Category: 2020

 19:51, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. The Washington Post journal has published an article, claiming that Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev want to put an end to the political opposition in his country. ARMENPRESS reports the article also refers to the aggression of Azerbaijan against Armenia in July and the political developments following it.

It’s mentioned that the president of Azerbaijan has never been kind to independent media and dissidents.

‘’The February parliamentary elections were deemed by international observers to be devoid of real political competition. Now, in the midst of the pandemic, low oil prices and tensions with archrival Armenia, Mr. Aliyev has suddenly discovered a “fifth column” of enemies, the political opposition, and has begun throwing them in jail. Mr. Aliyev’s tantrum is threatening to obliterate what remains of independent political forces in Azerbaijan”, reads the article.

Referring to the Azerbaijani aggression on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the article notes that an organized rally took place in Baku during those days, which was used by Aliyev to silence his political opponents.

‘’Late in the protest, a group of people briefly stormed into the parliament building in Baku before they were removed by police, and several police cars were overturned by angry crowds. Aliyev saw the protest as a pretext to go after the “fifth column. The day after the rally, he attacked the largest opposition party, the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan. He claimed that the Popular Front is worse than Armenians’’, reads the article, adding that the specials services of Azerbaijan have started to arrest the members of the party and other people. Sources in Azerbaijan say that as many as 120 people are currently held, including some deputy leaders of the party as well as journalists.

 19:55, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan attended a consultation at the Defense Army, he wrote about this on his Facebook page, presenting some emphases made by him.

”Official Baku does not refrain from Armenophobic and militaristic policy. The clashes provoked by Azerbaijan in Tavush part of Armenia-Azerbaijan border, followed by Turkey’s aggressive and overt interference in the hostile activities against the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh once again prove the reality that army building was and remains the priority direction of our country and we have to do our best for the development and strengthening of the army’’, Harutyunyan said, adding that acquisition of new weapons and construction of new engineering structures will be continuous.

”Our army was, is and will be strong and combat ready, always ready to protect the borders of the Motherland, the security and welfare of our people. This is an issue of national agenda and uniting the efforts and potential of the entire Armenian nation we will do our best to successfully fulfil that mission”, the President of Artsakh said.

Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

 21:54, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan gave an interview for Greek ”MEGA TV”, referring to the recent activities of Turkey. ARMENPRESS presents the full interview.

Question: How will Armenia react in the event that Turkey actually provides in practical terms arms, personnel and money to Azerbaijan?

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The only country which has been speaking the language of threat over this past week was, indeed, Turkey. We will be defending us, we will be strengthening our defense, we will be working with our international partners.

Question: There are analysts that claim that the Armenian-Azeri conflict is actually only a smokescreen of the growing rivalry between Russia and Turkey.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: We are a member of the international community, a sovereign state. We need peace and security in this region. We do not need making this region an object of international rivalry.

Question: Turkey’s president Rejep Tayyip Erdogan called the offensive beyond Armenia’s caliber.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Well, this is exactly the language that we reject, the language of threat, to review these policies from a nation which has been living in denial and impunity. And lately we have also been observing the justification of the act of the Genocide. This is not exactly the way in which one nation is willing to contribute to peace in the region.

Question: Turkey is actually trying to recreate the neo-Ottoman state in a wide area.

Zohrab Mnatskanyan: Greece is a nation which has been working very hard towards peace and stability in its part of this neighbourhood. Armenia is pursuing very similar objectives.

Question: Great Hagia Sophia in Istanbul once again echoed with Muslim prayers.

Zohrab Mnatskanyan: This act of converting Hagia Sophia into a mosque is exactly a threat to that symbol of harmony and dialogue and mutual respect.

Question: How do you see the provocation from Turkey on Greece?

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: I want to reiterate our strong support and solidarity to Greece and to Cyprus. This is a major destabilizing act in the Eastern Mediterranean which again manifests the very aggressive policies that Turkey has been consistently displaying in those recent times. Question: In the event that Turkey and Greece get involved in an armed conflict, will Armenia actually stand in solidarity with Greece?

Zohrab Mnatskanayan: I do not see anything that can shatter or can question the very strong solidarity, the very strong relationship and the very strong friendship between Armenia and Greece. We react decisively against such acts which put at risk our interests or our sovereign rights.

 09:42, 31 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. Overnight July 30-31 and today in the morning relative calm has been maintained on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Armenian defense minister’s spokesperson Shushan Stepanyan said on Facebook.

“The Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime 14 times, firing nearly 155 shots from firearms at the Armenian positions”, she said, adding that the shots were mainly fired at the Armenian military positions located in the direction of Aygepar, Chinari, Aygedzor, Nerkin Karmiraghbyur, Zangakatun, Yelpin and Bardzruni.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 09:31, 31 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s economy is slowly recovering from the recession caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this trend is noticed in the monthly dynamics, Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on economic affairs Babken Tunyan told Armenpress, expressing hope that the decline will reach minimum in coming months.

