Azerbaijani press: MFA: Armenia’s statement about no talks on phased conflict settlement – ridiculous

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 23

Trend:

The statement made by the Armenian Foreign Ministry that the country has not been conducting the negotiations since 2018 based on the phased settlement of the conflict [the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict], is ridiculous, even given that it was made to calm the local community, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

“It would be more correct for the Armenian Foreign Ministry to truthfully inform the population of its country about the process of peaceful settlement of the conflict,” the message said.

“After the power change in this country in 2018, as many as ten meetings were held at the level of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, including the latest videoconference.

“According to Armenian Foreign Ministry’s logic, it turns out that the two countries’ ministers alongside with OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and foreign ministers of the three co-chairing states have been meeting just to talk and spend time together, as if they have nothing to do?!

“Azerbaijan has always expressed its position on the conflict’s settlement process and basic negotiation principles from the highest tribunes. At the same time, OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs carrying out mediation mission, have openly expressed their position in their statements, including the statement dated March 9, 2019.

“All these statements clearly highlight the elements of the phased settlement. Moreover, the negotiations continue in the same format and with the same agenda. Otherwise, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, having voiced a notorious statement on April 21, would not have participated in the videoconference and would not have joined the discussions.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia would better take steps towards preparing the population of his country for peace as agreed with him,” said the ministry.

Azerbaijani press: Colonel general: Azerbaijani people always ready to liberate occupied territories

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 23

Trend:

The statements made by the Armenian leadership and the Foreign Ministry from the position of an invader, avoiding the agreements on the peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict testify to the real goal here, and certainly gives grounds for Azerbaijan to exercise the right to liberate its lands by military way, Assistant to the Azerbaijani president, Head of the Military Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Colonel General Maharram Aliyev said in an interview with Trend.

“At the same time, Azerbaijan stated that in negotiations it stands for the peaceful settlement of the conflict on a legal basis,” the colonel general added. “From this point of view, I think that the Armenian leadership’s incessant attempts through various tricks to evade this process, leave Azerbaijan no other choice.”

“I would like to remind another important factor,” Aliyev added. “Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has reiterated his decisive position from a number of important international tribunes. While speaking both at the Munich Security Conference and at the Valdai Club, held with the participation of the heads of state of the CIS countries, President Aliyev emphasized that Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan will never put up with an aggressive policy,” the colonel general said.

“President Aliyev’s statement “Karabakh is Azerbaijan!” is still greatly disturbing Armenian military and political circles,” assistant to the president added. “I think that by making awkward statements, they are trying to hide fear. In general, the Armenian side, which rejects the negotiations, is doomed to realize that such behavior promises nothing for the country or people.”

While answering the question related to the degree of interest of the Armenian people in the continuation of the conflict, and whether it is possible to consider the notorious opinion of the Armenian authorities with the opinion of people from one angle, assistant to the president said that he does not think so.

“The ordinary Armenian people do not share the interests of the authorities, which constantly change,” the colonel general added. “History and documents prove that the basis of the conflict was laid by representatives of the foreign Armenian lobby, as well as Dashnaktsutyun representatives, coming from the interests of ultra-nationalists and terrorists.”

“That is, ordinary Armenian people did not participate in the preparation of this insidious plan,” the colonel general said. “We have repeatedly seen the situation when people loudly protest against the war, mothers of young men who are sent to serve in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and die there, demand to put an end to the conflict. While commenting on this issue, President Aliyev emphasized that if an Armenian soldier does not want to die in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, let the Armenian leadership put an end to the aggressive policy and withdraw its armed forces from the Azerbaijani lands.”

“Azerbaijan, which has a strong army, its armed forces, which have advanced military-industrial capabilities, hold high positions in various army ratings and polls,” assistant to the president said. “Therefore, I think that if Azerbaijan sits at the negotiating table, then the factor of military strength and military power is taken into account.”

“The facts reflect these realities,” assistant to the president added. “For example, today everyone, beginning from the Armenian military-political circles and ending with ordinary citizens, know and understand that Azerbaijan’s success in April 2016, as well as the victory in the Gunnut village in 2018, may be continued and the banner of victory may fly over all occupied territories.”

“Therefore, Armenians may think that by making absurd and dull statements they will be able to get away with it, but they are fundamentally mistaken,” the colonel general added. “The Azerbaijani armed forces have a solid position not only in the region, but also in ensuring and protecting international security. For many years, Azerbaijani servicemen have ranked first both within the NATO training and in large-scale military exercises which are held in different countries, as well as in the fight against international terrorism. ”

The colonel general emphasized that the Azerbaijani people are waiting for the order of the supreme commander-in-chief and always demonstrate the readiness to mobilize for the liberation of the occupied territories.

“This is an undeniably fair voice of our country, our people,” the colonel general said. “Therefore, the aggressors should remember that besides strong diplomacy, Azerbaijan also has a factor of military rhetoric. That is, as opposed to the absurd, worthless opinions of the Armenian military-political leadership, aimed at the public, the statements of the Azerbaijani leadership are accompanied with practical actions. ”

While commenting on Armenia’s helplessness towards the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the colonel general said that Armenia, isolated for many years from regional and international projects, also suffers from the powerful blows of the virus.

“I would say that during the period when the whole world is struggling against COVID-19 and even leading countries are experiencing various crises, notorious behavior of Armenia, which has no military, social and economic support, in the hope of an unknown ‘miracle’ leaves an impression of frivolity,” the colonel general added.

“Instead of making useless statements, it would be better for the Armenian leadership to take measures to prevent coronavirus infection in the military,” assistant to the president said. “According to the Armenian media, there are enough cases of infection in the army. After the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the political and economic foundations and opportunities are changing in the world, so Armenia one way or another should understand this.”

“If the Armenian leadership wants the country to survive, fortify its position, it is necessary to avoid the useless statements and to observe the agreements to resolve the conflict,” the colonel general said. “If there is an outbreak of a virus in the army of one country, then what advantage does this army have? Therefore, I think that Armenia has no way out.”

“I think that the Armenian military-political and diplomatic circles must review these facts, conduct analysis, demonstrate common sense,” the colonel general said. “Otherwise, the Azerbaijani army under the leadership of the supreme commander-in-chief will overthrow the enemy in a short period of time, and the tricolor Azerbaijani flag will fly over the liberated territories.”

Armenpress: Catholicos of All Armenians informs about demise of Armenian philanthropist Aso Tavitian

Catholicos of All Armenians informs about demise of Armenian philanthropist Aso Tavitian

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 19:22,

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II has informed about the sudden demise of philanthropist and patriot Aso Tavitian. ARMENPRESS reports His Holiness Karekin II wrote on his Facebook page that a requiem ceremony will be held for Tavitian at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

In his message the Catholicos of All Armenians noted that his death is a huge loss for the Holy Church and the entire Armenian people. ‘’It is impossible to list all the patriotic deeds of our beloved Aso’’, he said, noting that the Armenian Church had a great place in his philanthropist activities.   

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenpress: Over 1 billion AMD donated to Armenia’s anti-coronavirus efforts

Over 1 billion AMD donated to Armenia’s anti-coronavirus efforts

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 21:30,

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS.  The Ministry of Finance informs that a total of 1 billion and 32 million drams has been donated to the Armenian government for its anti-coronavirus efforts, ARMENPRESS reports the government said.

The treasury account (900005001947) was opened on March 17th for citizens and organizations willing to make donations.

The government said a total of 3871 payments were made since.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenpress: Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute presents online exhibition ahead of April 24

Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute presents online exhibition ahead of April 24

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 09:45,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute is presenting a new online exhibition titled “Self-Defense in Cilicia during the Armenian Genocide”, the Museum-Institute told Armenpress. The exhibition is dedicated to the centennial of self-defense battles of Marash, Hadjin and Aintab.

“2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Marash, Hadjin and Aintab self-defense battles and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute together with the Catholicosate of Cilicia have planned an international conference and a temporary exhibition to be held on April 16-17. However, due to the current situation with the pandemic, the conference was postponed while the exhibition will be presented to the public in an online format on the official website and the Facebook platform of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.

“The temporary exhibition “Self-Defense in Cilicia during the Armenian Genocide” is bilingual (Armenian and English) and is composed of eleven panels. Various episodes of the history of the Armenian Genocide related to the Cilician Armenians are presented starting from their status, occupation and contribution in the Ottoman Empire before the Armenian Genocide till their deportation and massacres, international diplomacy and the emptying of Cilicia of Armenians. Special emphasis has been put on the self-defense battles fought by the Armenians of Cilicia, first against the genocidal policy of the Young Turk regime (self-defense of Fendejag, Musa Ler, Amanos in 1915), and then against the Kemalists (self-defense of Marash, Hadjin, Aintab in 1920). These self-defense battles were heroic battles fought for family, life, dignity and faith in extremely unequal conditions. The exhibition highlights the exceptional role of Armenian women in this struggle. In almost every place where the self-defense battles took place, women actively participated not only in preparatory and organizational works such as digging trenches, building barricades, but also in the actual fighting together with their husbands. 

The statistical table presents the number of Armenians in Cilicia on the eve of the Armenian Genocide and as of April 1.

Unique exhibits from the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and the History Museum of the Cilician Armenians (Nor Hachn) with their relevant stories will also presented revealing human destinies, horrors and heroic episodes of the Armenian Genocide”, the statement of the Museum-Institute says.

Yerevan Zoo animals to cheer up online visitors during lockdown

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 09:48,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Amid the coronavirus lockdown, the Yerevan Zoo said it will organize the annual May 1 season opening ceremony remotely.

The zoo is closed since March 14th due to the state of emergency, Yerevan Zoo spokesperson Anna Vanyan told ARMENPRESS.

She said they had other plans for the May 1 event but due to the lockdown they “have found a solution to make our visitors happy on that day”.

“We have prepared a surprise for visitors and we will broadcast it live,” Vanyan said.

But even during the lockdown days the Yerevan Zoo has been trying to engage people, particularly children who are staying home. They have launched the “Write to The Animals – Write to Your Friends” project, where kids are writing letters to their favorite fluffy creatures. The letters will be published on the zoo’s social media account and the author of the best one has a surprise waiting for them.

And the zoo has been sharing videos online showing the daily lives of the animals.

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian President offers condolences over death of philanthropist Aso Tavitian

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 09:54,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a letter of condolences over the death of famous ethnic Armenian philanthropist Aso Tavitian, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

“I felt a deep pain by learning the news about the death of President of the Tavitian Foundation, philanthropist, my friend Aso Tavitian.

Aso Tavitian was a unique bridge of the homeland-Diaspora ties. He was not born in Armenia, was not living in Armenia, but was always living with Armenia, visiting the country many times and supporting the homeland with all means.

The vision of advanced and developed Armenia was a priority for Mr. Tavitian, which he was implementing by providing funding to various projects, especially educational programs. Thanks to the Tavitian Foundation many Armenian young people studied or trained at leading US universities, in particular the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

During our numerous meetings, also at various international platforms Aso Tavitian was always talking about the necessity to assist Armenia and its people with all means, considering the homeland and the Diaspora one body and one soul.

I offer my condolences to Aso Tavitian’s family and friends”, the Armenian President’s letter said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia starts gradually easing lockdown

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 10:01,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian authorities have lifted the ban on interprovincial travel and also allowed the operations of certain types of businesses.

Deputy PM Tigran Avinyan, who leads the Pashinyan Administration’s Coronavirus Response Task Force, said that the checkpoints at provincial entry points will be removed and they will focus their efforts in the direction of implementing heightened control towards the remaining restrictions.

Avinyan said they will consider potential lockdowns in individual communities in the event of risks. “The remaining restrictions concerning the movement of people and public transportation will remain in force,” he said.

The types of businesses that are allowed to resume operations are some operations in the process manufacturing branch, wholesale trade, certain types of retail, automobile renovation, real estate operations, book publishing and others.  Safety rules are defined for the business operations.

Businesses not covered by the decision are entitled to apply for the possibility of being granted exception from the ban at .

 

Editing and translating by Stepan Kocharyan

‘I miss the stage, the audience’: Cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan on pros and cons of quarantine

‘I miss the stage, the audience’: Cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan on pros and cons of quarantine

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 11:06,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. World renowned Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan has already returned back to his house after staying under quarantine in one of the hotels in Yerevan since April 7. The musician passed coronavirus testing, and the result is negative.

In an interview to ARMENPRESS, Narek Hakhnazaryan told about the negative and positive sides of self-quarantine, emphasized the importance of support of relatives, as well as introduced his future plans.

-People overcome the current difficult situation in different way. Some are posting funny videos with their families on social media, some sing, dance, etc. What was your way of overcoming that situation during quarantine?

-I haven’t yet made videos with my family, but maybe one day I will make interesting musical projects with the participation of my mother and father. I enjoyed the 14-day quarantine because I was sleeping a lot, which is a rare phenomenon in my life especially in past several years, I was also reading books, watching films. I also held a virtual concert which was live streamed on the Armenian government’s Facebook page. I have many ideas connected with online performances.

-You also performed at a reception hall of the hotel, expressing gratitude to doctors for their work. Many artists state that no virtual concert can replace the real concerts where musician or actor are directly communicating with the audience…

-If there is a choice between a live concert and a performance before a camera, of course, I will choose the real performance, the communication with the audience, the real energy, but in these conditions the online concert is the only mean to share your music with them which allows to give good moments to music-lovers.

I miss the stage, the performances in stage a lot, but if these virtual concerts didn’t exist, the situation would be much harder.

-You talked about books, movies. I think it will be interesting to your fans to know what are your preferences in this sphere?

-During this period I read The Suitcase by Sergei Dovlatov and Pavel Sanaev’s Bury Me Behind the Baseboard. I mainly love reading Russian literature, but I also like Shakespeare. I know English well, but have not tried yet to read his works in original, because the Shakespeare English is different, and I would have to use dictionary.

As for movies, I watched the Curb Your Enthusiasm. It’s a fantastic comedy shot in 2000s. I enjoyed watching it.

-During quarantine people revalue what they have, appreciate what they do not pay so much attention in the normal life. Did you think about this?

-When you are alone, and caring people stand by you, for whom you are important, you more appreciate them and value the communication with them. This is one of the positive sides of this situation. Being in Yerevan I miss the natural and simple things which I didn’t pay attention before the self-quarantine. I miss walking, the cafes, listening to jazz with friends in clubs. The absence of all of these is noticed, but as a musician, who is constantly travelling and has a busy schedule, I also saw the positive side in all of these. I had a chance to relax and think without any hurry. It’s a fantastic feeling when you are thinking about tomorrow and understand that you have no place to go, do not have to do anything, can do what you wish.

I feel myself very good in Armenia. I am very happy for being at home now and having an opportunity to run, visit a store.

-Delayed concerts, uncertainties. Do you see a light in the end of the tunnel?

-Yes, I see a light, but the problem is that I do not imagine the length of that tunnel.

According to the preliminary arrangement, some postponed concerts should take place in September. All my concerts are almost postponed until September and were moved to the next year. I hope the borders in different parts of the world will gradually open and the concerts will take place.

As I said, this situation is difficult for a musician also from financial perspective, but the lack of communication with the audience from the stage is more difficult. Music, stage, concerts are key parts of my life, and I do not imagine my life without them, therefore, the shorter the tunnel, the better it will be.

I urge everyone to be cautious, seriously accept this situation and do not undermine this virus. I met with people who consider this as something invented, but I also know dozens of people who got infected, I know two people who died from coronavirus and I also know that the hospitals in Italy, US have no other place, and people are dying by not receiving any medical care because the resources are not enough. We should appreciate what the Armenian government does to save the lives of our citizens, and we should assist the leadership to quickly overcome this situation which is also causing a serious financial blow both to the citizens and the state. We should use face masks, gloves and go out only in case of strict necessity.

Interview by Angela Hambardzumyan

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

27% of Armenia’s coronavirus patients have pneumonia

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 11:47,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. 230 coronavirus patients out of the 840 active cases in Armenia have pneumonia, and 10 of them are in critical condition, Healthcare Minister Arsen Torosyan told government officials at the Cabinet meeting.

“Around 230 people have pneumonia, 5 are intubated. Only one of them is rather young, 27 years old, but the latter has a chronic benign serious illness. Doctors are doing everything they can to stabilize the patient’s condition, it seems there are hopes that the patient’s life can be saved,” Torosyan said.

He said the pace of growth of new cases remains the same. In terms of hospital capacity, Torosyan said currently the number of beds is sufficient and it is too early to speak about shifting to other options.

He also warned against easing vigilance in terms of opening up some types of businesses.

“We can’t afford easing vigilance”, he said.

 

Editing and translating by Stepan Kocharyan