Category: 2022

YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: Nikol Pashinyan is insuring his power ahead of possible political developments or heated fall.

Yesterday, the government decided that as of September 1, pensions [in Armenia] will increase by 2-3 thousand drams. Of course, against the backdrop of enormous inflation, this small increase in pensions cannot have any significance in people's lives. Especially against the backdrop of their [i.e., the government members] million-[dram] salaries, this is a mockery of the public at the least, but it's enough for PR.

There are also reports that Pashinyan is preparing changes in the government, too. He awaits that the street will become active again and when it presents a slight threat to the authorities, he will contain public dissatisfaction with the resignation of some ministers, members of the government; the steps of forming a so called national accord or compromise government.

A monument which is meant to "frighten" Armenians will be promptly erected in Berdzor (Lachin) town, which has passed under the control of Azerbaijan today.

The "Iron Fist" monument has already been brought to Lachin, and it will be installed in the center of the city, Azerbaijani media reported.

"Iron Fist" was one of the main military operations by Azerbaijan in its 44-day war against Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in the fall of 2020.

Azerbaijan supports as a formality the initiative of reconciliation with Armenia, but in reality it continues its provocations and aggressive actions against Armenians.

The Shushi-Berdzor (Lachin)-Goris section of the interstate motorway connecting Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to Armenia is open both ways, informs the Artsakh Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Russian peacekeepers ensure the unobstructed and safe travel of people entering Artsakh and leaving Armenia, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from Artsakh Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia has responded to the note of the Russian embassy in the prescribed manner. Vahan Hunanyan, the MFA spokesperson, told Armenian News-NEWS.am about this—but did not disclose the content of this note.

"The content of the note is part of the internal diplomatic record; therefore, we do not consider its publicizing correct," said Hunanyan.

On August 17, the Russian embassy in Armenia sent a note to the Armenian MFA due to the false anti-Russian accusations circulating against Russia in the Armenian local information domain.

In the statement of the embassy, it was noted that they are upset by the cynical speculations circulating in the local information domain, and which contain disrespectful and false accusations of the Russian organizations’ complicity in the tragic explosion that occurred in the Surmalu shopping market in Yerevan on August 14.

We see intent in Sevan Kocharyan, a key witness in the case of third President Serzh Sargsyan and others, not appearing in the court session. Amram Makinyan, one of Sargsyan's defense attorneys, told reporters this Thursday in the courtyard of the Yerevan court where the aforesaid criminal case is being heard.

"That witness, who was the reason for the launching of this criminal case, argued that he has hearing problems. It is the third court session, being duly notified, he does not appear [in court]. I am convinced that the person realizes that he was deceived and shall come and publicly answer our questions. It will be clear to the public how this criminal case was packaged, for what [purpose], and under what conditions. People have realized that it is possible to delay a little with this evasive behavior," said the lawyer.

He noted that that during the criminal investigation of the case, the aforesaid witness was interviewed five times by the investigator. "This is a direct indicator of the falsity of this criminal case," Makinyan added.

The witnesses in this criminal case are being questioned at this phase. But witness Sevan Kocharyan did not appear at today’s court session, and therefore the court decided to reschedule this hearing.

The next court session was scheduled for September 8.

Court hearings in this criminal case are rescheduled on a regular basis.

Two other defendants in the case—Sergo Karapetyan and Samvel Galstyan—have died as a result of the coronavirus. And the charges against Serzh Sargsyan are based on Sergo Karapetyan's testimony.

According to the indictment of this criminal case, being organized by Sargsyan, pushed by Beglaryan, and assisted by former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Galstyan and Gevorg Harutyunyan, former Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan had squandered—from January 25 to February 7, 2013—AMD 489,160,310 of subsidy allocated from the government's reserve fund for the 15,391,765 liters of diesel fuel that was used during the implementation of state assistance programs.

Serzh Sargsyan has been charged under the Criminal Code article on large-scale embezzlement or squandering. The third president, however, does not accept the charge against him, and his lawyers say that this process is a political persecution against their client.

Greek F-16 fighters pursued two Turkish F-16s during a NATO NEXUS ACE training mission in the Aegean Sea. This was reported by the Turkish TV channel Haber Turk, citing a source in the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.

This is the second such incident in the Aegean. The Turkish side announced them to the central apparatus of the North Atlantic Alliance.

According to the channel, similar incidents took place on August 23 and 24.

In turn, the Greek Ministry of National Defense reported that on August 23, Turkish fighter jets committed 78 violations of Greek airspace, each time Greek military aircraft rose to intercept them.

There is Nagorno-Karabakh and the conflict created around it, without resolving which we will be far from peace, the Ambassador for Special Assignments Edmond Marukyan wrote on his Facebook page.

He noted in particular:

"In Azerbaijan, they think they can decide whether or not the U.S. should appoint a co-chair of the Minsk Group…

Or they can say that there is no Nagorno-Karabakh, the Karabakh conflict is solved, when the whole international community expresses a different opinion, the solution of the Karabakh conflict is necessary for the long-term peace.

That is, it is fixed that there is Nagorno-Karabakh and the conflict created around it, without the resolution of which we will be far from peace.

Military success dazzles and then becomes the basis of failures."

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in the city of Cholpon-Ata today as part of his working visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he took part in a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council.

The Russian prime minister stated in his speech:

"We highly value our brotherly relations with Armenia, which are based on deep historical and spiritual ties between our peoples. On August 29th we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Aid, which laid the foundation for the allied relations between Russia and Armenia.

Together with our Armenian partners we are taking prompt decisions aimed at protecting our trade and economic cooperation, including in conditions of illegal sanctions against Russia.

According to the results of the first 6 months of this year, the bilateral trade turnover increased by 42% compared to the same period in 2021. In absolute terms, it has reached $ 1 billion. 600 million dollars. It is a record figure. As for investments of Russian capital in Armenia, they reach $2 billion.

We want to speed up work on priority projects in transport, industry and energy. It is important to create comfortable conditions for business activities.

In this regard, the event to be held in Armenia in September with the participation of Russian companies will be a good platform.

We are also actively working to expand the use of national currencies in bilateral trade. I am confident that it will contribute to an increase in trade turnover and diversification of its structure. We give priority to the unblocking of economic and transport infrastructures in the South Caucasus, in accordance with the agreement of the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan."

Pashinyan noted that "these meetings are important for us in the context of managing situations that, unfortunately, arise frequently."

"Two days ago, in a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, we also stressed the importance of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. In April we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

I am confident that despite all difficulties, together we will overcome situations that create problems for our economies and cooperation," the Armenian Prime Minister added.