Turkish journalist Cem Kucuk sees Armenia as the reason for the cutting off Iranian natural gas supply to Turkey.
According to the Internethaber website, Kucuk stated that Iran is concerned about a rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia, and this is why it stopped supplying natural gas to Turkey—and which has created chaos in Turkey.
17:44,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Air Force received new modern multi-role attack and transport helicopters, the Ministry of Defense said.
“On the occasion of commissioning the new military aviation equipment, a ceremony was held on January 25 at the Erebuni airfield which was attended by Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces Lt. General Artak Davtyan. Ahead of the anniversary of the formation of the Army, congratulating the personnel, the command of the military base expressed conviction that the protectors of the air borders are ready to fulfill their objectives and keep the country’s air gates safe,” the Ministry of Defense said.
Lt. General Artak Davtyan personally inspected the new gunships.
Armenian MP Artur Ghazinyan from the opposition Hayastan (Armenia) alliance believes that President Armen Sarkissian’s resignation has “geopolitical overtones”.
Sarkissian submitted resignation late on Sunday, stating that the president does not have the necessary tools to influence the important processes concerning the domestic and foreign policy in difficult times for the country.
"Why now, on Sunday evening? A few days ago, Armen Sarkissian received funding for a 200 MW solar plant from the UAE, noting it was just the beginning. Events are unfolding very quickly, and the resignation has obvious geopolitical overtones,” the deputy wrote on Facebook.
“One thing is for sure: the political realities in Armenia have changed and further developments could lead to a complete change of power.
“We must be vigilant, sober and cautious. The existence of the Armenian statehood is at stake,” Ghazinyan said.
18:02,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan held a consultation on the solution of social and infrastructural problems in Artsakh, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan, Deputy Minister of Finance Vahe Hovhannisyan, Minister of Finance of Artsakh Vahram Baghdasaryan and Permanent Representative of Artsakh to Armenia Sergey Ghazaryan attended the consultation.
Welcoming the attendees, Prime Minister Pashinyan, in particular, said,
"Dear Mr. President,
Dear colleagues,
Glad to see you. We are at a very important stage of cooperation with Artsakh. After the 44-day war, the Armenian Government is much more actively involved in solving the socio-economic problems of Artsakh. And, if I remember correctly, Artsakh's annual budget for 2022 is unprecedented, which, in fact, is natural, because post-war rehabilitation is, first of all, very important, of course, it will naturally require a lot of effort from us. And I think this is normal.
I want to emphasize that in 2022 the Armenian Government will provide budget assistance of about 144 billion AMD to Artsakh. In 2021, it exceeded 100 billion AMD. It is very important and we have discussed many times to move from the stage of management of a possible social crisis to the logic of development, trying to place our cooperation into this logic, to implement development programs in Artsakh.
I'm very happy about this discussion. By the way, this is not our first discussion on this topic. We have had many discussions, some of them were purely working discussions, which were not covered, the rest were covered. I think in general we can state that the programs are implemented effectively.
I want to remind also that after the war, of course, we had great concerns about the social situation and everything else. Of course, it is clear that the social situation not only in Artsakh, but also in Armenia is not like we could dream of, but we are talking about the manageability of the situation in general. Especially today, the social situation and inflation caused by the Covid are much discussed. It is, in fact, a global phenomenon, we can not consider the problem separately.
The war, the aftermath of the war came as a supplement. And in that sense, we can say that at least we have been able to maintain the situation in a certain area of manageability through joint efforts, so as to rule out the emergence of humanitarian crises in the post-war situation."
In his speech, President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan said,
"Mr. Prime Minister,
First of all, I would like to thank the Government of the Republic of Armenia again for solving the social problems during the war and in the post-war period. There have been no problems in terms of healthcare, accommodation, and other issues, regardless of the amount of benefits provided.
We have always felt that the support of the Armenian Government, its members and all officials in general has always been visible for the people of Karabakh during that difficult period. And in the post-war period we have done everything to be able to solve our most difficult problem – to give the displaced population the opportunity to first find temporary asylum in Artsakh and Armenia, and, of course, to provide radical solutions afterwards.
Mr. Prime Minister, let me note that in 2022, to be precise, 140 billion AMD, was provided to the budget of Artsakh as an interstate loan or direct grant. In addition, the Government of Armenia, through the programs of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, implemented numerous social programs directly. That's why the number is so large, thanks to which we managed to prevent emigration and solve even more important problems today.
I would like to mention, Mr. Prime Minister, that the construction of 300 apartments has already been completed, which have been handed over firstly to the displaced families and families of the victims, and secondly to the vulnerable families. Construction of 3000 houses has kicked off. We have renovated and provided about 500 apartments from the old, free fund in the villages, about 2000 apartments are already being designed, which we will start in 2022. In other words, with that 5,000 housing construction program, we will mainly solve the problem we have set before us by also reopening the old funds where no one lives.
By the way, Mr. Prime Minister, let me note that, yes, in the case of 144 billion AMD, we will be able to solve the existing problems, not only housing. We have started very ambitious programs. The Badara-Stepanakert pipeline is already under construction, which will completely solve not only the issue of quality drinking water for Stepanakert, but also the mentioned settlements under construction, some of which are located in the vicinity of Stepanakert. At the same time, the construction of the Badara Reservoir has already started, which is an unprecedented event in the history of independent Artsakh. The works on the canal called Sovetar is nearing completion, which will provide an additional opportunity for irrigation of 3,000 hectares. And at the same time, as you mentioned, in terms of implementing economic programs, we are doing our work in the direction of numerous artesian wells, so that agriculture, which should become the locomotive of our economy, can move forward.
It should be noted in terms of Base Metals, that it is already operating at a capacity of 70-80%, according to the planned. The issue of water and energy supply has been solved, the state budget revenues in 2021 amounted to 34 billion against the 17 billion prediction. We have planned 40 billion this year, but, of course, our expectations are much higher. At the same time, we are developing greenhouses and other areas through various charitable programs and cooperation.
In general, Mr. Prime Minister, the pace of housing construction corresponds to the volumes that we have discussed together and reached an agreement. At the same time, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is building 1,061 apartments, as well as other infrastructure projects, water pipelines in other villages and other settlements, and asphalting works are underway. In other words, infrastructural projects are being implemented in all areas, including housing. We managed to solve the most important problem – the issue of electricity, we have been able to maintain the situation almost uninterrupted so far, because it was difficult in terms of capacity supply, provision, etc. If there is no force majeure, that problem will be solved, given that we have also been able to supply the necessary power to "Base Metals".
In general, I would like to express my satisfaction, Mr. Prime Minister, in terms of the established cooperation. We are always in touch with those in-charge. Thank you."
Armenia reports 940 new cases of coronavirus. 127 citizens recover
11:04,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. 940 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 350 897, the ministry of healthcare reports.
5812 COVID-19 tests were conducted in one day.
127 patients have recovered.
No death has been reported. The total deaths stand at 8027.
The number of active cases is 7242.
19:46,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that during the upcoming meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov he will present the general position of Washington and European allies on the need for a diplomatic settlement of the situation in Ukraine, ARMENPRESS reports, TASS informed.
"During the meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov, I will be able to present the general opinion of the United States and its European partners to seek opportunities for diplomatic progress," Blinken said in a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
The Secretary of State said that stable, predictable relations with Russia are in the interests of Germany and the United States.
15:05,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh has issued a statement on the 32nd anniversary of the anti-Armenian pogroms in Baku.
ARMENPRESS presents the text of the statement:
“32 years ago, on January 13-19, 1990 a systematic and mass massacre of the Armenian population was carried out in Baku with apparent permission and support of the Azerbaijani authorities. Hundreds of Armenians were killed, dispossessed and hundreds of thousands of Armenians tortured during the week-long atrocities.
Armenian population of Baku and other cities were deported under the direct threat of physical existence, and found refuge in Artsakh, Armenia and other countries of the world without receiving international status and support. Over the years, Armenian cultural heritage in those areas was vandalized and desecrated, their historical value and significance were distorted by the Azerbaijani authorities being adapted to their political expediencies.
The realization, encouragement and glorification of the Armenian massacres by the Azerbaijani authorities and unfortunately by the Azerbaijani society is systematic, large-scale and has a clear chronology: in 1905 and 1918 – the massacres in Baku, February, 1988 – Sumgait and in November of the same year in Gandzak-Kirovabad,1990s – again in Baku, Maragha, 2004 – the glorification of Ramil Safarov who axed Gurgen Margaryan, the killings of civiliansand the torture of the Armenian military during April 2026 war, and Azerbaijani-Turkish aggressionof 2020, are undeniable evidence of the systematic policy of Armenian massacres and its consequences.
Due to the poisoning of the society by the authorities for years, intolerance, hatred against and murder of Armenians, vandalism against Armenian cultural heritage and desecration of monuments in Azerbaijan have become not only a state but a national policy. This is a fact against which the urgency of taking measures is also enshrined in the decision of the UN International Court of Justice.
Under the false slogans of peace building in the region, Azerbaijani authorities continue to commit widespread violations of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh creating an atmosphere of fear, despair, disrupting normal life in Artsakh, isolating the people of Artsakh from the world.
There is ample material documenting the crimes committed by Azerbaijan against the Armenians, it only takes an impartial and courageous eye to see it all and give a proper assessment. Unfortunately, these crimes have not received a clear legal assessment from the international community. This impunity is one of the focal reasons why Azerbaijan allows itself grossly violate the norms of international law, to speak with hatred about an entire nation without any fear it may be held accountable.
Guided by the most fundamental principle of the universality of human rights, pursuing the unconditional observance of this principle and restoration of justice, we will continue to demand the condemnation of the crimes against Armenians and the prevention of new crimes”.
Garo Paylan, the Armenian member of the Turkish parliament, on Wednesday addressed the legislature on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the assassination of prominent Istanbul Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.
In his remarks, Paylan stressed that Dink's assassination is not solved to this day because of the Turkish “deep state.”
He noted that Hrant Dink was preaching peace, that preaching was influential, and therefore it was problematic for the dark forces.
Garo Paylan concluded his Address in Armenian, saying: "Live long, Hrant Dink! We will not forget you!"
Hrant Dink—the editor-in-chief of Agos, the only weekly published in Armenian and Turkish in Turkey—was shot dead from the three gunshots fired to his head from behind by Turkish ultra-nationalist Ogun Samast on January 19, 2007, in front of the then office of this newspaper—and on national grounds. In 2011, Samast was convicted of Dink's assassination, but questions still remain about the involvement of Turkish state security forces in the case.
In June 2007, Hrant Dink was posthumously given the award of the President of Armenia.
11:08,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Armenia is in favor for the borders with Turkey to be opened and relations to be normalized swiftly without preconditions, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan said in his speech to lawmakers during the January 17 session.
Answering a question from opposition Hayastan MP Agnessa Khamoyan, he said the normalization is in the interests of Armenia and the Armenian people.
MP Khamoyan asked for details from the meeting between the special envoys of Armenia and Turkey which took place recently in Moscow.
“Mr. Arshakyan, the foreign ministry’s statement says that the meeting was held in a positive and constructive atmosphere. As your colleague stated, since important processes are taking place in the country, could you eventually inform the society on the processes and this positive and constructive atmosphere? Could you also explain where the agreement on having special representatives for attempting a normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey was reached?” Khamoyan asked Arshakyan, who is the Acting Speaker of Parliament due to Speaker Alen Simonyan currently being on an official trip abroad.
Arshakyan responded by saying that ever since Armenia’s independence and from the time when Turkey closed the borders the official position of Armenia has always been in favor of establishing relations and repoening of borders without preconditions.
“This logic hasn’t changed, the Republic of Armenia is maintaining this position now as well, and we are in favor of the reopening of borders and swift normalization of relations without preconditions. This is in the interests of Armenia and the Armenian people. Regarding the negotiations which took place during the meeting: the statement that the foreign ministry released is essentially describing the course of the negotiations. But if you want to obtain deeper and more comprehensive information regarding the course of the very negotiations itself, I believe from collegial and institutional perspective all mechanisms are in place for us to have such discussion and for you to have the chance to ask your questions,” Arshakyan said.
MP Khamoyan was dissatisfied from Arshakyan’s answers, and Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan himself – the Armenian special envoy for dialogue with Turkey – took the floor to present some details from the meeting with his Turkish counterpart.
“If you remember, back in 2021 the official representative of the Russian foreign ministry said that there is a process and the Armenian side has spoken with the Russian side about beginning a potential process with Turkey, which was then confirmed by the Armenian foreign ministry, and then Turkey announced the appointment of its special representative, which was welcomed by the Armenian foreign ministry and which noted that it will also appoint a special representative, and after that the Turkish side appointed its special representative, and after that the Armenian side appointed its special representative. This is how the agreements were reached. While the agreements on the exact location were reached with the help of the Russian side and the meeting took place in the Russian foreign ministry’s reception building in Moscow. You asked what we mean by saying ‘constructive atmosphere’. We mean a constructive atmosphere. As a result of the meeting the Armenian and Turkish foreign ministries issued press released which presented what the special representatives have discussed. The Russian foreign ministry also issued a press release,” Rubinyan said.
Hayastan MP Gegham Manukyan inquired from the technicalities, asking whether or not Rubinyan engaged in the negotiations with the Turkish envoy on behalf of the Armenian parliament given that he was sent to Moscow formally under the instruction signed by the Speaker on January 13.
Manukyan asked whether or not the parliament had authorized Rubinyan on behalf of the state to engage in negotiations on behalf of Armenia, whether or not the matter was discussed at the National Assembly Council.
“Each negotiation has a delegation, a head of delegation, there is a respective procedure, the agenda, timeframes, and expenses. All these procedures were adhered to in this case as well,” Arshakyan said, adding that they are open to answer remaining questions from the opposition MPs.
Armenian Russian boxer Arest Sahakyan died after ten days in coma, his relative Svetlana Petrosyan told TASS.
Sahakyan missed a blow to his head at a tournament in Tolyatti in December. He was taken to hospital, but didn’t regain consciousness.
Based on the results of the MRI, doctors decided to have an operation, which was very difficult, but successful, Svetlana Petrosyan said.
“But then there was a cerebral edema. He stayed in a coma for 10 days and never came to his senses,” she said, adding that the athlete died on January 7.
Sahakyan was 26, he was a professional boxer, and was also an MMA fighter. He will be laid to rest in his homeland Armenia, next to his father’s grave.