Category: 2021

 14:18,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on his supporters to display restraint and remain calm during the rallies that he called for.

Asked by reporters whether or not he sees the danger of potential clashes, he said: “There is always a danger, it is tense. But we must all agree that no such thing will happen in Armenia. The most important thing is that we are all calm, we have no enemies in Armenia, this is the most important record. But there are issues that must definitely be discussed, and this discussion is the purpose of our rally today.”

Earlier today, the General Staff of the Armed Forces called on Pashinyan to step down. In turn, Pashinyan said this demand amounts to an attempted coup.

Asked by reporters whether or not the danger of the coup is over, Pashinyan said the danger of a coup is mostly manageable.

“I think that was an emotional reaction,” Pashinyan said regarding the military’s statement. “And we shouldn’t treat our brothers strictly, it’s just that some of our brothers have been drawn into, but even those whom I’ve decided to dismiss are my brothers, all of them are my brothers, our brothers, soldiers of the country, therefore be calm,” Pashinyan said.

“There must be an atmosphere of brotherhood in Armenia, but this doesn’t mean that there won’t be a political debate and conversation.”

“The people’s power must be preserved and protected,” he said.

Pashinyan went on to walk with his supporters in downtown Yerevan. He called on citizens to gather at the central square in Yerevan at 16:00.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 14:03,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The National Security Service of Armenia urges citizens to refrain from any actions threatening the national security and warns that any illegal action will receive a proper response by the law enforcement agencies.

“We call on our citizens not to give in to provocative actions, observe the legal order and keep vigilance. The state administration authorities of Armenia fulfill their functions.

The National Security Service warns that such possible actions can threaten the security of Armenia and any such step could be viewed as a concrete goal on weakening the state.

The National Security Service continues taking necessary measures in accordance with the current situation for ensuring and protecting Armenia’s sovereignty and security, territorial immunity”, the NSS statement says.

On February 25 the General Staff of the Armenian Forces of Armenia issued a statement, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Cabinet.

In his turn Pashinyan commented on the statement, calling it as a “military coup attempt”. He invited all his supporters to the Republic Square to discuss the ongoing developments.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:51,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan has made a statement, noting that “the situation in the country requires exceptional efforts from everyone to ensure solidarity and absolute respect for human rights”.

“The situation in the country requires exceptional efforts from all of us to ensure solidarity and absolute respect for human rights.

Any development which increases tensions must be avoided.

The authorities, first and foremost law enforcement agencies, are obliged to be guided exclusively by the rule of law and strictly ensure the protection of human rights in the country.

We need vigilance and solidarity more than ever in these responsible days”, the statement says.

On February 25 the General Staff of the Armenian Forces of Armenia issued a statement, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Cabinet.

In his turn Pashinyan commented on the statement, calling it as a “military coup attempt”. He invited all his supporters to the Republic Square to discuss the ongoing developments.

 13:46,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The Kremlin follows the ongoing political developments in Armenia with concern, but states that the current situation is the internal affair of the country, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, RIA Novosti reports.

“We follow the developments in Armenia with concern. We consider it the internal affair of Armenia which is our very important and close ally in the Caucasus”, Peskov said.

On February 25 the General Staff of the Armenian Forces of Armenia issued a statement, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Cabinet.

In his turn Pashinyan commented on the statement, calling it as a “military coup attempt”. He invited all his supporters to the Republic Square to discuss the ongoing developments.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:35,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The ruling My Step bloc of the Armenian parliament has reiterated support to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after the General Staff the Armed Forces demanded his resignation.

“This unconstitutional step is aimed at capturing the people’s power and subjecting the state to turmoil in this fragile post-war period, which is fraught also with external security threats. It is regrettable that the people responsible for the country’s security are deliberately displaying irresponsible behavior. My Step faction is united and resolute in preserving the stability of the state and the people’s power and is supporting the prime minister,” the bloc said, calling on citizens to rally in the Republic Square in Yerevan to “peacefully, non-violently exercise our constitutional right.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 12:44,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan says the ongoing domestic political developments in Armenia are strictly concerning. He urged all sides to show soberness and common sense.

In a statement he emphasized that now it’s the time to get out of the crises and pass through a long development and strengthening path.

“Currently being in Yerevan I am ready to bring my mediation mission in overcoming this political crisis with honor”, the President of Artsakh said.

On February 25 the General Staff of the Armenian Forces of Armenia issued a statement, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Cabinet.

In his turn Pashinyan commented on the statement, calling it as a “military coup attempt”.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:18,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has commented on the statement made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces on February 25.

“I consider the statement of the General Staff an attempt of a military coup. I am inviting all our supporters to the Republic Square right now. I will soon address the nation live”, the PM said on Facebook.

The General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces demand the PM’s resignation

 11:42,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has ordered an internal investigation to reveal how the Armenian defense exhibits failed to reach the IDEX-2021 expo in Abu Dhabi.

Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting that the investigation will bring to account the officials in charge if they have any fault in the incident.

Earlier, the Ministry of High-Tech Industry had announced that the samples of the military-industry failed to reach the expo due to “logistical problems”.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:41,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. According to the decision of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a working group will be formed led by the defense ministry aimed at setting the timetable of the Roadmap for the Armed Forces reform concept.

“I would like to remind that point 8 of the Roadmap released by me is the following: approving Armed Forces reform program and launching the reforms. In recent months we have had intensive discussions on this topic, we have come to some preliminary conclusions and in fact we have formed an agenda on how and in which formats the Armed Forces reform should be carried out.

Today I am going to sign a decision on forming a working group led by the defense ministry which will formulate the deadline of the Roadmap for the Armed Forces reform concept. I would like to highlight that we are going to establish a closer cooperation with our number one security partner Russia in this process.

We are confident that as a result of this process our cooperation will become more effective in the security and defense fields. I hope we will implement at least most of this conceptual work before the date of summing up the Roadmap and will start in practice fulfilling the agreements reached”, the PM said at the Cabinet meeting today.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan