Category: 2020

Artsakh makes wearing masks compulsory in closed public spaces

Chakhmakhchian Vatche
Panorama, Armenia
June 9 2020

Artsakh Republic Commandant, State Minister Grigory Martirosyan signed new decisions tightening the rules aimed at minimizing the risk of spread of the novel coronavirus “COVID-19” in the republic.

According to them, wearing masks becomes mandatory in closed spaces, public places and other crowded sites, during funerals and in public transport. 

According to another decree, rapid response groups will be formed to coordinate and monitor the anti-epidemic measures in the country to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Turkish presidency infuriated over raising of ‘Byzantine flag’ over mosque in Cyprus

Tatoyan Vazgen
Panorama, Armenia
June 9 2020
Politics 12:34 09/06/2020Region

The Turkish presidency described raising the “Byzantine flag” over a mosque in the Cypriot city of Larnaca, as “showing hatred for Islam and Turkey,” noting that “stopping these attacks is a natural right,” Al-Masdar News reported.

The head of the communication department in the Turkish presidency, Fakhreddine Alton, said on Monday via Twitter that “the suspension of the flag on the Tuzla mosque shows the deep grudge and hatred towards Islam and towards Turkey by the people of the distasteful mentalities that inherited shame and attacks on ideas, beliefs and looting. And genocide in the pages of history for thousands of years. ”

“Turkey continues with all its might the struggle to transform the region into a zone of peace and security,” Alton said, noting that “the epic struggle that Turkey is presenting today in the eastern Mediterranean is an _expression_ of the blessed inspiration it drew from its civilization.”

He noted that “Islam, which was a source of peace and security and the horizon of ancient civilization, will continue to enlighten the years and combat all kinds of systematic attacks,” saying that “the attack on Islam and Muslims has become an institutional structure that is increasing day by day in the name of the so-called freedom of opinion.”

Alton stressed that “stopping the horrendous attacks against Islam and Turkey as soon as is a natural right”, stressing that “Turkey is able to rebuild the atmosphere of brotherhood and coexist with all beliefs and religions in the Mediterranean region.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has instructed government officials to conduct a study on how to convert Istanbul’s famous Hagia Sophia Byzantine-era cathedral, currently a museum, into a mosque. Hagia Sophia was reopened as a museum in 1935. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Armenian prime minister orders ex-NSS chief’s arrest – Hraparak Daily

Torgomian Varazdat
Panorama, Armenia
June 9 2020

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reportedly embarked on the efforts to neutralize the Armenian opposition since Monday.

According to a report by Hraparak Daily, the government’s entire resources have now been directed against the opposition forces which are said to be consolidating.

“But the number one target is former Director of the National Security Service (NSS), Chairman of the Homeland Party Artur Vanetsyan, who is seen as a serious threat to him,” the paper writes.

Citing its sources, Hraparak Daily says that newly appointed NSS Director Argishti Kyaramyan has been ordered to “neutralize” Vanetsyan. Nikol Pashinyan has reportedly instructed him to summon Vanetsyan to the National Security Service “under any pretext” and arrest him for two months by using all the “leverages of influence over courts.” Under such a scenario, the former security chief is expected to be released after two months in custody.

“Kyaramyan isn’t a career officer and is virtually not constraint in terms of fulfilling his superior’s orders,” the paper says, adding Vanetsyan has today been summoned to the NSS for questioning and is likely to be arrested after it.

Goal is the same to have competitive economy, but approaches must change – Armenian minister

Yeghisabet Arthur

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 14:51, 8 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Economy Tigran Khachatryan sees need for revising the package of strategic measures envisaged for various branches of the economy as the world is changing conditioned by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

During the parliamentary debate of the annual report of the 2019 state budget performance, the minister was asked what actions are being taken to promote export. In response he reminded that during the year they have worked on drafting 5 documents, 3 of which – Industry development strategy, Small and medium business strategy and Tourism development strategy, have components relating to export. “These three offer different solutions as the issues in each of them are different. For instance, the key gap in the major business is the technological upgrading. The government will approve this document this year. In case of small and medium business, the most important problem is connected with the export infrastructures being weak”, he said.

He said there is a big package of measures which envisages what should be done. The minister, however, noted that some of them need revision as the world is changing, therefore, the approaches should also change in terms of passing that path. “The goals are the same – to have a competitive economy, competitive services, but the ways should change because the problems have changed”, minister Tigran Khachatryan said.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian economy minister says what was lost will be brought back in 2021 by quantitative figures

Christine Harutyunian

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 16:22, 8 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Economy Tigran Khachatryan says 2021 is going to be the year when as a result of the novel coronavirus situation what was lost in the economy will be restored by quantitative indicators.

During the parliamentary debate of the 2019 budget performance report, asked how much time will be needed for recovering the damages caused to the economy, the minister said: “The world’s leading organizations assess 2020 as a year which will be overcome with minimal losses. There are various assessments, according to different international organizations 3-5% decline will be registered both in the developed and developing economies. And almost all international organizations assess that in 2021 these same economics will be restored with the same rate”, he said, adding that Armenia will not be an exception as well.

Armenia will try to orient itself quickly, will try to act quickly, as this will be very important during the restoration period. He said 2021 will be a year for restoring what has been lost. “We can’t and don’t want to return to the point where all these started. We should position ourselves in the new world’s new reality in a way and propose the world such goods and services which are competitive, demanded and guarantee long-term development opportunities. I think 2021 will be the year of growth when what has been lost will be mainly brought back in the form of quantitative figures”, he added.

But as for 2020, an economic decline is forecast both in the global economy and Armenia.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Number of high-tech companies in Armenia grew by 25% in 2019

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

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 17:15, 8 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. The number of new companies registered in the field of high technology industry in Armenia has increased by 25% in 2019, reaching 1,250, Minister of High-tech Industry Hakob Arshakyan said during the joint session of the parliamentary standing committees, presenting the indicators registered in the fields of high-tech industry and military industry.

“In 2019, we had a 30% growth in the field, the total turnover comprised nearly 320 million drams. This comprises 2.4% in the total GDP. This is, of course, not a bad figure, but according to our estimation Armenia’s potential is much more”, he said, reminding that the growth of high technologies in the 2018 GDP was 0.4%.

The minister linked the growth in the field and the number of companies with the policy run by the government, in particular by granting privileges to the new companies.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 08-06-20

Adrine Hakobian

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 17:26, 8 June, 2020

YEREVAN, 8 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 8 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.32 drams to 481.42 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 2.33 drams to 543.67 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.05 drams to 7.06 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.71 drams to 610.15 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 274.42 drams to 26056.46 drams. Silver price down by 2.82 drams to 272.1 drams. Platinum price down by 178.84 drams to 12738.4 drams.

Onik Gasparyan appointed Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces

Hambardsumian Paul

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 17:47, 8 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed a decree on appointing Onik Gasparyan Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

According to another presidential decree, Artak Davtyan has been relieved from the post of Chief of the General Staff.

The President signed the respective decrees based on the prime minister’s proposal.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

PM Pashinyan comments on dismissal of Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces

Emil Lazarian

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 20:00, 8 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Referring to the causes of the dismissal of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia Artak Davtyan, PM Pashinyan noted that during the period of a pandemic all the state bodies must demonstrate extreme and unconditional discipline as an example for others, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan said in a briefing following the session of the Commandant’s Office.

”I wish happiness to all newlyweds, including the son and the bride of Lieutenant -General Artak Davtyan. I hope they will be a happy family”, Pashinyan said, referring to the wedding of Davtyan’s son during the period of the state of emergency on June 7.

”I am sorry for such developments, but I think in this situation the interest of the state, quality of the state management and discipline make it necessary to make such a decision. I want to clearly mention that particularly all the state and local self-government bodies must demonstrate extreme and unconditional discipline as an example. By that we will be able to encourage our compatriots and overcome this crisis as soon as possible”, Pashinyan said.

Referring to the dismissals of Police Chief of Armenia Arman Sargsyan and NS Director Eduard Martirosyan, PM Pashinyan emphasized that their potential for serving the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people is exhausted, adding that it’s possible that they discuss the issue of their future service.

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan, Editing and Translating by Tigran Sirekanyan