Category: 2020

Azerbaijani press: Toivo Klaar: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict needs early political settlement

Baghdasarian Karlen
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  • KARABAKH CONFLICT

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict needs an early political settlement, European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar told Trend.

He pointed out that despite the current difficult context related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union continues to closely follow developments around the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, be it the situation on the ground or recent public remarks about the current phase of negotiations led by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

“In this vein, I had telephone conversations with both the Azerbaijani and the Armenian Foreign Ministers last week. These were exchanges on recent developments in the region, including on the impact of the coronavirus, which is a common challenge for the world and demands common efforts to overcome it. As you know, High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the European Union made a strong statement in support of the appeal by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for an immediate global ceasefire in light of the global coronavirus pandemic,” added Klaar.

In the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement context, he reiterated the European Union’s call on strictly observing the ceasefire, devoting energy and resources to fighting the pandemic and remaining meaningfully engaged in the peace process led by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,

He noted that the European Union fully supports the efforts of the Co-Chairs, who ensure the continuity of the conflict settlement process, as well as their approach and proposals toward peace and security in the region.

The joint meeting between the Foreign Ministers and the Co-Chairs that was held via videoconference on 21 April – and resulted in a joint statement – is a welcome positive development, added Klaar.

He pointed out that the status quo is unsustainable.

“The conflict needs an early political settlement. We expect the sides to take measures to reduce tensions further and engage substantively on core issues and next steps in line with the joint statement made on 30 January 2020 after intense three-day discussions in Geneva facilitated by the Co-Chairs. The European Union looks forward to the resumption of face-to-face meetings and implementation of previously agreed humanitarian measures as soon as the situation allows it. We stand ready to support steps to help prepare the populations for peace,” Klaar concluded.

Armenpress: Former NSS Director invited to Special Investigation Service

Tambiyan Samvel

Former NSS Director invited to Special Investigation Service

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 18:38, 7 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. Former Director of the National Security Service of Armenia (from 2018-2019) Artur Vanetsyan has been invited to the Special Investigation Service in connection with the announcements of former Ambassador of Armenia to the Vatican Mikayel Minasyan, who is currently wanted by the law enforcement bodies of Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports Vanetsyan’s lawyer Lusine Sahakyan wrote on her Facebook page.

”Legal procedure is underway and we refrain from extra comments”, she wrote.

On May 2 Mikayel Minasyan issued a footage, where he said hat former NSS Director Artur Vanetsyan had initiated a meeting with him in Rome on the instruction of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, suggesting him to pay some symbolic money to any foundation, after which no criminal case would be pressed against him, but he would have to stay abroad. In the footage Minasyan said that he had denied the proposal.

Reporting by Karen Khachatryan, Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenpress: Former PM Karen Karapetyan invited to session of Inquiry Committee of April war

Emil Lazarian

Former PM Karen Karapetyan invited to session of Inquiry Committee of April war

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 18:56, 7 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. The Inquiry Committee of the National Assembly of Armenia investigating the circumstances of the April war of 2016 has invited former Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan to participate in the session of the Committee.

Chairman of the Committee Andranik Kocharyan told ARMENPRESS that they have sent the invitation and assume that it will be accepted.

The session will take place on May 11 at 13:00.

Karen Karapetyan was appointed Prime Minister of Armenia in September 2016 and was in office until 2018.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenpress: Canada has balanced position on NK conflict – Foreign Minister

Jagharian Tania

Canada has balanced position on NK conflict – Foreign Minister

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 19:28, 7 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. In a letter addressed to the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) on May 4th, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. François-Philippe Champagne clarified Canada’s position on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), reported the ANCC.

Contrary to the diplomatically irresponsible and one-sided tweet published by the Canadian Embassy in Ankara, following the General Election held in the Republic of Artsakh on March 31st, Minister Champagne clearly stated that Canada fully supports the OSCE Minsk Group Process, the peaceful resolution of the conflict and the principle of self-determination – amongst others – as outlined in the Helsinki Final Act.

“While I regret any concern that this tweet may have caused the Armenian National Committee of Canada and the Canadian-Armenian community, I would like to reassure you that there has not been any change to our long-standing position on Nagorno-Karabakh” said the minister in his letter.

“We are satisfied to see that the Minister has restored the balance vis-à-vis Canada’s position on this issue of paramount importance to Armenian-Canadians, effectively overriding the lopsided and foreign-influenced tweet published by the embassy in Ankara” said Hrag Tarakdjian and Shahen Mirakian, co-presidents of the ANCC.

“The position of Canada remains based on our strong and consistent support for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group’s work toward a negotiated solution, and our position does not prejudge the outcome of this process. Canada agrees with the Minsk Group that there can be no military solution to the conflict and that any resolution must take into account the Helsinki Final Act. We want peaceful societies, and we will support the solution, when achieved.” Concluded the minister in his letter addressed to the ANCC.

“There is still a lot more that needs to be done on this issue and the ANCC will continue to stand at the forefront and work with our government to ensure that the fundamental human rights of the people of Artsakh are protected and upheld” concluded Tarakdjian and Mirakian.

On April 3rd, the ANCC forwarded a letter to Minister Champagne, raising serious concerns regarding the tweet, asking for its retraction and for the Minister to recall the ambassador for his irresponsibility and inability to uphold Canada’s balanced foreign policy.

The Embassy of Cannada in Turkey, also accreditted in Azerbaijan, made a twitter post saying that Canada supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and doesn’t recognize the so-called “elections” held in Nagorno-Karabakh on 31/3. Such “elections” undermine efforts, including by the OSCE Mins kGroup, to achieve a peaceful settlement of the NK conflict.




COVID-19 latest updates: China records just 1 new case in past 24 hours

Maral Chavushian

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 10:08, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world has surpassed 3 million 917 thousand 944, according to the data released by coronavirus research centers.

The death toll is over 270,000.

1 million 344 thousand 260 patients have recovered.

US is leading in the world in terms of the largest number of infected people (1 million 292 thousand 850 confirmed cases). 76,938 deaths were reported.

Then comes Spain which confirmed 256,855 cases so far. The total number of deaths in Spain is 26,070.

Spain is followed by Italy which reported a total of 215,858 cases. 29,958 patients have died.

UK has confirmed 206,715 cases and 30,615 deaths. UK has reported most death cases in Europe, and 2nd in the world after the USA.

Russia has reported 177,160 cases, with over 11,000 new cases. Death toll is 1625.

The next is France with a total of 174,791 cases and 25,987 deaths.

Germany has confirmed 169,430 cases and 7,392 deaths.

Brazil surpassed Turkey with most confirmed cases (135,773). 9,190 people have died in Brazil.

Turkey has recorded 133,721 cases. The deaths comprise 3,641.

Iran recorded 103,135 cases. 6,486 people have died in Iran from coronavirus.

China confirmed a total of 82,886 cases. 1 new cases have been confirmed in the country in the past one day. The death toll here is 4,633. No death case has been registered in the past few days.

Georgia confirmed 615 cases of coronavirus and 9 deaths.

Among the Arab states Qatar overtook the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the most confirmed cases – 18,890. The death toll has reached 12 in Qatar. The number of infected people in the UAE is 16,240. 165 death cases have been registered here. Egypt reported 7,981 confirmed cases and 482 deaths. In Kuwait the number of confirmed cases is 6,567and that of the deaths is 44. Iraq confirmed 2,543cases and 102 deaths. 784 cases have been reported in Lebanon, the deaths comprise 25. Syria’s confirmed cases reached 45. 3 death cases have been registered.

In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global pandemic and named the virus COVID-19. 

According to the data of the World Health Organization, coronavirus cases have been confirmed in more than 212 countries and territories.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

PM Pashinyan holds telephone conversation with Pope Francis

Chatinian Lara

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 17:58, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with Pope Francis on May 8, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The PM thanked for the efforts of the Holy Roman Church and personally Pope Francis aimed at mitigating the social-economic problems resulted by coronavirus and helping the vulnerable people and presented the measures of the Armenian Government aimed at fighting the pandemic.

The sides emphasized the importance of encouraging peace and stop of militarization. In this context PM Pashinyan highlighted the call for universal ceasefire by Pope Francis last month and presented Armenia’s commitment for a peaceful settlement to NK conflict, and also expressed gratitude to His Holiness for standing with the Armenian people and promoting the historical justice.

His Holiness congratulated PM Pashinyan on the 2nd anniversary of assuming the PM’s Office. He expressed great satisfaction over the fraternal and unwavering relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Pope Francis reaffirmed his position on the Armenian Genocide issue.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Construction workers unable to depart for seasonal work given employment opportunities in Armenia

Talar Tumanian

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 09:42, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. In an effort to mitigate the economic consequences of the coronavirus-related crisis, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and provincial governments in Armenia are offering seasonal workers who are unable to depart to foreign countries at this moment to be involved in construction projects.

Minister Suren Papikyan has tasked authorities to collect information of the labor force willing to participate.

The information on the available construction workers will be forwarded to contractors for potential employment.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian MPs brawl during parliament session

Emil Lazarian

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 10:57, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. An exchange of bitter words quickly escalated into a brawl in the Armenian parliament when opposition leader of the Bright Armenia LHK party Edmon Marukyan was speaking from the floor in response to ruling My Step faction MP Babken Tunyan’s speech. During Marukyan’s speech, another ruling party MP Sasun Mikayelyan interfered and started shouting something at Marukyan.

Mikayelyan’s microphone was not on and his remarks where inexplicable. However, Marukyan answered “Mr. Mikayelyan, I am not an uncle for you”. After exchanging a few words, the two started walking towards one another and a brawl ensued. Other lawmakers interfered.

Cabinet members were in attendance of the session as the agenda included the discussion of the government action plan’s performance.

Speaker Mirzoyan tried to maintain order and adjourned the session.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan

Noubar Afeyan’s Moderna given green light for Phase 2 study of potential coronavirus vaccine

Garo Vardanian

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 11:04, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its review of Noubar Afeyan’s biotech firm Moderna’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) vaccine candidate (mRNA-1273) allowing it to proceed to Phase 2 study, expected to begin shortly, the company said in a news release.

The Phase 3 study of mRNA-1273 is expected to begin in early summer of 2020.

The company is also preparing for a Phase 3 trial in the summer, and hopes to have the final vaccine approved “as soon as 2021.”

More than a dozen companies are involved in a global race to develop a coronavirus vaccine.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Coronavirus cases in Russia grow by 10,699 in one day

Hambardsumian Paul

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 11:58, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Russia has confirmed 10,699 new COVID-19 cases over the past day, taking the total case tally to 187,859 in all regions, TASS reports citing the anti-coronavirus crisis center.

Some 26,608 people have recovered and 1,723 patients have died of the coronavirus.

According to the crisis center, the daily growth rate stood at 6%, becoming the lowest figure since the outbreak of the virus. The number of recoveries per day has risen by 11.8%.

A total of 5,232 new patients (48.9%) have not shown any symptoms of the disease.