Category: 2020

Despite protests of Armenia, Greece and Cyprus, representative of Turkey elected president of UN General Assembly

Arpi Talalian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo.Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkir has been elected president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, which begins in September 2020.

Bozkir was elected chairman of the UN General Assembly despite the  protests of Armenia, Greece and Cyprus.

Bozkir, who was running uncontested, won unanimous support of the 178  UN members that were present and voting on Wednesday, Xinhua  reported.

He will take over from Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the current General  Assembly president, in September. A General Assembly president has a  one-year term.

As ArmInfo previously reported with reference to the press secretary  of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Anna Nahgdalyan, Armenia, Cyprus and  Greece are demanding a vote on the candidacy of the chairman of the  next, 75th in a row, UN General Assembly, which Turkey is applying  for. Naghdalyan then recalled that according to the principle of  geographical rotation at the UN, the representative of the East  European country should be elected the chairman of the 75th session  of the General Assembly.  “The candidate from Turkey Volkan Bozkir is  the only one for this post. Armenia, Greece and Cyprus, in violation  of the silence procedure, sent a letter to the President of the 74th  session of the UN General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, demanding  a vote.  I would like to emphasize that even at the request of one  country, voting is mandatory, “the representative of the RA MFA  noted, while stating that this is the first time that the only  candidate for the post of head of the General Assembly is put to the  vote.

At the same time, Naghdalyan assured that the desire of Turkey to  take this post is of concern not only to the Armenian side, but also  to a number of international partners.  “Armenia, Cyprus and Greece  made a letter of violation of the silence  procedure.  Moreover,  Armenia and Cyprus submitted a joint letter,  which specifically  states that” Turkey threatens the peace and  security of the entire  region, and in order to achieve regional  dominance, constantly  violates the UN Charter and international law,  including the UN  sanctions regime.

The Armenian side also voiced the issue of the blockade of the  country by Turkey, which has been going on for more than three  decades, its policy of constant denial of the Armenian Genocide and  even justification of this crime. In a joint letter, Armenia and  Cyprus emphasized that the chair of the UN General Assembly should be  occupied by a representative of a country whose actions and policies  are consistent with UN norms and values. Obviously, Turkey is not the  best country that can meet these standards, “Naghdalyan concluded.

It should be noted that three months before the start of a new  session of the General Assembly, its chairperson is also elected. The  candidacy for the post of chairman of the General Assembly is put  forward on the principle of rotation from regional groups:  African,  Asian, Eastern European, Latin American and Caribbean, Western  European, etc. Elections are held by secret ballot by simple majority  vote. The 74th session of the UN General Assembly opened on September  17 under the chairmanship of Tijjani Muhammad-Bande (Nigeria). 

Russia’s ruling party issues statement on situation around Gagik Tsarukyan

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia

Russia’s ruling “United Russia” party issued on Thursday a statement on developments around the leader of opposition Prosperous Armenia party (PAP) Gagik Tsarukyan. The statement released by the International Relations Committee of the party Congress,  expresses hope that situation around the PAP leader ‘will be solved in accordance with law with respect of the political pluralism and freedom of public activity.’

“It is our understanding that political competition characteristic of democratic states will not proceed in unlawful methods, and we wish our Armenian partners for an early settlement of the conflict which received resonance far beyond the Republic of Armenia,” the party said in a statement. 

Armenian NGOs call on the country`s leadership to introduce a transitional justice system

Arbi Tashjian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo. A search in the house of the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan, further interrogations and publication of information on several criminal cases involving Tsarukyan attracted public attention. This is stated  in the statement of a number of public organizations of Armenia.

According to the source, issues of the rule of law, the fight against  corruption in Armenia and the style of work of the authorities have  again become the focus of public attention. In a statement, in  particular, it is noted:

These are systemic phenomena and should be investigated, after which  they should be given a systemic solution. The lack of judicial reform  is fraught with serious consequences. Thus, we urge the authorities  to apply the best international experience, use the full potential of  Armenia’s ties with international experts and introduce a system of  transitional justice in the country. Citizens of the country should  also be duly informed of this. It must be realized that delayed  reforms and partial changes cannot contribute to the establishment of  justice in the country>.

The following people signed the statement: Nonprofit Organization  “Protection of Rights Without Borders”, Helsinki Civil Assembly  Vanadzor Office, Analytical Center on Globalization and Regional  Cooperation, Fund for the Protection and Development of Rights, Open  Society Armenia Foundation, “Asparez” Journalists Club. 

NGOs call for accountability for police officers responsible for the incident with reporters

Tatoyan Vazgen
Panorama, Armenia

Several Journalist organizations have condemned the actions of Police during the incident with reporters in Yerevan on the evening of June 16.

The statement, released on behalf of ten media organizations, among them Committee to Protect Freedom of _expression_, Yerevan Press Club, Media Initiatives Centre, Asbarez Journalists Club, notes that several reporters have suffered during the scuffle after the testimony of PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan outside the National Security Service. It reminds that when Tsarukyan walked out of the building and approached his supporters, a stampede began during which the reporters were encircled by the police officers and suffered hits. At least five of them suffered minor injuries.

“Regardless of the fact whether the police actions were targeted or caused by negligence and lack of professionalism, the law enforcement officers failed to not only protect the reporters but also obstructed their professional activity, ” the statement said, adding: “We the underscored journalist organizations condemn any violence against reporters conducting their professional activity and urge the Police of Armenia to launch objective investigation to look into the circumstances of the incident and ensure accountability for those responsible.”

Deputy Speaker: Donald Tusk looks at Armenia with Serzh Sargsyan`s eyes

Arpi Talalian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo.Parliament Deputy Speaker Alen Simonyan believes that the head of the European People’s Party Donald Tusk should be more restrained and not interfere in the affairs of the Armenian people. Simonyan stated this on June 18 in an interview with reporters, commenting on Tusk’s statement yesterday  that the EPP is concerned about the many cases of democratic retreat  in Armenia. True, on Twitter, the source cited by the media does not  have this statement.

According to Simonyan, earlier Tusk made similar statements regarding  Georgia and Ukraine. , Simonyan emphasized.

,  the deputy Speaker concluded.

Russia`s Ambassador meets with MPs of Prosperous Armenia Party

Jagharian Tania
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo. Ambassador of Russia to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin met with members of Prosperous Armenia Party, Vice-Speaker of the RA Parliament Vahe Enfiajyan and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Regional and Eurasian Integration Issues of the National Assembly, Mikayel Melkumyan.

According to the press service of the Russian diplomatic mission, the  meeting was held at the Russian Embassy. “During the conversation,  the parties discussed the development of Russian-Armenian inter-  parliamentary relations, the assistance to Russia in the fight  against coronavirus infection provided to Armenia both in a bilateral  format and within the framework of general integration associations.  The parliamentarians also shared their vision of some aspects of the  host country’s internal political agenda”,  it is noted in the  message of the diplomatic mission.

As ArmInfo previously reported, on June 14 the National Security  Service conducted surches in the mansion of the oligarch and leader  of the Prosperous Armenia party Gagik Tsarukyan, after which he was  summoned for interrogation by the NSS. Law enforcement authorities  suspect him of illegal entrepreneurial activity in the field of  gambling, as a result of which the state was damaged in the amount of  $ 60 million, as well as in bribery of voters in 2017 and illegal  appropriation of land in the village of Arinj, Kotayk region. On June  16, the Armenian Parliament approved the motion of the Prosecutor  General of Armenia Artak Davtyan to deprive Tsarukyan of his  parliamentary immunity and bring him as the accused in a criminal  case, up to and including imprisonment. The head of the PAP said that  he continues to consider the criminal case against him a political  persecution, and that he has no connection with the management of the  companies attributed to him. 

Minister: Venice Commission supports Armenia`s efforts to create a democratic system in the country

Boris Nahapetian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo.  President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio, presenting the report on the activities of the commission in 2019 to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, also touched on the cooperation of the Commission  with Armenia.  Minister of Justice of Armenia Rustam Badasyan wrote  about this on his Facebook page.  

Badasyan wrote that Buquicchio, in particular, noted that the  oligarchic regimes crashed in two member states, Armenia and Moldova.   According to the Minister, the Commission expressed its readiness to  assist Armenia and Moldova in their efforts to create democratic  systems.

“One of the main challenges, especially for the Armenian but also the  Moldovan authorities,is to find the right balance between, on the one  hand, the need for meeting the expectations of the people and for  real change in the country, and, on the other, the requirements of  legal stability and to maintain rule of law standards. Now, in this  week’s session, we’re going to confirm some of the top 10 most  complex and sensitive comments”, the head of the Venice Commission  emphasized, informed Badasyan.

According to Badasyan, some of these 10 issues relate to the reform  of the Constitutional Court and the criminal case on the overthrow of  the Constitutional system in Armenia.

Former MP Abraham Manukyan arrested

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 16:37,

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. Former Member of Parliament of Armenia Abraham Manukyan has been arrested, the National Security Service told Armenpress, without clarifying under which criminal case he has been arrested.

According to the media reports, Manukyan’s arrest is connected with the criminal case launched against Multi Group Concern LLC general director Sedrak Arustamyan.

Abraham Manukyan has served as MP of the Republican Party of Armenia faction in 2003-2007, and later in 2021-2018 he has served as a lawmaker of the Prosperous Armenia party.




Armenian Ambassador meets with Lithuania’s Minister of Health

Chmshkian Vicken

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 16:33,

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. On June 17, Tigran Mkrtchyan, Ambassador of Armenia to Lithuania met with Aurelijus Veryga, Minister of Health of Lithuania, the Armenian Embassy told Armenpress.

During the meeting, Ambassador Mkrtchyan thanked the Lithuanian government for the decision to send medical staff and essential medical supplies to Armenia, noting that this assistance will contribute to mitigating and stabilizing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Veryga briefed Ambassador Mkrtchyan on the preparations for the mission and noted that after overcoming the pandemic, Lithuania is ready to continue the close cooperation with Armenia in the field of healthcare and share its best experience.

President Sarkissian signs law on making changes in Tax Code

Ophelia Vardapetian

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 16:21,

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed today the law on making changes in the Tax Code, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

According to the change, profit taxpayers will be exempt from the duty of making profit tax prepayments for the 2nd quarter of 2020.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan