Category: 2022

YEREVAN. – Past daily of Armenia writes: For a long time, the situation in the Armenian financial market has been quite volatile; day by day we witness the devaluation of the [US] dollar and the euro.

Among specialists, there is an opinion that some circles of the authorities are quite skillfully "warming [their] hands" in this market. Such opinions among the public have started to worry the authorities, and, as it seems, no matter how strange it sounds, they are attempting to use this currency situation for another bluff.

According to Past newspaper’s information, in recent weeks the authorities are assigning special "emissaries" to spread information among the population in the provinces that the devaluation of the dollar and the stabilization of the [Armenian currency] dram, against its background, will lead to a decrease in the prices of [natural] gas and electricity.

Moreover, we also have information that during the past one month, some satellites serving the authorities are spreading and circulating this topic on virtually all possible internet platforms. Our source conveys that the said "emissaries" are also attempting to convince the population that the authorities are already taking concrete steps in this direction, as if even a delegation went to Moscow to negotiate in connection with the topic.

However, a number of specialists in this domain emphasize that this is another bluff, as in this matter, an important circumstance is how long the strengthening of the dram will continue; after all, in the short term, that effect cannot be large, which can have no effect whatsoever on the price of [natural] gas, in particular.

https://news.am/eng/news/711087.html

We expect political factions to work within the democratic processes available to them in parliament. This noted in US Ambassador to Lynne Tracy’s reply to the urgent letter by nonpartisan Taguhi Tovmasyan, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia. Tovmasyan wrote as follows on Facebook:

“After putting into circulation the draft resolutions submitted by the ruling faction on recalling opposition MP Ishkhan SAGHATELYAN from Office of NA Vice President and Termination of Powers of RA NA opposition MP Vahe HAKOBYAN as Chair of Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, I urgently prepared and sent letters to the international organizations, Ambassadors accredited in Armenia.

With the letters I drew my colleagues’ urgent attention to the draft resolutions submitted by the ruling faction and noted that as the justifications of the Draft Decisions make it clear, the ruling faction takes such initiatives because of the opposition MP’s boycott of parliamentary work (not participating in the voting, absences from the NA Council Sessions, absences from the Standing Committee sessions), opinions and statements made during the rallies.

Referring to the boycott I stressed that according to the European Court’s position a boycott is a form of expressing a protesting opinion which is protected by Article 10 of the Convention and that especially the parliamentary boycott has been practiced in all democratic states. 

Referring to the opinions and calls by the opposition MPs during the rallies, they are also protected by the Article 10 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Freedom of _expression_). And if the members of the ruling faction think that they contain violation of criminal law, then a criminal-legal assessment of their actions should be given. If not, then they are fully protected by internal and international norms on freedom of _expression_ especially for MPs and therefore an MP should not be punished for the freedom of _expression_. 

On this matter I requested Madam Ambassador to come up with a public statement on such a behavior by the ruling party which is against democratic principles. 
In reply, Ambassador Tracy informs: ‘The United States is committed to partnering with Armenia to strengthen democratic institutions that reflect our common values. We expect political factions to work within the democratic processes available to them in parliament, as established under Armenian law. 

We defer to relevant Armenian bodies on the legality of the decisions taken in parliament on July 1 to remove opposition Members of Parliament from their positions. We also stress that a constructive opposition plays an important role in any democracy’. 

The Ambassador sums it up: ‘The United States is committed to supporting the Armenian people as they continue to pursue a democratic agenda. I appreciate your constructive efforts towards this end’”.

The Yerevan-Istanbul flight of FlyOne Armenia airline was canceled Friday, its passengers were taken off the plane, and no information was provided for three hours.

This flight was canceled by the aircraft commander's decision. Aram Ananyan, the chairman of the board of FlyOne Armenia, stated about this on Facebook live.

"The commander of the aircraft, seeing certain differences in the data sensors of the aircraft, decided to abort the flight. We believe it is a correct and justified decision. The RA [(Republic of Armenia)] aviation authorities have been informed about what happened, and after a few hours the flight will take place, all our passengers will reach the places where they had planned to leave," Ananyan said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Gay village during his working visit Saturday to Armavir Province of Armenia.

"A new kindergarten is being built within the framework of subsidy programs in Gay settlement of the enlarged Araks community. With the co-funding of the government and the community, a new health center will also be founded here," he wrote on Facebook.

Pashinyan toured the half-built kindergarten.

"Mr. Prime Minister, the dream of this village is coming true," a woman from those assembled told Pashinyan.

https://news.am/eng/news/711136.html

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had an “unscheduled stop” in Yeraskhahun village during his visit to Armavir Province of Armenia. Pashinyan informed about this on Facebook, and added that he paid tribute to the heroes who died in the 44-day (Artsakh) war in the fall of 2020.

Pashinyan inquired about the problems of the villagers. In response they said, "We have a water problem."

It turned out that there is no school or kindergarten in this rural community either. Pashinyan assured that a school and a kindergarten will be built in this village as well in the near future.

"We believe in you, you have saved us from ‘hell,’" said a man from the village—addressing Pashinyan.

Also, the Yeraskhahun residents raised the issue of electricity.

"Why is there no electricity [in the village]?" the PM asked in surprise, and assured that all the problems will be resolved one by one.

The head of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan, said nothing has changed in his de the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan even after the end of the war.

“In June 2020, when I demanded the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, I said that we have 4 months, we are in danger, and after 4 months the war began,” Tsarukyan said.

As for the government's project regarding the compensation of duty debts of the Shangri La casino owned by Tsarukyan from the state budget, the head of the party did not elaborate.