As of January-June 4.7% decline in the economic activity index was registered. The MP said the decline rate compared to January-May and January-April has increased, but he highlighted the monthly dynamics to see the changes that have taken place each month. “The decline in fact has started from March. The decline in the economic activity index this March was 4.1% against March 2019. In April the decline reached up to 16.3%, but in May it reached 12.8% and in June – 7.5%. In other words, if we look at the monthly dynamics, we had the highest decline in April, during the strictest coronavirus-related restrictions. But now the declining rate has weakened, and if this dynamics continues, the rate will further weaken and it’s possible we will have a restoration of the economic activity in the last quarter – in October, November and December. And if these monthly positive changes take place, they will affect the overall annual figure. But all these depend on what will be the future development of the economy and the coronavirus situation”, he added.  

Touching upon the separate branches of the economy, the lawmaker said the picture is the same almost in all sectors. The industry field differs a little from the other sectors, as a growth has been recorded in the industrial production. It increased by 1.5% in January-June, but on monthly basis it has recorded a decline: for instance compared to June 2019, this year in June it has declined by 2.4%. He said the growth in the industry is mainly at the expense of the growth in the mining industry. “At this moment one of the main bases of Armenia’s economy is the mining industry. No matter how much the environmentalists and others are dissatisfied with this, the fact is that today the mining industry ensures large part of the taxes, foreign currency and economic indicators”, he added.

The growth in agriculture comprised 1.7% in January-June.

The MP connects the weakening of the economic decline with the re-opening of economic activities. “If initially the operation of public food objects was totally banned, now they can operate by following some rules. In addition, in March and April, when the anti-crisis packages started to develop, they entered into force in early May, the assistance was provided both to the employers and separate companies, which in its turn creates a demand in the economy”, he said.

Mr. Tunyan said according to the latest estimations of the government, which is reflected in the 2021 budget draft, 2.6% economic decline is forecast for 2020. However, he noted that it’s still difficult to make a prediction because the economic situation is closely connected with the healthcare situation and the daily coronavirus cases.

“We can state that the economy is slowly getting out of the recession”, he said.

The lawmaker said there may be criticisms that some sectors are facing problems. He confirmed that many sectors face problems and they are going to be long-term problems, as it’s impossible to immediately return to the previous situation. “But on the other hand it’s important for the business and the society to have positive expectations, because expectations play a great role in the economy, especially in terms of the fiscal policy and other factors”, Babken Tunyan said.

The lawmaker said it is necessary to normalize the healthcare situation as soon as possible and further accelerate the recovery process.

Interview by Anna Grigoryan

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 09:54, 31 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. The US State Department commented on the recent arrests of opposition figures in Azerbaijan, which coincided with the recent clashes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Voice of America reports.

The State Department urged Azerbaijan to refrain from violence and respect the fundamental freedoms. It called on Baku to properly investigate the reports on violence and pressure by the police and hold the guilty ones accountable.

Back in July 20 the US State Department commented on the human rights violations in Azerbaijan. In a report the State Department also touched upon this issue, stating that the Azerbaijani authorities are arresting opposition figures. The Department urged Azerbaijan to avoid using the COVID-19 pandemic to silence civil society advocacy, opposition voices, or public discussion.

The Washington Post published an article titled “Azerbaijan’s president aims to finish off the political opposition”, stating that “Mr. Aliyev’s use of the iron fist to destroy his critics is the opposite of democracy”. 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 10:30, 31 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan introduced today newly-appointed minister of environment Romanos Petrosyan to the ministry staff.

Pashinyan expressed hope that Romanos Petrosyan will manage to further develop the good results existing in the ministry.

“Mr. Petrosyan moves here from the position of the Governor of Kotayk, and we must record that he has carried out quite a productive activity in that status and must be confident that his activity in this new position will be more effective”, the PM said.

In his turn Romanos Petrosyan thanked for the high trust, adding that he will continue making efforts for creating a more protected environment.

Romanos Petrosyan has been appointed minister of environment on July 30. Before this appointment he was serving as Governor of Kotayk Province.

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 11:13, 31 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. 354 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been registered in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 38,550, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention said today.

631 more patients have recovered. The total number of recoveries has reached 28,997.

10 people have died in one day, raising the death toll to 738.

The number of active cases stands at 8,587.

The number of people who had a coronavirus but died from other disease stands at 228 (3 new such cases).

So far, 163,736 people have passed COVID-19 testing.

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 10:16, 31 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. Former Director of the National Security Service of Armenia, president of the Fatherland party Artur Vanetsyan has been invited to the NSS for questioning.

On July 30 member of the Fatherland party Arsen Babayan has posted the photo of the NSS notification sheet which said that the NSS Investigation Department is preparing materials over the case of an appointment in the NSS with the violation of the requirements of the Law on National Security Bodies.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan