Category: 2020

 15:09, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of the 28^th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian hosted Hero of Artsakh, Commander of the operation of Shushi’s liberation Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

“The liberation of Shushi is of great importance for all of us. After the liberation of Shushi everyone knew that it’s over, we wound win the war”, the President said. “Various assessments were given to what had happened 28 years ago, but in my consciousness you are the symbol of the liberation day of Shushi. Of course, it would be better if our other friends were present here. Each fighter of Yerablur is a hero, no matter the state has declared him a national hero or not. They all are heroes. In order for the victory to be constant, we need to work every day for both Armenia and Artsakh to be strong, powerful with the economy, state structure and the Army. We must have a powerful Armenia and a powerful Artsakh”.

In turn Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan thanked for the appreciation and reception and stated that the victory of Shushi was thanks to the unity of the Armenian people. “We carried out a nationwide fight, it was not only the Army. It was the victory of our people’s unity. In future as well we need that unity for future victories”, he said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:40, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Following the brawl involving the opposition and the ruling faction lawmakers, the ruling My Step faction has convened a session.

Before the session began, Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan (My Step) and several members of the faction held a separate meeting as well.

Deputy Speaker Alen Simonyan (My Step) said that any manifestation of violence is unacceptable.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 15:37, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Parliament Majority Leader Lilit Makunts has apologized on behalf of the My Step bloc to citizens who witnessed the brawl in parliament.

She said she believes the incident is a result of a provocation made by Bright Armenia (LHK) opposition party. Makunts said she thinks LHK started the provocations after parliament passed the Stolen Asset Recovery bill, which LHK turned down.

“First of all, on behalf of My Step faction I would like to apologize to all our citizens who witnessed the incident. On behalf of My Step, I feel very sorry that the faction gave in to provocations,” she said.

Makunts said the LHK has been attempting for already a few weeks to embroil and provoke My Step into such incidents

She emphasized that there is no justification for the incident.

“At the same time, I would like to note that the Bright Armenia faction is bringing to parliament not their own agenda, but the agenda of some unclear, outside hooligan groups,” Makunts said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 15:07, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Bright Armenia (LHK) opposition party leader Edmon Marukyan has announced that the incident which took place during the parliament session must receive a political assessment and have political consequences.

“More than three hours passed since the incident took place, but we haven’t seen any reaction which is worthy for a democratic, political system. I think that the foundations of democracy and the values proclaimed by the revolution have been transgressed. And I believe that an unprecedented thing has happened in the history of Armenia. As I recall, a faction leader hadn’t been struck from the back yet. But what I am saying is that what happened was political, and it must get a political assessment. Anything political has its logic and must have a political assessment,” he said, adding that they expect political assessment and consequences from the ruling party, the public sector and other parties.

He announced that the LHK will leave the session for now and depending on future assessments they will make conclusions and decide how to proceed.

Earlier a brawl took place between Marukyan and ruling fction MP Sasun Mikayelyan during the session. The brawl quickly escalated and turned into a brief fistfight.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 16:02, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended congratulations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of victory in the Second World War to leaders and nations that formerly made up the Soviet Union, TASS reports citing the Kremlin press service.

“Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages to the leaders and citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, South Ossetia as well as the peoples of Georgia and Ukraine, on the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War”, the press service noted.

The Russian leader emphasized that these countries treasure the memory of heroes whose bravery on the frontlines and selfless labor in the rear contributed to the defeat of Nazism, which became our shared heritage. “It is the sacred duty of today’s generations to preserve forever the memory of those who defended the freedom of their native land at the cost of innumerable sacrifices and hardships, and to surround our dear veterans with care and attention,” noted Putin.

The president also urged “resolute opposition to any attempts to rewrite the results of the Great Patriotic War, to whitewash or consign to oblivion the inhuman crimes committed by the Nazis and their accomplices.”

He expressed confidence that “the shared memory of the heroic deeds of our fathers and grandfathers would have a constructive impact on bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas and on partnering to confront modern threats and challenges like the coronavirus pandemic.”

The Russian leader extended words of sincere gratitude and good wishes to veterans, partisans and homefront workers.

 16:23, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he finds the brawl in parliament to be a result of provocation by opposition Bright Armenia (LHK) party, but at the same time he condemned his political force, the My Step faction, for giving in to the provocation.

“I would like to unequivocally emphasize my attitude, by saying that I condemn any occurrence of violence with all its manifestations. I would like to emphasize – violence with all its manifestations, because violence can be not only physical, but also moral, violence can be psychological. And I must very directly emphasize that for already two years the revolutionary team, including this parliamentary majority and this government are consistently and continuously being subjected to moral and psychological violence,” Pashinyan said.

The PM said the goal of these provocations is to subvert and weaken the political majority and subvert the trust between the people and the political majority.

He reminded that on May 7 Bright Armenia leader Edmon Marukyan had invited him to a meeting, and he had accepted it. “And I had directly said that we all have reasons to suspect that you and your activity, all these psychological and moral violence, were eventually an integral part of a plan of launching physical violence”, he said.

Pashinyan said he has re-watched the video from the incident several times and described it as “a disgusting provocation”, but at the same time he condemned it and condemned that his team has given in to it.

“I condemn us, I condemn myself. And today’s happening I find to be our and my own biggest loss that we had after the revolution. But let this not make anyone hopeful. I have lost, lost many times and I have seen the lie’s sneer, but my will is stronger than stone, my spirit doesn’t know surrender,” he said, quoting his own poem.

He said he believes the opposition’s behavior is linked with the law on the Stolen Asset Recovery, and numerous criminal cases.

“Violence has no place in our reality, and this incident must never again be repeated,” he said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 18:37, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. A Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction concluded the examination of the 3 motions filed by the lawyers of 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan on suspending the detention of Kocharyan or changing the preventive measure by bail or personal guarantee.

ARMENPRESS reports the Court will publish the decision on May 13 at 17:50.

The lawyers of the other defendants charged with the same case also joint the motions.

The prosecution and the representatives of the victims of March 1 case presented objections against the motions of the lawyers.

Robert Kocharyan was present at the court session who was at Izmirlian Medical Center before coming.

Former Prime Minister of Armenia Vazgen Manukyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan and Karen Karapetyan, as well as former Prime Minister of Artsakh Anushavan Danielyan were also present, who submitted their personal guarantees for changing Kocharyan’s preventive measure and releasing him from jail.

Kocharyan has been kept in detention since June 25, 2019. He is accused of overthrowing Constitutional order in 2008.

Other former high ranking officials and military commanders are also charged under the same article.

Reporting by Karen Khachatryan, Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

 17:31, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, 8 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 8 May, USD exchange rate up by 0.97 drams to 484.11 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.99 drams to 524.73 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 6.58 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 2.36 drams to 599.62 drams.

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

Gold price up by 248.09 drams to 26522.68 drams. Silver price down by 1.00 drams to 233.16 drams. Platinum price up by 225.57 drams to 11797.89 drams.

 20:07, 8 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. The air parade dedicated to the 75^th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War will kick off from Gyumri at 11:00, according to preliminary arrangements, press secretary of the Defense Ministry of Armenia Shushan Stepanyan told ARMENPRESS.

‘’It’s scheduled for 11:00, but it depends on weather conditions. The air parade will kick off from Gyumri. It will be aired Live on Public TV’’, she said.

The airplanes of the Russian military base will also participate in the air parade.

Reporting by Karen Khachatryan, Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan