Category: 2020

 11:13, 4 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President Donald Trump on the occasion of U.S. Independence Day. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the message runs as follows:

“Honorable Mr. President,

I extend my warmest congratulations to you and to the friendly people of the United States on Independence Day.

The meaning of July 4 reverberates far beyond the borders of the United States and has become a symbol of victorious struggle for independence. The founding fathers’ noble ideas of state-building have ever since been a source of inspiration for many nations in pursuit of democracy

For two years now, the Armenian authorities have embarked on a comprehensive institutional reform agenda, supposed to lead to the final establishment and irreversibility of democracy and the rule of law in our country. The fight against corruption and judicial reform stands high on our agenda.

We are grateful for the United States’ financial and technical assistance for democratic reforms in Armenia. We highly appreciate the support provided by your administration in the fight against the pandemic that has been plaguing the globe for a while now.

Armenia highly values the furtherance of friendly relations with the United States as part of the strategic dialogue established a year ago. We are committed to continued participation in the U.S.-led initiatives aimed at fighting cross-border terrorism and enhancing international security to the best of our ability. We appreciate the United States’ constructive involvement and balanced policy in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the First Republic of Armenia and the United States. This landmark historical fact gives our partnership a truly emotional touch. Resonating with our shared democratic values, it creates a solid groundwork for continued development and progress of friendship between our two nations.

Reiterating my congratulations, I wish the friendly people of America peace, prosperity and a swift victory in the fight against the coronavirus-driven pandemic.”

 12:00, 4 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan received Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. On July 4

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Artsakh President’s Office, a wide range of issues relating to foreign political challenges were on the discussion agenda. Particular reference was made to the latest developments around the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict settlement. Within this context, it was underscored that the destructive and aggressive rhetoric of the Azerbaijan’s military political authorities deprives the parties of the opportunity to make progress in the peaceful settlement process.

President Harutyunyan reaffirmed the commitment of the official Stepanakert to the peaceful settlement of the conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk group and the need for full-fledged participation of the Artsakh Republic to the negotiations.
Artsakh Republic Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan attended the meeting.

 18:02, 4 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Masis Mayilian met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan who is on a working visit to Stepanakert on July 4, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh.

During the meeting, the sides touched upon a range of issues related to the current stage of the process of peaceful settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict. In particular, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan presented the results of the recent video conferences with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen and the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan. In this context, the sides noted the importance of taking practical steps to reduce the risks and to maintain stability in the conflict zone, aimed at ensuring the irreversibility of the peaceful settlement process. The Foreign Ministers stressed the inadmissibility of the bellicose and provocative statements recently voiced by the Azerbaijani authorities at various levels, noting that such rhetoric jeopardizes the peace process and hinders the formation of an atmosphere of confidence.

At the same time, the need for the full-fledged participation of official Stepanakert in the negotiations to increase the efficiency of the peace process was reiterated.

Then, the meeting was continued in an expanded format, with the participation of the senior staff members of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh and the delegation of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Armenia. The sides touched upon the process of implementation of the plan of consultations between the two Ministries. They noted with satisfaction the high level and practical nature of cooperation between the Ministries. They also exchanged views on the prospects of expanding the international relations of Artsakh and its involvement in international processes, as well as on the coordinated steps in this direction.

 13:09, 4 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh confirm their determination to seek the de-occupation of the territories of Artsakh and the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic, ARMENPRESS reports reads the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh.

On July 4, 1992, the Azerbaijani armed units, with multiple superiority in manpower and military equipment, employing heavy artillery and combat aircraft launched a large-scale offensive in the direction of Martakert town of the Republic of Artsakh. Martakert was completely destroyed, and the Armenian population of the town of about 13 thousand people was forced to leave their homes and become internally displaced persons, finding temporary shelter in the capital city Stepanakert and in various settlements of the Republic of Armenia.

Following the capture of Martakert, the Azerbaijani army continued the offensive, destroying about 80 percent of the region, looting the Armenian settlements and subjecting their population to forcible deportation.

In general, almost half of the territory of the Republic of Artsakh fell under the occupation of Azerbaijan. The republic itself was on the verge of total annihilation. The humanitarian situation was even more catastrophic – by the end of the summer of 1992, more than half of the population of the Republic were refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The situation was aggravated by the almost complete indifference of specialized international organizations to the fate of Armenian refugees and IDPs who were on the verge of a humanitarian disaster in Artsakh.

However, even in these seemingly hopeless conditions, the people of Artsakh managed to summon its collective will, mobilize its full potential and repel the armed aggression of Azerbaijan.

A year later, on June 27, 1993, the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh liberated the town of Martakert. Those who returned to their homeland began the process of restoration and improvement of the war-torn border town, which gained even greater scope after signing the termless trilateral (Azerbaijan, the Republic of Artsakh, and the Republic of Armenia) ceasefire agreement on May 12, 1994.

To this day, some settlements of the Martakert region, part of the Martuni region and the entire Shahumian region, a total of over 1000 square kilometers of the territory of the Republic of Artsakh, are under the Azerbaijani occupation, where the Azerbaijani authorities implement illegal settling and pursue a policy of destroying the traces of presence of the native Armenian population in these territories.

The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh confirm their determination to seek the de-occupation of the territories of Artsakh and the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic.

 11:30, 4 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo appointed Anouch Toranian Vice Mayor of Paris, ARMENPRESS reports, citing the official website of Paris Municipality. Hidalgo’s Cabinet will have 37 Vice Mayors, and Toranian will be one of them responsible for community life, participation of citizens and public debates. This is the highest position held by an Armenian in Paris City Hall. 

Earlier information was spread that Anouch Toranian had been elected head of 15th arrondissement of Paris, wining her Turkish rival, but later the information was denied.

Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan