full control,” Avinyan said, noting however that the daily new cases are still high, 100-200 people on an average.

The government extended the state of emergency, originally declared in mid-March, until September 11th.

The restrictions have been significantly .

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan