Category: 2020

ArmInfo.Unmanned aerial vehicle, designed and modernized by Defense Army specialists, was successfully tested in Artsakh.

Thus, according to the Artsakh Defense Army, the final stage of the  tests was held at the Tigranakert training ground on May 19.

The drone operates independently of various technical means of  location, has high maneuverability and shock capabilities, is not  inferior in technical characteristics to similar devices of leading  countries and is easily controlled. In the coming months, shock  drones will enter the phase of mass production and take their full  place in the defense system of Artsakh Defense Army. The tests of the  drone were observed by the head of Artsakh Defense Army Jalal  Harutyunyan. 

Panorama, Armenia

PACE monitor welcomes Armenia's request for Council of Europe expert legal advice

 18:06,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Co-rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for the monitoring of Armenia, Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland, SOC) assesses Armenia’s decision to request an opinion from the Venice Commission on the Constitutional situation in Armenia a good example of both the quality and the level of co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Armenian authorities, ARMENPRESS was informed from the website of the PACE.

''The Armenian authorities have decided to request the opinion of the Venice Commission  the Council of Europe's body of legal experts on possible changes to the Constitution regarding the Constitutional Court and this is very good news’', Kimmo Kiljunen said.

''The suspension of the referendum due to the coronavirus, and the choice made by the government to request this opinion and return the issue to parliament are all the more relevant given that the Armenian authorities will now have time to reflect on the opinion of the Venice Commission before taking further action and informing the public. I am looking forward to reading the opinion and seeing how it is taken into account’', Kimmo Kiljunen said, adding that this decision is a good example of both the quality and the level of co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Armenian authorities.

The referendum was scheduled on April 5, but was suspended due to the state of emergency as a result of the spread of the novel coronavirus. It was about suspending the powers of the President of the Constitutional Court Hrayr Tovmasyan and a number of other members of the Constitutional Court.

Non-discriminatory principle for single energy market should become pillar for EAEU integration – PM

 18:18,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan participated in a regular meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council held via video conference.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, the meeting was attended by RF President Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov, President of Moldova Igor Dodon (head of the EAEU observer state) and Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission Board Mikhail Myasnikovich.

The Prime Minister of Armenia greeted the participants of the conference and noted that at the latest meeting he talked about his government’s response to the pandemic and the steps aimed at mitigating its socio-economic consequences. Nikol Pashinyan said the stage of strict restrictive measures is nearly complete in our country, and the Government has been abiding by a decentralized strategy since May 4.

“Yesterday all restrictions on almost all types of economic activity have been lifted in Armenia. However, restrictions in the fields of education, culture, entertainment, recreation and public events have been preserved. The public sector works in a hybrid way, combining office and remote work. Thus, at this stage, we have completely abolished quarantine. And this, of course, has led to some growth in new coronavirus cases. However, despite the abolition of quarantine, strict social and economic security rules have been introduced – protocols and regulations have been approved, which are mandatory for all citizens, business entities and government agencies.

The concept of strict restrictive measures has been substituted with the concept of strict norms and rules of behavior. Its effectiveness, of course, will depend on the degree of responsibility of society, as a whole.

During the quarantine period, we were able to take all necessary measures to upgrade the healthcare system’s overall capacity. Over the next two weeks, we will conduct permanent monitoring of the situation. We hope that there will be no need to revert to strict quarantine measures. We believe that conditions will be created for full functioning of the economy and social activities in general.

In parallel, the government adopted a package of measures to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the quarantine regime and the growing economic crisis. In addition to the social component, those measures sought to provide conditions for economic recovery and development in the post-crisis period.

We also managed to organize effective control in the retail sector, avoid the shortage of goods and prevent a drastic rise in consumer prices. Thanks to the Central Bank’s operational intervention, sharp fluctuations in the financial markets were suppressed and the national currency exchange rate was maintained.

Dear friends,

I have repeatedly noted that amid the pandemic and the growing recession, we attach particular importance to the development of our cooperation. I am more than confident that we must strengthen our Union and improve the fundamental institutions of integration.

We must prove their viability in times of crisis and be ready to share all economic opportunities that will obviously emerge in the post-crisis period. In this context, the strategic directions of Eurasian integration until 2025 are of particular importance. We are convinced that the areas of cooperation outlined in this document will help raise the Union’s investment and innovative attractiveness, increase its competitiveness, scientific and production potential.

In the context of the global economic challenges we are facing today, the need for the earliest possible formation of a common gas market for Armenia is especially acute. It was just as I mentioned that a single energy market with non-discriminatory principles of functioning should become one of the pillars of our integration. Otherwise, there can be no qualitative progress in integration processes and it will be impossible to achieve equal conditions of economic activity for all participants in the Union.

We proceed from the fact that the “Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Integration until 2025” should fix the principle of applying common approaches to pricing and tariff setting on the EAEU common gas market, including uniform tariffs for services provided by a natural monopoly entity during transportation and gas transit.

Our Union should strive to achieve this goal step by step, which will create favorable conditions for a qualitatively deeper economic integration within the Union.

Dear friends,

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate us all on the 75th anniversary of our victory in the Great Patriotic War. Our people hold this day sacred, and we do our best to ensure that generations remember the feat of our fathers and grandfathers.

Thank you.”

In their respective statements, the leaders of EAEU-member states referred to the steps aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, the possible ways of ensuring economic development in the current situation and the joint effort to deal with the emerging challenges.

The Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Integration until 2025 were approved in general. It was agreed that the discussion of individual provisions of the document will continue in order to finalize it taking into account the member states’ proposals.

PM Pashinyan congratulates Benjamin Netanyahu on being re-appointed Prime Minister of Israel

 19:05,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Benjamin Netanyahu on being re-appointed Prime Minister of Israel and forming a new Cabinet. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the congratulatory message runs as follows,

''I cordially congratulate you and offer my best wishes on the occasion of being re-appointed Prime Minister of Israel and forming a new Cabinet.

I am confident that the coalition government headed by you will continue the development path of Israel, recording new success and achievements.

The Government of the Republic of Armenia is interested in continuing the political dialogue and active cooperation with the newly formed Israeli Government in different spheres of bilateral relations, as well as for further deepening and strengthening partnership on multilateral formats.  

I hope that with mutual efforts we will be able to enrich the partnership agenda between Armenia and Israel and develop mutually beneficial partnering relations for the benefit of our countries and peoples.

I wish you goof health and all the best, and lasting peace and welfare to the friendly people of Israel''.  

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 19:15,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan condemned spreading false news about coronavirus and that he is involved in the medical mask business, Pashinyan said in a Facebook Live.

՛՛The spread of false news becomes particularly important when people continue to say that there is no coronavirus. Since the 1st day of coronavirus being recorded in Armenia we have never hidden any news from you. In fact, you know about coronavirus exactly what the Government knows’', he said.

The PM urged not to believe in false news. He noted that false news are circulated that allegedly he or some other officials are involved in medical masks' business. ''Some people even ask us why we don't deny. Dear compatriots, we have already denied to many false news'', Pashinyan said, adding that whoever believes in such news, can continue to believe.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 20:47,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh has received the results of the 27 coronavirus tests sent to Armenia vor examination, according to which 26 are negative and 1 is positive, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Informational Center of Artsakh, quating the Healthcare Ministry.

The new case is a family member of an earlier recorded case and had been isolated.

By now 29 cases have been recorded in Artsakh, 8 of which have recovered. A total of 581 citizens have been tested and 69 have been isolated, while Armenia has recorded 5041 cases. 2164 have recovered, 2788 are active cases. Death toll is 64 in Armenia.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan, Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan